HAM Radio Starter Kit - Information for Beginners

[RVTECH]

maybe put together a repeater and immerse myself in the world of ham

Looks like you have plenty of repeaters in your area!

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/location_search.php?state_id=53&loc=Kitsap&type=county

See if you have a local HAM club or 'team' and get a hold of them if so. I am sure you will find them very accommodating and helpful. My local group was when I started out and it helped immensely!.

 

[AK0perator47]

I heard that there are plenty in Kitsap but I will be moving soon. Also plan on getting some vacant property in more rural areas.

 

[ATCclears]

I may have posted this link before. It's a reasonable read as a Start Here. I have no affiliation with the website.

Beginner’s guide to amateur (ham) radio for preppers

Ham radio is more confusing than it needs to be. What's CB and FRS? Do you need a license? Experts make it easy with this free, one-page guide.

theprepared.com

 

[ATCclears]

For those in the Seattle area with a GMRS license and wanting to use a repeater, the East Tiger GMRS repeater seems to be very active.

https://www.mygmrs.com/repeater/3386

 

[ATCclears]

With the DigiRig, you only need one set of cables for both programming your ham radio, but also running digital modes like Winlink (for email) and running APRS applications.

 

[ATCclears]

I ordered the Smiley for a Baofeng (SMA-F connection) after watching his video. There is a link in his video description.

 

[ATCclears]

An update on the Smiley antenna on a Baofeng.

When not extended, the Smiley antenna is 8 1/4" long. There is a slight amount of flexibility just above the mount point, but better to treat it as rigid when screwed in to the handheld transceiver (HT).

When extended, the Smiley antenna is 2' 11" long. If you had the inexpensive walkie talkies with the extendable antennas as a kid, this antenna is the same idea.

Performance is actually pretty good when fully extended. I was easily hitting both GMRS and 2M repeaters 15+ miles away. I'd say performance of the Smiley antenna is better than the 14" whip antenna (NA-771?) that I normally have on the Baofeng.

 

[RVTECH]

Good to hear you are getting good results with this antenna!

Have you checked the SWR on it? I am sure it is good due to the performance you describe but it would be interesting to know the match.

 

[ATCclears]

Good to hear you are getting good results with this antenna!

Have you checked the SWR on it? I am sure it is good due to the performance you describe but it would be interesting to know the match.

Nada, I have yet to buy myself a meter.

 

[RVTECH]

Yea, kinda 'scrounging' around for one myself.

Hoping one finds its way to me via all the good luck I have had since starting out last year!

I was recently given an older, but very nice Radio Shack (Icom made) 2 meter mobile radio which is now my 'base radio' and I will be getting an Icom 2 meter base unit soon in trade for helping a guy with some electrical work in his shop!

What sucks is I have two SWR meters - but they are for 'Chicken Band' and not HF/VHF...

 

[ATCclears]

Article on J-Pole antennas. The article also references a seller on eBay.

https://survivalblog.com/2022/04/09/j-pole-vhf-uhf-antennas-tunnel-rabbit/



A comment is below from the seller on eBay. I did note that the Slim Jim offers higher gain than the J-Pole.

When would I choose a Slim Jim compared to a J-Pole antenna

Both the Slim Jim and J-Pole are great antennas and I continue to recommend both styles of antennas for different situations. The J-Pole will excel at lower mounting heights, apartments, or limited space locations. It's 20 degree takeoff angle makes it a great choice for people living in valleys or the base of mountain ranges. It's even radiation pattern is great for communicating with satellites and the International Space Station.

The Slim Jim likes to be mounted high. My experience with it is that you want to get this antenna up at least 20 or 30 feet for it to really perform. The lower takeoff angle is great for simplex communications with handheld or mobile radios. The low noise floor is perfect for data and packet stations. If you live on the top of a hill, go for the Slim Jim.

Slim Jim

Authentic KB9VBR 2 Meter VHF SLIM JIM amateur ham radio J-Pole base antenna 713543871555 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Authentic KB9VBR 2 Meter VHF SLIM JIM amateur ham radio J-Pole base antenna at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

J-Pole

Ground Plane Base Antenna 2 Meter 70cm Dual Band HDuty Amateur Radio Ham Scanner for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Ground Plane Base Antenna 2 Meter 70cm Dual Band HDuty Amateur Radio Ham Scanner at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[rgold1963]

Now that I read this post, I have another "hobby" for my wife to be thrilled about! Going to take the technician exam in 2 weeks.

 

[RVTECH]

Going to take the technician exam in 2 weeks.

Very nice! Start using 'Hamexam.com' to cram for it. Very easy to use and you can arrange the questions and answers based on your own manner of how you 'study' best.

Got a radio yet? Obviously you will be starting on the 2 meter / 70 CM frequencies and are you planning on eventually getting your 'general' and moving into the HF arena?

 

[rgold1963]

Very nice! Start using 'Hamexam.com' to cram for it. Very easy to use and you can arrange the questions and answers based on your own manner of how you 'study' best.

Got a radio yet? Obviously you will be starting on the 2 meter / 70 CM frequencies and are you planning on eventually getting your 'general' and moving into the HF arena?

I have been using hamstudy.org but will check out the one you mentioned as well. Looking at radios now trying to learn about the differences in them. A lot are out of stock for obvious reasons!
I will more than likely go overboard on this like all of my other "hobbies" so yes, I can see myself upgrading my license in short order.
Only took a couple of days to be passing every test exam on the hamstudy site.

 

[Mono1]

Only took a couple of days to be passing every test exam on the hamstudy site.

The Flashcards really help as well.

AI6YG

 

[rgold1963]

35/35 on the technician test. They wanted me to take the general test while I was there. I had no time to study for it so I ended up at 22/35. I'll go back for that one once I have some time to study up!

 

[The Heretic]

BAOFENG BF-F9V2N (Tri-Power; see comments inside) 2100mAh battery $35.69 - $27.29 w/coupon Lightning Deal (4 hours left) - two band

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YW6XHNG/ref=emc_b_5_t Be aware that this is the BF-F9V2N model. The description says: BAOFENG Two Way Radio, Brothers with BF-F8/UV-5R, 8-Watt Dual Band Radio with 2100mAh Li-ion Battery Portable Walkie Talkies with Includes Full Kit They advertise this as an 8...

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[The Heretic]

https://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/uxo9bk

 

[Nutty4Guns]

^^ Good thing I'm just sticking to the basics I guess. 2m, 70cm, and Echolink for me.

 

[ATCclears]

It seems the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo has made most or all of their previous sessions available for free on Vimeo.

QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo on Vimeo

Join the web’s most supportive community of creators and get high-quality tools for hosting, sharing, and streaming videos in gorgeous HD with no ads.

vimeo.com