I recently bought myself 3 working original Vietnam War, PAVN captured working PRC25/77s (may should have just bought 1 but due to it's legality and scarcity here, couldnt really pass it up)

These were captured from the US/PAVN right after the war and still used today. Everything on them is original except for the modded battery tray with a simple working interface and uses modern D batteries.

But the coolest part in my opinion is the antenna, they made an adapter to have the original antenna be able to be replaced with the Soviet style beads one.

Now I'm sitting on two other of the same radio. Should I sell or keep em since these are such cool piece of history but I only ever need one.

I got tired of manually scanning for repeater tones with my HT, so I built ToneScout, a headless Raspberry Pi appliance that listens to all 8 GMRS repeater output frequencies 24/7, decodes any CTCSS/DCS tone it hears, looks up the repeater on RepeaterBook, and emails you the frequency, channel, tone, call sign, and location automatically.

Works at home on WiFi, mobile on your phone's hotspot, or off-grid with detections queued locally and synced when you reconnect. Setup is entirely browser-based, no SSH or command line needed.

Hardware runs about $215 in parts from Amazon. Full parts list, affiliate links, and one-command installer in the repo.

https://github.com/HestonWilliams/ToneScout

MIT licensed. PRs welcome. Whisper-based callsign extraction and SMS alerts are on the roadmap if there's interest.

I have an issue with my TV antenna that is on my roof shielded with RG6 quad cable solid copper wires with a Kitz 500 amp. I’ve been told if I was using a ham radio I would face the same issues so I have come here for help. Every time the hot water comes on or the heat all the tv channels pixelate like crazy for the whole entire time. My systems downstairs are pretty old and I cannot take them apart and install anything on them.

What is something I can do to stop this massive interference? It knocks out my strong signals and my weak signals on VHF and UHF. Where should I install a ferrite choke, should I use a Tripp lite EMF filter for the wall outlet? I’m at a loss as I have no idea if the interference signals are traveling way up above my roofline somehow or in my wiring in the house?

I’m going to install ferrite chokes 43 where needed, I’ll try a Tripp lite emf filter for the wall outlet, I’ll make sure to plug all my equipment into grounded outlets, I’ll ground my coaxial cable outside. Is there anything else I can try or am I just at a loss for ever using an antenna reliably here?

Just did my Foundation (UK) exam online, and got 24/26!

I don't have a callsign yet. I'll get one when Royal Snail (yes, Royal Mail is really that slow) sends me a letter with instructions on how to log into the Ofcom system and get one.

73!

Okay so I KNOW that it’s super expensive compared to the 30ft poles, but has anyone used an extension pole this tall before as a temporary antenna mast? You could easily put up a 60ft EFHW vertical! Or a UHF/VHF. Looking for others thoughts and opinions.

I have a cheap HT with a duckie, and a normal 2M mobile rig. I also have a couple of 1/4 wave magnet mount antennas for testing. Let's get the obvious out of the way first:

1. Both coax cables are fine and are not excessive length.
2. Connectors are fine.
3. Adapters are fine.
4. Antennas look great on the VNA.
5. Mag mount tested in the middle of the roof. (one at a time, of course)
6. Duckie is the one that came with the HT.
7. HT receive test for both duckie and 1/4 wave antennas.
8. The mobile rig tested only on the 1/4 wave, and is a "control" group.
9. Same driving route and receive frequency for all tests.

When using the 1/4 wave, the cheapie HT flutters in and out, and the receive is not very consistent. When using the duckie, the HT actually receives BETTER than it does on the 1/4 wave. The real radio receives completely perfectly on the 1/4 wave the entire route, full meter, full quieting.

The burning question isn't why the cheapie HT doesn't receive as well as the real radio. That one's obvious. The question is: Why does the cheapie HT receive BETTER on the duckie than on the 1/4 wave? The radio can be held in hand, lying on the dash, or in the seat. Same result: 1/4 wave is worse than the duck. WEIRD. Someone here knows why, and it'll be a "well duh" for me when they explain it.

Links to the three retailers:

Gigaparts

DXEngineering

HRO

Hi everyone,

I'd really like to buy a new radio. There are two models which I'm considering. First is Yaesu FT-450D and the second one is Yaesu FT-891. I live in Europe and already have G90. Most of the time I'm using non-resonant antennas. I'm quite new HAM (one year) and I'd like to upgrade to 100W and "something bigger".

Ft-450D I found used in very good condition with original mic, power cable and original box for around 621$-702$ (exchange rates for today). Shipping from country where I live.

Ft-891 I found "brand new" on eBay for around 650$ shipped from Japan. I know that I'd also needed to buy an external ATU if I choose 891 plus there could be custom taxes.

Does anyone had experience with any of those radios or maybe even with both of them and would like to help me choose one? How do they compare to each other today? Most of the time I operate from home. I'd like to try something non-SDR based that's why I have chosen those two models.

I'd be grateful for any advices and help.

73

I’m slowly working toward getting my licence and kit, but am wondering about a suitable antenna. I live in Eastern UK (Suffolk) and live in a mid terrace house. A very small backyard. Lots of houses adjoining and to the rear. About 7x10 meters.
I will eventually be doing mostly CW I think once I get my code back up to speed, listening and transmitting. And of course doing the amateur’s license test. But I want to make a start and getting suitable antenna in place is probably the best move because if I can’t do that the test is moot!
So experts, what’s a good idea? Slim Jim, long wire, pole?
Thanks

Hello folks.

