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Ham radio noob looking for 'elmer'

Nice chatting with you, Al... I've got to set up another antenna, hopefully one that can get my HT to hit the Diablo repeater so that I can chat with the rest of you who can't reach N6NFI/R :)
 
Just installed this. Very handy looking Android app to find repeaters near wherever you are. Doesn't require cell service to work. RepeaterBook.
 
Heard you guys, not sure if I can hit that repeater.
 
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cycle61 said:
WR6AOK
W6WLS
K6BJ
At least one of the WIN repeaters up on Mt Uhmnum. I left my list in the car. :laughing
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You can probably hit the LPRC repeater up on Loma Prieta... they are linked to the WIN system....
 
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Hoho said:
You can probably hit the LPRC repeater up on Loma Prieta... they are linked to the WIN system....
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Yeah, WR6ABD. That's the one.

Edit: also just picked up K6LNK on a scan. 443.475 PL 123.0. That one's on Mt Uhmnum, should be reachable from southbay.
 
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Where/when is the test? I'll go. Feeling pretty good about the material. 75% seems to be common sense and a little background in electronics, RF theory, and middle school math.
 
cycle61 said:
Where/when is the test? I'll go. Feeling pretty good about the material. 75% seems to be common sense and a little background in electronics, RF theory, and middle school math.
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Mill Valley this Sunday and there are others coming up too.. I wonder if they can just test you if you asked?? I'd probably pass at this point too.

I'm still a little confused about the superhetrodyne vs not, stuff but I can muddle through it well enough.

I first thought hetrodyne was a.. um.. something you'd find lurking around in San Francisco.. But what do ya know? It belongs in a radio.. :laughing
 
Ohh, it's one of those cram and dump classes?

I'll ask at the local place down in Sunnyvale when there's one here. I popped $22 for the book and have been reading it for the last week. Feeling pretty good.
 
The correct way of doing it is picking up the arrl technician guide, reading through pages and pages of theory.

Or.

Do a one day cram session and exam.

Or. go here.

https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/study.jsp

and take the tech exam.

Costs the same as your arrl book. You can do it by cramming alone or clicky on the hints/details tab at the bottom. For me, it was a good way to get Technician and start getting your feet wet. For general and up I think it's better to study and understand the nuts and bolts as you're starting to get into "proper" theory and getting into the KS of radio.... much less forgiving :)
 
boney said:
A bunch of years ago I built a couple of j-poles for 2m and 70cm out of 1/2 inch copper pipe. It was a project in either the ARRL antenna book or out of QST magazine. Both places are a great resource if you're going to build your own stuff. Check out Ham Radio Outlet (not too far from you) for hard copies of this kind of stuff. Just be careful, it super easy to spend a lot of money in there.
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Marlowe said:
J-Poles are okay but before going too nuts with the plumbing supplies, I'd suggest starting with a ground plane and getting some quality feedline:
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+1 - J-poles while cheap are a HUGE compromise of an antenna. You're better off building a 1/4 wave ground plane, then a 1/2 wave j-pole.


boney said:
Thanks for the link on the map!

With a 50w mobile I can hit Mt. Diablo from most west facing slopes in the Sierras too. It extends a long way down I5 and out toward Sacramento as well. It's a great resource.
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I'm not sure what is with k5ehx.net - Their map was much better then the one linked.


dmaxAl said:
So where you at?
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http://callook.info/ This will save you a ton of time instead of asking "where are ya".....

cycle61 said:
WR6AOK
W6WLS
K6BJ
At least one of the WIN repeaters up on Mt Uhmnum. I left my list in the car. :laughing
Click to expand...

WR6ABD (442.900), is on Loma Prieta and FWIW I can hit that repeater from stockton with 5w. Best damn receiver I've EVER seen.

And for the shack nerds...
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o318/OpSic66/KI6ZIF/IMG_8385.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o318/OpSic66/KI6ZIF/IMG_8413.jpg
 
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