/diy/ - Do It Yourself

Shit that actually sounds like a lot of fun.

I'mma try to get in contact with the jerks on board the ISS.

large cumbersome old tech that will connect me with large cumbersome old pedos.

>>74815
Have a homemade transceiver in a tin.

Have a link too:
http://www.flex-radio.com/Products.aspx?topic=F1.5k_features

>>74815
>http:// youtube / rrKfH-TRe8U
This guy is pretty cool too.

>>74814
Commander Doug Wheelock lost many hours of sleep to operating the station aboard the ISS.

>"Well, mission controls SAYS I should be in bed right now..."

>older picture

I got my HAM licence when I was in 7th grade, I think it's expired by now though lol

>>74829
Check FCC ULS.

It's good for 10 years.

goddamn you radiofag

I swear you are the best tripfag ever on diy you know so much shit and are so awesome and put up with the same questions over and over

by damn though you've sparked HAM radio interest in a new generation though and people that had forgotten about it

i love you forever

>>74839
Namefag, not tripfag. But yeah, is definitely the best one 'round these parts.

>>74817
Wow that looks cool and cheap does it actually work?

Also is it possible to do ham radio with an arduino?

>>74839
I appreciate the compliment very much!

>>74846
Yes it does!

>>http://www.al7fs.us/AL7FS2.html

>http://www.indianapolis.net/QRPp-I/KA8MAV_Pixie2.html

They are very simple projects, well within the realm of a hobbyist.

>>74846
Oh, and hams are starting to use arduino as well.

>http:// youtube / XgNcCGXeRyw

>>74849
Why, I thought hams were generally good with electronics ;)

>>74818
>>74849

Is it just me or are these not working (yes I removed the spaces, and I tried the algos alone)

>>74858
Depends on what you mean by "good".

Some can design complete analog circuits in their sleep, but are mystified by the digital world.

Hamfests are fun. Plenty of vintage electronics show up with interesting histories.

At Dayton last year, somebody had surplus parts from the guidance circuit of a Minuteman ICBM.

>>74859
Remove the spaces.

Put the period between "tu" and "be"

> So why don't you have your ham ticket yet?

I know 3 hams personally. All of them ask this question (in its various forms) all the time.

I read that standard licenses aren't allowed under 50 MHz. Is there a way to build a radio that will go this low. I assume that you have to have a license to buy the radios.

So why do you need a license? Is that only for broadcasting?

Is it like a two-way or can you only talk on your own 'channel' for instance?

Is it a good idea to get a radio for a doomsday scenario, or is that just paranoid bullshit?

cheers

>>74916

Yes, license is required for transmitting. You can listen as much as you want to.

Anyone can hear you, so it's not for private matters. You use frequencies which are allocated for amateur radio use.

What is this doomsday scenario? Is it probable, can it come without any warning and are radios useful after it? Yes, the likely answer is that it's just paranoid bullshit.

CB > Ham

deal with it

>>74861
Why not post a normal link like a normal person?

>>74810
>So why don't you have your ham ticket yet?
Because I have a internet connection and I'm not afraid to use it?

So ham radios are basically just very complicated walkie talkies? No, sir, I am not interested.

Im still yapping on AM, i think its time i Move up.
Current radio Pic Related. Also using a RM KL-203

What most people don't understand is that when you have a wshtf/bug out scenario, ham radio is pretty much going to be the only way people are going to be able to communicate.


Also, hams provide support to events like the Oregon reach the beach bike ride.. The ability of being able to call for EMS to aid an injured cyclist out in the sticks really is appreciated. ( I know that they do more than that, but I have not seen other events)

>>74945
>not even
>>74952
>is your connection going to work during a natural disaster?


@ Radiofag, I was going to e mail you back but could you explain how using repeaters works...I know that as long as one can generate the right tone then you can use it, but what happens if I (I'm on an island in Puget Sound) want to use repeaters to communicate with someone in the Willamette valley, say Portland Oregon or Salem Oregon? (talking about this makes me think back to phreaking...damn)

>>74979
So it's only ever useful in case of a natural disaster - and even then, if you're lucky enough to survive the first 2 hours? Sounds to me like you just proved op wrong.

My opinion: leave this shit to the steampunk tards. If Marconi was alive today, he most definitely would not be playing with radios.

>>74984

pic related

>>74996
*yawn*

>>74984
You're entitled to your opinion, but IDK where you got that it was ONLY useful for natural disasters....It's that and a lot more.

>>75012
So, what is the "lot more"? Why should I waste my life in front of that thing instead of a computer screen?

radiofag what do you think of the funcube dongle?

>>75017

You're going to have to figure that on your own. If you don't want to do it, then cool.


The reason why I want to get licensed is so my family can communicate with relatives...

Living on an island is great during the summer, but where I'm at we have somewhat regular power outages in the winter. When that happens, cellular service normally drops or becomes unusable. My desktop obviously craps out, along with my modem and router..The wife's netbook can stay on, but the batteries in that only last so long....and with no connection it's pointless. I have to admit that I have not tried to tether, but I'm not going to pay for the spike in data that is going to happen by doing so.

