Suggestions for newbie HAM

[Romer1]

Just got skywarn certified and was thinking about getting into ham radio. Would like to keep initial cost down and wondered if anyone had any suggestions. Was thinking dual band hand held.

Thanks.

[Romer1]

Just got skywarn certified and was thinking about getting into ham radio. Would like to keep initial cost down and wondered if anyone had any suggestions. Was thinking dual band hand held.

Thanks.

[Two Bit]

Hi Romer1,
Welcome to skywarn and your interest in Amateur Radio. A good site for lots of info is
http://www.arrl.org/ which is the American Radio Relay League.

Dual band radios are 2 meter and 70 centimeter band radios. Those bands require a "technician" license. 2 meter only radios are about $100 cheaper than dual-band radios.

The other two license levels are "general" and "extra". NONE require a testing of morse code anymore. General and extra allow HF band privilages which is the statewide, nationwide, and worldwide abilities. Morse code is still in use, but they just dropped it from the tests.

Visit the ARRL site and ask more questions here. We hams are always willing to help prospective amateurs.

[doghowz3]

I've been an international broadcast monitor, off and on for 50+ years. My QSL collection fills several volumes Even know some code, at least the letters. But, as retirement nears, I've been thinking of getting the ham license that I've thought about for decades. And yes, the ARRL site is in my bookmarks. The salesmen who sold us our DOGHOWZ, when he heard of my interest, passed on several old issues of QST he had lying around the office. So, I'm interested in posts like this one.

But what actually prompts this reply is a question. What is "skywarn"?

Paul

[Moder2]

Paul,

Skywarn is the part of NOAA that supports and trains weather spotters. They offer training for ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) spotters, and others such as county emergency managers, police and fire personal.

The link to the page is http://www.skywarn.org/about.htm

HAm radio has a lot to offer, and I encourage you to look into it more! Even with a tech ticket (which is pretty easy to obtain) one now has some limited HF privileges, and full VHF/UHF. The Hobby means many different things to different people... From Contesting, to just rag-chewing, or experimenting and home-brew, from CW (morse code) to digital voice, packet radio, and many other activities.

Getting involved in radio isn't nearly difficult today either. My partner took a "podcast" course, that he downloaded through iTunes. many clubs offer Tech Classes, and there is always the ARRL books you can just study...

73

John

[Romer1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by doghowz3:
I've been an international broadcast monitor, off and on for 50+ years. My QSL collection fills several volumes Even know some code, at least the letters. But, as retirement nears, I've been thinking of getting the ham license that I've thought about for decades. And yes, the ARRL site is in my bookmarks. The salesmen who sold us our DOGHOWZ, when he heard of my interest, passed on several old issues of QST he had lying around the office. So, I'm interested in posts like this one.

But what actually prompts this reply is a question. What is "skywarn"?

Paul </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Paul,

Go here:

Will county EMA

or:

Park forest EMA

I'm up in Bolingbrook, and just went to the basic Skywarn in Plainfield and then the Advanced at Wheaton College on 3/15.

Check with the Park Forest unit to see when/where there's another one.

Now, all I need is to take the ham technocian test and find out what everyone recommends for a radio. I's kinda like asking someone to recommend a motor home.

Merrill

[Vette Racer]

Keep in mind that a handheld (HT) only puts out 5 watts max and if you are thinking about doing some storm spotting and things that will have you out a distance from the repeaters you'll need more power with a better antenna. I'd recommend you think about a mobil radio (50 watts min) with a good antenna as a first rig, (2/70 dual bander) then if you feel the need for a HT later you can get one then. If you have a power supply or a battery good for 20 amps with a charger you could take the radio in the house too, with a base antenna of course.

[Romer1]

I was thinking handheld for easy portability between Jeep and motor home. Most spotting will be done in Chicago suburbs where I should be close to repeaters. Distance wise, probably 5 air miles or less.

Not looking to become a storm chaser.

Also considered the mobil units, just a bit less transferable.


Good brands? Yaesu, Icom, Alinco??

[Two Bit]

Romer1,
You named probably the three best brands. Once you go with a brand, most people stay with that brand for additional radios because radios of the same brand program similarly, thus no need to learn the process over and over. I have a 2 meter Yaseu FT-1802 as a base, with a base antenna at 60 feet high, and I have two FT-7800 dual bands as mobile units in my two vehicles with Comet antennas. I am happy with both the 1802 and the 7800. I dont have a handheld. My base is 35 miles from a repeater and is strong into the repeater. My mobiles lose the repeater in about 15-20 miles. I live in the hill country which affects the mobile range dramatically. Most of my radios were bought new on-line. Most came from hamcity. The 1802 for example was about $130. Dual banders are about $100 more. QST is a good magazine to help you shop.

If you only use a handheld, add an exterior antenna to the vehicle for better range. The little short handheld antennas in side a vehicle hurt performance.

[Romer1]

I'm assuming it makes more sense to go with the dual band as opposed to just the 2 meter.

Been thinking about buying the radio before I test to see what I can hear/learn.

[Moder2]

You are right, picking a radio on advice is a lot like buying a motorhome. Everybody will love what they just spent the money on!

