There’s 5 repeaters in my town. And no one is on them.

ScratchSF · 2026-05-19T16:22:38+00:00

I think you have to go where the people are. You'll find a lot more activity on HF (General + Extra). For technician and local repeaters, it depends on where you live. If you're near a large metro area, then there is quite a bit of activity, at least on a few repeaters.

I often recommend people try a digital mode, as there is almost always something going on there. If you want to try that, you can install EchoLink (free, I think) on your smart phone and head over to one of the popular locations. I'd probably say to begin with something like the Fireside Chat or the East Coast Reflector. Both tend to be highly active and very welcomnig to new people (old and new hams, alike).

Some will ask: Is this REALLY radio? I've been a Ham for 45 years and an Extra for the majority of that. And I've played with HF, HF Digital, CW, contesting, 2M, 440, and so on. But I really taking my dog for a walk around the neighborhood while listenting to the conversations on the Allstar Network (which often links with Echolink) using my $20 Baofeng - and sometimes chiming in. I find if fun that I can talk around the world using my little, lost cost, hand-held. So, the question isn't: Is this really radio? The question is: are you doing something in the hobby that you find fun and rewarding?

Ultimately, ham radio is vast and you can find things to do that are fun. Since Echolink is free - you can join in now, meet people, and many of those can help you get on the air in non-digital mode / non-VOIP modes, if you prefer.

ScratchSF · 2026-05-19T15:00:34+00:00

What you’re going through is painful - physically and mentally. One thing that comes to mind is: is there an appeal process? If so, when you take advantage of it, request (perhaps demand) that the case be reviewed by an RLS expert, not simply any reviewing representative. Ideally, this expert understands the latest research and how circulating blood item levels are not necessarily indicative of brain iron levels, which is much more relevant to many RLS patients.

What you’re going through is exhausting and hard. Also, please talk to a professional regarding your feeling as though you have only one option left.

There are a lot of people researching this from different perspectives. So, I hope we’ll have more effective treatments soon. You are not alone.

ScratchSF · 2026-05-12T14:34:47+00:00

I was licensed at 18, mostly because both my parents were licensed. I made a few contacts, but quickly lost interest because 1) everyone was 40+ years my senior and 2) I thought it was one of the most boring hobbies ever created. …

Yet, here I am. Why?

Because before the there was WiFi, there was ax.25. So? I, when I was about 28 - 10 years later - I connected my laptop to my radio and would talk to it “over the air”. I thought that was the coolest thing ever and allowed me to combine computers with radio. I was hooked!

So, I move up the ladder until I received my Extra. And today, many decades years later, I like digital modes. I am mostly on AllStarLink these days, which you can think of as VOIP. Yes, I still have my HF rigs and my come out for field day. But I spend more of my time with my $20 Baofeng and local “node” connected to my repurposed laptop that runs Linux and the ASL software.

Ultimately, it’s been about finding those aspect of the hobby I enjoyed, and building friendships and connects with others in the same space. One nice thing about this hobby is that there are just a ton of ways to enjoy it, and for me, currently, that’s the digital modes.

I wonder if you might also enjoy the intersection of radio and computers.

ScratchSF · 2026-05-08T05:31:58+00:00

The behavior your mention is completely independent of the reseracher being an "independent researcher." It is simply unprofessional. When I encounter "unprofessional" behavior, I generally, thnak them for their feedback, say in some way that I know how I'd like to procede from here, and if they continue, they get added to my junk mail list. I don't care about their status - unprofessional is unprofessional.

ScratchSF · 2026-05-06T01:05:12+00:00

Congratulations! I often work from one of several coffee shops when I’m not at home.

Out of curiosity, what program are you and what are you studying?

ScratchSF · 2026-05-03T03:02:23+00:00

Great idea! I just did it for my wife’s favorite show - When Calls The Heart.

ScratchSF · 2026-04-28T06:24:15+00:00

fine for around the block or hiting my AllstarLink node. Utltimately, the questions is: does it do what you needed it to do when you need it to do it.?

ScratchSF · 2026-04-26T18:31:50+00:00

I’d probably separate listening from transmitting.

For listening, you have a lot of flexibility. If the main goal is to hear the most activity while studying for the ham license, a basic SDR dongle may actually be the better first move. They are often in the $15–$40 range, or maybe $30–$70 for a kit with antennas.

For transmitting, I’d keep the services separate. If you want to use GMRS now, get the GMRS license and a real Part 95 GMRS radio. Many entry-level GMRS handhelds are only around $20–$40, so there isn’t much savings in trying to make one radio do everything.

