Amateur Radio rabbit hole

[LoboGunLeather]

When I was 5, my parents frequently took me with them to visit their friends. The father and 17-year-old son were both HAM radio operators: K5-KWB and K5-KVE. Listening to them talk over the radio taught me the phonetic alphabet (similar, if not identical, to the military version).

Fast forward to my 2nd year in the USAF - in a 20-man seismic detachment in the jungles on Mindanao, PI. 500 miles from the nearest military institution, we were entirely self-sufficient. And my group (who operated the seismic equipment, analyzed the data and reported the findings to Langley, VA) had to operate the MARS radio and crypto gear 24-7-365.

Operating the MARS radio was particularly interesting. During the night shifts (after 9 pm), we'd raise a California HAM radio operator (when the propagation permitted) who would, in turn, make a long-distance call to the home of our detachment troopers. This was the only way we could talk to "home," other than snail mail. But those calls were (a) being listened to by every MARS operator in the entire SEA MARS network (Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, etc.), and (b) required the call participants to say "over" after making a comment - to allow the MARS and HAM operators to activate/deactivate their respective microphone's key. (These were in the days before VOX - voice operated - microphones were used in the military. Voice transmission only occurred while the microphone button was being pressed - "keyed" in radio slang. And similarly, the mic had to be un-keyed to receive the other party's transmission) This made for awkward/cumbersome conversations, which frequently were humorous. [And was the source of "WFT-over" military slang.]

There was nothing funnier listening to our chubby, 35-year-old "supply" staff sergeant's conversation with his Portland, Oregon-based mom: "I love you mom - over." "I love you, too son - over." "Roger on the love you mom - over."

Of course, our MARS capabilities came in handy on occasion. For instance, we once had to MARS our sister detachment (500 miles north, at Clark AFB) to send down toilet paper on the next bi-weekly C-47 supply run (all 20 of us were concurrently suffering a bout of dysentery). Sympathetic MARS operators in 15 different SEA locations shipped us cases of TP in response to our plea.

In February 1971, our seismic instruments detected a major earthquake in Southern California (the San Fernando Valley quake) - and detected it 20 minutes after the earthquake actually occurred. [The equipment at each of our 20-some-odd seismic locations scattered around the globe was sensitive enough to detect basically any earthquake that occurred anywhere in the world. When multiple locations reported the same event, computers operated by our "Head Shed" guys at Langley could triangulate the earthquake's location to a surface area the size of a football field, and within 100 yards in depth. But I digress.] We immediately jumped on the MARS radio and initiated HAM-operator long-distance calls to SoCal for our 3 comrades whose families lived there. Now understand...news of the quake had not yet been broadcast in SEA (senior military leadership had chosen to suppress this news for "morale" reasons), so the SEA MARS operators were REALLY" curious how we knew of it. Since our "cover story" was that we were a weather station (our real mission was top secret, and we all had TS-Crypto clearances), we weren't permitted to explain just how we knew there was a quake. Suffice it to say, once news of the quake was broadcast over the SEA MARS and AFRVN radio networks, the long-distance phone lines were jammed with worried troopers trying to find out if mom and dad, or the wife and kids, were OK.

Kinda sad, actually, to know that the roles were reversed: the troops actually IN harm's way were worried about the safety of their state-side kin.

Interesting times.

While in Vietnam (1969-1971) we could occasionally make calls home to the US via MARS (Military Affiliate Radio Service), volunteer HAM radio operators who connected with us via radio then placed a collect call to the number we wished to contact, stayed on the frequency switching from transmit to receive to assist the conversation. We used "over" when finishing a line of conversation, then "out" when ready to terminate the call.

We had no way of knowing which MARS affiliate would receive our radio transmission, could be anywhere in the US so the collect long-distance charges could be substantial. Our calls were placed via land-line telephone to a MARS station operating in Vietnam, limited phone lines and operators at any given time so demand usually far exceeded their abilities.

Being halfway around the world, and across the international date line, calling schedules usually required us standing by very late at night to connect with families back home during their normal waking hours. Not unusual for calls to lose contact due to changes in atmospheric conditions or other interference, a big disappointment for all concerned.

Later in life, as a civilian police officer we referred to the transmit and receive functions as "push to talk" (for male officers) and "release to listen" (for female officers) when training new recruits on radio procedures. Totally insensitive by today's standards, of course.

Working in Colorado there were many times when radio contact was impossible due to terrain. Numerous repeater towers existed for us, but communications were never 100% reliable. Police radios of that era functioned on FM frequencies, strictly line-of-sight, and even some commercial buildings could block us out. The radios mounted in patrol cars had far better capabilities for transmitting and receiving, while the portable radios in use in those days were very limited in both signal strength and battery capacity.

Lots of changes in the past couple of decades.

 

[riverrat38]

The late US Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA, was a big time Air Force MARS operator. He had a large state of the art MARS station that was manned by operators full time.

