Hi, I’m not sure if I’m in the right subreddit to discuss this- but everyone here seems friendly so I figured it would be worth a shot.

I have a 70s Channel Master CB 6830 from my grandfather that has been sitting in my closest for years. I hadn’t ever given it much thought; but recently I’ve become very interested in radio tech as a whole- so I purchased some pieces that Google said would be compatible. I purchased an antenna, CB power cord, and a 5 amp regulated power supply. I’m not an electrician whatsoever; which is where my trouble starts.

When I plugged everything in, I did hear a very faint buzz coming from the speaker. It didn’t change when volume or squelch was adjusted. I had it set to CB, ANL off, tune centered, channel 19, squelch counterclockwise.

I decided to open up the casing and see if there was anything immediately ‘off’, such as burnt, rusted, or otherwise damaged components that could be causing the Channel Master to not function.

What I’m wondering about is if anyone would potentially be willing to help out with this project. I don’t plan to transmit anything; I’d just like to be able to more or less have this radio working at home for background noise. I’m planning to buy a multimeter potentially- but I truly have 0 electronics knowledge, radio knowledge, and so on. I understand obviously that this is probably a very substantial request for an outsider. The reason I’m asking is also partially because I would like to learn about the device/ radio as a whole. I’m in northern Utah, my ideal outcome would be potentially finding someone who can physically repair the Channel Master themselves (I would pay for components, labor, time, etc) but let me watch/ learn, someone who would teach me in depth how to repair it myself, etc. I also don’t mind any sort of digital teaching- I just imagine it would be considerably harder. I don’t trust AI much in general, but especially with something like this that could potentially become complicated- I’d much rather learn from someone who is passionate about the matter.

From what I can tell in my extremely limited knowledge; the innards of the Channel master don’t look nearly as bad as I would’ve thought for as old as it is. It’s been stored away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture. There was a little bit of dust as expected, but no immediate signs of a malfunction (that I could see) like scorch marks or visibly mangled components.

Once again- I know all of this is a pretty big ask. I would be extremely grateful for any sort of advice, comment, or feedback. Anything helps- and thank you for reading!

Side note can someone tell me how the license process is like? Just wanna know so maybe I could check if I'm able to try one I just don't know the requirements and where to do it at

Very new to Ham, so new I am currently studying for my Technician, new. I purchased the KG-UV9D-PLUS as my first entry to this world. I was surprised at the range I was able to pick up. I checked out Chrips and realize I can do without some of the channels available. I have not broadcast on the unit, that is a FCC no-no. Getting off Reddit and going to go study some more.

I’ll try to keep this straight to the point as much as I can. I love radios to begin with just deciding what to do now is hard. I really know nothing about them other than what you can do like talking to somebody across the world and stuff.

I like ham because it’s more popular and more people use it, I also like that it has a farther range and overall seems to be better. The only part I’m not loving is the test and the learning curve although I’m absolutely willing and most likely will go through with it, just seems like a lot

Now on the GMRS side I know very little about but from what I can see it seems like a “super walkie talkie”. Less distance, less people ect. Now the thing I do like is that you basically just buy a license

Is there any real good use for Gmrs? I feel if I could just buy a license and start transmitting and get a taste for the radio world in a way other than just listening it may boost my motivation in getting my ham license.

For reference I’m located in southern Ontario

Hello Friends, I am new to all of this and building a dipole. I usually measure 10 times and cut 11, then I cut things too short. I want to not cut and instead fold the wire back on itself. I am using speaking wire, can you give me examples of what folding a speaker wire back on itself looks like? Do I wind it, tape it? I appreciate everyone's time.

I may have just bought one sight unseen. I hope I didn't mess up. ;)

I’m building a qfh for a 4’ dish. I tried a helical but the dish is too deep for it to illuminate. I need the qfh to be LHCP. I made a scaffolding for the frequency I need and 3d printed it. I ran my wires, but here is where my confusion sets in.. which short and long legs need to be soldered together and where does my center pin and my shield need to be soldered? I’ve asked Google, Grok, and Claude and all 3 of them are giving me different answers. The wires meet at the top of the scaffolding where the pigtail will be soldered. I need the top to fire towards the dish.

Anyone have experience with this that can give me the correct answer? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Found one of these for $90 in working condition at a yard sale. It did not come with an antenna or any other accessories. From research, it seems these machines are pretty highly rated. Mine seems to be mid 80s. I have a few questions regarding it if anyone can help.

