Jim,
Thanks for clearing this up for me.
73,
Rick
KG7MQL
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-----Original Message-----
From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2014 5:30 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: Re: [FT-60] my first contact!
Rick,
The FT-60R has an SMA Female connector (threads on the outside, female
center pin) on it so you would want to get the SRH77CA (threads on the
inside, male center pin).
Nearly all of the current handheld radios from Alinco, Icom, Kenwood, and
Yaesu have the SMA Female connector on them. A few have the BNC.
OTOH, nearly all of the Chinese radios (Baofeng, Wouxon, etc.) have an SMA
Male on them and would use the SRJ77CA).
You may hear some people refer to the SMA Male on a radio or the SMA Female
on an antenna as a "reverse SMA." This is not correct. A reverse SMA is
where a female pin is used in a male body or a male pin in a female body
( and scroll down).
These "reverse" SMA's are typically found on devices the manufacturers
discourage people from easily connecting to by prohibiting the use of the
standard SMA connectors. For example, some wireless routers (generally older
ones) use reverse SMA's for their antenna connections.
Hope this helps.
73, Jim K5JG
|
Re: after market antennas
Today I tried to reach two repeaters that are 76 miles away with my rubber duckie. No surprises. Didn’t work. However, I do reach 30 miles just fine. ? Rick KG7MQL ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2014 3:32 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: RE: [FT-60] after market antennas? ? I won't comment on replacement antenna for the radio, but I will comment on the tape measure yagi.? I have been using one for 6 months to communicate to a net that is about 40 miles away with scattered hills in the way. This antenna is the only thing that I have been able to make the net with using my hand held.? I think it is a great little performer.
B. Clive Souter
N6TTD/Amateur Extra Class
?
From: FT-60@...
To: FT-60@...
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 07:26:52 -0700
Subject: [FT-60] after market antennas
? ? As I read about various after market antennas for my FT-60, I find a few things that surprise me. The first is that some vendors will say “sma” connector but not mention if it is male or female. Then there is performance. For a given antenna, I will read that some people did an “A/B” comparison with the standard rubber duckie that comes with the FT-60 and say the new antenna is much better. Others will say it is slightly worse. The only consensus for an antenna seems to be how easily it can be broken. ? I would like to hear what people on this BBS use for an after market antenna and under what conditions they use it. ? I have also seen and read about the tape measure yagi that is very easy to build. Has anyone used one of these in order to communicate with a distant repeater? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ?
|
Re: after market antennas
I guess I just found my next project. ? Thanks! ? Rick KG7MQL ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: FT-60@... [mailto:FT-60@...]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2014 3:32 PM
To: FT-60@...
Subject: Re: [FT-60] after market antennas? ? ? A friend of mine(KF7LGR) uses a tape measure beam to work the satellites with his FT-60.
Dave - WB6DHW
On 6/20/2014 7:26 AM, 'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60] wrote: ? As I read about various after market antennas for my FT-60, I find a few things that surprise me. The first is that some vendors will say “sma” connector but not mention if it is male or female. Then there is performance. For a given antenna, I will read that some people did an “A/B” comparison with the standard rubber duckie that comes with the FT-60 and say the new antenna is much better. Others will say it is slightly worse. The only consensus for an antenna seems to be how easily it can be broken. ? I would like to hear what people on this BBS use for an after market antenna and under what conditions they use it. ? I have also seen and read about the tape measure yagi that is very easy to build. Has anyone used one of these in order to communicate with a distant repeater? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ?
