Could someone explain to me why an export radio like a President Washington, or a Radioddity QT80 would be a bad choice for a new person that just acquired a Technician License? It seems that the Ham operators seem to steer newly licensed people toward the Icom's, Yaesu, or Kenwood radios that are twice the price, or more. I have been studying for my Technician License and will be taking the test in a few weeks. I also have a Washington radio that I was going to start off with. Certainly a President Washington or QT80 seems more CB related, but is that the only reason people recommend the more expensive radio's?
Radio Choice
- Thread starter billdean
- Start date
The reason many hams like Icom, Kenwood, and Yaesu is that they are much higher in quality, functionality, reliability, etc. As they say, buy once so you only cry once. With a President Washington or the QT80, once you get your General license you will be wanting to upgrade so that you have access to the whole HF spectrum of ham bands.
Unlike the President and QT80 (and other "slightly broader" CB rigs), the ICOM, Yaesu, Kenwood and other more costly radios offer many more bands, modes, and capabilities. Even if you remain a Technician-class licensee you'll be able to take advantage of many of those capabilities. But if you now do not have, nor will you ever have... interest in any of these things... then stick with the 10 Meter band and SSB:
- All the other ham bands (HF / VHF / UHF)
- All the other modes (digital voice e.g. DMR, D-Star, Fusion, digital text i.e. FT8, FT4, PSK, etc)
- Slow Scan TV (SSTV)
- Amateur radio satellites
- Higher legal RF output power
Yup... no sense in spending more for things in which you'll never be interested.
- All the other ham bands (HF / VHF / UHF)
- All the other modes (digital voice e.g. DMR, D-Star, Fusion, digital text i.e. FT8, FT4, PSK, etc)
- Slow Scan TV (SSTV)
- Amateur radio satellites
- Higher legal RF output power
Yup... no sense in spending more for things in which you'll never be interested.
This is good advice. However, if you just want to dip your toe into 10 meters, either the Washington or the QT-80 will get you there. President's radios tend to have good build quality.
And if you do upgrade to a General and move into a more expensive radio, the Washington/QT-80 can serve as a back-up rig.
Radios like the President and the QT series are made with feature geared more towards CB-style operation, while a full-featured HF rig has things to make operation easier and more enjoyable, as well as in weaker conditions.
People tend to recommend radios that they have experience with. Kenwood, Yaesu, and Icom have been mainstays in the ham community for decades; lots of people have experience with them, and they're proven quality.
There are options out there for HF and some are becoming very popular. The Xiegu G90 is one that's becoming very popular, especially for people making backpacker/portable rigs. I have one in the car and the base, and they work very well for me. Just the adjustable filter alone makes it better than any CB/export-type radio for me, and it has plenty of other features that are better, as well.
It's more expensive than an export rig, but well below the big 3's offerings. That and a good VHF/UHF dual-bander would have you set up nicely for ham operations. To get HF/VHF/UHF all in one rig is pretty dang expensive, but having all three can be done for a lot less separately.
People tend to recommend radios that they have experience with. Kenwood, Yaesu, and Icom have been mainstays in the ham community for decades; lots of people have experience with them, and they're proven quality.
There are options out there for HF and some are becoming very popular. The Xiegu G90 is one that's becoming very popular, especially for people making backpacker/portable rigs. I have one in the car and the base, and they work very well for me. Just the adjustable filter alone makes it better than any CB/export-type radio for me, and it has plenty of other features that are better, as well.
It's more expensive than an export rig, but well below the big 3's offerings. That and a good VHF/UHF dual-bander would have you set up nicely for ham operations. To get HF/VHF/UHF all in one rig is pretty dang expensive, but having all three can be done for a lot less separately.
For @billdean to also consider, putting those three bands in one rig, is like having all your eggs in one basket if the handle breaks. If you lose VHF, you also lose HF and UHF while the transceiver is out for repair.
As an amateur radio operator with a Technician license, your HF privileges are limited. You can operate CW or SSB on small portions of the 10 meter band and CW on small portions of the 80, 40, 15 meter bands.
The radios you mention are 10 meter radios. With a Technician license, you could use those radios for 10m CW or SSB. If that's as far as you want to go with HF and you don't plan to upgrade your license, that's fine. Keep in mind that we are coming down from the top of the sunspot cycle. 10m might be good right now, but it's gonna get worse. The peak of the next cycle is about23 11 years away.
On the other hand, if you spend a little more now, maybe on a good used radio, you'll have a radio that you can grow into assuming you upgrade your license.
