- This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 2 weeks, 4 days ago by
Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX).
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SALA0669
Hi all.
I hope this is the right place to ask this question of you all.I’m midway through my foundation training at the grand age of 63! and my only experience is what I’ve learned in the last 2 weeks.
I’ve made a conscious decision to start on 2m only before I get to carried away, but I need some antenna help please.
As I’m between two repeaters, I’d like the option of seeing both, so a vertical seems to be the best option. I can mount on the gable end (25m minimum cable run) the loft (below roof height, but it’s an easy starting off point) the chimney (because of the shared chimney and neighbours TV aerial, I’m worried about interference and I can only install above my TV aerial) flat roof/side wall (a 5m mast to get it above roof height on a timber framed house). House is 95m above sea level but has hills up to 130m all round for a 10 mile radius. Postcode is CM6 2QT
I’d really like to get some thoughts and feedback, even it is “Amateur radio is not for you!!” I’m installing a roof mount in my van, so all is not lost!! Transceiver is a Yaesu FT-3185
Peter M0PWX (2E0PWX)
2m / 70cm can be quite quiet apart from club nets
if either of the local repeaters support digital voice you will get better options, but digital voice has several standard, C4FM (yaesu) D-STAR (icom) DMR (open Standard), but you will need a radio that supports supports one of the standards,, that matches the local repeater
the other option is one of the hotspots (look up zumspot or DVMega) most use a raspberry pi with a adapter / RF board
the config of the hotspot requires access to your broadband, as they act as a gateway (RF from handheld / transciever to hotspot to the internet to the remote end gateway to RF to far and radio
you tune your DMR/D-STAR/C4FM radio to the relevant frequency of the hotspot and set your room / channel name/number and you can get world wide
there is also echolink (you need a valid ham callsign to register) and echo link is a fully PC system with no need for a radio, some say echolink is cheating as no RF signals involved, you still need to follow normal ham radio QSO practices, the only thing is instead of calling CQ you anounce your callisign and say you are listening through echolink etc
have a look on youtube for echo link or ham radio hotspots for more info
SALA0669
Thanks Peter
Keeping it to local repeaters and nets was my intended starting off point. My radio is analogue only, so that rules out most of the above, but I’ll look in to the other options and play around with a vertical antennaPeter M0PWX (2E0PWX)
the other thing you can do with a 70cm handheld is listen to the ISS cross band repeater on 437.800mhz FM
just look up online or an app on your phone for pass time, and have a listen
73
Peter
M0PWX (not Pete M0PSX who runs the site)
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