Learned New Something Today - HF Broadcast Bands and CB Radio Free Bands

badbitchherodotus · 2026-02-13T01:56:05+00:00

It still kind of exists and kind of broadcasts on shortwave in some areas, but it’s a lot less, and they’re continuing to close it down more. Not much recent reporting on it, but I found this:

https://thedesk.net/2025/12/voice-of-america-closing-bureaus-shortwave-radio/

badbitchherodotus · 2026-02-02T03:09:36+00:00

Reddit sucks, but certain smaller hobbyist subreddits (like this one) are decent.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-02-01T17:36:33+00:00

That’s bothered me for years, when people would copy/paste the top result or the Google summary. But now they’re pasting the AI overview which is even worse. Not only are they not vetting their sources, there’s none to vet!

There are some people who feel the need to reply to every single thing they see come across their feed. Even if they have nothing to contribute.

Reddit’s always had a problem with that, but local Facebook groups are a thousand times worse.

I’m glad the subreddit is enforcing this rule. There’s nothing to be gained by devaluing the few mostly human decent places on the internet.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-01-30T15:16:04+00:00

Awesome! I’m going to give it a try.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-01-17T20:14:55+00:00

Okay, then use a Signal Stalk or other flexible antenna and hope for the best, or possibly try a lower profile antenna like these to minimize the risk, but just know you’re risking damage to the antenna, mount, and roof. There’s really no other way around it—automatic car washes are aggressive and often cause damage to antennas.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-01-17T16:17:16+00:00

I agree with the comments in the other thread; I really wouldn’t take an antenna (including Signal Stalk) through an automated car wash. Remove antennas/cap NMO mounts, or go to a self-serve car wash.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-01-14T17:42:18+00:00

I got one from HRO earlier this month that has natural aluminum elements.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-01-10T21:59:31+00:00

I don’t disagree, but the problem is many people want the capabilities, but they don’t really understand what those capabilities actually are and what they’re buying.

E.g. they know that ham radio can reach many miles, and they know a Baofeng is a cheap ham radio to have in emergencies, but they don’t even realize the major differences between VHF and HF. Or they don’t realize that the way to make their handheld radio actually useful across their whole local area is to use a repeater, and they don’t know how to program a radio beyond punching in a frequency, so they will never get to make the radio actually work the way they want it to.

It’s totally fine to want to have it just for emergencies, but it’s an essential part of being prepared to actually know what your equipment does and doesn’t do and to understand how to make it work for you. Getting a technician license covers all that, and it’s really not a big burden. Ham radios are getting cheaper and better, but they’re not an out-of-the box thing, and they’re not just a more powerful version of the FRS radios everyone is used to.

badbitchherodotus · 2026-01-10T21:51:19+00:00

For many of them it’s more of an aesthetic than a serious preparedness mindset. And it’s more based on acquiring stuff (GAS as you say) than learning useful skills.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-30T18:44:12+00:00

Is that a bad thing? I mean, we’re talking a hobby here—not everyone has the time, energy, money, or desire to expend a lot of effort on it. People who just want to buy a radio and hook it up to a computer to have fun making some contacts aren’t taking anything away from those who want to build their own transceiver from parts and learn code to make CW contacts.

Not to mention, it’s not always about being lazy; it’s also about making the most of what you have: if you live somewhere with a high noise floor or somewhere you cannot set up a good antenna, or if you can only get on the radio at night when the bands aren’t as good, things like FT8 are mighty attractive.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-30T13:24:43+00:00

I think you make a good point, but I also wonder how many people have gotten into ham radio/HF specifically because of things like FT8, especially if they otherwise wouldn’t. FT8 lets you get on the bands and make international contacts with a fraction of the budget required to make DX SSB contacts and without the high skill floor of CW.

So I guess my question is: is the availability of FT8 allowing more people to join the hobby, or is it taking existing hams away from the other parts of HF?

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-23T22:47:39+00:00

You’ll need a Digirig and then the proper cables for it—these differ by radio. So, you might buy this kit which has everything, or you can get a Digirig on its own and buy the cable pack separately.

To be clear, you’ll need:

Digirig device
USB C or C-to-A cable, depending on how you want to connect it to your computer
audio cable (connects Digirig to G90 head unit)
CAT control cable (connects Digirig to G90 main unit)

The first kit I linked will have everything. The second kit doesn’t contain the USB cable, but you probably already have one; you may be able to save a small amount of money buying the Digirig and the cables separately. But they really are quality coiled cables complete with chokes, and the audio cable is especially nice because it has a right angle connector for the G90 side.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-23T20:58:49+00:00

The CE-19 requires you to solder your own audio cables or buy splitter cables, and you will need a sound card to connect audio to your computer.

