{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://bckr.me/posts/2023/new-radio-day",
  "description": "New radio day for KE8TDE and some thoughts on handset programming.",
  "path": "/posts/2023/new-radio-day",
  "publishedAt": "2023-11-02T16:51:02.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:u6nttbpfrjvdgyzjj6c7fih7/site.standard.publication/3mnljdbkemk24",
  "tags": [
    "updates",
    "amateur radio",
    "ham radio"
  ],
  "textContent": "New Radio\n\nOver the summer, my existing mobile radio--a BTECH UV-50X3--stopped functioning. That was mostly a bummer, I'd been pretty happy with the radio, but the promise of moving onto something a bit more capable was rather appealing. I spent the last several months researching, reading reviews, and thinking about what I wanted out of a new radio. I have quite a bit of experience with DMR, due to the availability of cheap DMR handsets, and wanted to branch out into other digital modes. I also wanted to minimize modifications to my vehicle and a remote control head to simplify installation. I ended up deciding on the Yaesu FTM-500DR.\n\nI had to pick up a few extra install components (Yaesu _really_ wants you to screw stuff into the dash), but otherwise things could not have been simpler. I'd previously used Anderson Powerpoles when installing the older BTECH radio. As a result, swapping in the Yaesu was as simple as unclipping the leads to the BTECH and swapping them over. I spent longer on the zip ties keeping things tidy than on getting power to the radio. Within about 30 minutes, I had everything strapped into place, zip tied out of the way, and ready to get on the air.\n\nHandset Programming\n\nUnfortunately, programming software for the FTM-500 is a bit limited. There's not an ADMS version available for this radio (yet?). There's software available from RTSystems, but it's not open-source and was only available for Windows and Mac. I decided to try programming the radio directly from the faceplate before buying software. This has been super helpful.\n\nIt's nice that the radio has a quick workflow for programming frequencies--other radios I've had would've made this quite difficult. I've become _so much_ more comfortable operating this radio after spending a couple hours plugging in repeaters, configuring preferences, and checking out wide-band receive on the VFO.\n\nI expected to configure a repeater or two, find it slow, and use that to justify the rather minimal cost of the CPS. That's no longer my plan. Once ADMS supports the FTM-500, I expect I'll download it \"just in case\". I'm in no rush, though, and am enjoying getting a lot of practice.\n\nInterestingly, I haven't spent _that much_ longer working with this radio than I might spend setting up a new DMR HT. Setting up drivers and communication between a computer and a handset is always a chore, especially if Linux tools aren't available.\n\n---\n\nAttributions\n\nThumbnail: \"Radio Tower\" by Phil Edmonds is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0",
  "title": "New Radio Day"
}