OK, thanks for the affirmation. This all sounds about like what I was expecting to hear, but I just wanted to double check to make sure.

In our local CERT some of us use VHF radios(public safety band) to communicate back to city personnel. For a while now I've had our Amateur frequencies programmed into my VHF radio, just because I get tired of carrying two radios. Typically, I use the amateur frequencies much more often, as the VHF is only used during real emergencies or very large exercises. I always knew that the act of using a commercial radio on the amateur frequencies is acceptable(if licensed), but that passage regarding the radio being "restricted to occupational use" had me wondering if I was in violation just by using the radio period.

It's always been my understanding that it's pretty much universally accepted for Amateurs to use Commercial radios on the Amateur bands, and I know there was a point in time when they didn't even have dedicated "Ham Radios". I myself have a few Commercial radios that I sometimes use on Amateur Frequencies. Recently I was reading through the manual, and I noticed that they all have a passage along these lines:

This radio is restricted to occupational use, work related operations only where
the radio operator must have the knowledge to control the exposure conditions
of its passengers and bystanders by maintaining the minimum separation
distance shown below.

So, does this not apply to licensed amateur radio operators(who obviously have the knowledge mentioned in the passage)?

I've been thinking about trying out a Linux based Operating System. Is there one that seems to be preferred over the others(for amateur radio software)?? At this point I'm mostly interested in Digital modes like PSK31 and MT63, and Weatherfax/APT, but I'm always interested in trying out new things as well.

Please, none of the comments suggesting I stick with DOS or Windows. I don't have any intentions on making this my only or even primary operating system. It's just something I'd like to try out. It seems like I've been hearing Linux mentioned more and more in the radio community lately.

I'm hoping this is a suitable area for this post. If it's not feel free to move it(mods) or tell me where to repost it.

I have a couple GP68's(1 UHF, 1 VHF) and I recently purchased the battery pack that uses 6 AA batteries. I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers for and I'm hoping someone on here might be able to help.

1 - If I were using NiMH batteries in the pack, would I still need to go into the settings and change it for Alkaline batteries?

2 - When you're using this pack does your output power suffer? I've seen some radios that have these types of battery packs and have their output power obscenely limited, I think some are down to as little as 500mw.

3 - Does anyone know how using this pack compares(battery-life wise)to using the standard 7.5v 1200mah? I'll be using 6 2300mah AA batteries.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

My FT-8500 has developed an interesting problem and I'm curious if anyone has any experience with it.

I usually turn off the dual receive function on my radio and operate on memory mode. Lately when I turn my radio on its set back on VFO mode and the dual recieve is back on. The squelch on atleast one of the bands is also always open and the direct frequency input is turned off(I always have it on).

I initially thought this must be the internal battery going bad, but all of my memories are still programmed.

This radio has only been used a few times in the past year or so, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't doing this when I stopped using it regularly.

Recently someone turned me on to this site: http://maps.dxers.info/gmap/?b=40m

Can anyone recommend similar sites for band openeing information? And maybe a site to arrange skeds?

I'm getting ready for my first mobile installation, and I'm a little confused at all the options for antenna mounts. For example, are there any definitive reasons to use an NMO over an SO-239(or vice versa)? I have no qualms with drilling holes in my roof, so I figure If I'm going to drill a hole, it had better fit the best mount possible.

Somehow I managed to unsubscribe from this thread. Sorry for taking so long to respond.

My email is huntley.eric.a@gmail.com, I didn't see yours listed anywhere or I would have emailed you.

I've got an interesting situation with my VX-7R. I've been using the Commander software, and everything is great, but when I want to program a frequency manually without the software it doesn't work. I go through all the motions and everything seems to work, then when I go into memory mode the frequency I've just saved doesn't show up. I tried resetting the radio, and then saving a frequency manually and it worked fine. Then when I loaded all my frequencies back on with commander, the problem came back.

Re-doing everything from scratch is certainly an option, however I would like to avoid re-entering all the data so if someone can tell me what setting I might have inadvertently screwed up, that would be great.

I've got an interesting situation with my VX-7r. I've been using the Commander software, and everything is great, but when I want to program a frequency manually it doesn't save. I tried resetting the radio, and then saving a frequency manually and it worked fine. Then when I loaded the information with commander, the problem came back. I would like to avoid re-entering all the data, so if someone can tell me what setting I've inadvertently screwed up, that would be great.

Right now I've got a G5RVjr with a MFJ-993b automatic tuner. I also have a hustler 6btv but I haven't put it up yet. I've also got a Diamond X510HDM for 2m/70cm and a Cuschraft Ringo for 6m, but I doubt they'll be much use.

I've been doing some research and reading on the forum and I'm thinking about looking into the Navy MARS instead. I'm mostly interested in learning and getting some training, as well as just more reason to get on the air. With this in mind, would you have any specific recommendations?

I recently applied for membership to Army MARS, and I had a few preliminary questions regarding antennas.

Since the MARS frequencies are all off the amateur bands,  do most people make their antennas or use commercially made antennas? This goes for both HF and VHF/UHF antennas. Would your standard amateur antennas work for operating out of band?

Well, I wasn't exactly innocent either. I apologize as well. I've got an HF rig(FT-450) as well, but I haven't taken the general exam yet. Assuming I get approved for MARS, will I be able to operate on the HF MARS frequencies before I get my general? I don't think this will be an issue since I plan on taking the General next weekend, I was just curious. I have some other questions regarding MARS frequencies and antennas. I'll start a new thread after I post this to avoid going too far off topic. Feel free to search for it and give me your input.

The wire was in an INCREDIBLY obscure location. first the top and the bottom of the casing as well as the control head had to be removed, then the cover behind the control head had to be taken off. The wire was actually on the backside of the board behind the control panel. I had to remove three screws so I could flip it over just to get at it. Although if I knew that was the wire I was looking for(and my goal was to cut it) I probably could have done without removing the board and just used some small dykes to sneak in there and cut it. The wire is pretty suspicious once you see it. It's obviously way longer than it needed to be, and practically screams "Cut me!" Hopefully if anyone else ever runs into this problem they'll find this helpful.

Yesterday, when I was googling for mods I actually found a forum for people(not licensed hams of course) who apparently have a hobby of using modified ham radios to modify out of band and "jam" fast food drive through radio systems. Some people clearly need a new hobby.

Unfortunately, most of the ones listed at those sites(I had already checked 2 of them) are only CTCSS. The ones that are DCS aren't practically switched from one code to   another.

This would be perfect, if it encoded DCS as well: https://www.piexx.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=27

I recently purchased a used FT-8500 at a hamfest. It's a great radio, but the only thing it's lacking that I really would like is DCS encoding/decoding capabilities. Is it possible to get some sort of external DCS unit? I would need to be able to use different DCS codes on different channels, so I don't think anything internal would work.

I'm not sure if anything like this is on the market, or if it would be economical to build one. I looked around online and saw several internal CTCSS modules, and one or two external ones, but I didn't see anything for DCS. I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but I mainly need it for UHF.