Topic: HAM operator check-in

[Oddmar]

KC9PZN, General Class

Bought some FD-160A's (2M HT wideband receive and transmit), batteries died, sold one to Glen "Three Acres" McDade (79coyotefrg) so he could use 2 in business band. Remaining one kept for use as a homemade Lojack in future. Earlier APRS discussion intrigues me.

Got an IC-720A from KC9IGP, used it to listen before i got my General, band selection relay mostly died (typical of that unit), gave it to W9LTR.

Recently got a Yaesu FT-897D as partial payment for making a rear bumper mount for W9PYT to mount a Tarheel. Also a hitch for the front of his Ford SUV so he can park his boat easier.

Need to get a trickle charger and a new Deep Cycle battery so i can use it in the house. Don't believe in 110VAC power supplies.

Bought a Big FTL Meter for $49 Ebay, and later an AT-897 tuner for $55 Ebay (estate find, no Y-ACC cable but took a chance) Haven't got it hooked up yet, need to butcher a 3.5mm headphone extension cable ($2 on clearance) to make a Y-ACC cable.

Need to put up an old G5RV i made long ago but feeling weak n shaky lately, afraid to climb the 30-ft Rohn 20 tower. Want to build a 6-band Hexbeam but many honey-do's on list before that project. Need to get a Round Tuit as i have never actually talked HF yet.

[BenMara]

Need to get a trickle charger and a new Deep Cycle battery so i can use it in the house. Don't believe in 110VAC power supplies.

Whats wrong with Solid State and Switching power supplies?   People have been using them for years...

[Oddmar]

My only problem with them is...

They have a serious limitation.

If there's no power coming from that big power plant on the horizon, they don't work.

So while other hams sit there with their multi-thousand-dollar collection of radios and switching 110VAC power supply PAPERWEIGHTS, i'll actually be able to talk on the air.

None of the local hams seem able to grasp this simple concept. They seem to think since the power hasn't dropped lately it won't. They shake their heads and roll their eyes...I'm the Nut of the local ham world with silly ideas.

Like the people who think the Earth is safe from a large meteor strike. They just ignore that large mile-wide hole in the ground in Arizona.

http://www.meteorite.com/meteor-crater/meteor-crater-floor-tour/

[BenMara]

Great points.

[BoG-ToY]

Hate to wake the dead but yeah. since ham radio is often used for alternative and emergency communication. (half the groups I see are in fact emergency communication groups)
I do think that running your radios off of clean DC battery source is great.

[79coyotefrg]

A ham license is on my list but its not going to happen anytime soon.  I highly agree with Oddmar on using a marine battery as a backup because when the hams are needed is going to be most likely when the power grid has been busted.    I would figure out the amount of amperage my radio would require at max usage and the amperage of some led lights so you dont have to ham in the dark and then get a solar panel with that amperage/wattage whatever. a trickle charger would work fine for keeping them hot during night time.
 

[BoG-ToY]

Have solar , have alternator on bicycle (jk) want alt on little 4stoke weedeater motor or tiny diesel

[V-Man]

VE3NLP/MOBLE(90%)

Kenwood 480HX
Kenwood 710g
Avmap G5( broken G6 on replacement list)
Box full of HF Ham Sticks
Two Phased 500 watt Soild State HF amps( waiting to install in moble, and run a KW moble)

[79coyotefrg]

VE3NLP/MOBLE(90%)

Kenwood 480HX
Kenwood 710g
Avmap G5( broken G6 on replacement list)
Box full of HF Ham Sticks
Two Phased 500 watt Soild State HF amps( waiting to install in moble, and run a KW moble)

I only speak English and trucker

[V-Man]

I only speak English and trucker

What don't you understand that is english...

[TURBO]

KI6BHO here.... Central California

[fireitup]

Location: New Orleans, LA, USA
Call sign: KG5AXE
Equipment: Baofeng UV-5R+ Handheld

Not very active on any HAM Nets these days, but probably should be.

[1990ToyReno]

Chris  KA7CJH
Reno,Nevada.