Radiofag (or any other ham) can explain the benefits a lot better than I can, but for me it just makes more sense to have amateur radio...Portable or mobile radios can be run off batteries (12VDC) and as long as I fuel in any of my vehicles I am set.


Also, you don't have to give up wasting way in front of your computer...you can use it with amateur radio...I have not figured out how that works yet though..

>>75072
your phone line continues to work you can always use dialup for laptop lol

I already have my licence. Can't do much with my radio now since my landlord has yet to answer me whenever I ask if I could have access to the roof.

>>74849
>>74848
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgNcCGXeRyw

what crystal should I get for the pixie?

CRYSTAL 10.106 MHZ
CRYSTAL 14.060 MHZ
CRYSTAL 18.096 MHZ
CRYSTAL 21.060 MHZ
CRYSTAL 28.060 MHZ

>>75078
this is the kit I was looking into http://www.halted.com/commerce/ccp13844--pixie-2--qrp-cw-transceiver-basic-kit-w-o-crysta-pixie2-kit
240.htm

>>75072
>You're going to have to figure that on your own. If you don't want to do it, then cool.

Why so defensive? I questioned the entire premise of your thread and this is the best you can come up with?

What's the use of radio if everyone hears what everyone else is transmitting? Seems like just a big chatroom, except full of fat old men and people with aspergers.

>>75075
>>75082
>>75114
Bah, kids these days....

I'm up from my Thanksgiving coma.

I sometimes like a low density traffic board.

>>75114

"Chatroom" is bit wrong, since the amateur bands are wide enough for many independent transmitters. So, if you want to, you can have one-on-one conversations. Nothing prevents the others from listening to it, though.

That chatroom-like use seems to be quite common on higher frequencies.

>>75114
Everyone sees what you just typed.

4chan seems like a big chatroom.

>>75078
I would go with 14.060.

20m band is usually fairly active. 3 most popular bands are probably 40m, 20m, and 15m.

>>75075
What if you don't have access to a phone line?
Or phone lines are down because of fire & brimstone?

>>75017
You can have it next to your computer. Nothing is stopping you from goofing off on 4chan AND doing radio at the same time. It's fun to listen sometimes.

Numbers stations still exist. Spies.
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nERNpV7bMQ
>newscast on numbers stations

Listen to unencrypted military messages
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTZuJQ4xtE0
>Emergency Action Message, practicing for nuclear deployment

Or chat with other amateurs
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OUvLr7jzHo

Here's a web-based receiver. Check out what's on the bands right now! I advise 7 & 14 mhz. Hams use LSB below 10 mhz, above that, USB.
>http://w4ax.com/

>>75121
Yes. VHF+, you can do packet.

Packet is basically a special modem you hook up to your radio. Think of it as really low tech wifi.

With packet, you can access things, like BBS.

>>75064
It seems like a great VHF/UHF/SHF receiver for the price!

I have no experience with SDRs though.

>>74984
Marconi is a dickhole who stole Tesla's thunder.

But, amateur radio is fun too.

The king of Jordan is a ham.
Joe Walsh is a ham.
Senator Barry Goldwater was a ham (SK).

You get to talk to people from all around the world. Topics vary. Electronics, automobiles, guns, politics, religion...you name it. Whatever you can talk about on here, you can talk about on there as well.

The only thing we ask is you don't be profane.

>>74945
>>74964
CBs are fine too. I started on CB.

Cobra 29 LTD Classic w/ a Palomar 400w amplifier into a 102 inch whip. Worked great. I just got tired of 40 channels and rude operators.

>>74893
In the United States, there are three licenses. Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. It is a graduated system, so you start on tech, move to general, then AE.

Each license unlocks more privileges. For instance, technicians are only allowed CW on HF frequencies, except 10m where they are allowed to use digital modes/RTTY. They are also allowed to use SSB from 28.300 to 28.500. Maximum of 200w PEP though.

Once you get your General class, you can use whatever modes are legally allowed, upto 1.5 kw of output power, and on almost all frequencies from 160m to 10m...that's 1.8 mhz to 29.7 mhz.

>>74916
>So why do you need a license? Is that only for broadcasting?

Quick terminology correction, the term broadcasting implies one-way transmissions. Only messages with an intended recipient are allowed to be done. With that being said, it is 100% legal to look for a recipient "CQ CQ CQ de K8XYZ K8XYZ K8XYZ". Calling CQ is basically the equivalent of asking "Anyone want to chat?".

>Is it like a two-way or can you only talk on your own 'channel' for instance?

You can use whatever frequencies you are legally allowed to transmit on! You can talk to whomever you please. Hear a station in Cuba? Go for it! I have many contacts with a man in Cuba, CO8LY (Eduardo). Hear a station calling CQ from Antarctica? Again, go for it! Transmit back, see if he hears you too. If so, have a chat.

Round table discussions exist too, where 3 or more operators go around, talking to each other.

>Is it a good idea to get a radio for a doomsday scenario, or is that just paranoid bullshit?

