any hammy's out there?

[linx]

I'm not saying your rig is a bad rig...I'd like a nice 706 as much as the next guy. All I am really saying, is mine sounds great, so I wouldn't nock a RCI guy. Most guys I talk to on 10, use one, they just call them "black boxes" to cover it up.

If this guy is going for his tech license, then I don't see why he needs to buy a radio that will tx from .5-900mhz. He may as well get a radio that will do 10 and 11, and get a 2m/70cm rig. I'd keep the 10/11m rig, as there doesn't seem to much activity these days on 2m. Just my opinion on that one by the way. Talk to ya more later....time to work

[MOONSHINER]

I'm not saying your rig is a bad rig...I'd like a nice 706 as much as the next guy. All I am really saying, is mine sounds great, so I wouldn't nock a RCI guy. Most guys I talk to on 10, use one, they just call them "black boxes" to cover it up.

If this guy is going for his tech license, then I don't see why he needs to buy a radio that will tx from .5-900mhz. He may as well get a radio that will do 10 and 11, and get a 2m/70cm rig. I'd keep the 10/11m rig, as there doesn't seem to much activity these days on 2m. Just my opinion on that one by the way. Talk to ya more later....time to work

i agree with you, I am still just a tech and thats all I use is 10/11m and 2m. 2m is still plenty active here, just depends on your area. I am not getting rid of my 11m stuff, there is still a good group here on 11m, plus I dont want to forget where I started.

[Night Crawler]

i scheduled for a class/test next month for technician license. so I'll start shopping around now for something to play with.

what is a good beginner radio to start off with. i have an rci, but will need something to go to the higher freq's, once i figure out which ones i will be allowed to use. something to get my feet wet with and if i have a ball with it, i will advance on up.

and how about an antenna? i assume i will need different ones for different freqs?

nj158 where are you in New Jersey I'm in Somerset maybe I can catch you on
one of the 2 meter repeaters when you get your License 147.285 + 600 pl 143.1
has coverage from AC to NYC plus Echolink.
To start maybe get something used I picked up an old Icom
2at at a hamfest with a speaker mike 3 battery packs and dc adapter for $15.00
and made a J-pole ant out of 300 ohm twin lead. I can get into most of the repeaters
I hear.

[928bolo]

NJ158,

Congrats on your ticket. You certainly have allot of good advice here. Here is my two cents.

Try to buy a radio with HF/UHF/VHF. You can use the bands allowed with your ticket and listen to others to learn. CW is still a big part of being a knowledgeable ham and the digital modes are easier to use are growing in popularity.

I have Yeasu 857D and it covers HF/UHF/VHF. As mentioned by others you can also mod this radios for 11 meters. The 857 can be modded for 11 meters with software, link cable, and a computer. The 857D model requires some soldering skills for the 11 meter mod but not too hard to do. The 857 is very small and can easily be used for mobile operation. The display screen is small and so you have to navigate allot of menus to make changes (takes allot of practice to learn). The menus are difficult to navigate while driving however. Base operation is easier especially with the use of a computer. You can control all operation of the radio with software such as Ham Radio Deluxe. The software will also help you send, transmit and receive digital modes.

Most hams have several radios to cover different bands. I use the 857 primarily for HF and a Kenwood TM-G707A for VHF/UHF. I use both radios for base and mobile. I have an old Yaesu 301D that I like to use for 11 meters occasionally.

I prefer to use a dedicated CB radio for 11 meters. Especially old tube radios.

One day your shack will be filled with radios. It is only a matter of time.

[samskip]

I'm not saying your rig is a bad rig...I'd like a nice 706 as much as the next guy. All I am really saying, is mine sounds great, so I wouldn't nock a RCI guy. Most guys I talk to on 10, use one, they just call them "black boxes" to cover it up.

If this guy is going for his tech license, then I don't see why he needs to buy a radio that will tx from .5-900mhz. He may as well get a radio that will do 10 and 11, and get a 2m/70cm rig. I'd keep the 10/11m rig, as there doesn't seem to much activity these days on 2m. Just my opinion on that one by the way. Talk to ya more later....time to work

Out of my 95 contacts on 10 meters, I have never had some admit to using an export and I have never heard of 'black boxes' on the air. I guess more work on 10 will reveal that at some point?

I noticed you said there isn't much activity on 2m these days in your neck of the woods? I looked up Portland and see you live roughly 60-70miles north of Nashville? Can you get into repeaters in the Nashville area? If you couldn't, I could see how 2m might be a little boring since your kind of in a remote place with little organized amateur activity. I live in a city of about 80,000 people and have two amateur clubs in the city, plus 3 others within 40 miles. I think I have a total of 14 repeaters between 2m and 70cm programmed in.

I think he's best off buying a HF/VHF/UHF radio because when he upgrades to general which isn't that hard, he will need those HF freq's! Instead of buying one now, only to have to buy another radio in a year or so, why not kill two birds with one stone(radio)? That's why I made my investment, I won't be needing another radio for years and YEARS to come. Not only do I not need to worry about another radio, the one I have is top notch, so I am content for a decade or so.

[80 meter man]

Extra Ham here!! With a tech ticket you will be doing a lot of 2 meter stuff to get started with. The Icom V8000 is a low cost single band(2M) radio 75w out and good looking to. I find 70cm no fun. All the hams that are fun to talk to seem to be on 2m. There are many nets you can get involved with to help you learn the ropes. Remember to listen first to see how the hams in your area operate. Ham is much like CB we have our own language and a certain way we operate. If you show up with out knowing how hams operate you will be given a hard time. So listen a lot!! After you get some experience the Icom 718 is a great starter HF rig. Have fun and good luck!!!!

[DOMINATOR]

I got my ticket a few weeks ago. I picked up an ICOM -V8000, I have to say for a single band-er its a great deal and just under $200. It has many features and 75w of power. I talk all over the place with this rig and get great reports.

73 Greg