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| The RV Radio Network (RVRN) is an ARRL affiliated association of Amateur Radio Operators who share an interest Recreational Vehicles. Watch this website for information about rallies, hamfests, radio nets, and other activities of interest to the members of our club. | RVRN now has ham radio nets for every class of license, and even one net that does not require an FCC license. The list of club sponsored nets is below and a large list of RV/Ham nets is available by clicking the "RV/Travel Nets" button on the menu bar at the top of most pages. | Net Control Operators KK4WP, KA2HPG, N0ROB, W8TJT, N3YRZ, W9WRM, WA5FFL, K7SWS, N5IL, AD2IH, N6MOS, K4HM & KL7KTP want to talk to you. If you would like to help us as an NCO or Relay station please contact our Communications Manager Fred, KA2HPG. |
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Latest Bulletin Board Posts
Posted by KD6HOF - 3-4-2026 _ 9:22 AM CST NEXT: 2026 Santa Maria DXers & Contesters Convention In lieu of "Visalia International DX Conference" (returning 2027) https://www.socalcontestclub.org/SantaMaria2026/events.php My understanding is there realy are no nearby convenient camping, unless you can discover something. let us know. -Tim Posted by K9JMF - 3-2-2026 _ 1:50 PM CST SPRING RALLY - The registration form has a rather unclear question of "permission to list". If you replied "yes" or left that blank, we WILL share your information with the other participants at the rally. If you replied "no", you will not be included on the list of participants at all; if this is not what you intended, please drop me an email - JoAnne@FlyingShepherds.com Posted by KK4WP - 3-1-2026 _ 7:07 PM CST The Milton Rally sounds like it will be a good time. Patricia and I are looking forward to it. The catering sounds like a great idea. Let me know if can help. Posted by AI4SR - 2-27-2026 _ 2:23 PM CST Joe NJ9L, (continued, see my other post to you) I have an 857 in my RV and don't have any significant noise issue when most things are shut down. An inverter (DC to AC) is the worst noise maker. With HF, most anything can be a problem. Let us know more. Since this is probably of interest to all HF/RV users. Jim Posted by AI4SR - 2-27-2026 _ 2:16 PM CST Joe NJ9L, Assuming you have cut off all the circuits you mentioned (including anything plugged into Chassis power like GPS Mapping units etc.) The solar panels are not likely the issue, but the solar controller certainly could be. A 600W controller with its switching networks can make a lot of RF Noise. (Depending upon its location, wire routing and grounding.) Also, I don't know where your 857 is powered up from. (Coach power or Truck power). An interesting test would be to connect it (857) to a separate 12V battery. It wouldn't have to be a big battery. A small 2 or 3 AH battery would be adequate since you will not need to transmit with it. This would isolate the radio DC from RV. Posted by N5IL - 2-27-2026 _ 1:02 PM CST I have secured a local mobile cook (friend) that can cook just about anything I want for our fall rally catering meal. ?? suggestion ?? Also the North Florida ARRL assistant district manager will be a guest speaker Wednesday followed by a Rassberry PIi demonstration. Hi tech stuff. Email me your comments: hbell2209@gmail.com Posted by N5IL - 2-20-2026 _ 2:41 PM CST Welll I’ve put together the Tarheal antenna I picked up at the HamCation and ready to test it on the net tonight. SWR tuned flat on the 40 net feq. on a tripod in the back yard. Let me know if you can hear it ok. 73. N5IL Posted by KD6HOF - 2-18-2026 _ 8:16 PM CST Next on the to-do list is: Yuma Hamfest & Southwestern Division Convention February 27-28, 2026 Yuma County Fairgrounds • Yuma, AZ https://www.yumahamfest.com/ Posted by KD6HOF - 2-6-2026 _ 10:43 AM CST 2026 Quartzfest was a Blast! - NOW, I'm heading back to the desert (same spot) once again next week! The next event is the "Truck Camper Adventure Rally" Started by Michael Smith (aka Mello Mike / KK7TCA) Tickets still available https://shorturl.at/XCJgx Even though this is for TRUCK Campers, you can still attend the event. His son did a video about it and "pop-up" camping: https://shorturl.at/JlwU5 73 Tim - KD6HOF Posted by KK4WP - 2-1-2026 _ 6:49 PM CST Joe, I had a similar problem with a whip antenna I was using on the camper. I ended up isolating the antenna from the RV ground and ran an independent ground rod. Since then, I now use a 35' end fed, with a common mode choke, that I run up on a fiberglass pole connected to the rear ladder and tie it off to either another fiberglass pole on a tripod or to a tree. I also use a separate 3' copper ground rod. Works well enough, but as they say, your mileage may vary. Good luck. Posted by N5IL - 1-27-2026 _ 11:55 AM CST Joe NJ9L that noise problem is a good will be a good topic to