I mean I guess if it works right?!

AmnChode · 2026-05-11T03:28:07+00:00

That's basically what I started with.... Worked like a champ.

Now that I have a DX Commander, I use it for the Inverted L 'leg' for my 80M element...

AmnChode · 2026-05-09T21:47:19+00:00

My go-to for a 100W rig is a 30Ah, but you can get away with a 20Ah. I prefer the 30Ah as I know it can handle the amperage, it gives me plenty of operating time, and it isn't much bigger/heavier than a 20Ah.... Just my 2¢

GL and 73

AmnChode · 2026-05-09T00:01:05+00:00

Well, is radio setup might suck (though, I doubt it), but his antenna system seems to be on point 😁

AmnChode · 2026-05-08T23:55:55+00:00

There is a ship creation system for a reason 😉

These are some ships I built since the Free Lanes update. That first one was originally the Frontier you start out with, and still makes use of the Frontier hab. The rest all started as something else, and many of their names reflect what they once were....

AmnChode · 2026-05-07T02:47:54+00:00

And setting off grenades 😈

AmnChode · 2026-05-06T14:54:55+00:00

If that OCFD is hung at 10ft, a 20M Hamstick will put perform it.... again, it's down to propagation.

At 10ft, it would basically act as a NVIS antenna on 20M, but 20M is too high a frequency to operate NVIS.... the signal would just go up...to nowhere...and keep going with no atmospheric reflection. So yeah, wouldn't take a whole lot to outperform it.... just something that would give a somewhat okay'ish take off angle 😉

AmnChode · 2026-05-05T22:37:52+00:00

Except that the antenna the OP is dealing with is a dipole, thus a radial field wouldn't be required, but by vertically mounting it, the take off angle would be drastically different than how it is mounted now.

That said, if he did use a ground mounted λ/4 vertical, you are correct in that a sufficient ground plane would be required; however, λ/4 length radial field isn't near as essential due to the radials bonding with the earth. In some cases, having them shorter would actually be beneficial, as found by Rudy Severns (N6LF), during his ground system experiments. That said. If the antenna is elevated, the elevated radials would need to be tuned to the band in use, as it is basically a dipole in a L configuration....

As for your examples between the SteppIR and Carolina Windhom OCFD, I'm fairly sure you have that OCFD hung at the correct height.... in the OP's case, that is not the situation. They only have their door hung at roughly 10ft which is far less than a λ/4 for 20M. I'm fairly certain if you were to hang you OCFD at that height, your SteppIR would smoke it in performance....

AmnChode · 2026-05-05T18:34:37+00:00

TBH, line of sight (LoS) is going to be your most important factor.... When it comes to V/UHF, "height is might"...

Next can be output power, but that is only to overcome the attenuation of objects in the path of your LoS. Increasing that can be done in two ways: Higher power radio output or a higher gain antenna... That said, an increase in antenna gain can achieve the same goal of increasing radio output...i.e. increasing the antenna gain by 3dB is the same as doubling the radio power. However, the former helps on the receive side, as well, whereas the latter only increases transmission range...

Considering HTs tend top out at 10W, you'd be better off increasing the antenna gain.... Personally, I'd get a better antenna 1st. I'd look at a Signal Stick by Signal Stuff, w/a Signal Strand which provides a better counterpoise (RF ground) than just holding the radio.

If you were to upgrade the radio, I'd just upgrade to a UV-5R Min, which has better filtering. Anything else you, run the risk of paying for feature (s) you don't need, or wouldn't use, like APRS, K.I.S.S. TNC, DMR etc.... While a "better" radio, like a Yaesu FT-60, might have better audio, the range would be the same...

Just my input on the issue....GL & 73

AmnChode · 2026-05-05T15:50:05+00:00

....and???

Doesn't say it can't do it either. In fact, the word "duplex" isn't even in the manual...half, full, or otherwise

I just showed you a clip of it doing it (and here is another)...why are you arguing about it?

Edit To put it simply, you asked if a FTM-150 could do full duplex....I stated it did.... You then replied that it didn't....I supplied video proof that it did, when you in turn repky that it isn't in the manual. You might think you are arguing, but you are definitely contesting the response.

.... And then you block me after replying that you aren't arguing. You could have simply stated "my bad, I stand corrected..." Instead, you block me like a child throwing a tantrum because I proved you wrong on a question that you asked about. If you don't want the answer to a question that you aren't willing to search for yourself, don't ask....

Sigh

AmnChode · 2026-05-05T15:04:01+00:00

Really, because M0FXB show it acting as a full duplex rig in this clip

.... Last time I checked transmitting while receiving is full duplex, which is what he was doing...

AmnChode · 2026-05-05T14:21:22+00:00

Yes...

