HF shopping

[KE5YOU]

I passed my element 3 exam today and thus am looking for some new gear and seeing as I know nothing about HF rigs I thought I would pick some of ya'lls minds. For my shack I'm looking for something under $1500 and I'm not opposed to a used radio. I would prefer to have 6 meters as well as the HF bands. And I'm not really concerned with digital modes. For an antenna a dipole or loop will work best for my situation. In terms of a mobile rig I'm only concerned with 10 and 6 meters and digital modes don't matter. For this application used is more then OK. And I don't know much about mobile HF antenna so some education here would be nice.

The FT-950, TS-480SAT, and IC-7200 all seem to fit my bill for a base station and the 480SAT seems as it might fit my mobile needs as well. Any thoughts?

 

[sloop]

I would go with the icom ic7200...it already has all of the filters that you will ever need and if you decide to go digital in the future it is set up for that as well. I only use 2 meters mobile and have an old yaesu ft-1802 that serves me well. I use an icom ic-v8000 at home. Hf antenna is a Carolina Windom and the 2 meter ant is a Ringo Ranger II.

 

[vagrant]

I own a 480SAT and enjoy the built-in tuner. I mainly use it at home and enjoy the click of a button switch between the two antennas that perform better on different band ranges. Some people don't like the remote face, but it doesn't bother me. It does the business when mobile with the unit under a seat and the face near the dash in reach. I now use a Heil HM-12 microphone at home, but the hand microphone works too. I set the filter to 2.0 and TX on HB1 and make the DX contacts using the 100 watts. The 480SAT will eventually be the mobile rig after I pick up a Kenwood 590s.

Regarding the antenna, well only you know best what will work for you and your location. I use an Off Center Fed dipole for 40-17 meters and a vertical antenna for 17-10 meters. Both are 33' up using LMR 400 coax for the run. If you can, get your antenna away from the house and the noise.

Finally, while I am starting to have fun with digital modes on the 480SAT, without having to use a SignaLink, I really enjoy the remote operation of the 480SAT over the Internet. Kenwood has free software (ARHP-10/ARVP-10H) on their website. The 480 is connected to a laptop at home using the Data out to the headphone/microphone jacks on the computer. The other cable is RS232 to USB that connects to the laptop. When I am away from home, I can easily connect and control the 480 over the internet. I can TX/RX using another computer and the Kenwood software. Please note that you cannot just plug it in and it works. You will have to make adjustments for the audio levels into and out from the radio. These settings are custom to each person's setup.

Mobile antenna...again you'll know best on what will work for you, but a Tarheel, or Tarheel 2 antenna would keep you happy.

 

[gcgrotz]

The Icom 746pro is a great rig too. I use a 40meter full wave horizontal loop on 40-20-15 without a tuner. Worked over 50 countries recently in about 4 hours of the ARRL DX contest. Since I can't afford a beam, the loop does a very good job.

 

[k5phw]

HF+6

You might also look at the Kenwood TS-570SG.
It might be a bit large if you are going to use it as a mobile.
But, it is a pretty solid rig and the used prices are in your range.

 

[LtDoc]

Of the three choices you listed, and since I'm a Kenwood fan, guess which I would recommend! I do have a '480SAT and it does just dandy for me. I've also a Yaesu radio and it did exactly what was claimed for it, I didn't like it though. That's something you will have to find out for your self, what you prefer.
Antennas are even worse as far as picking one for your use, there are just a bunch of possibilities. I would suggest something cheap and simple to start with (no one ever keeps the same antenna forever!). One of those cheap and simple antennas is a 1/2 wave dipole, if you've got the room for one. HF antennas are big, no way around that (when compared to VHF/UHF antennas). That 'room' thingy is the 'catch' that is most likely going to 'bite' you. Just do what you can and see what happens.
Mobile antennas are another version of the same thing, bigger, and inconvenient. The 'best' is almost never cheap, or simple, or 'looks good'. There's lots of 'wiggle' in that, so find the 'wiggle' that suits you the most.
Something else to think about with your proposed budget is all the little things that don't come with a radio. Such as a power supply, cabling, mic/keys, etc, etc. If you use half your budget on the radio, the rest of it will disappear quicker than you'd ever believe! Oh, and paper and pencil! You are going to make notes (call it a log if you want).
Have fun.
- 'Doc

 

[KE5YOU]

Guys thank ya'll for the responses. They have been helpful. But I do think I need to clarify something. The $1500 budget is per radio and I'm not including any other gear in that price. Thinks like antennas and power supplies have their own budgets.

