Sub $100 "BORK" [first post]

[SemperAptum]

Sure...

http://www.n1uec.org/n1uec/2meterjpole.html

http://www.kb3kai.com/j-pole.php

Oh man, what a great idea. I was wondering how I'd roll up copper tube j-pole, hahaha!
Now I just gotta find a place that sells twin-lead. I'm guessing hardware stores around here don't carry that stuff anymore.

Another project...

[mattltm]

A wire collinier will work well.

http://www.mattltm.co.uk/2010/11/27/sim ... r-2m-70cm/

Just build it without the pole and hang it from a tree.

[KJ4VOV]

Well, to requote a part I highlighted up there...

(d) Each FRS unit (a transmitter that operates or is intended to
operate in the FRS) must be certified for use in the FRS in accordance
with subpart J of part 2 of this chapter.

Intended or not, if it does operate on FRS frequencies then it must be certified for it. At least that's how I'm reading the regs.

I have no idea how I missed that

That's more or less how'd i'd read it too. At the very least, I think it's safe to say there's some gray area there. I wonder who's capable of making a ruling on verbiage like this. It also begs the question: if the FCC approved it for Type 90, does it meet other parts of the code with respect to meeting exclusion criteria? ie. does it meet part 95 in the sense that it doesn't violate part 95, hence allowing part 90?

I would assume (you know what they say) that if the FCC felt it was to be "intended" as a HAM+FRS it would not meet 95 and consequently, fail part 90.

In the context of the regulation, does "operate" mean *functionally* transmit? Or does it mean *practically* transmit? Because of course, a radio does not operate itself. It obviously doesn't mean receive - I feel like I could rule that definition out, hahaha. The more I learn, the less I know.

Again, we have to look at the bigger picture in order to see the context, but I don't feel like posting all those regs a second time, so I'll just refer to them and leave it up to anyone reading to scroll up and read the actual regs if they want. My "take" on it, from the standpoint of all the above quoted regs combined is... It's legal to own and import, but not legal to actually use on the FRS frequencies, at least not the ones that aren't shared GMRS frequencies. It's a real gray area though. Most of us know that the FCC is cracking down on the sale of those 10m/11m rigs that have been sold mostly in truck stops and CB shops, and the rule that the FCC is using for the crackdown is that the rigs lose their Part 95 certification if they can transmit outside of the 40 CB channels, so they aren't legal for sale as CB radios. But, if you flip that upside down, and sold them as 10 meter rigs that also "just happen" to cover 11 meters as well (though not sold for that purpose of course), then you have pretty much the same situation as you have here with the UV3R. it's sold as an amateur radio, not an FRS radio (which it couldn't be sold as because it can't be Part 95 type accepted), so the same argument and logic should apply in both cases.

But, we all also know (or should) that "logic" is not a process normally associated with the FCC, or the government in general.

[KJ4VOV]

Sure...

http://www.n1uec.org/n1uec/2meterjpole.html

http://www.kb3kai.com/j-pole.php

Oh man, what a great idea. I was wondering how I'd roll up copper tube j-pole, hahaha!
Now I just gotta find a place that sells twin-lead. I'm guessing hardware stores around here don't carry that stuff anymore.

Another project...

You can buy one pre-made on eBay (direct from the fellow who invented it) for under $20

[SemperAptum]

You can buy one pre-made on eBay (direct from the fellow who invented it) for under $20

I saw that he made them but his site says he's not doing them at the moment. Did you see them on eBay recently?

[KJ4VOV]

You can buy one pre-made on eBay (direct from the fellow who invented it) for under $20

I saw that he made them but his site says he's not doing them at the moment. Did you see them on eBay recently?

No, I haven't actually. I did buy one from him a year ago though, and keep it in my truck as a spare.

[SemperAptum]

You can buy one pre-made on eBay (direct from the fellow who invented it) for under $20

I saw that he made them but his site says he's not doing them at the moment. Did you see them on eBay recently?

Looks like the second link from above (KB3KAI) and the "inventor" are two different people.

Here's the "inventor" N9TAX's eBay page and homepage.

He sells a dual-bander as well!

Thanks, KJ4VOV!

[KJ4VOV]

You can buy one pre-made on eBay (direct from the fellow who invented it) for under $20

I saw that he made them but his site says he's not doing them at the moment. Did you see them on eBay recently?

Looks like the second link from above (KB3KAI) and the "inventor" are two different people.

Here's the "inventor" N9TAX's eBay page and homepage.

He sells a dual-bander as well!

Thanks, KJ4VOV!

I have the dual bander, which, as I say, I keep in my truck as a backup antenna.

[JohnE]

Thanks for the note about the roll up Jpole, ordered one from the guy on eBay yesterday. I've made a few dual band antennas out of copper pipe but have been wanting something to fit into a gear box.

[HackHack]

Great review - Thanks,
will save to read later

[JohnE]

Got the roll-up dual band antenna in the mail a few days ago. Looks good, builder takes some pride in his work and uses decent quality materials.