discuss on Wednesday tech night on the 40 mtr net. Hope you can check in and bring it up for discussion. Posted by NJ9L - 1-24-2026 _ 3:17 PM CST Hi I NEED SOME HELP. I installed a yeasu 857d in my renegade motorhome with an atas 120 antenna. The noise floor is at s8. I have shut off shore power, my inverter, and all the lights. Engine not running. I do have 600w solor on the roof. This the only thing I can think of creating the noise. Has anyone ran into this problem and is there anything you can do to cut the noise level? Thanks, Joe Posted by N3YRZ - 12-3-2025 _ 3:11 PM CST Our RVRN president lost his wife last night. Out of respect we are cancelling the board meeting tonight. Our next board meeting will be Jan 7, 2026. We will do a silent key tribute for Barb KC8BAB tomorrow (Thursday Dec 4) on the 40 meter net at 7 central time. There will be no funeral services per Barb's request. Dwight has also asked that only cards are sent. 73 Michelle N3YRZ Posted by N5IL - 12-2-2025 _ 12:35 PM CST Looking forward to the Fall Rally in Milton fl. at the Unhitched rv resort. I highly recommend that everyone interested in attending should call now 850-623-0808 to start your reservation. Also if you’re planning on putting up a vertical ant. request a site on row C. Row B has an over head pwr line. Also go to their website to review the amenities they offer. Milton unhitched rv is a new informative page. My phone number is +15128319224. Call and I’ll help where I can. Posted by N3YRZ - 11-27-2025 _ 11:37 AM CST Since we didn't have a multimode net on Thanksgiving we extended the deadline. We will accept techn (continued on the Members Only page.) |
RVRN NETS
40m Nightly Net: Sun - Fri 7 PM CT 7.264 Mhz +/- 10Mhz
November 2025 Public Network News
is <HERE>
UPCOMING RVRN EVENTS
SPRING RALLY Follow the River RV Resort FALL RALLY 2026 Unhitched/Milton,
RVRN Members are welcome at Board Meetings.
Next Meeting April 8, 2026 at 8PM Central Time Click here to <Sign In>
Mike Sokol RV
Electricity Program
Presented at the Feb. 26th Membership Meeting Subscribe to RV Electricity Daily News <Here> Ask the RVRN Tech Guy HERE (we are back after fixing some interference) (7/14/25) Why does my power level keep dropping?.
Hello, I have a question for RVRN. I have a Yaesu FTM 400 which I really like it, but I am having an issue. When I key up on full power, the radio automatically drops back to medium power level and I’m not sure what’s happening?
Thank you very much for your question. This is interesting and it could be caused by two issues, one or the other. I would first check and be sure that your power supply is maintaining it’s full voltage on transmit. If there is a loose or poor connection anywhere in the DC powerline it could starve the radio from sufficient power. Another possibility is you may have a High SWR from your antenna or coax run and the radio could be protecting itself from this poor SWR and reducing power from the radio. Check your power line connections, and your antenna and you’ll likely find the problem. Hope this helps you. Tim K5TGS Best Regards (7/11/25) Jan asked about RF setting of his alarm.
Strange happening!
I have a 2015 Entegra Aspire and while setup in our site I had my FT-710 connected to an MP1 Super Antenna that was mounted on the picnic table that was about 25 feet from the front of the bus. Fairly certain I was operating on 40 meters and probably using 100 watts. What happened was... my coach alarm got activated. So... could it have been activated by the RF I was radiating? I don't know the frequency used for the remotes... but I have been troubled with this for some time... considering I would like to operate while mobile (using an ATAS-120A). Hi Jan Thank you for the question here! This is interesting and could be caused by a few issues. First, you are rather close to the coach and are likely to have interference created by what is called the near-field radiation from the antenna. This energy can create havoc on nearby electronics. Second, if you do not have a low SWR you could also have energy coming back down the coax braid, which will radiate energy in close by electronics. If you are able, I would first try a different antenna location relative to the coach. Putting the antenna at a greater distance should help out . Also, get access to a Nano VNA or antenna analyzer to check your SWR on 40M. Hope this helps you! Tim K5TGS (11/14) Should I solder or crimp my PL-259 connectors?.
Excellent question. Times have dramatically changed in this area over the past decade for good reason. Many of us have issues soldering the barrel onto the outside braid without melting the internal insulation. Crimping has the advantage of providing a very good electrical connection without harming the integrity of the coax. The disadvantage of crimping however is that there is a cost to purchase a quality crimping set.