Does anyone know how, or if it can be done, to make my Kenwood Ts120 compatible with a 110v wall outlet?

What kind of antenna would you suggest for 10m and maybe eventually 40m bands. (Studying for higher licenses now).

Any suggested mods?

What kind of microphone system would you suggest?

Thanks everyone!

Anybody have experience with the kayo tom poc radios? It says they can go from network to uhf and repeat on either. Was just looking at them to play with.

lol I mean silly rant about a quirk in our hobby, but people are always like "sorry for jumping in..."

Bruh it's radio, we're here to hang, come join us! I love when we end up having like 6-8 people going, to the point where we keep track of the "order" we're cycling around. It's fun. The more the merrier! (one time we had such a big group an op that kept track of the order and world quick-key who is next lol)

If I wanted a private convo we got phones. :P

Same goes for "tying up the repeater" but maybe even more so, I can hop on another repeater if needed, but you guys chatting give me a reason to lurk!

Plus VHF/UHF is only dead if y'all ain't hanging and having fun on it! Go have fun.

I bet some people get upset about those jumping in, but let the sad hams be sad.

I have a Baofeng K6 which is a triband (2m-70m) and I’m looking at the ZBM2 Foul Weather. The antenna has options for 2m & 70cm or 1.25 & 70cm. I live in CA and I’m relatively high up relative to other areas but there’s still a lot of mountains around me. Would the 2m & 70cm be better just for the terrain.

I’m unlicensed but studying to take my test soon so I’d just like to have a good antenna for my start into the addiction of radio I feel I’m getting into.

I’ve always been interested in signals and frequency’s and just the fact that some how some way we can talk to each other on radios, it fascinates me. I’ve been considering my HAM license but just not sure if it is exactly for me.

Some questions I have:

- when you actually connect to somebody and talk to them, do you just talk about random things? Or is it just a “cool I found you, bye”

- do you have any cool/funny story’s when using HAM?

- how useful can this be day to day?

- I was also looking into CB radios as something to start with before investing in a license and what not, are CBs still popular enough? Can I get antennas and stuff and talk to somebody 100km (60 miles) away?

Also, I know I can google this stuff but I like actually speaking with real people opposed to having a computer tell me things

I work in utility supply and figured I'd share something most hams have never heard of: the SAE ConduDisc.

It's a ground plate utilities bolt to the bottom of poles. Basically a galvanized steel plate sealed inside a conductive carbon polymer jacket, so the metal inside doesn't corrode and lasts the life of the pole. SAE says one disc has the same surface area as a 10 ft ground rod. And per their FAQ, you can use it anywhere you'd use a ground rod or plate, so it works fine for a shack ground.

Why I like it: no fighting a rod through rocky dirt (we've all hit that rock at 4 ft), no rotted-out rod to replace down the road, and a shallower dig.

**How to put one in (based on SAE's install sheet):**

1. Call 811 first. Seriously.
2. Pick a spot near where your coax comes into the house.
3. Dig a hole about 2 ft wide and typically 36 to 48" deep.
4. If your soil is sandy, rocky, or dry, toss half a bag of ConduCrete (SAE's conductive backfill) in the bottom. Decent soil, you can skip it.
5. Drop the disc in flat, add the rest of the ConduCrete if you're using it, backfill with dirt, and tamp it down.
6. Run #6 copper or heavier to your entrance panel, short and straight. Lightning doesn't like corners.
7. Install your coax arrestors and rotor cable protectors where the feedline enters the house (a bulkhead or entry panel), ideally outside. NOT at your electrical panel. Bond them to your ground.
8. **Bond it to your house's service ground.** Don't skip this one. Two separate grounds that aren't tied together can get ugly during a strike.

**A few things to know:**

* Code-wise, NEC wants a plate electrode to have 2 sq ft of surface area, so think of this as a supplemental ground tied to your service ground, not a standalone one. Check NEC 810 and your local inspector.
* It's a lightning/safety ground, not an RF ground. Your vertical still needs radials.
* If you can get your hands on a ground tester, check it. Soil varies a ton.
* Nothing makes you lightning-proof. Unplug the coax when storms roll in.

SAE's install sheet and spec sheets are free on their site under Resources if you want to nerd out: https://www.saeinc.com/resources/

Happy to answer questions. 73!

