Oh SNAP....2 videos in one day? LOL! Steve, the VNA shot at 14:20 looks like a resistor. It should look like a sharp "V" where both sides off center are very high on the scale. (High Q). I believe this is why the antenna is not transmitting well. Check it with an ohm meter. I suspect sabotage from Jim or Ape. I suggest a sweep using Smith Chart instead of SWR for more info. 73 OM 😎 PS. Those 10M radials are 1/2 wave long on 20M, so they present a very high Z and it's like they are not connected. Fold the ends back, and connect that to the coax shield.
Ooh, good tips! I think this is "High Q" compared to what "you're used to", but not terrible. I was surprised that once I got it tuned in, the 705 was happy on the whole SSB portion of the band and I was making contacts easy. The previous day I didn't use the VNA, I followed the guide (which says "some 10m radials" and set the coil at 5) and used the Elecraft T1. The T1 is showing some symptoms that I need to track down. It wasn't very usable.
Hey! You were right in my backyard. My QTH is about 30 miles south of Des Moines. Also today I learned what that guitar pic hanging off the side of my nano VNA is supposed to be used for. This whole time I’ve been stabbing at it with my stupid sausage finger getting irritated that it never seems to register my touch correctly. This is going to seriously up my VNA game. Great video. Thanks for sharing! 73 - K0TFL
We have been full time RVing since 2008, workamped & camp hosted across 36 states since. I wish POTA & Ham Radio had been with me more, just getting back into things now. I've only had 9ne activation thus far, with summer band conditions I need a QRO portable setup to complement if I want to do more than one activation and a bunch of partial ones. I haven't been on APRS for 20 years, need to wake up & smell the technology again, lol. Cheers, Davey - KU9L. PS - we manage 13 compounds for the USFS in Colorado, then scoot to Chicago in October to see the grandbabies before we head to FL to do elder care for the winter, hope to do a few activations on the way.
APRS (sadly) hasn't seen much interest from the HW mfgs. They don't grok the concept. You'll be right where you left off... but now, you can talk to/through the space station.
@@temporarilyoffline I used to have a 2M Packet Radio BBS in the mid-80's that I ran on two floppy drives, YAPP (Yet Another Packet Program), but APRS never quite got into my life at that point even though my wife & son got their cordless technician ham ticket in 2001. I bought an Icom ID-4001 in 2021, but never had a D-Star conversation with it even though it has potential as well. I went to buy a simplex repeater controller so my 16 camp hosts can get in on GMRS for wellness checks since we don't have good cell coverage up there, but all of the good manufacturers from yesteryear seemed to have disappeared as well. I think it would be cool to use APRS to spot me for area POTA contacts in 52 simplex, but I carried an HR on my golf cart for six years in Winter Haven, FL at the RV Campground we managed & never had a conversation on 52! When I was digging up broken sewer or power line breaks I would listen to the repeater, but activity is so micro -spontaneous, lol. Davey - KU9L
Nice - it was a fun trip and I'll have some better announcements of where I'm going as I learn how to do this better. Be on the lookout for future POTA gatherings.
@@stevemichael9023 Nice! If you're looking for more power in the truck, take a look at the Btech amp: th-cam.com/video/9kj-xGTzh7E/w-d-xo.html Its the best of both worlds.
Your living on the road traveling, thats incredible! I like taken trips, i like it! ! And that radio wasn't to bad tnx steve, tnx for the ride, enjoy your travels!
The more digipeters people put into service, the better. They are easy to set up and not that expensive to do. Especially if you use an old 2 meter rig. It does not need to be new and fancy.
I have that antenna and primarily use it mounted to my hood on a lip mount. I also get 20m around 3-1/4 mark. Works great with a good counterpoise. Maybe try 72ft total, my buddies swear by it. 12x 6ft is a manageable size
Nothing really wrong with the power options other than the cradle being overpriced. These things are supposed to be "somewhat" repairable. The firmware has some issues, though. It's sort of amazing comparing the disparity of quality of firmware of Yaesu to some little boutique operation like QRPLabs. It's getting hard to excuse Yaesu's firmware setup in 2023.
