I'm just being aware. Not making a moral judgement. I just want everyone buying into this to realize there are profit motives in play that aren't exclusively, partially or otherwise altruistic.
Today I received my Explorer QRZ 1 from GigaParts a through the QRZ new HAM welcome program. It's a great HT that's the same as the TYT UV88, but with different firmware and menu. I programmed it in the current CHIRP app that includes the Explorer QRZ 1 and the standard TYT USB to 2-pin Kenwood type cable, so I found no need for a new cable nor the included programming disc. The firmware that is written to it restricts the radio to VHF and UHF HAM frequencies, unlike the TYT UV88 and Retevis RT85 (same internals) that are identical and easily unlocked. I'm sure that the installed firmware was to attain FCC compliance. After programming it I checked the VSWR, power forward and reflected with the rubber duck that comes with it with the following results: VHF CALL SWR 1.54:1, 3.90FW W, .177 RW W. UHF CALL SWR 5.8:1, 2.98 FW W, 1.48 RW W. My conclusion is that the rubber duck is quite usable on VHF, but not so on UHF. In further testing with a Retevis 13" whip (400-520 MHz) that I tuned by trimming, I got much better results on UHF: UHF CALL SWR 1.01:1, 5.07 FW W, .000 RW W. Which just goes to show how important an antenna tuned for the frequency is to maximize potential. BIG THANK YOU EVERYONE!
"Some people"-Notarubicon Sad hams just run 'em off. The only thing worse than being old is being old and stupid.
CHIRP works, if you update the application. Just programmed mine with CHIRP a few hours ago. YOU MUST UPDATE.
Hi there, i passed the Ham Radio General class and received my license today. I follow the one account per user role and added my new call sign KK7IRP to my account. But when I try to apply the Jump Start Program I got the message that there is no US call sign registered under my account. What am I doing wrong? 73
I received my General license less than a month ago, and would like to thank QRZ and GigaParts for the program. The QRZ-1 is great.
Hi there DF8VX, I just got my license today also and had the same error. It took about 2 hours to resolve. I assume the QRZ site pulls down the FCC database at set intervals rather than using an API to query the live database. In any event, I just had to wait a few hours. Hope this help! Trevor KQ4DWG
70, but not stupid. When all a person has left to do is rain on someone else's parade, then they best do something for good for their self and others. In my time I've come to the conclusion that there's only two kinds of people; givers and takers. 73s to all.
I'm curious as to the total number of new HAMs that benefited from the Jumpstart, as I did. I received the Explorer QRZ-1 HT package and the QRZ one year premium subscription. Thanks to those who initiated and financed the program. For the "sad HAMs" that just don't get it I'll say that I don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
This is a fantastic program! Back when I first started my persuit of a license most towns had a current ham or two that took great joy in Elmering younger potential operators. Mine was W0BSN. Often our first rigs were loaners from our Elmer or other local hams who might have some spare gear. I'm not sure how much that happens these days. It appears like this program will fill that gap! 73 de W5EN Steve
