are there any electronics hobbyist out there

[fiero128]

things I have done with two way  radios
- HF radios: Increased power output,
By returning in AM radios
By changing component such as PA transistors and other components .
                    : improved the receiver sensitivity
                   : Increase TX audio amplitude
                    :  : modifying the radios to send and receive video signals 
                   : Interfacing the AM radios with the telephone network { before the DTMF system , using decadic dialling}
                   : extend the frequency coverage by changing the BCD input selection and by changing crystals in the PLL circuit .
and retuning the PA and the aerial coupling :
For example a HF CB radio starts at 26.695 to 27.405 Mhz. My radios went from 25.3 to 29.4Mhz
Convert the AM radios to FM
  SSB radios: HF CB radio starts at 26.695 to 27.405 Mhz. My radios went from 25.3 to 29.9Mhz
                      : Increase  output power from 12 watts to 40 watts
                     :  increase frequency band width
                    : change to FM
                     : Using a DCS signal in the SSB to turn things on and off
                    : Interface to a public telephone network
                    : Interface a DTMF keypad to the Audio TX circuit
Use the SSB radios as a Mobile phone at I can dial and accept calls any where in the world.
Modifying the aerial coupling cct in the output stages
Make an aerial system to talk to anywhere in the world , Yagi  aerials x 2 co-phased and single directional aerials
Making Rombic aerials
Making Dipoles aerials
building other aerial systems .
Ganging up multiple aerials .
Setting up diplexers
Setting up various signal direction aerial coupling devices
Making parabolic dish aerials with 60 to 80 db gain
Building external 1000W RF amplifiers and the power supply to match.
FM two way radios
 : Repairs
 : frequency programming.
 : re-tuning and alignments by using software
 : Joining the radios to the land line phone network.
 : Increasing the radios from 8 watts to 40 watts TX power.
  : improving the RX sensitivity
 :changing the frequency band.
 : modifying the radio to operate pumps and gate solenoids by remote control.
 : Data communications via radios.
 : modifying the radios to send and receive low quality video signals  for surveillance  or security . People say it can't be done but it can be done. I did it.
Using the Video from the discriminator and not from the audio stages
 : Modify to make a radio into remote control panel. Allowing the body of the radios to be mounted in the trunk or under a seat  while the front control panel is mounted in a user accessible position.
 : using radios as home security system without the need to use a monitoring company.
 :  Finding parts that will work when the replacement parts are no longer available ..
 : programming and tuning up radio repeaters and networks.
 : setting up a repeater to use one aerial for transmitting and a separate aerial for the receiver .
 : extending the band width by 10- 25 Mhz with software or with modifying the radios
joining a HF radio with a UHF radio to configure a repeater, these radios are designed to function as a repeater.
 :I can repair any radio with any fault.
 :I can do similar things with VHF cordless phones.
 :I had VHF cordless phones with 5 km range by using parts out of  a HF CB radios

 :I used the I.F. frequency to JAM and radio using almost any frequency. I can design and make an jamming device using either parts of a older radio of a part of a cordless phone
these are what I can think of off the top of my head right now
 : there might be more . I might be remembering them later on.

I operate as a HAM radio operator and have been doing this for the last 35 years
for those who don't know what a HAM radio operator is , "Google it"
right now I am currently repairing at home , 3000w mains inverters, HT ignition modules for drag cars, designing and installing the Hydrogen systems we talked about. My hilux now can do nearly 1200 km on a 60 litre diesel tank, when i purchase the car the limit for a tank of diesel was 550 km a tank

Allen
unit 1001
when driving monitoring 27.385 USB / 7.994 or 8.022 MHhz USB
78.200 / 78.275 Mhz FM
78.3625 Mhz FM
when i can afford it I will join the out back radio club as before.
0448119310

[TopNotch]

Years ago I had a FCC (Federal Communications Commission) commercial first class radio-telephone license, and worked for a TV station as a broadcast engineer. So I know a thing or two about radio, but never "hammed" it.

I had VHF cordless phones with 5 km range by using parts out of  a HF CB radios

I don't  think that would be legal in this country.

[Raydar]

Interesting.
I still hold an FCC General class license. Grandfathered from a 2nd.
Mostly what I do now is monitor communications circuits to SCADA (electric substation) systems and Automated Metering towers, and do some remote troubleshooting, repair, and configuration of some of the hardware.

In a previous life, I built a 100 W linear amp using two 6LQ6 television sweep tubes. (Of course, I wasn't licensed as a ham, so it never got used. )
The largest "hobby" linear amp that I ever saw utilized a 4-1000 broadcast tube. The power supply occupied one 4' tall, 19" rackmount cabinet. The tube and tank circuit were in another, similar cabinet. It reportedly turned a 6 element directional (beam) antenna cherry red.
 
My biggest Frankenstein device was a UHF Motorola Motrac radio that I modified for full duplex operation. I was in the process of converting it into a UHF mobile phone, at about the time that cellular was introduced. At that point, I just lost interest. (I was having more fun building car stereo systems, anyway.)

Wouldn't mind doing broadcast at some point, but I don't have any experience at it. Kind of late to get started now. (Hope to be retiring in the next 3-5 years.) Also, some of my Facebook friends have hinted that it has become a fairly thankless occupation, due to the ever present worship of the almighty dollar, and ever increasing automation.

[f85gtron]

I cannot discuss what i have done to my am cb radios because, in this country, that would be self-implication....AND for that reason, i plead the 5th in advance.  I will only say that i can "reach out and touch someone©".
Edited to add:
Old-school transistors are best.  These new Mosfets peek nice, but burn up too quick! 

[fiero128]

Years ago I had a FCC (Federal Communications Commission) commercial first class radio-telephone license, and worked for a TV station as a broadcast engineer. So I know a thing or two about radio, but never "hammed" it.

I had VHF cordless phones with 5 km range by using parts out of  a HF CB radios

I don't  think that would be legal in this country.

Not policed here so no one cares what you do with cordless phones
replaced the PA transistors from the cordless ph. with a PA from a 27Mhz CB and get 12 km / 8 mile range

[fiero128]

I cannot discuss what i have done to my am cb radios because, in this country, that would be self-implication....AND for that reason, i plead the 5th in advance.  I will only say that i can "reach out and touch someone©".
Edited to add:
Old-school transistors are best.  These new Mosfets peek nice, but burn up too quick!

I understand, and I like the idea