73,
Rick, K7MW

 

[LVSteve]

Working in Colorado there were many times when radio contact was impossible due to terrain. Numerous repeater towers existed for us, but communications were never 100% reliable. Police radios of that era functioned on FM frequencies, strictly line-of-sight, and even some commercial buildings could block us out. The radios mounted in patrol cars had far better capabilities for transmitting and receiving, while the portable radios in use in those days were very limited in both signal strength and battery capacity.

Lots of changes in the past couple of decades.

Radio comms from a vehicle is extremely dependent on the frequency in use. The typical VHF frequencies used in the US are in the 150-200 MHz range. There are a number of reasons for this, not least of which is that the antennas are a sensible size.

If you really want to maintain mobile comms, you go to the part of the VHF spectrum below the FM broadcast band, but here in the US that is still used for TV. UK LE used to be down there, but they got kicked higher, but the fire brigades used it and liked it. We HAMs had a small chunk of spectrum at 70 MHz, AKA 4 meters. It was wonderful. The antennas were still manageable, and that frequency cut through trees and over moderate hills in a way that the 2 meter band never could. I would venture that the HAM band at 6 meters is much the same.

Shocker, the spectrum from 30 MHz to 80 MHz is often referred to as the "tactical radio" band by the armies of many countries. I wonder why.

These days, it's all about how many different services can be crammed into the least amount of spectrum, hence the drive for digital transmission formats. They back this up with multiple repeaters and base stations to achieve coverage, but the basic issues of the transmission frequency and propagation still apply. In Colorado and other mountainous areas I doubt it is possible to achieve 100% coverage. Same goes for cellphones, much to the horror of the average user if you've been in certain parts of NV where there is no coverage.

 

[jdh]

I have five HF radios on my desk. The wife just came in and said she was studying for a license upgrade and wants her own radio, not one of mine, her own. A Yaesu FT-710 AESS just got ordered from HRO.

 

[bluetopper]

I just got in today the radio you referenced on sale. Reading through the user's manual I quickly realized I don't have the slightest clue as to how to operate it or what to try to scan to listen to. My word there's a lot to learn.

 

[ACORN]

I just got in today the radio you referenced on sale. Reading through the user's manual I quickly realized I don't have the slightest clue as to how to operate it or what to try to scan to listen to. My word there's a lot to learn.

Just curious if you got the earphone/mic?
There are numerous videos on YouTube to help with operating them.
AFAIK the GT5-R is similar to the UV5-R in use.
The big advantage is the GT has a clean signal which keeps it from interfering with other frequencies. Plus, they are blocked from transmitting on bands EXCEPT VHF, and UHF.

 

[Rodan]

I have a couple of the little Baofeng radios, a UV5R and BFF8. Before retiring, I used them for back-up handhelds at work, and scanning outside agencies in the car. We also use them on FRS and GMRS freqs for backing up the motorhome in tight spots. I do have a HAM license, so we've also used them on offroad adventures, programmed for the repeater networks in whatever area we were traveling. Now, they're coming in handy on our 4 acres.

My biggest complaint is that the built in speakers are terrible... an earpiece helps a lot. Also, some versions are a little flaky with the programming software, and programming them with a computer is almost a requirement.

 

[BRL40]

I have no idea what my next door neighbor is into, but if my car happens to break down on some back road on the planet Pluto and I have some kind of radio to call for help, he will hear me!

 

[venomballistics]

I received my first (Novice) license in 1958, and my Extra class license in 1978. I started building kit radios in 1955, when I was 12 YO. I operate 100% Morse code but I listen to the voice guys. My interest in electronics led to a degree in physics and a career working as a distribution engineer for a power company. I am now 80 YO and still building kits. A lot of change in the decades since I started. Very few young people are interested in the amateur radio game and most of them are only interested in digital communications. Most of the hams I work on the air are about my age.

73,
Rick

I often tend to the bench of a thousand sacrificed op amps myself.
Linear stuff mostly, but certainly not limited to it.

 

[LVSteve]

Just curious if you got the earphone/mic?
There are numerous videos on YouTube to help with operating them.
AFAIK the GT5-R is similar to the UV5-R in use.
The big advantage is the GT has a clean signal which keeps it from interfering with other frequencies. Plus, they are blocked from transmitting on bands EXCEPT VHF, and UHF.

All this talk of spurious transmissions is giving me flashbacks to a horrific 2m radio called a Liner-2. Rumor was that it was some kind of Japanese CB/Taxi radio that operated in the 10/11m band and was then fitted with some half baked design of converter to run at 144 MHz. Popular lore was that they transmitted from DC to daylight to make sure you were heard.

