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Message |
    
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 70
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 1:45 pm: | 
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Let me begin by saying that I will eventually upgrade my license with the morse code exam and eventually to General Class and move into the HF world. However, for now I want to be able to play in the UHF/VHF range. I am not limiting myself to handlelds but I have found a Yaesu VX-5RB on-line for under $200. This is a handheld model, which transmits at up to 5 watts and seems to have many “bells and whistles” (but I am new at this, hence the question). This unit will not transmit in CW or SSB, only in AM and FM (I don’t know as any handhelds do). It will operate in the 6M, 2M, and (70cm) 440 MHz bands.
Web site for reference:
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=nFLhjiVz8z8%3D&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
I am planning to build external antennas and play with other external accessories in the future. For now I just want to make sure that I can enjoy what these bands have to offer with this radio and have a radio that I will continue to use as I mature in this hobby. Any suggestions are welcome.
Wish me luck, I plan to take the Technician level exam on 7 May 05. 
CEF 447
Red Devil – 392
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Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 612
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 7:53 pm: |
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icom ic706mkIIg, yaesu ft857d or 897d, have 6,2 & 70cm. (they can be modded to cover CB...). & they too will allow you to grow in ham radio!
of course, they cost considerably more then $200, but they have ALL the features you could need!
am saving up myself to replace rci5054 with (hopefully) ic706. |
Jellybean
Junior Member
Username: Jellybean
Post Number: 47
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 9:23 pm: |
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Red Devil a follow up from the open forum section.
The neat thing about the FT7800 or the 8800 is they have the detatchable faces. They're so light you can velcro it to the dash, they're small as well, with the mic connected to it and put the main chassis under the seat out of sight, with the seperation cable, really small, running to the face. If you're in an area that you're afaid to leave it in the open, just unhook the cable, pull the face unit along with the mic and put it in the glove box, center console etc... out of site.
I had my Icom 706MKIIG setup that way as well.
Have fun!!
Here's a link to a pic how I had the 706 in my Dodge.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-2/114359/DSC_0030.JPG |
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 75
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 - 11:27 pm: |
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Patzerozero and Jellybean,
Thank You for the input. It will be fun experimenting with all of the suggestions. WOW! Ham radio is VERY different from CB.
Thank you all for the additional issues to consider. It is an idiot who does not listen to the voice of experience.
CEF447
Red Devil - 392 |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 5344
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 2:13 am: |
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Red_devil,
To be 100% honest I would suggest looking at the Ham Sites/Stores on the Internet that offer Good Used Equipment.
Right now we still have about a year until this Sunspot Cycle hits bottom and if you spend a bunch now on New HF Equipment you may get discouraged.
Sunspots and Radio Communications
Then in maybe 3 or 4 years you could check into something newer and there will be more to choose from then also.
As for HT's most new ones out there are Good or you might keep an eye out for a good Used FT-50R.
Most of the HAM Stores have GOOD Used Equipment which will allow you to get into the hobby at a reasonable price.
And then you can find out from actual hands on experience what features you want or will use before jumping in with both feet.
Good Luck in your choices and keep us updated.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 618
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 5:19 pm: |
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there's 5 or 6 good ham stores, that advertise in the 2 ham mags. i've purchased from those places numerous times, & the only 'lemon' i ever got (a $600 lemon at that)was promptly replaced with something else, to my satisfaction. something that might not happen on an e-auction.
i wouldn't neccessarily suggest waiting for the next upswing in dx, but start looking now, as by the time 4 years is up, there'll be a lot of new, more expensive equipt out there. as conditions deteriorate, you'll start to see more used equipt pop up. also, hopefully, specials on current gear, including those i mentioned. wasn't ready to purchase a new 706 around xmas, even though they were $200 less then today, but hearing there's a new icom ready to replace it, it'll become scarce, fast. whether or not they discount them again soon, i don't know, but i continue to scour the net daily for a deal on 1 from those ham stores. |
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 77
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 6:19 pm: |
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Lon and Patzerozero,
Thank you for the input. I’ll get in touch with some of the locals when I go to take my exam for their input as well. I know how quickly equipment is superceded by the latest and greatest. I have also heard from others that the FT-50R is highly recommended in the HT area.
Patzerozero, are those used radios advertised in the ham mags the same ones that advertise in the ARRL “Now You’re Talking!”?
Your input is Always appreciated.
CEF447
Red Devil - 392 |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 625
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 7:08 pm: |
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sent you an e-mail, red devil. you know how these moderators get when you post the wrong thing! |
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 80
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 7:33 pm: |
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Pat!!!!!!!!
Thanx :-) |
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 92
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:57 pm: |
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OK guys,
I think I've narrowed, or broadened, my multi-band HT options to the Yaesu VX-5R, the Yaesu VX-7R, and the ICOM IC-T90A. I am looking for any bad experiences with ANY of these HTs or additional options that I should consider.
Thanx Again!!!
CEF447
Red Devil - 392
KE5EUN
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Robert225
New member
Username: Robert225
Post Number: 5
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 11:23 pm: |
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Red Devil,
I use an IC-T90A and really like it. The only problem is it takes 13 hours to recharge the battery using the wall charger that comes with it. I use the car adapter so I can run it off of a power supply. Car adapter also takes 13 hours to charge.
73
Robert225 |
Barracuda
Intermediate Member
Username: Barracuda
Post Number: 311
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 1:25 am: |
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Red Devil,
I don't have any experience with the radios you are looking at, but if you are gonna get an HT to start a couple of words of advice.
