XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated

Amateur/Ham Radio

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How exactly are you supposed to get 100 grid squares for VHF century club
if you operate w/n 200km of each operating position? EME or satelitte?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 05:24 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vzaseb/how_exactly_are_you_supposed_to_get_100_grid/


EDIT: The tone sounds angry or extra salty. Thats not how I actually feel.
I just dont understand.
Am I misunderstanding the Century club award or what? Is the point of the
award EME?
I cant figure out how I would ever get 100 grid squares on VHF without the
use of satellites or eme. If you are near a corner of four grids, I see how
you could get 4 on VHF but thats about it unless you are using EME or satelittes. Yeah tropo ducting is another way and meteor showers, but those arent very common are they? submitted by /u/Marconi_and_Cheese
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Why are marine VHF antennas so long?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 04:55 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vza71v/why_are_marine_vhf_antennas_so_long/


Since the average VHF 1/4 wave ground plane antenna is ~19" long, why is
the most common marine VHF antenna 8 long? Is most of the "antenna"
actually a mast to gain elevation, with the real antenna at the top?
submitted by /u/t3ht0ast3r
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Air travel with Bioenno battery

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 12:45 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz4jc2/air_travel_with_bioenno_battery/


I have a Bioenno BLF-1206A battery. It has the following labeling "Lithium
Iron Phosphate Battery" 12V 6Ah 72 Watt-Hour
I am taking a US domestic flight tomorrow.
Ive been reading about Lithium batteries and the associated restrictions.
The restrictions seem to be broken into two major categories with various sizes: "Lithium Ion" and "Lithium Metal".
It is further broken down by whether the battery is "installed" or "spare".
I know it is a "spare" battery as it is not installed in any equipment. Considering that the label contains the word "Iron", Im presuming it is
a "Lithium Metal" battery.
However, Ive also read that "Lithium Metal" batteries are not rechargeable. Well, this battery is most certainly rechargeable.
So, Im not sure which category this particular battery falls under,
therefore, not sure of its travel restrictions.
So, my questions are the following:
1) Of the two categories, which is this battery "Lithium Ion" or "Lithium Metal" 2) If this battery is not easily categorized into one of the above,
can I... a) Travel with it at all b) Travel with it in my checked baggage
c) Travel with it in my carry on bag
Many thanks in advance submitted by /u/manymiles5
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[ARRL BOOKS] Is the Operating manual worth the buy or should I just get the handbook? I got the operating manual free back in 2012, and that's the only
ham book I still have.

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:32 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vzhrvr/arrl_books_is_the_operating_manual_worth_the_buy/


Ive got my general, and I understand enough to operate on HF, but I still
have a lot of questions here and there as I havent been on the air on HF
much at all. submitted by /u/Marconi_and_Cheese
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Buying new radio make sense?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 06:31 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vyvz9u/buying_new_radio_make_sense/


I am looking into buying an Icom 705, mostly for convenience with having
the waterfall display. Currently I have a kx3 with px3 and I just really don’t like all the cables everywhere. I only operate portable so I unpack
and pack up each time I use the radio, whether at home or traveling.
Does it really make sense to buy a 705 for convenience? Would I be gaining anything else with this radio over the kx3 and px3?
Or should I be looking into something else?
I only have been operating qrp, because I am typically running off a small battery, I don’t have a shack or designated space to setup alot of
equipment.
Main modes of operating are CW and digital. submitted by /u/tanMud
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Antenna recommendations for Yeasu FT-70dr?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 05:08 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vzah7g/antenna_recommendations_for_yeasu_ft70dr/


Wanted to get something decent for a first radio and I think Ive settled on this Yeasu since I want to be able to play around with digital. Currently
Im looking at the Smiley Antenna Co Tri Band telescopic and the Nagoya
NA-77, but Im open to anything. Do I even need to get a better antenna or
is the stock one good? Also should I get a programming cable, and which
one? submitted by /u/hornedCapybara
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Alternative to old bandcondx site?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 03:00 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz7o2j/alternative_to_old_bandcondx_site/


