Help With My First HT HAM Radio

[Carter_Schrock]

I am looking to buy my first HAM radio and I am looking at hand held radios. My local repeater is about 7 miles away, and I would like to know if a Yaesu FT-65R (5w) with a signal stuff dual band signal stick antenna would be powerful enough to transmit to my local repeater.

Thanks for taking the time to look into this.

 

[alcahuete]

There are a lot of different factors at play, terrain, obstructions, etc., but generally speaking, yes, something like that should work.

 

[Carter_Schrock]

There are a lot of different factors at play, terrain, obstructions, etc., but generally speaking, yes, something like that should work.

Thanks

 

[ko6jw_2]

Your question is impossible to answer without more information. But, I can offer some suggestions.

Most HT's have a 5 watt output. Some claim 8 watts or more but are questionable. The FT-65 is a good entry level radio.

Do you know another ham who could assist you or loan you a radio so that you can see whether 5 watts will work?

An external antenna is a good idea. The rubber duck supplied with the radio is not going to work in marginal areas. The Signal Stick may offer some gain. This is something you'll have to experiment with.

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Carter_Schrock]

Your question is impossible to answer without more information. But, I can offer some suggestions.

Most HT's have a 5 watt output. Some claim 8 watts or more but are questionable. The FT-65 is a good entry level radio.

Do you know another ham who could assist you or loan you a radio so that you can see whether 5 watts will work?

An external antenna is a good idea. The rubber duck supplied with the radio is not going to work in marginal areas. The Signal Stick may offer some gain. This is something you'll have to experiment with.

Welcome to the hobby!

Thanks

 

[Carter_Schrock]

Your question is impossible to answer without more information. But, I can offer some suggestions.

Most HT's have a 5 watt output. Some claim 8 watts or more but are questionable. The FT-65 is a good entry level radio.

Do you know another ham who could assist you or loan you a radio so that you can see whether 5 watts will work?

An external antenna is a good idea. The rubber duck supplied with the radio is not going to work in marginal areas. The Signal Stick may offer some gain. This is something you'll have to experiment with.

Welcome to the hobby!

Is there any more information that I could give you?

 

[K9KLC]

Is there any more information that I could give you?

Which repeat

 

[Carter_Schrock]

Which repeat

Lima 146.67000 WB8ULC Ohio Repeater

Amateur radio WB8ULC 146.67 repeater at Lima, Ohio

www.repeaterbook.com

 

[K9KLC]

Lima 146.67000 WB8ULC Ohio Repeater

Amateur radio WB8ULC 146.67 repeater at Lima, Ohio

www.repeaterbook.com

I would like to think you would have no problem hitting that machine from 7 miles, even with an HT.

 

[E5911]

Welcome and Congrats. I am partial to the FT-60, Good all around vhf/uhf HT, pretty bulletproof also Start on analog, learn the behaviors and capabilities of the bands , because at the end of the day, without internet, none of the digital modes will help you much. Signal sticks are great antennas. The radio you chose is a good one to start with and should serve you well no matter what part of the hobby you decide to explore . Have Fun!

 

[D31245]

I'll second the Yaesu FT-60R. Currently there's a $20 off sale at DXE. You could apply the savings toward RT Systems software and programming cable (or look into Chirp and appropriate cable) and perhaps later - if you want to upgrade your antenna - a Diamond SRH77CA. That is my combo and it's rock-solid.

Yaesu FT-60R Yaesu FT-60R 144/430 MHz Dual-Band HTs | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Yaesu FT-60R 144/430 MHz Dual-Band HTs with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Handheld Transceivers at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

Good luck and welcome!

 

[APX8000]

Motorola APX8000. Go big !

Actually, it all depends on what's available in your area. I have everything from analog to P25, DSTAR and DMR all around me so it's not a "one size fits all" answer. But a basic dual bander should serve you well for your first HT.

 

[merlin]

I would like to think you would have no problem hitting that machine from 7 miles, even with an HT.

I hit a repeater at 6 miles with terrain issues. I have both a Yaesu FT-60 and Quansheng UV-K5 8 .
Both need a longer antenna like the 14 inch dual band.

 

[merlin]

Look at your investment budget.
Cheapest decent HT, perhaps Quansheng UV-K5 (K6) 8 a CCR (Under $100)
Amature class, the Yaesu FT-60 is hard to beat. ( about $200)
Commercial class, the most expensive, Harris P75 dual band or XG-100P multi band. (to 1 grand)
Money no object, Perhaps Motorola APX series. (over 1 grand)

 

[AK9R]

Amature class, the Yaesu FT-60 is hard to beat. ( about $200)

The Yaesu FT-60 is currently $133-140 depending on the dealer.

 

[k6cpo]

I am looking to buy my first HAM radio and I am looking at hand held radios. My local repeater is about 7 miles away, and I would like to know if a Yaesu FT-65R (5w) with a signal stuff dual band signal stick antenna would be powerful enough to transmit to my local repeater.

Thanks for taking the time to look into this.

There are a lot of different factors at play, terrain, obstructions, etc., but generally speaking, yes, something like that should work.

One factor that is often overlooked in these explanations is trying to hit the repeater from INSIDE a house or apartment with an HT and the antenna attached to it (whether the stock one or a better replacement.) If the structure of your domicile has a stucco exterior, then you're sitting inside what amounts to a big Faraday cage. Your signal is impeded in getting out because of the wire sheathing used to support the stucco. I would also imagine that foil-lined batt insulation will affect the signal as well. In these cases, the solution is either stepping outside or erecting an exterior antenna. A bit of gain in the antenna couldn't hurt either.