Very easy to deal with using eBay and Paypal.

Thanks again for the tip.

[nacho]

Wow! this thing is part 90 approved? I am actually in the market for a compact 450-490 radio and if it will do real 12.5k narrow band operation and 7.5k channel spacing I'm sold!

[gary in ohio]

Wow! this thing is part 90 approved? I am actually in the market for a compact 450-490 radio and if it will do real 12.5k narrow band operation and 7.5k channel spacing I'm sold!

careful, NOT ALL uv3 are part 90 approved. They need to have the fcc id sticker to be part 90 compliant. The one I purchased does not have the sticker and not mention of the part 90 compliance. EU approved but not fcc.

[KJ4VOV]

Wow! this thing is part 90 approved? I am actually in the market for a compact 450-490 radio and if it will do real 12.5k narrow band operation and 7.5k channel spacing I'm sold!

careful, NOT ALL uv3 are part 90 approved. They need to have the fcc id sticker to be part 90 compliant. The one I purchased does not have the sticker and not mention of the part 90 compliance. EU approved but not fcc.

I may be wrong, but I could swear I read somewhere (ARRL? FCC?) that they grandfathered in the ones without the stickers once they got type accepted.

I'll look and see if I can find where I read that but if anyone else has a link please post it.

[SemperAptum]

...if it will do real 12.5k narrow band operation and 7.5k channel spacing I'm sold!

Not sure what the narrow specs are, but the tuning steps are as follows:

• 5k
• 6.25k
• 10k
• 12.5k
• 20k
• 25k

[crypto]

Heres what I've learned about how / why the Wouxun radios are getting Part 90 certification.

Apparently, if your radio can /scan/ it requires Part 90 certification before its kosher to use under Part 97, so they obtained Part 90 certification for it.

So, none of that has anything to do with Part 95, and they know they'd never get Part 95 because of the power and antenna issues. You cant use it for FRS and still be rules-compliant. I dont think you can use it on GMRS either, I think I read something about only Part 90 equipment certified before a certain date could be used (but I might be confusing that with MURS)

[nacho]

Not sure what the narrow specs are, but the tuning steps are as follows:

• 5k
• 6.25k
• 10k
• 12.5k
• 20k
• 25k

6.25k sounds like a weird step. I doubt you can dial something in like 156.01625. That might refer to 6.25 band width IE 25k>12.5k>6.25k which after 1 Jan 2013 all new part 90 radios have to be capable of doing. I'm concerned with being able to dial in 7.5k interstitial frequencies.

For years in CA we have used 154.2650, 154.2800 and 154.2950 as mutual aid fire frequencies, now that everyone is going from 25k to 12.5k bandwidth they are adding 154.2725 - 154.2875 and 154.3025 in between these frequencies. A lot of the old fire radios, and cheaper radios, can do the 12.5k narrow band fine, but they won't let you program in the 7.5k channel spaces, only 5k or 12.5k.

I hope this makes sense.

[SemperAptum]

6.25k sounds like a weird step...
I hope this makes sense.

Kind of. I'm just a reporter. Here's a video I made for you. Also, I take requests

ETU: Uploaded a better quality video. Old video will stay up for historical purposes.

[carbean]

Great post, thanks. Pay no attention to the rule encumbered queefs. If I understand correctly, this forum is about the worst what if's. I would transmit on the White House intercom freq if my loved ones or I were in danger. Thanks agian man.
Carbean

[SemperAptum]

Great post, thanks. Pay no attention to the rule encumbered queefs. If I understand correctly, this forum is about the worst what if's. I would transmit on the White House intercom freq if my loved ones or I were in danger. Thanks agian man.
Carbean

Best post in this thread. Internet high-five!

[the_alias]

Great post, thanks. Pay no attention to the rule encumbered queefs. If I understand correctly, this forum is about the worst what if's. I would transmit on the White House intercom freq if my loved ones or I were in danger. Thanks agian man.
Carbean

Are we supposed to be insulted and/or impressed by your blow hard statement about using the White House ?
Rhetorical question - anyhow you don't understand correctly:

We don't discuss illegal activity here - consider this an unofficial warning.

I think this is the third post this week I'm having to lock in here - how about you comms/hamm guys take a hint and knock off this continual discussion of illegal activity?

ETA: I'm re-opening this thread - caveat above stands.

[SemperAptum]

We don't discuss illegal activity here...

Thanks for the reminder. Let's all hope my next post stays on topic without all the legal blather.

ETC: ...just interesting/new/useful content.

[SemperAptum]

...speaking of my next post and interesting/new/useful content:
Here's what I'm working on at the moment...no ETA.

[nacho]

Kind of. I'm just a reporter. Here's a video I made for you. Also, I take requests

Wow, I stand corrected. Well I guess they are just getting ready for the next round of narrow banding, whenever that is.