Just passed Ham Tech. license...need advice

[jalberring]

I passed my technician exam Saturday and I am now looking at all the different radios. I'm not sure what I want though.



I want something that I won't outgrow in a few years and then have to buy something else.



The handhelds that I have been looking at are: Icom IC-T90, Yaesu VZ-7R, and Kenwood TH-F6A. All of these have nice features but I am bewildered. I noticed that one of them have the ARTS system (Auto ranging transponder). It says that this is used for search and rescue. I will probably be getting into that and I wonder if all of them support this? Any ideas on these?



Possibly, I should start with a mobile in the truck? This same logic applies with these that I don't want to have to buy something in the near future if I want to try new forms of communication. I have looked at both the Yaesu and Icom sites but they don't show many models. Also, in regards to antenna selection: What kind of antenna do you recommend if I get a dual bander? I travel in the woods quite frequently so I don't want to have to worry about breaking it off, but I do want something that will talk for some distance.



Sorry for the long post and multiple questions. If someone can recommend a website like this one for Ham radio I would greatly appreciate it.



Thanks. Jason

 

[Will24]

Can't help you on the dual-band questions, but when I got my tech class license I started out with an ADI AR-146 2 meter mobile rig on my truck. The radio was inexpensive ($129 three years ago) and been ROCK solid reliable. I use a Larsen NMO mount 5/8 wave antenna for the rig, I can typically do 40+ miles simplex easily at 40 watts





-Will

KB3GOF

 

[jalberring]

Thanks Will,



Where is your antenna mounted? I am considering mounting mine in the roof of the truck but I'm kind of scared.



Jason

 

[Will24]

I don't have a dodge yet, so mine is mounted different, but I have a buddy with a 98 gasser ram that I put an 800mhz fire company radio in for him, I used a standard nmo tab mount on the side of the hood on the drivers side, sits QUITE a bit lower than on the roof, nice for parking garages, drive-thrus etc.



Any more questions let me know



-Will

 

[jalberring]

I have plenty of questions. Thanks for helping so far.



I have been looking at the ICOM IC-2720H 2M/440 Mhz on the web and it looks pretty good. But I just checked prices and saw that for a few more dollars I can get a Yaesu FT-8900 which is 10M/6M/2M/70 CM. This is what I am leaning towards right now. Have you heard anything or had experience with regards to these brands?

 

[jalberring]

I guess there isn't a whole lot of HAM radio operators on this site, eh?

 

[Un-Hemi]

Welcome to ham radio, Jason!



I think you'll find that there are quite a few hams on here, and if you ask 10 of them for their opinion, you will get 20.



Since you are going to be off-roading, I would suggest installing your antenna on the fender-mount bracket specifically designed for the Dodge. You don't need to wipe a roof-mount antenna off and end up with a buckle in the roof and a leak. I'd also start with a quarter-wave 2M antenna with a spring on the bottom. A dual-band Max-rad antenna works well for me with my dual-band radio and is only slightly taller than a quarter-wave 2M antenna. As far as performance, IMHO, there is little practical advantage to a 5/8-wave or longer antenna. The specialized Dodge fender-mount bracket can be had at most Commercial radio shops, as well as the ham emporiums. Do try to stay with an industry-standard mount like the NMO (stands for New MOtorola).



It's extremely difficult to offer an opinion about a radio that will 'do all' when you are just starting out in the hobby. Your requirements will change as you gain more experience. You will inevitablly end up with more than one radio. Probably the best thing to do would be to hang out with some of the locals at the radio club and pick their brains about what radio to buy. Different areas of the country tend to favor one radio brand or another. If others have good luck with a certain brand, then that's probably the one to have. Remember my first comment about opinions.



I would tend to start out with a more basic radio and work up. Some of the latest whiz-bang super-micro radios take a fair amount of learning to access all their capabilities, most of which, hardly anybody uses anyway!



You might join the ARRL. Their QST magazine is useful for both technical stuff and lots of ads from all the ham manufacturers. E-mail Ham Radio Outlet (http://www.hamradio.com) and request a catalog. Lots of good comparison material there.



Try these:



http://www.arrl.org



and



http://www.qrz.com



Both of these have links to other sites of interest, as does



http://www.rac.ca



Good luck!

 

[RonaldLarson]

Congrats!

The advice already offered on the ADI two meter mobile rig and Larson Antenna are right on the money I run the exact same equipment. The beauty of the ADI is it's Dx power of 60 watts, switchable down to 40 and 20 watts for working repeaters. The audio and ease of use are great. Mine tuned down to 1. 20 SWR using the mag base mount Larson stainless whip. By all means, put the antenna in the center of the roof! It's all about a good ground plane. The ADI is currently priced around $199. 00. Check with HRO for good prices and delivery.

73's

Ron

 

[jalberring]

I have been searching the web tonight looking for more information and I think I am getting more confused. :{



I will check out your suggestions and hopefully I will have some money left over from Christmas.



Just how susceptible to breaking is an NMO roof mount?

Also, can you do 2 meter SSB on any rig? I was reading about that and it seems interesting.



Jason

 

[WadePatton]

Congrats on the ticket. Now here's what I say.



I've had good luck with Icoms and Yaesu. Have also had Kenwood, TenTec, and Alinco. MOF I still run the Alinco for 220mHz. I prefer the Yaesu's.



For a HT I highly recommend the VX-5R $235 at AES right now. It's a great little radio and there is a website full of support (I forget exactly where). Unless you know that you'll want to be on 220, then I'd get the KW.



I run an FT 8100 mobile which has only two bands, now Yaesu sells an 8900 with four bands (2/440/6/10 )and I paid about as much for mine a few years ago. I like the 8100 and wouldn't hesitate to try an 8900--$430 at AES.