I will never understand companies reluctance to put usb-c in the radios. Kind of annoying to need 3 different cables for various radios. Good video as always.
I saw you were spotted at White Sands and wondered what was up. Benchmark hunter? Are you a geocacher also? Funny I didn't get a notification when you were in Des Moines though. Anywho, gotta check out the other playlist or channel about the camping. Didn't know about the fulltime camping thing. I had better get with it. Hopefully that Ford will treat you well.
@@temporarilyoffline Just watched all the other videos so all caught up on the creepin on Steve game. We'll be headed your way somewhat soon to go to a music venu near Greenbay. Maybe we'll see the km9g-7 on the trip up. I run -9 all the time even when we pull the camper. Glad you axed the ducks on the back wall! Off to fill propane tanks here! 73
I really love that quick release belt clip holster.. I've been using it since the start of summer.. So far so good! Hope you end up liking the ft5 ! My only complaint so far is the short-ish battery life which I hope can be fixed with one of those larger 3800mah batteries..
How are you dealing with the antenna and the belt clip. For... ahem "other reasons" I'm not a shirt tucker. Another comment here says that after market batteries don't work with the belt clip deal, check that out.
@@temporarilyoffline Yup, that's one downside of the larger battery.. Thanks for reminding me, lol. As for the shirt thing.. Honestly, I find the antenna is far enough off my body that it doesn't get caught on my clothes but that's why I can only use the quick release in the summer.. when I mainly wear button shirts or t's It doesnt work as well wearing a jacket and sweater at least for me..
Exactly - I look at it this way: Even if I didn't make any contacts, the experience was still enjoyable because I was in a park, seeing nature, got a break, etc.
You used an Emerson to open the cable bag. Are we related? Feels like I've met my brother from another mother. If I wasn't on the road during your trip, I would've tried to help with the aprs logging. Maybe next time, I'll have the time to help track how your current rig is working. That belt clip looks awesome, btw. I wanna make some kydex holsters for our common radios. We'll see how it plays out.
@temporarilyoffline right? So many things end up better with kydex. Thank you for putting up your content, brother. I hope to use all the footage I keep filming to make something great. I think we need to get the next gen stoked on the old stuff to get them hooked on what we've got going. Always a pleasure. I hope you're having fun with that new rig. FYI- make sure you have everything sorted under that hood. Cylinder number 3 always acts up on those things. If you ever have any issues, just hellicoil that SOB. 🤙🏽
Don't tell Mike, K8MRD how useful, fun and Kool APRS is. He thinks it sucks. The FT 5D is a great radio and although a little clunky, it does a great job with APRS.
Hey man, do you have an APRS for complete idiots video? I have watched videos like this and a few others that are on the Tubes but I am missing a step somewhere. Start with turning on the radio and end with seeing exactly what is going on and how the results end up on the internet. I have the FT5D so a video with that one would be great. If anyone knows of a video about this that already exist that would be fine also. I may just be using the wrong search terms.
KB9VBR has some great videos on APRS and how it works. KM4ACK has loads of good stuff as well if you're into the more techy stuff. Nothing that I've seen specifically on the radio but maybe Steve will do one for you?
I hear ya, I'm in the same boat - I have been working on getting it all setup and I'm finding all the pieces. Frankly, the 5D is not easy to use... considering it came out several years after smartphones and tablets set the example of user experience for messaging. I'm in the middle of working on a series where I build an interface for a common off the shelf radio and once I get the interface done, I'll have the APRS video itself out. The 5D will short-circuit that process and I can get that video out faster. Just have to figure out how to do it without giving away the address where I'm sleeping that night. Soon!
@@victorcharlie7491 That's what I did here. But it would be nice to hang out with friends and do POTA or other radio activities. I'll find the balance!
@@temporarilyoffline I once dropped the mixture adjustment screw from an RC plane carby. It fell 3” into the grass right below the plane. I never found it.
@KB8N oh, hey there! Your 1/4 inch youtube photo was hard to see. I'm looking for an antenna mount that would connect to on of the under hood bolts. I want one on each side - hamstick and 2/70
Why do you have the graph set to be so low on the nano? My SWR graph is right smack in the middle allowing me to see the dips without scrolling as much to look at the numbers.