An alternative for many, including me, is to purchase pre-cut assemblies with the connectors professionally installed. Most of the ham radio retailers sell these assemblies in many different lengths. Best Regards (11/12) Can I use the TV wiring in my RV for my HF antenna.
Is it possible to use the pre-wired satellite connection on my RV as a entry point to connect my external HF antenna to my station inside? The RV is wired with F-type connectors on (presumably) 75 ohm wire and runs parallel with the pre-wired cable TV connector.
Thank you very much for contacting RVRN with your question. If I understand your question you would like to use your satellite 75 ohm coax for your HF antenna. Without knowing the electrical characteristics of your coax it is difficult to say. I am not worried about the 75 ohm impedance but question the power rating. If you can, find the cable number and look up on the internet to confirm both the impedance and power rating. There are F connector adapters to be able to use the standard PL-259 connector. Tim K5TGS (11/9) Larry asks about grounding for his antenna.
I'm trying to install a HAM radio in my 40' Class-A motorhome. It's skinned entirely with fiberglass. I think I have found a mirror antenna mount for the antenna. My concern is about the ground plane requirement to make antenna work. If I can get it to work and install the antenna on the mirror, will that connection to the entire frame of the motorcoach act as the ground plane and give me good coms?
Hello Larry, Thank you for reaching out to RVRN with your question! Yes, if there is an electrical connection to the frame that can be a big help. One drawback could be the HF antenna size and drag on the mirror while driving. I suggest you get access to an antenna analyzer and check the SWR for this setup as you may need a tuner. An alternate setup RVers use is the hitch on the back of the coach with a mast going upward. Either setup will need to be tested for actual performance as each is a bit of a compromise. Let us know how it goes. Tim K5TGS (11/4) Gary asks about voltage and current phase.
Gary asks: Will a non-resonant vertical antenna with a set tuner at its feed point have the voltage and current at its feed point in phase? No lengthy discussion please: only yes, no, or I don't know.
Gary, This is a good question. If your tuner can tune the non-resonant antenna to 1:1 it will be purely resistive, and voltage and current are in phase. Tim K5TGS (9/30) Randy asks about the pre-wired coax cables in an RV
Randy asks: Looking for an answer on whether it is possible to use the pre wired coax cables in a Rv, for the tv, as a means to connect your antenna and base unit. I don’t have a unit in my camper yet but was wanting to eliminate any drilled holes through the camper floors or walls.
Hello Randy, This is an excellent question. I suppose the most typical impedance of TV coax is 75 ohms. This will introduce a little bit higher SWR for you but certainly something you can work with. Theoretically, this mismatch should only introduce an SWR of 1.5 to 1. Depending on your antenna, it may be useful to have a tuner to compensate for the slight mismatch. In fact, many hams do use 75 ohm coax because it is so much cheaper. The only other consideration would be the power level if you are using an amplifier. If so, I would look up the actual specs for your coax to make sure you don’t exceed the power rating. Best Regards (9/2) Jeff asks what antenna analyzer to use
This question comes to us from Jeff in Ohio. I am considering buying an antenna analyzer, but they seem very expensive. One option I did come across is the nano VNA. These seem to have the same functions but are far less expensive. What do you think?
Well, Jeff, you have this down correctly. The nano VNA’s are, in general, less expensive, and in fact, will do much more. With the improvement in technology, the nano VNA has become a great option for many hams. They are very flexible and have enormous capability. The major drawback I have found is that unless a ham is very technically inclined, the learning curve is very steep and many hams get frustrated trying to figure out how the VNA works. I would first recommend watching several YouTube’s about the nano VNA. Many of these are well done, and will give you great insight into the complexity of the VNA. The ARRL also has some very good publications about the VNA so check that out as well. If you feel comfortable, then you might invest in a VNA and get used to its capability. Best Regards (12/11) Do I need an Isolator/choke for my inverted VEE?
Jeff from North Carolina asks, what is an Isolator/choke and do I need to use one with my center fed inverted VEE dipole?
Jeff, this is a very good question and one I often get asked. The short answer is, perhaps. I tend to not add or use things in the hobby that aren’t really needed. Now, an isolator or 1:1 balun is useful when we have an issue with SWR or noise interference in the shack. This can occur when we have common mode currents coming back down the outside braid of the coax, which can radiate interference into our shack and home. Generally a center fed dipole has a feed point impedance in the area of 50 ohms so common currents are not an issue. However, there are installations that have external factors effecting one’s antenna. I have had dipoles up for years without the need for a choke balun but not all hams are as fortunate. When there are currents coming back down the coax and causing issues in the shack a choke is called for. They provide a very high impedance path for the coax braid and will eliminate the currents. Many manufacturers make these and are available on their websites. A quick note on the ugly balun, the homemade version constructed with several turns of coax. While these may be effective they tend to have a very high Q and thus suffer from bandwidth issues. Better to get a commercial brand and solve the issue. Tim K5TGS Best Regards (12/13) Elliot asks about HT replacement antennas.?
