"Hidden expenses" in Ham Radio?

John E Davies · 12-05-06, 11:19 AM

I'm serious about getting my basic Technician license, but before I jump in I would like to find out if there are any signiicant long term costs in the hobby, other than equipment purchases.

For example, do the 2 meter radios require professional calibration or tuning at regular intervals? If so, how much does that typically cost and how often?

How about the dual band equipment? The Kenwood TM-D700A (with APRS) really has me interested, though it would be a few years away - anything special involved in maintaining that sort of transceiver?

Thanks very much. I don't want any unexpected surprises.

JohnDavies
Spokane WA

offroad_nomad · 12-05-06, 11:28 AM

The only "hidden expenses" that I could think of is the desire/need to want the neat radio-related "toy" or accessory that you either read about or see in someone's vehicle. I have both amatuer and land mobile radios and they are user friendly with no additional costs so far (other then what I mentioned above). My Antenex antennas have worked great with no further adjusting/calibration needed.

Cruiserdrew · 12-05-06, 01:00 PM

Aside from the desire for frequent upgrades, I don't see much ongoing expense.

CDN_Cruiser · 12-05-06, 03:14 PM

None really. The equipment is very high end and solid state so there is no need for calibration. I've also noticed that, for electronic equipment, the lifecycle for amateur radio products is quite long (eg vs. mobile phones, TVs, etc). For example, the Kenwood HH I bought many years ago is still their "main" model, or look at the Icom 706 line, etc. As with any electronic item, if it needs to be repaired, be prepared for some big expenses as it may not just be a blown fuse or a "broken part" that is easily repaired.

Agree with the other points that if you start to upgrade, you can fly through the cash in no time! The big leap is going to anything that also requires HF. Yo9u can still do a basic set-up and home brew antenna, but if you want features, small size, multi-band, multi-mode, etc it will be expensive.

I started with a good HH (~$400), bought some external antennas and mounts (~$200), then bought a 12V power supply ($300), a multi-band radio ($800), Antennas, mounts ($400), etc. I could really use an antenna tuner, some testing equipment, a 2M base antenna, etc.

There is no "need", but there is a desire!

Cheers, Hugh

MrMoMo · 12-05-06, 07:44 PM

So far I have invested in $100 CAD for a used radio and $20 for a used antenna....

nakman · 12-05-06, 09:02 PM

The test costs $14..

jonb96150 · 12-06-06, 08:05 AM

Like the others have said, it only gets expensive if you buy more stuff. My 12+ y.o. Kenwood TM 732 (I think !) dual bander gave up the ghost this summer after being in open 4x4s its whole life. That will be the only expense in over 10 years, and it lived a very hard life.

alia176 · 12-06-06, 02:29 PM

I bought an used radio from Ebay (FT1500 for $130) and a good quality antenna + mount = $130. But now that you got me thinking about this APRS, my mind is wandering again.....!

Ali

12-05-06, 11:19 AM	#1
John E Davies IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 464	"Hidden expenses" in Ham Radio? I'm serious about getting my basic Technician license, but before I jump in I would like to find out if there are any signiicant long term costs in the hobby, other than equipment purchases. For example, do the 2 meter radios require professional calibration or tuning at regular intervals? If so, how much does that typically cost and how often? How about the dual band equipment? The Kenwood TM-D700A (with APRS) really has me interested, though it would be a few years away - anything special involved in maintaining that sort of transceiver? Thanks very much. I don't want any unexpected surprises. JohnDavies Spokane WA Last edited by John E Davies; 12-05-06 at 11:32 AM.