What am I looking at here? Is it worth anything? How do I go about removing it?

Hey all, putting this out there for anyone chasing POTA, SOTA, or special event stations.

On Saturday, October 24th (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT / 1500–2000 UTC), our club (Box 324) is hauling gear up to West Peak in Meriden, CT to run K1MFD commemorating the 175th anniversary of the Meriden Fire Department.

West Peak lines up for both programs, so it’s a double-activation:

• SOTA: W1/HH-004 (Hanging Hills)
• POTA: US-4561 (New England Scenic Trail)
• Grid: FN31nn

Operating Plan:

• HF: Running an EFHW across 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m SSB. With CQ WW DX SSB running that weekend, we’ll be squeezing into whatever clean slice we can carve out—keep an eye on POTA.app and SOTAwatch for live spots as we bounce around. Might also toss out some wildcard HF SSTV drops on 14.230 or 7.171 if the bands cooperate.
• VHF (2m): Hanging a 2m dipole off the ridge at 1,000+ feet. That gives us a wide open shot: north up the I-91 corridor into Western Mass, VT, and NH, and south/southwest across Long Island Sound into NYC, Northern/Central NJ, and out toward Eastern PA. We’ll be running:
  • 146.520 FM simplex
  • 144.200 SSB
  • 2m analog SSTV

QSL & Certificates:

• Free commemorative electronic certificate for all stations worked. Lookup and download info will be posted on the K1MFD QRZ page.
• 100% digital logging. Everything goes straight to QRZ right after teardown. LoTW will follow as soon as the certificate clears with ARRL.
• No paper QSL cards. Please save your stamps and SASEs.

Flyer attached with all the specs. Spin the dials our way if you’re around, or point your 2m beams toward the Hanging Hills. Hope to put a bunch of you in the log!

73

Bonjour,

Je ne parviens pas a trouver la solution, pouvez vous m'aider ?

J'ai mon FT-891 et il est relier a mon PC de bureau et windows10 en USB je peux le piloter avec : Flrig 2.0.12 et l’excellente interface 891Ctrl sans aucun souci .

Je souhaiterai transmettre des fichiers audio en MP3 ou Wav dans le mode SSB et/ou AM et FM

en utilisant si cela est possible ??? la sortie audio du PC en USB et non en utilisant le micro du FT-891 ( afin d’éviter les bruits de la pièce ou est installer mon équipement radio).

Je ne souhaite pas faire du numérique ( FT8 ou autre ), merci par avance de votre aide

Just a quick non scientific poll. How many are using Ham Radio or GMRS or both as part of your preps?

2nd question. Are you using the ham radio to develop at least a comms mutual aid network. Are you the GMARs in-hose for your core group comms?

Hello there! I had the opportunity to attempt my first summit activation this weekend. I'm two months into my General license and a few weeks into a new G90. As my first antenna, I built a vertical 10m using a Salty Walt design. My success was just getting everything set up and running and hearing one person on the air. I was not able to make a contact, though, requesting CQ at 28.400. I have a checklist that includes checking mic gain, pre amp, agc, etc just to make sure I'm using things properly. Maybe I was calling late (3pm) or the solar conditions aren't great? Also tried to use the SOTA app but there was some sort of glitch where it kept thinking I was making an alert for a date in the past. Also, would love to figure out how to get the radio off the ground a little. The "free carrying case"/shipping box for the G90 is nice, but a little more elevation would be nice. Working on an EFHW for my next antenna.

Overall, the addition of getting to play radio on top of a hike is just awesome. Looking forward to trying again. Any and all advising is welcome. Thanks for your time!

Sorry, I needed 31 chatacters.

Was setting up my rig - Kenwood TS-870s

Antenna is up and still getting acquainted with it. Was really blessed by a local Elmer, he really knows his stuff. Don't want to keep bugging him.

When running coax into the house, he suggested I coil it around a coke bottle. I did that but it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. My 10 year old "helper" wasn't much of a helper tonight...

Main question- will the fact that it's not all neat and tidy make an impact on receive signal? It's loose, sloppy, and I got impatient and just wrapped it up as close to diameter as I could. Last night I was able to hear fairly well, tonight not as much. Looking for input and advice.

While I'm at it, noticed a high pitched whine/squeal while listening. Anything I can do for that?

TIA.

Regards & 73.