Elliot from California asks, I see company’s like Comet and Diamond sell many HT replacement antennas. Is this a good idea to replace a stock antenna?
Elliot, I tend to stay away from these unless I have a broken or lost HT antenna. I don’t see much advantage, for the cost, to replace the original one. First, the stock antenna has been designed along with the radio so there is a good electrical and mechanical match for the radio. The bigger reason I do not go with these is often the base of the replacement antenna does not seat completely down on the radio case which places a lot of stress on the SMA connector and the circuit board inside the radio. This could also permit moisture to enter the radio. However, these replacement antennas are popular and have good sales, so you decide for yourself. Best Regards The RVRN MultiMode - EchoLink net is each Thursday at 8 PM Central time on the Multi-Mode South East Conference Node (*SELINK*). You can usually find us on Net Logger -or- Net Scraper Subscribe to weekly EchoLink Net reminder/update Email. Complete RV Radio Network EchoLink information HERE FCC Topics of interestFCC to Require 2FA for CORES Users March 22, 2024
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced an upcoming change to the Commission Registration System (CORES) that licensees use to pay any application or regulatory fees, manage or reset a password on an existing FRN, or request a new FRN. Beginning March 29, 2024, multifactor authentication will be implemented. Users will be prompted to request a six-digit secondary verification code, which will be sent to the email address(es) associated with each username. The user will then need to enter the code into CORES before they can continue.
In a public notice, the FCC said this change will make the system more secure. "This additional layer of security will further safeguard against unauthorized access, thereby enhancing the overall integrity of information contained within the CORES system and improving the security of user data," it read. The FCC recommends that users confirm they have access to their username account email and to add a secondary email address, if need be. Resources are available for those who need assistance with the system. For inquiries or assistance regarding the implementation of multifactor authentication on CORES, submit a help request at https://www.fcc.gov/wtbhelp, or call the FCC at 877-480-3201 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM ET). Source: ARRL News 03/22/2024 Bandwidth Limits Replace Symbol Rates 12/08/2023
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published new rules adopted last month that replace the symbol rate restrictions on the HF bands with a bandwidth limit of 2.8 kHz. The new rules go into effect January 8, 2024.
The bands and band segments affected by the rules change are those authorized for data transmission between 160 and 10 meters, exclusive of 60 meters (where no change was made). Source: ARRL NEWS 12/08/2023 $35 Amateur Application Fee Effective April 19,2022
Source: arrl.org/fcc-application-fee
The FCC released a Public Notice on March 23, 2022, stating that the amateur radio application fees, including those associated with Form 605 application filings, would become effective on April 19, 2022. The Federal Communications Commission's authority to impose and collect fees is mandated by Congress. The $35 application fee, when it becomes effective on April 19, will apply to new, modification (upgrade and sequential call sign change), renewal, and vanity call sign applications. The fee will be per application. Administrative updates, such as a change of name, mailing or email address, will be exempt from fees. Read full story at arrl.org/fcc-application-fee FRN required on Appplications effective 5/20/2021
Amateur Radio Applications may no longer use your Social Security Number. As of May 20,2021 the application must include the applicants FRN number for submission. This means you must register with the FCC and get your FRN before your application can be submitted.
The FCC has provided a CORES Registration Vdeo describing the process of registering with the FCC and obtaining your FRN. New RF Exposure Rules Effective on May 3, 2021
4/12/2021
The FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019 Report and Order governing RF exposure standards go into effect on May 3, 2021. The new rules do not change existing RF exposure (RFE) limits but do require that stations in all services, including amateur radio, be evaluated against existing limits, unless they are exempted.
Ref: ARRL News (News article contains important information and useful references.) Note: Here are some links to RF Exposure information that may be of use: ARRL RF Exposure ARRL's coverage of this subject. RF Exposure and You ARRL Pdf by Ed Hare, W1RF, ARRL Lab Supervisor RF Exposure Calculator v2.2 (2021-05-07) by Paul Evans, VP9KF , Hintlink Technology. RF Exposure Calculator from Lake Wasington Ham Club RF Exposure Calculator Spreadseet" From Ham Radio School | |
