There is a reason for all of the HAM radio posts of late. Since I am moving within a few months, I need to rework the communications plan for the homestead. Since we are moving more than 30 miles away, there will be a new set of repeaters, a new fire department and police department to deal with, and other things. So I just broke out the programming software for the mobile radio (a Yaesu FTM400) as well as for the Baofeng handhelds, and I am busy reprogramming all of the new frequencies into the radios.
Then next time we are down checking out the progress on the house, I will also check to see if I can hit the repeaters I want to use.
I won’t even begin to set up the base station until I can see what antennas I will be able to put on the property. That won’t be until after we move.
6 Comments
SmileyFtW · July 1, 2023 at 8:31 am
Love myFTM400… wish it hadn’t been discontinued and replaced by a model that isn’t as good. We have a similar group of networked repeaters in north Texas. Actually there are several across the state, though none that covers the entire state.
EN2 SS · July 1, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Not to brag or anything, but it would take a LOT of repeaters to cover Texas. ;-))
Gryphon · July 1, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Regarding your comment about ‘having to see what kind of Antennas I will be able to put on the Property’.. Is this some sort of an ‘HOA’ problem? Terrain/Trees? As far as the HOA Nazis are concerned, if you are a Ham, with a Licensed, Location-Specific Station, the FCC Rules Override any Local HOA and/or Zoning ‘code’. I saw this in the mid-’70s, when in “Reston” Virginia, (one of the first Big Subdivisions with a ‘HOA’ (controlled by the Developers) got its ass handed to it by some H.F. Hams, who had barely-visible Longwire Antennas in the Trees behind their Houses. After the Lawsuits, I helped one of them put up a 70-Foot, Rohn 18-Inch Triangle Mast with a Rotator and HF Directional Antenna.
If you are running VHF and want to hit Repeaters, as well as Increase Range to Mobile users, even 30 Feet above the Ground will help. Roof Peak +20 is best, and the lower part of the Antenna can be Braced to the end of the House, possibly eliminating the need for Guy Wires to the Top.
Divemedic · July 2, 2023 at 7:48 am
Antennas used for AM/FM radio, HAM radio, CB radio, or digital audio radio services are not covered by the rule.
The rule is found here.
SmileyFtW · July 2, 2023 at 10:57 am
Apparently HR4006 just introduced by Bill Johnson aims to fix the problem. Also, there are “stealth” antennas that can be considered. Don’t know how expensive they are. Since I am on 23 acres and have no restrictions I haven’t looked into them.
Divemedic · July 2, 2023 at 11:28 am
Not the law yet.
I currently have a stealth antenna in the attic. I will have to wait until after the move to see what I can do with the new place.
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