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Re: general question

 

Rick,

I got my ticket primarily to use the radio for emergency communications when we travel.? My wife and I took a 4-day trip thru northern CA a year ago and I realized that most of the trip we had NO cell phone coverage.? In the event of a breakdown, we had no comms.? We were on back roads, which is also the way we like to travel all over on our touring motorcycle.? Since there are repeaters everywhere, I figured that a ham radio would be the way to go.

I have to admit that I have little to no experience yet.? With a home sale and move out of state, among other things, I have not had the time to get my feet wet.? I, too, need to seek out an Elmer for some helpful advice.

Hey, I'm retired and in the Phoenix area, too.? Where is this "antenna farm" that you referred to?

- Mike




At 06:59 AM 6/5/2014, 'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60] wrote:

?

I have been around hams all of my life. Growing up, two houses down was a ham. My brother-in-law has been a ham since he was in high school so my wife actually picked up a lot of information from him. I studied analog circuit design and RF in college. So I understand some of the technical aspects of being a ham.

?

What I do not fully understand is what motivates people to be hams. I know each person probably has a different reason from survivalist to helping out in an emergency to social.

?

My immediate motivation is because some of my students are required to get their license in order to operate APRS during weather balloon flights ( ). It was getting embarrassing to tell them that I didn?t have my license.

?

So what makes you guys ?tick?? What got you interested in being a ham?

?

I do hope my question does not offend anyone. That was not my intent.

?

Thanks,

?

Rick

Posted by: "Rick - yahoo"

Re: general question

 

Search and Rescue and Emergency Communications;
?
?
?
?
?
Jardy Dawson
WA7JRD Ham Radio

Sent by hurling dead pigeons over the wall by trebuche.

From: "'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]"
To: FT-60@...
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2014 6:59 AM
Subject: [FT-60] general question

?
I have been around hams all of my life. Growing up, two houses down was a ham. My brother-in-law has been a ham since he was in high school so my wife actually picked up a lot of information from him. I studied analog circuit design and RF in college. So I understand some of the technical aspects of being a ham.
?
What I do not fully understand is what motivates people to be hams. I know each person probably has a different reason from survivalist to helping out in an emergency to social.
?
My immediate motivation is because some of my students are required to get their license in order to operate APRS during weather balloon flights ( ). It was getting embarrassing to tell them that I didn¡¯t have my license.
?
So what makes you guys ¡°tick¡±? What got you interested in being a ham?
?
I do hope my question does not offend anyone. That was not my intent.
?
Thanks,
?
Rick
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

Rick,

That is what I did.? I studied on the Internet (the free exams) for a week until I could not fail any of the exams.? Then, just a week before I was going to take the Technician exam, a friend of mine who has an extra license told me to go ahead and study for the General exam and take that, too.? I never thought of doing that.? I studied another half a week and took the practice exams on the Internet.? I found that the questions were not any more difficult than the Technician questions.

Then I went to the exam site and took the Technician exam.? I passed, but they did not tell me how I did other than passing.? They asked if I wanted to take the General exam and I said, "Yes".? Then I took that and passed it, too.? Again, they did not tell me which, if any, questions I missed.

Then the unexpected happened... They told me I HAD to go for the "Triple Crown".? Somehow, I let them talk me into taking the Extra exam.? I told them I had no chance at all of passing it as I had never even seen the questions, besides taken any practice exams.? And, I have no background in electronics.? But they would not take "no" for an answer.? What the heck, it was free to take the test.? So I did.? Of course, I failed it (miserably I presume).? But it was fun anyway.

In the end, I walked in with no license and walked out knowing I had qualified for my General ticket.? It was a good feeling of accomplishment.

Go for it!

- Mike
? KK6FCQ



At 05:48 AM 6/5/2014, 'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60] wrote:

?

Tom,

?

Excellent suggestion. I'll do it!

?

Thanks,

?

Rick

?

From: FT-60@... [ mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 7:05 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: Re: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!



