Have you seen the "duct Tape antenna"? I saw a video for it. It is 2 pieces Duct Tape with copper foil between them. The good part is that you can just roll it up and put it in your pocket.
Regarding the POTA question, what we do for operations with our club call is set the operator field to the operator’s call. Then both get credit. So in this example, use the extra’s call on the air but make sure OPERATOR is set in the ADIF file to the general’s call. That’s what the rules say.
Regarding the Extra/General question, the General can use the Extra's call sign and enter his or her own call in the operator field in the ADIF log file. Both call signs would get credit for the contacts, but only the Extra would receive credit for any park to parks. This is how club POTA events are typically logged.
On the last question, I definetly agree with you on the Comet antenna. I have the same one on my truck and it works much better that others I have tried.
For the $200 radio I'd go with what I have. Retevis RA25 @ $115 Signal Stuff Signal Stick antenna @ $22 BNC magnetic mount for Signal Stick @ $22 $159 for a solid radio/antenna that is both GMRS but can also access the ham bands. Works solid on my truck and has no problem hitting the local repeaters. Also comes with a mount and programming cable.
I actually have used the Bingfu lip mount with nmo socket and it has worked really well so far. So well that I bought another for our 2nd car. It's not the best but for the money it is good value. Especially for someone on a budget or just getting started.
I have a similar setup to your first one Mike. I have a Silverado pickup (2500HD) with a Back Rack cab protector. I mounted the Diamond mount and Comet Antenna to the Back Rack to give it something solid to secure to my truck. My little Baofeng doesn't know what to do with that kind of reception. It works really well.
You know... That Mustache antenna reminded me of something... not quite two years ago I was in a car accident and had to get a plate screwed into my arm... Said plate is about a half wavelength of 70cm. I thought about asking the doctor if I could feed it with a gamma match. Regarding the $200 radio setup, consider the Leixen VV-898s radio. Its a 25w dual-band. They come in around $75-80, and are well supported by Chirp for programming. There's also the VV-898 (non-s) that is the same but only 10 watts for about $15-20 cheaper.
So I just went on a vacation to Montana. I wanted something ham radio with me. So I brought my 5 watt hand held and a quarter wave/19" magnetic mount antenna and the repeater book app. I measured that I went out roughly 10 miles away in either direction from the repeater. i used the repeater book and the phone gps to help measure the distance. So like Mike said getting some kind of antenna out on the roof helps tremendously. Good luck with your decision.
I agree with your concept on antennas. a "cheap radio" with a good to great antenna will put perform an high dollar radio with "cheap nasty antenna" then when you got your "golden goose" and have a" big" radio with a big antenna, you will know how much better (or not) the big radio is. sometimes bigger is not better.
Could do split operation, listen on the Extra portion and transmit in the General portion? I'm an extra and made the mistake on an activation of calling CQ POTA in the extra portion wondering why I wasn't getting many callers...
I second that comet antenna, they are amazing and you can add an official spring mod if you need the extra bendy for offroad. I would pair that with a QYT KT-8900D and be under the $200 budget for both. I have 2 QYT KT-8900D radios that I have just tossed around in boxes, and had one in my wife's vehicle. I have not treated them well at all, and still work. Which has surprised me for a cheap radio.
I use my Yaesu FT2800M (2m) more than my VHF/UHF radio and HTs. Most of the nets in my area are on 2m. Depending on local radio population and activity, don't discount a single band radio. Icom still sells the IC-2300H, and Yaesu FT-2980R and FTM-3100R.
Hi Mike, I still use my original set up, bought from a silent key. I have a Yaesu FT1500m 2m only radio, and an antenna that was about 5 foot long, but it got nicked! The radio cost me 25 quid the antenna a tenner, so under 40 bucks (US) As a starter this means that, if I decided that Ham Radio was not for me, I would easily get my money back. OK it is not the best, but to test the water, it is ideal and there is little or no activity on the the UHF Jim M7BXTbands locally, so a multi band radio is not worth it starting out. 73 Jim M7BXT
When I was young in the ham world, I passed my 29th anniversary last week, I used a mag mount antenna to an HT with an extended Microphone. The most important part of my set up was the link between the end of the coax for the antenna and the connector on the radio. Instead of using a direct adapter to the radio from the antenna, you need to use something similar to the Comet HS-05. On more than one occasion in my early years, I broke the antenna connector on my HTs due to the stress placed on that joint by the antenna coax. De AK6Y (Eric)
great video. what I have done for my car is about $200. get that comet antenna ! best $70 you will spend. I use my GT-3TP or my GT-5TP or the UV-5R HT with a speaker mic. and I have a small UHF/VHF amp about 50/40 watt . all but the HT was around $200. and the bonus that comet tune GMRS/MURS . very wide band antenna with good gain. I have same car as K8MRD just a 2010 . last ham fest I was at was in Syracuse NY area and was a lot of used model for sale. under $200 ! some VHF only . some 10 and 12 meter only. Anytone and RCI 2950DX as well. I have the RCI 2950DX does 10 and 12 meters . does not do PL tones for FM repeaters .or digital modes. 73's
Mustashtenna is legit the funniest thing I have seen in days. Finley is also the home to Jaqua's Fine Guns, without question the greatest selection of shotguns in the midwest, perhaps the USA. That Comet antenna is the ticket.