@@Sparkfly88 There's like 600 ways to do everything in ham radio. I try to just make things simple and fun. I will be doing a more specific video on this antenna, and probably on tuning in general coming up.
@@temporarilyoffline oh it's all good. Wasn't complaining or anything. Was just curious is all. With the line that low it'd drive me nuts trying to find the dip. 🤣
@@temporarilyoffline I've debated on that antenna forever. I think there's another version with a full size whip instead of the telescopic. The shipping for it is just BRUTAL. 🤣
Yes, I broke the tip off putting in a woven wire fence, but other than that. It's been my EDC for the past ten years. I'm not a fan of the Tonto point though.
@@rafaelgcpp This one isn't bad, but I agree. I have kitchen knives that I keep so sharp that they scare me. Have to be very careful when I'm slicing up beef for homemade jerky. I don't like the tonto point on this knife, makes it hard to sharpen.
Thanks for letting me come along on the road trip!
We need to do that again
Oh SNAP....2 videos in one day? LOL!
Steve, the VNA shot at 14:20 looks like a resistor. It should look like a sharp "V" where both sides off center are very high on the scale. (High Q).
I believe this is why the antenna is not transmitting well. Check it with an ohm meter. I suspect sabotage from Jim or Ape.
I suggest a sweep using Smith Chart instead of SWR for more info. 73 OM 😎
PS. Those 10M radials are 1/2 wave long on 20M, so they present a very high Z and it's like they are not connected. Fold the ends back, and connect that to the coax shield.
Ooh, good tips! I think this is "High Q" compared to what "you're used to", but not terrible. I was surprised that once I got it tuned in, the 705 was happy on the whole SSB portion of the band and I was making contacts easy. The previous day I didn't use the VNA, I followed the guide (which says "some 10m radials" and set the coil at 5) and used the Elecraft T1. The T1 is showing some symptoms that I need to track down. It wasn't very usable.
Hey! You were right in my backyard. My QTH is about 30 miles south of Des Moines.
Also today I learned what that guitar pic hanging off the side of my nano VNA is supposed to be used for.
This whole time I’ve been stabbing at it with my stupid sausage finger getting irritated that it never seems to register my touch correctly. This is going to seriously up my VNA game.
Great video. Thanks for sharing!
73 - K0TFL
"This one weird trick will make your NanoVNA sing!"
We have been full time RVing since 2008, workamped & camp hosted across 36 states since. I wish POTA & Ham Radio had been with me more, just getting back into things now. I've only had 9ne activation thus far, with summer band conditions I need a QRO portable setup to complement if I want to do more than one activation and a bunch of partial ones. I haven't been on APRS for 20 years, need to wake up & smell the technology again, lol. Cheers, Davey - KU9L. PS - we manage 13 compounds for the USFS in Colorado, then scoot to Chicago in October to see the grandbabies before we head to FL to do elder care for the winter, hope to do a few activations on the way.
APRS (sadly) hasn't seen much interest from the HW mfgs. They don't grok the concept. You'll be right where you left off... but now, you can talk to/through the space station.
@@temporarilyoffline I used to have a 2M Packet Radio BBS in the mid-80's that I ran on two floppy drives, YAPP (Yet Another Packet Program), but APRS never quite got into my life at that point even though my wife & son got their cordless technician ham ticket in 2001. I bought an Icom ID-4001 in 2021, but never had a D-Star conversation with it even though it has potential as well. I went to buy a simplex repeater controller so my 16 camp hosts can get in on GMRS for wellness checks since we don't have good cell coverage up there, but all of the good manufacturers from yesteryear seemed to have disappeared as well. I think it would be cool to use APRS to spot me for area POTA contacts in 52 simplex, but I carried an HR on my golf cart for six years in Winter Haven, FL at the RV Campground we managed & never had a conversation on 52! When I was digging up broken sewer or power line breaks I would listen to the repeater, but activity is so micro -spontaneous, lol. Davey - KU9L
I agree with you - it seems like the areas best served by ham radio are the least served by ham radio.
Excuse me ladies while I whip out my Leatherman.