Take the General Test on the same day right after you take the Tech exam. A lot of the questions are the same and you have a good chance of passing the General. The you can work HF too.

?

Tom

K3CD

?----- Original Message -----

From: rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]

To: FT-60@...

Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 11:23 PM

Subject: RE: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.

?

Re: Power on reset

Mark Richards
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Well, I thought that this issue was licked.? But actually no.? One of those nasty illusive bugs that require a solid failure to find.?

Occasionally my FT60 would either not turn on, or would turn on with garbage on the display.? Recently I dropped it onto a hard surface.. and it would no longer turn on at all.

Time to fix.

And I found the issue:

x1001 the 4MHz crystal has a very very fine trace that leads to a via (the pad near R174).? It had broken.

I removed the crystal, fixed the circuit board, replaced the crystal, and now my radio is solid as a rock!

Took hours of tracing and troubleshooting, but this time I got it!

/K1MGY




On 03/26/2014 08:58, Mark Richards wrote:

?

For quite some time my FT60R has been suffering from intermittent
failure to boot. The symptoms are:

- turn on and no display, or
- turn on and scrambled display, or
- turn on and scrambled display and a tone

This sometimes happens after a charge cycle, but this is not consistent
enough to be a possible cause. Today, it was on and running and later I
noticed the display was blank and power-switch off and on would not "boot".

It was suggested I check the battery connections. These have been
cleaned and the battery checked. This is not the issue.

Attempted these remedies:

- clean battery contacts
- check battery
- small amount of contact cleaner into power switch
- dis-assembly and re-assembly
- operation without case screws (upper, black); theory: compression
causing intermittent connection

Almost always, dis-assembly "solves" the issue. With the outer case
removed and holding the battery in place, the thing powers up.

Now, I am going deeper, and have removed the VR unit. I note that it is
connected to the main PCB through a contact strip and held to this with
quite a lot of compression provided by two screws. These were very
tight on removal, so they are believe to be just fine.

Since the unit sometimes starts to boot and fails, I am wondering if
there's a power-up sequence issue here. I note that, across the power
switch (VR2001/SW) there's a capacitor C2003. Its value is not marked
and is nowhere to be found. I might assume this is to protect the
switch. There's no R-C involved. Does anyone know what value is
expected here?

My next step is to touch up solder joints on switch assembly, clean
contacts with an eraser, squirt a little contact cleaner/lube into the
switch, and re-assemble.

I see C1119 (0.18uf) and R1147 (68k) is used as a cheap reset.. so maybe
this is where the issue lies?

Any other ideas from the experts here?
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

Got mine for $155 on Amazon. Now they're $172. They're going fast. Get one while you can. The thing is a beast, but it's a solid radio.
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

R&L electronics:? FT-60?? $149.95 + free shipping.? I have purchased most of my equipment from them.

They are prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable.

?


?

KD8UCA
just to verify

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I carefully read over the table of contents of the FT-60¡¯s user manual and found nothing about connecting a key in order to transmit CW. Am I missing something?

?

Thanks,

?

Rick
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

de Rich/AG6QR,

?

I assume that you find out how you did on the test shortly after you turn it in. By all means, I will take tests until I fail. My first try at General wasn¡¯t stellar but I did pass. I do plan to take a few more tests before test day. I feel very comfortable with the technician test. On the general test, I got one question wrong related to peak inverse voltage of a diode. I was just confused by the strange wording. I¡¯ve designed a few power supplies so certainly know about PIV.

?

Peace,

?

Rick

?

From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 11:29 AM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

HRO is good, and I've dealt with them quite a bit, both in person and online, but I suspect most of the other places are good, too.

?

If you're a retired electrical engineer, then you probably have much of the background required for the General and Extra class licenses.? You may want to take a practice exam or two for general and extra before exam day.?

?

