trx680
Member
As far as a base station transceiver, one that has more than just VHF/UHF, what is a good choice?
And not one that costs $10,000
And not one that costs $10,000
multiple band base station transceiver.
- Thread starter trx680
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NC1
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If you have some models in mind, you may want to check the reviews on them.
Your question is very vague and open ended as to options available to you.
Do you want New? Used?
What antenna do you plan on using?
What type of cable and how long?
What bands do you plan on using most?
Do you have a large property? HOA? Condo?
So many questions, you need to be a little more specific and have some units you are considering.
If you have it narrowed down to 2 or 3 specific models, then you might want to ask who has one and do they like it?
Your question is very vague and open ended as to options available to you.
Do you want New? Used?
What antenna do you plan on using?
What type of cable and how long?
What bands do you plan on using most?
Do you have a large property? HOA? Condo?
So many questions, you need to be a little more specific and have some units you are considering.
If you have it narrowed down to 2 or 3 specific models, then you might want to ask who has one and do they like it?
trx680
Member
Probably new
I'll buy whatever antenna that I need for the radio. The antenna that matches the radio the best.
Whichever cable that would be ideal. As far as length I would think not more than 75 ft
I'm not sure which bands I will be using most. I have to find out which bands are used in my area. But I would at least like to have all of them available to me.
No HOA. I live in an agricultural area and have no limitations.
trx680
Member
Since I have to have multiple antennas for these multiple band radios would it make more sense for me just to buy a couple of separate radios? One uhf/vhf and a wideband, fm, etc.
I_am_Alpha1
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You posted the same question in different threads...let the users have a chance to answer.
There are three major manufacturers...Kenwood, Icom, and Yaesu. There are other smaller manufacturers some prefer. Visit their websites and read about their offerings. Everyone has their own preference on how to setup their shack...it would be tough to give you a "this is how to do things." I started with a Yaesu FT-8900 quad band with a GP-15 tri-band antenna outside and a homebrew 10m double bazooka antenna in the attic. A short time later I added a Yaesu FT-897 with an Alpha-Delta DX-EE outside and a GP-1 in the attic. With these I have 2m and 70cm scanning on my right and HF on my left without swapping antennas...and when I disconnect due to lightning, there are attic antennas I can use. Later I added a Wires-X node with a GP-3 in the attic and while up there added a used GP-1 to a handheld dual band to monitor specific repeaters. My FT-897 has been replaced with a FT-991.
There are three major manufacturers...Kenwood, Icom, and Yaesu. There are other smaller manufacturers some prefer. Visit their websites and read about their offerings. Everyone has their own preference on how to setup their shack...it would be tough to give you a "this is how to do things." I started with a Yaesu FT-8900 quad band with a GP-15 tri-band antenna outside and a homebrew 10m double bazooka antenna in the attic. A short time later I added a Yaesu FT-897 with an Alpha-Delta DX-EE outside and a GP-1 in the attic. With these I have 2m and 70cm scanning on my right and HF on my left without swapping antennas...and when I disconnect due to lightning, there are attic antennas I can use. Later I added a Wires-X node with a GP-3 in the attic and while up there added a used GP-1 to a handheld dual band to monitor specific repeaters. My FT-897 has been replaced with a FT-991.
Transceivers
eham.net has reviews of many transceivers and is a good place to begin. From your questions, I suggest you do some reading before you waste money due to your inexperience and lack of radio understanding. The Yaesu FT-897 is an excellent unit that covers 2 meter, 440, and the HF bands. It has separate output connectors for the higher bands and the HF band and requires two coax runs and two antennas.
eham.net has reviews of many transceivers and is a good place to begin. From your questions, I suggest you do some reading before you waste money due to your inexperience and lack of radio understanding. The Yaesu FT-897 is an excellent unit that covers 2 meter, 440, and the HF bands. It has separate output connectors for the higher bands and the HF band and requires two coax runs and two antennas.
Separate radios will probably give you better performance tailored for what you need for less cost. Most HF/VHF/UHF radios are a big compromise in performance unless you spend a lot of $$. There are some excellent single band HF radios for reasonable prices and a good dual band VHF/UHF rig is not a lot of $$.
Don't rule out a used radio as long as you know its history.
Don't rule out a used radio as long as you know its history.
I agree. While the "shack in a box" concept is intriguing, I don't think it's entirely practical. Something will be compromised. For example, the Icom IC-7300 is the best low-end HF transceiver you can buy right now, but you can't get that kind of performance, yet, from any of the "shack in a box" offerings. Also, should something in your "shack in a box" fail and you have to send it in for service, you would be completely off the air. OTOH, if you go the "separates" route and one radio is out of commission, you'd still be able to get on the air with the other radio.
Unless you really plan to operate the weak signal modes (CW or SSB) or satellites on VHF/UHF, I'm not sure that an all-mode VHF/UHF radio is a good choice for a new ham.
That said, I think you'll be happier with a good, inexpensive base HF transceiver plus a dual-band mobile for VHF/UHF. Something like an Icom IC-7300 for HF plus a Kenwood TM-V71A for VHF/UHF.
Unless you really plan to operate the weak signal modes (CW or SSB) or satellites on VHF/UHF, I'm not sure that an all-mode VHF/UHF radio is a good choice for a new ham.
That said, I think you'll be happier with a good, inexpensive base HF transceiver plus a dual-band mobile for VHF/UHF. Something like an Icom IC-7300 for HF plus a Kenwood TM-V71A for VHF/UHF.
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