Radio Preppers

General Category => New To Radio => Topic started by: Gramaton550 on March 31, 2013, 01:21:07 AM

Title: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Gramaton550 on March 31, 2013, 01:21:07 AM
I've had my ticket since tuesday this week, and I have finally got my communication prep started.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Geek on March 31, 2013, 11:02:29 AM
Congratulations!  Have you decided what kind of radio you want?
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Gramaton550 on March 31, 2013, 03:56:41 PM
I have two radios a Yaesu FT-60R and a Baofeng UV-5A the Yaesu is my mobile and the Baofeng is my base. In KC there are many repeaters that are active here.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Geek on March 31, 2013, 04:59:53 PM
Excellent choices.  You might want to post a review of each when you get a chance.  I am new myself, but have found the folks here to be extremely helpful.  There is a nice mix of relative newbies like us and guys that know a lot about radio communications.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Gramaton550 on March 31, 2013, 06:39:56 PM
Will do I like the Yaesu and Baofeng equally, yet the Yaesu is technically a better radio but the Baofeng has nice features.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Tlhlcdr on April 02, 2013, 04:27:59 AM
Congrats..The fun begins.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: cockpitbob on April 02, 2013, 08:39:14 AM
If the SHTF really hard the repeaters will go down pretty quickly.  A first fun project would be to put a J-pole antenna on the roof or in the attic.  Then with the mobile rig see what your range is on simplex.  Even a good HT antenna sucks compared to a full size one up high. 
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Gramaton550 on April 02, 2013, 12:23:16 PM
I agree that is why I'm looking into getting a slimjim antenna for on the run use that will work with my Yaesu. With some 550 cord and a tree and a rock it will extend my distance.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: cockpitbob on April 02, 2013, 03:12:51 PM
I have 2 of these  (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-Band-VHF-UHF-HAM-MURS-GMRS-Commericial-Portable-Emergency-Antenna-/111037604326?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item19da5b61e6)roll-up J-pole antennas.  They are cheap($27 including shipping), roll up small, weigh almost nothing and work great.  They come with an SMA gender changer so they will work with the Yaesu or Baofeng.

They are sold by Dr. Edmund Fong (WB6IQN), Professor at U.C. Berkely and made by his students with the tiny profit going to school projects.  He uses a different and apparently better approach to getting 2 bands from the J-pole.  It's been published in QST and a few other places.  He's a super nice guy and answers emails on the smallest of orders (where does he find the time?). 
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: gil on April 02, 2013, 05:14:09 PM
Hello,

You guys check in on antennas board, I have a Slim Jim antenna described there for 2m, which works great!
Actually, here it is: http://radiopreppers.com/index.php/topic,4.0.html (http://radiopreppers.com/index.php/topic,4.0.html)

Gil.
Title: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: White Tiger on April 17, 2013, 03:17:22 AM
Welcome Gramatron550!
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Joe on April 19, 2013, 10:02:54 AM
Welcome Gramatron550 !!!

RUN, RUN KNOW, DON'T LOOK BACK !!!   ;D   I remeber when I had just some mobiles. You will start reading the post on here. The next thing you know you are learning code, ordering radio kit's and assembling them.

But this place is great, everyone here is is very helpful and knowledgeable.

73 Joe
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Jim Boswell on April 19, 2013, 01:43:36 PM
Welcome to the Group!!

     There are some smart folks here. Everyone has different needs, locations and conditions. Don't try to invent the wheel, just see what works for others. This weekend I will help teach a radio "blitz" class at New Mexico Tech. All hams need to encourage new amateurs every way they can. If we don't help build new amateurs, there will be no future for amateur radio.

73'S  KA5SIW
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: 2MT350 on April 19, 2013, 05:17:08 PM
wavin gramaton, welcome to the forum :D
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: KW4HKY on August 27, 2014, 08:47:01 PM
HT is an awesome tool but the rubber duck is next to useless.

Couple that with 5 watts and you are severely limited. Install an out door base and buy a jumpet so you can attach THE HT to it.

I highly recommend a 50 watt mobile to use as a base. They are cheaper than the FT60 R.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: gil on August 27, 2014, 09:10:34 PM
QuoteHT is an awesome tool but the rubber duck is next to useless.

You might want to add a rat-tail, a 19" wire connected to the ground of the antenna. You will get three more bars on the S-meter!

Gil.
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: Jim Boswell on September 15, 2014, 05:18:16 PM
Gramatron,
     Welcome to the site. There are some good people here, almost every time I check out the site I learn something. Good move with the slimjim antennas. In years past my friend built a pvc walking staff with a slimjim 300ohm twinlead j-pole inside the pvc pipe. Just connect a short length of RG-174 coax and that antenna would work circles around a rubber duck. That is one reason I prefer the BNC antenna connector for HT,s easier to connect and disconnect coax. The SMA connectors are a much more fragile connector.
     Ask lots and lots of questions everyone here likes to help someone out. When you get ready there are good used radios out on the market, that can save you major money over new stuff. Almost all my HF rigs I bought used, many I have bought, repaired then resold when I found something else I just had to try. 73's  KA5SIW
Title: Re: New Prepper Ham Here
Post by: NCGunDude on September 15, 2014, 07:54:46 PM
Gramaton550, welcome to the forum. I have 2 baofeng UV-B5's, and I added this dual band amplifier, http://www.mirageamp.com/Product.php?productid=BD-35, you can find them sold cheaper than on the mirage site. I got mine from GigaParts, and MFJ stands behind it.

Just to consider for expanding your range. I do some HAM public service events in the area, and the extra watts help getting out.

I'm still working on a portable go kit, currently working on power distribution. This forum has a lot of practical advice. Welcome and enjoy!

BTW, I also recommend getting your General license as soon as practical. You won't regret it.