Ham Radio Questions

[Art_Davis]

My ham ticket expired somewhere in the 1970's. I am thinking of getting back into it, but have a couple of questions? I had an advanced class license. Do I have to go through the complete exam, or can I simply do a renew? Do I have to do another code test? (Strangely, I think I could still do 5 wpm. Maybe it's like riding a bike?) Finally, are there medium wave repeaters (say 20 or 40 meters) as well as for vhf/uhf? I would like to use something like Echo Link, but would love to have the extra range consistent with the lower bands? Can any of you pros help me out? Tnx.

[Art_Davis]

RonaldNC wrote:

Art Davis wrote:
I see that Yaesu has just announced the FT-65R which apparently supercedes the FT-60. Looks like the screen might be easier to read by an aging dude with failing eyesight. Also I noticed that hamradio.com seems to have good prices. Has anyone bought from them? Saw a Youtube video, wherein the guy says he likes the icom because it uses AA batteries---and he might have a point in that you can carry spares. Guess the alternative would be to buy a spare rechargeable battery pack, no?

Don---which Kenwood did you have in mind?

Wow! I hadn't noticed the release of the FT-65R. It looks pretty cool and worth the extra $15.

I actually don't have much trouble programming my Yaesu... you just hit the menu key and you can scroll through the options with the dial. However, no matter what radio you purchase, I highly recommend the RT Systems software. It extracts all the repeater information for the area you're in (from the ARRL Repeater database) and automatically downloads it into your radio memory bank. It's really great when you're moving locations every few days!

Also, the included rechargeable battery lasts a long time. The last time I charged it up was several weeks ago.

Good luck with whatever you buy!

Many thanks for the help, Ron. I just ordered the FT-65R, and am looking forward to figuring it out.

73,

Art

[RonaldNC]

Art Davis wrote:
I see that Yaesu has just announced the FT-65R which apparently supercedes the FT-60. Looks like the screen might be easier to read by an aging dude with failing eyesight. Also I noticed that hamradio.com seems to have good prices. Has anyone bought from them? Saw a Youtube video, wherein the guy says he likes the icom because it uses AA batteries---and he might have a point in that you can carry spares. Guess the alternative would be to buy a spare rechargeable battery pack, no?

Don---which Kenwood did you have in mind?

Wow! I hadn't noticed the release of the FT-65R. It looks pretty cool and worth the extra $15.

I actually don't have much trouble programming my Yaesu... you just hit the menu key and you can scroll through the options with the dial. However, no matter what radio you purchase, I highly recommend the RT Systems software. It extracts all the repeater information for the area you're in (from the ARRL Repeater database) and automatically downloads it into your radio memory bank. It's really great when you're moving locations every few days!

Also, the included rechargeable battery lasts a long time. The last time I charged it up was several weeks ago.

Good luck with whatever you buy!

[5outta6]

On my last Rv, I used to run my Icom 706. Had it mounted under the seat with a separation cable mounting the control head and mic on the dash.
I haven't installed it in the new Rv.

The 706 has vhf/uhf and HF..............................

I think the newer rigs are smaller with more features.

How many monitor 146.52 when driving in uncharted territory?

Or is there a simplex Fq that RV'rs monitor?

73
AC6GD

[SCVJeff]

wa8yxm wrote:

wtww..us (this is a readio station, 1.1 Gigawatt spread across multiple transmitters, Broadcasting mostly religion but transmiotter 2 is mostly music. On Sat at 2pm (eastern) they play Theater organ Music featuring K9EID on the keys, and at 2:30, usually, Amateur Radio Newsline.

You can also get 'em most anywhere in the world with a general coverage receiver.

And of course ARRL.ORG.. they have the answers to your questions.

This is simply not true. Go to the other thread where this first came up and click the link to the license I posted. This is licensed as a 100KW rig with 12db antennas. Do the math...

HERE is the link to the other thread.

[SCVJeff]

I have Baofeng as well as the ol' reliable VX5. I find the BF-F8HP easier to use, easier to read screen, the battery lasts forever it seems. The CHIRP programming is easier to use than EVE. EVE is supposed to drive the VX5 but I haven't been able to get the two talking yet. The modulator has a lot of punch and arguably sounds better than the VX5. They are very close. The BF-F8HP makes a solid 8W on the Bird and won't burn your hand live the VX5 trying to make 4W. PL works fine, but it also supports DPL and you can cross PL in n'out. Not sure about DPL. There is also a quasi reverse burst that works great with other Baofeng's. I need to try it with a conventional PL'd receiver and see what it does.
Complaints:
The handheld mic sounds terrible, but what do you expect for $7. The Yaeseu is that much better at x4 the price
There is a bug in th AGC that affects all Baofeng radios and I've had many in my hands. It appears to essentially be Off, causing pops and clicks with any flutter whatsoever, and it's just as bad when it goes through strong multi-path. So essentially any multiparty of flutter you hear is doubled by this flaw. It's irritating but you can't beat the price

[Art_Davis]

I see that Yaesu has just announced the FT-65R which apparently supercedes the FT-60. Looks like the screen might be easier to read by an aging dude with failing eyesight. Also I noticed that hamradio.com seems to have good prices. Has anyone bought from them? Saw a Youtube video, wherein the guy says he likes the icom because it uses AA batteries---and he might have a point in that you can carry spares. Guess the alternative would be to buy a spare rechargeable battery pack, no?

Don---which Kenwood did you have in mind?