There used to be a site that I cant quite remember the URL of, but I think
it was something like bandcondx.com. It would provide easy to read, at a
glance reports on how open each band is. It shut down eventually sadly.
Has an alternative to this popped up since? I suppose I could just learn to read the solar indices but it sure was nice seeing it in an easy to
understand way. submitted by /u/minorsecond
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Yaesu FT-818 mind blank

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 09:04 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vzf6y7/yaesu_ft818_mind_blank/


Bought an FT818 about a week ago and was playing around with things (be
careful not to transmit as I had the front antenna jack hooked up to a
manual tuner and random wire for listening) and I happen to hold in
the "HOME" button and it started transmitting, (Im guessing this is some
form of tune button) I saw nothing describing such a function in the
manual, if there is please let me know as I must have read right over it.
The SWR bar showed maximum and It was held for about 3 seconds before I realised what was happening. Would this have caused any damage? It seems to work with full power on VHF with a tuned antenna but Im unsure if I just shortened the lifespan of my finals. Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/Hasteinsolitude
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noob question here

Posted: 15 Jul 2022 12:13 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vzifbn/noob_question_here/


Hey guys, ive only been reading and learning about ham/gmrs/frs ext. For a couple weeks and had a random thought. What happens if you press ptt and transmit with no antenna attached to the handheld radio? Is it bad for the radio? Does a signal actually get sent out or a partial signal? submitted
by /u/BluntedConcepts
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Best coil positions for the Hygain 18VS?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 04:38 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz9uh9/best_coil_positions_for_the_hygain_18vs/


Hello,
Yes this is an update to my previous post. So I am just practicing on 20
meters for now, but I have wired my Hygain 18VS to my PL259, I am able to
get high power out. But the internal wattmeter on my Xiegu g90 and my
external MFJ wattmeter give completely different SWR readings.
So I am wondering, does the radio being able to make full power output mean
the coil is tuned to the best position? The different readings from my two
SWR meters makes this hard to tell. Thanks and 73. submitted by
/u/wassup2190
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Antenna height and modeling software

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 10:34 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz1k3b/antenna_height_and_modeling_software/


There is some free software I have used in the past to model the height of antennas between 2 geographic points. I cant for the life of me remember
the name. Does anyone remember what it is? submitted by /u/Textile302
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Making an 80 m EFHW

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 06:16 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vzbul0/making_an_80_m_efhw/


Gonna make a full size 80m EFHW. String it from my house to oak tree abt
160 ft from house. Assuming I shoot for lower end of 80m, around 3.6 MHz, should be able to get close harmonics on lot of other bands. Question: does
one use the calculation of 468/freq for end feds same as dipoles or is calculation somehow different? I realize I’ll start w some number and add a ft or so to allow for trimming/tuning. Just curious if starting calculation
is same for EFHW as for dipoles. Any opinions/experiences? submitted by /u/Ezekiel39
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FT-100D - ALC Always at Max No Matter the Mic Gain Set. Any Tips? Tried numerous Microphones.

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 04:03 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz93fy/ft100d_alc_always_at_max_no_matter_the_mic_gain/

submitted by /u/LinuxIsFree
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Upgrade Recommendations

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 10:13 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz11x5/upgrade_recommendations/


I am wanting to upgrade my mobile UHF/VHF radio. Currently running TYT9800
and overall like it but would like APRS as well as dual VFO. Honestly not interested in the fancy displays, I like the overall layout of the TYT9800
just wanting a solid upgrade.
I like the Kenwood TM-D710GA, however, it appears to now be unavailable
from everybody. Leaning towards the ICOM ID-5100A, kinda like the Yeasu FTM-400DR but i feel the display would be hard to read in sun. Any
suggestions of any other brands, models would be appreciated.
Mostly looking for clear display on dash of vehicle, Would like the mic to attach to had unit, APRS, Dual VFO (not major just preference). TIA
submitted by /u/n3ur0n3rd
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A 74xx-defined radio

