The short version is no, we didn't record or log signal strength readings in detail.

The longer version...One of the local hams purchased a 10 pack deal for the
discounted price of buying in bulk. Since we live in a hurricane prone area, a
majority of us tried them for use as an emergency backup, should we need
to take down our primary antennae systems. One ham, built his own copper
j-pole after trying the Arrow. We could quickly see the difference in base to
mobile coverage on simplex. While the 2m range was increased by about 25%
with the copper j-pole, the uhf coverage almost quadrupled. All of us replicated
the results after switching from the Arrow to the copper j-pole. At each location,
the Arrow was replaced with a cooper j-pole on the same mast, location, height
and using the same cable, with the same results.

So, even though we didn't plot coverage maps or take db per meter readings at
100' intervals, the results were quite apparent to those who participated. FWIW:
only one person has continued to use the j-pole on 2m/70cm in the group, while
everyone else went back to the Comet GP-9, Diamond X-510, Workman and Opek
UV-300's for regular use, which of course, far outperform the copper j-poles.

Again, this was on simplex, by a group that is on simplex on a daily basis, whether
base, mobile or portable. Repeater coverage would probably not be that noticeably
different between the two antenna, but we didn't focus on that aspect.     

Arrow does make a nicely machined product that is very durable.

Dan,

Check out the KB9VBR J-pole website. If you are going to get a j-pole,
I recommend Mike Martens copper j-poles, they work. Mike does quality
work at affordable prices. I'm not saying Arrow doesn't make a quality
product, but the copper ones work much better than the open stub Arrow.

For a 25' run, RG-8x will work fine.

Web:
http://www.jpole-antenna.com/

on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/KB9VBR-J-Pole-Antennas/100542266666207

I have to agree with some of the others on this one...JefaTech makes a quality product.
I've replaced several runs of 9913 and LMR-400 at my own QTH with their 400 equivalent,
with no issues after several years.   

Best Regards,
Dennis

Pim,

I don't know what to say, this has never happened before in the vhf/uhf forum...
it looks like you may be the first person to ever come back and tell us how things
turned out! Thank you for the Thank you!

The WIRES button...should be next to the mic jack.

You're welcome, thanks for coming back to let us know! Glad we could help.

While in vfo mode, select menu item#101 and see if you can change the step size to  6.25khz

Any luck, updates???

After you "save" the tone to the channel you want, are you then writing that channel into memory? Remember to treat it just as if you were writing that memory channel for the first time, this will over write the previous information in that memory. Also, make sure the same tone is in "tone" and "ctcss" for that memory channel.

If you are using the software, remember to save that radio in the pc first. Then, reprogram the radio from the newly updated file. Should work..... 

The answer was right on the page provided under Courtesy of G4WPW, from the link provided by Heil Sound->Amateur Radio->Pinouts.

http://www.qsl.net/g4wpw/date.html

Scrolling to the bottom of that page, one would have found the link to the Astatic D-104 wiring, color for color, pin number and all for an 8 pin Kenwood connector (diagram of connector included).

Courtesy of G4WPW, from the link provided by Heil Sound->Amateur Radio->Pinouts


 D-104 wiring is here:

http://www.qsl.net/g4wpw/d104.html


TS-690 is here (scroll down to Kenwood) TS-50):

http://www.qsl.net/g4wpw/date.html


Best 73 and Good Luck in the contest!

Why are you using a tuner for those 2 bands with such wide banded antennae?

You need the extender to tx / rx on 6 meters and to rx on sw / hf, up to 30 mhz.
The radio does 330mw on 220.

KCJ9091,

While you can program 6 rf channels, just remember that an HT-600 can only
do three tone PLs and one DPL maximum. Hopefully, your application won't
involve more than that.

Another point of contention are the 2 tuning points in the front end that limit
the rx sensitivity with such a bandspread. Tuning the front end around 455-
456 mhz should provide decent rx, but don't expect miracles. 

You can use fm voice on the 29 mhz repeater pairs and simplex frequencies.
The most common fm simplex frequency is 29.600

You cannot do ssb (usb) phone, which is more prevalent in the 28.300 to
28.500 range. 

As the other OM stated, your 8900 will always transmit fm. Switching between
fm/am modes is for the receiver only. Generally, only the aircraft and citizens
bands are the 2 bands that use am.