 

[SCPD]

TS-590s will blow your mind

Watch this video: VK3VCM (now VK3CRG) Portable at Werribee South, 5th April, 2011.mp4 - YouTube

 

[N0IU]

If you are willing to bump your budget up by $200, you might want to look at the Icom IC-7410 for $1699. (The radio is actually $1849, but there is a $150 rebate from Icom). One of the many advantages is that if you ever do want to work the digital modes, you won't need a soundcard interface. All you need is a single USB cable.

Oh, and since you are buying your first HF rig...

If you are married, DO NOT tell your wife that this will be the last rig you will ever need to buy!

 

[SCPD]

If you are willing to bump your budget up by $200, you might want to look at the Icom IC-7410 for $1699. (The radio is actually $1849, but there is a $150 rebate from Icom). One of the many advantages is that if you ever do want to work the digital modes, you won't need a soundcard interface. All you need is a single USB cable.

But you will need to add the optional roofing filters which will bump the price even more.

 

[scrotumola]

I am a die-hard Kenwood fan, but am being steered into the SDR realm.

With your budget, and if you are computer savvy, you might want to consider a Flex 3000.

No extra filters to buy, built in antenna tuner, 160-6m all mode and the software lets you custom tailor
to your preference.

Some might say its a bit to swallow for a newby, but if you're going to spend the money, might as well do it right.

FlexRadio Systems - Software Defined Radios ::: Products->Radio & Accessories->FLEX-3000->Features

~S~

 

[KE5YOU]

I am a die-hard Kenwood fan, but am being steered into the SDR realm.

With your budget, and if you are computer savvy, you might want to consider a Flex 3000.

No extra filters to buy, built in antenna tuner, 160-6m all mode and the software lets you custom tailor
to your preference.

Some might say its a bit to swallow for a newby, but if you're going to spend the money, might as well do it right.

FlexRadio Systems - Software Defined Radios ::: Products->Radio & Accessories->FLEX-3000->Features

~S~

I love my Kenwoods as well, I replaced my V7A a few months ago with a D710A, and couldn't be happier. But I have also had good experience with Yeasu and am far from brand loyal.

I'm glad you brought up SDRs. I had not given them much thought but your suggestion brought up a few question. My systems are Microsoft and Apple free. I broke free of those shackles a few years ago and ported everything over to Linux based systems. Which brings me to my largest hurtle for SDR. Most software out there is designed for Windows based systems. What can you tell me about SDR running under Linux?

 

[emd001]

I had to comment in this thread since our call signs are sequential. Anyway I am also jumping into HF and this thread has great timing. 73

 

[Jimru]

For a rig that is good for desktop and mobile/field applications, you might consider the Yaesu FT-450D:

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9529?ehamsid=sah2ip4jid05ghh6m26fbm2t13

 

[w2txb]

I am a die-hard Kenwood fan, but am being steered into the SDR realm.

With your budget, and if you are computer savvy, you might want to consider a Flex 3000.

No extra filters to buy, built in antenna tuner, 160-6m all mode and the software lets you custom tailor
to your preference.

Some might say its a bit to swallow for a newby, but if you're going to spend the money, might as well do it right.

FlexRadio Systems - Software Defined Radios ::: Products->Radio & Accessories->FLEX-3000->Features

~S~

Ditto.

Definitely check out the Flex-3000 (or maybe even a used basic 5000A). Once you use one, you will be hooked. The receiver is amazing.

 

[ranger821]

My vote is for the 480SAT. I have the HX model and use a MFJ 993B tuner on it. Recently purchased my first "NEW" HF rig in 25 years and it was a Kenwood 590. It's amazing what this rig can do. The 480SAT is a good mobile rig or home base rig. It's small enough to go mobile. The 590 would be my choice for the at home rig.

KB4OIF
John

 

[k8krh]

I would purchase a YAESU FT857D, it has all your bands 2,440, 10-160, all modes, variable power, and if you jump into digital it has the data plug on back, p/u a cable on e bay..YAESU DIGITAL CABLE, and plug into your computer, and software programs, your on in a few minutes.
I have had my FT857D for 4 years and it still works like a champ...

DOCTOR