?
|
This one has me stumped. ? When in memory mode and briefly press BAND and the display shows “tun” in the upper left hand corner. The tuning knob changes the frequency. What is this mode? I can get out of it by holding down the BAND button until I see VFO IN. The page in the user’s manual showing all display areas does not show “tun”. ? Thanks, ? Rick KG7MQL
|
Rick,
I'm not sure where you live, I used to live in the alma school and university area and I could hit the EAARS repeater on pinal with my ft-60.? After that I moved to horne and southern and I could hit it there too, although not as well.? This was standing outside and using my aftermarket diamond antenna, the same one others have mentioned.? I've never tried a yagi on my ft-60 but I am sure it would hit those repeaters as long as you have a good copy on them.? I've also used my little 1/4 wave ground plane antenna hanging in a window from inside my house and gotten into those repeaters.? I may have even been able to get into the mt lemon repeater from my place at alma school and university had I tried, I know i could with my jpole up on the roof with 25 watts, i did do that a couple of times.? Every night there is a traffic net on the EAARS system, i don't remember what time, 6:30 rings a bell but that may be wrong.? If you can hear it pretty clearly try checking in to the net and they can tell you how well you are hitting it.? If you can get into that repeater then you can get from snow flake to mexico and just about everywhere in between.
Brian KF7OVD
|
? Line of sight is more important than
distance.? I can work a repeater near Moscow that is 75 miles from
here with my FT- 60 and the rubber duck inside the house.? I am on
a ridge at 2800 feet and the repeater is a mountain top at 4700
feet.
Dave - WB6DHW
On 6/21/2014 8:32 AM, Yahoo gMail rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?
Ron,
The repeater is a mere 2.5 miles from my home up on a
mountain. I can easily see it from my backyard.
I have located two repeaters that are 76 miles away up
on even higher mountains. I put their lat/lon in my GPS so
know the exact heading. Any idea if a yagi could reach
them? I can't wait to try :-) I just need to buy a rew
parts and then can start construction. It would be used in
my backyard, certainly not in my car.?
Rick
?
Outstanding Rick! About how far are you from that
repeater?
Ron
?
Dan,
I agree that the SMA is mechanically weak.
The little rubber duckie that came with the
FT-60 is a reasonable mechanical load. I'm
thinking of making a tape measure yagi for
occasional use. The SMA with matching thin
coax should be ok as long as I don't trip on
the wire ;-) If the center pin fails, I can
replace the connector on the coax.?
Last Thursday I was part of the Maricopa
New Ham Net. It was excellent and I plan to
attend next Thursday too. I wrote down all of
the call signs and looked them up to get an
idea of the range of this repeater. Rather
impressive - roughly 30 mile radius.?
73,
Rick
KG7MQL
?
The SMA, while
electrically a good connector, is a
bit delicate for applications where
you’re frequently removing the
antenna. I’ve heard of problems with
the center pin coming loose. Many
operators I know use an SMA to BNC
adaptor (find one that seats firmly
against the body of the radio). Then
choose an aftermarket antenna with a
BNC connector. My favorite antenna is
the Pryme RD-98. The antenna is long,
but thin and very flexible (you can
tie it in a knot, although I don’t
know why you’d want to). It performs
very well on both VHF and UHF and
sells for about $25 at HRO and other
outlets. ?
73,
Dan
?
?
|
That's really close, boy you'll hit that repeater solid, you found yourself a good one. !! I'm not sure about the yagi, I'm just a rookie like you, but a good Elmer friend of mine made a portable ground plain antenna for me and it's much improved as compared to my rubber duck. I'm hitting a friend on simplex with the ground plane antenna and he's 23 miles from me, FT-60 set on 5 watts. I could probably get more distance but I've got the Tombstone Hills that are between myself and Hereford, Az.? Here's a pic of the homemade ground plane antenna. It's adjusted for a good SWR too.? Ron
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 21, 2014, at 8:32 AM, "Yahoo gMail rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
Ron,
The repeater is a mere 2.5 miles from my home up on a mountain. I can easily see it from my backyard.
I have located two repeaters that are 76 miles away up on even higher mountains. I put their lat/lon in my GPS so know the exact heading. Any idea if a yagi could reach them? I can't wait to try :-) I just need to buy a rew parts and then can start construction. It would be used in my backyard, certainly not in my car.?
Rick
?
Outstanding Rick! About how far are you from that repeater? Ron
?
