Painter Pole 2m Antenna + Yaesu VX-8R APRS Modification

[borderraven]

I saw a guy use a 75 watt light bulb for a CB antenna, as it matched the impedance.

[PilgrimLad]

I just passed the technician exam and I have yet yo buy a radio.  Would you recommend the Yaesu VX-8R? Thanks

[USNERDOC]

@PilgrimLad - congrats on your ticket! Yes, I would recommend the VX-8R . . . bit pricey but robust waterproof construction and a compact package. 73!

[kb1thm]

What kind of coax is feeding from the HT to the antenna? It looks very thin

[USNERDOC]

@kb1thm - it is a SMA-BNC antenna adapter.

[bohdimlh]

Cool set up!

[BuggetNuster]

Hey there Doc... what kind of range can you get out that thing without hitting a repeater?

[USNERDOC]

@BuggetNuster - Thanks for the comment Bugget! Good question, I'm in the process of evaluating that very thing.

[CampfireTalk]

How many hobbies do you have doc? :) great video, I'm going to check the other one out now.

[KC2UOO]

I like the antenna, That painters pole worked out good, =)

[ristin59]

Very cool, that avoids having a base station? What's your broadcast distance?

Does the radio also monitor regular radio bands?

That would come in handy if one needed to evacuate in an emergency.

[USNERDOC]

@ristin59 - a base station is always a good idea. However, if you want to see a great portable base station in action in a remote setting check out YT user KC2UOO channel.

youtube user KC2UOO

[USNERDOC]

@ristin59 - The radio can scan bands, however I use a scanner to monitor bands.

[SgtBooker44]

I just started class last week. The electronics are a real headscratcher. Looks like loads of fun though. "Talk" to you later.

[silvereagle1833]

Doc nice video. What did you use for guide wires...any special grounding? I envy your weather up there...those storage tubes are 2 liter bottle blanks...just a thought

[hinckleypoland]

sweet .... one of these days I am going to get a set up. I have always been interested in this stuff. My uncle has one on his sailboat. They use it all the time.

[xdmatt1320]

what dose a ham set up like that cost ?

[sheba106]

@xdmatt1320 ; I'm wondering as well. I believe there are a lot of variables to get an exact figure, but can someone give us a ballpark figure?

[deltherian]

hmm...your storage tube there reminds me of a soda bottle pre-stretch blow molding process. Can't tell from the video if it's thick enough but it does look like one.

Took a school field trip some years ago to a factory that processed them for Coke and Pepsi I think here in NC.

[USNERDOC]

@deltherian - I think that these are soda bottle pre-stretch blow molding blanks. They make great storage tubes!

[deltherian]

@USNERDOC That they do. The place we went to that processed them let those of us from the class take a few. I still use them today to store spare screws from PCs and other broken beyond repair electronics.

[humanentropy]

pro

[USNERDOC]

@hooya1111 - Thanks! I like your attitude . . . "a good excuse, ahem, reason, to buy a new HT!" I will have some detailed photos up regarding the painter pole mast.

Perhaps we can talk you into sharing your ARES Go-Bag with us!

[beast12101]

awesome, the HAM is one thing still on my list to get.

[xdrdosx]

Whats the point of the GPS antenna? I am not familer w that

[USNERDOC]

@xdrdosx - good question. It always the radio to auto post a GPS coordinate on APRS . . . the automatic position reporting system. I will talk some more about this in future videos. Hope that helps.

[practicalskills]

thats no ham radio the ones i remember are about 18"x12"x8" and that doesnt include linear amps, power supplies and such. haha i just felt a little older im gonna start making up stores about how things were big as a buss and a mile was much much longer in my day

[HawkLMT]

Nice.

[MadBadVoodo]

Cool Stuff Doc!!

Thumbs Up!!

[ps90tacguy]

thats pretty cool doc

[usframe]

interesting stuff!

[7Ronin49]

Gotta admit Doc, half of what you were saying made barely any sense to me, however i do need to get into radios, the knowledge would be invaluable incase society fails.

[johnny102marvin]

@7Ronin49 I don't know anything about radios either. But, I know a lot of preppers who are getting into HAM radio. My opinion is that radio communication is at the bottom of my preppers list. First comes water storage, second is food storage, 3rd is self defense, 4th is transportation, 5th is First Aid and medical.

The bottom line here, is that I have a long ways to go before I drop $800 on a ham radio set. When the SHTF, I am more concerned about what is happening on my street than in Iran

[mlacey56]

Neat. Keep these vid coming!

[medicjimr]

Pretty cool I thought of trying for my 2 meter ham license would be a great communication tool when a field and no cell coverage but don't know enough operators to make the plunge.

[Mrcaffinebean]

Cool, looking forward to the follow up vids. I'm semi-interested in doing HAM radio.

[rickedwards55]

Very nice. I use a Pool pole!

Rick - KC5YPW

[sethy1]

Nice, bud. Keep em coming. Ive been wanting to learn more about this.