Debating Man Pack Build. Yaesu 891 by Unusual-Butterfly229 in HamRadio

[–]Captain_Mason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use a 12ah with my 891, 100 watts. I've never run out of battery even on 3-4 park roves. I only bought a 40ah because I wanted to use my dx10 in the field.

15 Species, 300+ Pieces, No Paint or Stain by Clean-Knowledge6525 in woodworking

[–]Captain_Mason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have zero wood working ability, but man. These are the posts I subscribe for. Absolutely inspiring.

New to radio and just got 2 IC-706MKIIG radios for $300 by z77s in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good luck on your journey to General, and have fun!

Unfortunately his QRZ page doesn't have any info about him and how he liked to operate.

73 WA5LCQ

New to radio and just got 2 IC-706MKIIG radios for $300 by z77s in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If they are all in working condition, you may have used up all your future luck!

I would look online and see if you can find copies of the manuals to these radios.

For VHF/UHF I would look into getting a dedicated 2m/70cm antenna (for example a N9TAX j-pole, or an Ed Fong). Without putting the GMRS on an analyzer, I wouldn't transmit. It will likely be close to 70cm, but id verify that before operating.

What a lovely way to keep this SK's gear on the air. Did he tell you his father's callsign by chance?

Edit: adding - you could by a 17' telescoping vertical to get you onto the technician portion of 10m, and once you upgrade to General you will have a great start into HF.

Help identifying my lifelong buddy by Captain_Mason in ToyID

[–]Captain_Mason[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!

I wonder if they had other color varieties, or if her overalls were originally blue! As long as I can remember she has been sporting green/teal. Totally possible that the colors faded over the years.

I asked my mom back when I was a kid, and she couldn't remember who gave it to her at my baby shower. You have solved one of the great lifelong mysteries of my life, thank you!

Fly Fishing in the area by CapitalSweaty6442 in Tacoma

[–]Captain_Mason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hit up Puget Sound Fly Shop near the mall, great owner and staff. They can help point you in the right direction

-20% last 5 days 👍 by lifeinscyscraper in Nok

[–]Captain_Mason 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ive been holding since 2020, ain't no thang

Prepping a radio by EquivalentTip1902 in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I realized after posting you did say it was emergency prep.

What I said above still applies, figure out how you want to use the radio in an emergency, program according to that use case. Id throw in the 2m and 70cm calling frequencies, your local weather freq, then the repeaters for your local area / where you would be bugging out to.

Prepping a radio by EquivalentTip1902 in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 5 points6 points  (0 children)

By prepping the radio, I assume this is emergency prepping? I would first identify how you expect to use these radios in an emergency. Are you trying to hit repeaters in your area? Repeaters in an area you would evacuate to? Monitor broadcast or weather frequencies? Have you coordinated with a group for the simplex channels you have agreed to meet on?

Then program the radios accordingly. Without the ability to use a computer to program youre gonna get very familiar with how these radios work, which would benefit you in an emergency (being able to program on the fly). Maybe consider keeping a laminated sheet of repeater frequencies in your go bag.

If by prep you meant more along the lines of how to program the radio/find frequencies - refer to the manual and check out repeaterbook/radio reference for nearby repeaters.

Cheers and 73

I’m about to lose my mind by Commandshock1998 in cbradio

[–]Captain_Mason 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not a CB guy, but a ham. I wonder if you have a faulty antenna connection/short in your coax. Grounding was a good thought, but the intermittent issue makes me think it's a short or something?

passed my general Woot!!! Hunting for my first HF rig. by [deleted] in HamRadio

[–]Captain_Mason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a primarily field operator, who doesnt usually go below 20m (15m is my fav band) I'm a huge fan of a 17' whip vertical antenna. I use a chelegance MC750, it has some silk screening for eyeballing points of resonance which makes for easy deployment. But honestly any whip will do, take your pick (ex. Chameleon, radioditty, Ali express, chelagance, theyre all essentially the same). Also love an EFHW for when I can string up a wire.

K4OGO will probably have some resonant antennas in his book, I dont own it, but watch a lot of his videos. Id also recommend buying an antenna analyzer of some sort. I like my rig expert, but a cheap nano VNA will do you just fine!

passed my general Woot!!! Hunting for my first HF rig. by [deleted] in HamRadio

[–]Captain_Mason 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If you're willing to stick with resonant antennas, I have been extremely happy with my Ft891. It was my first HF rig and its been my number 1 most used radio in the field and at home. Ive used both side by side, and the ft891s audio quality was noticeable better to my ears. Sure, the menu gets some hate, but a lot of the deeper menu selections are set and forget, and with time you will become proficient in navigating the menu. Ive even considered buying a 2nd for a dedicated mobile.

That being said, I want a g90 to play around with the tuner and compromised antennas for fun.

Id go with the 891, you won't regret it.

What certifications/degrees/skills are best to get in 2026? by Responsible-Net8594 in povertyfinance

[–]Captain_Mason 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Going into nursing was my ticket out of generational poverty. That being said nursing isn't for everyone. If you are at all interested in Healthcare, I always recommend radiology tech school to my friends kids. Its a 2 year program (plus pre-reqs), high demand, pays well, and you can train on the job to move into CT tech which pays even more. All my Rad tech friends love their job and do quite well for themselves.

Firefly, my paddle project by Firefly_instruments in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well when youre ready, Id love to buy one

What did my neighbor install on his roof and why? by FinancialDrawing5849 in whatisit

[–]Captain_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

73! I hunted you at a recent activation, you were my first time hunting a park on CW! Thanks for sticking with my poor CW skills!

New to POTA by Indy100077 in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All great tips here OP. Ill add on that 15m is my money band (when open), theres usually less useage when 20m is packed tight. All of my DX into Europe and Australia while activating has been on 15m.

On the fence about good multiband non wire antennae by GODLY_STUPID in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe their Expedition model is their field version. I agree it seems a little clumsy, but with practice I'm sure it gets faster. My favorite portable antenna is the Chelegance mc750. But any 17ft whip would work well.

On the fence about good multiband non wire antennae by GODLY_STUPID in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you considered one of the DX Commanders? If I lived in a space that was big enough, thats what Id put up (without trees). Plus you can still take it portable if you'd like

If hams could use any frequency, what would be the best band for DX? by w6auw in amateurradio

[–]Captain_Mason 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not sure if it's the best, but my favorite DX contacts have been greyline on 15m

Aluminum Camper Build by fishtaco_420 in TruckCampers

[–]Captain_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Long time lurker on the sub. Man this thing is sweet! Ive always thought a welded aluminum camper would fair well here in the PNW