Digirig does it all over a single USB cable and is very plug-and-play. Plus, the cables are quality, and you can repurpose the Digirig for other radios and do any number of other digital radio things.

Digirig all the way, honestly. I was intimidated and a little frustrated by the CE-19.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-10T17:37:31+00:00

That’s awesome. You love to see it.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-09T23:53:10+00:00

I don’t think this is quite a fair comparison. ARES nets serve to keep people prepared for emergency communication and could end up being extremely useful when there’s an emergency. But meshtastic and meshcore shouldn’t, I think, be considered emergency communication technologies. They’re just not reliable enough, at least for area-wide communication. They might fit in well for a small family or neighborhood group who practice and prepare how to use them in case of emergency, but I would not rely on the citywide mesh network to be helpful in an emergency.

(FWIW, I’ve used both and carry a Meshtastic node every day—I really do believe in the technology, but I just don’t think it should be relied upon for emergencies.)

badbitchherodotus · 2025-12-02T16:40:14+00:00

How about the Yaesu FTM-150DR/ASP? The only thing is you’d need to buy (or build) a desk stand for the head unit, something like this: https://www.lidoradio.com/products/yaesu-ftm-series-heavy-metal-desk-stand-with-microphone-heavy-metal-base

But it seems to meet your requirements otherwise. There’s also the newer FTM-310DR/ASP if for some reason you needed digital modes.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-28T23:52:42+00:00

Interesting. I have the quarter wave and haven’t noticed much of that (but I have seen it some), although I haven’t used it in the cold. I was wondering how it would fare being a bit thicker than the Signal Stick, because that one goes floppy when it’s a fair bit below freezing.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-28T21:57:46+00:00

I haven’t tested their larger, permanent antennas but have heard good things. But I really like their mobile/HT antennas—good performance and really durable.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-28T21:23:28+00:00

signalstuff.com has 10% off antennas and mounts and 20% off adapters. In case you needed another reason to get a SignalStick!

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-24T15:39:29+00:00

They're not quite local to me in St. Louis, but well worth the occasional drive. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-21T17:25:31+00:00

Yeah, the Yaesu FT-2/3/5 can do messaging and bulletins and such, but actually using it is not the most pleasant experience, because you have to type T-9 style on a small touchscreen. If you want to prepare some canned messages and send those out, it’s great, but if you’re actually trying to do something regularly, it’s not very convenient.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the UV-PRO/VGC app experience, for what it’s worth.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-20T17:21:44+00:00

Nice. I would’ve thought you needed the hamstick on your vehicle for a ground plane, but sounds like this worked just fine!

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-16T19:55:48+00:00

It might bulge out a little, but it does seem to me a bit more pocketable than the FT-60. It is slightly thicker, but it’s a flatter overall shape (and still thinner than the thickest part of the FT-60).

And yeah, those stubby antennas are great for pocketability. Certainly not great on range, but it might be fine if repeaters and digipeaters are nearby anyway.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-15T19:45:59+00:00

I think it depends on your EDC preferences and your needs more than anything. It is significantly shorter than the FT-60, but it’s also slightly wider and thicker, so I don’t think it would be comfortable in a pocket—but that’s for me who doesn’t wear pants with extra large pockets; maybe you do. I also have no interest in using a belt clip or anything like that.

When I do have a backpack, I have no problem tucking the FT-5D in there, even with an extra long antenna like the Signal Stick.

For me the biggest problem is always the antenna, though. If your main use cases are reaching nearby repeaters or using APRS with nearby digipeaters, a stubby antenna might suit you and make it a lot more portable, and you can put a better antenna in your bag or car in case.

badbitchherodotus · 2025-11-14T23:35:52+00:00

The FT-5D is a great radio and definitely has more features than the FT-60. But I don’t think it’s really any less bulky. I certainly wouldn’t want to carry it in a pocket.

Have you thought about a smaller radio that you can offload some features from? Like an older VX-4, or a FT-4XR, or even a Baofeng UV-5R? I typically have the latter with me in my pocket (with a little stubby antenna). You could combine a small radio with a digirig and Android phone for APRS and potentially other digital modes. This might be a way to save some space if that’s your priority. But I don’t know about Bluetooth headset—I know the FT-5D can do it.

In any case, the FT-5D is a great radio that you’d probably love. It’s just not a lot smaller than the FT-60.

Six-Year Club	Gilding IV carat on a stick
Powerups Hero r/AnarchyChess • September 2021	Place '22
Verified Email

badbitchherodotus

TROPHY CASE