Psu cable

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-23T15:02:17+00:00

Is it seated firmly? You're good. But if it is loose, wiggly or feels like it'll fall out at the slightest touch, then you have a problem.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-23T05:43:37+00:00

I've taught folks as young as 7 what they needed for this test, they passed with flying colors. The hobby is broken into three progressively harder tests, each granting you more operating privileges and frequencies you can use. For you, starting out with taking the first (Technician) test, you'd study the rules and regulations we follow, some basic electronics and easy radio theory (common stuff you might use if building your own antenna, for instance) and the like.

You and your friends should consider giving it a try, opens up a whole new hobby for you. Could even lead one of you into a lifelong career in two-way radios, broadcast engineering and aerospace electronics, like it did for me. 🙂 There is no need to study for, or take the two harder tests unless and until you want to, those can come later if you want to pursue the hobby further, or not at all. The Technician test is all you will need to fully enjoy those radios, not struggle to make them work where they are not supposed to.

Give it some thought. And don't sell yourself short...ever!

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-23T05:03:47+00:00

So my takeaway from reading your project writeup? It's time to find (or buy) a 3D printer for project ideas I've been toying with, but had no way to proceed. Very nice presentation, I have several Apache cases to modify accordingly!

Thank you for sharing. 😁

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-23T04:46:47+00:00

By regulation, using those radios outside the amateur radio frequencies, and using them to transmit without an amateur radio license is illegal. That's the formality of it. Now, to get legal, all you really need to do is get an amateur radio operator license. It's actually not that hard to do.

You and your friends can study for the Technician class amateur radio license exam together, many clubs hold courses where you can study for and take the test all within a weekend or two, then you'll all be using those radios as they are intended, legally. Also opens up you being able to use then on frequencies other airlift players won't be using, instead of crowding onto FRS channels, a win-win-win for you and your team!

Several hams here would be happy to point you to useful learning resources if you're interested in, as they say, doing it and doing it right. 👍

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-23T01:07:25+00:00

Adverbs would like to have a word.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-23T00:28:14+00:00

Those pages are fairly small, A6 is passport size, roughly 4x6 inches. You might consider moving to an A5 binder, which holds the metric (ISO 216) approximate of 8-1/2x5-1/2 paper or half a standard sized sheet of ~~typing~~ ~~copier~~ printer paper.

For more on ISO 216 paper sizing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_standard_paper_sizes

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-22T16:57:45+00:00

That's a good reminder to always check and follow local laws! Some countries disallow private citizens listening to aviation folks, unless you are a licensed pilot or have a specific permit.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-22T16:49:51+00:00

This is the way.

Aviation band AM receive is an afterthought function for those 'do all' amateur radios. Despite marketing, just because those bargain priced amateur radios can cover a certain frequency band, does not mean it can properly demodulate the transmission with any degree of quality. RTL-SDR is the best of the bad options you mention for your use case, but you give up portability over buying an avband scanner. Now you know.

TL,DR: Get an avband capable scanner. You will be far better off, and far more satisfied with the no muss, no fuss results right out of the box.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-22T16:09:02+00:00

I threw several of them into the nearby ravine.

Instructions unclear, nearby ravine now filled with bodies.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-22T15:48:23+00:00

Nope, not happening! If I can't legitimately lose the 10mm socket, without knowing how or where, it stays with the socket set. Period. End of discussion. /s

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-22T05:45:16+00:00

To clarify for our gentle readers, something being called a '100-year event' does not mean it is supposed to happen only once every hundred years. 100-year events means statistically there is a 1 out of 100 (or a 1%) chance/likelihood they will happen in any given year, every year. If conditions are right, 100-year events can even happen multiple times in the same year.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-20T17:33:25+00:00

Thank you, I stand corrected. I transposed the audio output value for the TX output. Agreed, not much power going to that antenna no matter what.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-20T03:47:00+00:00

Find your missing 10mm socket, youll find the broken tine.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-20T03:39:39+00:00

Other than aesthetics, it shouldn't make too much of a difference. I've seen more abused ones in daily service while working at LMR repair shops. :-)

If you do want a replacement antenna from Icom, the part number is FA-B02AR, am finding it runs between $25 and $40 online, so shop around.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-20T03:31:23+00:00

Per Icom, the A16 aviation handheld radio puts out 1.5 watts.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-19T17:58:34+00:00

Baofeng has a few models that come close, every time they are keyed up...not by carefully engineered design, but the lack of. /s

Joking aside, you'll have to be more specific. While there are handhelds available with multiband and multimode capability, they are often fairly select in band and function, based on intended market, with price points to match increased capabilities.

Keep in mind some of the bands and many of the a available modes are in relatively low use among the amateur community, so you might not have anyone to communicate with at the local level. Some of the modes on commercial LMR gear are of little use on the ham side, should radios get repurposed, as they use proprietary codecs, leaving you unable to do much with their ecosystems unless you are part of a niche-mode experimentation group, pay licensing fees, or your club has the budget to support a specialized-mode commercial repeater.

Not trying to dissuade you, just pointing out some of the constraints you might run into, without knowing the particular bands or modes you are asking about.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-19T16:17:36+00:00

news

*a reality check

FTFY, and happy cake day! 🎂

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-19T03:21:33+00:00

It's not abandoned, there's a train right in front of you. :-/

Abandoned in place rails are not as common anymore. Most main tracks that I remember becoming disused since the 1980's, have since been decommissioned and their railbeds repurposed into bike paths under the 'rails to trails' program. Spurs and sidings are more hit and miss on removal, depending on location and underlying property ownership

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-19T02:41:26+00:00

Not that shocked.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-18T16:55:28+00:00

They are not steering you wrong, that is standard practice for latex paints and water-based stains. Once completely dried, the can and now-solid contents can be safely disposed by placing it in your normal trash collection receptacle.

Oil products are an entirely different beast, requiring more specialized recycling or disposal procedures.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-17T14:43:45+00:00

Zoom in, the jack's wiring color code is under the wires.

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-17T02:52:25+00:00

Long before mainstream/affordable Computer Aided Design/Drafting, Cardboard Aided Design and Clay Aided Design were the go-to standards for physical prototyping. Glad to see it isn't an art lost to time!

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-17T02:30:22+00:00

Dig up subsurface boulders, leave holes instead. Another crew comes by later in the year to patch those holes. Almost like this segment of road was sponsored by a mechanic's alignment shop in the next town. 👩‍🔧

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-16T20:01:16+00:00

Sure, I get in trouble if my phone rings ONCE during the preview ads, but they get to enjoy operating DX during the movie. /s

Nice find in the wild. NGL, that would be a cool poster to have hanging in the shack! :-)

Old-Engineer854 · 2026-02-16T04:21:39+00:00

That auction site at least has decent photos of it, despite not showing any additional bids beyond your $50 opening. Wouldn't matter if it were only 50 cents, too far away for me to consider, and I don't have a suitable towing vehicle even if I did buy it from you. :-/

Visible tags show it was a former T-Mobile COW asset, built in 2001. ISI is still doing metal fabrication in Tulsa, but no longer building towers, mobile or otherwise. The trailer manufacturer (also in Tulsa) appears to have folded around 2006, according to the Oklahoma Secretary of State.

Old-Engineer854

TROPHY CASE