Nope

>>5716986
You know you love it.

>>5717003
I don't mind it. I just hate you :3

>>5717015
It's fine. Just report me already.

Oh wait...

XD

>>5717069
LOL

Let's talk terms:

S-Units.

You may hear the term "I receive you well, you are 5 and 9".

The first number said corresponds with your readability. If you're on CW (Morse), this is how clear your tones are. If you're on Phone, it's how easy it is to understand you (Not distorted, no heavy accent, etc).

The second number, is SORTA based off the S-meter. The S-meter is a reading. If you want to get technical, an S9 rating is 50 microvolts input, so 50 microvolts of energy through your antenna. This translates to roughly 3 dB per S-unit. A signal that's an S1 is generally fairly faint, and almost completely blended in with the noise (static).

An S9 reading is very strong and loud. Generally, anything above an S3 rating, I'll try to lead a conversation with. Anybody below that, I give up on trying. It's too much of a hassle.

>Galaxy DX919, far left meter is the S-unit meter

>>5716974
Don't you have a big communications setup in your truck/SUV?

Do the 'muricans still use the 119's and shit?

This is coaxial cable.

It's used as a feedline for an antenna. It feeds electrical energy from your transmitter/transceiver, to your antenna.

Just like anything electrical, there's a signal, and a ground. A positive, and a negative. The positive (signal) is the center conductor. The negative (ground) is the wrapping AROUND the inner insulation, which is wrapped around the center conductor.

The ground wire wrapped around the insulated center conductor acts like a faraday cage. It prevents the signal from "leaking out" before it reaches the antenna, the INTENDED transmission point. If your signal "leaked out" early, it would be very inefficient, as it's probably not the correct wavelength size, due to your transmission point not being the right size, loaded correctly, etc.

Finally LMJ starts a thread about something he's good at.

Talking.

>>5717138
I have a small 11m (CB band) setup, hooked up to a large antenna. Granted, it's more than what most people have, but it's not really anything "big".

I want to get a general coverage scanner for it with a nice external antenna. I also want to change the Cobra 29 in it (11m, AM only) to a 10m/11m radio with SSB/AM. A tri-band amateur radio would be great too. (6m/2m/70cm).

>>5717153
Yes, the SINCGARs transceiver is still in use by the US armed forces.

>>5717208
Whats your handle?

>>5717231
Weird fact : I don't use a CB handle. I just use my first name.

>>5717231
Nice, what region are you in?

>>5717246
Randal sounds like shit

>>5717251
For amateur radio purposes, region #8, which is Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia if I remember correctly.

>>5717271
You're correct, I'm region 7.

>>5717253
...Randal? What the fuck are you smoking?

>U.S. Amateur Radio band-plan

>>5717282
What rig are you running?

I've got no big complaints for the Ratshack HTX-242 yet. It's an older radio, and I've only found two problems with it.

The backlighting is mostly dead. I already bought new PL2 "grain of rice" bulbs to solder in.

Anndd the squelch knob is finicky. I think the contacts are getting old on it. When I have it apart for the backlighting, I'm going to go ahead and redo the contacts.

Old trick, use a #2 pencil on the contacts of a potentiometer. It brings it back to life.

No complaints for the $60 I spent though.

Probably going to ditch the Cobra in my CRX, for a Galaxy DX959 too...

>>5717341
I don't personally own any big communications gear. I have a small UHF/VHF radio. A friend of mine had her antenna ripped out of her truck earlier today.

>>5717349

>A friend of mine had her antenna ripped out of her truck earlier today.

you gunna.....ehm....put your antenna back in her?

>>5717358
Haha, I would but.. I would get fired. She sleeps in the same dorm as I do.

>>5717349
Dual-band Yaesu, Alinco, Icom, Motorola, or whatnot?

Oh yeah, and I got my Heathkit DX40 transmitter up and running. Shop I bought my PL2 bulbs from, had vacuum tubes. I lucked out, he had one new-in-box RCA 6146 in stock for $4.90.

Manufacture date? 5-56. Haha.

Transmitter works perfectly now. Puts out 50w CW on 10m band.

>>5717375
Alinco, let me take a picture.

>>5717412
Nice.

I thought my FT270r would tide me over. Unfortunately, I'm too far out in the country. The nearest repeater to me is about 7 miles away, and I can't even hit that on full 5w of power on my 270r.

However, 10w in the car through that 5/8 wave antenna is a breeze.

Shoot me an email if you ever want a QSO. I'll see if I can figure out how to work the Echolink on the Bangor repeater..haha.

What would it take to build an automated solar powered repeater that would survive 500 year storms without maintenance?

>>5717466
A lot of metal, welding, and high-quality transmission equipment.

>>5717466
Have a picture of a repeater room, complete with backup autostart generator.

Although I would have put it in a separate room. Petroleum fumes aren't good for polymers. And vibration isn't good for electrical equipment either.

>>5717480
>>5717498
How long would 3 redundant car battery banks with automated full discharge maintenance last?

>>5717504
Last with working, usable power?

Or last, as in, before the batteries go bad?

Either question requires more information. These a variety in sizes / types of batteries. Generally, car batteries when used as backup power role last (replacement wise) a VERY long time, because they're no longer being subjected to harsh temperatures and vibration.

Speaking from experience, I advise a charging machine that automatically desulphates the plates. This will SERIOUSLY enhance the longevity of your batteries.

For current holding? That all depends on what size batteries you use. Most truck-type batteries by themselves can do at LEAST a 60 minute reserve time (60 minutes to discharge to 10.5v, at a 25 amp drain rate).

>optima red top gel-type battery

RESURRECTION.

AN/PRC-6, one of the first mobile handheld transceivers. Low-VHF operation, it held 13 tubes which controlled the transmit/receive.

>>5717547
I want it to last 100 years maintenance free and survive a 500 year storm and work this entire time.

>>>/toy/

>Hallicrafters AN/GRR-2

>>5720035
These are not toys.

I'd do almost anything to get my hands on some of that old communications gear.

>>5720065
they aren't weapons
>>>/g/

>>5720065
Well unless you plan on jamming some OPFOR transmissions, they aren't really weapons either.

>>5720094
Communications can be used to interfere with enemy communications & jam the enemy transmissions, thus disrupting enemy movement. It is a weapon.

>>5720027
Use a self-supporting tower instead of a guyed tower.
Put all coaxial cable inside hard conduit.
Use commercial-grade transmit/receive antennas.
Use gel-type batteries (no evaporation possible).
Use high-quality radio equipment.
Use all copper wire, no aluminum.
Climate control the room where the equipment is. Keep the temps low, and the humidity low. Also, run a dust filter.