HF Radios For “Expo” Use.

[Hltoppr]

I've also been looking at the Yaesu FT-817nd. Really a pretty neat unit that could be taken backpacking, motorcycling and camping, as well as for use in the house.

5W of output power kindof has me wondering....will this be enough? I'm pretty amazed at what can be done with a good antenna though.

-H-

 

[xtatik]

I've also been looking at the Yaesu FT-817nd. Really a pretty neat unit that could be taken backpacking, motorcycling and camping, as well as for use in the house.

5W of output power kindof has me wondering....will this be enough? I'm pretty amazed at what can be done with a good antenna though.

-H-

IMO,.....no.
Here's why........unless you're fairly experienced at weak signal work and have "the feel" for how well your signal is getting out, I think 5 watts will frustrate you.
I think QRP is cool and fun and it presents it's own set of challenges. But, I don't see it as a starting place for HF. QRP requires you to be a bit more antenna savvy than the average barefoot runner. Also, there is a big difference in success rates between CW and SSB QRP operators. A great deal more contacts can be made on CW or other digimodes with 5 watts than you'll ever achieve on phone.

 

[DarioCarrera]

IMO,.....no.
Here's why........unless you're fairly experienced at weak signal work and have "the feel" for how well your signal is getting out, I think 5 watts will frustrate you.
I think QRP is cool and fun and it presents it's own set of challenges. But, I don't see it as a starting place for HF. QRP requires you to be a bit more antenna savvy than the average barefoot runner. Also, there is a big difference in success rates between CW and SSB QRP operators. A great deal more contacts can be made on CW or other digimodes with 5 watts than you'll ever achieve on phone.

I agree with Randy's assessment! working with QRP rigs can be very frustrating. IMHO, try using a 100W regular rig like a 897d or a smaller 857d, which you can use at different power levels, the investment is nearly the same as a QRP rig, and if you want to work QRP, you can do it.

 

[Hltoppr]

That's exactly the input I needed. Thanks! I'm on the hunt for an 857.....

-H-

 

[Dgurley2000]

In order to be up in minutes, anytime, anywhere, with a vertical antena, or a dipole.

Is my rig flexible... you bet...

I have the capability to be up in 3-4 bands at the same time, and I can set up different antennas from the same rig.

Again this is just a thought from my experience, in the end we all have to make up our own minds.

Dario - do you have a write-up on your 857 setup? Sounds like you did it right. I'm interested in more details so I can take full advantage of my radio.

 

[James86004]

So, after reading this thread I go and read up and look at the 857 brochure, and there is a D110 featured prominently in it. That is just dirty pool. Yaesu really wants me to get one of their radios, don't they?

 

[DarioCarrera]

Dario - do you have a write-up on your 857 setup? Sounds like you did it right. I'm interested in more details so I can take full advantage of my radio.

Sure, no problem:

First the equipment:
Yaesu 857D HF-VHF-UHF
ICOMV8000 -> IC2820H VHF/UHF
Yaesu VX7R
Cobra CB

On my rig I have the 857D usually working HF. As you know it has the "dual watch" ability that comes in handy. Since I only use My ATAS for HF, on the V-UHF side I have a dual band antenna, thus the Dual watch can be on different bands HF, VHF or UHF and I don't have to wait for the ATAS to tune to the Higher bands (2m-70cm). You can do dual watch on 2 Hf bands or frequencies but one will be Rx compromised.

Additionally to that I had a my V8000 which Im currently changing to a IC2820 which also allows me to have 2 more frequencies on V-UHF. Also used for Monitoring and scanning...

And as a last resort I always keep my trusty vx7r with a charger in the Land Cruiser!

I may be changing my 857d on the near future... and trust me ITS NOT because I don't like it or it has failed me (it hasn't). I may be purchasing a 706MKIIG for testing! The 857 might go to my YL.

I have the Cobra CB which it rarely gets any use, but once in a while I travel with NON hams so it was better to have it and not use it than need it and not have it...

