Amateur Radio FAQ

Traveler · Apr 7, 2020

It's a license to learn in my opinion. This is a very deep and wide hobby / service.

To get the most out of it, you need to learn considerate operating habits, and know a little tech.

The question of hard or not doesn't really track for me. Surgery or a law license would be hard for me, since I have no prior training. If you have a tech background, you may see it as easy. I have seen determined people have to give it a few tries. There is a fair bit of memorizing on each of the three tests. The laws and regulations are not a thing you need to understand, just know.

Boxcab · Apr 7, 2020

Anyone know when the new Extra study guides will be available? The current ones only last until June. I want to start slowly studying for a next Fall test.

.

Traveler · Apr 7, 2020

Edit, found the new test practice:

https://hamexam.org/exam/17-Extra (Starts July 1)

This link has the information, but it's not terribly convenient right now:

http://www.arrl.org/news/new-amateur-extra-question-pool-released

Shinny · Apr 7, 2020

Thanks everyone. I ordered the ARRL manual and will start there.

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Keystone70 · Apr 7, 2020

Hamstudy.org has both the old and new material on there web. I used this web sight when I studied for all three test. Very good system

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PowPow · Apr 12, 2020

So, I got an SDRplay RSPdx a few weeks ago from HRO. I hooked it up to an HF loop antenna that I made and fired it up. It's been decades since I had a shortwave receiver to just listen with. This SDR is so much more than that! The SDRplay units use software called SDR Uno. After a bit of software earning curve, I figured out how to use it. Wow, there is so much noise out there. I did pick up some CW, which was fun for my 11 yr old to hear. Now if I only knew how to copy it!! What are some of your faves to monitor on HF? We also tuned in the local AM & FM radio stations pretty easily.

boothdoc · Apr 12, 2020

Ok, so what does CW stand for?

PowPow · Apr 12, 2020

boothdoc said:
Ok, so what does CW stand for?

Continuous Wave - Morse Code

boothdoc · Apr 12, 2020

Thanks, newbie here just learning more everyday

Bigfoot21075 · Apr 13, 2020

Check these girls out....

I am studying to upgrade my license and was honestly feeling a tad overwhelmed with it, then I ran across this video and realized it is WELL within reach of ANYONE who wants to achieve it!.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBvoWTZ-u4g&t=339s

Fess Parkerized · Apr 15, 2020

Baofeng Question, VFO A and VFO B Synchronization

A question for MDS hams who are familiar with Baofeng radios.

I own a Baofeng UV-82 HP radio and the question is about VFO A and VFO B. I have done due diligence searching for answers on the web and in the printed and online manuals and have been unable to find the answers.

I have notoriously fat fingers and have hit both A and B PTT buttons simultaneously a few times and messed things up with my transmission. Many websites note that VFO A and VFO B may be synchronized so that the radio functions as having a single VFO, however none stated how to accomplish this. Does anyone know the setting in the software that I should change to synchronize VFO A and VFO B to the same frequency?

Thanks, all!

Charlie, KC3OJR, General Class

Boxcab · Apr 15, 2020

Fess Parkerized said:
A question for MDS hams who are familiar with Baofeng radios.

I own a Baofeng UV-82 HP radio and the question is about VFO A and VFO B. I have done due diligence searching for answers on the web and in the printed and online manuals and have been unable to find the answers.

I have notoriously fat fingers and have hit both A and B PTT buttons simultaneously a few times and messed things up with my transmission. Many websites note that VFO A and VFO B may be synchronized so that the radio functions as having a single VFO, however none stated how to accomplish this. Does anyone know the setting in the software that I should change to synchronize VFO A and VFO B to the same frequency?

Thanks, all!

Charlie, KC3OJR, General Class

I don't have the answer you are looking for, but with my 5VR I use the hand mike with a push to talk button, makes it very handy to work.

.

