Amateur (Ham) radio and SDRs (1 Viewer)

[Sam Posten]

I don't talk much about my work but up until about 5 years ago a lot of it was working with Software Defined Radios (SDRs). I'm a software guy so that's the angle I entered the space, not from the Radio Frequency (RF) / electronics space that most in the industry were coming from. At that time all the SDRs were pretty much custom bespoke proprietary units, and everything was hush hush from one manufacturer to another.

They'd absolutely lose their shit if they saw the SDR industry that exists today, where the biggest innovations are happening in hacker spaces and using Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) / open hardware. =)

I've recently ordered a Great Scott HackRF One board and the enclosure kit for it, and I'm looking forward to messing around with that to see how far things have come.

HackRF One - Great Scott Gadgets

greatscottgadgets.com

In getting back into RF I'm also noodling with finally getting my FCC Amateur certs

Operator Class

About The FCC issues six license classes, each authorizing varying levels of privileges. The class for which each licensee is qualified is determined by the degree of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the licensee demonstrates during an examination to volunteer examiners (VEs) in...

www.fcc.gov

And getting a good quality transceiver and antenna for my home and either a mount for my truck or a handheld.

Noodling possibly an Icom 7300:


Icom 5100:


Just started looking into HTs:


Anyone got experience in this arena with advice for noobs?

 

[Sam Posten]

Test tomorrow!

 

[Sam Posten]

Passed both tests this AM (just barely on the tech because I was so focused don cramming general. Did fine on general). Will take extra in October. Looking at putting up a MyAntenna.com 4010 into either an Icom 7300 or Yaesu DX10

 

[Sam Posten]

Well the callsign came through and it’s a mouthful (KC3SQW). Definitely putting in for a 1x3 tonight and will monitor 1x2 once I hit Extra. Hopefully the vanity comes through before I get the antenna wires run through my house

 

[ChristopherG]

Sam,
So is this just to communicate to other Hams or....?

 

[Mark Booth]

Our Miata club switched from CB radios to HAM/FM handheld radios about a year ago. Members can purchase any HAM/FM radio they like (as long as it supports the club's frequencies). The most popular handheld radio (among members) is the Baofeng UV-82HP. Since our club is a not-for-profit corporation, we were able to get a single HAM license for the club that covers all club members when the radios are used during club events.

The UV-82HP offers close to the same range as our experience with CB and virtually no noise (CB has gotten noisy as hell). Many members have added a longer 3rd party antenna to their handhelds, which increases range a fair bit. Other members have added a magnetic mount external antenna which increases range well beyond what we achieved with CB radios.

We are happy campers with our new radios!

Mark

 

[David Norman]

Never been much my thing even during the early 70's CB boom, but always seem to end up buddies with a bunch of these folks through the decades,

Since this isn't that far away, I'm always heard about this as one of the biggest meets of the year -- coming up this weekend apparently.

Shelby Hamfest 2023 - 2023 Shelby Hamfest

Welcome to the Shelby Amateur Radio Club's, website. Our club has been setting the pace for Amateur Radio in Cleveland County and Shelby for over 50 years. This club is the proud sponsor of the Shelby Hamfest. Grandaddy of them all. The Shelby Hamfest is held every Labor Day Weekend and is...

shelbyhamfest.com

 

[Sam Posten]

Sam,
So is this just to communicate to other Hams or....?

Yep, cause I needed more hobbies =p

 

[Sam Posten]

50-50 it snaps

 

[Sam Posten]

I can say conclusively that POTA is my new jam.

 

[Sam Posten]

Jpole in the house.

 

[John*Wells]

I bought a CB Radio today im going to see if anyone still uses them

 

[Sam Posten]

They do! A lot!

BTW this podcast episode gives a really concise breakdown of the differences between commercial and ham radio capabilities from zero to hero.

 

[John*Wells]

My Dad had a CB radio. And of course I loved seeing them used on Dukes of Hazzard as a kid