A u v 20 and a $75 dual band mobile antenna ammo mount and a $2 pizza pan from the dollar store you should come in real close but under two hundred bucks
He CAN get credit if he notes he was using your callsign in the POTA system I believe, but yes, you couldn’t pass the mic but I think they can take turns , say an hour each.
Have you seen the "duct Tape antenna"? I saw a video for it. It is 2 pieces Duct Tape with copper foil between them. The good part is that you can just roll it up and put it in your pocket.
Regarding the POTA question, what we do for operations with our club call is set the operator field to the operator’s call. Then both get credit. So in this example, use the extra’s call on the air but make sure OPERATOR is set in the ADIF file to the general’s call. That’s what the rules say.
Regarding the Extra/General question, the General can use the Extra's call sign and enter his or her own call in the operator field in the ADIF log file.
Both call signs would get credit for the contacts, but only the Extra would receive credit for any park to parks. This is how club POTA events are typically logged.
On the last question, I definetly agree with you on the Comet antenna. I have the same one on my truck and it works much better that others I have tried.
Yeah. And they are made in Japan, so they are great quality. Mike said they were chinese, that's a mistake.
For the $200 radio I'd go with what I have.
Retevis RA25 @ $115
Signal Stuff Signal Stick antenna @ $22
BNC magnetic mount for Signal Stick @ $22
$159 for a solid radio/antenna that is both GMRS but can also access the ham bands. Works solid on my truck and has no problem hitting the local repeaters. Also comes with a mount and programming cable.
I actually have used the Bingfu lip mount with nmo socket and it has worked really well so far. So well that I bought another for our 2nd car. It's not the best but for the money it is good value. Especially for someone on a budget or just getting started.
You my friend are my new favorite person! We can now be best friends for ever!
I have a similar setup to your first one Mike. I have a Silverado pickup (2500HD) with a Back Rack cab protector. I mounted the Diamond mount and Comet Antenna to the Back Rack to give it something solid to secure to my truck. My little Baofeng doesn't know what to do with that kind of reception. It works really well.
You know... That Mustache antenna reminded me of something... not quite two years ago I was in a car accident and had to get a plate screwed into my arm... Said plate is about a half wavelength of 70cm. I thought about asking the doctor if I could feed it with a gamma match.
Regarding the $200 radio setup, consider the Leixen VV-898s radio. Its a 25w dual-band. They come in around $75-80, and are well supported by Chirp for programming. There's also the VV-898 (non-s) that is the same but only 10 watts for about $15-20 cheaper.
So I just went on a vacation to Montana. I wanted something ham radio with me. So I brought my 5 watt hand held and a quarter wave/19" magnetic mount antenna and the repeater book app. I measured that I went out roughly 10 miles away in either direction from the repeater. i used the repeater book and the phone gps to help measure the distance. So like Mike said getting some kind of antenna out on the roof helps tremendously. Good luck with your decision.
I agree with your concept on antennas. a "cheap radio" with a good to great antenna will put perform an high dollar radio with "cheap nasty antenna" then when you got your "golden goose" and have a" big" radio with a big antenna, you will know how much better (or not) the big radio is. sometimes bigger is not better.
Could do split operation, listen on the Extra portion and transmit in the General portion? I'm an extra and made the mistake on an activation of calling CQ POTA in the extra portion wondering why I wasn't getting many callers...
Thanks for giving that last question such an in depth answer!
If the budget is for just the radio, Yaesu has a couple 2m only mobile rigs for under $200.
I second that comet antenna, they are amazing and you can add an official spring mod if you need the extra bendy for offroad. I would pair that with a QYT KT-8900D and be under the $200 budget for both. I have 2 QYT KT-8900D radios that I have just tossed around in boxes, and had one in my wife's vehicle. I have not treated them well at all, and still work. Which has surprised me for a cheap radio.