As far as your advance preparation, do what you feel comfortable doing.? Obviously,?the important thing is?to pass the technician test first, so don't let the General and Extra distract from that.? But if you're confident about the technician exam,?consider preparing for the?others.? Regardless of your preparation, on exam day, keep taking tests until you fail one or until you've passed all three.? It is possible to walk into the session with no license and walk out with an Extra (ok, you don't literally walk out with the Extra license, you have to wait for the FCC to put it into their database, but...)

?

As long as you're there, there is NO reason turn down an opportunity to take the General, and if you pass that, there's no reason to avoid the Extra exam.? The worst outcome is that you'll fail, and have a better idea of what material you'll need to study.? But nobody will hold that failure against you.

?

Good luck and 73 de Rich/AG6QR
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

HRO is good, and I've dealt with them quite a bit, both in person and online, but I suspect most of the other places are good, too.

?

If you're a retired electrical engineer, then you probably have much of the background required for the General and Extra class licenses.? You may want to take a practice exam or two for general and extra before exam day.?

?

As far as your advance preparation, do what you feel comfortable doing.? Obviously,?the important thing is?to pass the technician test first, so don't let the General and Extra distract from that.? But if you're confident about the technician exam,?consider preparing for the?others.? Regardless of your preparation, on exam day, keep taking tests until you fail one or until you've passed all three.? It is possible to walk into the session with no license and walk out with an Extra (ok, you don't literally walk out with the Extra license, you have to wait for the FCC to put it into their database, but...)

?

As long as you're there, there is NO reason turn down an opportunity to take the General, and if you pass that, there's no reason to avoid the Extra exam.? The worst outcome is that you'll fail, and have a better idea of what material you'll need to study.? But nobody will hold that failure against you.

?

Good luck and 73 de Rich/AG6QR
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

Gil Smith
 

I will second the vote for gigaparts -- I got my FT60 there, and they were fast and on the ball.

I also second the recommendation to take more than just your tech test, as it costs nothing more that day. ?I studied for my tech until I was hitting good scores, and studied a bit of the general just before going for the test. ?First test I had taken in 30 years. ?I got 100% on the tech, so they asked me if I wanted to take the general. ?I had nothing to lose so I did. ?I got 100% on it so they asked me if I wanted to take the extra. ?Now I had not even peeked at any extra questions, but I am also an EE so I figured I had a shot. ?Did not do as well on the extra test. ?Only got 87%. ?But they said that was good enough, and a week or so later I was AF7EZ. ?So try them all, you have nothing to lose but a few more minutes.

Gil
general question

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

I have been around hams all of my life. Growing up, two houses down was a ham. My brother-in-law has been a ham since he was in high school so my wife actually picked up a lot of information from him. I studied analog circuit design and RF in college. So I understand some of the technical aspects of being a ham.

?

What I do not fully understand is what motivates people to be hams. I know each person probably has a different reason from survivalist to helping out in an emergency to social.

?

My immediate motivation is because some of my students are required to get their license in order to operate APRS during weather balloon flights ( ). It was getting embarrassing to tell them that I didn¡¯t have my license.

?

So what makes you guys ¡°tick¡±? What got you interested in being a ham?

?

I do hope my question does not offend anyone. That was not my intent.

?

Thanks,

?

Rick
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

James,

?

Well, at least on the practice exams, I have been scoring 100% for the last week. I plan to take these exams every day until test day.

?

Thanks,

?

Rick

?

From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 7:43 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: Re: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

Rick,

I don't think it matters where you buy. Most Amateur Radio dealers (the reputable ones anyway) provide excellent customer service. Most have been around awhile and will try their best to keep you as a customer. Yaesu is also a very good brand of radio (IMHO) and they also have very good customer service. I bought my FT-60 from HRO and they even helped me program it with a few repeaters while I was in the store.

That's just my 21/2 cents worth.

Good luck on the test and let us know how you did.

?

James W. Murphy
KJ6FXA

?

On Wednesday, June 4, 2014 7:28 PM, "GLMontyWV glmontywv@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...> wrote:

?