Dan,
I agree that the SMA is mechanically weak. The little rubber duckie that came with the FT-60 is a reasonable mechanical load. I'm thinking of making a tape measure yagi for occasional use. The SMA with matching thin coax should be ok as long as I don't trip on the wire ;-) If the center pin fails, I can replace the connector on the coax.?
Last Thursday I was part of the Maricopa New Ham Net. It was excellent and I plan to attend next Thursday too. I wrote down all of the call signs and looked them up to get an idea of the range of this repeater. Rather impressive - roughly 30 mile radius.?
73,
Rick KG7MQL
?
The SMA, while electrically a good connector, is a bit delicate for applications where you’re frequently removing the antenna. I’ve heard of problems with the center pin coming loose. Many operators I know use an SMA to BNC adaptor (find one that seats firmly against the body of the radio). Then choose an aftermarket antenna with a BNC connector. My favorite antenna is the Pryme RD-98. The antenna is long, but thin and very flexible (you can tie it in a knot, although I don’t know why you’d want to). It performs very well on both VHF and UHF and sells for about $25 at HRO and other outlets. ? 73, Dan ? ?
|
Ron,
The repeater is a mere 2.5 miles from my home up on a mountain. I can easily see it from my backyard.
I have located two repeaters that are 76 miles away up on even higher mountains. I put their lat/lon in my GPS so know the exact heading. Any idea if a yagi could reach them? I can't wait to try :-) I just need to buy a rew parts and then can start construction. It would be used in my backyard, certainly not in my car.?
Rick
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 21, 2014, at 8:12 AM, "kg7dju kg7dju@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
Outstanding Rick! About how far are you from that repeater? Ron
?
Dan,
I agree that the SMA is mechanically weak. The little rubber duckie that came with the FT-60 is a reasonable mechanical load. I'm thinking of making a tape measure yagi for occasional use. The SMA with matching thin coax should be ok as long as I don't trip on the wire ;-) If the center pin fails, I can replace the connector on the coax.?
Last Thursday I was part of the Maricopa New Ham Net. It was excellent and I plan to attend next Thursday too. I wrote down all of the call signs and looked them up to get an idea of the range of this repeater. Rather impressive - roughly 30 mile radius.?
73,
Rick KG7MQL
?
The SMA, while electrically a good connector, is a bit delicate for applications where you’re frequently removing the antenna. I’ve heard of problems with the center pin coming loose. Many operators I know use an SMA to BNC adaptor (find one that seats firmly against the body of the radio). Then choose an aftermarket antenna with a BNC connector. My favorite antenna is the Pryme RD-98. The antenna is long, but thin and very flexible (you can tie it in a knot, although I don’t know why you’d want to). It performs very well on both VHF and UHF and sells for about $25 at HRO and other outlets. ? 73, Dan ? ?
|
>> ... the SMA is mechanically weak ... These SMA connectors ARE rated at fewer connects/disconnects than their BNC counterparts. That is why I recommend - IF you will be changing out antennas often - that you use a quality BNC-to-SMA antenna adapter ... and wear IT out instead of wearing out your HT's connector. But the choice is entirely up to you: Either wear out a quality, $20 connector, or possibly face a $70 repair job to your radio sometime down the line ... (grin) Stephen Gulyas' model BGA-79 was made for our FT-60R radios ... their is no "one size fits all" appropriately. Details (a downloadable .pdf file) on the ANTENNAS page at ... | | | | Work the Amateur Satellites with Minimal Equipment - K6LCS Shows You How! | | | | Preview by Yahoo | | | Clint K6LCS
|
Outstanding Rick! About how far are you from that repeater? Ron
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 21, 2014, at 6:11 AM, "Yahoo gMail rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
Dan,
I agree that the SMA is mechanically weak. The little rubber duckie that came with the FT-60 is a reasonable mechanical load. I'm thinking of making a tape measure yagi for occasional use. The SMA with matching thin coax should be ok as long as I don't trip on the wire ;-) If the center pin fails, I can replace the connector on the coax.?
