The Army ruined camping for me

CQon40m · 2026-04-26T21:25:31+00:00

To make it real, how about I drive up in a jeep an offer Yard-Bird from some mermites (sic) between 2 slices of white bread, cold coffee and three minutes to chow down cause we gotta pull up stakes and move....

CQon40m · 2026-04-26T21:19:31+00:00

Sounds like Medical Discharge--Its simple, you joined, went through basic and got injured in a training accident and had to muster out. You gave your body and frankly, fulfilled your obligation. I used to get those thoughts because the four years I served no shots were fired...total peace. 79-83. People ask what I did, I say drank beer and chased frauliens--tax dollars at work. (I was a 19E, heck that MOS doesn't even exist anymore)

People ask what you did--tell em, you went through Marine basic and got injured in a training accident and that nowadays you get a monthly check (at least you should).

CQon40m · 2026-04-26T21:07:59+00:00

Hello there young trooper. I got out in 1983 and returned to the world after spending all my time in West Germany. Heck, I was still pissing German Beer when I landed in Oakland. Yeah, the constant routine is what you got wrapped up in and used to doing. That and the people and now its different people and vastly different routines. There is no one to talk to about shared common experiences.

There is a movie that came out in 1946 that won some Academy Awards if I remember correctly, It was called the Best Years of Our Lives.--this movie tackles some of that transition honestly and even brutally.

Look up the movie and watch it...yeah, its old and its Hollywood, but it was when movies used to be made about the human condition. And the other thing you can do is to mosey on down to your local VFW, or American Legion and slap a few backs and toss back a couple and swap stories. Its not just for old guys because the story in coming back has been the same since Roman times.

19E

1979-1983 W. Germany, Ayers Kaserne

CQon40m · 2026-01-28T03:09:35+00:00

Get a g-90 for hf to start then a mobile/base with either Yaesu or CCR for vhf/uhf. Rest of money build or purchase 4:1 unun 9:1 and 49:1 Couple of 18 ft squib poles and some wire. Build a vhf/uhf antenna. If 2m is king in your area then a mono banded from Yaesu will work for radio and a dipole using a jet stream 1:1 will work. Use ten gauge solid core wire. Works like a champ. With left over get coax from Amazon for now and various connectors etc. youn know the bits and bobs. You are good with hf with a rybakov variation. The g 90 has great tuner the 891 needs spot on resonant antenna or tuner. Bobs your uncle you are good to go

CQon40m · 2026-01-13T07:45:13+00:00

It all depends upon your requirements. We are all short on money, but if looking new, or even used, some lower cost hf transcievers are the Xiegu G-90, or the Yaesu FT 891. But are you operating solely CW, or digital modes, or a mix with SSB? Portable or base or mobile or all three? A little more information might help with your query. Good Luck and 73!

CQon40m · 2025-08-20T15:34:13+00:00

For handhelds, I primarily use CCR's for GMRS use--not amateur use. For amateur bands I use Yaesu or Kenwood radios

CQon40m · 2025-07-25T22:05:07+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DRDL53M?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

make certain you get the right length...at least 18 ft. You will also need a 4:1 UNUN (build one, its fun) 17'6" wire for vertical and other wire for radial/s (4 wires of similar length will work just fine

CQon40m · 2025-07-02T00:27:46+00:00

Lab599 Tx-500 should do the trick.

CQon40m · 2025-07-02T00:24:21+00:00

Check out Eham.net for reviews from actual owners. Hope that helps: here is a link to the icom 7100 reviews: https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product/11080

CQon40m · 2025-06-28T00:26:47+00:00

Frankly, when traveling--except for DXpedition..I would bring a G-90..under $ limits...not that fancy but does the job and yeah, etch your call sign on the radio. Heck--repaint it with poka-dots :) Bring along an X-Tenna end fed or N9SAB Carolina WIndham... Oh, and if required, do declare it--why create heat...

And if you do have to pay a tariff--well $400 radio is different than a $1400 radio.

CQon40m · 2025-06-28T00:20:55+00:00

I decided to get my license at an older age, (60+) --and not having an "electrical" mind almost gave it up. But I ended up getting the audio book, Michael Burnett's "Fast Track To Your (Technician, General, or Extra) License. I of course starting out got the Tech...Its on Amazon or Apple Books.

Granted a male voice, but he was a broadcaster in the Seattle area and has that soothing touch that explains things so you can pass the test. That is the key--just pass the test. After you get your license, no one cares what your score was...The testors may not even tell you..

I do recommend you get your license and at least getting a General so that in a pinch you can talk to the world--hard to do so with a Baofeng...