When all else fails, amateur radio! Radio requires no existing infrastructure. If you can make electricity, you can have communications. HF communications rely on the atmosphere. The atmospher is reflective of RF energy. Long range contacts aren't antenna-to-antenna. The signals bounce off the atmosphere, one or more times, allowing communications to take place over long distances. While OCCASIONALLY, the atmosphere is reflective of VHF/UHF frequencies, reliable communications cannot be guaranteed. VHF/UHF is mostly used for local traffic because it is very low natural (or man-made) noise with high signal quality.

>>74979
Almost all amateur radio repeaters operate using duplex operation.

In short, you transmit on one frequency, and receive on another.

This allows the repeater to simultaneously retransmit on another frequency.

So I might transmit IN to the repeater on 147.600, and it retransmits it OUT on 147.000.

So, what's /diy/ about this thread anyway?

>>75179

Old school ham operators built much of their own radio gear, got a radio related electronics question, ask an oldfagham, he'll know.

>>75179
He got kicked of of /k/ for being off topic with his radios too.

>>75179
Ham culture is very electronics /diy/.

Heathkit was one of the first companies to offer a low-cost oscilloscope to hobbyists. They did this by offering the oscilloscope in kit form.

This was before the days of automated machinery. The high cost of electronics was mainly due to labor costs associated with soldering components in. By bypassing that, costs could be kept down.

There were NO companies offering ham radio equipment to hobbyists before 1950s.

Sure, you could go out and by a Hallicrafters or Hammarlund radio, but they would set you back as much as a car does these days.

So HAMs were forced to build their own transmitter and receivers on the cheap.

Meet the TNT transmitter (Tuned-not-tuned).

>>75210
LMJ?

tldr - baby boomers retiring, and bored, and going playing around with old technology for fun.

sounds cool, but I'm not into it.

>>75240
Old technology?

You're using similar technology right now.

There are no limitations in this hobby.

It's just that, most guys still use vacuum tubes because they're better than transistors in many ways at a hobbyist level.

>>75242

Still not interested, but thanks for trying namefag.

>>75179
>>75226
ever wonder why we call breadboards, breadboards?
cause the /diy/s of yesteryear would build their ham radios on old wood breadboards.
so very /diy/ related

>>75243
Well, what do you like to do with electronics?

Everybody has their niche.

>our generation on HAM

too many trolls

Nothing wrong with a hobby I guess. I just can't see HAM replacing a better and more informative medium, namely the internets... I communicate. chat, talk, etc. It's all there. If for a SHTF scenario, I guess HAM wins, but then again, so does a few guns and stockpiled food...

why the fuck is this shit on /diy/ ?

I'll give you some candy points for starting your own thread instead of shitting on someone else's, but you didn't start the thread with anything /diy/ related and this isn't a news board.

for that reason, sage and hidden

Bamp from page 4

>>75472
>>75472
hemad.avi

lol sup LMJ

>>75538

>>75472
Also, blow me. If you can't see the DIY in ham radio, you're as short-sided as you are impotent.

>>75347
Correct!

While dedicated services provide more efficient means of communications, ultimately, amateur radio is on standby.

Plus, it is damned fun to pick up a microphone, hit the PTT, and talk to someone 1000 miles away.

A man in Russia tried to hook me up with his smokin' hot niece because I was a young guy too. I will never think of Rostov-on-don the same way again.

"OKAY MY FRIEND, IT IS OKAY IF I GIVE YOUR EMAIL TO MY NIECE, YES? SHE WISH TO WORK ON HER ENGLISH, TALK TO REAL GUY FROM AMERICA."

I shit you not, it is true, old Russian men talk in all caps.

Hi radiofag.
I got mine! (License I mean.)
The canadian license lasts for life.

Well, HAM is actually pretty challenging stuff. VE6 BRR here radiofaq. Only have basic, and up here can't make yer own rigs without advanced. Still, lots of DIY in HAM. Especially if yer getting into the magnificence that are tube radios. For beginners there is the Wouxun UVDIP out there. On a clear day I can hit edmonton international airport from southgate, and it's handheld to boot. Cost me about $120.

Also, any major development in radio technology is seen in the HAM world first.

>>75553
With respect, I don't believe that. At least not after the 80s. Can you give examples?

Lots of talk and still no actual /diy/ in this thread. How do you build your own radio?

>>75556
Cell phones, especially anything involving packet mode.

>>75561
Start with an oscillator to give you a frequency.

Buffer and drive that from the microwatt level.

Add a primary amplifier to give it some output (milliwatts or watts, maybe even kilowatts).

Attach a key to the driver / primary amplifier to activate it on a closed circuit.

Bam, you have a CW transmitter.

>-.-. --.- (CQ)

Also, electronic keyers are lame! Straight key / vibroplex for life.

>>75552
Please get an HF rig! I do not have a contact logged with Alberta yet.

I am installing a 3-el 10m yagi very soon. Hopefully I'll be able to pull you out of the mud! I have a rough time with Canadian contacts. Brazil? No problem. Canada? It's like making a contact with Voyager-1...or so it feels like.

Could probably get it if I learned the rules & regs and did some more study. Its been on my "one day" list for almost two decades now. Have a good few bits of paper from graduation in the electronics area already.

Not really interested in it unless I can build TXs anyhow so bottom tier licence is of no interest.