Last Thursday I was part of the Maricopa New Ham Net. It was excellent and I plan to attend next Thursday too. I wrote down all of the call signs and looked them up to get an idea of the range of this repeater. Rather impressive - roughly 30 mile radius.?
73,
Rick KG7MQL
?
The SMA, while electrically a good connector, is a bit delicate for applications where you’re frequently removing the antenna. I’ve heard of problems with the center pin coming loose. Many operators I know use an SMA to BNC adaptor (find one that seats firmly against the body of the radio). Then choose an aftermarket antenna with a BNC connector. My favorite antenna is the Pryme RD-98. The antenna is long, but thin and very flexible (you can tie it in a knot, although I don’t know why you’d want to). It performs very well on both VHF and UHF and sells for about $25 at HRO and other outlets. ? 73, Dan ? ?
|
If you’re using your handheld ONLY as a handheld, there won’t be many times when you’d want to remove and replace the antenna. If, as I used to do, have your handheld as your ONLY radio, and use it in the car with an external antenna, then you’ll be always be removing and replacing. The BNC was great for that, but even those, after a few thousand actions eventually may not fit so well. Agree that the SMA makes for a “tighter fit”, but can be a pain to always be dealing with different antennas.
The SMA-BNC adapter is an alternative, but using such an adapter has got to result in SOME loss, though not sure if you would notice.
|
Thanks Ron. ?I now see that the "sex" is determined by both the pin and threads.?
Rick
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 21, 2014, at 1:16 AM, "kg7dju kg7dju@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
Rick I may be confused on the male vs female SMA , but the model # SRH77CA is the right one. :-) Ron?
?
Hi Rick, You want the SRH77CA, that's the one on my FT-60. It's the SMA male and will match your FT-60 perfectly. I got mine from HRO IN Phoenix. :-)
?
RON,
Lots of GREAT info here but one burning question. I saw from one vendor:
- Choice of connectors: SMA male (SRH77CA), SMA female (SRJ77CA) and BNC (RH77CA)
For the FT-60, wouldn't the SMA female be best?
73 RickKG7MQL
?
Hi Rick, Yes, I'm in Tombstone.?
We use the EAARS LINKED repeater system in the area.?
I've talked on the EAARS repeaters from Tombstone to Phoenix.?
Actually they installed a new Repeater near Truth or Consequences that is linked in as well.?
This is the EAARS website:
On the website, you'll see a map of the repeater locations.
You'll just have to try with your HT and see if you can hit a repeater, maybe the one in Globe on Pinal Peak. Depending on your line of sight you might hit it with your HT.? Ref my FT-60, I'm running a Diamond SRH77CA antenna which gives much better performance than it's stock antenna.? From Tombstone with my? FT-60 I can hit the Heliograph repeater: 146.860 Tone 141.3 It's a little scratchy but I talked to a Ham in Tucson using the Heliograph repeater.? The Heliograph repeater is 65.18 miles from Tombstone. It's definitely on the outer limits for the FT-60, but I tell you this so you'll get a feel for what these HT's can do depending on your geography.?
Typically I'll use the Mule Mountain EAARS repeater which is 18.3 miles from Tombstone.? One time I made contact with a Phoenix Ham operator all the way from Tombstone, but he was on a mobile rig. I'm guessing he was hitting the EAARS Globe repeater or MT Lemon repeater in Tucson.?
The EAARS system carries a big foot print in SE Arizona, reaching all the way to EL Paso.?
Might be good to put the frequencies into your radio, just in case you ever get over this way, then you'll be linked into a very large area with lots of Ham activity.? I'm new to Ham radio also, only a little over a year now.? Also, if you can find an IRLP node in your area, you could easily connect to the Tombstone IRLP Node: 7515 See:
Ron KG7-DOG
?
Ron, ? Do you live in Tombstone? Is there some arrangement of repeaters that would let me go from south of South Mountain down to Tombstone? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ? ? ? ? The hard part is out of the way. ?Welcome to the hobby.
-------- Original message --------
From "'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...>
Date: 2014/06/18 6:23 PM (GMT-07:00)
To FT-60@...