I like big antennas. And the best setup I can design is the big Diamond http://www.texastowers.com/sg7900a.htm . It's the biggest 2/440 out there. Mounted into a "stake pocket mount" http://www.geotool.com/antmount.htm it's high, but not too much so and it has a tilt-over base.



Anyway, I smack them repeaters when other folks around me can barely make it. And I talk simplex right past the 5/8 rigs.



Now all that stuff is high. The antenna is around $80 and the mount is close to $50. But like I said it's the real deal.



Otherwise I recommend checking with local clubs for used deals (get two people to vouch for whomever you buy from) and a 5/8 wave is the least I'd ever use.





Take your time and get to know some folks and try out and see their equipment firsthand. Don't be in a big rush. The airwaves will wait.



Let me know when you want HF ideas. I'm full of 'em.



W1ADE



As to 2m SSB-- is pretty much a waste of time--depending on your area. And it'll take an "all-mode" rig or something like a 706 HF/VHF/UHF rig. It's a good place to go if you want to have a "private" conversation, but I can do that on 2m simplex, 440 simplex, or 220-without the fancy rig.

 

[jwdeeming]

Jason,



Go easy - we call HRO "The Candy Store" around here and it's easy to get big eyes and spend a bunch of money. Radios have so many bells and whistles nowadays you'll probably use about 1/10th of them.



I've only had Yaesu radios, both mobiles and HTs. My first was the FT-530, which was a real tank. Went on many hunting trips and got all kinds of abuse. I now have the VX-5R and I second Wades recommendation on that - for the price it's a sweet little radio.



For mobiles, my wife & I always have an FT-5100 in every vehicle. They're basic functionality but while you're driving, you don't need much. I'm not too impressed with the quality on these - the backlights have burned out and cooling fans have failed more than once. But they work fine for traveling and talking truck-to-truck which is 80% of what we do anyway.



Yaesu has a hot new dual bander but I can't remember the model number - I think it's a FT-90. I know a die-hard Icom fanatic who switched over to that and raves about it.



The VX-5R will let you play with 6M, but I lost interest pretty quick. I'd recommend starting with 2m/70cm first and hang around some HF guys at a local club for awhile before spending in that category.



I've had NMO mounts on every vehicle I wasn't afraid to drill a hole in, and they've never broken. While you're 4-wheeling in the trees, stay away from mag-mounts - they'll get knocked over and scratch your truck.



And no, I haven't been able to make myself drill a hole in the roof of my CTD - I have it mounted on the drivers side of the hood with an NMO L-bracket. I'm not happy with it, but it fits in the garage and I was too chicken to drill - yet.



Welcome to a whole new way to spend money. My radios are all old because the truck takes all my mad money now!



Jim Deeming

KB0MED

 

[jalberring]

Thanks guys,



Lots of good ideas.



I have checked out some the sites posted and found another: www.eham.net



It's gonna take a long while to learn about all the different modes and such.

 

[WadePatton]

Listen

You'll learn lots more by listening than yakking.



But you'll hear "poor amateur practice" on the airways too. So don't mimick all you hear. My peeve is "for ID". As a wonderful lady in KY said about that, "Why else would you give your callsign?"



I thought about getting "N4ID" or "W4ID" as a vanity call, but I don't think it would help with the situation. They wouldn't realize I was poking fun at them.





So I got "W1ADE" and it works jest fine.



Join the local club, or a couple of them.



Just hooked up a 220Mhz (1. 25 meters) on the kitchen counter. Gotta see what I been missing.

 

[merryman]

jalberring;

I was right where you are three years ago------and I am still there. I got so confused, I just stopped looking and still have no radio and a totally unused license.



Vaughn

 

[jalberring]

Wade, I'm not quite sure what you mean about the callsign and "for ID". Could you elaborate?



I hope I don't pick up any bad habits, but the bad habits seem to come natural to me.



Vaughn, I know what you mean. I may take the plunge with a less expensive radio just to get started.

 

[jwdeeming]

What Wade was referring to is how a lot of guys give ID, particularly on repeaters. You're supposed to ID every 10 minutes and at the end of your conversation. Lots of times somebody will say,



"This is KB0MED, for ID".



It is redundant. But if you want to be annoyed, wait until some joker starts abusing the autopatch on your favorite repeater and uses it as his personal cell phone... .

 

[WadePatton]

GET ON THE AIR! You'll hear it. Just what JWD said. Six people will be "kicking it" on a repeater and it will come time to identify and somebody will say, "KZ4ABC, for ID" then, "KZ4ABB for ID, then "KZ8ABC for ID, then the real smart one will say "KA9ODS for the purpose" et cetera ad nauseum. When then could have legally and efficiently said, "KZ4ABC", "KZ4ABB", "KZ8ABC", "KA9ODS", and so on.



The second way is easier and better amateur practice.



Another abuse of a repeater, especially a busy one are the folks using them to talk 2 miles away. I've heard folks "talk somebody in" all the way to the driveway on 200-mile radius repeaters.



But don't worry about "messing up" just get on. If you find clickish and rude folks on one machine, use a different one. 2-meters is the great entry port for 99% of hams. Some, like me, never stop using it. Others move on to other bands/modes. That's why Amateur Radio is so great. There are endless things to do with it.



I met a guy at a rest area in TX (when I went to get my truck) who was going down the road sending slow-scan TV pictures out of his truck. That takes a camera, computer, and HF rig. He was also running an amplifier. The coolest part of the deal was that I recognized his call from monitoring SSTV a few years back.



I'm planning on putting a Fast-Scan TV (ATV)camera up on my gate, back in the woods and transmitting the signal to the house here. ATV -security cam! all I have to do is transmit my Call on the signal--and set up the equipment. I might even use that setup to monitor wildlife.



and there's more.