 

[pmanton]

I was WA6NXL, WA7ESD HL9VL. I had an advanced class but could not master the CW for Extra. I accidently let my license lapse. (I had sold all my gear to fund a divorce)

 

[stu1ritter]

Just curious if you got the earphone/mic?
There are numerous videos on YouTube to help with operating them.
AFAIK the GT5-R is similar to the UV5-R in use.
The big advantage is the GT has a clean signal which keeps it from interfering with other frequencies. Plus, they are blocked from transmitting on bands EXCEPT VHF, and UHF.

Yup, came with the earphone/mic combo but the in-line push to talk switch doesn't work. Had to watch a few You tube video's to set it up for repeater operation, but I have it working now. Amazing for $20...........Years ago I had an Icom that was about the same size but never really used it for much.

Stu

 

[LVSteve]

Yup, came with the earphone/mic combo but the in-line push to talk switch doesn't work. Had to watch a few You tube video's to set it up for repeater operation, but I have it working now. Amazing for $20...........Years ago I had an Icom that was about the same size but never really used it for much.

Stu

Can it scan other frequency bands on receive only?

 

[ACORN]

Can it scan other frequency bands on receive only?

I believe it can

 

[Mainsail]

Several years ago my Tech license was expiring, so I figured I may as well upgrade to General to renew it. So I started slamming the online test until I was scoring in the mid to high 90s. The next test was still months away, so I added Extra to my test crunching. I took and passed both tests only to find out that upgrading did NOT renew my license.

So now I'm licensed as an Amateur Extra but still don't own a radio that would need it.

 

[Skeet 028]

I never got into ham although I could do well with code. another fellow and I did morse over our own dedicated wire tween his house and ours. But when the CB craze hit I was selling good CBs and antennas. I also had a few heaters.. High end was WAAAYYY up there. I'd crank her up at night...Got a call early one late night. Lady up the road called to ask me to shut the radio off till Johnny Carson was over...she couldn't see the TV from the bleed over

 

[Tom S.]

I never got into ham although I could do well with code. another fellow and I did morse over our own dedicated wire tween his house and ours. But when the CB craze hit I was selling good CBs and antennas. I also had a few heaters.. High end was WAAAYYY up there. I'd crank her up at night...Got a call early one late night. Lady up the road called to ask me to shut the radio off till Johnny Carson was over...she couldn't see the TV from the bleed over

During the craze, I had a Siltronix 1011D hooked to a 1500 Watt linear. I worked afternoons and didn't get on the radio until after midnight so I didn't disrupt the neighbors. One day, the guy across the road did something to irk me, I don't even remember what it was, but I went in the house and fired everything up. I keyed the mike and said: "Ralph, turn off your TV because you ain't watching anything tonight!". A few minutes later, there was a knock at my door. It was Ralph saying he was sorry...

OP: The earlier Bafongs were questionable quality with really bad instructions. The new ones are much better quality. I don't know if the instructions got any better, but there's enough info available on line to get by.

To non-licensed operation, listening is perfectly fine, broadcasting is not but... the FCC division responsible for policing CB and amateur radio operations has been all but gutted and unless you are a nuisance or interfering with commercial or governmental agency communications, the chances of being messed with are almost non-existent.

 

[ACORN]

OP: The earlier Bafongs were questionable quality with really bad instructions. The new ones are much better quality. I don't know if the instructions got any better, but there's enough info available on line to get by.

Yes the older Baofengs had a deservedly bad reputation.
That's why I went with the GT5R. Very inexpensive but a surprisingly clean signal.
There a couple of Tubers showing the GT as being free of harmonic signals.

 

[Exaviator]

[FONT=&quot]As a young man growing up, I had this dream to sail my own boat around the islands of the South West Pacific, probably as a result of reading too many James Mitchener and Robert Louis Stevenson's books.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]The opportunity came into fruition in the late sixties and I found myself outfitting a 36ft John Alden designed ketch.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]When it came to a choice of an H.F radio I was torn between buying a dedicated marine band trans-receiver, or as many fellow sailors at that time did, instead choose a Ham radio.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]It was then that I found out that the Japanese manufacturers of the Icom 720, had solved the dilemma for me.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]They produced two almost identical radios, the Icom 785 and 720, both of which were all band receivers, but the 785 only transmitted on the marine frequencies and the 720 on the ham bands.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]However, some smart individual had figured out that under a small access hatch on the top of the cabinet could be found a group of colored wires, and if you cut the blue wire, either radio could now transmit on ALL frequencies, either marine/aviation or ham, truly making it a versatile, but somewhat illegal radio.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Needless to say, it became my choice of equipment and it served me very well for several years.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]As a professional aviator I was already licensed to operate HF Radios, but decided that I wouldn't bother obtaining a Ham License and when using the ham frequencies I would operate as a pirate station, using a concocted Puerto Rico call-sign TI7TG.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I was not alone, at that time, many fellow yachties with ham radios were doing the very same thing.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Note the small access hatch on the top of the radio.[/FONT]
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