Look into battery life, how long you can talk/listen between re-charges, and how long to re-charge. You may want to have 2 or more batteries to keep you talking as you recharge. Also, some HTs tend can get too hot to hold if you have a high talk duty cycle (runs the battery down faster too), so look into that for the radios you are thinking of.
If you plan to go mobile with it, get an external power cord for the lighter and definately get an external antenna you can put on the roof, most guys use a mag mount. Nothing worse than a guy on trying to make a repeater with an HT using a duckie antenna in a car. You'll enjoy using your radio alot better if you get an external antenna and make more friends too. Also, some HTs actually put out more power when connected to external power, so check for that also.
Look into programming options. Some radios are notoriously difficult to program and use without computer based software. I don't know about the radios you mention, but again ask around about that. You may decide you want to program it using your computer, but you shouldn't have to just because the radio itself makes it hard to do from its controls.
Lastly, unless you know that there is 6m FM in your area that you want to join in on, I would probably leave that off until you get a mobile or base later on. In NYC where I live I use a mobile FT-8900R and almost never hear anything on 6m FM. There is only 1 repeater I ever hear and that is cross-banded with repeaters on 10m, 2m and 70cm so there is no need for me to have 6m on that rig (I have an FT-857d that does 6 all mode also). Your area might be different, so you might want to check that before you look for 6m in an HT.
Well, good luck with the test. Let us know when you pass and what you get
73 |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2579
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:30 am: |
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The ic-706 is the way to go for most radio under $1000.
The radio NOT to buy is the ft-100 or 100D |
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 93
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 9:25 am: |
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Gentlemen,
Thanks for the points to ponder. MAN, every time I think I have this thing figured out, another more educated person helps me out more. The charging issue might be a bigger issue than I thought it would. I had heard of the “Hand Warmer Effect”, it might be nice in the winter. As for 6M FM, I guess that will be another interesting point. Being in the military, I may be able to use it here and not there (I’ll retire SOME day). The mobile advice was also nice. I do expect to go with a hand speaker/mike, external antenna, and power adaptor for mobile use.
ANY other suggestions are welcomed. I figured that an HT was a good way to go for my first rig for local use. If I am wrong, please let me know. A HF base and others will come with more license privileges.
Thank y’all again for all of the wisdom and help.
CEF447
Red Devil – 392
KE5UEN
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Barracuda
Intermediate Member
Username: Barracuda
Post Number: 312
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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Red Devil,
Congrats on the Call!
73 |
Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 94
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:23 pm: |
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Tnx Barracuda,
Working on the code with Code Quick, almost done with the letters, moving to the numbers. I hope to get my ARRL General Class study guide soon. I’ve gotta try to focus while I have one of these cool non-deployable jobs. We’ll see if I can work my way into those cool HF freqs soon. CB has addicted me to the DX.
Thanx again. Any radio suggestions???
73
CEF447
Red Devil - 392
KE5EUN |
Barracuda
Intermediate Member
Username: Barracuda
Post Number: 313
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:14 am: |
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Red Devil,
While you study, maybe check out Army MARS. Now that you're licensed you may be able to participate there on your base. It will also give you that much more incentive because MARS would want you to have HF capability within a year of getting your MARS call.
As for radios, I have heard many good things about a good many radios, but can only say from experience that I like my FT8900R and my FT-857D. They're not perftct or as full featured as other radios may be, but they suit my need for now. And that is what you should look for, something that suits the need you have, or believe you will have in the near (next couple of years) future. Extra stuff just costs more and adds to the complexity of the radio. Complexity just increases the chance of problems and the cost to fix them!
73 |
Fusebreaker
Junior Member
Username: Fusebreaker
Post Number: 35
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 5:00 pm: |
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the yeasu ft-1500M is a good radio it is extremely tough 119 memories nice blue display
Icom is goo too so is kenwood if you want a radio for 2 -meters go with the ft-1500 or icom v8000 this radio has 75 watts output more than what you will need invest in good antennas or build a j pole there are plans out that you can build daul band j poles. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2659
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 7:54 pm: |
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On 2 i run the ADI AR-147 but dont buy one .....
Go with the 1500 or 8000 nice radios |
Patzerozero
Advanced Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 790
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 22, 2005 - 9:58 pm: |
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red devil, i agree with bruce, the ic706mkIIg is the one! it'll even mod to...um, cb. definitely an all purpose radio! maybe by next christmas they'll do some of those $749 specials again! til then my rci5054dx100 gets the job done on 6 meters-feeds my dx fix & i don't even have to worry about code. check out my post under 'dx contcts' today. & my antenna is nothing more then a piece of aluminum tube 30" square x 3/8" thick on 20' of mast in a 3' tripod on my roof. today i got right in there with some 6 element beams & 400 watts, & also a 600 watter on a 2 element quad in connecticut. it is ALMOST as much fun as dxing on cb-AND IT'S TOTALLY LEGAL! what a concept! |
Red_devil
Intermediate Member
Username: Red_devil
Post Number: 100
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 11:22 pm: |
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CEF Members,
Thank you immensely for your input and points if interest for my first radio. I also spoke to several local friends and have decided on the Kenwood TH-F6A. It should do everything that I will need for a while. I’ll take into account the mobile suggestions when I get a few more dollars saved up.
Thanx again
73
CEF447
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