Need another excuse to become ham?

[WestTX RT]

Yeasu is coming out with a tiny new dual mobile band radio.

Some of the listed features:

CTCSS & DCS

500 Memories

Clock - Calendar

Bluetooth ready

Dual Receive

Extended Receive

AM & FM Broadcast Band (Stereo output)

Smart Search

1200/9600 bps Packet Jack

WIRES ready

 

At 50w output on 2m, it should get you to repeaters where there's no cell service.

The radio's small, and it looks like there's a remote mount for the controls.

 

Universal Radio link

FCC prerelease page

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

You forgot to include things like:

 

Pretty much your own simplex channel in any town without having to listen to the traffic at the casinos, constructions sights, hardware stores, concrete yards etc. Or the pain in the a$$ little kids that whistle loudly once they find your sub channel.

 

Also, very very extended range in many parts of the country using repeaters.

 

Much better radios. (more expensive too)

[realshelby]

My concern with these rigs is water damage. Unlike some of the new HT's that are water submersible I have not noticed any waterproof/resistant ratings on the "mobile" rigs. I would love to have a detachable head unit rig to mount on my RT that had at least a waterproof head unit!

[bakerzdosen]

Bluetooth ready

OK, someone's gonna have to explain to me the benefit of BT in a ham. Why for? There's gotta be a reason and my limited cranial abilities this morning aren't having any of it.

[realshelby]

I am not sure how that would work in a Ham rig. I have used voice operated headsets, but a bluetooth setup would have two channels in operation. I would think background noise would be hard to overcome in a mobile rig. That is of course if you are using the bluetooth to access a repeater or talk on a standard simplex frequency. You could have two simplex frequencies in use I suppose. That would tend to go against Amatuer Radio protocol. If they have come up with a way for the head unit to "talk" to the base unit that would be a definate plus. Otherwise I can't see how it would work either.

[WestTX RT]

My concern with these rigs is water damage

That's why I posted the links, some of the smart guys here will figure out the best way to make it work.

 

I'm not sure what the deal is on the Bluetooth either, other than for headset/mic audio. They may have done that since it looks like some states may legislate headsets for any wireless device.

[UberXY]

I am not sure how that would work in a Ham rig. I have used voice operated headsets, but a bluetooth setup would have two channels in operation. I would think background noise would be hard to overcome in a mobile rig. That is of course if you are using the bluetooth to access a repeater or talk on a standard simplex frequency. You could have two simplex frequencies in use I suppose. That would tend to go against Amatuer Radio protocol. If they have come up with a way for the head unit to "talk" to the base unit that would be a definate plus. Otherwise I can't see how it would work either.

 

Now that FCC has said "whatever" to remote Kenwood operations, I am not sure the dual simplex frequency use rule is relevant anymore.

[Timmer]

50 watts out - 13.8 VDC at 8.5 amps.

5 x 1.8 x 7 inches (112x38x178mm)

 

I'll bet that'll be one hot little radio if you spend a lot of time talking.

 

Its almost the same size as an FT-817 which is 5.3" x 1.5" x 6.5"

 

BTW: A better reason to become a ham these days is that the FCC dropped the morse code requirement.

[realshelby]

BTW: A better reason to become a ham these days is that the FCC dropped the morse code requirement.

 

For those who may be interested it is true you can get an Amateur Radio license without learning Morse Code. It is very easy to pass the test and most find the material interesting.

For those of us who learned the hard way and took the time to really learn Morse Code (20 wpm for extra class license)the 5 word per minute test for the higher class licenses is kind of a joke!

[WestTX RT]

5 word per minute test for the higher class licenses is kind of a joke!

All the code requirements are gone now, for any level license, link .

[UberXY]

5 word per minute test for the higher class licenses is kind of a joke!

All the code requirements are gone now, for any level license, link .

 

I didn't realize that. I learned cw in the 60's and still use it today.

 

73 de KA4FOX

[smiller]

For those of us who learned the hard way and took the time to really learn Morse Code (20 wpm for extra class license)the 5 word per minute test for the higher class licenses is kind of a joke!

For many potential hams the need for any Morse code requirement at all was a joke given that it isn't in official use any more anywhere in the world. Things change... it's a fun mode but there was no logical reason for it to continue to be a mandatory requirement, and the FCC did the right thing.

