If you’re like a lot of hams, you have several handhelds. I have five of them. There all decent radios, but each has its own programming cable, and I always forget which cable goes with which radio. The other day, I wanted to reprogram one of them, but couldn’t remember which cable to use. I went through all of them before finding the right one.
So, after going through all that, I decided to label them. See below.
I first used my Dymo label maker to label the cable in the middle, but that didn’t work out so well. The label itself is too stiff and kept separating. For the other two, I just used masking tape. Now, I won’t waste any time looking for the right cable.
I’ll also suggest getting a silver marker — Super useful for writing on wallworts, cables, etc. I do it as things come in the door.
I have found that white or yellow electrical tape works better than masking tape. I have a lot of books I labeled with masking tape and after awhile the writing had bled into the tape and was no longer readable
Hi OM,
Yet another great column!
May I suggest an alternative for our “Label Cable” efforts?
I discovered this genius-product, trolling the isles of Home Depot, my premier tactic to see the best in Hamming viz., CableCuff Pro. Inexpensive, MANY different sizes, incredibly adaptive to a Ham’s needs.
A ring opens with the press of a “button”, slip the open ring around what u need to keep neat & secure, then close via a ratchet-pawl mechanism and ur done. They cum with D-rings & handles – with holes at the end of handles – for storage.
Stumbling upon these devices, my mind INSTANTLY flashed “better than invention of sliced bread”.
73
Phil, WF3W
I have several of these myself and use them primarily on AC cords. They do work great.
I just keep mine in sandwich baggies and put a label on the baggie.
I keep mine in their original package so there is no problem. I have about the same number, but I seem to be the club programmer so I have a cable for anything they found so far, including some mobiles. Also, I carry my programming computer everywhere. One of my friends gave me 4 UV-3Rs I got 3 working the fourth has a problem. It goes to the ham frequency but after a few seconds goes to the broadcast FM setting. I think it is a shorted switch, but I am too lazy to tear it open to check. I plan to use them as loaners to my students until they get their own rigs.
73
DE WA8WHP
Frank