Congrats! I should take the General in April.... By the way Johnny, I'll be in Beijing in April and I'll check the prices of the Baofengs there. I can't imagine they could get any cheaper, but I'll see what I can pick up.
Official ONSC HAM Thread
- Thread starter GLTHFJ60
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- Thread starter
- #42
I'll pick up another UV-5R or a UV-5RA!!
Phares
Mostly Useless
Just sealed the deal on my first radio.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ele/4298683303.html
I haggled down to 500$ which isn't bad based on the reviews on eHam. I will need to get an rectifier to run the unit from a wall socket. It is setup to run on DC from a vehicle so when I eventually get a 60 set up for Expedition it will be transfered into there. Also, if anything should happen to the Grid I can carry in the car battery and still use the radio. Technically I won't be able to transmit until I get my general license but thats in March. I need antenna advice if anyone can give it. I imagine I will try and recreate what the PO used. Any thoughts?
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/ele/4298683303.html
I haggled down to 500$ which isn't bad based on the reviews on eHam. I will need to get an rectifier to run the unit from a wall socket. It is setup to run on DC from a vehicle so when I eventually get a 60 set up for Expedition it will be transfered into there. Also, if anything should happen to the Grid I can carry in the car battery and still use the radio. Technically I won't be able to transmit until I get my general license but thats in March. I need antenna advice if anyone can give it. I imagine I will try and recreate what the PO used. Any thoughts?
- Thread starter
- #44
Damn man, that's a big radio!! That's intense for a mobile setup Does it have a detachable head?
No advise on antennas. I stick to 2m and 70cm stuff. I really like my NMO mount and my Diamond antennas though.
Phares
Mostly Useless
It's mobile in that it will run off a vehicle. Not so mobile in a backpack rig. It is defnitely massive...but I get that a lot.
It would be a permanent addition to an expedition rig. I'm going to get a setup like yours in the 40.
It would be a permanent addition to an expedition rig. I'm going to get a setup like yours in the 40.
cboyd
GOLD Star
Not sure if this the right spot, but I'll put the feeler out here...
Looking to sell my Icom 746Pro Rig from my home setup. It's been lightly used and in excellent condition. I just don't have that much time to do UHF/VHF/HF from home, and have another rig I can use home or "tactical" (Yaseu 897d). So it's just sitting here and could be better used by someone looking to have a great home rig!
Comes with the Match Icom AC Power Supply. I'll throw in a SignalLink USB digital for doing digital modes.
Asking $950.
I'll be happy to show it here at the QTH for club folks.
Looking to sell my Icom 746Pro Rig from my home setup. It's been lightly used and in excellent condition. I just don't have that much time to do UHF/VHF/HF from home, and have another rig I can use home or "tactical" (Yaseu 897d). So it's just sitting here and could be better used by someone looking to have a great home rig!
Comes with the Match Icom AC Power Supply. I'll throw in a SignalLink USB digital for doing digital modes.
Asking $950.
I'll be happy to show it here at the QTH for club folks.
Phares
Mostly Useless
Picking up Nick in Bulgaria using a coat hanger as an antenna! Listening to people all over the US on the 7.166 MHz. Pretty cool for my first night listening in.
Phares
Mostly Useless
What frequency/band are you guys using on the trails? I'm guessing something in the VHF/UHF range but I wanted to confirm. Right now I am trying to decide between the Yaesu 857D and the 817ND. I am leaning torwards the 817ND for several reasons but I wanted to make sure they would both operate on the trail freq. Thanks.
- Thread starter
- #49
On all the trail rides I've been on, we stay on 2m and 70cm. Those are the two bands available to operators with the Technician license (first level, easiest to get) so that's what we use.
Phares
Mostly Useless
Thanks Johnny. I assumed that is the bands we would use since as you mentioned it is the most common license. If I don't end up getting the OPOR sliders by the end of the month I think I'm going to buy me a new radio for Christmas...
