Reminiscing

[Pathfinder]

Things change, life moves on.

This forum is still the best thing out there (compare with AR15.com, but be careful lest you get banned like MB!) which is why I keep it up all of the time on my main browser instance.

I'm doing all sorts of stuff since I "retired" (lack of work locally here in KY and don't want to travel, what with being a newlywed and all - going into our 4th year together!). I built out a 6.8 REM SPC rifle, and am working on a .300BLK which will become an SBR once I get the tax stamp. Set up an NFA trust for that.

I also passed my HAM Tech exam, and will be sitting for the General later this month. Got a spiffy (and incredibly CHEAP) Baofeng 2-band radio for like $27 new. That's not a typo, check Amazon! Anyhow, still trying to learn how to use the thing, it's got like 500 commands in a package about a third the size of an AR clip mag.

Also had a knee rebuilt last August, still working on getting that back to "normal".

Studied Biblical Greek (aka κοινε έλλας) for 30+ weeks. Interesting experience and actually some fun being able to read Scripture in the original language, understanding it just that much more.

Have taken some wonderful trips with my darling wife, some planned, some last minute work-related. I'm retired, she ain't - yet.

Traded my ranch pickup, F-350 quadcab with the 7.3 Powerstroke, for a tricked out Fusion. Fun car, great on the highway, making the road trips all the more enjoyable.

Got permission from the anti-gun wife to get the NRA-thing out of my system in Louisville this May, will be there both nights!!! 

So Rastus, great OP, great reminder of the guys - and gals - we've met here and with whom we share a great bond. Stay safe all, be well, recover from the various maladies quickly, and know that each and every one of you is in my prayers and thoughts.

[Rastus]

Path,
If you don't have it you need that programming cable for the Baofeng.  Direct entry will drive you crazy unless you have long uninterrupted days of nothing to do.....

I'm assuming you have a UV-5R.  I have 3 UV-5RE's for less than $100 delivered to home. 

You can improve the effectiveness by attaching counterpoise to one of the phillips screws just above the battery pack.  Just having the ground of the chassis for the antenna is OK, but the counterpoise may help you a bit more....make it the same electrical length as your antenna.

And for the antenna, Diamond makes a good one makes a big improvement.  It costs 1/2 as much as the radio but it's worth it.   

[tombogan03884]

Is that Classical Greek, or neo classical Radio ? 

[Pathfinder]

Path,
If you don't have it you need that programming cable for the Baofeng.  Direct entry will drive you crazy unless you have long uninterrupted days of nothing to do.....

I'm assuming you have a UV-5R.  I have 3 UV-5RE's for less than $100 delivered to home. 

You can improve the effectiveness by attaching counterpoise to one of the phillips screws just above the battery pack.  Just having the ground of the chassis for the antenna is OK, but the counterpoise may help you a bit more....make it the same electrical length as your antenna.

And for the antenna, Diamond makes a good one makes a big improvement.  It costs 1/2 as much as the radio but it's worth it.

The UV-5R came with the cable, programmed from one of the online sites to download all of the local repeaters. i had heard of the Menu difficulties apparent in these little devices, so I was prepared to buy one if it didn't come with it.

You lost me on the whole "counterpoise" thing. So I went an looked it up - thanks.

New antenna is next up, then on to a Go-Box for the Yaesu FT-2900 I just got before we hit the road this summer. Should be a good trip, may even head through OK on our way.

And Tom, κοινε is post-Classical Greek. 

[tombogan03884]

LOL,

[Sponsor]

[Rastus]

<snip>you need that programming cable for the Baofeng. Direct entry will drive you crazy unless <snip>

This?  These are 2 meter (144-148 MHz) or 70 cm (420-450 MHz) FM only walkie talkies.  You change power setting, frequencies, whether you are using a repeater or not, etc. either through the keypad or you preprogram them using a computer.

<snip>You can improve the effectiveness by attaching counterpoise <snip>.   

And the counterpoise thing is sort of like an antenna is a positive and a negative.  Think of the antenna sticking up on a walkie talkie as the positive.  The negative (ground) is the radio chassis.  The chassis is small and though it may balance the antenna electrically, does little to transmit.  By attaching a short wire to the chassis you are able to radiate more signal.

This was the neoclassical radio part.

I do not know why the FCC allows those Baofeng radios in the country though.  You can easily transmit below, above and between Ham frequencies. 

I started to program in some of the National Weather Service frequencies (162.4 to 162.55 MHz) into my radio to listen to weather and the Ham storm chasers but opted not to.  The problem is...you have to be really careful not to push the transmit button because these units will not only receive out of the Ham bands but transmit as well.  Heaven help you if you were to be listening in on some of the federal repeaters from 163 to 170 MHz and accidentally keyed up.

So the safe thing is only Hams should buy them and should make dang sure they only have approved Ham frequencies programmed in them.  These things are available to anyone from Amazon for around $30 with a charger.  People can get themselves in lots of trouble with them by transmitting outside of their approved legal privilege.

[PegLeg45]

You lost me on the whole "counterpoise" thing. So I went an looked it up - thanks.

Is that what happens when Miss America stumbles a lot?

[JC5123]

I swear I'm still around! Been fairly active on Facebook. But moving up in my current company, starting a new one . I read more than I post lately.

[Jim Kennedy-ar154me]

I do not know why the FCC allows those Baofeng radios in the country though.  You can easily transmit below, above and between Ham frequencies. 

I started to program in some of the National Weather Service frequencies (162.4 to 162.55 MHz) into my radio to listen to weather and the Ham storm chasers but opted not to.  The problem is...you have to be really careful not to push the transmit button because these units will not only receive out of the Ham bands but transmit as well.  Heaven help you if you were to be listening in on some of the federal repeaters from 163 to 170 MHz and accidentally keyed up.

So the safe thing is only Hams should buy them and should make dang sure they only have approved Ham frequencies programmed in them.  These things are available to anyone from Amazon for around $30 with a charger.  People can get themselves in lots of trouble with them by transmitting outside of their approved legal privilege.

With the free "Chirp" software you can program the output of any channel to transmit on a frequency that you are licensed for regardless of the receive frequency and I believe you can also program it with a frequency of 000.000 for no transmit making it "safe". Why it is available is that theory hold that any ham radio operator could modify any radio within a certain band to transmit on a frequency outside of their allotment anyway since the license was created for operators to experiment.

You are correct in stating that someone without know how and license can get themselves in to trouble without knowing it if they misuse the radios.

Just another reason to get your ham license. (IMHO)

[Rastus]

I didn't know about the 000.000 trick.  That makes a lot of sense.

I'll have to see about that and put the NWS freqs in.