>>75613
In the United States, you can build and operate a transmitter at ANY license level, tech, general, or amateur extra.

The only requirements are you operate within the confines of amateur frequencies, within your license limits, and you meet FCC requirements for spectral purity (harmonics is the main problem).

You may be surprised at the easy of the technician license. A few hours of study, and you're ready to go. Most of it is common sense.

Should you climb your tower in a lightning storm?
Should you touch an antenna that is in use?
Should you have a lockout box for your equipment?
Should you wear a hardhat when working on your tower?

It is seriously that easy.

>>75647
>Should you wear a hardhat when working on your tower?

This one is tough. If it's metal it might attract even more lightning.

Always wanted to get into this.

Is there a recommended place to start, like a dummy's guide on the net or something? Really don't know shit about Ham radios.

>>75718
D you realize you posted this question while you were ON THE INTERNET!? Google that shit, son!

http://www.eham.net/newham/

>>75742
and
http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training

I've also been taking practice tests from http://www.radioexam.org/

Since you don't deny being LMJ, I'm gonna assume it's you. I miss you're antics on /k/, I was always a fan of your threads.

That being said, unlicensed ham radio owner here, old men are so easy to troll.

>>75838
dur, *your antics

>>75581
Cell phones, ya, that's why I said after the 1980s. What about all the technology that has gone into cell phones since then, up to 3G networks? Or wifi? Or the multitude of digital modulation schemes? Or the various forms of spread spectrum? All done by hams first? That's what I meant by not believing it.

>>74810
Anyone know where I can get a cheap transmitter and learn the shit necessary to pass the exam (Technical, maybe General)?

Pic related, since I'm an amerifag

Also
>fox news
Nope.jpg

>>75838
Are you talking about radiofag or me?

>75851
ECHOLINK, which (long story short) allows you to connect the radios through the internet. I think it was out before cellphones had refined internet acess, at the very least. First one that comes to mind.

deal with it, libtard :)

>>75929
>libtard
What are you referring to?

This thread is dead, but I thought I'd resurrect it as I need help.

and bamp!

I've sent an email out to the local ham club to see what the testing schedule looks like. Hopefully by the beginning of the year, I'll have my tech ticket.

One of things that I'm wondering is...
I am planning on rocking 2m/7cm in my suburban and would it be even worth while to have my mobile set up be able to be in my 'shack' hooked to what ever power supply with either dual opitma red or yellow top batteries as backup. (red tops are 800ah, yellows are 75 ah)
I know that I would need to /diy/ a controller and all that good stuff for the backup assy...but would it be worth it to have a mobile radio that can flip back and forth between a car and the shack?

Also, eventually I plan on having two rigs, one mobile and one for the shack, but for some odd reason I gravitate to the green iron or better yet, tubed boat anchors (like WW2 aircraft radio setups) Am I batshit crazy or should I find a cheep radio that will work for me?

tl;dr
>Get ticket by new years or close to..
>Get 2m/7cm radio..can I flipflop between house and SUV?
>Green radios/ww2 radios for shack...or not..worth it?

pic related, AN/GRC-9

>>76226
>Get ticket by new years or close to.

Excellent, study-study-study! There are many pretests available. The one at QRZ.com is great.

>Get 2m/7cm radio..can I flipflop between house and SUV?

I did this at first. It gets annoying after a while. I did talk to a guy on HF who ran a mobile radio indoors. He ran two batteries, and had them on a trickle charger too. He said he never ran into a low power condition.

My advise is to get away from car/boat type batteries. Look at Trojan, they make true heavy plate deep cycle batteries. They can withstand deep discharges without ill effects.

If you want a traditional 12v power supply, here is a great choice:

>http://www dot ebay dot com/itm/HP-575WATT-POWER-SUPPLY-406393-001-USED-TESTED-/200407298668?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item2ea934b
26c#ht_3335wt_1400

They're quite easy to convert for ham use. With a couple resistors to make a voltage divider, you can comfortably boost the voltage to about 13.5vdc. Once you exceed 13.5vdc though, the supply gets a little finnicky.

47 amps is more than enough for anything you'll run.

>Green radios/ww2 radios for shack...or not..worth it?

Depends what they are!

HF rigs are always a great buy.

I own a WWII BC348Q receiver, and a navigational receiver from the ARC-5 command set series.

What you'll find, is that the ARC-5 command sets were fairly popular after WWII as surplus. They're fairly cheap to pick up, but by now, they'll need some work. Usually mice damage, bloated electrolytics, and missing power supplies. Remaking a high-voltage power supply for the B+ is not a cheap task.

Most 30+ mhz military rigs are FM only. The downside though, is that hams use commercial FM deviation, so our older "wideband" stuff is about 15 khz. The newer radios have a switchable "narrowband" that compresses that down to about 5 or 10 khz of deviation.

Military FM radios are typically 25 khz+ deviation to allow for crypto.

While you CAN convert them, it typically is not a worthwhile venture.

British Clansman PRC-320 HF rigs are fairly popular right now due to their cheap price.

The American/NATO PRC-1099A HF rig is desirable, but it comes at a high cost.