?

I bought mine from HRO, give them a call, customer service is fantastic.

On Jun 4, 2014 9:50 PM, "rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...> wrote:

?

I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.

?

I am in the market for a FT-60R so visited each of the sites noted to get the current price. This is what I found:

?

Amateur Electronic Supply
???? $154.95???

?

Burghardt Radio Repair?
? don't sell?

?

GigaParts?
? $154

?

Ham Radio Outlet
???? $150

?

R & L Electronics?
? dead URL

?

Texas Towers?
??? $159 + s/h

?

Universal Radio Inc?
?? $153 +s/h

?

So it looks like Ham Radio Outlet has the best price although plenty of other vendors were very close. What about customer service?

?

Thanks in advance,

?

Rick

?
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

GDoucet SBC
 

I'm going to start looking at HRO on a regular basis!!!


Gerald
WA5IRC

-----Original Message-----
From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 9:13 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: RE: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!


FT-60R is an excellent radio. All the features you need with none of the
features you'll never need. Built like a tank.


You don't need your license to buy a radio, only to use it, but you probably
already know that. The day I passed my Tech license back in 1986, I went
immediately to my local HRO and bought my first handheld.


About once or twice a year, HRO has the FT-60R on sale, I've seen it as low
as $114.96 and I was a FOOL not to pick one up at that price!


------------------------------------


------------------------------------


Yahoo Groups Links
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

I already have a Uniden Bearcat which can scan 2m and 70 cm plus a few more
bands. To my surprise, I don't hear a lot of traffic on those bands here in
Phoenix. I live line of sight from the "Antenna Farm" which has many ham
repeaters along with radio and TV.


Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 7:13 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: RE: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!


FT-60R is an excellent radio. All the features you need with none of the
features you'll never need. Built like a tank.


You don't need your license to buy a radio, only to use it, but you probably
already know that. The day I passed my Tech license back in 1986, I went
immediately to my local HRO and bought my first handheld.


About once or twice a year, HRO has the FT-60R on sale, I've seen it as low
as $114.96 and I was a FOOL not to pick one up at that price!


------------------------------------


------------------------------------


Yahoo Groups Links
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Tom,

?

I just took the practice exam at HamTestOnline and passed.

?

Thanks,

?

Rick

?

From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 7:05 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: Re: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

?

Take the General Test on the same day right after you take the Tech exam. A lot of the questions are the same and?you have a good chance of passing the General. The you can work HF too.

?

Tom

K3CD

?

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 11:23 PM

Subject: RE: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.

?

I am in the market for a FT-60R so visited each of the sites noted to get the current price. This is what I found:

?

Amateur Electronic Supply
???? $154.95???

?

Burghardt Radio Repair?
? don't sell?

?

GigaParts?
? $154

?

Ham Radio Outlet
?http://www.hamradio.com/??? $150

?

R & L Electronics?
? dead URL

?

Texas Towers?
??? $159 + s/h

?

Universal Radio Inc?
?? $153 +s/h

?

So it looks like Ham Radio Outlet has the best price although plenty of other vendors were very close. What about customer service?

?

Thanks in advance,

?

Rick

?

This email is free from viruses and malware because protection is active.

?
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Tom,

?

Excellent suggestion. I¡¯ll do it!

?

Thanks,

?

Rick

?

From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2014 7:05 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: Re: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

?

Take the General Test on the same day right after you take the Tech exam. A lot of the questions are the same and?you have a good chance of passing the General. The you can work HF too.

?

Tom

K3CD

?

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 11:23 PM

Subject: RE: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.

?

I am in the market for a FT-60R so visited each of the sites noted to get the current price. This is what I found:

?

Amateur Electronic Supply
???? $154.95???

?

Burghardt Radio Repair?
? don't sell?

?

GigaParts?
? $154

?

Ham Radio Outlet
?http://www.hamradio.com/??? $150

?

