Print

[KU4UV]

I call CQ on 29.600 FM on a regular basis, but have yet to make a single contact so far this year.  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts into a Wilson 2000 on the trunk of my Camry.  I know I am putting out a strong, clean signal, because my twin brother who is also has a ham, has done a range test with me using his Yaesu rig.  Where are all the hams on 29.600 FM?  I have heard Panama and Puerto Rico within the last few weeks, but not a peep replying to my CQ.  Hopefully this will improve shortly.

73,
Michael KU4UV
Listening on 29.600 from Richmond,KY EM77

[K1VSK]

  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts …

A CB radio?

[KC6RWI]

I'm always checking there as well, someone told me that 29.6 fm  is a real kick when conditions pop in. I also will check a 11 meters ssb frequency as there are tons of stations just waiting for the band to open, and when it does open I tune up around 28.4 and also 29.6 and no one is on.
I am with you, I have radio in the van and I'd love to do some FM.
When I hear conditions open up I give a shout on 29.6,  I am near Los Angeles.

[WB8VLC]

I have no idea as to what a Wilson mobile antenna is but I'd bet its very inefficient and the issue is probably your power and antenna.

Almost every week I talk thru the KQ2H, 29.62MHZ FM, repeater in New York, a North Carolina repeater on 29.67 and several remote base systems on 29.6 FM one in in Montgomery Texas and another in North Carolina plus Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Panama, Puerto Rico all on 29.6 FM and Japan and Korea on 29.28 and 29.3 FM.

 I am only using a 60 watt Motorola Maxtrac mobile setup as a remote base into a home brew moxon antenna at 20 feet.


 When I'm out mobile and not near my houses remote base system then I use a Maxrad 68 inch mobile whip and a 110 watt General Electric Orion mobile radio.

E season is coming up real fast in the next week or two and it should last into mid Augusts so 29.6FM, 29.3FM and 29.28FM along with the repeaters will be very active.

[KD6VXI]

  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts …

A CB radio?

Does it matter?  It's a multimode 10 to 12 meter radio.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

[K1VSK]

  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts …

A CB radio?

Does it matter?  It's a multimode 10 to 12 meter radio.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

If it isn’t certified to operate on ham bands, yes, it matters. Is “multimode 10 to 12” a euphemism for a CB radio?

[KU4UV]

  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts …

A CB radio?

Nope, it is a legal 10 meter amateur radio, and I am a legally licensed ham radio operator.  I know it is sacrilege to some of you folks to use a so-called "CB radio" on the 10 meter band.  The President Ronald can be modified for 11 meters, but I have no intention of doing that.  I bought it to talk on 29.600FM, and it serves that purpose quite nicely, thank you.  When I have $700 burning a hole in my pocket for that new Yaesu mobile rig I have had my eye on for some time, I'll let you know.  Just trying to enjoy the hobby with what I have at the present time.

[KU4UV]

  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts …

A CB radio?

Does it matter?  It's a multimode 10 to 12 meter radio.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

If it isn’t certified to operate on ham bands, yes, it matters. Is “multimode 10 to 12” a euphemism for a CB radio?

You do know that ham radio operators have been modifying CB radios to operate on 10 meters for decades, and that it is perfectly legal for a licensed ham operator to do so?  You do know that right?  There have been plenty of articles published in CQ, QST, 73, etc for decades on how to modify a CB radio to operate on 10 meter frequencies.

[W9IQ]

If it isn’t certified to operate on ham bands, yes, it matters. Is “multimode 10 to 12” a euphemism for a CB radio?

No transmitter is certified to operate on the ham bands. None. Zero.

Hams can appropriate any transmitter, tweak it and as long as it complies with part 97, the ham is free put it on the air.

- Glenn W9IQ

[K0UA]

As for the Wilson antenna, as center loaded antennas for that frequency range go, it is one of the best if not THE best of its type. It is not as efficient as a full 1/4 wave whip, but it is a very good center loaded antenna. Their base loaded antennas are good for their type also. Large coils with thick wire for less loss and high power handling than some. Not all CB equipment is crap.

[K7LZR]

I was very active on 10m FM in the 1980s. I even conducted a class for our local ham club about converting Cybernet CB boards for 10m FM. I ran a Motorola Mocom 70 and a converted Hy-Gain CB in those days. Nowadays I'm using a 1984 vintage Icom IC-745. 100w of clean FM if I need it but I usually run far less.

I haven't been listening lately, but I did work a fellow in South America a few weeks ago. Also had a quick QSO with Bob, AB5N.

10m FM was a blast in the 1980s, and I'm hoping that it will be again

[KF4HR]

Many QSO's that would normally be on 29.6mhz FM (and other bands) making CW and SSB QSO's are exchanging call signs on FT8.  The running joke is, you meet the nicest people on FT8.

[W7XTV]

Many QSO's that would normally be on 29.6mhz FM (and other bands) making CW and SSB QSO's are exchanging call signs on FT8.  The running joke is, you meet the nicest people on FT8.

You also go where the activity is.  During the sunspot lows FT8, and JT65 before that, got through when even CW didn't.  FT8 was 75% of all HF activity other than during contests. 

But that has nothing to do with 10 meter FM.  You're talking apples and oranges.

[KD6VXI]

  I am running a President Ronald 10 meter radio at 35 Watts …

A CB radio?

Does it matter?  It's a multimode 10 to 12 meter radio.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

If it isn’t certified to operate on ham bands, yes, it matters. Is “multimode 10 to 12” a euphemism for a CB radio?

Certified to operate on ham bands.

Show me where certification is necessary
  I'll wait.

My home brew class E stuff is certified by nobody.

My old white faced tube Johnson stuff is certified for 11 meters, but has been on 10 since.....  Since I can remember.

There is no "certification" for amateur radios.  Otherwise home brew would be a non starter.

Try trolling again.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

[KF4HR]

"You also go where the activity is."

The problem I see with FT8 is, people get hooked on it and that ends up being their main mode.  And worse, some newbee hams may start thinking this is what QSO's are all about, computerized call sign exchanges.  I think the WSJT modes are great for EME or MS, but as the author of this article pointed out, we're seeing a reduction other mode activity, when the bands are open and  available for normal QSO's.  What a shame.

For those that haven't noticed we're on an upward sun spot cycle climb and activity many times available on all the HF bands, so why not take advantage of it and actually talk to people?  Give the other modes a try and call CW, you might surprise yourself.