Hi all, I have held a Technician license for some years but haven't used it much for the last few years. Now that I'm retired I was going to get my General license. I'd like to get some input on what kind of equipment that I should get, to kind of listen in and "learn the ropes", so to speak, on the newer bands that I'll be able to access. Any info appreciated...thanks.
Looking for equipment recommendations/input
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scanphreak
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I'm guessing you're referring to HF, since you said you're getting your general class.
I have an ICOM IC-7300, but if I were to do it all over again I'd get the Yaesu FTdx10 as a first radio. It has a far superior receiver, and I've had had better luck using friend's FTdx10 at QSO parties, and Field Day. But this is just my 30+ years of experience. I've owned and used many radios over that time, and I just like the Yaesu better.
Ham radios are like automobiles, everyone has their 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice picks. Like GM, Chrysler, Ford, we have ICOM, Yaesu, and Kenwood. It also kinda boils down to what you want to do? If you want something a bit more portable, I've had my eye on the Yaesu FT-891 for POTA and other short term portable operations, and currently have an ICOM IC-7000 which is also a mobile HF that has VHF/UHF in it too. So maybe you could share some more idea of what or how you want to use your new radios, at home only? mobile? portable? a mixture?
Also in the meantime, you don't even need a radio, there are a ton of good WebSDR receivers all over the world that you can totally control with your mouse and keyboard online and it'll give you a great experience at listening. You can go to http://kiwisdr.k3fef.com:8073/ for one of my personal favorites. Very good receiver here. The main page is at Wideband shortwave radio receiver map
I have an ICOM IC-7300, but if I were to do it all over again I'd get the Yaesu FTdx10 as a first radio. It has a far superior receiver, and I've had had better luck using friend's FTdx10 at QSO parties, and Field Day. But this is just my 30+ years of experience. I've owned and used many radios over that time, and I just like the Yaesu better.
Ham radios are like automobiles, everyone has their 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice picks. Like GM, Chrysler, Ford, we have ICOM, Yaesu, and Kenwood. It also kinda boils down to what you want to do? If you want something a bit more portable, I've had my eye on the Yaesu FT-891 for POTA and other short term portable operations, and currently have an ICOM IC-7000 which is also a mobile HF that has VHF/UHF in it too. So maybe you could share some more idea of what or how you want to use your new radios, at home only? mobile? portable? a mixture?
Also in the meantime, you don't even need a radio, there are a ton of good WebSDR receivers all over the world that you can totally control with your mouse and keyboard online and it'll give you a great experience at listening. You can go to http://kiwisdr.k3fef.com:8073/ for one of my personal favorites. Very good receiver here. The main page is at Wideband shortwave radio receiver map
The ICOM 7000 is a discontinued radio. Perhaps scanphreak meant the ICOM 7100? But that does raise the question whether you are looking to buy new or used.
According to ARRL, 80% of the HF Amateur Radio activity is now digital... primarily FT8 (via WSJT-X software). One look at PSKReporter will confirm the massive amount of activity in HF digital modes. Both the ICOM 7300 and 7100 will do digital modes WITHOUT the need for an external sound card modem (which you would have to purchase). To ensure maximum capability ensure you get a rig that connects to a computer with just a USB cable... no other modulator or accessory needed. The Yaesu FTDX-10 also meets that criteria. In fact here is a video of the FT8 mode being used on the FTDX-10 -
Whether you become interested in digital modes or not, get a radio that is capable of doing it simply with no external accessories to connect and configure properly. That means a single USB connection to a computer that handles both the rig control and computer audio.
