Any HAM radio operators in the club?

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:15 pm

One thing to watch out, 6x1.5 is 9v. The OEM pack is 7.4v (Two 3.7v cells). Might want to only run it with 5 AAAs and short across one of the battery locations to get closer to the OEM voltage. Alternatly 6x NiCad or NiMH batteries will give you 7.2v.

Looks like there is an exam on the 11th in Raleigh, I may try and make that one.

I may do something terrible and just memorize the general question pool with flash cards, I'll put the effort into actually learning the material before doing anything that needs the general licence. It would be nice to get both of them out of the way in one shot.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:31 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

One thing to watch out, 6x1.5 is 9v. The OEM pack is 7.4v (Two 3.7v cells). Might want to only run it with 5 AAAs and short across one of the battery locations to get closer to the OEM voltage. Alternatly 6x NiCad or NiMH batteries will give you 7.2v.

Thanks. The AAA battery pack has 6 battery spot and in the comments on Amazon pointed out the same issue. I should have posted that same tip instead of just tossing out the Amazon URL. That pack apparently works on a few different radios. I don't know if maybe some of the other radios use the higher voltage or what. Apparently while the internal voltage protection in the UV-5R prevents permanent damage, it does not work correctly if you have the six AAA installed. The trick is to run a dumb battery in the sixth position to get 5x1.5=7.5 (as you mention). When I get mine I am likely to a do permanent mod to only allow 5 AAA. The reviews also say you may need to make some slight tweaks to the pack to get it to fit correctly (I suspect injection molding flash or something like that?) I may look around for a AA back as I generally don't like AAA batteries.

Richard

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:50 pm

I just passed the technician and general exams tonight. I took the extra exam since all it cost was time and missed it by 3 questions. The guys running the test said I should be in the DB on Saturday.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:37 am

@ James, congrats!

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2014 1:00 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

I just passed the technician and general exams tonight. I took the extra exam since all it cost was time and missed it by 3 questions. The guys running the test said I should be in the DB on Saturday.

Congratulations. I have been listening on one of the Raleigh repeaters. Very interesting conversations. I will likely get my license sometime in the next few months as well.

Richard

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Wed Nov 12, 2014 1:06 pm

If you want the study books I can lend them to you. I have the technician and general ones. If you happen to go to the meeting tonight I can bring them to you.

www.hamexam.org is a great site for practicing the questions/test.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:45 pm

And it's official now.

http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSear ... ey=3650215

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

So now you are qualified to work communications at SandBlast Rally coming up on March 7.
Join some of your THSCC buddies working the rally stages.
Charlie G

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Sat Nov 22, 2014 4:00 pm

I've been wanting to head down to Sandblast the last few years. Something has always come up on that weekend though.

It'll likely be the first time I do anything decent with my license, and the first time at a stage rally. What could go wrong.

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

OK, all this talk has pushed me over the edge and I bought the Chinese radio with the larger battery pack, programming cable, and Japanese antennae.
I have found that the Internet was right about poor instructions. Is there anyone out there who would consider helping me get up to speed on basic listening skills before Sandblast Rally on March 7 weekend. The best I've done so far is to listen to FM radio....for a very long time with the big battery.
Charlie Guthrie

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:50 pm

Roger ordered some for the Duff car before the last race. I was yelled at alot for "touching buttons". And Robert kept handing me his after he brushed the keypad. (there is a key lock, btw)

If you know what freq to monitor, take it out of channel mode and key in the freq. Lock the keypad and Bob's your uncle.

(I wanted to sleep all day Saturday, but if you want to play with them at VIR, give me a ring. I can grab one from the RV and go with you.)

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:33 pm

RickyBeam wrote:

Roger ordered some for the Duff car before the last race. I was yelled at alot for "touching buttons". And Robert kept handing me his after he brushed the keypad. (there is a key lock, btw)

If you know what freq to monitor, take it out of channel mode and key in the freq. Lock the keypad and Bob's your uncle.

(I wanted to sleep all day Saturday, but if you want to play with them at VIR, give me a ring. I can grab one from the RV and go with you.)

Ours were keying themselves from inside the car somehow. Apparently there are two PTT buttons on our in-car harness. Otherwise they worked very well.

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