Should I get an HF transceiver as a first radio?

[AKRover]

So I'm taking my technician exam tomorrow and I'm pretty confident that I'm going to pass. Of course if I do this means that I'm going to need a radio and I have been looking at my options. I think I plan on upgrading to general once I learn the ropes since this would really open up some interesting options. I may even be able to talk with some of you more southern ExPo members.:victory:

My question is should I spend the big bucks now and get a transceiver with HF capabilities or stick to at least a dual bander?

The radios I am looking at are Yaesu FT-857D and the FT8900R. The 857 sounds like a really powerfull little mobile but the price is about twice that of the other one. It also has a cool Defender in it's brocure that makes it look even more appealing to me. :drool:

http://www.yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=787&FileCatID=156&FileName=FT%2D857%5FBrochure.pdf&FileContentType=application%2Fpdf

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hard call. If you really feel like your into it and the General is in short order, I can't see why not. Kill two birds with one stone and save some time and money in the meantime.

If it might be a ways off, a nice budget 2M could really help you wet the appetite and get to know the functions and operations of the units themselves.

My first rig was a Kenwood 2M handheld, still one of the units I use the most. From there I really discovered that my true intent with HAM was simplex operations out on the trail and simple, small 2M's would do the trick in my vehicles. I've got a Yeasu in the Tacoma and a Icom for the 40. Fast forward 3 years, since that time I actually did a bunch of trade work for some older HAM units including a couple neat HF rigs. I've slowly started studying for the General and might actually use one before long.

 

[mk4]

I'd study for the General and take both tests.

I'd get a HF/VHF/UHF rig such as the 857D, simply because there are probably less repeaters in Alaska. I figure once out of a populated area, you'll be hard pressed to find any repeaters. With VHF/UHF, you'll need to be with 50-75 miles to reliably hit a repeater. With a HF rig, you'll extend your communications range by quite a bit.

But there's a learning curve to AR and going straight into HF might be a tall task.

 

[gary in ohio]

So I'm taking my technician exam tomorrow and I'm pretty confident that I'm going to pass. Of course if I do this means that I'm going to need a radio and I have been looking at my options. I think I plan on upgrading to general once I learn the ropes since this would really open up some interesting options. I may even be able to talk with some of you more southern ExPo members.:victory:

My question is should I spend the big bucks now and get a transceiver with HF capabilities or stick to at least a dual bander?

The radios I am looking at are Yaesu FT-857D and the FT8900R. The 857 sounds like a really powerfull little mobile but the price is about twice that of the other one. It also has a cool Defender in it's brocure that makes it look even more appealing to me. :drool:

[[/URL]

Many ham's would say why not get both, but cost I know can be a factor.
You can never have to many radio's. Also figure your going to buy and sell your first few radio's until you find your nitch.

Being in alaska I think I would get the 857, that gives you the ham HF bands, dual band u/v radio plus the alaskan emergency HF frequency all in one box. Normally I would not be so gung ho about HF mobile for a new ham, but up your way and with offroading it may be a plus.

For in and around town use a dual band or even single band would be ok depending on what repeaters are around. I would pass on the 8900 and go for the 8800 since I dont think think there are many 6m or 10m active up north and much of the HF activty on those bands are SSB not FM. You also save about $100 dropping down to the 8800.

 

[AKRover]

I'd study for the General and take both tests.

I'd get a HF/VHF/UHF rig such as the 857D, simply because there are probably less repeaters in Alaska. I figure once out of a populated area, you'll be hard pressed to find any repeaters. With VHF/UHF, you'll need to be with 50-75 miles to reliably hit a repeater. With a HF rig, you'll extend your communications range by quite a bit.

But there's a learning curve to AR and going straight into HF might be a tall task.

I just started studying for the Tech exam on friday and there is a test session today so I figured I may as well get it done. I haven't even looked at the General stuff at all yet so I don't even know what that involves.

Since I am very knew at this I can tell that there is a lot to learn, more than I expected actually. I wasn't really planning on going straight into transmitting on the HF bands but it would be nice to have them when I am ready or in an emergency.

Many ham's would say why not get both, but cost I know can be a factor.
You can never have to many radio's. Also figure your going to buy and sell your first few radio's until you find your nitch.

Being in alaska I think I would get the 857, that gives you the ham HF bands, dual band u/v radio plus the alaskan emergency HF frequency all in one box. Normally I would not be so gung ho about HF mobile for a new ham, but up your way and with offroading it may be a plus.

For in and around town use a dual band or even single band would be ok depending on what repeaters are around. I would pass on the 8900 and go for the 8800 since I dont think think there are many 6m or 10m active up north and much of the HF activty on those bands are SSB not FM. You also save about $100 dropping down to the 8800.

If I wasn't going to go with a HF transceiver the 8800 was my next choice. I like the cross band receive feature.

What is the alaska emergency frequency?

 

[AKRover]

I guess since I'm talking about HF rigs I should talk about antennas too. If I went with the 857D I would need to eventually get a HF antenna. What will this add to the cost of the installation compared to just having an antenna for VHF/UFH?

 

[gary in ohio]

I just started studying for the Tech exam on friday and there is a test session today so I figured I may as well get it done. I haven't even looked at the General stuff at all yet so I don't even know what that involves.

Since I am very knew at this I can tell that there is a lot to learn, more than I expected actually. I wasn't really planning on going straight into transmitting on the HF bands but it would be nice to have them when I am ready or in an emergency.



If I wasn't going to go with a HF transceiver the 8800 was my next choice. I like the cross band receive feature.

What is the alaska emergency frequency?

