"You make a good point, it sounds like ill be making a big sacrifice for portability."
I'm glad you're beginning to see the light, that was the main thrust of my post. All the rest was minor detail but I like covering all the bases for better understanding. I understand your desire to make an investment in the future, headroom for expansion but remember the happy medium, somewhere between a bare bones rig you'll soon outgrow and biting off more than you can chew.
Then when it comes to little used bands you'd be greatly disappointed with 6M FM and 220 at this stage of the game, like what's the point if you can't make a contact? An HT will ensure the fact, except under very unusual conditions having them in your hand is like warts, something you're better off without. Oh don't get me wrong, they're great bands and 6M isn't called the magic band for nothing but you're better off leaving them for future expansion, no point paying for something you can't use at this point. Er, more on that later.
Here's the skinny, my Alinco DR-235 220 rig cost only $250 at the time (probably hasn't changed much) but that sudden renewed interest in the band was merely a flash in the pan, there are a lot of new repeaters now sitting idle like my Alinco. Had my crystal ball not malfunctioned I wouldn't have wasted my money but that's the way it goes. Your mileage may vary so if you're still interested it's wise to find out if there is activity in your area first.
When it comes to 6M, now there must be the greatest band a Tech could ever want when it's open for DX, otherwise it's pretty dead. My investment in the future is my Icom 706Mk2G with 100W on HF and 6M, 50W on 2M and 25W on 70cM, all bands, all modes. Maybe that gives you something to think about? Yeah it costs a pretty penny but there is always savings, all good things come to those who wait.
I'm glad you're beginning to see the light, that was the main thrust of my post. All the rest was minor detail but I like covering all the bases for better understanding. I understand your desire to make an investment in the future, headroom for expansion but remember the happy medium, somewhere between a bare bones rig you'll soon outgrow and biting off more than you can chew.
Then when it comes to little used bands you'd be greatly disappointed with 6M FM and 220 at this stage of the game, like what's the point if you can't make a contact? An HT will ensure the fact, except under very unusual conditions having them in your hand is like warts, something you're better off without. Oh don't get me wrong, they're great bands and 6M isn't called the magic band for nothing but you're better off leaving them for future expansion, no point paying for something you can't use at this point. Er, more on that later.
Here's the skinny, my Alinco DR-235 220 rig cost only $250 at the time (probably hasn't changed much) but that sudden renewed interest in the band was merely a flash in the pan, there are a lot of new repeaters now sitting idle like my Alinco. Had my crystal ball not malfunctioned I wouldn't have wasted my money but that's the way it goes. Your mileage may vary so if you're still interested it's wise to find out if there is activity in your area first.
When it comes to 6M, now there must be the greatest band a Tech could ever want when it's open for DX, otherwise it's pretty dead. My investment in the future is my Icom 706Mk2G with 100W on HF and 6M, 50W on 2M and 25W on 70cM, all bands, all modes. Maybe that gives you something to think about? Yeah it costs a pretty penny but there is always savings, all good things come to those who wait.
