paramedszaf
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What's your thoughts on the 220 band and 6M?
Tech Test = Success!
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Check in your area to see if there is activity on the 220 band. 220 is a little used band here in NW Florida. 2 meters and 440 are the bands used in this area. A little amount of D-star. It does not seem to be catching on here. There was interest when it first started but that has waned a bit.
As you are planning on upgrading you might want to look for a unit that has that capability now rather than lose money down the road. I got a used Icom IC-706 at a ham fest for a good price. I'd much rather have the 706MKIIG, but this unit works very well for me! All mode, all band in the HF with 6m and 2m, the MKIIG adds 440 and figures in the repeater offsets for you.
The Yaesu 857D is about the same thing, there are others also. To run these in the house all you need is a ground and a 30 amp power supply. You can get extra power connectors or less than $20 just unplug it from the car and plug it in in the house. Works good until you come up with the money for another rig or find something you like better for the home. Then you still have a power supply to run the home rig.
HT's are a pain! I didn't listen to the advice given and was insistent on buying one. I got a good deal on a VX-7R, nice rig, but it's smarter than I am and the comment about fumbling about trying to read the book to make it work isn't an overstatement, it's an UNDERSTATEMENT! They really can be that complicated! I can't even figure out how to field program mine with out the tone squelch setting getting set! I had to buy the software and cable.
The best advice I can give you on an HT is they are worth about $100 in practical use. Unless you want to do satellite work, test repeaters all the time or plan on working ham fest or other civil work, get something basic and cheap. Save your money for a better large radio. Look at the Yaesu FT-60R or comparable for right now. Doesn't do the dual receive unfortunately but it's a solid rig that can be had for a reasonable price. But really evaluate what you think you will do and how much activity is in your area before going nuts on an HT. It's easy to get sucked in by all the "bells and whistles" they add to them, I sure did!
Good luck!
The Yaesu 857D is about the same thing, there are others also. To run these in the house all you need is a ground and a 30 amp power supply. You can get extra power connectors or less than $20 just unplug it from the car and plug it in in the house. Works good until you come up with the money for another rig or find something you like better for the home. Then you still have a power supply to run the home rig.
HT's are a pain! I didn't listen to the advice given and was insistent on buying one. I got a good deal on a VX-7R, nice rig, but it's smarter than I am and the comment about fumbling about trying to read the book to make it work isn't an overstatement, it's an UNDERSTATEMENT! They really can be that complicated! I can't even figure out how to field program mine with out the tone squelch setting getting set! I had to buy the software and cable.
The best advice I can give you on an HT is they are worth about $100 in practical use. Unless you want to do satellite work, test repeaters all the time or plan on working ham fest or other civil work, get something basic and cheap. Save your money for a better large radio. Look at the Yaesu FT-60R or comparable for right now. Doesn't do the dual receive unfortunately but it's a solid rig that can be had for a reasonable price. But really evaluate what you think you will do and how much activity is in your area before going nuts on an HT. It's easy to get sucked in by all the "bells and whistles" they add to them, I sure did!
Good luck!
KR4BD
Member
The 220 band is most popular in and around larger cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, etc. Activity on Six meters is also rather "spotty" nationwide, but many of us like 6 Meters when Sporatic-E propagation is occuring. I've been on 6 meters for 25+ years and over that time, have had contacts with other hams in about 25 countries and all of the lower 48 states. Normally, 6 is a "line-of-sight" band, but when conditions are right, you can work stations over 1,000 miles away.
I don't know that I'd get a mobile rig for base usage. They're going to be more menu driven and probably less user-friendly for home usage. Granted you can use rig control to make it a little easier. Now I do use an IC-7000 as a base rig but it's larger than your average mobile and I find the menus easy to navigate. I'd try to play with them before purchasing one.
The FT-60 is a great little radio. I use it a lot more than I do my VX-5 and we recommend it to all the new hams.
macmonkey
Member
Congrats! I'm taking the test this Saturday (9/11). Any suggestions?
macmonkey
Member
Study!
Are you taking practice tests online? If so how are you doing? Any areas giving you trouble?
Yes I've been studying like crazy. I took 3 online tests last night (some of the same questions) and got 89, 87, 90.
I'm going to keep studying my butt off until saturday. fingers crossed!
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