| Author |
Message |
    
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 35
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 10:17 am: | 
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I like the idea of having 1 radio in my mobile setup that will do hf,2m,and 440. Since my car has limited space it is really a pain to have 2 to 3 radios inline to accommodate my radio needs. Not to mention when my I have someone riding with me the radios really get in the way, I usually unhook them so they don't get damaged.
Since I am just a Tech right now it seems to be alot of money to spend on a rig $729.00 equivalent to a monthly rent payment. I won't have much use for the hf bands not allowed for my license class expect to monitor, which could be very fun in its own I think. Also I really like the radios receive coverage . I could still monitor the 11 meter band to get traffic info on channel 19. I really think the radio will solve my problems with limited mobile space with an all mode all band amateur radio. And when I go for the General Class I will have the means necessary to do work more hf.
Looking for comments on the 857D rig from any forum members who have them or have more knowledge/experience with them.
73's
Cef#1011
Ham#294
From the Great Lakes State
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Truckerdon
Intermediate Member
Username: Truckerdon
Post Number: 128
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 6:17 pm: |
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Keep your eyes peeled for Used HF Ham Radio's on Craiglist. Icom 706 is similar in size. If I'm not mistaken it can be run as a remote. The body can be mounted in the trunk and the head in the dash somewhere.
Good Luck
Don
CEF#336/CVC#097
Trucker Don
VA7DGP
SATERN Member
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 5120
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 6:19 am: |
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I have a 706 and the remote kit for it its a good radio
AVOID THE FT100 or 100D
The 857 is another very good radio we have many of them on our 2 meter SSB net
On 6 since 66
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Truckerdon
Intermediate Member
Username: Truckerdon
Post Number: 130
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 11:55 am: |
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You can also go QRP and become one of those mountain top ham's like Steve and his goats. WG0AT I think.
I wonder who will be the fist CEF member to be portable come up with something unique like Steve's Peanuts and Rooster.
Don
CEF#336/CVC#097
Trucker Don
VA7DGP
SATERN Member
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Triple1
Junior Member
Username: Triple1
Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 2:02 pm: |
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can't go wrong with a FT-857.Go to eHam and look at the reviews.Google it and check it out.
Yes I own one and a FT-897(1) and FT-7800(4) and ft-8800(1)and FT-1500(4 one of them chrome) |
Milkman21218
Intermediate Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 376
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 2:40 pm: |
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I agree you can't go wrong with a FT-857D. It was my first Ham rig. I also own the Icom 706MKIIG. And others. I like my 857 best. I would recommend getting the Bob Freeth G4HFQ programming software. It's the best on the market and cheapest.
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 5123
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 06, 2009 - 6:17 am: |
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There are many of us willing to help you so feel free to ask questions on the forum.
The FT-450 is a new radio that has just come out it is DSP IF so you can set bandwidth using DSP a nice + however it only goes to 6 meters ....
It is about the same price with a BUILT IN ANTENNA TUNER as the FT857.
I Think that as you look around you will find you have a good choice for under $1500 including the TS-2000 and the new IC-7000 both DSP radios
Take your time and feel free to ask questions
A good radio well care for will last 10-20 years and I have some that are 40 - 60 years old !
Bruce
On 6 since 66
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Big_m
Member
Username: Big_m
Post Number: 81
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 7:15 am: |
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The FT-857D cost is about $700 and it has 2m, and 70cm. It's not very large. About the size of a med. CB radio. Some dealers give you a free separation kit. You can then place the radio body under the seat or in the trunk. Making more room. And the control head flat on the dash. They fit in just about anything you drive. It's alot smaller than a Ic-706. You can even change the color of the display. |
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 36
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 8:19 pm: |
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I ordered the FT-857D, I have read all the revies on eham and I think it will be more than enough radio for my needs. I really like the external meter you can add also, very nice touch.
I am in the process of studying to upgrade to a General class. I have around a month before I will test due to VE testing times and my work schedule bumping heads. I have the ARRL General Class book and some other info from the internet. There is alot more to learn for the General class than for the Technician class. I am trying to study and take practice tests daily. Wish me luck.
73's
Cef#1011
Ham#294
From the Great Lakes State
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 5127
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 08, 2009 - 6:39 am: |
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GOOD MOVE !
Nearly 1/2 the people on our 2 meter SSB net are running them and I hear many more on 10, 6 and 2 meters all modes.
When you get it it will allow you to go on just about every band you will ever need.
As for antennas there are many a good starting ones Copper sells the A-99 and Imax and they work well on 10 and 12 meters and with a tuner it will go as low as 20 meters.
one low priced ham antenna is a G5RV-JR dipole ( 50 foot long ) with a antenna tuner it will work from 40 - 10 meters fairly well.
Enjoy that new toy .....
On 6 since 66
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Barracuda
Intermediate Member
Username: Barracuda
Post Number: 334
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:12 pm: |
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I have owned an 857D for several years now and am very happy with it. Used it on field day a couple of weeks ago and talked all over the country on 75m, 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m (all phone). I mainly was using it through my mobile setup connected to an SGC-237 auto coupler into a 102" ss whip that was extended using about 75' of speaker wire laced through the lower branches of some nearby pines. The setup was also grounded with a rod into the very saturated ground (it had rained heavily for about 2 weeks before FD).
I also used it directly into a G5RV and had decent results too.
I have used the Icom Mk706MKiiG, and find that the controls are very similar and the performance is about the same. One thing that I do like about the 857 over the Icom is that the standby power drain of the 857 is generally less than the Icom. So more battery time if that is what you use (like in field day or remote operations).
Have fun with it! |
Mscott1212
Junior Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 37
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 7:25 pm: |
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I got the 857D last week. I am very happy with the rig. I am now looking into finding a mount for the face plate to use in my car. I also need to get a 6 meter mobile antenna, or a 2m,440,6m tri band antenna. Right now I am using a Wilson 1000 for 10m and a 5/8 wave nmo style whip antenna for 2m.
73's
Cef#1011
Ham#294
From the Great Lakes State
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Big_m
Member
Username: Big_m
Post Number: 83
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 12:04 am: |
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Mscott you can always use velcro for the face plate. |