[dons2346]

I think that the Kenwood and Icom brands are much easier to program than the Yeasu. Yeasu has menus embedded within menus plus the screens are a lot smaller. I use primarily Icom units but my Kenwood units are also easily programed without a manual

[RonaldNC]

Art Davis wrote:
Thanks for the response, Ron. Good info. Have you had a chance to make comparisons between your Yaesu and the (significantly cheaper) iCom and Baofeng transceivers?
P.S. The Yaesu now goes for $172 on Amazon. Is there a better source?

Art,

Actually, I skipped the part where I first purchased a TYT handheld... which is also a Chinese brand (about $110). While it worked fine, it was really hard to figure out how to program it. The manual was clearly a Chinese to English translation and hard to understand.

You could purchase the Baofeng, along with the RT System program to make programming it easier, and it would save you a few bucks.

I bought my Yaesu at Ham Radio Outlet here in San Diego for $154. The equivalent Icom IC-T70A sells for $200. If you want a mono band HT (2 meter), you would save a few bucks on both manufacturer's products... but I think it is worth the small price difference to get dual band.

Ron

[Art_Davis]

RonaldNC wrote:

Art Davis wrote:
Just a last note: Went to the Yuma hamfest today, took the technician test and passed! Yabbadabbadoo, as Fred Flintstone would say. Now to figure out what's going on! (Gotta' confess that I tried to get cocky and took the general exam---missed by one question! Now to unravel the issue of how to grandfather the tech license up to my previous class.) Lots of nice folks associated with the examining team and the Yuma ham club, by the way!

BTW: Is anyone in the Yuma area? I'd appreciate some advice on how to access the local repeaters and what kind of handheld transceiver to get to access them. I will play around with the vhf/uhf bands before pursuing the hf emergency issue.

When I hit the road as a full-timer, I decided to give VHF/UHF a try. I purchased a Yaesu FT-60R, which is a dual-band handheld 144/440 MHz radio for about $150 brand new. Then I purchased the ARRL repeater book and started traveling. I've always been able to find a signal wherever I travelled. I later bought the RTS system for my handheld, which simplified the process of adding memory channels.

I'm still working on getting a low-band radio/antenna for the motorhome. I didn't want to bring my old Yaesu FT101 along. Looking at, perhaps, the Icom IC7300... but still haven't decided on a good mobile/portable antenna.

Welcome back to the club!

Thanks for the response, Ron. Good info. Have you had a chance to make comparisons between your Yaesu and the (significantly cheaper) iCom and Baofeng transceivers?
P.S. The Yaesu now goes for $172 on Amazon. Is there a better source?

[RonaldNC]

Art Davis wrote:
Just a last note: Went to the Yuma hamfest today, took the technician test and passed! Yabbadabbadoo, as Fred Flintstone would say. Now to figure out what's going on! (Gotta' confess that I tried to get cocky and took the general exam---missed by one question! Now to unravel the issue of how to grandfather the tech license up to my previous class.) Lots of nice folks associated with the examining team and the Yuma ham club, by the way!

BTW: Is anyone in the Yuma area? I'd appreciate some advice on how to access the local repeaters and what kind of handheld transceiver to get to access them. I will play around with the vhf/uhf bands before pursuing the hf emergency issue.

When I hit the road as a full-timer, I decided to give VHF/UHF a try. I purchased a Yaesu FT-60R, which is a dual-band handheld 144/440 MHz radio for about $150 brand new. Then I purchased the ARRL repeater book and started traveling. I've always been able to find a signal wherever I travelled. I later bought the RTS system for my handheld, which simplified the process of adding memory channels.

I'm still working on getting a low-band radio/antenna for the motorhome. I didn't want to bring my old Yaesu FT101 along. Looking at, perhaps, the Icom IC7300... but still haven't decided on a good mobile/portable antenna.

Welcome back to the club!

[SCVJeff]

I was just listening to a QSO between a couple of the guys down there a few minutes ago and one commented that all his students had passed the test. You must be one of them.. Welcome back!

[Art_Davis]

Just a last note: Went to the Yuma hamfest today, took the technician test and passed! Yabbadabbadoo, as Fred Flintstone would say. Now to figure out what's going on! (Gotta' confess that I tried to get cocky and took the general exam---missed by one question! Now to unravel the issue of how to grandfather the tech license up to my previous class.) Lots of nice folks associated with the examining team and the Yuma ham club, by the way!

BTW: Is anyone in the Yuma area? I'd appreciate some advice on how to access the local repeaters and what kind of handheld transceiver to get to access them. I will play around with the vhf/uhf bands before pursuing the hf emergency issue.

[Wadcutter]

This might answer some of your questions.
Exam-credit

[Art_Davis]

Thanks to everyone who responded. On having proof of expired license---I don't seem to have retained a copy of my license in my personal documents. The call has been reassigned, but would the FCC have a record of my license data? If so, how do I access it?

On the issue of repeaters---what I had in mind was an automated equivalent of the old phone patch. (In my case it was simply holding the receiver up to the mike. Mike? Nowadays they shorten it to mic! When did that slip past me?) I have seen postings here about the best emergency off-road tools, and most seem to feel that cb is worthless. I think the real issue is range, and those two meter and shorter wavelength repeaters would seem to be too short range for true emergency communications.

What I was thinking was to requalify for my ham ticket, then---in an emergency in the boonies---contact someone (an automated repeater?) who could patch me through to either a cell phone network or the internet so I could, in effect, phone a friend or "Joe's Garage" to come haul me out.

Any thoughts or comments?

P. S. Several folks on this forum have recommended the DeLorme satphone communicator (text only). I have one and am happy with it, but the limitation to text and the inability to have a decent phone-type interaction in an emergency situation makes me nervous---and I am too cheap to want to pay for a full-fledged satphone.