I've seen talk about hams on here before so figured someone could help. I'm having trouble finding any signals so I already ordered the na-771 antenna upgrade, why what I'm really interested is how to set up my own that I can run up a 50ft tree. I'd like it to be DIY and cheap as possible.
This x 100. I don't even agree that they can legally license the airwaves, but that's not the reason to get the license. It's not hard, but it's not easy either, so you WILL have to study for it and in doing so you'll get the education needed to do most things with radio. Then it's just a matter of making a list of the things you want to do and doing them.
For my own purposes I want to create a chatroom program that uses the HAM radio bands to allow computers to communicate point-to-point. It's going to take awhile...
It's not that far out there to accomplish the goal. With the DMR radios you can already text. The internet is available through some of the networks, and Wikipedia (shamefully) is mirrored onto a wireless network on the west coast (US).
Getting the chat to be more useable, and binding it through a digital SDR would be neat.
I got my tech in august and my general in october thanks to the Ham Test Prep app. $4.99 download on my phone, and I could test myself all day. They have the exact questions from the actual tests (but each test's questions vary); so you actually learn more than needed. But, the questions are so obscure and technical, you won't know what half of it means. That's okay, use the app to memorize the correct answers, pass the test, and then start learning what it means. Here's an example of a question from the app/test: What is the best time of day for transequatorial propagation? Answer: Afternoon or early evening.
Do I know what that means? No, but it's easy to memorize the answer to the exact question and bang it out. Don't let the above discourage you. You can do it.
Nice work. See if you can receive weather broadcasts from NOAA:
WX1 - 162.550 MHz
WX2 - 162.400 MHz
WX3 - 162.475 MHz
WX4 - 162.425 MHz
WX5 - 162.450 MHz
WX6 - 162.500 MHz
WX7 - 162.525 MHz
This will prove that your radio is working properly with the original antenna that came with the uv-5r. From there, I would check 2 meter (144 - 148 MHz) and 70 cm (420 - 450 MHz). These are the two HAM bands that this radio will work with. You should hear digital and voice modes. Also, with this radio, you should be able to listen only to Air band (118 - 137 MHz) if you have an airport nearby. Don't try to transmit on this band though. Listen only.
Yeah, if you two just picked a frequency and tested how far it will go, the limit is line-of-sight. The signal won't make it over the horizon. Hills, buildings, trees, ect.. all cause interference and weaken the signal. 2 miles sounds about as far as I would expect that radio to work. Once you get a radio that is capable of HF, you can bounce your signal off the atmosphere and the ground to reach much further distances.
--
However, this is also why we have repeaters setup in high places around town. You can check https://repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=none for any repeaters in your area. Tune to these frequencies and you can listen. If you want to talk (once you have your license), you will need to set the CTCSS (PL) tone and get acknowledged by the repeater.
Also check out https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/ which will show you commercial entities assigned frequencies in your area. Some of them (like police and fire) are trunked so you will only hear digital garbage, but give it a shot and see what you can find.
Ive watched about 5 different videos on how to connect to repeaters and just cant seem to get it to work. There are many within like 30 miles of me, one is even on the same mountain that i can receive the NOAA signal from.
The main thing im wondering is, if im connected to a repeater, and someone else is connected to the same one, should we just be able to communicate simply as a 2 way radio? Would you never have privacy since its likely other people could connect to the same repeater?
Welcome to amateur radio. I too, have a baofeng uv-5r. I can pick up a few local repeaters in the area, using a J pole for antenna. I have my general certification and now I'm currently soldering up my own 20m transceiver. I heard you can simply run cable up to a tree and use that for an antenna, for certain frequencies anyway. There's a ton of information out there on the net, however, if you can get you an 'elmer' (older ham nut willing to teach you) that's usually the best course of action. Eventually, you'll get more interested in different frequencies and techniques (like ionospheric ducting); and you'll learn that the Baofeng is good for now, but not anywhere near what you could have. However, it is possible to receive the international space station's ham frequency with it, so there's that.
Well, unfortunately it's not that easy with ham. The 'wire in the tree type antenna' might be good for one frequency; but, does that mean it's good for your current radio? Maybe. And that's a terrible answer. I'm only maybe a year ahead of you when it comes to amateur radio knowledge; but I have an elmer that straightened me out (and frustrated the hell out of me; still does). I was just like you, going nuts with possibilities (and they are possible, but it takes time). The Baofeng radio works on 2m and 70cm frequencies - which is great for communication in the 50-100 mile range, terrain permitting. Your antenna, is currently only working to receive frequencies (coming in), not transmit (going out),that's a whole other story. And, your radio is pretty good at picking up those 2m & 70cm frequencies as long as you're close enough. Quick, question. Have you programmed your radio using the free Chirp software?
