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Message |
    
Silverbullet516
New member
Username: Silverbullet516
Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2012
| | Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2012 - 10:20 pm: | 
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Im trying to help a young man get a station going. Funds are tight on both him and I. I was wanting to know if we can use a 102" steel whip a battery and a battery charger to get him on the air. Like i say money is tight on both ends these items are just what i was able to scrounge up around the house. A cobra 25 should be a good beginner radio right??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks |
Moonraker
Intermediate Member
Username: Moonraker
Post Number: 313
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 28, 2012 - 9:09 am: |
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The 102 whip will actually work pretty good but it needs some radials. One radial will work but 2-4 will be better. I used to have a 102 up on a pole with a spring mount and 2 radials and it worked very well. Without the radials he will have high swr and wont be able to talk very far.
All you need is some spare wire 14-18 gauge works great. Each radial will end up being around 8.5 feet but start out long at 9 - 9.5 feet. Attach them to the grounded part of the mount and tie them off with some small rope. My radials sloped at about a 45 degree angle and after trimming them the swr was near perfect.
A battery will work fine but unless its a sealed battery that doesn't vent and cant leak I wouldn't use it in the house. The garage is cool but house no. The gases a lead acid battery releases when it charges are flammable and a health hazard. You may have a hum in the receiver when using the battery charger but if you do just disconnect the charger. A cobra 25 draws very little power and he could literally talk for days on an average size car battery. He could even run a small amp.
As for the cobra 25 I say its an excellent beginner radio. It doesn't have too many knobs to confuse a beginner and they are good talkers too. With the 25 and the whip setup right he will have a respectable set up. Mine would talk 15-20 miles bases to base with just a peaked and tuned cobra 29. |
Silverbullet516
New member
Username: Silverbullet516
Post Number: 9
Registered: 7-2012
| | Posted on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 4:59 pm: |
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since i have posted this i was able to convince a few other people to get involved. we have collected a boomer 500 base ( only useing the power supply section of it ) a maco 5/8 all the coax and a power mic. he is liking the set up alot because of his location ( on top of the only hill around) he is able to out talk near all of us (until we light the fuse that is lol). he is eager to learn and were willing to teach him wich is what the hobby is about right? thanks for your post .... |