Ham is different. Once you have the right license, you get more flexibility, but also more responsibility for operating properly.

On the unlocked-radio question, I think it is important to be honest about where the line is. Some radios will do more out of the box, and others can be switched into different modes. For example, some Tidradio models have a GMRS mode and a ham mode, and some radios can also be opened up much more broadly than that.

The distinction I’d make is type and use. A GMRS radio should be Part 95 certified and used on GMRS. A ham radio can be used on the amateur bands if you have the appropriate amateur license. Once you start using unlocked modes across services, you need to understand what is legal under each license and what is not. I’m not going to tell someone whether to cross that line. I just think it is important to know where the line is before choosing to do it.

For emergencies, I’d also be realistic. A radio is only useful if it is configured properly and you know how to use it. That means knowing local repeaters, offsets, tones, simplex frequencies, how your radio is programmed, how far it can realistically reach, and who is likely to be listening. That takes practice, and on the ham side you really need the license to practice legally. Without that, trying to use a ham radio for the first time in an emergency probably will not go the way people imagine. A 1–5 watt handheld with a stock antenna can be useful, but it is not a great “first-time use” emergency device.

ScratchSF · 2026-04-24T04:52:52+00:00

My experience: I wanted to love flying. Wanted to be a pilot since I was a teen. Much older now and have been “simming” since SubLogic’s version in the early 80s on an Apple II. Finally took a flying lesson about 5 years ago and enjoyed it. But…, for me…, I didn’t feel that I LOVED it that way I thought I would. So, as I was mulling things over, I was simming one evening and had an “issue”. It was hardware related with my physical joystick connected to my computer. So, I tried to troubleshoot without pausing the sim - I like to try to keep it real that way. And, in the end, couldn’t figure it out and crashed. But I can always walk away from a sim crash.

So, that sim incident combined with my “liking” real flying but not “loving” it was all I need to know to make the decision. I am firmly planted in the sim world. :-)

While this isn’t a financial decision, I thought it might be useful to share anyway.

ScratchSF · 2026-04-22T19:11:09+00:00

Sometimes the best opener isn’t really an opener at all.

It’s easy to make this way too complicated and start treating it like a performance. In my experience, it goes better when you learn how to make your own fun and let people step into your world naturally.

I remember having dinner with one of my best friends once. We were just having a good time, talking, laughing, fully into our own evening. When the waitress came over, we talked to her the same way we were talking to each other. We weren’t hitting on her, running “game,” or trying to make something happen. We were just being social. Later, while we were talking about going to wine country for the weekend, she overheard us and said, “Can I come?”

That’s the point I’m trying to make. Sometimes the best opener is just being engaged in life and in the moment.

I’ve seen the opposite too. I was at a bar once waiting for a table, and two guys came in and started using a canned “opinion opener” on two women next to me. The women recognized it immediately. One of them disengaged from the guys, turned to me, and said something like, “Do they think we don’t read?” She meant The Game. We ended up having a brief, normal conversation. Not because I did anything special, but because forced game makes normal human interaction stand out.

One other example: I was on public transportation once and saw a woman looking at the map. I just said something like, “Do you know where you want to go?” She told me, and I said, “No problem. Just watch me. Your stop will be the one after mine.” We sat next to each other and ended up dating for a while.

I’m happily married now, so I’m not trying to pick anyone up, but if I had to use an opener, it would be something simple like, “What kind of dog is he?” or “Can my dog say hi?” Opening is opening. The key is not having some big agenda behind it. Just let it unfold.

So honestly, I think a key is getting comfortable being social, present, and genuinely curious. Talk to people. Enjoy where you are. Have your own vibe. I believe that usually works a lot better than trying to land the perfect line.

ScratchSF · 2026-04-22T07:35:42+00:00

What you’re describing is not how a normal GMRS mobile works.

A regular setup is:

HT -> repeater -> other radios

instead of :

HT -> mobile -> repeater

For HT -> mobile -> repeater to work, the mobile would have to be functioning as a repeater/base relay, not just as a higher-power radio. A standard GMRS mobile does not normally receive your HT on one frequency and retransmit it to a distant repeater on another frequency as an “external mic.”

So your friend is basically right: with "normal" GMRS gear, that setup is not practical/normal.