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 19:35:42 ago (+1/-0)
i am not licensed yet, but am only trying to listen and familiarize myself with the equipment. at the moment im having trouble connecting to a repeater even thought it is only 5 miles from me. after watching half a dozen videos its a bit frustrating.
[ - ] Splooge 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 16:18:03 ago (+1/-0)
Protip: Lurk /k/ and be on the lookout for comms generals. Lots of great stuff, a lot of it geared toward the UV-5r (I’ve got two of them myself for just-in-case simplex).
a radio that only receives ads for dick pills, extended car warranties, limited-time offers for mobile games, etc.? What a horrible radio you purchased.
The antenna receives and transmits from the side, so you may want it angled. With a clear view towards the targeted area. Lower frequencies should be easier to receive.
You won't be using CW - continuous wave, the mode that uses morse code with a uv-5r. Get the tech license first. Morse is great but first things first.
I bought a Yaesu FT3DR and don’t have a clue how to use it lol. Wa hoping my gadget fetish would motivate me to take the test but it didn’t. I’ve heard some guys using their rain gutters as an antenna though. Not sure if that actually works.
software defined radio. HOw much do you know about this? Can it be "downloaded" into a regular (electric service) home and used say on appliances with fans or a speaker to communicate (primitively) with the unwitting homeowner? any hardware install requirements in the home?
I suppose the options are limitless depending on how much you want to tinker...but basically, it's a software program you download onto a computer in conjunction with a USB stick that allows you to connect some sort of antenna to your computer. The software then becomes your radio. The benefit is that you can use the software to REALLY hunt for signals, something you can do with a normal radio, but the software typically gives you a lot more options. It fairly inexpensive, but the catch is the affordable hardware (USB stick) is receive only. If you want to transmit out, you'll need to buy the more expensive transmitting USB sticks...then there's the additional power requirments and all that fun stuff.
All that said, you can download an SDR (software defined radio) and connect it to a someone else's antenna and start playing with the tech before you ever physically hook up your own antenna.
When I was in the military I’d turn on the HF radio and listen in on people’s conversations. It’s not really a true conversation. Most of the time each person gets about two minutes to fill the airwaves with their “news” without any breaks, back and forth. Usually it’s about the weather wherever they’re at, what their aunt ate for dinner, etc. Kinda mind-numbing stuff really, like what your grandparents would bore you with. I can see how useful it would be for emergency information and the like, but back in the day it was just a form of social media before the internet.
[ + ] grizz
[ - ] grizz 7 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 11:58:06 ago (+7/-0)
baofeng uv-5r transmits on the 2 meter and 70 cm bands. 144 & 420 MHz. You will most likely use repeaters to connect very far.
[ + ] we_kill_creativity
[ - ] we_kill_creativity 4 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:16:58 ago (+4/-0)
For my own purposes I want to create a chatroom program that uses the HAM radio bands to allow computers to communicate point-to-point. It's going to take awhile...
[ + ] mannerbund
[ - ] mannerbund 2 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:31:23 ago (+2/-0)
Getting the chat to be more useable, and binding it through a digital SDR would be neat.
[ + ] Blackpowerwhitepowder
[ - ] Blackpowerwhitepowder 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 15:05:48 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Stonkmar
[ - ] Stonkmar 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 21:49:16 ago (+0/-0)
But, the questions are so obscure and technical, you won't know what half of it means. That's okay, use the app to memorize the correct answers, pass the test, and then start learning what it means.
Here's an example of a question from the app/test:
What is the best time of day for transequatorial propagation? Answer: Afternoon or early evening.
Do I know what that means? No, but it's easy to memorize the answer to the exact question and bang it out. Don't let the above discourage you. You can do it.
[ + ] rectangle
[ - ] rectangle 3 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 14:52:39 ago (+3/-0)
WX1 - 162.550 MHz
WX2 - 162.400 MHz
WX3 - 162.475 MHz
WX4 - 162.425 MHz
WX5 - 162.450 MHz
WX6 - 162.500 MHz
WX7 - 162.525 MHz
This will prove that your radio is working properly with the original antenna that came with the uv-5r. From there, I would check 2 meter (144 - 148 MHz) and 70 cm (420 - 450 MHz). These are the two HAM bands that this radio will work with. You should hear digital and voice modes. Also, with this radio, you should be able to listen only to Air band (118 - 137 MHz) if you have an airport nearby. Don't try to transmit on this band though. Listen only.
--
https://www.qsl.net/sp9hzx/pdf2/the_arrl_ham_radio_license_manual.pdf
[ + ] PawpawMan
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 15:54:27 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] rectangle
[ - ] rectangle 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 9, 2021 11:21:03 ago (+0/-0)
--
However, this is also why we have repeaters setup in high places around town. You can check https://repeaterbook.com/repeaters/index.php?state_id=none for any repeaters in your area. Tune to these frequencies and you can listen. If you want to talk (once you have your license), you will need to set the CTCSS (PL) tone and get acknowledged by the repeater.