When I first started out at 16, I scraped up enough for an Alinco Handie Talkie (DJ160 I think). Still have it and it works well for what it is. At the time I was very concerned with price and "bang for buck". It was good for the time.

In my opinion Alinco has really cheapened their brand over the years, which made me look elsewhere as I didn't care for the design of their current rigs. This is purely a subjective opinion and mostly relates to ascetics, not functionality.

My next rig was an Azden PCS7000 2 meter mobil. Another rock solid rig, I still have today after being in 4 vehicles. I bought this for price vs. output power, which at the time was 5 watts more than all the rest in the same price range. Been a great radio, but it is a bit utilitarian. I do not like how the memories program, nor the number codes for the CTCSS tones. But, it just works, and has for 15 years.

Next rig was bought mostly on price was a Radio Shack HTX212 mobil. I do admit I was hoping my support of Radio Shack would have steered them back to the experimenter market also. The radio was made buy Kenwood for RS, and has been pretty reliable. The Mike feels cheap, and it isn't the easiest to program, but it does work.

Then we jumped into HF when Derek decided to get into radio. The first rig I got him was the kenwood THD7 Handietalkie. I liked this rig because of the built in TNC and ease for APRS. I don't use it much, but it he likes it and it has been reliable. I like that it is a bigger handheld, since my hands are big and clumsy I don't like the little radios. Again, I feel Kenwood has cheapened the radios over the years.

My next rig was the Yaesu FT-857D. Awesome rig. I don't like all the menus, but the subcompact package is great! It works well, and I like it's ruggedness. The receiver is AWESOME ,and this rig sold me on Yaesu...

Wanting a bigger radio I bought a used 757GXII, which was nice, but I wanted some more bells and whistles. Being true to the 80's gear the receiver wasn't the best, and I got a burn for the 897, so I sold that. The nice thing about the 757's is that they are plentiful, and I got my money in and out of it quickly, without loosing any. I would buy one again if I had the room, and seriously became a collector... I like the 767 and 736 combo too...

Recently I bought the FT-897D, which is VERY similar to the 857D. So far it has been the best radio I have owned, and I love the portability. I choose to put the batteries in it, and went with the LDG tuner. It is truly a ham shack in a box, and works well for my situation.

I have used Icom rigs... They are nice, and have lots of bells and whistles, but I like my Yaesu's better. Again, this is very subjective.

I am a big believer that a bit more time and money spent on a good antenna system is by far worth 10 times the same money spent on the radio, with that in mind, be aware of the con's that are out there today. You simply cannot get something for nothing, and the laws of physics are laws for a reason. Just because someone claims it works, they charge a lot of money for it, and shows a low SWR, doesn't mean it is radiating efficiently.

I also like eHam.com for reviews of equipment. I find it important to get lots of opinions before a spend lots of money on anything.

John

[Romer1]

Am I also correct in that I should buy new for first radio?

See there's an FT8100R on ebay.. worth taking a chance on?

[Two Bit]

For a 2m or 2m/70cm dual bander I would recommend new. One of these rigs used might only save you $30 to $50. New hams dont need the added worry of a old radio with possible issues. A new mobile antenna plus a new 2m mobile radio can be had for under $200.

HF rigs are a whole different can of worms since their new prices begin at $500 and go to over $10,000. I have one HF rig, it is used, 20 years old, works fine, and was free from another ham. It is a Yaesu FT-77. I have worked the whole globe with it.

The single band vs. dual band question is sometimes dependant on what repeaters are in use in your area. Are there any 440 repeaters in your area? Also many dual band mobiles have removable faces so the bulk of the radio can be mounted under the seat or in the trunk. Only the face mounts to the dash. Also dual banders have more recieve frequencies than 2m. Mine will listen to aircraft as well as other radio services beyond ham frequencies. You get more bells and whistles on dual band radios for the extra price. I have yet to find a new 2m single band radio that has a removable face.

In talking about antennas, get all the antenna you can. For VHF/UHF good brands are Diamond and Comet. The longer lenght is usually the better. Keep in mind things like garage door openings or carports you might be parking under may limit your height. Around three feet is a great car mounted antenna length but a 18" up in the center of the roof of an SUV will outperform a 36" way down low on the back bumper of the pickup.
Magnetic mounts are a compromise but can work quite well. Drilling a hole in the roof or trunk and using an NMO mount is best.

Careful about e-bay for ham radios. Prices often excede those of new and there are some shady sellers on there. I buy many things on e-bay, but not radios. I have bought from other hams listing on QRZ.com. I think the reputation of those sellers is better than e-bay for ham stuff.

[Romer1]

This is what's in my area ( I live in Bolingbrook)

Active SKYWARN Nets
Location & Type

Call Sign

Frequency
Bolingbrook Repeater 147.33 +
Morris Repeater 147.27 + PL 107.2
Liaison Repeater WW9AE 444.55 + PL 114.8

* Bolingbrook Repeater 147.33 +
* Morris Repeater 147.27 + PL 107.2
* Liaison Repeater WW9AE – 444.55 + PL 114.8

So most often it would be 147.33, however if only a 2 meter, will it be useful in motorhome while traveling?