Example scenario:
857d: Working DX's on HF, maybe 40m, can dual watch 2m, repeaters, calling frequencies, or maybe 50110 (dx window on 6mtrs)
2820: scanning 2m repeaters, monitoring utilities, EMS, first responders, etc on the VHF side and scaning UHF on the OTHER.
cb: usually off but if I'm somewhere camping waiting for part of the group to get to us it may be the only way for them to reach us, so better leave it on, with squelch open, noisy as he$# but hey, you never know...

 

[Dgurley2000]

Sure, no problem:

Dario - thanks for sharing, this is very useful. Can you also go into detail on antenna mounts, cabling, grounding, etc.? For example, I can't tell if you drilled a hole in your hood for your ATAS mount. Seems like you have fewer issues with noise than other users.

 

[DarioCarrera]

Dario - thanks for sharing, this is very useful. Can you also go into detail on antenna mounts, cabling, grounding, etc.? For example, I can't tell if you drilled a hole in your hood for your ATAS mount. Seems like you have fewer issues with noise than other users.

No Drilling!! For me at least!

-All 3 HAM antennas are mounted on k400C bases, and the CB antenna, is mounted on the front bumper.
-The CB does pick up some noise, which for lack of interest I have not addressed. Maybe in the summer!
-All cables are Rg58 (Belden 8240). All tested for continuity...
-Grounding was just done in the engine bay. Battery->Inside of the body->chassis->engine block.
-All wiring runs straight to the battery (the only factor I don't like), Later, possibly during summer, I will run a large positive and negative lead to a fuse block in the engine bay and run the rest of the cables from there.

In all honesty I cant say if the lack of noise was luck or skill.

 

[hochung]

I also vote for the 857+ATAS setup. It's plug and play, and works well enough for mobile HF. Unless you are looking into CQ party contest type DXing, 857+ATAS is the way to go.

 

[xtatik]

No Drilling!! For me at least!

Same camp.

 

[Dgurley2000]

No Drilling!! For me at least!

-All 3 HAM antennas are mounted on k400C bases, and the CB antenna, is mounted on the front bumper.

Great information! I never considered placement on that part of the hood. Would be an improvement to what I was considering.

What is that on the rear PS of your rig? A fishing pole or an antenna?

 

[Dgurley2000]

If your expedition involves mud, rain, thousands of miles of rough road while bouncing in the back of a heavy truck, and possible total radio submersion, :snorkel: look at ex-military HF gear::sombrero:
Bob WB4ETT

Bob - do you have a good source for ex-military HF gear?

 

[Tennmogger]

Bob - do you have a good source for ex-military HF gear?

Availability is variable. Sources of US radios are scarce because of the policy to destroy such jewels instead of selling them back to the original buyers (us taxpayers!). Foreign radio equipment is more available. Many forums cover military radios, portable use, and availability. On Yahoo Groups there are MILPACK, HFPACK, PRC174, PRC320, ARMYRADIOS, and many more.

My favorite packsets are PRC-74B, PRC-174, and PRC-320 because those seem to give the most for the buck and have been available. Each has it's shortcomings and good points. Like the PRC-74B, it runs on 12v, not 24 as most military radios do, and only draws 100 ma on receive(!!).

If you know which model you want, just google it. There's often something on Ebay, too. For example there are PRC-320's for sale right now out of Great Britain. Not long ago PRC-174's were plentiful out of Israel but those sold out quickly.

Two books recently published will give you lots of info: "Mil Spec Radio Gear" by Mark Francis KI0PF has info on many packable/portable radios and their accessories.

Hamfests are a good source. Several businesses sell surplus radios, like Mike Murphy's Murphyjunk, Fair Radio Sales, Columbia Electronics International, Army Radio Sales, American Milspec, etc. Here's a listing:

http://www.prc68.com/I/MSD.shtml

Brooke Clark's PRC-68.com site has a huge amount of information.

Hope that helps with your research.

Bob WB4ETT

 

[gary in ohio]

There has been a boatload of Motorola mobat HF radio coming back from middle east contractors. NO destroy policy for civilians.. Check ebay there are 2-3 a day.. Price is under $2k.