Stand Back! A Real Man is about to do some Real Man Shtuff!!
TTP told me that you were in AZ the other day. I saw you were taking a route that I take all the time and going through the WSMR area in NM.
Nice - it was a fun trip and I'll have some better announcements of where I'm going as I learn how to do this better. Be on the lookout for future POTA gatherings.
@@temporarilyoffline, I’m a professional truck driver as well. I just got the FT5D myself.
@@stevemichael9023 Nice! If you're looking for more power in the truck, take a look at the Btech amp: th-cam.com/video/9kj-xGTzh7E/w-d-xo.html Its the best of both worlds.
What is the opposite of magicery?
@@thebnbaldwin TH-cam won't let me answer that. I think the answer you're looking for is on the Trailer Park Boys show.
Congrats in the new ride. Looking forward to more adventures.
Us too!
That was a long trip in a short amount of time. Hats off to you.
Super Slab!!! You know me, I've got LOTS of stuff to do!
Looked like a lot of bug splatter on that signal stick. Great info on the 12v power for the ft5.Not bad all the way to Cali. on that Grabil!
The guy on the other end was doing all the heavy lifting on that CA contact ;-)
@@temporarilyoffline true!
Excellent soundtrack, my kinda jam. Love to drive to this stuff :)
You and me both!
It glows in the dark too! My favorite HT antenna. I slammed my signal stick in the car door again yesterday it survived!
It's a winner!
Your living on the road traveling, thats incredible! I like taken trips, i like it! ! And that radio wasn't to bad tnx steve, tnx for the ride, enjoy your travels!
Glad you enjoyed it! Its time for a new adventure for me!
The lack of digipeaters & igates is bad thing about APRS. I want to set one up. I’ll get to it eventually. 73!
The computer side is pretty easy, it's the radio side that needs to be easier.
@@temporarilyoffline Exactly. 73!
The more digipeters people put into service, the better. They are easy to set up and not that expensive to do. Especially if you use an old 2 meter rig. It does not need to be new and fancy.
I have that antenna and primarily use it mounted to my hood on a lip mount. I also get 20m around 3-1/4 mark. Works great with a good counterpoise. Maybe try 72ft total, my buddies swear by it. 12x 6ft is a manageable size
Thanks for the tip, I'll try it.
The mini usb and power options for that FT5D is archaic! That's a deal breaker for me. SMH!
Why didn't you wait for the D75 for your trip? Lol
I got a fantastic deal on the FT5D at hamvention this year - otherwise I wouldn't have this radio at all!
Nothing really wrong with the power options other than the cradle being overpriced. These things are supposed to be "somewhat" repairable.
The firmware has some issues, though. It's sort of amazing comparing the disparity of quality of firmware of Yaesu to some little boutique operation like QRPLabs. It's getting hard to excuse Yaesu's firmware setup in 2023.
That Yaesu ft5d looks like an awesome radio.
So far so good. I could see ways they could make it better already though. One of these radio companies needs to hire me as a consultant ;-)
I will never understand companies reluctance to put usb-c in the radios. Kind of annoying to need 3 different cables for various radios.
Good video as always.
Totally agree, thanks Steve@
Looks like you had a fun trip!
Always a blast!
Those cracks in the pik-a-nick table oof they like to eat screws, then good luck finding them in the grass. lul Over the box OVER the BOX I say :)
Good point - I'm always very careful about getting a screw loose.
I saw you were spotted at White Sands and wondered what was up. Benchmark hunter? Are you a geocacher also? Funny I didn't get a notification when you were in Des Moines though.
Anywho, gotta check out the other playlist or channel about the camping. Didn't know about the fulltime camping thing. I had better get with it. Hopefully that Ford will treat you well.
Thanks Aaron - yeah, it was a big road trip as you saw. Lots of fun actually. Radio and POTA helped keep my mind active.
@@temporarilyoffline Just watched all the other videos so all caught up on the creepin on Steve game. We'll be headed your way somewhat soon to go to a music venu near Greenbay. Maybe we'll see the km9g-7 on the trip up. I run -9 all the time even when we pull the camper.