Subject [FT-60] my first contact!
Thanks to all for your advise. I just make my first contact using a repeater on South Mountain. This repeater is 2.5 miles from my home with a clear line of sight. When I was sitting down outside, the signal was poor. Just by standing up, it was good. My contact was in a town south of me about 30 miles away. I did remember to say my call sign every 10 minutes (or sooner) and at the end. Great fun and I learned a few things! ? 73 Rick KG7MQL
|
Dan,
I agree that the SMA is mechanically weak. The little rubber duckie that came with the FT-60 is a reasonable mechanical load. I'm thinking of making a tape measure yagi for occasional use. The SMA with matching thin coax should be ok as long as I don't trip on the wire ;-) If the center pin fails, I can replace the connector on the coax.?
Last Thursday I was part of the Maricopa New Ham Net. It was excellent and I plan to attend next Thursday too. I wrote down all of the call signs and looked them up to get an idea of the range of this repeater. Rather impressive - roughly 30 mile radius.?
73,
Rick KG7MQL
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 20, 2014, at 10:13 PM, "Dan Tomlinson ki6yow@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
The SMA, while electrically a good connector, is a bit delicate for applications where you’re frequently removing the antenna. I’ve heard of problems with the center pin coming loose. Many operators I know use an SMA to BNC adaptor (find one that seats firmly against the body of the radio). Then choose an aftermarket antenna with a BNC connector. My favorite antenna is the Pryme RD-98. The antenna is long, but thin and very flexible (you can tie it in a knot, although I don’t know why you’d want to). It performs very well on both VHF and UHF and sells for about $25 at HRO and other outlets. ? 73, Dan ? ?
|
Rick I may be confused on the male vs female SMA , but the model # SRH77CA is the right one. :-) Ron?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 21, 2014, at 1:04 AM, "kg7dju kg7dju@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
Hi Rick, You want the SRH77CA, that's the one on my FT-60. It's the SMA male and will match your FT-60 perfectly. I got mine from HRO IN Phoenix. :-)
?
RON,
Lots of GREAT info here but one burning question. I saw from one vendor:
- Choice of connectors: SMA male (SRH77CA), SMA female (SRJ77CA) and BNC (RH77CA)
For the FT-60, wouldn't the SMA female be best?
73 RickKG7MQL
?
Hi Rick, Yes, I'm in Tombstone.?
We use the EAARS LINKED repeater system in the area.?
I've talked on the EAARS repeaters from Tombstone to Phoenix.?
Actually they installed a new Repeater near Truth or Consequences that is linked in as well.?
This is the EAARS website:
On the website, you'll see a map of the repeater locations.
You'll just have to try with your HT and see if you can hit a repeater, maybe the one in Globe on Pinal Peak. Depending on your line of sight you might hit it with your HT.? Ref my FT-60, I'm running a Diamond SRH77CA antenna which gives much better performance than it's stock antenna.? From Tombstone with my? FT-60 I can hit the Heliograph repeater: 146.860 Tone 141.3 It's a little scratchy but I talked to a Ham in Tucson using the Heliograph repeater.? The Heliograph repeater is 65.18 miles from Tombstone. It's definitely on the outer limits for the FT-60, but I tell you this so you'll get a feel for what these HT's can do depending on your geography.?
Typically I'll use the Mule Mountain EAARS repeater which is 18.3 miles from Tombstone.? One time I made contact with a Phoenix Ham operator all the way from Tombstone, but he was on a mobile rig. I'm guessing he was hitting the EAARS Globe repeater or MT Lemon repeater in Tucson.?
The EAARS system carries a big foot print in SE Arizona, reaching all the way to EL Paso.?
Might be good to put the frequencies into your radio, just in case you ever get over this way, then you'll be linked into a very large area with lots of Ham activity.? I'm new to Ham radio also, only a little over a year now.? Also, if you can find an IRLP node in your area, you could easily connect to the Tombstone IRLP Node: 7515 See:
Ron KG7-DOG
?
