Legit Reviews

Some of you might have guessed with my avatar, that I have something to do with radios! Yes, Ham radio, or Amateur radio. I know there are a couple of other hams on these forums. Just post here if you are one, and if you can show pics of your shack, or even your car installs! I always have a fun time checking other installs out! Anyway, make your inner ham self known!

Now most of the HF stuff I have is loaned from a very generous local ham until I can get my own equipment. But for the most part here is my temp shack with an older Icom IC-720A, uniden BCT8 scanner, Motorola MTS2000, and not shown ( added after picture) Uniden BC-895 scanner.








The HF antenna is an unknown brand 25ft 160-10 Meter, the 2m/440 is a cushcraft AR-270, and the usual Radio shack discone antenna. For an apt setup, I aint complaining! Amazingly enough with a 25ft antenna that is extending past our upstairs neighbors, we have yet to get a knock on the door from anyone to complain. Only thing i am worried about is putting out the full 100watts this radio does!

My gear isn't as fancy as Dragon_Cooler's.

I'm mainly all 2M band equipment.

The vehicle has an HT model ADI AT-201 with a dual-band 2M/6M antenna mag mounted on the roof of the van. To make the radio portable, I switch out the antenna to a Pryme SRH519 (144/430 MHz. Dual-Band Flexible Slim Handheld Antenna SMA, RX: 150/300/450/800 MHz) (Gain: 0/3dB , Max Power: 10 Watts, Length: 7.75").

The base radio is also 2M. It's a RS HTX-242 Two-Meter 50W Mobile Transceiver. 138Mhz - 172Mhz.

I'm a member of the WDN (Western District Network) that is a part of the ARRL NTS (National Traffic System). Hams that operate communications for both emergency and formal written traffic. http://wdn.hamgate.net



Also, I'm an affiliated with CARF (Christian Amateur Radio Fellowship). Helping with communications for active Missionaries around the world. (Remember, the internet isn't everywhere.) http://www.carf.net

well my dad is a kinda related to radios but he works with this kind of stuff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegis_combat_system
hes a senior engineer at lockheed martin and works on the AEGIS weapon system. (PSST: thats what they used to blow that satalite out of the air not to long ago )
he works here at the famous "Cornfield Cruiser" in Rancocas new jersey

the aegis weapon system is capable of simultaneously tracking over 100 different weapons. i can hardly call that amateur

Well I finally got my new radios. Icom 706MKIIG along with my hand held, The Yeasu VX-7R. The power supply is a 25amp hand made by a local operator. Again this is just another temp setup until the local ham fest rolls around and I can all my dream radios.











So far I am really happy with everything. The 706 is freaking bad ace and is really convenient to have everything in one radio. Of course the antenna isnt the best and have to pull everything through the tuner. But pushing the 100watts this radio does certainly does scare me with it being roughly 8ft away from where I sit. LOL I am going to have to go back to the books and look more into the exposure level regulations. A couple more photos with the old setup along with the new can be found here http://whatthefogt.com/pics/main.php?g2_itemId=967

That's one mean antenna!

RF exposure is certain on that level. Can you drop the power down to 20W?

If you can, run a stealth dipole along the upper roof line. First check out how old the roof shingles are. If it needs to be replaced or re-roofed, forget it.

This past weekend I spend time sanding and painting my mini-tower. It will give 20ft elevation over the mere 6ft it has now. Will post pics when it's done time permitting.

so just steve and i? anyone interested in becoming a ham?

Dragon_Cooler wrote:so just steve and i? anyone interested in becoming a ham?

There is no longer a CW (morse code) test requirement. Just some basic electrical items and radio frequency bands to know. Free quiz tests can be found on www.qrz.com