Into the heat of summer now. Up north, say Vermont or so, it’s to the point where shop work doesn’t require a big stove and 3-hours warm-up to get the frost off tools. Here in East Texas, it’s the Sun – and rain.
Neither one of which would be particularly irksome, if only they could agree on some consistency. Like our dreams of a Great President on the ballot, there’s just a little something lacking no matter where we look.
Seniorhood begins when Politics don’t matter and when Family Handyman is more applicable in your life than Playboy. Old – not dead, mind you. Just older.
Becoming a Serious Ham Radio Op
Had a great email this week from a long-time Peoplenomics.com subscriber and wanted to share it with you because it’s such a great topic.
“I have a 42-year-old son (I’m 80), that is interested becoming a ham radio operator. I have extensive electronic/computer experience, but this is a branch of electronics that I have never even thought of. He has the room for a large antenna array (if needed) and wondering what you would recommend for a biggest bang for the buck shortwave transceiver. He has the resources to spent (up to $4-5K) if needed. Also, one or two recommendations for antenna design and construction (he’s a pretty good DIY guy).”
Let’s begin with?
Objectives and Tastes
The odds of me (or any other ham radio reader having THE answer are low – and we have dozens) is that it’s a “personal permutation.” There are too damn many choices to make. Spend some time and we’ll begin with “Objectives” you find useful from the hobby/sport.
- Long distance communications
- On very (like extremely) low frequencies (*below the AM band)
- On the HF (3-30 MHz) bands
- On the predictable VHF (30-300 MHz) bands
- On the UHF (300-3,000 MHz) bands
- Or messing around with oddities for instance:
- Talking to space vehicles/doing satcoms (tracking involved)
- Working EME (Earth-Moon-Earth – moon bounce)
- Or (check all that sound fun)
- Working meteor-scatter, assorted ducted propagation and more (weather-front tropo)…
- Modes (how you want to communicate)
- Voice (pick a flavor)
- SSB
- AM
- FM
- Digital
- Digital (Pick a flavor)
- FT-8
- PSK-31
- RTTY
- Exotic (DX) protocols
- Bulletproof survivable oriented modes like ALE and WinLink (global ham radio email.
- Mental Mode:
- CW (Morse) in the head (no decoding machinery)
- CW (Easier) with all available “cheats.”
- Voice (pick a flavor)
If you get the feeling that you just “Walked into the auto dealership saying “I want a car….” (and here come the vultures…)” that’s not a bad analogy. Because we like the old Lexus for relaxing travel. The means suit the objective. OIlder car, older people. It would not be suitable if we were going off-roading. For that, you’d want to kit out a Super FJ-6 like Oilman2‘s done. See, it’s all about use. Ham radio is the same problem.
Compatibility Models
Another way to approach this is to consider Other things you like to build or do.
For example, I’m a serious ASEL and drone (UAV) pilot. I use my drones to run 30-pound fishing leader up and over trees and then back-haul paracord and then hoist up some of the coolest wire antennas ever into the 80-foot canopy of tall pines here.
Were Elaine and I still living on our 40-foot sailboat, drones and sailing make a good combination, but so does sailing and ham radio. There’s a maritime mobile service net on 14.300 MHz (USB) that was available most all the time we were sailing.
Say your son likes fine woodworking. I have seen some museum-quality workmanship in ham radio operating desk positions…
Is he good at electronic design? If so, then while the ARRL flagship is the magazine QST, there’s a bimonthly magazine more oriented towards communications professionals and the engineering types (think Hank). That’s called QEX.
I love to restore and rebuild tube type equipment, so my magazine of choice is Electric Radio (reviews here). Or to order, check out Electric Radio Magazine – Published monthly by Symbolic Publishing Company (ermag.com).
Another view is to look at his family: Are there kids of “radio interested” age? A wife?
My late friend, colleague, and coworker, Donald L. Stoner, (Amazon author page) always referred to ham radio as “The King of Hobbies.” And not just because a lot of famous people have been ham radio users (though the list is impressive) and has included actual Kings). It’s because it’s like a “communications version of the Leatherman tool” – you can do so much with it. Maybe that’s why NASA required a ham on every Shuttle mission – a little-known factoid people don’t seem to remember.
A Good All Modes HF Station
If I wanted to cover “the most bases” – there are two ham radio avenues to go in sequence.
VHF-UHF is the usual start. A couple of Baofeng transceivers (don’t forget the programming cable and download CHIRP to make programming easier) – so have a wife or spouse/pal go through the simple licensing process for the entry level license with you.
The radios will set you back less than $100. Go to club meetings and find local people who can act as your “Elmers” (coaches). Easy to do if you join one of the active ham radio clubs. To find a local one, see Joining a Club (arrl.org). Most have one-day-wonder first license classes that include the basic test, too.
Repeaters (and maybe talking to the ISS) can be fun on VHF, sure. But when the Big Day arrives and you upgrade to the General Class license?
About here HF – radio based mainly on “skip” comes in like a steamroller.
A really first-rate radio like an Icom 7300 is not free. A nickel shy of $1,200 bucks on Amazon, though watch Gigaparts.com and HamRadio.com for specials, but you do get what you pay for in the world.
Now, don’t put the checkbook away – we will want to buy some needed accessories.
- You will need a good 20-amp power supply. or…
- Optionally, you can use a large (100-Amphour) Lithium battery and a special lithium charger (though some create radio noise) and then you can operate under “emergency power” when the AC mains go down. ($300)
- If you want to do Morse Code (not required, but a nice discipline to have) you’ll need a “straight key” and plan to move up to a high speed paddle to use an electronic keyer. There’s also this thing called a “cootie key…” (Anywhere from $30 to $800 depending on how carried away you want to get with Morse key collecting.)
Now we need an antenna. To me (depending on property) there are three to consider.
- A simple “trap dipole” (signals launch perpendicular to these), so if your property runs east-west and you want Europe, enjoy the east-west arrangement. Wire antennas are height-dependent. None will get much (if any) gain from nearly omnidirectional use much below 8 MHz. Above that, orientation begins to matter. The higher the trees (or with enough money, towers…) the better (more directional) at lower frequencies such antennas become.
- A close cousin is the Off-Center-Fed-Dipole. On this antenna is similar except they then more to “blast off the ends” (in a somewhat bidirectional manner) when mounted high and in the clear more.
- Antennas (HF) is a whole world unto itself. Download EZNEC from https://eznec.com (This is one of my other odd interests, if you couldn’t tell…)
- Verticals antennas work, but they are noisier on receive and don’t work well on 80. Better on 40 meters, grand above that.
- End-Fed half wave antennas have fans, though not me. I like dipoles of any sort better.
One of the secrets to antennas is to use an antenna analyzer and be constantly looking at ways to minimize antenna losses.
- First, don’t use cheap coaxial cable. Use the good stuff. If it’s not as big as your index finger, it may be the cheap stuff. Smaller than your pinky? For sure.
- Use a good knock-off of Time (Cable) LMR-400 UltraFlex.
- Or being old school because it has lower loss, consider Window line (twin lead) and an antenna tuner. (Wireman 552 (16) is most excellent for putting up good antennas.
If you put work into any antenna, make it capable of handling the full power allowed (1,500 watts Peak envelope power).
And don’t forget switching (especially on ladder (or window) feedlines) that lightning can ruin your day. Leave antennas disconnected (or switched to the grounded position) when not in use is our philosophy!
Once you get the basic rule down (bigger is better but higher is happiest) then you can buy a laptop…
- One reason the IC7300 is so much loved is that it has the digital interface built in. Use a regular USB printer cable to your laptop and go for it. (Here’s a video on how)
- If you don’t get an IC-7300, then you’re looking at another hundred-dollar bills for a digital interface card – Signalink makes a dandy.
- Lap or desktop computer software comes down to (free) FL-Digi and (paid) Ham Radio Deluxe.
Contesting Disease
One of the joys of the hobby is “contesting.” Pick a band, pick a mode, and click over to WA7BNM Contest Calendar: 8-Day Calendar for a comprehensible view of that world.
Accessorizing to the mode is useful. A good headset with mic and a foot switch to key up leaves both hands free for logging in high volume contents. Use of an automatic logging program (you’ll need it to electronically file an enetry form, anyway…) is a good skill to have.
In Morse code contests, an auto-keyer with memory is useful, as well.
Is There Any Money Left?
As you can see, buying all new gear you can get into the hobby pretty deeply on about $2,000. Less than half that – maybe $700 if you can live with older, less state-of-the-art gear. Remember, a lot of the basic specs have not been improved much in some areas (like ultimate recoverable signal levels). I’m not sure who would win even now – an Icom 7300 (with dithering off, explanation here) or a well-cared for 1960s Drake 2B with 2Bq high selectivity add-on called a Q-multiplier or an old R-390.
Even these (extremely good) analog radios can be made nearly competitive (down at the scope level, since humans have a tough time with level changes of less than 4-6 dB). This can be done with external DSP boxes. I have a JPS around somewhere and you can get a great BHI add-on. But, be sitting on the old walleroo when you click here.
The Icom 7300 only puts out 100-watts – more than enough to talk anywhere in the world (assuming bands are open). But it’s nice – like when I’m talking to someone in Italy, for example, to make things a little easier on the ears of the op at the far end by turning on a big linear amplifier. Something that will squeeze out 1.5 kilowatts to the antenna.
Over at DX-Engineering the Acom unit for about $4,600 and change, would be dandy. But, as you noticed, not free. On the other hand, amplifiers can be found on eBay – depending on your fishing and fenagling skills – for anywhere from $500 on up to $4,000. At the low end, expect to put in some work getting an older unit up to snuff. Just remember, some of the older transmitter tubes are becoming very expensive. You can avoid the pains of finding beryllium finish conduction cooled specialized tubes used in the likes of the Henry 2000-Ultra and the Heathkit SB-230 series.
The good amplifiers include anything Henry Radio made with a pair of 3-500’s (that’s a tube type) in them. Or the venerable (same tubes) Heathkit SB-220, 221, or 22oo. A “Commander 2500” is a great find.
All the older amps are likely to need routine maintenance. One aspect of which is the power supply filter capacitors. Simple soldering – but take your time and have someone else around when you light it off the first time. If you don’t get something right in an amplifier, you can “let a lot of smoke out” and the voltages involved can be way past fatal. (Medium-well.) So, know what you are doing and never work anything “hot”.
That ought to be enough to drain a lot of resources – just remember, once you have a good radio (like the Icom) and a big amplifier (like an older Henry 2K) and some wire antennas, you will begin dreaming of a tower.