Ron, ? Do you live in Tombstone? Is there some arrangement of repeaters that would let me go from south of South Mountain down to Tombstone? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ? ? ? ? The hard part is out of the way. ?Welcome to the hobby.
-------- Original message --------
From "'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...>
Date: 2014/06/18 6:23 PM (GMT-07:00)
To FT-60@...
Subject [FT-60] my first contact!
Thanks to all for your advise. I just make my first contact using a repeater on South Mountain. This repeater is 2.5 miles from my home with a clear line of sight. When I was sitting down outside, the signal was poor. Just by standing up, it was good. My contact was in a town south of me about 30 miles away. I did remember to say my call sign every 10 minutes (or sooner) and at the end. Great fun and I learned a few things! ? 73 Rick KG7MQL
|
Good deal Rick. Just remember antenna height and line of site to the repeaters are key. If the new antenna doesn't make it to the repeater you'll want an outdoor antenna, a jpole might be a good try.? In the mean time, I'd study the area and see which repeater you're closest to and start there and the experiment with other more distant repeaters. Hope all goes well!!? Ron KG7DOG
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 20, 2014, at 7:53 AM, "'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
Ron, ? I spent a lot of time just now looking at plus links mentioned there. Great stuff. ? I agree, Globe is the closest repeater although South Mountain may be blocking me. I’ll give it a try today. ? I’ve been putting every frequency I can find into my FT-60. It isn’t like I’m going to run out of memory any time soon ;-) ? I read up on IRLP. Gee, it is almost like getting up on the web and shouting CQ CQ CQ…. Yet, if the goal is just to get to a given location, this sure is powerful. ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ? ? ? Hi Rick, Yes, I'm in Tombstone.?
We use the EAARS LINKED repeater system in the area.? I've talked on the EAARS repeaters from Tombstone to Phoenix.? Actually they installed a new Repeater near Truth or Consequences that is linked in as well.? This is the EAARS website: On the website, you'll see a map of the repeater locations. You'll just have to try with your HT and see if you can hit a repeater, maybe the one in Globe on Pinal Peak. Depending on your line of sight you might hit it with your HT.? Ref my FT-60, I'm running a Diamond SRH77CA antenna which gives much better performance than it's stock antenna.? FT-60 I can hit the Heliograph repeater: It's a little scratchy but I talked to a Ham in Tucson using the Heliograph repeater.? The Heliograph repeater is 65.18 miles from Tombstone. It's definitely on the outer limits for the FT-60, but I tell you this so you'll get a feel for what these HT's can do depending on your geography.? Typically I'll use the Mule Mountain EAARS repeater which is 18.3 miles from Tombstone.? One time I made contact with a Phoenix Ham operator all the way from Tombstone, but he was on a mobile rig. I'm guessing he was hitting the EAARS Globe repeater or MT Lemon repeater in Tucson.? The EAARS system carries a big foot print in SE Arizona, reaching all the way to EL Paso.? Might be good to put the frequencies into your radio, just in case you ever get over this way, then you'll be linked into a very large area with lots of Ham activity.? I'm new to Ham radio also, only a little over a year now.? Also, if you can find an IRLP node in your area, you could easily connect to the Tombstone IRLP Node: 7515 ? Ron, ? Do you live in Tombstone? Is there some arrangement of repeaters that would let me go from south of South Mountain down to Tombstone? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ? ? ? ? The hard part is out of the way. ?Welcome to the hobby.
-------- Original message --------
From "'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...>
Date: 2014/06/18 6:23 PM (GMT-07:00)
To FT-60@...
Subject [FT-60] my first contact!
Thanks to all for your advise. I just make my first contact using a repeater on South Mountain. This repeater is 2.5 miles from my home with a clear line of sight. When I was sitting down outside, the signal was poor. Just by standing up, it was good. My contact was in a town south of me about 30 miles away. I did remember to say my call sign every 10 minutes (or sooner) and at the end. Great fun and I learned a few things! ? 73 Rick KG7MQL
|
Hi Rick, You want the SRH77CA, that's the one on my FT-60. It's the SMA male and will match your FT-60 perfectly. I got mine from HRO IN Phoenix. :-)
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 20, 2014, at 5:01 AM, "Yahoo gMail rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" < FT-60@...> wrote:
?