I'm curious if the HR20C kit that Ramsey Electronics sells is a decent start in playing around in ham radio

>>75964
Not the other poster, but,
>>75929 is almost certainly referring to >>75867
Because of
>fox news
Nope.jpg

That's the best I can offer.

I was reading another thread, and it got me wondering about a ham ballooning.

What do these guys use for data transmission?

In college we used a pair of these for our UAV:
http://www.digi.com/products/wireless-wired-embedded-solutions/zigbee-rf-modules/point-multipoint-rf
modules/xstream-module#overview

For hobby use, they seem a little pricey, but I can't find anything else that has that kind of range.

What do these ham ballooners use on their projects?

>>77327
For balloons?

>12v battery
>VHF or UHF mobile transceiver
>1/4 wave antenna
>Packet modem
>Computer

That's about it.

Milliwatts really isn't enough, you need a couple watts to ensure clarity of signal.

>>77833
Oh, and handheld transceivers. They get used too.

Again, most hams stick to 2m or 70cm, because most hams own the equipment to do 2m or 70cm.

Once you hit 33cm, the amount of people who own the equipment drops off.

The nearest 900 mhz (33cm) repeater is about 200 miles away from me.

Radiofag, any study books you recommend before taking the test?

>>78951
No need! All the information is available online.

However, if you demand a hardcopy, the ARRL has books for a reasonable price.

>>78955
thanks

>>77833

thanks,

after a bit of searching, I found this online. only $69 per module, 30dBm max output

I could put two in my balloon for redudancy!

http://www.rfm.com/products/dnt900.shtml

>>79241
Nice. I think I would just use a regular old handheld transceiver with a cord for packet, but that's just me.

Behold...THE HARTLEY OSCILLATOR!

This is the tube...the UX-210, one of the first "power" tubes made.

My dad has been into amateur radio all his life. It's sort of mindboggling to see him sat in his shed surrounded by transistors and oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers (one of which he designed and built himself) squawking out callsigns and hammering away in morse code.

He can often identify who's transmitting the morse code just by the speed and duration of their signals.

>>80178
I'm jealous! I suck ass at CW.

I should get better at it so I can make proper use of my Heathkit DX-40 and use what the Novice-classes of the 60s used.

So, what do you actually do on ham radio?

>>80215
Radio Hams. What the fuck else would you do?

Basically you talk to people or listen to broadcasts. There's some interesting things to be heard out there.

For emergency purposes, Is there any point in CB radio any more? Is channel 9 monitored at all? I have been thinking of getting just a cheap handheld CB and stashing it in a shoebox somewhere with a pile of alkaline batteries. I live in an urban area so I don't need any sort of long-distance communication, just looking for some sort of emergency communication safety net if that 9.0 earthquake ever hits.

Last time I remember even touching a CB radio was over a decade ago, and even then it was nothing but dead air.

I've never been particularly interested in ham, simply because I'm not a conversationalist. I have a hard enough time coming up with things to say to the people around me in everyday life, I don't need to go reaching of into the ether to talk to people. So I don't really want to go to the time and effort of getting licensed. If that's my only option, I'll just hang on to my cell phone and, if the Apocalypse happens, climb up on a nice tall structure or hill to get on a suburban cell tower.

Radiofag, please... had mine for over 15 years now...
73's!

>>80232
get a satellite phone

works a lot better and you can just use it instead of paying for a regular cellphone

Satellite phone> radioshit

>>80261
>implying a satellite phone will still function without the owner of the satellite maintaining the infrastructure to make calls
Do you not understand why people want ham radios?

>>80281
some end of the world scenario were civilization collapses and people go fucking ape?

have fun giving away your position with your radio or getting raped when you decide to follow some signal

HAM radio is a very popular hobby for pedophiles once they get permabanned from the internet by the court.

There are a lot of guys that did just that dicking up citizen's band airwaves up in wisconsin and minnesota just to fuck with truck drivers. They all have licensed frequency transmitters as well, and use it to talk to one another while trolling the citizens band.

>>80168
I get the whole 'retro' thing, but is there any practical reason to build a radio that large these days other than using the excess heat off it to cook food?

I will get my license asap, seems like loads of fun. What's a realistic budget? Is buying used a good idea?
thanks

>>80372

I think it's just a transmitter. You need receiver, too.
And no, there are no technical reasons for using that kind of equipment.

>>80354
is that you rusty nail?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rko_XTHNswo&feature=related

Got it by the way its a great time for techs to get on Ten meters its propagating really well.

>>80555
This. Solar cycle FTW

HF in general has been good lately

Heard Japan on 20 meters yesterday

>>80430
>>80372
It's ONE part of a transmitter, an essential circuit called the "oscillator".

It provides the base level oscillations which are then, buffered/amplified to a level high enough to drive the finals to a nice level of output wattage. Maybe with some modulation added too (AM voice), or part of the circuit is just switched on and off to the tune of dah-di-dah-dit dah-dah-dit-dah (CW, morse).

>>80354
That happens on both fronts.

Freebanders screwing with 10m/12m happens a lot. Mainly from Mexico.

>>80232
The antenna is what makes the radio.

That being said, handheld CBs suck ass unless you have a nice external antenna.