The top of my stick is a (mere) 60-feet. I have many friends with 80 foot (and higher) and their long-distance work shows the difference. Again, it all comes back to what you find “interesting and fun” about the hobby.
Just, for example, I picked up a small SDT transceiver a while back and a “manpack antenna” for it. Total cost was like $250. Radio, antenna, and shipping. Went out to the area in front of the solar panels here and promptly checked into a 20-meter SSB (voice) net up in Massachusetts somewhere and got a good signal report. Again – less power than a big LED flashlight.
Ham Radio is a lot like finance. In that it all depends on how you want to deal with the metrics. I like the percentage gains in finance. Any fool can get lucky with a big enough bet.
Likewise, a third grader can do well in a 20-meter contest with a 9-element wide space beam antenna at 120-feet and a brand new Acom amp running limit behind an Icom 7851. But when you pass through the “contesting phase” (and some never leave it) other metrics will appear.
For example, the “miles per watt” benchmarks in QRP (short for low-powered) operations. A radio I “homebrewed” – a kind of NorCal 40 adapted to 20-meters with a (measured) two watts out got me just over 1,500 miles out west from here. >750-miles per watt…and working Europe on 5-watts? Not so hard, anymore.
It’s like fishing, you see? Got to know where and when to haul out the “lunkers” and once you know where “the holes” are around a particular piece of water (where fish like to congregate) then a full smoker and kippers here we come. Instead of fish, we look nervously at greyline maps and sunspot bulletins.
Honestly, I wasn’t going to make this such a long article. Because I did get the 3-D Printer put together this week. But that can hold. Ham radio seems more important because it’s also a gateway to shortwave listening. And if the world lights up, you’ll want to know how to hit the AM overseas stations and yes, the IC-7300 shines here, as well. General coverage on receive.
Other Reason for the 3D story delay?
A BSOD – Blue Screen of Death.
What was going to be a useful 3D discussion is suddenly turning into an electronics article. And I need more time for that – haven’t found the source yet! Dead board blues….
Write when you get rich,
George@Ure.net (ac7x)
From ham radio to building The Interociter.
This Island Earth (1955)
Dr. Cal Meacham is flying to his laboratory in a loaned Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. Just before landing, the jet’s engine fails, but he is saved from crashing by a mysterious green glow that surrounds his aircraft.
At the lab is an unusual substitute for the electronic condensers that he had ordered. Instead, he discovers instructions and parts to build a complex device called an “interocitor”. Neither Meacham nor his assistant, Joe Wilson, have heard of such a device, but they immediately begin its construction. When they finish, a mysterious man named Exeter appears on the interocitor’s screen and informs Meacham that he has passed a test. His ability to build the interocitor demonstrates that he is gifted enough to be part of Exeter’s special research project.
https://youtu.be/qCMLmm8oLu4?si=9G7VqxIlqq4NbRnw
Your comment. “A couple of Baofeng transceivers (don’t forget the programming cable and download CHIRP to make programming easier) ”
let me recommend a Quansheng UV-k5(8) to replace the Baofeng. It’s the latest rage. And 24 bucks delivered. a buddy and I have bought four thru Ali-baba. No problems. we also each have one from amazon. I think 30 bucks, but also same day or overnight.
73
KX4WQ
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806796046831.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller.3.159cLi4gLi4gkM&gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40050.354490.0&scm_id=1007.40050.354490.0&scm-url=1007.40050.354490.0&pvid=9d2bed65-37f4-4531-9336-821c1d1e23ae&_t=gps-id%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%2Cscm-url%3A1007.40050.354490.0%2Cpvid%3A9d2bed65-37f4-4531-9336-821c1d1e23ae%2Ctpp_buckets%3A668%232846%238109%231935&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2148.71%2123.38%21%21%21352.94%21169.41%21%402103246617192407215176501eb870%2112000038933618704%21rec%21US%212798984994%21&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
Typo: IC7300 should be Yaesu FTDX10.
Yu amnd Hank wanna take it out back? But tell me where is the computer port on the Yaehoo?
– – –
Think of this as “only my warmup act” – I can go 10x deeper on any part you want…
USB port on back.
DX10 way higher, 3rd, on Sherwood RX list.
7300 generally considered best for newcomers because of cartoonish menus.
For serious use, DX10.
DX10 super selectivity.
Hank? Got me back on this?
Oh and they aren’t cartoonish – they are senior friendly… lol
LOL! I was a Yaesu man once. Then I got my IC-7300.
Wow George
That was a lot for a non ham to swallow!!!
Being a ham for 50 years “50 Year ARRL Certificate”
Even I was overwhelmed with the information.
Yeah – when I started out it was an Eico 723 – an Ha-5 Hallicrafters VFO (I bought one from WmoRR a while back – loves those things) and a Halli S-20-R with a homemade Q-multipler with one of those brand news transistor thinies…
Being “in the hobby” is miles more complicated – there was almost no VHF when I was coming up, for example…
Being a ham since teen years, one of the things that attracted me was that there was always more to learn. I guess that got me into my career as a TV broadcast engineer… always something new. The conversion to digital television was the most amazing learning experience of a lifetime. And I never got a college degree (saved a ton of money). And now retired from ‘work’, the ham radio learning still goes on and on.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1705019086/canning-autoclave-a24-gas-for-open-flame
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256805370518278.html?gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
https://www.amazon.com/Mxmoonfree-Autoclave-Pressure-Instruments-Cultivation/dp/B0BWQ7XGTB
https://www.aladdintemprite.com/products/dinnerware-disposables/high-heat-disposables.html
Retort Canning…
Canning in plastic bags that are foil lined between the layers of mylar..