Here is a doc on the emergency freq http://www.qsl.net/aresalaska/training/ARES_Emergency_communications_guide.htm

The cross band on the 8800 is not legal they way its implemented but many people still use it.

 

[gary in ohio]

I guess since I'm talking about HF rigs I should talk about antennas too. If I went with the 857D I would need to eventually get a HF antenna. What will this add to the cost of the installation compared to just having an antenna for VHF/UFH?

YOu have several options for HF mobile antennas. They vary in cost.

On the low cost side A simple helical antenna for a specific band or tapped for multi bands. lower cost but you need to swap antennas or move connections for different bands. You can also go with the Hustler multi band whips but you get only 3 or 4 bands at a time. $20/per band on average.

Mid range cost is a whip and tuner, whips is only $30 or so and the tuner can be $200-300 depending on brand.

High end is a screwdriver antenna. These are motorized (a few manual) tuned antennas that side up and down to tune to a specific frequency.
Run $300 and up .


Depending on the bands you want to cover all have advantages and disadvantages. If you want to do a lot of 40,80 and 160m band work a screw driver is a must. If you like to jump around freq/bands a lot the tuner works best, if your on just a couple of bands the wound antennas work well.

 

[AKRover]

Thanks for the link, that's good info.

Yaesu does make a motorized antenna controlled by the 857D but I have read lots of mixed reviews on the thing. Either people love it or they hate it. Maybe I could find someone that hates it and buy theirs.

Anyone have experience with this antenna or something similar?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/5066.html

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Thanks for the link, that's good info.

Yaesu does make a motorized antenna controlled by the 857D but I have read lots of mixed reviews on the thing. Either people love it or they hate it. Maybe I could find someone that hates it and buy theirs.

Anyone have experience with this antenna or something similar?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/5066.html

Single band at a time (you have to go out and physically move the wire jumper) and the jumper is easily snagged and/or lost.

Probably your best bet for mobile is a whip and a tuner. You can also get a long-wire antenna (like a G5RV, or even just a random long wire) for better performance when stopped.

Something else you might want to consider (depending) is an NVIS antenna - easily made out of PVC pipe and whatnot, it deliberately directs most of the RF energy straight up to the ionosphere, so it comes straight down - which gives you good coverage for around 250-300 miles, an area that long-range HF typically skips over. You can also use a mobile whip on the car as an NVIS (if you have a tuner) by bending the antenna over so it's parallel to the ground.

Heres a link to a homebuilt AS-2259 (military NVIS HF antenna):

http://www.vcars.org/tech/NVIS.html

 

[gary in ohio]

Thanks for the link, that's good info.

Yaesu does make a motorized antenna controlled by the 857D but I have read lots of mixed reviews on the thing. Either people love it or they hate it. Maybe I could find someone that hates it and buy theirs.

Anyone have experience with this antenna or something similar?

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/5066.html

Yaesu makes an atas-120a, thats a very low end screw driver antenna. Ok for 6-30m but pretty crappy on 40m and not usable on 80m or 160m.
The Opek HVT-400B in your link is one of the helical wound antennas, outbacker was one of the first in this style. You have to get out to change bands. Not a big deal if you stick to a single band but if you want to jump around is an issue. Price isnt bad but its not the best of the antennas available.

Here is a GREAT site for mobile ham ops http://www.k0bg.com/

Here are a couple pix of mobiles I have had. the Full size blazer has a 3 band hustler using a ball mount to the bumper. The second photo is the tahoe with a 12ft whip mounted to a ball on the side of the vehicle.
My current vehicle will soon have a screw driver off the truck bed.

 

[fetus]

I would get a good 2m/440 radio first to get used to using a radio.

HF definitely has a learning curve with it. I made numerous calls to my dad, who is an extra. HF you have LSB, USB (Lower Side Band, Upper Side Band, FM, AM, CW, RTTY) modes. Getting started in HF will require a lot more money, too. You need a rig, antenna, tuner, and power supply.

There isn't a lot of HF activity going on right now with the low sunspots. There is a lot of 2m activity and some 440 (440 has a lot of linked repeaters).

My first radio was an ICOM dual band HT. I did a lot of listening before I started talking. Then I got a mobile dual bander for my Jeep. I then upgraded to General and got my HF rig.

A lot of the Southern California and Nevada deserts have not a whole lot of repeater coverage and having an HF capable radio was nice. Though, with HF there is only activity at certain times of the day. Where on VHF/UHF, it works pretty much 24/7.

 

[gary in ohio]

HF definitely has a learning curve with it. I made numerous calls to my dad, who is an extra. HF you have LSB, USB (Lower Side Band, Upper Side Band, FM, AM, CW, RTTY) modes. Getting started in HF will require a lot more money, too. You need a rig, antenna, tuner, and power supply.

There is a learning curve with most things. As for more money, Depending on what radio you get and how you plan to use it. Tuner isnt need if you put up resonant antennas., power supply isnt need if your mobile and depending on the radio may not be needed at home as well.

There isn't a lot of HF activity going on right now with the low sunspots.

Sure there are people on HF now. sun spots are low, but I work 20 some different countries last weekend.

There is a lot of 2m activity and some 440 (440 has a lot of linked repeaters).

Depending on where your at, I can find someone faster on HF than on 2m where I live.

 

[AKRover]

So I passed my Technician exam with 100%, better than I had expected really. I rarely scored over 90% on the practice test so I must have got the easiest one. :ylsmoke:

Now to decide how much money I'm willing to invest in this up front. I just recently sold all of my camera equipment and it is burning a hole in my bank account!

 

[fetus]

Congratulations on passing.:elkgrin: