• 18 Posts
  • 418 Comments
Joined 10 months ago
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Cake day: February 21st, 2024

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  • 667totechsupport@lemmy.worldslow net in rural areas
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    5 days ago

    You may do well to obtain an external antenna, either omni-directional or directional antenna (if you know for certain where your nearest cell antenna is, and can point it there with a clear line of sight). This antenna would need to be mounted outside your home or office.

    That tiny connector there should be called an “SMA” connector, and the specific antenna you need will depend on which cellular technology you are on, 4G, LTE, and so on.











  • 667toAmateur RadioIs $350 for Yaesu FT-857D a good deal?
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    11 days ago

    If you look at $350 as a substantial amount of money, I’d say pass.

    On the other hand, if $350 is roughly equivalent to a dinner for two for you, then yolo and see what you get.

    You might get something worth it and something you can flip if this isn’t the radio you ultimately want to end up with.


  • 667toAmateur RadioWhich band are you on?
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    11 days ago

    I usually try to find myself on 20m. I like it’s DX-ability at night and appreciate it’s reach during the day. Otherwise 10m is nice because there’s lots of new hams ready to answer CQ calls, or calling CQ themselves.

    The person who answered my very first QSO made it extra special by sending me a first-contact certificate; went way above and beyond and I am incredibly thankful for it.


  • 667toAmateur RadioIs $350 for Yaesu FT-857D a good deal?
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    11 days ago

    If you’re seeing them go for twice as much elsewhere, then it sounds like it might be a good deal. Bear in mind the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

    It’s possible it’s being sold by someone who had high ideas of amateur radio and wants to rid themselves of a basically brand new radio.

    It could be part of an estate sale and the seller did not do sufficient research.

    It could be inoperable and the seller is not being forthcoming.

    It could be stolen and someone is trying to fence it.

    At the end of the day, you have to decide if $350 is worth the risk.