An N9TAX Dual Band 2M / 70CM SLIM JIM antenna with 16' Coax is only about $30. Great for this situation. Tape it to a window or hang it out a window. I have one on my roof 20 feet up that gets excellent TX/RX for over 60 miles. You can also get a thin flexible patch cable with an SMA connector for use with an HT. Hang it in a tree in a park or camping. 73 Kent
At a minimum for only one radio, I would skip the connection block and wire the radio directly to the power supply. A magnet mount antenna on a metal surface works frig or cookie sheet well. If you have the cash, follow what Dave is saying.
Also good to join your local ham radio club - they will be able to offer a lot of useful advice as they will have members that have dealt with the same issues you face. 73
Not sure if they still make it, I run Astron 50M with adjustable volt and amps that gives 37amp. I also have the same but 35M same adjustable volt and amps 25amps
Hi Dave, I have a question about grounding, I am having an issue with an older home with 2 prong outlets. I am aware that electric code will allow me to use GFCI outlets to circumvent this issue for most applications. Is there going to be any safety or functional issues using this with my power supply or any other radio equipment that you know of? Thank you for any insight that you have on this matter. Thanks, Joe H.
I'll second go with DMR. Why? Because it has capabilities way beyond voice FM. I've heard stations from all over the world on a little Anytone ATD878UV. It's kind of why I won't buy an HF rig even though I have my Extra class license.
Serious question, my local repeaters are pretty quiet to begin with, and a lot of them are on IRLP, and there is Echolink, so why is DMR etc suddenly filling some perceived (or real?) gap?
@kd1s Except I believe DMR is dependent on the internet, while all you need to communicate at distance on HF is a transceiver, an antenna, and a power source. My wife can communicate all around the world on her Dell laptop, because it's connected to the internet. Not trying to put down DMR and the other digital modes, but it's just something to consider if you are concerned with emergency communications. 73 de WB4DW
Bring back the leaning lamp.🤣😂
An N9TAX Dual Band 2M / 70CM SLIM JIM antenna with 16' Coax is only about $30. Great for this situation. Tape it to a window or hang it out a window. I have one on my roof 20 feet up that gets excellent TX/RX for over 60 miles. You can also get a thin flexible patch cable with an SMA connector for use with an HT. Hang it in a tree in a park or camping. 73 Kent
At a minimum for only one radio, I would skip the connection block and wire the radio directly to the power supply. A magnet mount antenna on a metal surface works frig or cookie sheet well. If you have the cash, follow what Dave is saying.
Also good to join your local ham radio club - they will be able to offer a lot of useful advice as they will have members that have dealt with the same issues you face. 73
I use a HP server PSU (420W 38A). I bought a used one for £9, then a backup for £6. It was 12.25v but adjusting one small screw got
great info.. tnx Dave 73
Not sure if they still make it, I run Astron 50M with adjustable volt and amps that gives 37amp. I also have the same but 35M same adjustable volt and amps 25amps
Hi Dave,
I have a question about grounding, I am having an issue with an older home with 2 prong outlets. I am aware that electric code will allow me to use GFCI outlets to circumvent this issue for most applications. Is there going to be any safety or functional issues using this with my power supply or any other radio equipment that you know of? Thank you for any insight that you have on this matter.
Thanks,
Joe H.
I'll second go with DMR. Why? Because it has capabilities way beyond voice FM. I've heard stations from all over the world on a little Anytone ATD878UV. It's kind of why I won't buy an HF rig even though I have my Extra class license.
Serious question, my local repeaters are pretty quiet to begin with, and a lot of them are on IRLP, and there is Echolink, so why is DMR etc suddenly filling some perceived (or real?) gap?
@kd1s Except I believe DMR is dependent on the internet, while all you need to communicate at distance on HF is a transceiver, an antenna, and a power source. My wife can communicate all around the world on her Dell laptop, because it's connected to the internet. Not trying to put down DMR and the other digital modes, but it's just something to consider if you are concerned with emergency communications. 73 de WB4DW
Nothing much for the Extra class operator on this channel any longer.