Glad you axed the ducks on the back wall! Off to fill propane tanks here! 73
@@kb9mtd-aaronwebb I got hate for having the ducks... and just as much hate for getting rid of them. Can't win 'em all!
Thanks for doing an antenna VNA set up and test, would like it if you do more, maybe a Smith chart or other setting.
There will be a dedicated video on this antenna with the VNA, stay tuned.
I really love that quick release belt clip holster.. I've been using it since the start of summer.. So far so good! Hope you end up liking the ft5 ! My only complaint so far is the short-ish battery life which I hope can be fixed with one of those larger 3800mah batteries..
How are you dealing with the antenna and the belt clip. For... ahem "other reasons" I'm not a shirt tucker. Another comment here says that after market batteries don't work with the belt clip deal, check that out.
@@temporarilyoffline Yup, that's one downside of the larger battery.. Thanks for reminding me, lol. As for the shirt thing.. Honestly, I find the antenna is far enough off my body that it doesn't get caught on my clothes but that's why I can only use the quick release in the summer.. when I mainly wear button shirts or t's It doesnt work as well wearing a jacket and sweater at least for me..
@@RookieLock Thanks for the info! I'm still getting it sorted.
White Sands is an amazing place. (Best at Sunset). Ham Alert told me you were activating but I was out and unable to give it a try.
Next time! I was a big fan of Arizona and western NM scenery. Beautiful place!
be sure to buy the cradle for faster charging, I am told that you can also put 12 volts directly into the radio (in the advanced manual)
I used a 12v adapter in the car and it ran great!
Sometimes it goes that way with POTA. I had that kind of situation the other day from K-6490.
Exactly - I look at it this way: Even if I didn't make any contacts, the experience was still enjoyable because I was in a park, seeing nature, got a break, etc.
I have a couple of aftermarket batteries for mine that are 1 or 2 mm thicker and don't fit the belt clip holster.
Do they have their own belt clips?
@@temporarilyoffline Fortunately yes.
You used an Emerson to open the cable bag. Are we related? Feels like I've met my brother from another mother. If I wasn't on the road during your trip, I would've tried to help with the aprs logging. Maybe next time, I'll have the time to help track how your current rig is working.
That belt clip looks awesome, btw. I wanna make some kydex holsters for our common radios. We'll see how it plays out.
Nice! Kydex is good stuff!
@temporarilyoffline right? So many things end up better with kydex. Thank you for putting up your content, brother. I hope to use all the footage I keep filming to make something great.
I think we need to get the next gen stoked on the old stuff to get them hooked on what we've got going.
Always a pleasure. I hope you're having fun with that new rig.
FYI- make sure you have everything sorted under that hood. Cylinder number 3 always acts up on those things. If you ever have any issues, just hellicoil that SOB. 🤙🏽
@@TheGeekiestGuy I've heard that to. Thanks for looking out
I have the same glow-in-the-dark Signal Stick, and the same radio. Let's try this out
I'm in!
Don't tell Mike, K8MRD how useful, fun and Kool APRS is. He thinks it sucks. The FT 5D is a great radio and although a little clunky, it does a great job with APRS.
I wish it would be more user friendly at sending messages, but so far so good.
Who cares what that other TH-camr thinks. I don't like his videos.
Ah, that's the antenna. That's a contender
It does pretty good. I'll have a video specific to it soon.
luck Wisconsin? i went through basic training decades ago with two guys from there.
Nice! It's a quiet little town. I'll miss some parts of it.
Hey man, do you have an APRS for complete idiots video? I have watched videos like this and a few others that are on the Tubes but I am missing a step somewhere. Start with turning on the radio and end with seeing exactly what is going on and how the results end up on the internet. I have the FT5D so a video with that one would be great. If anyone knows of a video about this that already exist that would be fine also. I may just be using the wrong search terms.
KB9VBR has some great videos on APRS and how it works. KM4ACK has loads of good stuff as well if you're into the more techy stuff. Nothing that I've seen specifically on the radio but maybe Steve will do one for you?