https://www.amazon.com/MAGIC-SEAL-Commercial-Machine-Compatible/dp/B0CJC4TY1J/ref=sxbs_pa_sp_search_thematic_btf_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.98ac44b4-e461-4120-a123-84c0dd6735b9%3Aamzn1.sym.98ac44b4-e461-4120-a123-84c0dd6735b9&crid=162F3P07LTX7L&cv_ct_cx=magic%2Bseal%2Bvacuum%2Bsealer&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-6W1ZndxjMQAQgO6KuwbhLGLgn4rC1VXQBLTIAUW88nh1rzm5puvtd2GQgUcHPsd8j-Aa4Rmz2-CYE2vFpGCHw.Ra_yfija2v6VdY8S8-MP7jcFoRV9e85gDIDc-ysCmSw&dib_tag=se&keywords=magic%2Bseal%2Bvacuum%2Bsealer&pd_rd_i=B0CJC4TY1J&pd_rd_r=2428978b-afc9-4708-9270-79765285b716&pd_rd_w=pD9Ns&pd_rd_wg=2ncVj&pf_rd_p=98ac44b4-e461-4120-a123-84c0dd6735b9&pf_rd_r=DB29ZH646YNB86RRZTZ2&qid=1719154754&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=Magic%2Bseal%2Caps%2C132&sr=1-3-2111c337-e22b-460d-97fe-5be1c77b95e4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWNfYnRm&th=1
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Canning in metal cans.. or high heat plastic containers.. the way it is done is a pan of water.. put your cans or plastic containers.. in this with food in it.. .. then boil the water until the temperature of the food to 240 degrees for low acid foods..
https://youtu.be/q1gQJczwplk?si=tmuIDiaR12kmd8Z0
once the contents reach the temperature to kill off the harmful bacteria.. then you can seal the tops on.. and if your using the plastic containers.. you induction seal the heavy foil tops on.. then put in the pressure cooker for what every specified time they give.. NOW a good thing to do is.. put a temperature probe in one and seal it up.. this way you can make sure it reaches the right temperature for this..
I have a MEATER probe that I like..
you can buy meals like that in the grocery store..
https://www.hormel.com/brands/hormel-compleats-microwavable-meals/
I was going to retort can up hamburger last night but didn’t get the job done.. instead I am baking cinnamon rolls today..
2 1/2 tsp of yeast
1 1/4 cups of warm water
4 -4 1/2 cups of flour
1/3 cup of sugar ( or honey)
1/3 cup of oil ( butter or margarine melted)
1 Egg
2 tbsp of oil
mix the water and the sugar together.. add the yeast to incorporate and get the action going set this aside..
beat your egg and the third cup of butter.. now once the yeast starts to activate add one cup of the flour and the oil tsp of salt and mix into the bread dough keep adding flour and working the dough.. once it starts to pull away from the side of the bowl.. you put it in a one gallon container that has been greased.. roll this dough so all the edges is covered with the oil that you used to coat the container..
Place this in the fridge overnight.. the next morning.. take it out let it come up to temp.. then you can either make your bread.. buns or hot dog buns.. or cinnamon rolls.. then once these rolls have risen bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.. coat with butter.. enjoy
As much as Ham radio has its utility, I really can’t see sitting and listening to God awful unsquelched noises and trying to pick out and decipher voices. I’ve dabbled there in the past and it’s about as exciting as troubleshooting old black and white TVs. I’m quite sure it’s exciting for some folks, but I’d rather go for the joys and bonding of the flesh. Unfortunately, Playboy is far too coy and is just irrelevant words and a few pictures.
SWL has its place if the words were clear. Perhaps the ICOM does better than the cheaper units, and it doesn’t need a license or a linear to just listen. I never quite knew what to say to a disembodied microphone anyway. Communication was one of my big challenges in getting my pilot’s license, especially in controlled airspace and airports. Definitely more work than keeping the blue side up! The social aspect of Ham radio is the big challenge! Better to just listen and say nothing. I’m still toying with the idea of a license just for the hell of it, but I’d be unlikely to use it much.
“Mic fright” is common among newbies. (What do I say?) But listening to other hams on air will give you clues, and you can practice. One boyhood friend of mine wanted to be a radio announcer. He would watch TV and parrot the commercials. He actually got a ham license just so he could talk on a real microphone! Years later, after he really did become a broadcaster, he abandoned the ham radio. I was a shy kid also, but the thrill of talking to someone in some far away place overcame the shyness.
My AM/FM Radio – My only antique radio
Hallicrafters S-36A / range: 27.8-143 MHz – got it at a local garage sale for $20. Couldn’t resist after pulling it out of the box and unwrapping it. I told her it was probably worth more than that – “Not to me.” She remembers when her husband bought it – can’t remember him ever using it. Spent the last year finding parts and rebuilding. It had sat out in a box in her garage for over thirty years. Found a supplier in Costa Mesa that had the tubes [ all the tubes, but three, tested good – but I bought two of each]., then a company in Vancouver that had, brand new/old stock power supply., bought two.., a man in the Boston area had several manuals and an original Navy repair manual.., on and on.
