Yeah, bourbon and eBay does not mix. I apparently got myself a complete QRP setup and can't identify the antenna in one of the packages. It starts with a spike for putting in the ground. Then has a ring connector with ground d radicals made from a ribbon cable. The feed point is an SO239 on the side of a red short cylindrical section that is maybe 3 inches tall. The spike screws into the bottom of this and then there is a telescopic whip that screws into the top. At the top of the whip, there is a part to grab and pull to extend the whip that is also red. It says PAC 12 Antenna and on the sides there are four holes to thread in two maybe 18 inch telescopic whips that go to the side.

What is this as PAC 12 has nothing on their website about this?

Hey everyone,

I’m pretty new to radios and trying to figure out compatibility between different models. I have a Baofeng UV-5R and was wondering if it can communicate with a Retevis RT628.

From what I understand, the RT628 is more of a license-free walkie-talkie, while the UV-5R is programmable and covers a wider range of frequencies. Is it possible to get them on the same channel/frequency and have them talk to each other? Or are there limitations (like fixed frequencies, privacy codes, etc.) that would prevent that?

If it is possible, could someone explain what settings I’d need to match?

Looks like 12 has gone the way of robots talking to robots.

Every spoting site I have checked shows no CW or SSB activity. Nothing but the FT-8 mode.

Look at http://www.dxscape.com/

Look at http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/history?from_time=791553660&to_time=1734411180

https://preview.redd.it/thlpim447ewg1.jpg?width=525&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97a437d5721a415f881a31feadd2267ca39909fa

https://preview.redd.it/m3gpbof64ewg1.jpg?width=1241&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7fe96c09763fb9118b33820921e8c9624eed701

Hope I don't getting any trouble for this, but I don't like the discussion which Mesh I have to use, which is better, etc., I like all those three ones, so I made a multi receiver.

Actually this are just 3 Heltec Lora V3, 2x 868 MHz for Meshtastic and Meshcore and 1x 433MHz for Meshcom. I used it a few days and the was no interference between those three ones, so I think it works :-) Powered is the hole thing with a 1S, 3.7V LiPo with 1100mAh and a little USB-C charging board.

If you are interested I put it on Thingiverse there you find the Iinfo's what you need. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7338939

The code is up on GitHub now, along with a released .fap: https://github.com/yo3gnd/flipper-zero-aprs-tx

I read in quite a few places that the Flipper cannot really do APRS over Sub-GHz. It may yet be coaxed into receiving, but transmitting does work now. The app can store several packet types, keep a small callbook, and expose a few settings to help whatever is on the other end decode more reliably.

It is, however, a fairly dirty hack: FSK being pushed into doing FM's job. Deviation matters quite a bit. Too low and the signal may not even wake the squelch; too hot and it starts clipping. It works, but in a manner that is more stubborn than elegant.

New to amateur radio and i've been getting mixed sources from online. I have better radio systems i can use but for simple portable, I'm using a cheap UV5R mini as my testing kinda radio.

I'm uk based, M7UZU. I am yet to understand weather on (I assume is same for both bands) 145.5 and 433.5 weather FM, or NFM is correct to use, and weather wideband or narrow band is correct.

The Essex Ham course I did roughly covered ands barely explained this, hence my questioning.

Sorry to appear silly, but everybody learns.

M7UZU, Cheers

I just passed my tech test and wanting to try some SOTA with 5w HT (2m/70cm). I ordered a Slim Jim Antenna but am a bit confused about what works best masts. I read that carbon fiber is conductive so may effect antenna. Fiberglass poles and such seem rather rare nowadays. I’m thinking that a PVC may work reasonably well to make a 6’ mast that attaches to my backpack? Any other thoughts, suggestion?

Hey everyone,

I’m a college student working on a satellite project, and I’m coordinating the amateur radio / public interaction side of things.

We’re still in development, so I can’t share too many specifics—but I’d really like to get input from the community.

What would you want from an amateur satellite?

Not just passive receiving, but actual ham functionality too. The goal is to make something that’s:

• Fun to use
• Accessible (not just for people with huge dishes or expensive setups)
• Worth going outside and tracking

Some ideas we’ve been tossing around:

• Repeater (what kind?)
• Decodable transmissions (images, telemetry, etc.)
• Small challenges / hidden messages

But instead of guessing, I’d rather ask directly:

What would make you actually use it?

What have other satellites done that you loved?
What felt useless or overcomplicated?
What would bring in newer people vs just experienced operators?

Curious to hear your thoughts

Quick question. What equipment would I need if I just want to listen in on radio chater, similar to thumbing through the radio in your car.

I just think it would be neat to randomly pic up a number station or communication from a station I orbit. Or even just som random guy just transmitting fallout radio music for some reason.

I'm not really interested in chatting myself.

I’m looking at getting into the ham radio game. My friend has been for years and has been after me to get involved. I’m looking for help with what a decent setup would be that I could put in my car permanently and a very simple setup in the house. I’m planning on getting involved with my local ham groups soon.

I'm just getting into the hobby and am really excited by the idea of POTA and SOTA / the minimalist mobile setup. I splurged (or what at least felt like splurging to me) on a transceiver and I've gotten the materials to make a 40m, 4-band EFHW. All the build videos I've watched culminate with the builder setting it up and evaluating it with a vna and then adjusting the length slightly. My transceiver does not have any kind of tuner build in.

Here's the thing. I really don't want to buy another piece of kit that I'm going to use once and then never look at again, even if it's only 50 bucks on Amazon. I feel like I've already sunk a bunch of money into this and I just want to get on the air.

Could anything catastrophic happen if I just measure the length of my antenna wire very carefully and never get a vna? Will I fry my transceiver? Is my SWR doomed to be awful? Realistically, how many cm off does the antenna have to be to start causing serious issues? Will the presence/length of a counterpoise change any of this behavior?

TIA