Call sign help please (Issued)

hi im steve from county durham uk, ive no radio gear as yet but hopefully very soon, im just wondering if theres much activity in or around east durham??
and what is a call sign??
what would people suggest for a startup rig?? something thats mobile or without a aerial in the garden

thank you
steven

Hi Steven

If you haven't got any radio equipment at the moment and just want to "dip your toes in the water" I would recommend a Handheld Boafeng UV-5R. These radios cost around £30 new from Amazon or can be purchased from other suppliers. Google them and you will see who else sells them.
These radios operate on the 2m and & 70cm bands. They are easily programmed using Chirp software which is free to use. Take a look on Youtube and you will find lots of information about these radios. One Youtuber I can recommend is NotaRubicon Productions - he has posted lots of videos about this radio.

If you find later that the radio hobby is not for you, you have tried without having spent too much money.

Good luck with your search for a radio and I wish you well with the hobby.

73
Derek

thanks i get what you are saying, was going to spend around £100 wich i think is not too much to waste if i dont like the hobby

cheers

Hi Steven
The Boafeng is ok for listening on and talking on the PMR frequency's. 
The 2m and 70cm bands you can listen to but need to be licenced to transmit on those bands.
Not sure what radio is like round your wan sorry but i am sure someone will come in this thread and tell you.

Hi Steve, welcome to the CTDX Group, it's a bit of a can of worms regarding radio gear. Cheap option would be a UK FM 40 channel rig but you may not have any local traffic, where as a multi mode radio will give you AM FM and SSB (sideband), SSB may be busy where you are and as we approach the peak of solar activity SSB DX and worldwide contacts is easily do able, picking up well at the moment.
I'm afraid it's a case of what you want from the hobby and your budget, pays your money makes your choice. 
Hope this helps you decide, 
73s 
Steve.

thanks everyone

Hello and welcome, Steve.

73s John.

Hi Steve and welcome to Charlie Tango.

Some great advice already given so I can only wish you well with your radio interests.  

All the best,
Victor

hi
i purchased a CRE 9800 a Sirio ML 145 and a bench psu im not getting nothing in the house and have not tried it in the car yet

Hi Steve

Have you got your radio up and running now?

steve1uk wrote:

hi
i purchased a CRE 9800 a Sirio ML 145 and a bench psu im not getting nothing in the house and have not tried it in the car yet

The Sirio ML 145 inside your house will not be very good at all. Put it on your car and drive to somewhere that's high and you should have a bit more luck.

FYI don't transmit into the antenna unless it has an adequate "Ground Plane" and is properly tuned you could do serious damage to your radio.  

Best of luck Gary.

C.T. Admin.

I used to use that same ML 145 and it worked well on high ground on top of my bmw x5.
I still have it but don't venture out with it now it lives on the bbq and funnily enough i have used it on there once or twice local.

hi ive not got my home setup yet but is the call sign just for this group?? or do we pick our own im confused

yeah its going to be used in the car was just a quick test in the house

my location is not the best for signals as i live in a dip, would a antena be ok on the gable end or the chimney be ok?

anyone any suggest a decent antena??

steve1uk wrote:

yeah its going to be used in the car was just a quick test in the house

my location is not the best for signals as i live in a dip, would a antena be ok on the gable end or the chimney be ok?

anyone any suggest a decent antena??

Hi Steve, just catching up with your thread.
I started back last year, like you with a small budget. Then upped it for a sideband rig. 
Then bought another ssb rig, and another etc etc .

Personally I wouldn't go the chimney route but if you do, make sure it is pointed and secure.
I've seen chimney stacks collapse without antennas or just a TV aerial attached.
Gable end is good and about 4-6 brick down on top bracket. (Do some research) 
I've been told lately these bolts that screw straight to brick are best but without getting into debate, again something to research.

As for breakers in the North East.
Search YouTube for delboy or lambrettadave.

They both have some videos that capture radio up there. Good luck

Hi Steve,

We can allocate anyone a call sign for the Charlie Tango group which is issued in an internationally recognised format and you only have to make a formal request to obtain one.

Others make up their own call signs which you are free to do also.
(Usually from initials and some form of number but you cannot make up your own Charlie Tango call sign as it won't be on our database.)


All the best,
Victor

CT Admin.

Hello and welcome, Steve.

73s John.

ok thanks

thank you

call sign request plaease, im steven form county durham

thanks

Hello Steve, 

To be issued a call sign your profile must contain a specific QTH (nearest town or city) when you've updated let us know and Victor or myself will get you sorted out.

73's Gary.

C.T. Admin.

IVE UPDATED MY QTH

Hi Steve,


I am delighted to allocate you 26-CT-4793 may you have good luck with it.


All the best,
Victor

CT Admin.

thank you