>>80261
No infrastructure required for amateur radio. Plus, you don't generally call people you don't know. Talking to random people around the globe pretty much defines amateur radio.

It's not much different from using the internet. Even if you're typically shy, you can still make a quick contact to share callsign, first name, state/city, equipment used, then you can say your 73 (Best Regards, said at the end of a conversation like a polite goodbye).

>>80293
Direction finding is very hard to do unless you know what you're doing.

>>80215
Talk to people around the globe in various ways, exchange messages, build radio equipment, experiment, etc. There's plenty of emergency organizations out there that provide emergency communications during disaster.

You might know Skywarn. They're the tornado/storm chasers.

>>80425
It all depends what you want to do!

Buying used is a GREAT idea, just make sure the equipment works. Do some research before you buy.

Yaesu FT101s and Kenwood TS520s are hybrid solid-state / tube final rigs. You can pick them up for under $300 these days. They do 1.8 through 30 mhz HF.

You'd still need a radio for 2m VHF which is mostly commonly used for local comms (25-75 mile radius depending on repeaters, antenna, radio, terrain, population, etc)

>>81036
Also, please note, this entire circuit could be shrunk onto a dime with today's circuitry.

I might get into Ham, I think I still have the 2 meter transceiver my grandpa built somewhere, Its too bad my dad's 2 meter walkie talkie got ripped off.....

>>81049
thanks, I will probably buy new as I am pretty much a Hardcore noob in this, but gotta start somewhere amirite?
Any equipment you could recommend? I assume yaesu is very very good.

>>81086
New gear is quite pricey, but it delivers the most bang for your buck.

I would advise the FT897D. It is portable if required, and has HF+VHF+UHF capabilities.

I will warn you though, it will set you back about $1000.

However, you need no other radio as it performs all the function. Perfect base radio.

All you need is it, coaxial cable, and an antenna...then sha'bam, you're good to go.

Oh, an antenna tuner would help a lot too.

Have you see any good plans for a 480-512 MHz transmitter and amp?

I got really into it, still have 6 years on my license, and a handheld with a rubber duck antenna. Unfortunately, I live in bum fuck nowhere, with very few repeaters, so it's very difficult to talk, and I have trouble shifting input and output stations for the repeaters.

>>81080
It will be a nice piece of family history for you. It isn't much use for repeaters though unfortunately.

Crystals are VERY expensive, the cost adds up fast.

>>81154
Not offhand.

UHF circuits are very tough to engineer properly.

>>81165
Throw a J-Pole antenna on the roof with some RG8U coax and call it a day.

Your handheld should be able to handle duplex operation if it was made within the last two decades? Weird.

>>81174
I have a J-pole at my home, but I go to college 3 hours away, and don't think the school would be to happy about me climbing around on the roof with a J-pole. And I know it has duplex, but I have tried everything and just can't figure the fucker out. Before I was borrowing an old box, and it was really straightforward, but with college I got a handheld and a car antenna. I listen in a lot, but can't get the fucker to work.

>>81177
You might be surprised! Some colleges do have amateur radio clubs.

Are you using the menu to identify the memory setting as duplex with two VFO frequencies?

I still have to figure out the Yaesu FT2600m I just bought.

>>81196
I know ours does not, but it's really the duplex that bothers me. I have a Yaesu FT-60, and it's throwing me on the duplex/

>>81207
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc9aGe9OATg
Try following this video

>>81215
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc9aGe9OATg
Oh sweet thanks!

>>81215
Perhaps I'll talk t ya if I see you around, the first 3 digits of my call sign are ke7, so if you're in that area, hope to talk to you!

>>81244
I'm in SW Michigan.

>>75647
I'm an ausfag. We have a no diytx F call over here. Not interested in that as stated above.

Basically for F call:
>have type approve TX
>Build power supplies and antennas etc (some don't even do that).

Pretty much licensed CB with less trolls. Yes there are technical tests and stuff to pass.

>>81043
>That being said, handheld CBs suck ass unless you have a nice external antenna.

Unless your ausfag and use 477Mhz CB band. All truckers are on UHF. Most trolls are on UHF. Farmers are on UHF. Caravanfags (trailer/rv) are on UHF. Repeaters on UHF. With 5 watts out the rear and NBFM any idiot can use them almost. Gain antennas are the order of the day for mobile use.
27Mhz is practically dead over here. Just the SSB rag chewers mostly. The states comes in many mornings on ch38LSB and ch6AM. We have people with illegal power levels trying to talk state side. Also the fishing boats up north in Asia running megawatts on AM.

>>81036

Are you sure about that? In the olden times, transmitters were often just a keyed oscillators. That additional tuning capacitor and the meter make it look like such design.

I know this might sound like a ridiculous question, but is there a way to make a foxhole/ham radio that doesn't require electricity to work, or does the frequency range require that it needs it to power its more complex components?

I'm trying to use this online scanner but i can never get the signal very well the voices always seem really distorted. Which bandwidth setting do i use? usb etc? or do i just slide it inwards and outwards to i hear the best signal. I got a pretty good electronic melody before but then it stopped.