RON,
Lots of GREAT info here but one burning question. I saw from one vendor:
- Choice of connectors: SMA male (SRH77CA), SMA female (SRJ77CA) and BNC (RH77CA)
For the FT-60, wouldn't the SMA female be best?
73 RickKG7MQL
?
Hi Rick, Yes, I'm in Tombstone.?
We use the EAARS LINKED repeater system in the area.?
I've talked on the EAARS repeaters from Tombstone to Phoenix.?
Actually they installed a new Repeater near Truth or Consequences that is linked in as well.?
This is the EAARS website:
On the website, you'll see a map of the repeater locations.
You'll just have to try with your HT and see if you can hit a repeater, maybe the one in Globe on Pinal Peak. Depending on your line of sight you might hit it with your HT.? Ref my FT-60, I'm running a Diamond SRH77CA antenna which gives much better performance than it's stock antenna.? From Tombstone with my? FT-60 I can hit the Heliograph repeater: 146.860 Tone 141.3 It's a little scratchy but I talked to a Ham in Tucson using the Heliograph repeater.? The Heliograph repeater is 65.18 miles from Tombstone. It's definitely on the outer limits for the FT-60, but I tell you this so you'll get a feel for what these HT's can do depending on your geography.?
Typically I'll use the Mule Mountain EAARS repeater which is 18.3 miles from Tombstone.? One time I made contact with a Phoenix Ham operator all the way from Tombstone, but he was on a mobile rig. I'm guessing he was hitting the EAARS Globe repeater or MT Lemon repeater in Tucson.?
The EAARS system carries a big foot print in SE Arizona, reaching all the way to EL Paso.?
Might be good to put the frequencies into your radio, just in case you ever get over this way, then you'll be linked into a very large area with lots of Ham activity.? I'm new to Ham radio also, only a little over a year now.? Also, if you can find an IRLP node in your area, you could easily connect to the Tombstone IRLP Node: 7515 See:
Ron KG7-DOG
?
Ron, ? Do you live in Tombstone? Is there some arrangement of repeaters that would let me go from south of South Mountain down to Tombstone? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL ? ? ? ? The hard part is out of the way. ?Welcome to the hobby.
-------- Original message --------
From "'Rick - yahoo' rgsparber.ya@... [FT-60]" <FT-60@...>
Date: 2014/06/18 6:23 PM (GMT-07:00)
To FT-60@...
Subject [FT-60] my first contact!
Thanks to all for your advise. I just make my first contact using a repeater on South Mountain. This repeater is 2.5 miles from my home with a clear line of sight. When I was sitting down outside, the signal was poor. Just by standing up, it was good. My contact was in a town south of me about 30 miles away. I did remember to say my call sign every 10 minutes (or sooner) and at the end. Great fun and I learned a few things! ? 73 Rick KG7MQL
|
The SMA, while electrically a good connector, is a bit delicate for applications where you’re frequently removing the antenna. I’ve heard of problems with the center pin coming loose. Many operators I know use an SMA to BNC adaptor (find one that seats firmly against the body of the radio). Then choose an aftermarket antenna with a BNC connector. My favorite antenna is the Pryme RD-98. The antenna is long, but thin and very flexible (you can tie it in a knot, although I don’t know why you’d want to). It performs very well on both VHF and UHF and sells for about $25 at HRO and other outlets. ? 73, Dan ? ?
|
Re: Always read the instructions :) [2 Attachments]
Looks like you discovered your error.? At least it won't be hard to
fix.
73, Nick, AA3T
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
?
For weeks I have had issues with my Jpole OSJ from
Arrow. ?I don't think eham had a bad review on it about
them. ?I mounted it up on my roof and used it with my HT
(FT-60) for net check-ins. ?I was more than disappointed
in it because every check-in or communications using
that jpole did not go well.?
