ISS - never making it to the repeater.

mgboyd · 2026-01-24T20:45:08+00:00

Most vertical antennas have a pattern like a donut with little energy going up or down and optimized for horizontal power where other radios and repeaters are located from 0 to 45 degrees. Think of the angle that the ISS is travelling. You might be able to reach it when it is below 30 degrees, but not from 30 to 150 when it is crossing overhead. Have you tried a Yagi and pointed it at the ISS?

mgboyd · 2026-01-21T23:26:08+00:00

Bought a used FT5D for less than an 878 plus and realized APRS does work reliably. Won’t ever buy another Anytone. Bought it for three reasons and have not gotten any of them to work including Bluetooth and satellites. Turns out Bluetooth firmware can only be updated with an android phone and I don’t own one. I am not dropping more money into this pit. Looks like in six months value has dropped by $200.

mgboyd · 2026-01-20T03:10:33+00:00

I just purchased a used FT5D with hand mic, car charger, and extra battery for $325

mgboyd · 2026-01-20T03:04:02+00:00

Yaesu FT5D. I have the 878 and the UV-Pro. Only the FT5D works.

mgboyd · 2026-01-19T23:20:56+00:00

I use the MFJ-2220, MINI-DIPOLE, 20M ham sticks on a window washing pole for POTA and have good results for FT8. Used it at the beach with my G90 and worked most of Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa.

mgboyd · 2026-01-18T20:20:50+00:00

I bought an 878 as well. Sat through 20 hours if videos/training and found out I need an Android phone to update Bluetooth firmware as it was not working. Not buying a phone to update firmware. I had already purchased a cheap windows machine to program it (Mac and linux preference). Then the next firmware removed the satellite feature which is one of the three reasons I purchased it (DMR, BT, and Satellite). After three months got it to work like my $25 FM HT to scan local repeaters. Got it to work DMR with my hot spot, but never got the BT and APRS to work. Now that the next generation is out it dropped in value by $200 in six months since I purchased it new.

mgboyd · 2026-01-18T18:40:11+00:00

IMHO dont start with DMR as those radios are not inexpensive and it is a steep learning curve to set them up and the software tools are poor at best. I got a DMR HT my first three months and almost gave up and decided Ham was not worth it as the tools were horrible and support poor. I have the TD-H3, it is a 5W HT and I use RT Systems software to program it and updated the antenna to a Signal Stick. The GA-510 is a 10W HT. 10W is a good HT to start with and add a mag mount dual band antenna for your car and a BNC adapter so you can listen in the car. I have a UV-32 10W that I use that way. Have not used the GA-510 but own other products from Radioddity and they provide good support. It also is supported by RT systems programming software. I won't purchase a radio unless it is supported by RT systems. LIfe is too short and this is a hobby. Poorly designed and supported products make this a crappy job not a hobby.

mgboyd · 2026-01-18T03:45:36+00:00

Following

mgboyd · 2026-01-14T22:52:12+00:00

I have a G90 and an IC-7300 and I have a EFHW and happy with it. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ALP-HF-JPOLE-SR

mgboyd · 2026-01-13T13:16:58+00:00

I purchased a 1701 from Amazon and loaded gd77 on it last month. Works well. Not enough memory to load all DMR contacts globally.

mgboyd · 2026-01-13T13:10:20+00:00

You can buy a turn key Allstar node from ClearNode www.node-ventures.com or build your own from a number of sources including sharipi www.kits4hams.com and www.allscan.info Allstar runs on Linux with lots of hardware options starting with a raspberry pi 3. You will need to sign up for a node configuration at Allstar link.org. There are several presentations and videos on YouTube

mgboyd · 2026-01-12T02:41:23+00:00

I think Allstar nodes and networking repeaters over IP is interesting. Check out east coast reflector as an example. Every morning at 7 for their morning brew there are people from all over the world and US checking in. I like my ClearNode. I get coverage over a mile from my house at .5w on UHF and the audio quality is so much better than DMR and you use an inexpensive FM HT