- Thread starter
- #51
Did you end up getting your general or extra? HF looks really neat but I'm not sure how often I'd actually use it.
Phares
Mostly Useless
Yes, I finished the General exam in the Spring. Just study the bank and you will be fine. I really enjoy the HF stuff but you need a big antenna. I have mine running in my attic which isn't the best idea but the wife Vetoed it going up in the back yard. I've still been able to make some good contacts.
I'm leaning torwards the 817ND because I can take it out of the truck and throw it into a bag and keep COMMS up. Seems useful for various situations. But it is low power, which isn't an issue for local communications.
I'm leaning torwards the 817ND because I can take it out of the truck and throw it into a bag and keep COMMS up. Seems useful for various situations. But it is low power, which isn't an issue for local communications.
- Thread starter
- #53
That was the issue I was thinking with both units you picked, low power. My FTM-350R puts out 50w on both 2m and 70cm, but I only paid $400 for it! You can pick up a Baofeng UV-5R, which only does 2m and 70cm bands, but also puts out 5 watts, has great aftermarket support and is mobile. On top of that, the Baofeng only costs $35!
Why pay so much more for the HF capability when you're restricting your transmission power so much?
5w is good, but it does not compare to 50w.
EDIT: Congrats on getting your general. I'd like to listen in on some transmissions before I invest the money in HF.
Not limiting power with an 857. It's a mobile rig with 50w on 2m and 100w on HF. It's what I've got in mine now. I'll be glad to demo at the Christmas party.
817 is made for the QRP (low power) guys. If you're just wanting to go HF I'd go 857/897. If you want to get into backpacking and/or low power the 817 is a good one.
Also wanted to point out that almost all rigs are 12v, even most of the home station sized ones. Some of the high end ones use 120 but most need a power supply to run. I use a battery and solar panel in the garage.
- Thread starter
- #55
Good, I'm glad I was wrong. It doesn't make sense to me to get a rig that expensive that has such low power output. There are much less expensive units out there for that much power output.
You were right too. The 817ND is about $650. It's only 5 watts but can run on AA's.
There are people who are into the low power HF QRP. Whole different world than 2m. It's all about the antenna at that point. (and mostly about the antenna when you do have power) but that much for low power isn't my thing either.
Phares
Mostly Useless
I like how the 817ND can be run off a backpackable solar setup. It is also a lot simpler design/setup. A manpack is what the military calls their radios. Both radios can run off 12V. The 857D is much nicer overall but it 800$ I think, maybe 850$. I've found a couple 817s used but the guys still want 500/600$ which is ridiculous I think for even a slightly used radio without the warranty when a new one is only 650$.
I run an old Kenwood 750S HF base rig at the house. It is 100W and is DC only. My PS went out early a couple months ago and I finally got it back to Ham Radio for warranty coverage. So I'd love to get something I can have as a backup at home and one completely mobile when needed. Both the 857 and 817 are amazing rigs from what I have read and seen, it depends whether you want to specialize in vehicle mobility or foot mobility.
I run an old Kenwood 750S HF base rig at the house. It is 100W and is DC only. My PS went out early a couple months ago and I finally got it back to Ham Radio for warranty coverage. So I'd love to get something I can have as a backup at home and one completely mobile when needed. Both the 857 and 817 are amazing rigs from what I have read and seen, it depends whether you want to specialize in vehicle mobility or foot mobility.
fourtrax
SILVER Star
OK, I picked up a yaesu vx-6r and started studying for the tech test. I'll have to start learning what to do with the radio next.
Nice choice on the radio. The cheap chinese ones are tempting but that one really is a step up and should last a long time.
TEST TIME... So anyone who's close to ready there's a test this Sunday morning. 11/16.
JARS Fest in Benson is smaller than RARS but not a bad way to see some radios and pick up some odds and ends. They're doing testing at 9:30.
http://www.jars.net/information/JARSFest_2014.pdf
That's where I got my license a year ago! I was thinking of going, but I've got some other things taking priority...
