so in c4FM the radio use the 144mhz repeater settings of the radio's menu? are there other ways to connect to other repeters input? i have a problem with c4fm of 991A. it do not connect because it call the wrong entry frequency, like a wrong split. it's a little hard to explain.. i think i have to reset the radio :/(
2 years later: What are the limitations? Can you place it along side your house to avoid pets and people tripping over the wire and keep a good signal?
Been building my own antennas since the early 70,s. My Grandfather was a ham. He said the antenna is 70% of the station. And then schooled me antenna theory . We built many different antennas. From wire to yagi to vertical quads etc. Any ham with a little time and experience can build an antenna. If you cant find the time then buy. If you want to have fun and learn then build your own. You don't have to be an RF engineer. Just common math. I found the Go2 antenna to be simple and after returning it too my friend we tried a home-brew multi tap vertical with better results. It was built by the both of us in under 45 minutes . Had it on the air in two hours from 80 to 6 meters. Two inch PVC and 80 meter quarter wave cut wire wound around the PVC. No shunt or matching capacitors. No tuner. Five foot vertical stinger and an alligator clip. Same ground wire from the Go2. RF field strength was 40 % above what the Go2 had at the stinger. Thats called a resonant antenna. And it never heated up after 45 min of ssb @ 100 watts. So it's up to the Ham. Buy it or build it.
I just discovered that I can import a KML file, from Echolink, into Google earth. It apparently shows all the active echolink stations in your chosen map area. I just didn't know how to install the KML file, until now. I am eager to try this new feature to see where I am talking to, World Wide! Thanks for your video!
DavidDavid it does not work as of Aug 29 2023. The beta version is no longer available. Sure a lot of video out here promoting iOS, and DroidStar. A lot of time down the drain.
I shopped around for a simple logbook for POTA activations. This fit the bill for me. never mind it was free, that was a nice bonus though. Good explanation of how it works. Thanks Dave
Hi David, I am trying to understand this Wires-X stuff and your video was very helpful. However, I have two questions. First, what is the R in the upper left corner? Second, when I hit "ALL" I get a list of rooms but I cannot connect to any of them. It always says "No Data" and/or "Busy Error".
Awesome! Thank you so much. I made my first WIRES-X contact using my FT-70DR today and was awestruck when speaking to a station located in Serbia, Russia on an HT. You have refreshed my memory on how to use my 991A in WIRES-X and I'm very thankful. 73 K8STU
Can't wait to get my 991a. Trying to decide between it and the Icom 7300. Decided on the 991a and am trying to learn about it before I actually order the radio. Thanks for posting. You make Wires-X look easy. 73 W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Engage in a QSO if folks are already chatting. If not, sit in the room and let folks know you are monitoring with your call - e.g. "N7MKY monitoring" - 73!
Pretty neat project, did you build it yourself? I did something similar but purchased a unit. I can run it off power tool batteries as you did or I can plug it into a solar panel. Gives me 14+ as long as I have direct sunlight. Works great for powering a radio directly or charging batteries. Thanks for sharing!
Running a minisforum mini 12v computer with a LONCEVON-7 inch Mini Monitor. The computer runs WiresX with the SCU cable hooked up to my FT3DR. Computer uses wifi and connects to my GMC's onboard internet and the system provides me a PDN node that I can connect to with my FTM 400. As long as I have internet connection, I can talk to any WiresX room and I forgo having to connect to a repeater.
Does it matter in which direction the second copper tube is hammered into the ground in relation to the first/main copper tube (with the telescoping antenna attached)? In other words, does it need to be placed north, south, east or west of the main copper rod?
As far as my testing goes, I have found that the signal goes predominantly in the opposite direction of the wire on 25w of power or higher. e.g. the wire is running west of the antenna my signal propagates east and vice versa. Now that being said, if I use the antenna on wspr at less that 1w, it is predominantly omnidirectional. Lastly, if I don't extend the antenna at all and use a tuner, it becomes an NVIS antenna! I have had great success with this antenna on FT8 and with the right conditions for propagation I have reached South Africa, Australia, and Antarctica!
One tip I discovered from a forum when using the wiresx button with a pi-star. If your squelch is open the rig wont transmit when you press the button and it doesn’t connect.
I would have liked to see more contacts. Station you had qso with had considerable trouble hearing you. I’m not sure I would invest $500 in this one and I live in an HOA restricted community.
Understood - However, this was an unboxing and 1st fire on the antenna to show that without any real setup, it works and works great! I have been using it now for 9 months and have contacts on FT8 all around the globe at 25w in addition to Voice contacts throughout the US. With conditions improving and winter upon us I expect nothing but great things with this antenna. Also, I have found that the antenna works on 220 and 70cm with acceptable / low enough SWR! Best part about owning this antenna is the support and interest of the owners on the success a customer has with their product / purchase - Hands down the best experience you will ever have buying a product. I think you should be able to see my confirmed contacts and comments on QRZ in my log for "testing" and if not I will gladly print to PDF and email you a copy. Living in an HOA and being a HAM is a difficult predicament indeed and while this antenna is no match to a 30ft tower and 5 element beam on top, it does the job well enough for me. Feel free to email me with any questions and I hope this reply helps you. 73 David N7MKY
Thanks David. I've been trying to understand Wires-X and programming my 991 for using it. In doing a search on RU-vid your video came up, and while watching and learning I realized you're in Boise where I live. Now that blew me away! I appreciate you sharing this information. For some reason I've been running into a brick wall trying to understand the digital side of my radios, but your video got me into your repeater and I was able to follow along to help my understanding. You rock! Thanks again! It's awesome when the "light finally comes on."
Thank you for your comment! I really enjoy WiresX and love learning more about it everyday! Its my joy to share my knowledge and create videos that help folks! Glad this one hit home for you! 73
Thanks for this helpful video. I'm a newbi with Wires-x system. When you connect on a repeater like you did in the video, is the repeater still available for others users ? How this is working ? Best ,
Great question and I am glad you enjoyed the video! The repeater is available to other users, they will just be listening to the same wiresX room it is on or what ever ROOM a person changes it to. Kinda like watching TV in a living room; someone comes into the room and is watching the same show everyone else is and if that person changes the channel, then everyone in the room is watching the new show. 73
Thanks for the video. Thinking about buying a 991a as my first base station. Currently operating mobile on an FTM-300DR in my truck. I recognized your voice and then callsign in the video from the airwaves here in Boise! ~N1SLA
The 991A is a great radio for sure! If you are looking for 1 radio to do it all - it is the one for sure! Thanks for watching and nice to know my videos are being viewed by fellow Idahoans! 73