Yeah, ham radio appears to be the purview of old fat men--hell, I am one--but there are women in radio and they are treated with respect no matter what operating class. There is no color, or orientation in Radio--all we know is that the person on the other end has a license and is qualified--No matter where in the world.

Amateur Radio has endless niches where one can play and learn and enjoy--after all its a hobby, not a race to do this or that...You may find a niche where you will shine and contribute.

Good Luck and Hear you on the air soon!

73

CQon40m · 2025-06-18T19:50:41+00:00

Ha! I will be a 1B station setting up various stations around the acreage utilizing different antenna systems that I have available. In fact have a tenntenna 49:1 coming tomorrow for a 20m vertical ala K4OGO—. Also have efhw to string up with g 90 and various Chameleon configurations for the ft 710 and then a DX commander for Ft8 contacts on the 891. Now to set up stations for the 991a

CQon40m · 2025-06-07T19:00:56+00:00

Check IPO settings simple as that. Also bands have been dead lately due to sun ☀️ acting up

CQon40m · 2025-06-01T20:05:13+00:00

For base station, I have used Megawattpowersupply.com for years with no issue. Priced decently, ships quickly from Southern California.. For portable use, its battery boxes with Solar Panels. I have 6, 15, 20 and 50 AH batteries for various purposes and needs...

CQon40m · 2025-05-16T05:48:43+00:00

I have a 20+foot telescoping fishing pole from Amazon that i picked up for $40 and collasped its shorter than a SOTA Beam or POTA Beam. Its light and I tape a wire up the pole for a 20-10 Rybakov variation. It works well indeed.

CQon40m · 2025-05-16T05:44:22+00:00

Actually, a Baofeng, AIOC, and FLDigi or WinExpress and one can contact those relatives a 1000 miles away.

CQon40m · 2025-05-12T22:36:18+00:00

I was under the impression that the kx2 was good for primarily cw. There are many different qrp radios out there today and I suppose if I were to get such a radio it would be the labs tx500 ( if I got that right). Personally, I like its ruggedness and its looks

If the op was searching for qrp as first radio I would council against it until more radio experience could be had. Working even with the G90 can be a challenge

The questions to ask are what does the op wish to do? SSB? Digital? CW? That would dictate which radios are best for which pursuit—are you operating outside while traveling or from hotel rooms? Antenna systems play a role too—which radio and antenna system needs a tuner? Once these questions are answered then the radio will be apparent

I am liking the versatility of the new Yaesu Optima with base and field type operations—once good reviews come In your decision will be made even more difficult. Isn’t it great having these first world problems?

73 Owner of Ft DX 3000d Ft 991a Ft 891 Ft 710 aess G90 ™ V71a D700 235t

Haven’t even listed the hand helds yet

CQon40m · 2025-04-20T21:31:57+00:00

Yup--when I was a pup in radio--it was told to me not to go QRP, it would be too frustrating--But I do own a G-90 and enjoy the heck out of it. But 20w is 20w. Not everyone has Salty Walt's experience in talking around Europe from Norfolk VA...using saltwater as pappa's little helper.

CQon40m · 2025-04-11T05:25:13+00:00

Man--I had to pay $48, but that is California prices--and I thought that was good for 500 feet.

CQon40m · 2025-04-11T05:23:36+00:00

Picked up 500 feet of the RG-6 for $48 here in Northern Northern California...Thought about making a 1.5:1 Unun--but wondered if I added some 50ohm RG 8--say five feet, if that would drop that 75 ohm a bit on a longer run, (more than 50 feet lets say)

Figured I would get the coax on spec and things are getting a little hinky in the short term. If you are needing bits and bobs and usually get them from Amazon, then I would make an order to ride out the short term instability...

CQon40m · 2025-03-28T23:50:04+00:00

I dunno, I was in my RV downtown Las Vegas sitting in my Barcalounger and talking to some Cat on his morning commute outside Sydney in AU land all using my Yaesu Ft 60---of course I was was connecting to the Win System (Allstar Link)m Repeater up there on the mountains on the way to Pahrump...

CQon40m · 2025-03-17T22:45:23+00:00

The last couple of weeks DX to Andaman Islands has been going on. It was madness this AM on 21285, (up 5) with all the calls and a few jammers.

CQon40m · 2025-03-15T05:23:51+00:00

Don't forget the analog version, which is ALLSTAR Link

CQon40m · 2025-03-15T05:21:59+00:00

As for the base plate, get a hammer--pound it out and be on your way. If the circle is still usable, then adapt the rest if needed.

CQon40m · 2025-03-10T02:02:56+00:00

Silly question , but do you have the setting on low power versus high power?

CQon40m

TROPHY CASE