I bought a 8 band 80 channel uniden scanner years ago ago began writing down who used that channels but have since lost interest. Could i pick up signals better with it if i bought a big antennae? or am i pretty stuck with it

Also would a 5W handheld UHF be just as good as a 5W car mounted UHF?

>>81328
Zero electricity. Forget it.
Generate your own on site. Yes they had those in WWII. Hand crank generator powered.

>>81343
I take it your an ausfag. Yep 5 watt handheld will be just as good as 5watt in car unit *provided* you use the same antenna. Most hand held come with a 1/4 wave (some even loaded). 6db gain antennas are common on vehicles (pic related).

As for the picture I think most hamfags use narrow usb. There is an AM net on sometimes here in aus so for that use AM. 5khz wide should be ok for AM speech.

>>81153
thanks alot for the info. Grand is a lot but since it is portable and I take it you have hands-on experience with it, I will get it after I pass the exam. I plan to ride my bike across US next year, so this should come in handy.

>>81343
Make sure you're in LSB mode for 160/80/40 meters, and USB for 20 meters

This is how a properly-tuned LSB signal should look on the dial

>>81414
And this is what a properly-tuned AM signal should looks like

>>81328

Such receivers were common in the early days of radio. They were shitty even then and nowadays even more so. Don't waste your time on one, unless you're some kind of retrofag and know what you're doing.

>>81287
I'm in the US of A, but yes, VHF/UHF 5w is quite effective through a handheld.

Moreso with a high-gain or directional antenna at least 40 ft into the air.

>>81326
Good point, I wasn't really thinking about that! I cannot imagine the early days of ham radio with low outage wattage, chirpy CW, and intense atmospheric noise due to the low frequencies.

>>81343
vvv
>>81423
>>81414

Follow this guy's advice.

>>81328
Foxhole radios required no power source. RF signals in the air is ACTUALLY electricity in the air, on the microvolts level. So with an efficient enough circuit and antenna, you can drive, say, a small earpiece.

The downside is that foxhole radios only work with powerful local AM signals.

>>81475
Regenerative receivers were even more popular, however, they're not quite as simple to make as a foxhole radio! They are however, one of the most sensitive receivers you can build. As part of the design, they work on AM, SSB, or CW, but the bandwidth kinda sucks for crowded airwaves. Poor rejection.

>>81663
>Foxhole radios

I thought he was talking RX/TX radios.

Yep I've made HF xtal sets. About all I can hear here is CRI propaganda.

We have just gone from 25khz spacing to 12.5khz spacing on UHF CB. I predict the overlap period will be messy.
>Hurdur my new set is farked because it not sound loud to oldfag sets.

>>81798
Yeah, the CRI spam is atrocious here in the Southern US too. We're covered with Radio Havana also, apparently the commies love SW broadcast

>>74979
Island in Puget Sound? Bainbridgefag here.

Been meaning to get my license, in fact one of my friends has been licensed for years and is qualified to test, maybe I should hit him up about it?

>>81917
>>81798
Commies love shortwave broadcasting because it's dirt cheap and covers a large area. How else are you going to indoctrinate people in mainland Americas, Europe, and Africa?

>>81929
Maybe you should!

Ausfag here i just heard some other ausfags report it on the online HAM scanner but the signal isn't very strong because i guess the ham receiver is in the state hence why the U.S users are so clear

your listening to RFR
you're on the air
;_;

>>82092
Atmospheric propagation is a wonderful thing.

The receiver link I posted is located in Alpharetta, Georgia.

>>81350

How would I go about making one of these?

>>82752
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antennas/Mobile/

tons of homebrew antenna designs

>>82436
Radiofag you wonderful man.

TIME TO ASK WHAT YOU PROBABLY GET ASKED ALL THE DAMN TIME. FUCK.

How do I get in on this whole shortwave thing? Where do I start? Should I have used the googles?

>>83245
Buy a decent used HF receiver (something thats bigger than a travel radio and has SSB capability), string up some wire, and see if you like what you hear

>>76864

>Remaking a high-voltage power supply for the B+ is not a cheap task.

I've seen some schematics that seem to be fairly easy to whip up..Depends I guess..what are the B+ requirements?

Also, I'm thinking about DL'ing Echolink, but it appears that you have to enter your call sign prior to use. Is there a way to get around that just so I can listen or should I see about finding another program that would let me do that?

It's been a while since I priced out iron, but building a PS it not exactly that intimidating. (I get to troubleshoot diesel generators and electric frequency converters on a somewhat regular basis... (120vac/3ph/400 hz and 440/220vac/3ph/60h to 120 vac/3ph/400 hz)

out of the little reading I did, I have no idea what the required input power is

Help! I want to buy a scanner (prefer handheld) to listen to police,EMS,FD etc. also, weather. Can the same scanner listen to HAM or CB. I have about $100.
Which one shoud I get??? Complete newfag here

had to redo this post...

>Remaking a high-voltage power supply for the B+ is not a cheap task.

It's been a while since I priced out iron, but building a PS it not exactly that intimidating. (I get to troubleshoot diesel generators and electric frequency converters on a somewhat regular basis... (120vac/3ph/400 hz and 440/220vac/3ph/60h to 120 vac/3ph/400 hz)

I've seen some schematics that seem to be fairly easy to whip up..Depends I guess..what are the B+ requirements?

