Tag Archives: Yaesu

Ham Radio, HOW-TO

KO4ZSY — Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex Repeaters

Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone

To quickly set Duplex Repeater with PL Tone on the YAESU VX-8DR:

(As an example: I’m using WA4TSC on my Yaesu VX-8DR at 147.30000MHz downlink, 147.90000 uplink, +0.6MHz offset, 146.2Hz uplink tone.  You can find this information using RepeaterBook.)

  • Tune VFO to desired Frequency (of the Repeater, eg 147.300MHz)
  • Press FW key on left side, [F] lights up on the Display
  • Press MODE on keypad
  • Rotate the dial on top to choose TONE as your Squelch Type
  • Press PTT to confirm Squelch Type
  • Press FW key again, [F] lights up on the Display
  • Press 2 on the Keypad for Code (which is a PL Tone for this selected Squelch Type)
  • Rotate the dial on top to choose the correct Tone Frequency of the Uplink Tone expected by the Repeater (eg 146.2Hz)
  • Press 2 on the Keypad again to confirm Uplink Tone.
  • You are now able to listen and transmit as Duplex on the Yaesu VX-8DR
    • to confirm, you should now see:
      • the Repeater frequency as the VFO,
      • TN [+/i] NFM  from the Right Display,
      • [A]HI  from the Left Display
Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone

The Yaesu VX-8DR, Baofengtech DMR-6X2, and ICOM IC-705 are each quite different radios with very different learning curves.

The ICOM IC-705 is proving the easiest to program/use, Yaesu as most “old school” in setting each configuration item, and the Btech DMR-6X2 absolutely requires a PC to program a “code plug” for use if you want to set the Radio ID, talk groups, and contacts to make it useful.

I’ll document each so that others can have an easier time of it. 🥰✌️

References:

Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone
Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone
Configuring the Yaesu VX-8DR for Duplex with PL Tone
Ham Radio

K04ZSY — DAY FOUR, COUNTERPOISES AND CODE PLUGS

HackRF One with Portapack H2+, Yaesu VX-8DR, BTech. DMR-6X2, Ulefone Armor 9

With the help of KO4SSD and KE8MJL on WA4TSC (144.730MHz), I’ve been listening, learning, and studying. I upgraded my Diamond RH77CA to a Super-Elastic Signal Stalk ½ wave and built my first counterpoise for the ICOM IC-705.

Below are scenes of my HT and field radios… I’ve been actively listening on the WA4TSC and K4IAD repeaters. Once I have my radio tuned and setup the way I’d like, I’ll be actively transmitting and hoping to join their next Field Day.

What I’m working on today:

HackRF One with Portapack H2+, Yaesu VX-8DR, BTech. DMR-6X2, Ulefone Armor 9
My DX Engineering gear (cables, connectors, tools)
Toshiro, Sachiko, and the ICOM IC-705
Toshiro, Sachiko, and the ICOM IC-705
Sachiko and the ICOM IC-705
Building my first counterpoise for the 2-meter band!
Building my first counterpoise for the 2-meter band!
Ham Radio

KO4ZSY now with APRS!

KO4ZSY on APRS using my ham radios

Many thanks to KO4SSD for his help yesterday.  I got APRS (Automated Packet Reporting System) working on all 3 of my radios (Icom IC-705, Yaesu VX-8DR, Baofeng DMR-6X2)

You can see where my radios are in real-time from http://aprs.fi as KO4ZSY on APRS.fi

NOTE: I’m updating my APRS config to use a dog icon instead of a Mac apple icon, working on changing the Comment dynamically based on which radio I’m transmitting from, not sure if I’ll include weather data (which I have from my backyard weather station as KVASTERL93)

References:

Ham Radio

Day One as a Ham Radio Tech (KO4ZSY) with the ICOM IC-705

Passed my FCC Amateur Radio Technician exam on Thu 14-Apr-2022!

As of Fri 14-Apr-2022, I’m now KO4ZSY as my FCC auto-assigned callsign.  I immediately put in my application for a vanity callsign, so I’m hoping to have more information and a new callsign soon!

My radios are now:

Ham Radio Scanning with the ICOM IC-705
Ham Radio Scanning with the ICOM IC-705
Learning to use the ICOM IC-705 with FM Bands
Using the ICOM IC-705 as an SDR with the Mac
Bucket List, Ham Radio, Home Office, Home/Life, Technology

Studying for my FCC Technician and General Licenses

Yaesu VX-8DR and Malahit 1.10c SDR

Studying the Week after Christmas

As much as I truly would like to play console games all week (between Christmas and New Year’s) and read novels on the Kindle, I really do need to set deadlines for myself to get my FCC Technician license, General license, and begin my CISSP.

I’m taking classes, studying, and doing practice exams to test my knowledge cold. I want to score 90% (or better) with each practice exam (cold) before scheduling my proctored exams.

Ken Foreman (prepping and studying)

Ken Foreman (prepping and studying)

Ken Foreman (prepping and studying)

HAM Radio Gear and Pending “Radio Shack”

While I’ve been into radio scanning using Uniden Bearcat, Tandy/Radio Shack, and Yaesu receivers and transceivers since I was a teenager, I’m now using a Yaesu VX-8DR as my handheld transceiver, a Malahit 1.10c SDR (Software Defined Radio) at 50MHz through 2.0GHz, and getting a new HackRF One with Portapack H2 at 50MHz through 6.0GHz.

I already have my Federal Registry Number (FRN) but haven’t yet scheduled my proctored exam for my FCC Technician or General licenses yet.  Right now, taking an FCC practice exam “cold” (no studying or prep) gets me 60-70%.  I want to consistently score 90% or better on any practice exam (taken “cold”) before I schedule my exam with a certified radio operator.  I’m hoping to take my FCC Technician exam by early/mid January, and to get my FCC Callsign by late January once I’m entered in the ULS.

I already have a few ideas for my FCC Vanity Callsign.  I’ll make it public once I’ve passed my exam and I have my ULS pending or complete.

Yaesu VX-8DR and Malahit 1.10c SDR

Yaesu VX-8DR and Malahit 1.10c SDR

Toshiro and our Malahit 1.10c SDR

Toshiro and our Malahit 1.10c SDR

Toshiro and our Malahit 1.10c SDR

Malahit 1.10c SDR