Also check out https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/ which will show you commercial entities assigned frequencies in your area. Some of them (like police and fire) are trunked so you will only hear digital garbage, but give it a shot and see what you can find.
[ + ] PawpawMan
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 9, 2021 15:16:57 ago (+0/-0)
Ive watched about 5 different videos on how to connect to repeaters and just cant seem to get it to work. There are many within like 30 miles of me, one is even on the same mountain that i can receive the NOAA signal from.
The main thing im wondering is, if im connected to a repeater, and someone else is connected to the same one, should we just be able to communicate simply as a 2 way radio? Would you never have privacy since its likely other people could connect to the same repeater?
[ + ] Stonkmar
[ - ] Stonkmar 3 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 12:03:15 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] PawpawMan
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 12:06:17 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Stonkmar
[ - ] Stonkmar 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 21:27:25 ago (+0/-0)
I was just like you, going nuts with possibilities (and they are possible, but it takes time). The Baofeng radio works on 2m and 70cm frequencies - which is great for communication in the 50-100 mile range, terrain permitting. Your antenna, is currently only working to receive frequencies (coming in), not transmit (going out),that's a whole other story. And, your radio is pretty good at picking up those 2m & 70cm frequencies as long as you're close enough.
Quick, question. Have you programmed your radio using the free Chirp software?
[ + ] PawpawMan
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 9, 2021 15:18:24 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Stonkmar
[ - ] Stonkmar 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 10, 2021 14:12:13 ago (+0/-0)
But you can also do it manually, I've just heard it can be a pain.
[ + ] RecycledElectrons
[ - ] RecycledElectrons 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 18:41:55 ago (+1/-0)
It depends on your local area. Try to find out where the hams meet on Saturday mornings for "Ham and Eggs."
Try to find out what the local repeater is.
I assume you are FCC licensed.
I assume you know that handy talkie may be able to go out of the bands you are licensed to talk on.
[ + ] PawpawMan
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 19:35:42 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Splooge
[ - ] Splooge 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 16:18:03 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] lord_nougat
[ - ] lord_nougat 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 14:47:28 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] derpfroot
[ - ] derpfroot 3 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 15:00:10 ago (+3/-0)
What a horrible radio you purchased.
[ + ] lord_nougat
[ - ] lord_nougat 3 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 15:07:10 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] BranchThwap
[ - ] BranchThwap 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 14:24:01 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Cantaloupe
[ - ] Cantaloupe 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 12:05:55 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] mumbleberry
[ - ] mumbleberry 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 11:56:29 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] grizz
[ - ] grizz 3 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 12:00:18 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] mumbleberry
[ - ] mumbleberry 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 12:02:11 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Cantaloupe
[ - ] Cantaloupe 1 point 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 12:01:40 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] WanderingToast
[ - ] WanderingToast 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:09:11 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] lord_nougat
[ - ] lord_nougat 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 15:08:05 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] TransportDamage
[ - ] TransportDamage 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 21:11:15 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] 3Whuurs
[ - ] 3Whuurs 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 20:25:17 ago (+0/-0)
Wa hoping my gadget fetish would motivate me to take the test but it didn’t.
I’ve heard some guys using their rain gutters as an antenna though. Not sure if that actually works.
[ + ] Freespeechplease
[ - ] Freespeechplease 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 17:56:34 ago (+0/-0)
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/
[ + ] FellowWhite
[ - ] FellowWhite 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:35:43 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] thebearfromstartrack4
[ - ] thebearfromstartrack4 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:26:23 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] we_kill_creativity
[ - ] we_kill_creativity 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:18:02 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] thebearfromstartrack4
[ - ] thebearfromstartrack4 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:28:14 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] we_kill_creativity
[ - ] we_kill_creativity 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 13:48:40 ago (+0/-0)
All that said, you can download an SDR (software defined radio) and connect it to a someone else's antenna and start playing with the tech before you ever physically hook up your own antenna.
[ + ] deleted
[ - ] deleted 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 18:05:23 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] PygmyGoat
[ - ] PygmyGoat 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 9, 2021 06:57:50 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] WanderingToast
[ - ] WanderingToast 0 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 11:43:22 ago (+0/-0)
What's your call sign? (If CB - don't self dox with given amateur radio call sign)
[ + ] PawpawMan
[ - ] PawpawMan [op] 4 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 11:48:29 ago (+4/-0)
[ + ] account deleted by user
[ - ] account deleted by user -2 points 2.5 yearsNov 8, 2021 11:43:21 ago (+0/-2)