 

For those not yet in the hobby, what this means is that you can now obtain a license by taking a technical test only (varying in difficulty based on the level of the license, but not too difficult for the VHF/UHF bands of primary interest to motorcyclists.) If FRS isn't cutting it for you, try it... you'll like it...

[realshelby]

For many potential hams the need for any Morse code requirement at all was a joke given that it isn't in official use any more anywhere in the world. Things change... it's a fun mode but there was no logical reason for it to continue to be a mandatory requirement, and the FCC did the right thing.

 

The latest change dropping Morse code had nothing to do with "potential" hams. They have been able to get a Technician class license for many years that did NOT require Morse code testing at all. Lowering and dropping the requirements of Morse code simply opens up opportunity for persons that did not want to spend the time to learn Morse code the privelidges afforded to those who EARNED them. I was all in favor of the Technician license with no code requirement. I am sure it attracted those who would not have been interested before. Hopefully some of those went on to learn the information required to earn the higher class license, and Morse code. It is a dumbing down of the requirements. When I hear the vulgarity on CB's, FRS, GMRS, and even phone portion of Ham I am glad that the CW (Morse code) operators still have respect for those listening in. For those that think CW has no place in the modern world.......It is still the only form of communication that can be deciphered in the most extreme circumstances. The recievers and transmitters are incredibly simple compared to any other form of communication. Simply put, in the next hurricane, act of war, or other disaster Morse code can be counted on when ALL others fail! Do you think we should just forget about it?

 

73 de N8TY

[smiller]

Do you think we should just forget about it?

No, those who enjoy it should continue to use it. But there are no longer any good technical or legal rationalizations for making Morse code skills a mandatory requirement for a license, other than as some kind of artificial and irrelevant barrier to entry, and that is not what the hobby needs in the coming years.

 

Anyway, the decision has been made and the requirement is gone so the issue is kind of moot at this point.

[realshelby]

Technical reasons are exactly why we need a licensing requirement for Morse code! We need to keep at least a small percentage of operators that can work and pass on Morse code skills. That is exactly what the privelidges afforded to those who earned the right to operate in the reserved portions were for. If you worked to improve your skills you were rewarded with bandwidth not open to those who had not earned it. Look at our society today, everyone wants the quick and easy way to the top. They then find out it isn't very satsfying if too easy.

As for a use in the coming years...how about iambic buttons built in to a cell phone for text messaging? Morse code and text messaging would be a natural together!

[smiller]

how about iambic buttons built in to a cell phone for text messaging? Morse code and text messaging would be a natural together!

You may be on to something there... as soon as teenagers realized that their parents couldn't understand the code that option might become very popular indeed...

[BerryG]

Hmmm a small paddle on the left handgrip. I have done the knee keyer in the car deal, but have yet to consider it on the bike.

 

W6EZ

[Timmer]

Technical reasons are exactly why we need a licensing requirement for Morse code!

 

I'm not sure I follow your thinking on this point when I see what a DSP-10 SDR can do under conditions where I can't even begin to tell that there is a CW signal on the band.

 

Try doing EME (bouncing signals off the moon & back) with a 14dbi antenna and 150 watts on 70cm with CW. It ain't gonna happen. But its done with a DSP-10 Software Defined Radio with some regularity.

 

CW is great fun. I got my Extra the hard way and enjoy CW contacts with a friend in Michigan a couple of times a month at about 25 WPM. But its just a mode of communicating.

 

On Tuesday I talked briefly to Astronaut Sunita Williams on the International Space Station as she was in orbit over Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. We used the same ancient FM mode that's used in FRS and GMRS radios. Like CW its an old, but reliable, form of communication. She got her ham license in a cram course without any CW. But she got the license so she could talk directly to school kids and encourage them to get excited about math and science. She could care less about CW, and I know for a fact that 99% of the students who have talked with her (27 schools since January 1st) could care less too.

 

But I also know the future is in experimenters who can write the software for SDR's. That's something I couldn't do in a 100 years. That SDR software writer probably can't do CW.

 

So who cares? There's room for everybody, and all sorts of interests, in the ham radio hobby.