Also, I'm thinking about DL'ing Echolink, but it appears that you have to enter your call sign prior to use. Is there a way to get around that just so I can listen or should I see about finding another program that would let me do that?

>>83245
vvv
>>83415

This guy pretty much nailed it.

See if you can find a Yaesu FRG-7. They're a great communications receiver.

If you don't feel like dropping $250 though, look into the Degen DE1103. It's a cheap SSB capable receiver. Attach a long wire antenna to it, and you'll be receiving stuff from all over. Be sure to ground the receiver too.

>>83564
Scanners usually cover 30 mhz to 1 ghz or so.

HAMs have frequency allocations on 50-54 mhz, 144-148 mhz, 420-450 mhz, and 902-928 mhz. Most traffic you'll hear is FM, most of it will take place on 144-148 and 420-450 mhz.

CB is 26.9 through 27.4 mhz, AM/SSB.

An analog scanner is fine for most areas. Be aware, most police departments are trunked. Some are switching to digital, so for those, you'll need a digital capable scanner. Some departments are encrypted, and you'll have no way to listen to those.

>https://www.scannermaster.com/GRE_PSR_310_Police_Scanner_p/30-501543.htm

This will do for most areas. It'll do 25 mhz through 1300 mhz, which also includes the 1.2 ghz amateur allocation.

>>83577
Well, tubes needs vary for filament and B+ voltages.

They can require anywhere from 100VDC to 5000VDC, or more for the B+. The perk is that the B+ is low current, so only a few hundred milliamps.

Filament power is typically low voltage, high current. 6.3v or 12v are most popular. Filament can be VAC, although you may induce a hum (not too hard to remove). Typical filament current is anywhere from 1 amp to 20 amps depending on the tube.

So here's the downside of the B+.

Depending on the amount of current you need to pass, for an average transmission tube with a 1500vdc B+, you'll need several THOUSAND windings to up 110VAC to the required 1500VAC, which then has to be rectified.

Keep in mind, you must also calculate in the voltage sag of your circuit. Excess voltage will shorten component life.

>high voltage transformers for an AM, high level modulation transmitter.

>>83888
>100VDC to 5000VDC

I worked on some ancient valve car radios that had 12 volt rails and transistors for the audio amp.
inb4 step up inverter aka vibrator. Not in that set.

Also worked on valve equipment that is 415volt 3 phase supply with 4kw of RF out.

>Dat 7kv HT.
>Dat big bottle.
>Dat filament as bright a light globe.
>Dat purple glow when the HT contacter goes down.
>Dat bad smell when some fag got his hand too close (not me thankfully).
>Dat burn!!!

>>83904
Vibrator supplies are interesting to say the least! Heathkit sold a kit vibrator supply that was very popular with hams for mobile rigs.

Sadly, you don't see homebrew mobile rigs very often any more.

I don't think I've ever worked with 3 phase before. For the presses at the place I used to work at, we used 1PH-3PH converters.

have been interested in getting into ham for a while now but no idea where to start any good sites or tips for me ?

>>84088
read through the thread for license info etc.

This thread was *awesome*.

<= Got issued this one and had to post it lolz.

Hello radio fag i come seeking advise as to.........WTF THIS ANNOYING NOISE IS AND HOW TO FUCKING STOP IT all the locals hang out on channel 20 and this noise is only on channel 19 and 20 i just got back in to radio and have never heard this noise before the radio im useing is a corbra LTD 29 Chrome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJsEIZzK0WI MFW

>>87516
Sounds like some NASTY high-voltage arc'ing.

Is that in your car, or are you running it as a base?

na i use it as a base at the moment iv got it mounted in my windowsill my antenna is mounted on the roof i hear the locals talking about it and thay live around 15 miles away and no one welds around me that i know of its always at night usely starting around 3:00PM or 7:00PM and it goes on thru the night i hardly hear it during the day

>>87561
There's an electrical short at a transformer somewhere in your area, and it is acting like a spark-gap transmitter with the power line acting as an antenna.

Unfortunately, it's a pain in the ass to track down problems like that.

You need a shortwave receiver, and a small directional antenna, like a little loop antenna.

Then you merely follow it to the source.

>>87561
Also, if you were near SW Michigan, I'd offer you a 37 ft mast + Starduster M400!

sadly i live in alabama and to get past all the trees and what not i guessed itd have to be 50 to 75 foot tower from the ground up. that right there is 21 foot 9 inches. but thankyou so much for the help and the offer. if you have any info on where to get a tower for cheap that would help lol 50 feet would be nice +5 to 10 feet extra i dont want it falling over now.

>>88084
Trees aren't as much of trouble as concrete / houses / dirt is.

30 ft off the ground is usually sufficient.

The antenna you're using though is quite lossy.

also i forgot to ask. do you shootskip? if so whats your handel? atm iv only got a 11m CB radio im planning on getting a magnum S-9175 or something of that sort so i can talk on all the other frequencys. and thanks again for your help. here are some donut seeds for your enjoyment

what antenna would you recommend?