those thinking about getting into radio.
Fieldcraft Good read for new Ham radio folks or
- Thread starter Gunfighter14e2
- Start date
There seems to be a run on radios an related gear. While not near as bad as ass wipe or ammo, but it's still happening in places. I can't believe people don't trust their gov an the media for all their news,...
Thanks
I just picked up a new radio, HT. Yeasu FT-60R. 2m/70cm band. Bought this one because of two requirements; manually adjustible squelch, and optional AA-Battery pack.
Today I snowshoed into a remote location with it, along with a 5/8-wave magnetic mount antenna. I was able to have a QSO with a couple other HAMs via a 2m Repeater approximately 35-miles away. I know from past experience at this location with a 5W HT and factory antenna, I'm on the fringe of being able to reliably key the Repeater. Also I don't have direct LOS with the Repeater because of a Ridgeline about 3-mikes away being about 700-ft higher in elevation than my location. I was happy that when I switched to medium Power (2-watts), that I still had good comms, although the other guys said my audio level was slightly less.
Might need to pick up another one of these radios.
Today I snowshoed into a remote location with it, along with a 5/8-wave magnetic mount antenna. I was able to have a QSO with a couple other HAMs via a 2m Repeater approximately 35-miles away. I know from past experience at this location with a 5W HT and factory antenna, I'm on the fringe of being able to reliably key the Repeater. Also I don't have direct LOS with the Repeater because of a Ridgeline about 3-mikes away being about 700-ft higher in elevation than my location. I was happy that when I switched to medium Power (2-watts), that I still had good comms, although the other guys said my audio level was slightly less.
Might need to pick up another one of these radios.
What’s the brand/model of the antenna, if I may ask? Bought a Diamond antenna that was claimed to be compatible with the ft-60 but haven’t had a huge amount of luck with it.
My neighbor gave it to me, so I'm not sure of the brand. It's 5/8-wave magnetic base spring loaded type. Meant for sticking on the roof of a car. I had a big metalic object I was able to stick it to for a ground plane.
Ok, this is the closest one I could find to what I have, and on a magnetic base with RG-58 cable and PL-259 connector.
www.tessco.com
My experience with these type of antennas was with what came with Motorola 2-way radios, but 1/4-wave. I think the spring was meant to bend the element over when going under low clearance, like tree branches. But the guys didn't like them because the branch or what ever would just peel the mag-mount from the top of the vehicle instead of bending over. I ended up installing them either permanently on the roof, or on an NMO angle bracket.
Tessco - 54760
The Laird B1443S base-loaded 5/8 wave antenna with spring operates within the frequency range, 144 – 174 MHz. This VHF mobile antenna delivers high performance, with a gain of 3 dB. Maximum power input is 200 W. <br><br>The 49 in stainless steel whip antenna has a UV-treated radome to resist sun...
My experience with these type of antennas was with what came with Motorola 2-way radios, but 1/4-wave. I think the spring was meant to bend the element over when going under low clearance, like tree branches. But the guys didn't like them because the branch or what ever would just peel the mag-mount from the top of the vehicle instead of bending over. I ended up installing them either permanently on the roof, or on an NMO angle bracket.