 

--... ...--

.-- -.... -- ..-

[realshelby]

Timmer, computer aided signal detection is the kind of technology that puts ham operators at the forefront of technology. Correct me if I am wrong, but are these signals that are transmitted simply computer generated CW? And I agree the majority of people who could enjoy being a ham don't need to learn CW. Nothing wrong with working repeaters and other modes that CW has nothing to do with. I spend more time on FM than any other mode! I would simply like to have seen a "carrot" left to shoot for, without CW requirements of even the 5wpm there may be something missing. I guess it does not matter now!

 

--... ...--

.-- -.... -- ..-

 

W6MU de N8TY 73

[Heck]

Correct me if I am wrong, but are these signals that are transmitted simply computer generated CW?

 

 

No, although there are CW recognition and sending algorithms out there (just listen to the novice portion of 10 meters and the 80WPM keyboarding that still goes on there), the WSJT and other digital modes that are used in low power moonbounce and meteor scatter communications on 6 meters and up will get through when there isn't a whisper of a CW signal...

However, it does require computer hardware to communicate. No substitution for a great fist and ear.

I don't use CW much, just for high power moonbounce contacts on occasion, but am for one sorry to see the requirement completely disappear. I believe in a basic Code proficiency requirement for nothing else than recognition of distress or emergency communications that we as Amateur Operators are tasked with monitoring. It has nothing to do with the "I had to do it so you should too" mentality. It is just a reliable form of communication in which proficiency should be maintained. As was said earlier, it is now a moot point. I would hope that new licensees would take it upon themselves to at least familiarize themselves with the code in case of emergency. ...In a perfect world......

 

73 de K6JMH...

 

 

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

For those who may be interested it is true you can get an Amateur Radio license without learning Morse Code. It is very easy to pass the test and most find the material interesting.

For those of us who learned the hard way and took the time to really learn Morse Code (20 wpm for extra class license)the 5 word per minute test for the higher class licenses is kind of a joke!

 

Allow me to offer a different perspective...

 

What better way to renew interest in a dying method of communication than to remove the barriers that stand in the way of many who are interested? This has the potential to recruit the numbers of Hams needed to belay the threat on the frequencies that the ARRL whines incessantly about.

 

I can tap out SOS. Unless I'm stuck under a pile of rubble or in a sunken submarine, I'm at a loss when I'd actually need it. For all other occasions I have a choice of many different communication devices.

[WestTX RT]

Ah, I see this little thread has brought the code/no code debate over from qrz.com. Turning the hijack off for a bit, do some of you smart ham guys think that the Packet Jack listed will be open to an APRS application? Yaesu is not near as APRS freindly as Kenwood, as best I can tell. Having APRS in this little guy on the bike would sure be nice.

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

I've set up APRS for use with a few of my radios. For motorcycle mobile use, IMO, the best radio would be one that is a "dual tuner" radio. I.E. one that can run two frequencies at the same time. Otherwise your primary radio is consumed with 100% APRS duty.

 

While you're shopping for mobile radios with 2 tuners, you'll notice that the Kenwood D700A (I think I got the model number right) is also Packet and APRS friendly. Basically, a plug and play setup for both APRS and Mobile use.

 

I beleive that SageRider is running one. Any pointers?

[Timmer]

Well hey! What better excuse to become a ham than to join in the code/no-code debate???

 

Seriously, It doesn't say much of anything about packet. Unlike my FT-817 which has both Data & Accessory sockets on the rear panel, and does a pretty fair job on packet, this radio has only one 7 pin socket on the back.

 

Assuming you wanted to run APRS along with BT for your cellphone, it's going to be interesting to see how this unit would handle both BlueTooth and packet at the same time.

 

Good question for anyone who is going to Dayton next month.

[Timmer]

The Kenwood TM-D700A is one of the radios they use on the International Space Station. I used to listen to the packet and APRS digi stuff from it when the ISS passed overhead. It worked pretty well until the space radiation environment caused it to flip a bit and stop working.

 

The companion TH-D7 hand-talkie has APRS functionality too.

 

By the way Tom, are you going to activate your APRS when you take all those back trails from California to Torrey in May?

It would be interesting to follow your trail.

 

[WestTX RT]

best radio would be one that is a "dual tuner" radio

Makes sense, but this one refers to "dual recieve". I'm betting that's not the same as Kenwood's dual tuners.

