Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[.40isthenew.45]

As a suggestion, once everyone gets their radios in and programmed,(and their license of course) we should set up a "Net" and give everyone a place to practice using them. I got mine a couple of years ago but never use it. Pretty sure "dry fire" or talking to myself, isn't building my radio skill or confidence.

[Justin]

As a suggestion, once everyone gets their radios in and programmed,(and their license of course) we should set up a "Net" and give everyone a place to practice using them. I got mine a couple of years ago but never use it. Pretty sure "dry fire" or talking to myself, isn't building my radio skill or confidence.

I'd be down for that. After the next paycheck I think I might order a couple of these.

Yes, and yes. The only caveat to talking to other radios is that some FRS radios can run "security" to make your conversations private, so if others are using that, you can't hear what they are saying, just noise.

That was going to be my other question. Not that it's a big deal, but how common is encryption on consumer-grade radios?

[brutal]

You might be able to reuse your cable and mount, post some pics of the connector for the radio end and the connector at the mount end

It's a PL259 on the radio end and a ring mount on the antenna side.

[Grant H.]

It's actually working OK and is one of 3 or 4 low power amps I picked up cheap many many years ago off ebay for the travel crew. All theirs have rolled over and died, mine lives on. I do have an SWR meter and have the antenna tuned well, so I expect that helps keep it from frying.

Now my dilemma is thanks to you, I ordered a DB25 truck radio. I hate to ditch my CB because a few of us still run them, but am not looking forward to running another cable or affixing another antenna mount to my truck.

I have been described, by friends that I hang out with, as the "crack dealer that gives out the first rock free..." specifically referring to my firearms and technology hobbies that get expensive...

Yes, having your antenna tuned will significantly help with protecting the life of your amp.

I also agree with Dave, you may be able to re-use your cable run and antenna mount. I have all kinds of RF adapters in my pile of random parts. Most CB's use PL-259 connectors and I have some adapters for that to N.

[Grant H.]

I'd be down for that. After the next paycheck I think I might order a couple of these.



That was going to be my other question. Not that it's a big deal, but how common is encryption on consumer-grade radios?

It's not that uncommon, but I would have to opt to turn it on in my Midland FRS radios. It's usually on by default, because most of the manufacturers understand that the average user isn't going to want to have to figure out matching security keys between radios, or turning it off to use with their homies that can't.

Motorola is the worst offender about having it on by default.

[Grant H.]

It's a PL259 on the radio end and a ring mount on the antenna side.

That's what I get for not reading the next page before responding...

When you say "ring mount" does it look like this?

That is a standard NMO mount, and MANY vehicle antennas for lots of different bands can be had for that mount (very, very common). You can also get them built into a magnetic mount that has a cable attached, so it is removable.

[Grant H.]

As a suggestion, once everyone gets their radios in and programmed,(and their license of course) we should set up a "Net" and give everyone a place to practice using them. I got mine a couple of years ago but never use it. Pretty sure "dry fire" or talking to myself, isn't building my radio skill or confidence.

With a basic Technician license from the FCC for HAM, you can use all the existing repeaters along the front range, and cover a significant portion of it. You will also find quite a few folks that are more than willing to be friendly on the radio with a quick call of "This is KC0XYZ, looking for anyone on this net to chat with for a few minutes". They'll respond and generally be very helpful if you tell them you're newish and wanting to "practice" and make contacts. They will also help with making suggestions on "do this"/"don't do that" type of things.

Basic rules are no obscenities, and use your call sign every 10 minutes or so.

[.40isthenew.45]

I got my tech before I got the radio. My goal is to get my general ticket this summer.

[Justin]

Does anyone have a good lead on where to go to sit for the Technician's License, preferably somewhere near The Springs?

From what I found on the ARRL website most of the tests seem to be in and around Denver.

[.40isthenew.45]

Does anyone have a good lead on where to go to sit for the Technician's License, preferably somewhere near The Springs?

From what I found on the ARRL website most of the tests seem to be in and around Denver.

Search for exams at: http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-...e-exam-session

Next one in the Springs: http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/co...gs-co-80907-11