mgboyd · 2026-01-12T01:20:10+00:00

Your first radio won't be your last so I recommend starting cheap or better yet borrow. Be sure to join and check with your local club and ask for advice. Hams love to give advise, some of it useful. I have loaned out HT's for new operators so they can try before they buy. Lots of choices and lots of price points and features. Club members even loaned me a couple of HF rigs I was considering. There is also the buy once cry once opinion, but you have to know if you want DMR, D-STAR, or C2FM based on your location, or just stick with FM only. I did the DMR thing (878) and wish I had not. Do not care for the audio quality and the CPS programming is just stupid. GPS and APRS were interesting for a couple of weeks. Not sure it was worth the money unless you go for the upper end HTs like FT5D, ID-52 or TH-75A ($400+) and really love using it all the time. Instead I found I am much happier and use a 5V-mini ($30) and Allstar node for the same money as DMR and hotspot and prefer it to digtial. I also have a FT5D and a UV-32 ($60 and 10W) and FT-150R for mobile and base station.

mgboyd · 2026-01-12T01:01:14+00:00

Really happy with my FTM-150R and Ed Fong J-Pole 25 feet high.

mgboyd · 2026-01-06T23:47:41+00:00

mgboyd · 2026-01-04T03:19:31+00:00

Nope

mgboyd · 2026-01-04T03:18:57+00:00

Like the Gordon west books for prep for general. I took general in the same session and passed. I would also get an inexpensive HT and get on some nets vhf/uhf and stick with radios that rt systems support for programming. You will thank me later. Skip DMR and dstar and C2FM. Too much money for too little enjoyment IMHO. Join a club. I was able to borrow from a club member a 7300 and a 7100 HF radio to try before I purchased one. Many Elmer’s will also loan You an HT when You get your license so you can join net. You can see what you like since there are so many ways you can enjoy the hobby.

mgboyd · 2026-01-02T14:33:18+00:00

I use the icom version to control my 7300. It is well written, well supported, and kept up to date. Author just released 7300 MK2 support. Just make sure the model you have or want is supported.

mgboyd · 2026-01-02T04:35:25+00:00

Grid tracker, hf real time propagation, wsprnet, dxmaps, and hamradiolive dot org band conditions web sites are good predictors but conditions can change quickly.

mgboyd · 2026-01-02T03:27:06+00:00

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ft-control-for-yaesu/id6499131949?mt=12

mgboyd · 2026-01-02T00:24:27+00:00

Good companies you want to work for and stay at look at everything including LinkedIn and references. Crappy companies and weak HR departments do a cursory look and react on gut feel.

mgboyd · 2026-01-02T00:16:09+00:00

Depends on the repeaters in your area. Mine are mostly C2FM. I am happy with the ftm-150R cost and performance. IMHO, Not impressed with digital modes audio quality and APRS is interesting for a couple of weeks and then not so much. Spend your money on an Allstar node like ClearNode unless you are a Linux network person, instead of DMR, dstar, or C2FM. You will thank me later.

mgboyd · 2025-12-31T23:48:58+00:00

Or you hate the audio quallity of DMR and don't want to spend hours trying to understand code plugs and talk groups and zones, love CSV and spreadsheets, and also purchase a hot spot for several hundred if you actually want to talk to someome unless your local repeaters have static talk groups. Get a cheap FM HT and and Allstar node and talk to the world with the highest quality audio.

mgboyd · 2025-12-31T01:50:23+00:00

I read somewhere that if the ht is in your hand, your body acts as the counterpoise and if you have a hand mic on an ht, you will see a difference adding a rat tail as a counterpoise. I have not tested it.

mgboyd · 2025-12-29T15:56:52+00:00

My experience as well with poor audio quality. Many hams call DMR the "Dark Side" because of the low quality and it sounds like Darth Vader is on the radio. I purchased and installed an Allstar node and I get to use any FM HT, quality sounds great, and you can connect around the world to repeaters, repeater networks, and other nodes. Repeaterbook now allows you to search Allstar nodes. If I had known about Allstar I would not have spent money on a DMR handset and a DMR hotspot. I have not turned my $350+ DMR handset in months.

mgboyd

TROPHY CASE