I got my license in 2020, after a tornado tore through Chattanooga on Easter Sunday. Our area was without Internet and had spotty cell coverage for 10+ days and it was then that I decided I needed to find an alternate way to communicate in times of disaster.
In 2022, I upgraded to Amateur Extra and am an active VE with the ARRL, W5YI and GLAARG.
Humble beginnings –
My first radio, like so many other hams, was the Baofeng UV-5R and an inexpensive magnet mount, dual-band antenna. It wasn’t long before I realized I was going to need something with a bit more “umph” and sound quality, as I could barely hear the audio on the RX side.
So, I upgraded to an Anytone AT-778UV, with a Browning NMO trunk lip mount and a Tram 1180 dual-band antenna. Wow! What a difference that made.
For HF, I invested in the Xiegu G90. It’s a great little radio and is extremely versital for POTA and mobility. I made several FT8 contacts with this radio and a 20m Shark Monoband HamStick.
Current setup –
VHF/UHF – Just recently, I’ve upgrade my mobile to the Yaesu FTM-300DR with my existing Tram 1180.
HF – My current rig is the FT-710-AESS and I just acquired the MFJ-1979 telescopic antenna, to take advantage of my existing 3/8-24 magnet mount I was using for the the hamsticks.
My hope is that this site will peak your interest, provide so useful knowledge and/or inspiration and just share my journey in ham radio.
Who knows? Maybe one day we may make on the air.
73
Dave B
WW4DB