Love mailbag mondays.. One of my favorite videos to watch.. always enlightening.. thx for sharing k0klb
I use my Yaesu FT2800M (2m) more than my VHF/UHF radio and HTs. Most of the nets in my area are on 2m. Depending on local radio population and activity, don't discount a single band radio. Icom still sells the IC-2300H, and Yaesu FT-2980R and FTM-3100R.
Hi Mike, I still use my original set up, bought from a silent key. I have a Yaesu FT1500m 2m only radio, and an antenna that was about 5 foot long, but it got nicked! The radio cost me 25 quid the antenna a tenner, so under 40 bucks (US) As a starter this means that, if I decided that Ham Radio was not for me, I would easily get my money back. OK it is not the best, but to test the water, it is ideal and there is little or no activity on the the UHF Jim M7BXTbands locally, so a multi band radio is not worth it starting out. 73 Jim M7BXT
When I was young in the ham world, I passed my 29th anniversary last week, I used a mag mount antenna to an HT with an extended Microphone. The most important part of my set up was the link between the end of the coax for the antenna and the connector on the radio. Instead of using a direct adapter to the radio from the antenna, you need to use something similar to the Comet HS-05. On more than one occasion in my early years, I broke the antenna connector on my HTs due to the stress placed on that joint by the antenna coax. De AK6Y (Eric)
great video. what I have done for my car is about $200. get that comet antenna ! best $70 you will spend. I use my GT-3TP or my GT-5TP or the UV-5R HT with a speaker mic. and I have a small UHF/VHF amp about 50/40 watt . all but the HT was around $200. and the bonus that comet tune GMRS/MURS . very wide band antenna with good gain. I have same car as K8MRD just a 2010 . last ham fest I was at was in Syracuse NY area and was a lot of used model for sale. under $200 ! some VHF only . some 10 and 12 meter only. Anytone and RCI 2950DX as well. I have the RCI 2950DX does 10 and 12 meters . does not do PL tones for FM repeaters .or digital modes. 73's
Mustashtenna is legit the funniest thing I have seen in days. Finley is also the home to Jaqua's Fine Guns, without question the greatest selection of shotguns in the midwest, perhaps the USA. That Comet antenna is the ticket.
Forget 440. You wanna impress me? Show me a mustache for 160! AE5DW.
Going to need a bigger roll of copper tape.
Or at least the size of those plywood cutouts of a life-sized Sasquatch (BigFoot). HOA compliant maybe?
Thanks!
Hey thanks so much man! Loved the antenna obviously!
But since 10m is opening, get an anytone at6666. Decent power and a good sound.
Used from a trusted local ham perhaps? SBB-2 or SBB-5 mobile antenna.
Looking forward to you doing a video on a cattail antenna.
A u v 20 and a $75 dual band mobile antenna ammo mount and a $2 pizza pan from the dollar store you should come in real close but under two hundred bucks
Excellent info!...I learned here. TY!
what is this credit you speak of and what does it go toward
I "mustache" you a question about your antenna!
but does mustache antenna man use Messi & Paoloni coax ?
Approach the other ham with “am I doing something wrong?” Bring a picture and show what his signal looks like. Wait for the “Oh, $&@;”. Thanks
One would think an eyebrow antenna would be the way to go.
DANGIT I MISSED THE DEBUT!
I'm a lowly Extra...YES i would want to know if my signal was crappy
Hey - resonant facial hair is a real concern for some people. Just be glad he didn't go south of the face and ask about that. Count your blessings. :D
I'll save that for my onlyhams account. Lol
Vero vn 7500 app controlled dual bander with aprs
Retevis rt95 with a comet ca 2x4sr…. You really don’t need anything else
New channel?
So are you saying I can use your call sign? 😈
HI BROTHER , IM TRYING TO PROGRAM MY BAUFENG FROM YOUR VIDEO. THANKS MUCH. 👍💪❤🙏
Oh. A vhf/uhf mobile.
Well maybe 90%
He CAN get credit if he notes he was using your callsign in the POTA system I believe, but yes, you couldn’t pass the mic but I think they can take turns , say an hour each.
See you later brother
"I'm on a budget" Get off your butt and go Door Dash for a few weeks. You'll have your Radio money real quick.
Excellent.
I have the kenwood thd74 radio and thd72 radio. Also have the ic705 radio.
KO4ESA/WRJR757
Posted a link to your video on my telegram channel.