[SageRider]

you'll notice that the Kenwood D700A (I think I got the model number right) is also Packet and APRS friendly. Basically, a plug and play setup for both APRS and Mobile use.

 

I beleive that SageRider is running one. Any pointers?

 

You're right, I am running a Kenwood TM-D700A.

To achieve APRS connectivity, I just had to terminate the GPS (Garmin 376c) data port wires (2) to a plug to fit the radio. (2.5mm mono plug as I recall, but I am not sure).

GPS configuration is setting the data port to NMEA.

Radio configuration is also simple and menu based.

 

A GPS with NMEA output such as the Garmin 276C/376C is required.

 

Side note: My Radio worked fine with a custom designed passive mixer. I am having issues interfacing the radio to an Autocom that I have yet to iron out. MIC input is noisy / distorted. Speaker output is not squelched and needs impedance matching work.

[WestTX RT]

 A GPS with NMEA output such as the Garmin 276C/376C is required 

That's another thing that torques my shorts about the Zumo, no NMEA out. If i find a radio that'll do APRS, I've got to find a cheap GPS reciever. Maybe someday the radio manufacturers will make APRS a native feature.

Hijacking my own thread here, take a look over on www.poi-factory.com . Some of the users over there have posted POI files for all repeater locatations in a lot of states. It was pretty handy on the way to the Hill Country this weekend. I'd go through a small town, and bring up all the local repeaters on the Zumo. It brings the closest to the top of the list. It's done by zip code, which is close enough to hit the repeater.

[Timmer]

Thanks for the POI url. Interesting site for the GPS owner with an older model like my SP-III that wants updates for the POI's on their GPS.

[UberXY]

 A GPS with NMEA output such as the Garmin 276C/376C is required 

That's another thing that torques my shorts about the Zumo, no NMEA out. If i find a radio that'll do APRS, I've got to find a cheap GPS reciever. Maybe someday the radio manufacturers will make APRS a native feature.

Hijacking my own thread here, take a look over on www.poi-factory.com . Some of the users over there have posted POI files for all repeater locatations in a lot of states. It was pretty handy on the way to the Hill Country this weekend. I'd go through a small town, and bring up all the local repeaters on the Zumo. It brings the closest to the top of the list. It's done by zip code, which is close enough to hit the repeater.

 

Thanks for the POI URL - it's great.

 

When i was temporarily deranged and looking at Wings, I couldn't believe that there was not a computer interface with their expensive and otherwise nice Nav system. definitely a deal killer for me.

 

Ham wise, are 2m repeaters still pretty active? I haven't used one since the late 80's, in the dark ages before cell phones.

 

73 de KA4Fox

[WestTX RT]

Ham wise, are 2m repeaters still pretty active?

Some are very active w/ all the new licensees on line. There a several linked 2m/440 repeaters out in this area, some statewide. I've worked from Antonito CO, to Las Cruces, NM on the bike from a 5w HT on the Megalink system over there. Texas has the Lynx and Saltgrass systems that cover most of the state.

It is interesting to pull the POI files and see where they all are. It's not much better than the ARRL repeater guide sometimes, but it's better than scanning and hoping for some activity.

[Scarver]

Great thread!!!

 

Also have a Kenwood D-700A on my 05RT. APRS signals are provided by a Garmin GPS18 PC unit since my 2610 does not output NMEA signals. Cobbled together a custom interface between Autocom system and Kenwood (schematic attached.) Using Autocom PTT to control transmissions. Happy to share additional details.

[SageRider]

Herman,

Thanks for sharing the circuit! Saves me some brain cells. I had tried the lazy way of only isolating the speaker with much less than satisfactory results.

I especially like the way you isolated the PTT circuit!

A clean, simple design!

[WestTX RT]

I'm supposing you guys run these with the control head mounted remotely. How'd you solve the water problem? Do you have pics of the mount?

[SageRider]

TM-D700A only allows remote head unit mount.

I use the stock head mount bracket riveted to an RCU shelf. The head unit just clips into place with one modular plug connection. I use a foam earplug between the head unit and the bottom of the bracket for shock absorption.

The radio itself is mounted beneath the passenger seat.

When it rains, I put a plastic cover over the head unit.

One thing I have discovered on the R1200-RT is that little to no rain protection is required for items on an RCU shelf or equivalent. The R1100 would drown the gear under similar circumstances of heavy rainfall.