According to ARRL, 80% of the HF Amateur Radio activity is now digital... primarily FT8 (via WSJT-X software). One look at PSKReporter will confirm the massive amount of activity in HF digital modes. Both the ICOM 7300 and 7100 will do digital modes WITHOUT the need for an external sound card modem (which you would have to purchase). To ensure maximum capability ensure you get a rig that connects to a computer with just a USB cable... no other modulator or accessory needed. The Yaesu FTDX-10 also meets that criteria. In fact here is a video of the FT8 mode being used on the FTDX-10 -
Wow, great video, very interesting! Did I understand what was going on? Not at all
In other words, that would be a very steep learning curve for me, BUT...definitely something for me to consider (I did not even realize that this type of programming existed). Thanks for the info!Thank you so much for the info, it is very helpful. My *only* experience with amateur radio so far has been with 2 meters and 70 cm's, using an HT, so I'm guessing my next logical step would be 6 and 10 meters. And, I have been looking at those ICOM IC-7XXX models -- awesome radios, so I'm thinking of maybe getting one of those and, as my knowledge and experience grows, I'd already have the equipment available to utilize (I'm planning on setting up a home station, btw). I will check out the Yaesu FTdx10. In the meantime I will check out those websites you mentioned. Thanks again!
"...my next logical step would be 6 and 10 meters"
As a reminder, your Technician Class license already gives you full privileges / modes on 6 Meters, and some privileges on 10 Meters. So you're already there. The "next logical step" would indeed be your General license and the bands below 10 Meters (and of course you will retain all your current Tech privs with a General).
As a reminder, your Technician Class license already gives you full privileges / modes on 6 Meters, and some privileges on 10 Meters. So you're already there. The "next logical step" would indeed be your General license and the bands below 10 Meters (and of course you will retain all your current Tech privs with a General).
Yeah, I should have worded that better. I knew about the Tech privileges on 6 and 10 Meters, I was just wanting to get some advice, equipment-wise, to find out from some of y'all what might be best for me "down the road". For instance, if I was to get my Amateur Extra ticket at some point, then I'd just as soon invest in a rig now that would cover all the bands -- instead of doing "add-ons" or "upgrades" later -- and save some $$$ in the long run. It would also give me a chance to get familiar with the equipment as I went along. (At least, I *think* that might be the best way to go!)....
A noble idea, but I'm not sure any of us have made it work.
Once I decided to move beyond 2m and 70cm FM using handhelds and mobiles, I bought a used Icom IC-706 MkII G. I had a lousy antenna at the time and blamed the radio for my inability to make contacts, so I sold it. A few years later, I decided to try again. Bought a new IC-746 Pro. That radio served me well and I learned a lot using it. I then upgraded to an IC-7600. That radio served me well, too, and I started working on WAS and participated in some contests. I then upgraded to an IC-7610. It's more radio than I need, but it serves me well. I don't plan on upgrading any time soon, but, you never know.
I used to work with a guy who kept putting off buying a home computer because he didn't want to get left behind by advancements in technology. This was in the mid-1980s when home computing was exploding. Meanwhile, the rest of us in our group said "we are diving in now" and bought computers. If you always put off a purchase until you can afford or justify the purchase, you may never enjoy the benefit of diving in.
scanphreak
Member
I never recommended the IC-7000. If you go re-read my comment I suggested the Yaesu FTdx10 unless he wanted something for portable then I suggested the Yaesu FT-891. I just mentioned that "I have" and use an IC-7000, but have been considering getting the FT-891.
scanphreak
Member
Wow, great video, very interesting! Did I understand what was going on? Not at all
Thank you so much for the info, it is very helpful. My *only* experience with amateur radio so far has been with 2 meters and 70 cm's, using an HT, so I'm guessing my next logical step would be 6 and 10 meters. And, I have been looking at those ICOM IC-7XXX models -- awesome radios, so I'm thinking of maybe getting one of those and, as my knowledge and experience grows, I'd already have the equipment available to utilize (I'm planning on setting up a home station, btw). I will check out the Yaesu FTdx10. In the meantime I will check out those websites you mentioned. Thanks again!
Not a problem, I don't think you'll go wrong with whatever you get. The IC-7300 and the FTdx10 are both great radios capable of what you'll want to do. It really is just kind of a preference. Again I own the 7300, and I've used other's FTdx10's and learned I like the yaesu better for many subtle reasons. If you're looking for something lower price, the FT891 is at the $600 price range and will certainly do 10 and 6, but you'll need to purchase an external tuner with that radio for non-resonant antennas. Keep up your research because there are a lot of choices out there.
If ease of use/program is important to you, Icom is hard to beat in this department.
