Help please

[jbum]

I am wanting to get my HAM license and I have a friend who's dad passed away and left him some equipment he is not going to use can you guys tell me if this stuff is worth me buying to get started or should I go another route. If you need model numbers I have them just ask.

Thanks in advance for the help!!

 

[mgolden2]

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Those htx 202s are great radios

 

[ranger821]

Ok. Here is my 2 cents worth. From what I can see, You have a Astron power supply to start with. they are good. might want to buy that as you can use it with most if not all radios. I see a rotor control box. CDE? Is there a rotor that goes with that? If so, that would be useful down the road to turn a beam/directional antenna. If no rotor is with it, I would pass on that. OLD technology is the Swan transceiver. Hard to use if you are not familair with how it works. Being a new ham, can be expensive as the hobby has many facets or places to explore. I PERSONALLY would pass on the Swan and get either a newer rig or buy a brand new radio. Speaker that goes with it Ditto. The 3 HT's older technology but some are still being used today in some areas. MAYBE I would buy them but would be better to get newer technology. There is a couple of controller of some kind. These may be useful down the road. But just starting out a new ham, do not think so. Turner desk mike. It's a classic, once again old technology. Don't get me wrong, this equipment can be used but with you being new to the hobby, coupled with this older equipment, you may get frustarated trying to get it to work right and give up on this great hobby. I went down this road in 1985 when I got my ticket. I have sold older equipment to get newer ones many times over. Good luck.

 

[D00D]

I'd grab the HTs and the Astron. There are times you'll want to use a cheap HT (maybe as a loaner) so they're nice to have around. The blue-faced device looks like a TNC to me. Might not be bad to have if you want to do some digital modes.

 

[jbum]

Thanks for the help guys!!! I think I will keep the HTs 1 is a 202 the other is a 404 from what I can find these will still work pretty well. What would you suggest for a base/mobile unit that won't break the bank?

 

[JeremyB]

Get the Astron power supply too

 

[jbum]

Get the Astron power supply too

Will do...is the Icom Ic-25a not worth keeping?

 

[kb2vxa]

I'd pass on the Swan too even though I know how to use it. More importantly is it uses TV sweep tubes in the final and if I'm not mistaken a video output the driver too. While the driver isn't too bad sweep tubes if you can find them are horribly expensive to replace.

I'm not sure what that thing with the blue face to the right of the power supply is, looks rather like a terminal node controller (TNC). Unless you're into old school digital I'd pass on it too, now everything is software driven through the computer's sound card.

The IC-25A is a discontinued model with very limited functionality, skip it.

Bottom line here about the only thing a new ham really needs out of the lot is the power supply, they're expensive bought new so if you get a good deal on it all the better. You're better off with new technology, some rigs may confuse you at first but you'll get used to it. Oh and don't forget to study the manual(s), don't be like the driver fighting with his wife about using a map. (;->)

 

[jbum]

Outstanding folks thanks for the info. Now can you point me in the right direction for a base unit and a hand held unit. I assume a hand held will work fine in my vehicle.

Thanks you so much for the info!! I am so excited about getting started!!

 

[LtDoc]

I think the only 'sure thing' in that group is the power supply. The rest, while they may not be bad radios, just won't have the 'extras' that are considered 'normal' now (PL tones for one thing?). That DSP filter would be one of my choices, but probably wouldn't be something you'd need especially. They aren't particularly handy for FM, so if that's what you're interested in, pass on it.
I have to agree about that Swan 700, give it a pass. If it came with 4 or 5 complete tube sets, maybe, but the idea would be to 'turn' it for a profit.
I think that 'blue faced' thingy is a PK-232 TNC. Not exactly a good deal, newer technology etc. There are free sound-card programs that do the same thing now.
In it's 'day' most of that stuff was typical, if not better than, average gear. None of it is exactly the 'best' you could do now. If you like old stuff, then knock yourself out. A free complimentary bottle of aspirin would be nice too...
- 'Doc

 

[ranger821]

Jbum. There is a lot of radio's out there. A lot depends on where you live, activity in your area, what your interests are and so on. I can sit here and say buy a Kenwood 480HX, ( My HF radio at present) LtDoc may use Icom gear and Warren another brand. Ok, my thoughts on HT's. IF you are in an area where there is a lot of repeaters, i.e. Atlanta, Dallas and so on, an HT COULD be used in the mobile with a good high gain antenna. If you are in a hilly place, live out in the country away from town or city, the HT may not have the power to get back to the repeaters in town. My mobiles are Kenwood V71A dualband and a Icom 2200H. Dual band is my base and the 2200H is my mobile. Two base antenna's are 4 element beam at 43 feet and a Diamond x200 dual band vertical at 27 feet. Works for me. Eham reviews is a good source of info on radios and reviews by users like me and you that have written comments about the product good and bad. Check with the guys in the local club if you have one and see what they use. Most hams are glad to have you see their shack and equipment. By all means, ask questions if you don't understand something.

 

[LtDoc]

Oh my, I can't pass that one up!

Icom = I can only monitor.

Kenwood = If you ain't got Kenwood, you got squat!

Yeasu = Why would anyone want something with 'AES' in the middle of it?

... what more do I need to say??
- 'Doc

 

[ranger821]

As you can see Doc, I have spread it around. I am a Kenwood person MOST of the time. Back up HF rig is a Kenwood TS-440.

 

[D00D]

I think that 'blue faced' thingy is a PK-232 TNC. Not exactly a good deal, newer technology etc. There are free sound-card programs that do the same thing now.
- 'Doc

Not 100%. This is a well-rated TNC and you can't do Pactor with your soundcard. If nothing else I'd pick it up for that if it's reasonably priced. When it comes to packet and stuff like that you don't necessarily need the latest and greatest. Not much has changed over the years.

 

[mgolden2]

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A good mobile radio would be a kenwood tm261 and can be easily found on epay for around $100 or sometimes less. Its only a 2 meter radio but puts out 50 watts so together with a good 1/4 wave or 5/8 wave antenna you shouldnr have any problem getting into local repeaters with it. For that htx202 get a good 1/4 wave mag mount with bnc connector and you will be surprised at what it will do.

Matt
Kc area
N0ZOJ

 

[kb2vxa]

To tie the ribbons on this QSO, a new ham usually starts out on 2M/70cM and an HT won't do you much good being low power. I'd hold off on that until it's determined that there actually is a use for a portable especially since there are no VHF/UHF "base" units. It's easy enough to put a mobile unit in the mobile and serve double duty in the shack using the power supply. Then there are antennas but we can save that for another discussion.

As far as a choice of radios is concerned, since needs and opinions vary widely I'll give the advice I always give, do your on line homework because the ultimate decision is yours and yours alone. The basics are all the same, you'll decide which bells and whistles best suit you.

 

[KC5AKB]

Looks Good My e-mail is kc5akb @ arrl.net