Last night I had enough after trying 5 times to
check in to a local club net. ?I took it down and
mounted it to a tripod I had nearby, then tried again.
?I was told I was spotty and had full strength to
repeater but voice was in and out. ?I put my rubber
ducky antenna back on and it worked fine. ?
It is such a simple antenna to install. ?I can't
imagine how I could screw it up. ?The only thing I could
think of is that I had to drill an extra hole in the
bracket for a larger U bolt to mount to an old Directv
mast on my roof. ?But surely that wouldn't affect it. ?I
revisited the instructions and it dawned on me what I
did wrong. ?In the attached picture, the nylon washer is
on the bottom of the bracket instead of on the top. ?I'm
thinking that is the problem but haven't tested yet. ?
Any Elmer's want to comment and confirm that is it?
?I'm only 6 months into the hobby so go easy on me :)
73,
KD0YTJ Jim
|
Re: after market antennas
?Our club made them as a program several years ago. When we first starting foxhunting we used them until members got fancer outfits. We didn't do any foxhunting on the ground last year and they don't work too well on top of a car when chasing a weather balloon, but then the balloons, sent up by a nearby university, has APRS on it for the main tracking system, so they haven't gotten used much lately. ? We provide communications support for a bicycle ride sponsored sponsored by the Chamber. 35 miles of the Century route (105.5 miles) is on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I used?mine the first couple of years at my location on the Parkway to avoid?tying up?other repeaters on the same frequency which are normally blocked by the mountains. It worked fine
except when it got windy and the wind uusually?bent the reflecting element into the driving element. It worked as well with my 200 mw Radio Shack handheld as it did with 5 watts. I found a commercial yagi at a hamfest to use the 3rd year to avoid the wind issue. I still carry if around for a quick setup if needed. ? 73, John N4SME ?
On Friday, June 20, 2014 6:32 PM, "Clive Souter bcsouter@... [FT-60]" wrote:
?
I won't comment on replacement antenna for the radio, but I will comment on the tape measure yagi.? I have been using one for 6 months to communicate to a net that is about 40 miles away with scattered hills in the way. This antenna is the only thing that I have been able to make the net with using my hand held.? I think it is a great little performer. B. Clive Souter N6TTD/Amateur Extra Class ? From: FT-60@... To: FT-60@... Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 07:26:52 -0700 Subject: [FT-60] after market antennas
?
As I read about various after market antennas for my FT-60, I find a few things that surprise me. The first is that some vendors will say “sma” connector but not mention if it is male or female. Then there is performance. For a given antenna, I will read that some people did an “A/B” comparison with the standard rubber duckie that comes with the FT-60 and say the new antenna is much better. Others will say it is slightly worse. The only consensus for an antenna seems to be how easily it can be broken. ? I would like to hear what people on this BBS use for an after market antenna and under what conditions they use it. ? I have also seen and read about the tape measure yagi that is very easy to build. Has anyone used one of these in order to communicate with a distant repeater? ? 73, ? Rick KG7MQL
|
Different dual band HTs out there, but those three will cover virtually
all of them.
Yes, the SMA female is the direct replacement for the newer Yaesu
HTs.
However, to be able to pop the antenna on and off quickly, I use a low
profile SMA-BNC adaptor, and a BNC antenna.
As I use a 1/4 wave, it travels more easily, with less stress on the HT
antenna connector. Breaking that is not a fun thing.
Gary
N1ZCE
At 08:01 AM 6/20/2014, you wrote:
RON,
Lots of GREAT info here but one burning question. I saw from one
vendor:
- Choice of connectors: SMA male (SRH77CA), SMA female (SRJ77CA) and
BNC (RH77CA)
For the FT-60, wouldn't the SMA female be best?
73
Rick
KG7MQL
--------------------------------------------------------
Gary D. Schwartz, N1ZCE
Needham, MA
Please reply to: n1zce@... OR n1zce@...
|
Dan Tomlinson