I am building a 5 element 2m yagi. The plan is to build it for 146mhz. The question I have is when do you trim all the elements. Before getting the driven elements tuned to the desired freq. or cut the elements then cut.the.driven to tuned.freq.

Since I am going to build the whole thing I could make the ladder line shorter so it doesn't lay on the roof. I was just going off the demensions I see on the web. Just not sure about how shortening the ladder will effect the performance versus laying on the roof. I have no where else to string the antennae to get it off the roof that's why I am asking.

I am planning to build a G5RV junior. But the length of the ladder is going to cause it to lay on my roof. Will that be a problem?

Thank you everyone for not blasting me . I realized that aprs and irlp are
not connected and so I went looking for answers on the net. I have contacted the node owner for the info I was seeking. It was a duh moment for me.

I have some questions. When I look at the hub I see a IRLP and it shows the frequency and tone. The location is right down the street from me. One night sitting in my shack I dialed up the frequency. I heard a qso going on but I couldnt access. I have a copy of the area comm plan wouldn't it be listed there? Really need an elmer to show me what
I am l looking at. Lol.

Thanks all. I am already itching to get my general so I can get on the lower bands I am just stuck right now and was looking at a inexpensive one band radio to get me by till I can upgrade. Was just curious which one more people like.

I am a new tech. I have a 2meter fm rig I am happy with but I am ready to do a little more than just the repeater. So I can get a 6 meter rig or a 10 meter. Which band is the best bang for the buck?

If you have room which way would you run a dipole.
I am thinking best for me in VA is to run it. North south.
Or does it matter. Maybe two one n/s and the other e/w

I use a smaller version for my rig now. It is only 12v but its rock solid at 12v I have built a box with amp and volt meters and watch to make sure no issues.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-High-Quality-360W-DC-12V-30A-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-Metal-Silver-/180906108285?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1ed8257d

I am curious. When I was in the Navy I was running the mars station on board USS Briscoe NNN0CVN. I had all kenwood gear coupled to half of a navy hf antennae. This was of course mounted vertically. I was doing phone patchs from the Red Sea nightly and always had reports of how good my signal was to New Hampshire. From everything I read here and else where the antennae should not have been that good. So is it really that important when transmitting SSB as to which polarization you use. I think probably yes in FM but otherwise not so sure it matters. I would send and receive margrams on 5 watts power so I really do wonder.

Just curious.
Jason
KK4MYT

Second thought bad idea. The battery says 3.6v. Putting 12 direct to it. I will be testing the smoke detector.

Got to love Google. I did a google search for this problem. I found the answer on QRZ.com.
Solved the problem. Working great now. Able to program in the local repeaters and they actually stay now.

I am new to being licenced. The biggest lesson learned for me in the tech licence test is be courteous and gentlemanly on the air. I see this type post all the time. Why should we have to turn another cheek. Can't we report the violating call signs. Seems it shouldnt have to come to that but in this day and age thats what it takes. We all got our licences so we didnt have to listen to CB. Why we allowing the things clearly against rules and regs to persist?

Jason Boivin
KK4MYT

I am thinking easier than that. Unplug the plug in the instructions and just apply 12v directly to the battery via alligator clips.

I have this radio I bought off ebay. Seller said he was selling for a SK family. Anyway the radio didnt come with a power cord so I made one and it works great. The issue I have with the radio is that the battery isnt charged. The instruction manual says if this happens all you have to do is open the unit up and unplug a plug inside and plug in the supplied cable and hook that cable to 12volts for 4 hours. So I dont have that cable. I could make one if I knew which pins where pos and neg. Anyone own this radio if you could help me out or if some one knows where I could purchase that cable. Thanks

Jason
KK4MYT