One of the things that I end up doing frequently is finding ham transceiver manuals online and using them to determine how difficult it is going to be to use the radio. I do this very often because I am the Equipment Coordinator for our club, and we have all manner of old / new ham transceivers in our inventory. In addition I often assist our members and new hams with setting up their own chosen equipment and getting on the air with it. And years ago I worked for an amateur radio equipment dealer for five years. So what manufacturer's equipment is the one I seldom need to resort to the manual with? ICOM. What brand do I most often have to refer to the manual to find a particular function or feature? Yaesu.
I have (don't use it anymore) a Kenwood TS2000, not very user friendly either.
We have a TS2000 used for satellite QSOs. The easiest way to use it is with Ham Radio Deluxe software which controls everything via the computer GUI. It's interfaced to computer via a West Mountain Radio RigBlaster Advantage.
Just curious: I've seen a few of the ICOM IC-7300's for sale on eBay, but they pretty much all say "from Japan". What's the deal with that? Did ICOM not sell that model in the States? What about service if it's ever needed? I'm a little hesitant to spend that amount of $$ for something from halfway around the world. What are the pros and cons of that rig? Thanks.....
DO NOT BUY an Icom radio from a "Japanese" Ebay seller.
Yes, Icom sells the IC-7300 in the U.S. All Icoms are made in Japan. The 7300s intended for the North American market adhere to the ITU Region 2 band plan and have a warranty that Icom America or Icom Canada will honor. A radio sold in Japan will be hard-coded to the ITU Region 3 band plan and probably cannot be modified. More importantly, Icom America will not honor the warranty on a radio sold in Japan.
Edited to add: You will probably get the best prices on radios intended for the U.S. market from Ham Radio Outlet, GigaParts, R&L Electronics, or MTC Radio.
Yes, Icom sells the IC-7300 in the U.S. All Icoms are made in Japan. The 7300s intended for the North American market adhere to the ITU Region 2 band plan and have a warranty that Icom America or Icom Canada will honor. A radio sold in Japan will be hard-coded to the ITU Region 3 band plan and probably cannot be modified. More importantly, Icom America will not honor the warranty on a radio sold in Japan.
Edited to add: You will probably get the best prices on radios intended for the U.S. market from Ham Radio Outlet, GigaParts, R&L Electronics, or MTC Radio.
Thanks for that info!
scanphreak
Member
Absolutely stay away from Ebay auctions/buy now deals. There is no way of knowing if the person selling is actually licensed or not.
Since you have a callsign you should focus your used market buying to QRZ swap shop, or QTH.net classifieds. They will only allow licensed hams with an account to access the listings. And yes the IC-7300 is a domesticated radio sold by ICOM America. I see stuff on QRZ all of the time.
Thanks for that info, I will check those sites.
If the used equipment you are looking it is still in production, check out the "new" price from any of the major vendors.
Sometimes used prices are near or above the cost of the same radio new (with a full warranty).
When considering HF equipment, you also need to consider the cost and physical size of the antenna(s). Because HF frequencies are lower than VHF/UHF, the antennas will be considerably larger. And (usually) the larger antennas are more efficient than smaller "loaded" antennas.
If you are reasonably handy, you can build your own wire antennas. There are multiple plans online for DIY HF antennas. You'll also want to get a NANO VNA or similar test equipment to facilitate cutting and tuning an antenna. Because modern electronics have become so technically advanced, DIY antennas are probably the last bastilon for many ham tinkerers/home builders.
Having a ham license has no bearing on getting a good or bad used radio. If a ham owned it its more likely to have had the covers off and some unqualified hands inside it. I've owned a lot of radios, probably in the hundreds and the vast majority I bought used. I've had very little trouble over the last 50yrs buying used radios, its rare that something is wrong beyond what was advertised.
You can also get some really good deals and I sold my spare Icom 7300 a few years back in perfect condition for $750. I bought a used Yaesu FT-857D in perfect shape for $400, used it for several years and gave someone else a good deal at $375 when I sold it. I think the last Icom 706MKIIG I bought cost me $400 and its still running great after 20yrs. You can get something used for a good price, use it and have fun while you save up for your dream radio then sell the used radio for what you paid. Nothing lost, much fun and knowledge gained.
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