Mudderoy
04-17-2015, 11:09 AM
Driving home yesterday and approaching Katy, TX and I heard someone put out a call on the Katy repeater (147.200 Mhz).
I had a problem with my transmit the day before so I wanted to do some further "on air" testing to see if I could further determine the problem.
I said my call and shortly the other person responded. Seemed I was full quieting into the repeater (strong signal) but that soon changed as traffic let me accelerate from about 20 to 30 mph to 70. So even though I wasn't hearing a problem on receive my transmit was "choppy". I slowed to exit the freeway and Bob, the other HAM I was having a QSO with (talking to) ask me to give him 30 seconds of chatter (talk about anything) so he could tell if driving slower make a difference to my transmit signal.
During my 30 second chatter, I mentioned that I was driving a noisy Jeep, specifically a 1998 Jeep Cherokee.
Bob replied, "Oh you drive a Cherokee? I wonder if you visit a website that I use, it's X J talk." I laughed and said, I not only visit the site I own it!
Turns out I was talking to Bob, OldFaurt. We continued the conversation for another 5 minutes or so until I made it to the house.
I checked my antenna and I guess the repeated bending it over as I drove into the garage had caused the stinger portion of the antenna to loosen from the spring. It wasn't so lose it was about to fall off but I'm sure it was enough to make and break contact as my vibrating Jeep lumbered down the road, more so when driving faster.
So if you have EchoLink, or you're in the Katy area tune your radio, or scanner, to 147.200 about 5:15 pm during the week and maybe you can hear, or better yet, join in on the conversation!
I had a problem with my transmit the day before so I wanted to do some further "on air" testing to see if I could further determine the problem.
I said my call and shortly the other person responded. Seemed I was full quieting into the repeater (strong signal) but that soon changed as traffic let me accelerate from about 20 to 30 mph to 70. So even though I wasn't hearing a problem on receive my transmit was "choppy". I slowed to exit the freeway and Bob, the other HAM I was having a QSO with (talking to) ask me to give him 30 seconds of chatter (talk about anything) so he could tell if driving slower make a difference to my transmit signal.
During my 30 second chatter, I mentioned that I was driving a noisy Jeep, specifically a 1998 Jeep Cherokee.
Bob replied, "Oh you drive a Cherokee? I wonder if you visit a website that I use, it's X J talk." I laughed and said, I not only visit the site I own it!
Turns out I was talking to Bob, OldFaurt. We continued the conversation for another 5 minutes or so until I made it to the house.
I checked my antenna and I guess the repeated bending it over as I drove into the garage had caused the stinger portion of the antenna to loosen from the spring. It wasn't so lose it was about to fall off but I'm sure it was enough to make and break contact as my vibrating Jeep lumbered down the road, more so when driving faster.
So if you have EchoLink, or you're in the Katy area tune your radio, or scanner, to 147.200 about 5:15 pm during the week and maybe you can hear, or better yet, join in on the conversation!