The one and only radio thread

[Wilson]

Thanks I have some on the farm one will not pick up lik the others. Icom tyt with other antennas

 

[SilentShooter]

Tuning Your Antenna - Helpful information for tuning Ham Radio Antennas!

A good read for those new to radios/RF

 

[All The Way]

hey guys

I purchased and installed a TYT 900D a few weeks ago. I used it with a large group of Raptors and everyone said they could not hear me if I was more than 1/4 mile away. I can revive audio clearly from handheld, and bigger radios at much further distances.
I am using a small magnet mount antenna currently from Amazon.

What should I check to troubleshoot this issue. I am suspecting the antenna, but dose that sound possible to you guys? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Mike

It could be one of several things or it could be a combination of a couple. it's possible you could have bad coax, or you could have a bad antenna. It could be poor antenna location or it could be inproperly tuned antenna. Magmounts do not help your cause.
A good SWR meter will help you diagnose your problem. You will not find them at radio shack. Ham radio shops sell them or maybe get a hold of a local amateur radio operator, they may have one you could borrow.

 

[LONGISLANDRAPTOR]

Thanks guys. I will try those things out. I want to mount an antenna to my bedside, what would be a good antenna to buy?

 

[Gilligan]

Thanks guys. I will try those things out. I want to mount an antenna to my bedside, what would be a good antenna to buy?

t_j has a few mentioned on the first page of this thread.

 

[t_j]

Thanks guys. I will try those things out. I want to mount an antenna to my bedside, what would be a good antenna to buy?

t_j has a few mentioned on the first page of this thread.

Yeah look at the first post, I keep it updated with the latest stuff people are using.

 

[LONGISLANDRAPTOR]

Perfect thanks guys

 

[Dutch451]

I picked up the Yaesu FT-8900... I think it's pretty much the same thing as the 8800, but it's a quad band.

 

[All The Way]

I picked up the Yaesu FT-8900... I think it's pretty much the same thing as the 8800, but it's a quad band.

My best friend and a couple local hams have the 8900, it's a good radio. Only down side is unless there are a lot of 6m and 10m FM repeaters in your area you won't use those two bands often.

 

[Wideglide93]

OK guys I have one major question. I figured out how to program (incase anyone is having trouble you can not program a channel if it is transmitting, remove antenna). I am having an issue in that I can not listen to any of the local EMS, Fire, Or Police channels any ideas? Even local weather doesn't work. I have been able to get the national weather channel to work.