[steveknapp]

I keep looking at this rig and am trying to figure it out. It's got what appears to be a mic in the faceplate, and a PTT on the top of the case...almost like a big HT...

[randys]

Good timing on this. I am currently trying to get a Kenwood THD7 working with aprs on the bike, just did a trip up to Deals Gap, and my position was only registered 4 times in 1800 miles. Going to work on antenna first, but am really leaning towards the D700. The schematic will be a big help!

 

KI4SGG

 

Why add the 10 or other number when mobile by the way?

[SageRider]

Randy,

Check your antenna & transmit power.

Also check your APRS path setup as many stations no longer support the obsolete terminology as listed below.

 

http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/aprs/fix14439.html

 

[randys]

Going to reposition the antenna tomorrow. I have it set to wide 1-1, wide2-2, (I figure florida counts as being miles away from a mountain top antenna)

 

I do hope garmin comes out with a new GPS that outputs nmea data, with xm and bluetooth. Having the stations show up on the screen would be great.

[WestTX RT]

The May issue of QST has a Yaesu ad featuring the FTM-10R. Here are some of the features:

-Front panel meets IP57 waterproof standard

-4.48”W, 1.5” H, 7.12”D

-mic and PTT built into front panel

-handsfree operation w/ optional Bluetooth headset

-8w amp and PA function

-AM/FM stereo

-intercom function

-external audio input, “available to connect to your iPod”

-Wireless cloning

-alphanumeric messaging

-VOX function includes automatic delay on transmit, so start of your message is not missing

 

The ad shows the remote mount on a motorcycle in a downpour. Anybody going to Dayton?

[Heck]

Why add the 10 or other number when mobile by the way?

 

call -10 is the unofficial designator for a motorcycle mobile. Some of the older APRS software packages use this to code symbols on the maps. Newer use different characters in the data stream.

Am also doing the testing on a TinyTrack to install on the RT. Hope to have it done in time for Torrey....

 

73 de K6JMH

[UberXY]

I haven't been on the air in about 5 years; this thread inspired me to order a new ic-706 last week and I am back on 40m CW using Logic, TRX-Manager, and AH-4, and an indoor long wire. Thanks!

 

KA4FOX

[decorbin]

This month's QST Magazine has an ad for the FTM-10RS. It shows the control head mounted to motorcycle handlebars and covered with droplets of water, so they must be intending it for this sort of use. It also has external audio input so you could connect your iPod or other audio source to it. It does not indicate whether this is a stereo input.

 

My experience with Yaesus stuff is quite mixed, going back to the 70's. Some of their products have been good and operated as advertised out of the box. Others have not. I would not want to be a beta tester for this product, but after these have had time to be tested in the field, I will get one (or someone else's because similar products can't be far behind) for both my bike and my wife's. She is a ham too.

 

N0DC

[sundaeman]

From Japan...FTM-10 for sale about $420

 

Click here...

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl...l%3Den%26sa%3DN

[WestTX RT]

$379.95 From Universal.

 

They have the accessories and options up now. This really looks to be the first rig specifically going after the MC market. Check out the handlebar mounts, etc.

Link

[UberXY]

From Japan...FTM-10 for sale about $420

 

Click here...

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl...l%3Den%26sa%3DN

 

Bluetooth, intercom, AM/FM...it will be interesting. Be nice if you could pair it with Zumo/XM and consequently a BT cell phone.

[UberXY]

Potentially eliminates autocom:

 

[smiller]

The website indicates that it carries an IP-57 environmental rating. I can't find the precise specs for IP-57, but I did notice that Motorola commercial radios carrying this spec are advertised as being 'fully submersible in water' so I think it should be adequate for anything a bike can throw at it. Nice. I hope the Bluetooth option will support full stereo to the headset.

[Trajan]

http://www.claysradioshop.com/index.htm

 

Try this URL for some associated equipment.

 

From the site "CB radios are competitive priced at Clays Radio Shop. We offer quality service you can depend on. Low prices and a huge selection of radios like Connex, Galaxy, Ranger, Magnum, General, Cobra, Uniden and J&M motorcycle communications systems. In Stock and ready to ship"

 

10Meter stuff,too

[sundaeman]

Called Universal this morning. You can order, but they have no idea of when they can deliver yet.