Discover a few weeks after I got it that it was, at one time, a U.S. Navy version used in the Korean War. [ plate mounted on the back.] How it ended up in NorthCentral Washington – is anyone’s guess. Surplus auction in the Seattle area? [ built in 1947. – 3watts – external speakers, or head phones – sold new, civilian model for over$400 when it came out – but I have no idea what it is worth today – can’t even find one for sale.]
It does have one thing that I have never been able to properly identify. A small black metal box – about an inch square – permanently attached to the board. It is not in the Navy repair manual. Rumor has it, that it is a “power supply filter”., that the navy was testing – but no proof of that at all. I have left it alone.
After just over a “hobby-year” of cleaning testing, replacing – I fired it up about two weeks ago. Works great. Still learning how to ‘properly’ play with it.., but I am quite satisfied.
Lake Cjhelan airport traffic:
CTAF: 122.9
UNICOM: 122.95
Then hit https://www.arrl.org/band-plan and scroll down to the 6 meter band – remember BFO on for CW and SSB stations – that old a radio will be expected to drift a fair bit until well warmed up – even they they are dicey depending on how components have aged. Fire and police in your area are all in “Baofeng” county – VHF UHF. Your old Halli only does the low half of VHF.
Weather satellites on 137 mhz with a computer and decoding skills would be fun. Totlal time sink…
Just came up:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/256547283280
They want about 3x too much for shipping, but it’s there and the chassis looks very original…
Thanks, Ray.
That is in pretty rough shape.., no cabinet.., and not working. ., and the shipping is obscene. Other than that…..,
It IS, but it is strictly “parts.”
The seller also has a Hallicrafters SX-28, which is one of the finest pre-SSB boatanchor receivers ever made. They both look like barn finds and neither could be turned into a working receiver without spending far more than they’re worth, so parts only. I normally go through Medina either going to, or going from Cleveland, but have no trip planned for the next month.
BTW, I bought an SX-25 some years back, that’d been used on an OP behind Japanese lines. It came to me in the same plywood packing case in which the Navy received it. It still has the shipping label and postage stamps on it. I’m guessing supply officers gave the radios used by the watchers to any observer who wanted the rig he’d used, after the war ended…
https://warnews247-gr.translate.goog/diethnh/hpa/amerikanos-nauarxos-rwsoi-kai-kinezoi-epixeiroun-entos-hpa-sunagermos-se-amerikanikes-baseis-vid/?_x_tr_sl=el&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en
Hmm… kind of reminds you of a twofer.. the administration is hauling over a trojan army just like they said they would do.. and the poison pawn trap.. now the question … how many politicians of the political parties favoring hauling over members of their military.. are moving… that is when I will worry..
https://youtu.be/VbzEuEr7Fio?si=jTFD52–m0ZQoC6K
https://youtu.be/LM77qjnZdqk?si=6Khlc5fu14RMYZVT
https://youtu.be/AmBWk2–x6c?si=3yh55D_1kXK5Bne2
https://youtu.be/MZdXy2cvNyY?si=nj6zvf_SxYrFOsic
https://youtu.be/en304pJSi20?si=Au_bRr4Rx3u8dQ1D
I was teasing about the menus, they look friendlier than the DX10.
Personally as an occasional Ham I have long been a Yaesu fan since I think you get the “best bang for the buck” with their equipment. NOT the top of the line equipment serious Hams are addicted to but very good middle to upper middle performance at the most inexpensive prices around (imo).
HF vs VHF? VHF is for short range communications and HF is it’s long range cousin (utilizing the electrons bouncing off of the ionisphere). Yaesu previously had two rigs that did BOTH (FT-897 desk rig, and it’s electronic clone FT-857 mobile rig) but unfortunately when they redesigned their equipment line a few years back they eliminated that capability so now you need a separate piece of equipment for each of those two different spectrums.
Probably the best deal on a “NEW” “full powered” (100 watt) HF rig today is the Yaesu 857 replacement, the FT-891, a small super compact rig that is oriented towards mobile work but works fine for desk top work too ($679.95 at GigaParts today). It’s desk top companion, FT-991, clocks in considerably higher $1149.95 though internally they are virtually identical, the biggest upgrade with the desk top unit is a waterfall display that just can not physically fit on the super small FT-891.
You WILL need a good 20 amp shielded power supply to power that rig when using 110 power. I have always bought Ashton power supplies which imo are the gold standard for non-commercial power supplies, not the cheapest, smallest, or lightest, but built like a proverbial brick and will last for decades. Say $175 (other power supplies will work just fine for 1/2 that price)
For HF antennas you do NOT NEED anything special to start out, or even to make good contacts. A center fed multi band dipole is what I used for years and had great success while running just a standard “full powered” 100 watt rig. Ditto what my son used for years. Check out DX Engineering or their competitors, should run about $100. Add 100′ of good quality COAX, a switch to ground the antenna when not in use (lightning protection) for another $100 and you are set to go. (of course you could be like an an acquaintance who has north of $35,000 tied up in his HF antenna system)
Cheapest way to get a decent directional antenna system up and running? … look at HEX beams, they look like an upside down patio umbrella. Pricing will be about the same as the traditional Yagi beam types (easy to make your own HEX antenna btw) but the BIG price savings is in what it costs to get them up. HEX beams have very very low wind resistance so you don’t need a heavy duty tower or rotator unlike with traditional Yagi beams – think of needing a system that is only on the order of what a large long distance TV antenna’s would require since their wind resistance loading is that low.
