{"id":669,"date":"2020-05-19T05:57:46","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T09:57:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drsmith.blog.yorku.ca\/?p=669"},"modified":"2020-05-19T05:57:46","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T09:57:46","slug":"start_ham_shack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/2020\/05\/19\/start_ham_shack\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting a amateur radio station at home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After a 20 year hiatus, I'm getting back into amateur radio. \u00a0This time, rather than a failed attempt at learning morse code, I'm trying to be practical. \u00a0My goals are two-fold:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>To be able to participate in emergency communications<\/li>\n<li>To be able to use digital modes like DStar, FT8, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>I'm not interested in old-school \"rag chewing\" or in collecting long-distance voice contacts. With that in mind, I've set out to equip myself with the following:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>A 2m (140\/220\/440 MHz) handheld \"walkie-talkie\" to be able to conduct communications in the Toronto area (primarily using the repeaters like VE2YYZ B on the CN Tower)<\/li>\n<li>A small \"High Frequency\" (HF) transceiver (10m\/20m\/40m)\n<ol>\n<li>The IC-7300 was the winner.\u00a0 In 2020 it's widely considered the baseline \"<a href=\"https:\/\/dcasler.com\/reference\/\">reference<\/a>\" rig. \u00a0Except for the IC-705 (which wasn't available in mid-2020) there is nothing in its price range -- or even $1000 above it -- that matches its bang-for-buck.<\/li>\n<li>The IC-705 was the runner-up. \u00a0It's ability to do HF and UHF\/VHF and DStar, all in a small (low power) package was really nice. \u00a0But it was not available in Summer 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>A receive-only software defined radio\n<ol>\n<li>The RTL-SDR was my choice. \u00a0That was a mistake. \u00a0The lack of filters means I can't receive a lot of stations in Toronto due to interference.<\/li>\n<li>I should have gotten an RPlay-SDR.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Antenna selection<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Bands: \u00a02M to 80m\n<ul>\n<li>One VHF\/UHF &amp; one HF antenna.<\/li>\n<li>VHF \/ UHF mobile\n<ul>\n<li>Super Elastic <a href=\"https:\/\/signalstuff.com\/product\/super-elastic-signal-stick-sma-male\/\">Signal Stick<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Smiley <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smileyantenna.com\/product-p\/27000.htm\">Triband<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>ABBREE tactical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/42-5-Inch-ABBREE-SMA-Female-Foldable-Tactical\/dp\/B07STB8BD6\/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&amp;keywords=abree+antenna&amp;qid=1606412853&amp;sr=8-2\">\"measuring tape\" antenna<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Space: super constrained. \u00a0Very small backyard (~4m x 8m), nearby comms wires (cable, phone), no trees.\n<ul>\n<li>J-Pole for VHF\/UHF\n<ul>\n<li>The Arrow J-Pole is perfect for VHF\/UHF, even 2m above the ground on a PVC mast. \u00a0Under $100, with coax. \u00a0Have set it up. \u00a0<strong>Works well<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A compact vertical\n<ul>\n<li>Diamond <a href=\"https:\/\/www.diamondantenna.net\/bb7v.html\">BB7V\u00a0<\/a>was my first choice because it's simple and requires no tuning adjustments, but it's too tall (~6m) and could be hazard to overhead cable &amp; telephone wires. \u00a0Price is decent ($400)<\/li>\n<li>The Comet<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cometantenna.com\/amateur-radio\/base-antennas\/multi-band-hfvhfuhf-2\/\"> HVU-8<\/a> is only 3m tall and 3m wide but requires tuning. \u00a0$500 for the antenna and $500-$1000 for an antenna tuner. \u00a0That's $1000. \u00a0Does 2m to 80m.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A compact horizontal (Comet and Diamond)\n<ul>\n<li>Practical, a little more expensive, but won't do up to 80m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A small folded dipole (diamond <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=s2_BmEp_6F4\">WD-330S<\/a>)\n<ul>\n<li>need a mast, but it's relatively heavy so the Spiderpoles and others won't do. They're good for permanent, maybe.<\/li>\n<li>Local vendor told me to stay away from MFJ fiberglass poles for anything permanent and they don't stock anything else.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A magnetic loop (Chameleon <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DpL-qQmFPxM\">CHA F-Loop<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wimo.com\/en\/mla-m\">MLA-M<\/a> are both 10W 10m-80m)\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?time_continue=447&amp;v=FPbet2esJfk&amp;feature=emb_logo\">Intro<\/a> to Magnetic Loops on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?time_continue=447&amp;v=FPbet2esJfk&amp;feature=emb_logo\">YouTube\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0with \"ultralight MLA\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sk-tech.sk\/om0et\/ultralight-mla-ver.4.html\">OMOET loop<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cLy0mVkoLio\">Jeri Ellsworth<\/a>'s videos on making a Magnetic Loop for 160m using copper pipe.