The radios you mention are 10 meter radios. With a Technician license, you could use those radios for 10m CW or SSB. If that's as far as you want to go with HF and you don't plan to upgrade your license, that's fine. Keep in mind that we are coming down from the top of the sunspot cycle. 10m might be good right now, but it's gonna get worse. The peak of the next cycle is about
On the other hand, if you spend a little more now, maybe on a good used radio, you'll have a radio that you can grow into assuming you upgrade your license.
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While I had other equipment when I passed what was then "tech plus" (5 WPM morse code) I used my HR 2510 mobile frequently on 10 meters on both SSB and CW. it wasn't long however before I decided even mobile I needed more and ended up getting a Kenwood TS-50 HF radio and then I was ready to go when I upgraded to General for mobile usage. I guess now a days, the Yaesu FT-891 would be one of the nifty good HF/6 meter radios that's physically smaller. I know several that have them and they all seem to like them.
This all depends on what you're actually trying to achieve on the radio. If just 10 meters then obviously there are better choices the 891 not being a whole lot more than the Washington is new. I've seen the FT-891 go used for under 500 on multiple occasions.
This all depends on what you're actually trying to achieve on the radio. If just 10 meters then obviously there are better choices the 891 not being a whole lot more than the Washington is new. I've seen the FT-891 go used for under 500 on multiple occasions.
I am just getting my feet wet per-say in Ham. I enjoy talking to people, so I would be interested in the phone operating mode. I am really not sure about RTTY/DATA, IMAGE, MCW as I am not really sure what use I would have for them as of yet. I have tried listening to the 28.300-28.500 MHz on my President, but I hear nothing at all out there on those frequencies. I am not knowledgeable enough as of yet to understand if a VHF or UNH radio would do any better for me. At this time I will acquire my technician License and through the process of that, I may expand further into a general license. I have a good understanding of electricity and some electronics but as for the rules, and how you actually use a ham radio, the language and Porto calls used I know nothing.
Ham radio is a continuous learning experience. There's always something new to try or experiment on or "something". VHF and UHF will widely vary from area to area.
We're lucky here in my area. Bunch of great people and usually can find some locals to chat with or something happening on one of the local repeaters.
Our latest thing is we're playing on 900 MHz on the 33cm ham band. Always something new to try!!
Good luck. If we can be of help on your journey, ask away!!
We're lucky here in my area. Bunch of great people and usually can find some locals to chat with or something happening on one of the local repeaters.
Our latest thing is we're playing on 900 MHz on the 33cm ham band. Always something new to try!!
Good luck. If we can be of help on your journey, ask away!!
Propagation has not been the best for quite some time now. Even when 10 meters is open, it can still be fairly devoid of stations, unlike the CB band next door.
You'll learn a lot by listening in, and the repeaters on VHF and UHF are good places to start. And, as mentioned above, there are a lot of helpful people in the ham community willing to lend a hand.
You can also listen in to the other HF bands using an online SDR using the first link. The second link contains the band plans for all of the US amateur bands.
Map of SDR Receivers | World of Receivers and Transmitters
Band Plan
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.
Unless... there's a contest going on. Then everything changes. It seems at times hams hide until then LOL.
That is the truth! Then there will be stations in the HF phone bands every 2 kc's!
The next cycle (solar cycle 26) will peak in about 10 - 11 years. Propagation on the ten meter band should be good for the next few years.
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One comparison of a rig such as a FT-891 to any of the latest and greatest "exports" will settle the question in most operators ears. The quality of receive filtering and selectivity in a Big 3 offering compared to the Chinesium model is like comparing smooth easy listening to an ice pick in the ear-hole. Plus you won't have to worry about inadvertently hitting the ECHO switch.
Thanks for the link...I listened to this link last night. There's a lot there to digest.
You're welcome! With respect to the HF bands, you'll find 160M and 80M most active at night. 40M has activity during the day, but it's more local in nature; at night, the band can open up and you'll hear amateurs from coast to coast, plus DX from Europe, etc. 20M,15M, and 10M are generally best during the day.
You already have a Pres Washington installed in the mobile, so you are all set to go for 10M operations.
Where are places that sell good used radio's. I would like to get more of an idea of what's out there. I am about 6 hours into my studies for my Tech license and am thinking about taking the general class also. Of coarse when I pass I will have to have a radio, if not before.
Ham Radio Outlet has used and consignment gear for sale. They have been around for a long time, and have multiple locations throughout the country.
Used Equipment
Listing of used equipment for sale at various Ham Radio Outlet Locations.
www.hamradio.com
All Used and Consignement items include a 30 day warranty with HRO
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