I hear ya, I'm in the same boat - I have been working on getting it all setup and I'm finding all the pieces. Frankly, the 5D is not easy to use... considering it came out several years after smartphones and tablets set the example of user experience for messaging. I'm in the middle of working on a series where I build an interface for a common off the shelf radio and once I get the interface done, I'll have the APRS video itself out. The 5D will short-circuit that process and I can get that video out faster. Just have to figure out how to do it without giving away the address where I'm sleeping that night. Soon!
@@temporarilyoffline I wouldn't ever tell anyone where your at, just give it in the next video, after your long gone, lol.
@@victorcharlie7491 That's what I did here. But it would be nice to hang out with friends and do POTA or other radio activities. I'll find the balance!
@@temporarilyoffline You know about position ambiguity, right?
You're brave opening a packet of small screws on a slatted table.
I'm experienced! Watching them like a hawk! Each of them made of the most precious of metals!
@@temporarilyoffline I once dropped the mixture adjustment screw from an RC plane carby. It fell 3” into the grass right below the plane. I never found it.
@@JohnVK5JAK ouch! That had to hurt!
You would have uploaded it regardless of whether it was a park-to-park right?
I guess that's true too. It's a part of POTA that is new to me.
Where did you get that t-shirt??????!
The company is offline currently
@@temporarilyoffline Damn. Every VE7 should have one!
Cool power cord on the 705
Thanks, I got itnat dayton this year.
@@temporarilyoffline Are you putting a mobile in the new tow vehicle? If so remote head? and how will you mount it.
@KB8N I'm looking for antenna options right now. But most likely the IC-7100. Not sure yet what radio.
@@temporarilyoffline I can help with mounting options. That is pretty much what I do. I am the guy that gave you the power cable.
@KB8N oh, hey there! Your 1/4 inch youtube photo was hard to see. I'm looking for an antenna mount that would connect to on of the under hood bolts. I want one on each side - hamstick and 2/70
Why do you have the graph set to be so low on the nano? My SWR graph is right smack in the middle allowing me to see the dips without scrolling as much to look at the numbers.
Because I didn't change the setting.
@@temporarilyoffline valid reason 🤣
@@Sparkfly88 There's like 600 ways to do everything in ham radio. I try to just make things simple and fun. I will be doing a more specific video on this antenna, and probably on tuning in general coming up.
@@temporarilyoffline oh it's all good. Wasn't complaining or anything. Was just curious is all. With the line that low it'd drive me nuts trying to find the dip. 🤣
@@temporarilyoffline I've debated on that antenna forever. I think there's another version with a full size whip instead of the telescopic. The shipping for it is just BRUTAL. 🤣
OK - I'll bite. What IS the reverse of "Magicry"? Apologies if it is obvious - it's been a long day.
TH-cam won't allow me to say it...
Not radio related. Is that an Emerson blade?
Yes, I broke the tip off putting in a woven wire fence, but other than that. It's been my EDC for the past ten years. I'm not a fan of the Tonto point though.
@@temporarilyoffline Kershaw is doing some interesting things these days.
@@barrybogart5436 I need a new knife, but this one isn't broken enough yet.
Do you have that part number for the plug I could use one of those for mh ft5
Its a 4.0mm x 1.7mm barrel plug. There are a couple of different ways to get them.
@@temporarilyoffline thx I was just hoping for a part number.
@@Chuck1855 I dug mine out of my parts bin. It came with a solar panel. I had to go through 2 sets to get there.
Would you sharp that knife, please?
Nah, that's my workin knife! - the tip is actually broken off from installing some woven wire fencing for my sheep!
@@temporarilyoffline dull knifes are one of my pet peeves. My wife dulls all my precious chef and butcher knives!
@@rafaelgcpp This one isn't bad, but I agree. I have kitchen knives that I keep so sharp that they scare me. Have to be very careful when I'm slicing up beef for homemade jerky. I don't like the tonto point on this knife, makes it hard to sharpen.
I count myself lucky to find a radio with any kind of USB. The lack of an easy way to program a radio from a computer in 2023 is annoying.
Right - even the brand new BT options are outdated
A Ford Exploder ?
No, an expedition... luckily
@@temporarilyoffline I wish I could afford to run one, but at over $2.00 a “litre”…………………..🥺
@@BurninWires I shifted some funds from column A to afford column B.