VHF … no recommendations from me on that since I have my older Yaesu rigs (897 and 857) that do both HF and VHF (to which I added top end mechanical filters to make their HF receivers more selective since those older units are NOT Digital Signal Processing – DSP – units)
Price summary for a full HF setup with NEW equipment:
Yaesu 891 (gigaparts) – $679.95
Power supply – $100
Multi band antenna – $100
Coax and switch – $100
Voila a NEW but decent HF set up for the occasional user for under $1000 (plus shipping).
Good used equipment is also available but for decent older mid range equipment the pricing is going to be about the same as the above referenced NEW Yaesu 891.
George is into power amplifiers, I am NOT though I have had one sitting unused in a box for years (an old but nice Amp Supply 1200-A, which runs off of 110v, does NOT need 220v).
For VHF you will need to look around to see what is available at what pricing. I don’t need it so I haven’t paid attention to that market since my older Yaesu rigs cover that part of the radio spectrum (do have a very nice Yaesu hand held – won at a Hamfest – as well as a couple of Boefangs, gave my other handhelds to my one son who was a Ham)
Correction to my post above … the Yaesu FT-991 DOES include 2 meter and 70 cm capabilities!! ($1199.95)
In addition Yaesu has added two new lower end desk top HF radios to it’s HF portfolio that I was not aware of and have not seen:
FT-710-FIELD – much like the 991 with DSP and a waterfall type screen ability for $999.95 (DX Engineering) (NO 2 meter capability)
FT-710-AESS – a 710 FIELD but with adjustable advanced audio processing (different from digital signal processing) and a front speaker for $1099.95 (DX Engineering) (NO 2 meter capability)
For the digital modes George referred to one can easily add a digital converter box to any modern (last 20 years) transceiver. I have a Ham Radio Delux converter box (think $100 with appropriate cables), but some people just run the audio in and out directly from their computer that is running appropriate software for the decoding and coding of digital signals (for digital modes think advanced RTTY and weather fax type signals).
There are different digital signal systems used for different purposes, many are unlicensed and free to use, others (generally the BEST) are licensed and you have to PAY $$ in order to use them -those are used mostly by Commercial or Government users who rely upon their ability to get through in the worst of radio band conditions with 100% accuracy.
Sailing around the world and want to still have email capabilities with your family or your ONE friend – lol – somewhere? With a Ham HF rig various digital platforms exist for that purpose such as “Sail Mail” which uses the internet to connect radio stations around the world which are connected as a big net so when you log in to ANY of them your email is waiting there for you download (and you can then upload outgoing emails) (do NOT expect privacy and you can NOT use those systems for ANY business communications, for that you have to work with a commercial provider – $$ – on other than HAM frequencies)
2nd Correction (went and actually looked at my boxed equipment):
My digital interface box is by Signal Link (been years since I used it – brain fart) it interfaces nicely with my 897D and 857D through the radios computer connection port and I can then use multiple software packages on my computer, including many that use FREE digital modes, for various digital modes.
My unused amp is actually an Amp Supply LA-1000A (1200 watts PEP, 600 watts code or digital modes) 4 tube old style power amplifier. Runs great, or did at least the last time I used it (probably need to put new capacitors in it). I liked it because at the time it was one of the few DESK TOP amps that did NOT require a separate power supply (PS built in) and also ran off of 110v current versus 220v.
For antennas do not forget just cutting wire for your own dipole antenna and getting the center connector that the coax connects to (PL-259 connector) to use. As long as you cut the wire to be the resonate length (formulas on line) no need to get into such things as antenna match boxes etc., also no need for a balun generally. Think UNDER $25 plus the coax (and if you have spare single strand wire siting around your entire cost will be the center connector cost – bare wire best, length formula changes a bit if there is insulation on the wire).
In my many years I personally have NEVER used a match box to match any of my antennas to my transceiver. I work with the antenna itself to get it’s SWR down to under 1.5, usually try to get about 1.3 or less so NO MATCHBOX or match tuning circuitry required. That can sometimes restrict how much of a band you can utilize, but for me a casual operator that is not a problem.
The $1000 “all in” NEW EQUIPMENT station is doable if you need to save money or just test the waters, and you will have decent NEW equipment and get out decently. If you then find you love it THEN you can scale up the quality of the equipment you are using.
If you are willing to go with older equipment (say Yaesu 757D (the first of the complete solid state rigs – used one for many many years) or it’s Icom /Kenwood comparables) you can even do it for $500 – $600.
Old hams (like me) throw around radio model numbers like everybody knows what they are. Here is a plece
where you can get a thumbnail description and a photo for most:
http://www.rigpix.com
http://www.eham.net has tons of honest (and some cranky) reviews of Olde Stuffe as if it were new.
———————-
ALMOST ALL ham radios will be better with a nice, small, external speaker. Wood cabinet types work best. $10 should be easy to find. Regular HiFi speakers will usually be fine for this. (Big ones need a lot of audio power to drive: small ones usualy work better. Ham radios don’t usually have a lot of audio power out. Wood cabinets won’t sound all “plasticky” or all “metal-y,” but be more pleasant to listen to. Computer speakers usually suck in tone quality, but a decent one might be fine. This simple tip, often overlooked, can enhance your listening pleasure a lot.)