K31 · Apr 15, 2020

With the UV5R and like radios you can select the same frequency/tone/offset or the same memory location for VFO A and VFO B. I don't know if that is what they mean by sync'd but if the UV 82 can do it, it would seem like if you did that and hit B meaning to hit A you would still be on the correct frequency/tone/offset. If you hit both...? Race condition?

TapRackBang · Apr 15, 2020

For those that don't know, the UV-82HP uses two PTT buttons where the UV3/5 has only one button. The idea is PTT A transmits on VFO A, while PTT B transmits on VFO B. I think Charlie is looking how to make VFO B follow A so he doesn't accidentally transmit on the wrong frequency by hitting the wrong PTT.

Sorry, Charlie, I don't know the answer.

TapRackBang · Apr 15, 2020

Ah, a clue:

Dual PTT Synchronization
The UV-82HP comes with the Dual PTT key enabled, but the UV-82HP software has added a new
option that allows locking the Dual PTT Button to simulate a Single PTT and override the Dual
PTT feature. By Pressing the EXIT/AB button, you can still switch the selected upper/lower
display. Note: A programming cable is required to run the software; the BaoFeng Tech FTDI cable
is recommended

From Chapter 9 here: https://baofengtech.com/usermanual/UV82HP_Manual_ReducedSize.pdf

They offer Chirp on their software page, so it may be built into Chirp now:
https://baofengtech.com/download

Chirp is great stuff, I donate $5 every time i use it to program a new radio.

https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

Fess Parkerized · Apr 15, 2020

Thanks for your replies, Boxcab, K31, and TapRackBang.

I will take a closer look at Chirp and the Baofeng programs tonight:

TapRackBang said:
Ah, a clue:
From Chapter 9 here: https://baofengtech.com/usermanual/UV82HP_Manual_ReducedSize.pdf

They offer Chirp on their software page, so it may be built into Chirp now:
https://baofengtech.com/download

Chirp is great stuff, I donate $5 every time i use it to program a new radio.
https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

Thanks, Charlie!

Fess Parkerized · Apr 15, 2020

Well, I couldn't open "Properties" for the radio in CHIRP tonight, don't know what the bug is. Also, I couldn't figure out the right combination of check boxes in "Options" with the Baofeng software. The abbreviations are pretty cryptic.

I did discover that if I use my single PTT speaker/mic the radio stayed in VFO B with transmission. When using the speaker/mic in VFO A, the radio switched back and forth from VFO A to VFO B with each transmission. So using the single button PTT speaker/mic with the radio in VFO B will be a fix.

That's enough for tonight. I'll update if I ever can figure out how to synchronize VFO A and VFO B with programming software.

Thanks again, all! :thumbsup:

Charlie

Shinny · Apr 16, 2020

I got my manual today. Hopefully I’ll be able to understand the above replies soon. Lol

Can anyone suggest a good hand held radio once I pass my test and get my license?

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gamer_jim · Apr 16, 2020

Shinny said:
Can anyone suggest a good hand held radio once I pass my test and get my license?

My first ham radio was a Yaesu FT-60R. I do recommend it for being an HT. I do not recommend it if you think your going to try to operate from your vehicle while driving to work. Yes, it is possible but the controls were just too much of a pain.

But if your looking for a good HT the FT-60r is a good choice.

Traveler · Apr 16, 2020

Completely agreed. You could do far worse than the Yaesu FT-60R. That said, I would recommend a mobile for your first rig. You can run it at home too, and attach a proper antenna.

If you have $100, spend $99 on the antenna, and $1 on the radio. A good antenna at 30 feet trumps a great VHF / UHF rig with a crappy antenna.

Here is a shocking cheap, and effective antenna you can build yourself:

https://www.essexham.co.uk/slim-jim

gamer_jim said:
My first ham radio was a Yaesu FT-60R. I do recommend it for being an HT. I do not recommend it if you think your going to try to operate from your vehicle while driving to work. Yes, it is possible but the controls were just too much of a pain.

But if your looking for a good HT the FT-60r is a good choice.

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