HF Radio reccomendations

emt.micah

emt.micah

Observer
I've been runnning a little Wouxun HT for a little while. It's fun on road trips in built up areas and around home where I can hit repeaters. But as you guys know, it won't do me squat on a good overland trip into the middle of nowhere unless I've got another vehicle along with us. So I want to get a good HF rig (and to upgrade my license) so as to reach out and call for assistance should we need to on a good long trip into no where. FYI, I do run a Delorme InReach for the safety factor, but I'd like voice comms as well.

So I'm looking for suggestions. I don't know much about the HF bands. What are folks using to talk day and night? 20m and 80m?

I'm looking to put this rig into my Wrangler. I usually have a VHF LMR radio in there for my fire dept/SAR use. So a HF rig with a detachable front plate is important to me.

Suggestions, ideas, thoughts?

Micah
KD9DPQ
 
TerryD

TerryD

Adventurer
How far out will you be? I can get about 50 miles out of my little 1/4 wave tram on the roof of my S-10 Blazer and 2m Kenwood on medium power (10W). The FT-857 is a great rig, no doubt about that, I'm just wondering if you really need HF. A thrown together Yagi made from copper ground wire and pvc got me into one the same distance away on 5w from my Baofeng HT. All this is in the mountains of western Virginia.
 
emt.micah

emt.micah

Observer
My last trip was up the James Bay Road in Quebec. The next one will hopefully be the Trans Labrador Highway. I need to reach out 100 to 200 miles plus.

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SiliconTi

SiliconTi

Stuck in the Mud
93Cummins said:
Yaesu FT-857 is a good choice. 20 day and 80 evening is a good guess.
Click to expand...

+1 on the 857.

Runs all bands, 100W on HF, removable faceplate and they are everywhere. Hook it up to a good antenna and you're all set. I have one for my Jeep with the ATAS-120 antenna. Slick setup, but there are better antennas.
 
G

gary in ohio

Explorer
If you want a new radio, Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu.. Pick your price point and buy... They all have advantages and disadvantages.
 
rambrush

rambrush

Adventurer
And if you want slightly older technology you can not go wrong with a Icom 706MKIIG with a AH4 tuner. This will give you multiple options of contacting someone. I like my Kenwood TS480 it works pretty decent. Some would say jump on down to Wouxun. A buddy runs one and it does ok. So like posted lots of options out there.
 
U

unseenone

Explorer
I am partial to the 857D as well. The remote head is a must for me. Are you planning on getting your General as well?
 
emt.micah

emt.micah

Observer
Studying for my General now. Hope to test this winter.

I like the all-in-one offered by the 857. Just not sure about the price tag. I'll esearch some of the other reccomendations as well.

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U

unseenone

Explorer
No problem, just curious. They are a bit "up there" but have a great track record which is important. I'm sure there are other ones as well in extreme environments

I'm not sure what antenna I would recommend. I run an ATAS 120a which does fairly well across the board (especially on the roof), and a HiQ which might be considered a bit overkill in many cases.

Either way, you'll need to think about the HF Antenna aspects as well while you are at it.

HF can be a lot of fun, and handy as well.
 
K

k9lestat

Expedition Leader
I wish they made blend of the 8.17 and 857. The qrp with 5 watts and internal battery for bag ops mixed the higher power on the bands when hooked up to external power ei power supply or vehicle. That would be great all around radio.

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K

k9lestat

Expedition Leader
I was just checking that out just now. Do you have or physically seen one of the kx3's?

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