\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Al3ZJipFq6k\">Video 1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/adJp1zO9qfo\">Video 2<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Radio Prepper video 1 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=EOT2G1Q0hF0\">video 2<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>so small they can be indoors<\/li>\n<li>F-Loop appears to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DpL-qQmFPxM\">rugged\u00a0<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The MLA is not good for permanent outdoors, not sure about CHA. \u00a0Some of the other ones at Wimo seem more appropriate, but are twice as expensive.\n<ul>\n<li>The MLA from the Czech Republic is no longer available.<\/li>\n<li>English translation of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loop2er.cz\/books\">Czech Book<\/a> on Magnetic loop antennas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=k4G71UrANtA\">MLA-30<\/a> is the cheapest (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GNN6T4C4dRk\">W6-LVP<\/a>) antenna with decent reviews. \u00a0More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rtl-sdr.com\/reviews-of-the-low-cost-mla-30-wide-band-hf-magnetic-loop-antenna\/\">reviews<\/a>.\n<ul>\n<li>It's pretty noisy. \u00a0Works fine as a receiver for the price.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Maybe one of the more expensive Italian or German loops for 100+ watts and an automatic tuner system. \u00a0$1000 to $2000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>APRS<\/h5>\n<p>Maybe the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bridgecomsystems.com\/collections\/hotspots\/products\/anytone-at-d578uv-dmr-mobile-radio-dual-band-dvmega-hotspot-programmed-plug-and-play-package\">Anytone mobile rig<\/a>, with CAT5 can be used as an iGate?<\/p>\n<h5>Masts and guying<\/h5>\n<p>Antennas fall down and go boom.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>mast to mast clamps (small and <a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/accessories\/antenna-accessories\/mounting-material\/23002\">big<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/accessories\/antenna-accessories\/mounting-material\/23006\">Guying clamp<\/a> from Wimo for masts\/poles. (<a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/23005\">smaller<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/accessories\/antenna-accessories\/mounting-material\/23071\">Branch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/accessories\/antenna-accessories\/mounting-material\/23079\">Wall holder<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/accessories\/antenna-accessories\/mounting-material\/stu-70\">Mast base<\/a> for flat surfaces (decks, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Guying kit <a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/abspannkit-1\">(rope)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/23314-6\">Turnbuckle <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/23310-5\">shackl <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/23340-5\">snap hook<\/a>. and <a href=\"https:\/\/int.wimo.com\/en\/23061\">guy wire clam<\/a>p.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>Learning resources<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Canadian<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/025.nsf\/eng\/h_00003.html\"> examination details<\/a>.\u00a0 IC says that they have temporarily approved teleconference examinations.<\/li>\n<li>Canadian <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/025.nsf\/eng\/h_00040.html\">question banks<\/a> (and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic.gc.ca\/eic\/site\/025.nsf\/eng\/h_00004.html\">download<\/a> question files)<\/li>\n<li>American <a href=\"http:\/\/www.arrl.org\/question-pools\">question banks<\/a> (ARRL)<\/li>\n<li>RAC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5>American vs. Non-American Radio Operators<\/h5>\n<p>It's a real shame that the American Ham community is dominated by Preppers and Evangelicals. \u00a0Google searches tend to fall on to technical-light \"meat and potatoes\" reviews by (sometimes, literally gun-toting) hams. \u00a0There are a few <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hamradioconcepts.com\">notable<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/dcasler.com\/home\/\">exceptions<\/a>. European and Japanese reviews are generally superior as they don't add toxic, paranoid politics into the hobby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a 20 year hiatus, I'm getting back into amateur radio. \u00a0This time, rather than a failed attempt at learning morse code, I'm trying to be practical. \u00a0My goals are two-fold: To be able to participate in emergency communications To be able to use digital modes like DStar, FT8, etc. I'm not interested in old-school [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":762,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-radio"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":56,"label":"radio"}]},"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"drsmith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/author\/drsmith\/"},"comment_info":"","category_info":[{"term_id":56,"name":"radio","slug":"radio","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":56,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":56,"category_count":2,"category_description":"","cat_name":"radio","category_nicename":"radio","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/762"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yorku.ca\/professor\/drsmith\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}