New things in the radio world
10/7/21
Started this website to provide a place to get the documents that I use in the videos.
10/8/21 Video
Yaesu is launching the FTM-6000R
– 50W VHF/UHF Dual Band FM Mobile Ham Transceiver with removable face plate.
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10/8/21
Midland will launch two different 50W GMRS radios soon.
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10/8/21
The world wide distribution problems are hurting all the radio manufacturers. This along with the increase in radio buyers is leading to short supplies.
If you want it; buy it when you see it!
Documents and graphics used in my videos
Click on the pictures to open the link
FRS & GMRS channel sheet
Family Radio Service and
General Mobile Radio Service
channel, frequency and power list
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Some lists can be confusing. Also the rules changed in 2017 and the old lists are still out there. This list should help make sense.
Power output allowed for
FRS & GMRS
FRS and GMRS
channel, frequency and power list
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This chart summarizes the rules into a chart that gives a more complete understanding between the station type and service.
GMRS station types - definitions
The Part 95 rules can be confusing.
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Make sure to read the Definitions section to get a better understanding of the other rules.
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These pictures can explain the terms better than text can.
Legally Secure your Comms
PowerPoint
How to stay within the rules but make it harder for someone to eavesdrop.
Parts of a radio station
A radio station has to include all of these parts to work.
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The parts also have to be acceptable for the frequencies you are using.
Feature to consider when choosing a handheld radio
There are a lot of handheld radios (HT) to choose from. This list can help you decide what are the important features for you.
SWR Explained
PowerPoint
SWR can seem complicated. Especially when seeing the formulas. They are not needed.
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This presentation makes it easy to understand.
Not Yet
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Gripes
1) Talking about complex subjects can be difficult. Some of these subjects are take months of study to understand. I try to give the layman's explanation in less than 15 minutes.
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2) The FCC rules and radio technology are not easy to understand. That is why Hams have to take tests to get a license. Hams also are allowed to build their own radios. This doesn't make them better. It is just a different radio service with a different purpose.
If you are a Ham do you know what the purpose is?
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3) Propagation is the behavior of radio waves as they travel. This is the trickiest subject. Those who are knowledgeable can find something to nitpick. However, they usually have to sidetrack into a part of the topic that was not being discussed. The GMRS propagation in my area will be different than in your area.
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4) I am not a "fanboy" of any manufacturer. However, I seem to favor Yaesu, Midland and Wouxun. I have taking a liking to Alinco recently. Alinco used to be considered low tier. But with the cheaper Chinese radios, Alinco is now considered one of the big 4 for Ham.
References
I avoid using Amazon and other similar sites to purchase radio gear. The risk is too large.
There are a rash of counterfeit antennas and re-labeled radios (especially Baofeng branded).
You have been warned!
Reputable links to radio and accessory suppliers
The supplier's web addresses are in text so you can copy all of them into another program that will create the link.
Then you can search them at your leisure.
buytwowayradios.com Buy Two Way Radios
bettersaferadio.com Better Safe Radio
www.niftyaccessories.com Nifty Ham Accessories
mfjenterprises.com MFJ
hamradio.com Ham Radio Outlet
hamcity.com Ham City
gigaparts.com Giga Parts
dxengineering.com DX Engineering
www.theantennafarm.com The Antenna Farm
rightchannelradios.com Right Channel Radios
randl.com R&L Electronics
bridgecomsystems.com BridgeCom Systems
www.universal-radio.com Universal Radio Inc.
www.arrl.org/shop American Radio Relay League
associatedradio.com Associated Radio
https://powerwerx.com PowerWerx
radioshack.com Radio Shack (yes, they still exist)
westmountainradio.com West Mountain Radio
qsradio.com Quicksilver Radio
Radio manufacturer's making Ham, CB, FRS, GMRS or MURS two-way radios
The bold companies are the original big 4 Ham radio manufacturers
Alinco
AnyTone
Baofeng
BTECH
Cobra
DeWalt
Elecraft
Flex Radio
Garmin
ICOM
Kenwood
Midland
Motorola
President
Radioddity
Retevis
TYT
Uniden
Wouxun
Xiegu
Yaesu
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Let me know if more should be added to this list
Antenna Manufacturer's
Butternut
Crushcraft
Comet
COMPACtenna
Diamond
DX Engineering
Firestik
Hustler
hy-gain
Pulse / Larsen
M2
Maldol
MFJ
Nagoya
preciseRF
steppIR
Tram
Wilson
Workman