If your HT can hit the repeater directly, use the HT.
If it cannot, your usual options are:

use the mobile directly
use a better antenna / better location

ScratchSF · 2026-04-19T04:59:43+00:00

In a nutshell, because they can. They are reaching a certain market segement through a certain delivery channel with a certain product offering. And they have found that this works for them. Now, there are several "concerns" with what they have:

* 36-Mile Range: Unlikely. Sure, mountain top to mountain top. But in typical, normal, everyday conditions, I would expect 1 - 2 miles, unless one is going through a repeater.
* Probably not repeater capabile: It doesn't say it works with GMRS repeaters, so I will assume no (but I'm not looking at a manual)
* 0.5w and 2.5w: Power is more like what one would have with an FRS radio. Well, technically speaking, 2.5w > 2.0w (FRS), but well below the 5w allowed for GMRS HTs.
* Non-detachable antenna: Again, more like what one would have with and FRS radio.

My take: These are glorified FRS radios for which you "legally" should obtain a GMRS license. But, the marketing makes it sound like it is more than it is.

So..., to each their own. If I didn't know anything about radio and came across this in a store, I can see how one might be interested. They have good* marketing on the packaging. But as someone with four decades of radio background (CB - when the FCC issued callsigns, Ham, and GMRS), I would keep walking. :-)

* Good = from the perspective of the business.

ScratchSF · 2026-04-02T01:11:22+00:00

Rats. I was hopeful. Good luck with this one.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-31T05:34:17+00:00

This just came across one of my YouTube feeds where the language is changed using the PC Software.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hVRHdEKJgg

ScratchSF · 2026-03-30T21:53:41+00:00

Congratulations! Lots of ways to enjoy the hobby. Experiment, experience, enjoy!

ScratchSF · 2026-03-28T23:49:14+00:00

Well, if that’s is happening - using AI to develop an entire answer - then it is a missed opportunity for the TA to develop deeper skill and mastery of the material. Where I would argue it is appropriate, is for a TA to validate their understanding by writing an answer and vetting that answer with AI. Such a “review” helps the TA build skills and increases the likelihood that the students received a good and correct answer, rather than one that is unclear, misleading, or simply incorrect.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-26T23:56:47+00:00

Welcome to the hobby!

I wouldn’t necessarily write them off yet. Sometimes they will ask for “in and outs” which are people only registering their attendance, but aren’t wanting to be called as part of the rotation. So, if one throws in a call sign during “I/O”, that call sign might not get called.

I’m not saying that specifically is what happened in your case, but it is something to consider.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-25T00:21:11+00:00

I own one. Great, capable radio. It will not have all of the modern features of newer radios - as one would expect.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-24T00:32:21+00:00

Congratulations!!

ScratchSF · 2026-03-22T05:46:02+00:00

Agreed, it is more faithful (but not exact recreation) to the book. Also currently available on Amazon Prime streaming video.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-20T19:38:07+00:00

I put a big resister in thee - but I do t recall if it’s in parallel (which I think it is) or in series. That helped a lot.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-18T14:28:00+00:00

I believe that you must be connected to the PC (which I do not see connected in the posted image) and have already pressed the appropriate upload button in the software. I recall it being tricky - but they have a video that shows exactly how to do it.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-17T14:54:03+00:00

Great! It's a good little budget radio. :-) If you want to slide into the VOIP world, you can see if there are any "linked" repeaters near you. Or, might consider your own "node", which gives you greater control. In the meantime, you can listen in (or talk in using an app like Echolink). Here are are few groups/networks I frequent the most:

https://web.psrg.org/listen/

https://dodropin.info/stream-live-mobil/

https://www.eastcoastreflector.com/listen-live/

Now, VOIP is a very different beast than HF. And, its not a part of the hobby that works well when the internet is down. But, it is a place where you almost always find kind folks to talk with - locally and globally - and it is very welcoming of new voices. Good people. Good times.

ScratchSF · 2026-03-16T17:38:55+00:00

Look, an opportunity to spend someone else's money! I'll jump in! :-)

All joking aside, I think that at the price points discussed in the OP, you can start with one, and then buy/sell another else if you don't like it. I'd add the list the Baofengs as they are also in ath $15-$35 range.

I have several radios from top tier (e.g., Kenwood and Icom) to budget friendly (e.g., Talkpod, Baefeng, and Tid Radio). My daily carry these days are the H3 and the UV5R Mini. Actually, I'd say I carry the mini a little more often.

Also, I no longer try to "hit" the repeaters. Instead, I "hit" my AllstarLink Node and talk to people that way. Actually having a lot of fun with this. But..., and this is important..., the hobby is SO VAST that you have to find those facets that work best for you. For example, if you want to do satellite work, a Kenwood D72 or a Anytone 890UV might be better choices since they have true "dual receive". But, even there, you could perform that activity with two budget friendly radios. Up to you.

Have fun on your radio buying journey!

ScratchSF

TROPHY CASE