12-05-06, 11:28 AM	#2
offroad_nomad IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA TLCA# 14082 Posts: 103	The only "hidden expenses" that I could think of is the desire/need to want the neat radio-related "toy" or accessory that you either read about or see in someone's vehicle. I have both amatuer and land mobile radios and they are user friendly with no additional costs so far (other then what I mentioned above). My Antenex antennas have worked great with no further adjusting/calibration needed. __________________ Ian '01 4Runner - An Evolving Expedition and Search and Rescue Response Vehicle SAR Field Team Leader - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group

12-05-06, 01:00 PM	#3
Cruiserdrew IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA TLCA# 11734 Posts: 7,255	Aside from the desire for frequent upgrades, I don't see much ongoing expense. __________________ Andrew 1971 FJ-40 Rubicon tested, 2F powered, some mods 1976 FJ40 Rusting slowly in the back yard 1984 FJ-60 H55f, 4.11, Now SOA! 1989 FJ-62 117k-son's driver for now-low and slow 1997 FZJ-80 Driveway queen

12-05-06, 03:14 PM	#4
CDN_Cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,037	None really. The equipment is very high end and solid state so there is no need for calibration. I've also noticed that, for electronic equipment, the lifecycle for amateur radio products is quite long (eg vs. mobile phones, TVs, etc). For example, the Kenwood HH I bought many years ago is still their "main" model, or look at the Icom 706 line, etc. As with any electronic item, if it needs to be repaired, be prepared for some big expenses as it may not just be a blown fuse or a "broken part" that is easily repaired. Agree with the other points that if you start to upgrade, you can fly through the cash in no time! The big leap is going to anything that also requires HF. Yo9u can still do a basic set-up and home brew antenna, but if you want features, small size, multi-band, multi-mode, etc it will be expensive. I started with a good HH (~$400), bought some external antennas and mounts (~$200), then bought a 12V power supply ($300), a multi-band radio ($800), Antennas, mounts ($400), etc. I could really use an antenna tuner, some testing equipment, a 2M base antenna, etc. There is no "need", but there is a desire! Cheers, Hugh __________________ 97LX450 OME 'regular' kit, Milford barrier, Slee harness, Slee 'rods', side markers, GPS w external antenna, custom 12V plug system, custom 1/2 drawer and custom drink holder. FT-857 HF/VHF/UHF Radio and ATAS-120 antenna

12-05-06, 07:44 PM	#5
MrMoMo "Tuh not tuh" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: N44 W76 TLCA# 15901 Posts: 822	So far I have invested in $100 CAD for a used radio and $20 for a used antenna.... __________________ Bruce (VA3BWR) '66 TR4A IRS '77 FJ40, Frame off SOON! '84 BJ60, Needs TURBO! WVO Buildup Thread '87 924GTr, (summer DD) '90 CRX - DOA. '01 Impreza outback sport, DD '02 F350 Diesel - WVO'd & runnin' free!! (some assembly required to some of the above) ----------------------------------------------------------- To invent, you need a good imagination, and a pile of Junk. (Edison)

12-05-06, 09:02 PM	#6
nakman addict. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: 8000' Posts: 1,245	The test costs $14.. __________________ 96fzj80, mostly stock except for the suspension, steering, gears, brakes, batteries, lights, bumpers, running boards, skid plates, stereo, speakers, cargo area, and tires. some of my best friends are TLCA members.

12-06-06, 08:05 AM	#7
jonb96150 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: S. Lake Tahoe, CA Posts: 405	Like the others have said, it only gets expensive if you buy more stuff. My 12+ y.o. Kenwood TM 732 (I think !) dual bander gave up the ghost this summer after being in open 4x4s its whole life. That will be the only expense in over 10 years, and it lived a very hard life. __________________ JonB ke6gfb 87 bj70, arb'ed, slidered, winched, 4x4llabs bumper. 97 40th fzj80 w/difflocks, cdl switch & pin 7 mod, Hanna sliders, 2.5" ome lift, 1" body lift, rear drawer system on 285/75-16's. 87 sas 4runner- air lockers, dual cases, beadlocked 35" mtr's, waggy & cheby springs, sliders, 8274 winch, etc...

12-06-06, 02:29 PM	#8
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,537 Blog Entries: 1	I bought an used radio from Ebay (FT1500 for $130) and a good quality antenna + mount = $130. But now that you got me thinking about this APRS, my mind is wandering again.....! Ali __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working PA

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