R & L Electronics?
? dead URL

?

Texas Towers?
??? $159 + s/h

?

Universal Radio Inc?
?? $153 +s/h

?

So it looks like Ham Radio Outlet has the best price although plenty of other vendors were very close. What about customer service?

?

Thanks in advance,

?

Rick

?

This email is free from viruses and malware because protection is active.

?
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

[email protected]
 

I paid 169$ for mine from HRO not much diffrence but the math is easy. shop around ~stev
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

HRO is great

Andy


On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 7:04 PM, GLMontyWV glmontywv@... [FT-60] <FT-60@...> wrote:
?

I bought mine from HRO, give them a call, customer service is fantastic.

On Jun 4, 2014 9:50 PM, "rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...> wrote:
?

I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.


I am in the market for a FT-60R so visited each of the sites noted to get the current price. This is what I found:


Amateur Electronic Supply
???? $154.95???


Burghardt Radio Repair?
? don't sell?


GigaParts?
? $154


Ham Radio Outlet
???? $150


R & L Electronics?
? dead URL


Texas Towers?
??? $159 + s/h


Universal Radio Inc?
?? $153 +s/h


So it looks like Ham Radio Outlet has the best price although plenty of other vendors were very close. What about customer service?


Thanks in advance,


Rick
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

 

Rick,
I don't think it matters where you buy. Most Amateur Radio dealers (the reputable ones anyway) provide excellent customer service. Most have been around awhile and will try their best to keep you as a customer. Yaesu is also a very good brand of radio (IMHO) and they also have very good customer service. I bought my FT-60 from HRO and they even helped me program it with a few repeaters while I was in the store.
That's just my 21/2 cents worth.
Good luck on the test and let us know how you did.
?
James W. Murphy
KJ6FXA


On Wednesday, June 4, 2014 7:28 PM, "GLMontyWV glmontywv@... [FT-60]" wrote:


?
I bought mine from HRO, give them a call, customer service is fantastic.
On Jun 4, 2014 9:50 PM, "rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...> wrote:

?
I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.

I am in the market for a FT-60R so visited each of the sites noted to get the current price. This is what I found:

Amateur Electronic Supply
???? $154.95???

Burghardt Radio Repair?
? don't sell?

GigaParts?
? $154

Ham Radio Outlet
???? $150

R & L Electronics?
? dead URL

Texas Towers?
??? $159 + s/h

Universal Radio Inc?
?? $153 +s/h

So it looks like Ham Radio Outlet has the best price although plenty of other vendors were very close. What about customer service?

Thanks in advance,

Rick
Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

John Murphy
 

From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 9:23 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: RE: [FT-60] Re: FT-60R $174.95 at HRO!

?

?

I am new to the group and, in fact, don't have my license yet. I take the Technician's test in 8 days. I've been studying with HamTestOnline and found it an excellent learning experience. I'm a retired electrical engineer so at those parts of the test will be easy. After I receive my call letters, I plan to buy my first radio.

?

I am in the market for a FT-60R so visited each of the sites noted to get the current price. This is what I found:

?

>>snip<<

?

So it looks like Ham Radio Outlet has the best price although plenty of other vendors were very close. What about customer service?

I think you will find HRO¡¯s customer service above reproach.? Of course it depends which HRO you use, but I have found Denver HRO, and San Diego HRO to be so.? HRO customer service on the phone has also been excellent.? Just my opeinion.

?

73 de KC?JPO/AFA8JP?
John Murphy, B.S. C.J.; B.S. BusMgmt; MBA Marketing

GMRS Licensee WQOW801

PopComm Monitoring Station KPC0JPO
"When all else fails...Amateur Radio"

PIO Adams County (CO) ARES

ARES/RACES/AFMARS Nothwest Area, Region 8

USAF Security Police, 1973-84

Owner, Oil Country Radio¡¯s

701-421-1134

Business Email: ocr58763@...

Personal Email: jmurphy7411@...

?
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