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- I am a certified Amateur HAM Radio Technician
- Call Sign: KD2QQO
The goal of this project was to get in touch with my days in the boys scouts when I did the radio merit badge. In Forestberg Scout Reservation, I learned to operate a radio at the HAM shack in the middle of the woods. I realized that now, I can use amateur radio frequencies for useful projects, such as drone piloting. I can also tune in and listen to Police and EMS frequencies, to keep myself safe.
To legally operate a radio, I needed to be certified as an Amateur Technician. I practiced questions for 2 weeks on https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/ and took my test in Tinton Falls NJ. After passing, I needed to obtain hardware for my first transmission.
I originally purchased a Kenwood TM-271A. I liked it because it was durable, and had the capability to operate from a vehicle. However, because it does not have a standard plug, I needed a power supply to operate it on my desk. I purchased a TekPower DC Adjustable Switching Power Supply (30V/20A) and set it to the voltages that a car would normally have. Finally, I purchased a large antenna (about 38 inches long) to place on the roof of my house.
This setup functioned well for the 144MHz band of a suburban area, but once I came back to school in Hoboken I needed other bands to listen in to EMS frequencies. I sold my TM-271 and purchased a TM-V71A Dual Band radio. This allowed me to simultaneously scan the 144MHz and 440MHz bands. The dual band antenna I purchased also was much smaller than the single band antenna (5 inches). This allowed my setup to be more mobile.
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