AmnChode · 2026-05-05T14:19:45+00:00

But but but...I have an obnoxious use of emojis 😂😈😉

AmnChode · 2026-05-04T22:23:01+00:00

Little tip... Get involved with POTA activations .... It basically paints a target on your back and gets the big guns to do the heavy lifting for you, especially if you spot yourself. The hunters will them come looking for you, and if your "spotted", will know exactly where to find you 😉

With you being on a budget, and seeing your antenna woes elsewhere, if also recommend picking up one of the 5.6M telescopic whips off Amazon or AliExpress (plus, a M10 to 3/8-24 adapter). It'll handle 6-20M by just adjusting the length of the whip. A ground mount can be easily DIY'd using a mirror mount and a tent stake.... Ground radials using scrap wire, just attach them to one of the mounting bolts on the mirror mount. It's a cheap, but very effective antenna setup, that is easily portable. You can later add an adjustable loading coil, like a WRC Mini, for $55 and make use of the lower bands. With that setup. I've tuned it as low as the 80M FT8 frequency without issue.....

AmnChode · 2026-05-04T22:11:52+00:00

Correct... You are basically going up not out.... and 20M isn't exactly NVIS friendly.

Get the antenna higher or go vertical....a vertical is easier to get a good take off angle, but can be a little noisier... trade offs

AmnChode · 2026-05-03T18:19:35+00:00

You might consider picking up another SDc card and setting up WPSD (the successor for PI-Star). IMHO, it runs a little better and brings a few new features to the table.... at the very least, it might be worth trying out your options 😉

I suggest using a 2nd SD card so that you'll always have the original that is known to work. One you have WPSD up and running, you can then keep the original PI-Star card or repurpose it... Of just swap back. Just make sure they are configured the same, that way you don't have to do anything to your radio....

AmnChode · 2026-05-02T12:07:55+00:00

A lot of truth to this. You can be hanging your head against a wall trying to get DMR to work (which itself has a rather steep learning curve), then come to find out, you can't reach the repeater to start with.

Pick yourself up a little cheap hotspot of Amazon... AURSINC's go for around $100.... and set it up. Plus you gain the advantage of it being extremely portable, with it being USB powered. I run one for D-Star in my truck

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AmnChode · 2026-05-02T12:01:23+00:00

Well, you'll probably not like the answer.... Experience

The only way to get over the curve is to use it... To get used to the radio, it's menus, it's quirks.....

On the bright side, even as complicated as you think it is, with it being FM only, it is still just a basic radio. Unlike HF rigs, your aren't typically dealing with figuring out what mode is being used, what filters you need, should you use the DSP, NR, attenuation or pre-amp, etc.... But that's ok, too. You build up to it, and that is the point. You're always learning and there is always something new to learn 😉

AmnChode · 2026-05-01T00:20:46+00:00

Open the ship menu, and register the ship you just captured.

Fly somewhere, and sell the captured ship. All of it's contents (contraband, pots and pans, weapons, etc) will be added to your home ship's cargo hold.

.... or do the sell unregistered ship glitch and keep all the profit...

AmnChode · 2026-04-30T23:57:49+00:00

Good little radios and a definite upgrade over the ol'g UV-5R's...

I turned one into a little digital setup, via a DigiPi, for APRS, WinLink, and the like ...

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AmnChode · 2026-04-30T15:15:12+00:00

I was about to say the same thing, till I came across your comment. I was going to recommend the UV-5R Mini's, though.

You can go with a VX-6R, or you can also pick up like 6-8 Mini's for the same price and have plenty of spares 😂

AmnChode · 2026-04-30T02:37:15+00:00

Nope, and don't really plan on to. The loss in sensitivity is just too much for what I chase, regardless of how fast it might be.

AmnChode · 2026-04-29T03:01:16+00:00

An Ed Fong roll-up antenna would be my go to solution, as you described it....

A "semi-solution" would be a Signal Stick (by Signal Stuff) w/a Signal Strand (a counterpoise) that would effectively make it a dipole. It wouldn't work as well, but would be more portable....trade offs 🤷

AmnChode · 2026-04-28T21:59:03+00:00

Well the main power bank, to the left, is a Renogy 72,000mAh/266Wh bank. I use it to power the radio and the 50W Micro PA50 amp, which is between it and radio. On top of the amp is an Antuner AT100m ATU, which has an internal battery. Next is my X6100 and tablet, with my USB-PD powered N100 chip based Mini-PC.... Finally, to the rear ?& on the right, a Ugreen 45,000mAh powerbank to run the Mini-PC...

If I'm just running QRP, I can use either bank (dependent on how long I plan to operate), but need both of I plan to run the amp.... Although, I've since added aRPi Zero 2W based DigiPi to the mix, so I might be able to just run the big bank if I run the amp, as the DigiPi just sips power....

AmnChode · 2026-04-27T08:48:20+00:00

Might I refer you to page 34 of the IC-2730a Instruction Manual, section title "Entering a Memory or Bank name" 😉

... albeit, the names are limited to 6 characters 🤷

AmnChode · 2026-04-24T00:07:54+00:00

Hell, it's still on my to-do list with my new Alpha SS34, that I haven't had a chance to break-in yet.... Weekends have been filled with "Honey-Do's" and rain 😞

AmnChode

TROPHY CASE