Such as:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226188388032?itmmeta=01J1342MT1EK9YSWZZVC3NWZ97&hash=item34a9e0e6c0:g:TyQAAOSwHydkWSiz&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8JovYSEhwSrffh8thWcXo8c%2B8TbC2lrLJZPaeMakAr02fVZ%2F9SzvkkGgHknv9XnS7SLFATtjyZ71a2eyzHyXtGOTr1vLoO2MEgy0s70Hy7G%2FTiy3KNmKVSpZ%2FWQvi9XaB52M4ZPZaWg57%2Fg4BsOSYs16q5RkGlqom%2B9Pr7TOppjHm5dbiMXKO4m4%2FpwslMiilUgHSb8pg1%2Fl1NX4tcYF4MgTkAhIy33zneTopyCBlGa1s1N6Z%2FXUVhRl%2FGy%2Fyv57hUDRz38S95nJWFNnZodZaF%2BSWEzlWhwLbsDpIc%2ByHW0gVtQzurTszhnFqbFM3LTvCw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4zNiuSIZA
…over priced, but a near-perfect choice. There are plenty of others.
73
KW1B
Radio Shack minimus 7s got good reviews as I recall
The Minimus! My first job was working at the local Radio Shack that had just opened in my hometown… downtown. Store had an audio wall with all the receivers, amps, and speakers on display that we could switch any combination to hear the results. I think we sold more ‘Minimus’ speakers than anything else. College kids who didn’t want monster floor speakers were a typical sale, and they sounded damn good next to the big guys.
My favorite all-purpose ‘first’ antenna is a Buckmaster OCF (Off Center Fed) dipole. 45ft short end, 90ft long end, with a good balun at the feedpoint for coax. Well made, heavy duty stuff that has lasted years in a tough tropical environment. I have literally talked around the world on 100 watts on this antenna. Literally… to my antipode in South Africa, and I was hearing my own delayed echo coming completely around the globe. Get the high power Buckmaster (3kw) if you ever plan to have an amplifier in the future. Besides the ‘fab five’ harmonically related ham bands, I can tune the WARC bands also with only the internal tuner on the 7300… less than 3:1 VSWR, The only band it will NOT work on is 60 meters.
https://www.dxengineering.com/search/brand/buckmaster/product-line/buckmaster-ocf-dipole-antennas/part-type/wire-antennas?fr=part-type&autoview=sku&sortby=default&sortorder=ascending&cm_mmc=ppc-google-_-search-_-vendors-_-keyword
BTW – when you model an ocfd you will find they are pretty omnidirectional on 80, beginning to kidney bean on 40 and actually end-firing on 20 and above. So if you want to work Europe, about 30 degrees east of north from Texas or 25 west of north for asia and the JA pileups… the effect of end fire and lower takeoff angle (b4st for DX) is more pronounced with the whole antenna >60 feet.
Ladder line down to a big balun and coax into the shack…
This speaker is pretty gooood, too:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/315408688449?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D266916%2C267606%26meid%3D58b968269f584cff885ec17654a4f982%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D226188388032%26itm%3D315408688449%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3EmbeddedAuctionsCPCAutoWithCassiniEmbRecallManual%26brand%3DRealistic&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A31540868844958b968269f584cff885ec17654a4f982%7Cenc%3AAQAJAAABoP9d%252BMZSXlztIfYFu3kI%252B7ft0VcQix7rTrUVdiJwc2upzwLfM%252B2UEqu0ZqdXqu2qWe6up6s9MSEY%252BWikIwEh4xLkizL%252BG%252Fyhg6cdW4xfkbb75erVQBYYISNxGN1au%252BE0eJ778JYYSAyLJRupNiZky3B2UHpMsaEp7JRgW9fuueOszPlG9eCPE4mSzJx4EejjZE0v1xx3s4HgKujjhEB3s6mUw9ErLUoFNwm6tVrx6Rws4O4eMklbaIvjt%252Fqcm2v4jSGx3O3WqhKe4hh5t9ck8vTU9R%252BtdO32xKxvshUPZL4P3bFa%252FEtoEYq7qVN3Hdl82o7vX5BBn5EO8TgJI9P9BIWIHDMeXZsIromtxGccV9X%252BahZg%252BvEJJd3xTLMJSMiKFlPJGGXQrLLR8AKMQQQkAqRlbPLt%252FHYSocyOopntiNjswuGWTwsVU%252F2wqEEQFqt55S7VO1%252FcuRhjsmS2mvySzsQHuedUNsFiaHwt4%252F1su3tWdWK%252BRokHs%252FKkSbhW3gE%252B94y2j4rT3296EC62O%252B2PfibKtfFQiXamu9J05i9m%252FEf7%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=1222779978&itmmeta=01J1343C3NR97HHTQCR9N5PFFQ
It’s in a cast metal enclosure, but it sounds pretty good anyway. (Sonically deadened so, it’s smooth and decent for a radio.) I got a BUNCH of 0.3 cubes and a few of these “Minimus 7” and they’re pretty decent. AVOID so-called scanner car speakers — they usually are pretty bad.
Full Disclosure:
I’m a cranky old cheapskate.
Opinon — (Often wrong but never in doubt.)
7300 and FTDX-10 are doubtless both excellent choices.
(I don’t own either one…)
Both Icom and Yaesu make VERY FINE radios — with mostly subtle or minor diffrences. Can’t really go far wrong with either.
DX-10 circa 1700 dollars: Icom 7300 somewhere around
1300. Not a big difference. (with this kind of money level commitment.)
…and that’s the rub, ain’t it: committment?
