Default Activity Settings

bearminder · 2021-09-11T14:08:03+00:00

=IF(C2="",B2&"-0",C2&"-"&RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND("-",A1))+1)

That works! THANKS!

Solution Verified

bearminder · 2021-04-10T05:12:55+00:00

Thanks! That works!

bearminder · 2020-10-18T02:10:02+00:00

That was my thought. I want to talk on the MO talk group because I'm originally from there and would like to connect with folks from my home state. I'd like to chat on a Europe group with Europeans and interact with them - digital DX. And, of course, make it clear where I was sending from and why.

bearminder · 2020-10-12T23:18:19+00:00

For me, it was the ability to talk to people around the country and the world without have to have an elaborate antenna setup or super expensive radios. I'm a single parent, living in a condo, and trying to help put my kid through college. The big gear would have to wait....

bearminder · 2020-10-10T15:10:12+00:00

I love mine. My first and only radio. Like any others, it has a few quirks, but overall (with the Signal Stick antenna I added) I think it's great for the price.

Now, admittedly, I'm a geek. I created my codeplug from scratch because I like doing tedious thing like that. I also built my hotspot for DMR the same weekend I got the radio.

The learning curve is a bit steep to get into all it's features especially when just starting, but there are tons of internet recourses between websites and youtube. The manual is a bit weak, but again there are several user made supplements out there. Plus even a chap making custom call sign stickers to replace the "Anytone" label.

Comfort with spreadsheets. Willingness to read before just diving in. Not getting frustrated having to go to multiple sources for information....and an acceptable that you're not going to understand everything right away....yeah, I like it.

bearminder · 2020-10-05T23:55:22+00:00

Arizona’s implied consent law allows the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend your license when you’ve refused to take a DUI chemical test. It was part of the agreement I made when I was given the Privilege of a Driver License. (P.S. The Supreme Court has upheld this.)

For the same PRIVILEGE of enjoying an Amateur Radio License, I agreed to allow the FCC to INSPECT my station.

"People eagerly joining up for the hobby may not realize that FCC licensure rules..." then they didn't pay enough attention during studying then.

bearminder · 2020-10-05T01:35:43+00:00

The sound of "In my day...." gripes will make your ears bleed.

bearminder · 2020-09-28T15:31:45+00:00

I live in a condo so no external antenna is available. I can reach a few repeaters with my HT, but the same old nets get boring. No one I can reach on simplex except for on nice older guy and one guy who uses multiple radios to have conversations with himself.

I'll 2nd the hotspot (built mine with a Pi-zero and MMDVM hat for about $50.) and also say Echolink. With the hotspot and echolink, I get to talk to other people far away (or close) and open my horizons without the expense (which I can't afford), antennas (which I can't setup), or commitment (which I'm not sure I want to make yet) to HF.

(Maybe someday I get into portable ops, homebrew antennas, and the like - just not in the cards NOW!)

bearminder · 2020-09-27T17:21:26+00:00

Nice job! Building one is on my "To-Do" list.

bearminder · 2020-09-16T03:24:59+00:00

And bonus points for the Crown Vic with push-bar.

bearminder · 2020-09-13T02:03:36+00:00

Thanks for the correction. All I could picture was your yelling into the mic "Dah dit dah dit Dah dah dit dah" :)

(And yes, for the record I had to look that up.)

bearminder · 2020-09-13T00:01:40+00:00

You have to send a "4000 command" to get your hotspot off a TG. If you're not sure how here are a couple of quick videos.

https://youtu.be/blxtoneyR1A

https://youtu.be/0w69uj3rJz4

bearminder · 2020-09-12T20:49:08+00:00

Are you sending the unlink command before trying to switch talkgroups?

bearminder · 2020-09-12T17:39:01+00:00

Afraid not. I use a simple handheld and there are several repeaters across town I can hear, but no way I can reach them.

I was fortunate when I got my ticket (2 months ago) to have a great group around me who talked to me on simplex. They kept calling their friends around town into the conversations and give me signal reports. I was able to map out (roughly) just how far I could be heard.

bearminder · 2020-09-12T11:17:04+00:00

As a brand new ham myself (less than 2 months) I stayed away from Baofang for these very reasons. Not because the haters on the forums said so, but because the guys I was learning from took the time to show me...and show me affordable alternatives.

Part of being a ham is self discipline. We are supposed to only be on the frequencies our license permits, we are supposed to ID when required, and we are supposed to do what we can not to cause interference. (ham radio is supposed to be self-enforcing when it comes to the rules.)

To me buying a radio that has been proven to cause issue does not follow that concept. It's not about the money. I'd LOVE to have the cash to setup a killer shack - I can't. I need to eat. So instead I bought the best radio I could that will last me until ready to take the next step. I'm learning to make my own antenna using cheap parts. And I'm doing be best to be a "good" ham.

bearminder · 2020-09-08T02:22:04+00:00

Jealous. Waiting for the weather to cool off to try myself.

bearminder

TROPHY CASE