Category: Ham Radio

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FTM-300DR and FT-857D configuration for Winlink Express

Wayne Thorn

Here is how to configure your Yaesus FTM-300DR and FT-857D to work with Winlink Express, using Digirig Mobile modem , FTM-300 Cable or FT-857D Cable.

Note: The same Digirig Mobile Modem will work with both radios and the instructions below is the same for both radios.

Winlink-FTM-300dr_ConfigDownload

Microphone Volume Level

On my Yeasu FTM-399DR is around 42

On my Yeasu FT-857D is around 45

Note: When trying to figure out the optimal volume level try the ones listed above as a starting point and you will then need to go UP or DOWN one click at a time until you find the best one for your radio.

If you have any questions or problems Contact ME below:

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Ham Radio Reference Cards

ham radio emergency field operator

Wayne Thorn

I have made up some business-size card that has reference information you could use in the field. Like how to manually program frequencies for simplex and repeater or Radio frequencies for your Ares/Races and others.

These are FREE Google slide files for anyone who wants them. Just do the simple steps below so you can modify them yourself.

  1. Click on the card you want below.
  2. Do FILE then Make A Copy select Entire presentation, and give it the name you want to call it, then select Make A Copy.

After you have done Make A Copy, you can modify it for your specific information.

NOTE: when you get ready to print your card, make sure that Scale% is set to Actual Size. Then Cut and Laminate.

  1. BF-F8HP for manual setup Simplex Frequency
  2. BF-F8HP for manual setup Repeater Frequency
  3. FTM 300dr for manual setup Repeater Frequency
  4. FTM 300dr for manual setup Simplex Frequency
  5. FTM-300dr Setting power level (TXPWR)
  6. Hillsborough FT2d Ares/Races Emergency Frequencies
  7. Hillsborough AresRaces PSO Email Addresses
  8. RTS System – Front
  9. RTS System – Back
  10. APRS Cheat Sheet
  11. Field jungle Antenna Card
  12. Local Frequencies
  13. FT2d Manually setup Simplex Frequency – Front
  14. FT2d Manually setup Repeater Frequency – Back
  15.  Hillsborough AresRaces Emergency Frequencies
  16. Polk AresRaces Emergency Frequencies
  17. Yeasu VX-6R: Program Repeater
  18. Yeasu VX-6R: Save to Memory
  19. Weather report to your radio using WXBOT (US only)
  20. Weather reports to your radio using WXYO (Worldwide)
  21. TTP APRS Message Group   and  PDF Document
  22. APRSTHURSDAY CHECK-IN FOR ANSRVR & EMAIL
  23. Baofeng UV-#R series for Manual Setup Simplex Frequency
  24. Baofeng UV-#R series for Manual Setup Repeater Frequency
  25. FT-857D Power settings and V/M,  Display lamp mode, Color, Dimmer 
  26. FT-857D Program Repeater, Save to Memory, Digital Settings, ATAS-120A, VHF/UHF & HF settings
  27. FT-857 Lakeland Frequencies and Memory #
  28. BTech UV-25X2 Lakeland Frequencies and Memory #
  29. FT-891 System Menu Operation, Memory Operation, Digital Operation, Digital Settings, Linux DigiRig Settings, Linux DigiRig Settings

I hope you enjoy them…..

KM4VRZ, 73

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Getting APRS weather reports

APRS radio

Wayne – km4vrz

This video will give you information on how to get weather reports using APRS.

WXBOT (US-only weather reports)

https://sites.google.com/site/ki6wjp/wxbot for additional Info.

WXYO ( Worldwide weather reports)

http://www.aprs.ro/doc/WxYo.php for additional Info.

US frequency 144.390 and the TO: field will be either WXBOT or WXYO and the BODY of the message will use one of the body text below.

By Ham Radio 2.0, Jason, callsign KC5HWB

WXBOT commands

DESCRIPTIONBody Text
Weather for todaytoday
Weather for tomorrowtomorrow
Weather for the day of the weekMonday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Weather by Zipcode5 -digit zip code
Weather by Airport3-character airport code (example: TPA)

WXYO commands

NOTE: Can also use all of the body text of WXBOT as well.

DESCRIPTIONBody Text
3-hour weather report3
6-hour weather report6
9-hour weather report9

Reference Cards

Weather reports to your radio using WXBOT (US only)

Weather reporting to your radio using WXYO (Worldwide)

NOTE: Make sure when you print to set the SCALE% to actual size. If you want to modify it do a MAKE COPY, ENTIRE PRESENTATION, and name it whatever you want to be, then hit the MAKE COPY button.

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Ham Radio and NFC Tags

nfc tag

Wayne Thorn

from Ham Radio 2.0 KM4ACK

I have done this for my FTM-300 and FT2D for the radios manuals and it worked, but I did another step and that was to open up Google Drive and linked it to the folders for each of the radios.

 Compatible with NFC-enabled phones (Android OS 5.0 and above or iOS 13 and above).

I purchased my NCF tags from Amazon check the following link: NFC paper sticker tags, NFC pvc sticker tags (These will not work on metal serves). NFC Stickers Works on Metal surfaces.

For the Android phone try the following app NFC Tools PRO

For the iPhone try the following app Simply NFC – Tag Writer/Reader

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Ham Radio Field Comm Recommendations

field-day-ham-radio

Wayne Thorn

Here below you will find the PDF file listing the different Ham radios recommended for Field comms.

Gaston Gonzalez, The Tech Prepper – KT1RUN [QRZ] produces regular videos on practical preparedness. He is currently focusing on emergency communications for grid-down scenarios.

This was complied by KM4VRZ based on Videos by TheTechPrepper, on YouTube.

NOTE: I did this because I was trying to figure out what radio I may want to use for field comms for myself. There was so much information from The Tech Prepper I finally made a list. and decide to share it with you.

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My First Ham Radio Field Rig

Ham Radio

Wayne Thorn

I have just put together my first HT Field Rig (See the list below). I did replace some of the connectors on the Solar panel, Solar charger controller, FM power cable, and Inverter with Powerwerx connectors to work with the battery box.  

Video of my HT Field Rig deployed

My Equipment list

Yaesu FTM-300DR C4FM Dual-Band Transceiver (Use any mobile HT Ham Radio you like)

Explorer Deluxe Battery Box – ZXP-EXP-PBB (note: there is only 2 batteries that fit in the box a 12v 12ah or 12v 24ah both can only be purchased through Gigaparts and the the AC charger. All of the options are listed when you bring up the battery box.

Also be aware that the power switch is only for the USB ports. All the other ports do not have a switch to turn them off, but this has not been a problem it pulls very little power, it only drains less then 1% of the battery max. when nothing is plugged in and I have had mine for up to 6 months.

My Comment: I do want to say this is a great box with a lot of ports.

PO4Power 12V 24AH LifePO4 Battery

Portable Antenna Ground Mount

Slim Jim J-Pole Dual Band 2m 70cm Antenna (Get the antenna hook as well)

DOKIO 110w 18v Portable Foldable Solar Panel Kit  (I did not use the solar controller that came with the kit, because it did not have an MPPT controller for my LifePO4 battery)

ALLWEI 300W Car Power Inverter

Intelligent 10A MPPT Solar Charge Controller

25′ Coax UHF PL259 Cable

FM radio power cable w/fuses (Make sure you get the right power connector for your radio)

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