My portable ham radio died! So what does that have to do with CNC?

[@HugoHugunin]

Thanks, as always. Maybe this will get you started on a new transceiver. This isn't much, but if just a few more subscribers chip in, you'll have enough.

[@CNCATHome]

Thank you so much! I had been researching new radios and had not pulled the trigger on getting anything. When this radio went out, I knew it was time. It also helped that they were having a flash sale on the two rigs I was looking to get. They came with some extra stuff and where $20 off to boot. They are both here now and I have been playing with the handheld unit. I am warming up to it after 29 years of using the same one. I also got a mobile rig that I will set up more like a base station but also put in my car when I want to. :-) With the price of electronics going down and the functionality going up, I got both of these radios for less than my old one 29 years ago.

[@HugoHugunin]

@@CNCATHome Years ago I had a friend who was a HAM (WB6MMM) and I thought that I might try it. Darn morse just wouldn't fit into my brain. So, I went CB and had an 18' base antenna that I would take up to the top of Mt. Hamilton. On cold winter nights I could "reach out" and my furthest skip was Point Barrow, in *Alaska* from San Jose, California. Oh, and no linear amp! Well, since you don't *NEED* the $5, how about buying a really decent beer to enjoy? 🍺🍺🍺

[@CNCATHome]

@@HugoHugunin - Back in the 90s, they opened up a new license where you do not need a code rating. You have to pass two tests, general and technician. If you do that, you can get what is called a no code tech license. The only restriction over a regular technician license is basically some restrictions in the Morse code bands. If you know some basic electronics and and learn a few rules, it is easy to get. CB is a nice long wave band. That is 10 or 11 meter frequencies? It's 11m, I looked it up. ;-) That is incredible that you got all the way from San Jose to Barrow! 18' antenna is a half wave and would have worked well for you. Barrow changed their name to Utqiagvik. Try saying that 5 times fast. ;-) My son and a couple buddies were just up there for the summer solstice. He just got home today and I can't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories of their adventures.

[@karlriley1314]

DUMB question "Have you checked to see if the BATTERY is charged". This happened to me and my BATTERY was dead and needed charging. Just asking. hehe

[@CNCATHome]

I wish it was the battery! That can be an easy one to overlook if you think it is fully charged. Several years ago, there was an issue with the battery not wanting to charge. I had fully charged it recently and I did put my meter on it and it was putting out full voltage plus a little extra like a fully charged battery should. I also plugged the radio into the wall power supply to insure it wasn't a power input issue. I did some testing with the meter in the radio to insure the power was getting from the power management board to the brains of the radio and it was. One of the volume knobs had been acting up and would cause the power to shut off to the who unit even thought it was not the one with the on/off switch. I am guessing that is where the problem is hiding. I did what I could do with the equipment I have and just didn't get it going this time. I have a friend looking at it who is an electrical engineer (recent graduate so it is all fresh in his mind) and hope he can figure something out. I did buy a new radio and am figuring out the new technology. 🙂

[@karlriley1314]

@@CNCATHome Maybe you need to spray some of that electrical stuff on the on/off switch. It might not be making good contact anymore.

[@CNCATHome]

@@karlriley1314 - Good place to look. I was able to trace power and the on/off switch was turning it on and off so that wasn't it. Old equipment with mechanical switches and such are prone to getting dirty and some good contact cleaner can make a big difference sometimes.