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 04:58 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vyhs1d/a_74xxdefined_radio/

submitted by /u/equablecrab
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Antenna Selector

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 07:58 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vyld3d/antenna_selector/

submitted by /u/Copper1122
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digital modes for pota/sota

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 04:32 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vytnxw/digital_modes_for_potasota/


What kind of computing device would people recommend for digital modes when activating sota/pota , I would like it as small as possible,as I would be walking to the destination. Could a mobile phone work as a computing
device, or would I have to use a tablet or laptop? submitted by
/u/neutrino46
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FT DX 10 vs FT 710

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 09:55 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz0n82/ft_dx_10_vs_ft_710/


Hello,
So I recently ( 3 months ago ) got my license, I was originally really
looking into the FT DX 10, however then Yaesu announced the 710.

I have looked at photos and the information available, and atleast it
appears that the 710 is missing some features the 710, im not sure however
that those features are SIGNIFICANT enough. Also it appears the price
released on most websites is only suggestive and Yeasu hasnt released the definitive price yet

Basically, what would you guys get and why? submitted by
/u/Meganitrospeed
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3.5mm audio signal to CW "key" port - Bad?

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 09:28 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vz005l/35mm_audio_signal_to_cw_key_port_bad/


Probably a dumb question: Im running FLDigi on a raspberry pi, and want to
use FLDigi to generate keyboard CW (via its "CW Mode") and then send that
CW data to a Pixie kit I built. I was simply going to plug one end of a
3.5mm TRS cable into the Raspberry Pis headphone port, and plug the other
end out to the Pixies "Key" port.
My question is: Will the Pixie pick up the FLDigi data via the Pixies key
port, and generate a signal? Or is this going to fry something? submitted
by /u/761258
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Thinking of hanging a hexbeam HF and a VHF/UHF from a rope between two tall pines.

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 08:18 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vylrpj/thinking_of_hanging_a_hexbeam_hf_and_a_vhfuhf/


I live in an HOA but there’s some woods behind my house (on my property)
that would hide anything. I want to string a line between the tops of two
trees and use that to hoist a hex beam and a VHF/UHF antenna into the free space between them (over a ditch).
Assume I can physically do it. Will I be wasting my time? submitted by /u/RobinHoodEsqVetsAtty
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Problem with Xeigu X6100 and WSJT-X

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 06:15 AM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vyvnce/problem_with_xeigu_x6100_and_wsjtx/


I just picked up a used X6100, and am trying to get it to work on FT8. I
have seen a few videos on it, and I think I am 90% of the way there. I have functional CAT control, I can hear stations, and stations can hear me. I
have even had a few successful QSOs, but they have been harder than they
should be. The problem is that whenever it switches from RX to TX, or back,
it switches mode from U-Digi to USB, and it does it every single time.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any help would be most
appreciated. submitted by /u/seanspeaksspanish
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trying to hide the RG 316 on my hatch mount. I do not see any visible signs
of the cable being pinched when the hatch is closed. does this seem like a
good way to do it?

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 03:58 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vyghoq/trying_to_hide_the_rg_316_on_my_hatch_mount_i_do/

submitted by /u/SonicResidue
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Is there a way to shorten an EFHW without cutting it?

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 06:27 PM PDT https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/vyjlri/is_there_a_way_to_shorten_an_efhw_without_cutting/


I got a 130’ EFHW and my property is the size of a postage stamp, about 80’ on the longest sides of my property and 50’ ish along the short end, I’m trying to figure out how to get on the air, it was recommended that I
double back about 1/3 of the antenna on itself, so it would fit within my property.
I found out today it would need to be as far from the rest of the antenna
as possible. I’m doing some research I found that it may not be a good idea to do that, does anyone have any ideas? submitted by /u/zzyzxrd
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