Intro to Radio Communications

[Outlander Systems]

What's the maximum wattage output for an unlicensed operator?

[ColdDeadHands]

What's the maximum wattage output for an unlicensed operator?

I might be wrong but I'm thinking 0. That being said, how many people have a license for using walkie talkies?

[Outlander Systems]

Fair enough.

From what I've seen the Yaesu handhelds are like ARs; infinitely user-customisable.

I wouldn't mind diving headfirst into the Amateur Operator world, but I'm beyond ignorant.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good home/starter setup?

Anyone want to provide pictures, info, etc. on their personal setup, why you chose it, etc.?

Aside from the lack of experience, the initial startup cost is relatively high. I would hate to get a rig that would quickly be outgrown, but I'd also hate to get a rig that is the bee's knees, that's beyond my needs.

Browsing eBay, it looks as though these things hold up extremely well, and have an excellent service life. So it might be advantageous to procure the best setup I can afford, since it should be a long-term investment.

I also need to check my neighborhood's covenants to see if I can get away with roof-mounting. One of my neighbors has a ~25' flag pole with Old Glory and the Marine Corps flag in his front yard, so I'm thinking my new neighborhood might be pretty cool. If worse comes to worse, I'm at the end of the cul-de-sac, with woods behind me, so I may be able to use a tree.

ETA: Does this qualify as radio porn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCGrDlBQ1bY

[11Bravo]

Mabey when I get my General Ticket. I am holding back cuz if I get it, I will go spend money on a new radio.

Same same here.

[QuietShootr]

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[QuietShootr]

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[Heavy Metal]

I found a mod at eham that fixes my one complaint with my 2 VX-170's:

Owners of a VX-170, like myself, will experience low mic gain and modulation due to the waterproof membrane over the microphone which attenuates your voice. Often times it's necessary to "eat the mic" to get decent audio gain.

While some suggest disassembly and removing the membrane (which compromises the water resistance) there is another way to resolve this by adjusting the TX deviation in the Service Menu.

I have personally done this and the difference is huge. I am able to speak comfortably at a distance of 5 to 6 inches, whereas before, I had to speak loudly and "eat the mic".

I have confirmed I do not splatter wider than ~15 KHz, it's my understanding that the TX deviation is set to ~2.4 KHz and this adjustment sets it more closely to at/below ~5 KHz.

To do this:

Press and hold the PTT and MONI switches on the side of the VX-170 while turning the radio on. Once on, release PTT and MONI.
Press the [UP (MHz)], then [0 (SET)], then [2 (CODE)], then [2 (CODE)], then [MR (SKIP)].

If successful, the LCD will say SETRST. If not, turn the HT off and try again.

Tune to 146.050 MHz and set the TX power to LOW.

Hit the [F] key, then keep hitting the [MR] key until A03 appears in the top left of the LCD, it's in a small font, not the main display font. Turn the outer dial until the reading is set to DEV.3FH, the first means Deviation, the second is a HEX number that will change when you rotate the knob. Once set to DEV.3FH hit the PTT then the [F] key to save it. Turn off the radio and you're done.

And it works. Why they didn't do that at the factory is beyond me.

[Outlander Systems]

Does anyone recommend a retailer for kit. Since Grant doesn't deal in Amateur Radio, I figure there's got to be someone out there that's got good CS and is reputable.

[11Bravo]

Does anyone recommend a retailer for kit...snip

I really like www.hamcity.com.
I've placed 3 or 4 orders with them and they were quickly delivered.
On a couple of occassions I've called or e-mailed them.
If you call you get a person and whomever I talked to was helpful and friendly.
E-mails were the same.
And their prices seem just a tad lower than other places on everything I've ordered.
The 3 radios were all $10 less, but hey, ten bucks is ten bucks.
I have pointed members of my ham club to them and have only heard good things from them as well.

[Outlander Systems]

Thanks for the link.

The more I am looking into this the cooler it gets.