New in Comms position so I need some help please:

I want to set up a base station at our squadron so some of us can check in on our local net during squadron meetings. I also want to use it for ICUT training and testing. I would like to do this with an EF Johnson 5300. Just not sure which exact model to look for. There are 2 VHF models in different frequency ranges. If anyone can give me an exact model number, or even a photo of an ID plate, I will appreciate it tremendously.

I would also like to buy two 5100's and have the same question regarding exact model numbers.

Please let me know if you have equipment for sale.

Thanks a million !!

New in Comms position so I need some help please:

I want to set up a base station at our squadron so some of us can check in on our local net during squadron meetings. I also want to use it for ICUT training and testing. I would like to do this with an EF Johnson 5300. Just not sure which exact model to look for. There are 2 VHF models in different frequency ranges. If anyone can give me an exact model number, or even a photo of an ID plate, I will appreciate it tremendously.

I would also like to buy two 5100's and have the same question regarding exact model numbers.

Thanks a million !!

Thanks, brutha!

Photoshop to the rescue!

All of the above is good gouge, thanks! I had hesitated for many years about the magnet thing for exactly this reason...but I saw someone wearing them who looked great, so I thought "sure, why not?"

Lesson learned!

Quote from: TheSkyHornet on April 12, 2024, 12:12:35 AMShtuff happens...

I had a button break on my mess dress last year at a conference. I fixed it with a paperclip literally a minute before I was called up for an award. I sat back down, and the button ripped off again. It didn't make it into the photo, but it killed my uniform; so rather than sticking around after the awards, I left so nobody would call it out.

Honestly, sometimes, this organization can be too harsh on glitches. There's a difference between trying and having an issue versus not trying and not caring.

You tried. Kudos.

Rule #1 when wearing service coats or mess dress, bring a diaper safety pin. They work so well I actually had a set of blues set up with them for the front buttons.

Rule #2 when wearing service dress, have a second set of ribbons, even out of date ribbons.

Rule #3 when wearing service dress or mess dress, bring extra accessories such as ties, bow ties, name tags, etc.

It never fails, someone always needs something that I bring extra of. To include last years conference when a region staff (colonel) forgot their bow tie for mess dress.

Lastly, magnetic ribbon racks are ONLY for shirts, not coats.

Great job, Speedy. Hope to be right behind you.

And thanks for the warning re: mag racks. I always thought "that will work great," and now I know.

Regardless of the uniform faux pas, congratulations on your accomplishment and a job well done!

Quote from: RiverAux on April 12, 2024, 12:04:55 AMThe simple fact is that even if we find a niche that we can dominate, it is extremely likely that it is only going to be relevant for a small portion of the membership.

I wholeheartedly agree and it's a situation that's been building for 80 years. We started as an organization where pilots could utilize their flying skills in support of their nation. Obviously lots of non-pilots wanted in on the fun and we've been trying to figure out what to do with them ever since.

If we're really down to either you're a pilot or you'll put on your spiffy uniform and go work for another organization (Red Cross primarily) then eventually everyone will learn to just join the Red Cross. They have some decent bureaucracy over there, but at least they're very active, federally tasked to support ESF, and extremely well funded. No point going through CAP bureaucracy & the ARC red tape.

Being someone who has worn a magnetic rack for years for both CAP and the Air Force, they work best on the light blue/white shirts.
The thicker material of the Service Dress Jacket is too thick for the magnets to be reliable, you need to use the pins for that. And the standard length pins work just fine, you don't need the long pins.