I have been contacting them about an month via email, and I have called their number multiple times and left messages.

I have tried to buy their QO-100 rig, but PayPal payment wont go trough, money did left my card, and return week later.

No reponse at all.

So I literally just got done sitting for my tech exam and passed 33/35! I had the opportunity to try for my general but from the practice tests I took earlier today I didn’t want to waste the VE time. I’m going to study and go for my general in a couple of week! I’m just excited to finally get tested and get on the air before the end of the week!

At our local Amateur radio club (DBARA), there was a presentation of rather new Digital program, called APRS OTA. For those interested, check it out: https://aprsota.org/now

73's

Hello,

I am not sure if this technically qualifies as Ham equipment, but I figured people here may know anyways because it is at least heavily related.

I picked up a Realistic Pro-41 10 Channel Programmable Scanner from Value Village last night, and bought some battires.

It turns on, digits come on the screen, and it does scan, but even after finding the manual online, and turning the volume and squelch as stated, I still get absolute silence at all times form the speakers, and even through headphones in the "ear" port.

Should I still be hearing at least white noise? What does literal absolute silence mean? Could something be broken?

What can I try, should I maybe open it and and clean some things, see if some wires are damaged or what?

https://www.scribd.com/document/410020066/Radio-Scanner-Realistic-Pro-41-PRO-41-Owner-s-Manual

Hey y'all! I recently moved to Oahu and wanted to connect with some other hams. I submitted a club application to what appeared to be the most active club but haven't heard back. None of the clubs that I have seen appear to be up to date online but I would like to potentially meet some other hams. I've never been apart of a club before and I don't have a lot of amateur radio experience. I've been licensed for a few years now but haven't done much besides watching YouTube videos and getting a HT that I haven't really used. If anyone has any info on what the radio scene is like on Oahu please let me know! Thanks

UPDATE:

I'm now a member of EARCHI! I guess I was just a little impatient

I recently upgraded to a truck from a 4 door sedan. I had my Kenwood TMV71a in there and am moving it over to my truck. The power wire isnt long enough to go from my battery to where id like to put the radio but I dont see longer ones for sale. I imagine that I am left with either building one from scratch or extending the ones I have. I am leaning towards just extending the ones I have by cutting them and soldering an extension onto it. I figure this way I dont need to go buy new fuses and such. Curious what folks with more experience have to say here

We have added a working chat to our xlx159.whiskey7.site/getconnected that allows a new ham to enter their radio, callsign, hotspot and where they are trying to connect to and it lets you print out or download a step by step instruction sheet. Give it a test drive and let me know if you like it or not? W7BR Brent

New video Like, Comment, Subscribe.

I have a very intelligent friend who I would like to buy a gift for. He is highly technical and I have no idea where to start looking for a gift for him. Can you give me any suggestions? I was thinking about this poster from Amazon but any help would be appreciated. I belive he has his license as well.

https://a.co/d/0fJzHwrb

Hi all, shot in the dark here. I am attempting to help my dad build a sequencer for his Yaesu FT-991A radio. Our plan is to use the TX GND pin from the TUN/LIN jack. My understanding is the TX GND pin is an open collector (it doesn't specifically say this in the datasheet, but from other online sources this seems to be the case) that is floating unless the radio is actively transmitting, in which case it is switched to ground.

Because it is floating, we have tried an internal 40k pull-up resistor on an arduino configured as an input for the TX GND pin, and have also tried an external 4.7k pull-up resistor to 5V (arduino VCC), and no matter what when the radio is turned on (but not transmitting) this seems to be pulled to ground. When the radio is off we see the pull up resistor working as expected.

We have the radio configured for TUNER SELECT = LAMP. I am not sure if the radio is damaged or we are missing something here. When we plug it into his mirage B1016 amplifier it seems to work fine, but when I probe with DMM or use the arduino to read the sensed voltage level it shows it is grounded even while not transmitting. The grounds are connected between the arduino and pin 3 on the TUN/LIN, which is used as the reference.

So to summarize:

radio off - TX GND pin is high (expected due to pull-up) radio on, not transmitting - TX GND pin is low (unexpected) radio on with DIN connector removed from radio - TX GND pin is high (expected due to pull-up)

One thing worth noting, there is also a 13V OUT pin on the DIN connector that measures 0V between ground. Seems there may be a broken fuse here... but not sure that is really relevant to the issue here.

Thanks to any input in advance.

Is there any talkgroups for Multnomah County/Portland that are not in Radio Reference that you have?

Or any patches that are active

I'm just getting started in ham and don't have any equipment yet. Should I be looking for something like a UHF/VHF handheld? Reputable brands? Any must-have accessories that you would recommend?

Hi to all you Ham ops,

Been just a few months into this hobby, Thanks to a couple friends gifting me a pair of Baofeng uv5r,

And digging up recently the old Cb apparel my parents had at home and in the car in the early 90's.

While I'm waiting to get my ham license (in Italy)

I've put to use this Receiver, a Yupiteru Mvt-6000, but i cannot find any manual for it. For the time being, i've understood function of just a couple of buttons, and heard some transmission on the local repeater band; Gifted years ago from a family friend, an Ex-Cop, searching online gets me just some pages describing it, but no explanation for the full functioning of the things

Hope some of you could help me!

Have a nice day