If you’re a newbie, you probably don’t know what sub-specialty will draw you, long term. Hell, you might easily find the whold damn thing a collassal crashing bore in a while.
You can get a FINE “beginner’s” USED radio for circa $500, Like (coincidentally) an Icom IC-718. Good, fairly simple newbie rig. Successful design: lots of them around. Still some New Old Stock to be found at a savings price. Keep it as a Number Two-backup, maybe. Having two rigs isn’t a BAD idea…
First, (in my opinion) start with something affordable yet capable, with fewer fancy-Dan features. See if you like the hobby at all. Get ONE HF rig and ONE decent walkie — and see how the mop flops.
By all means, get the yellow dummie’s book from Zon before you buy ANYTHING expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-Dummies-Ward-Silver/dp/1119695600/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1007W9R024TBK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Az5qXqR-yoeekzzTTYvyLlw3xhRPeoxo4JDtJqYY7EgJ57k8ZQgdeWiqdIUjDmvGHKyv1wjTuH_wWAogesO3bAKsfJy1QQCuZnH_qNbWGaBTzZ0pwYnmMYjc74mECY70x4t7f4P1en-9gU3HGcw2FO9HPx6hHztqR-3CDT9PErkfWcv69oGqwrpmJVx5SKJPin2tBjUOCB8nIiRzrZIhWZv4gkfc6CxrAPI5yeN0vHw.-PCH00Jwt-w1q0KKg4GylLCtDC95K5zW-LmhRJChndo&dib_tag=se&keywords=ham+radio+for+dummies+2024&qid=1719170796&s=books&sprefix=ham+radio+dummie%2Cstripbooks%2C159&sr=1-1
Word.
73
KW1B
New from a reputable dealer:
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ico-ic-718?seid=dxese1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3vq07rryhgMVSmBHAR3IzwDvEAQYASABEgIkePD_BwE
Many radios of current manufacture will be obsoleted by digital “Software Defined Radios” in the next couple of years. This is NOT advice to wait — just realize any old radios will become cheaper to acquire (or sell) as time goes forward.
THEY WILL ALL STILL WORK and do the baseline defined mission of HF communications. Radios over fifty years old are STILL competitive and enjoyable now.
Some cranky old bastards (like me) prefer older radios for reasons that are not utilitarian, and not easy to explain to a cellphone citizenry. (I once had a Kidd ask me what my “air time” cost. He was astonished to hear it was free.)
But don’t wait. Get Ward Silver’s book, pick a rig, and get going. Fun time is burning fast.
73
KW1B
I will note that used Yaesu 757GX II radios are listed on E-Bay for MORE than I paid for mine NEW back in 1984. (the expensive ICOM’s and Kenwoods of the day, the last of the tube radios, have been hammered in pricing compared to their puchase price though)
Yaesu 897-D radios are listed on E-Bay for MORE than I paid for mine (mine has the optional plug in INTERNAL power supply and extra receive filters – which means mine is now worth even MORE than the basic ones listed E-Bay)
Yaesu 857-D radios are also listed on E-Bay for MORE than I paid for mine (and my cost included having mine professionally modified at the time I bought it to be a full spectrum transmitter – ie: MARS capable)
My experience is that a good current technology radio that is in the MID quality range at the time it is bought will basically NOT depreciate over any reasonably foreseeable time frame. Cheap ones and expensive ones may depreciate but that mid performance /mid price range area seems to be a never ending sweet spot wrt resale values later.
Bump into a “Car Guy” in a bar — the kind who knows who Brock Yates is, and can balance a twin SU carb by ear — and ask him what a good car is. You’ll be sipping from a firehose for several hours.
Same-same with Ham Radio Guys.
(The old radio guys will be wearing flannel shirts.)
FYI: I not only know who Brock Yates is, I could (and probably still can) tune and balance the SU HD8 triple on the racing Jags, by ear.
You can delete all after the ? in a URL you post, it will work the same.
I’ve had a lot to say today — I hope it’s been interesting and useful — but after this, I’ll shut up.
Best shortwave hunting grounds.
Shortwave used to be much more interesting.
EVERY country had a shortwave station, or five,
and it was all quite varied, and unpredictable.
And fun, But the economics of the goddam
internet — as in “dirt cheap” — have caused
the majority of good shortwavers to move
their content to the goddam internet. It’s
all still there, just NOT on the radio. (AND
more easily “filtered” and censored AND
less anonymous. Traceable – loggable.
BUT there are still a few good ones left, AND
the Creeping Realization among some GOV
authorities is, that some return to the airwaves,
as LESS iterdictable, is desireable. So, it’s
making a bit of a comeback, and this will likely
expand greatly.
Almost all published lists of times and countries
and content are worthless. Things and propagation
are too variable — too ephemeral to list accurately.
You are out on a nice lake, you drop a hook in the
water, and you might get a half-pound sunny,or a 150 pound muskie — you just don’t know. Shortwave
is like that. There is a LOT of hollering and Bible
thumping on shortwave these days. Air time is
cheap, and the radio preachers probably harbor
the illusion they’re winning the whole Earth
for Jesus — they ARE fervent and ubiquitous.
(I’m a Christian man, and a beliver, so they only
bother me a little. But, I do miss the old, better,
more varied days, of shortwave.)
In my experience, these are the best ranges to
tune through for what useful content there is.
Like fishing, good luck comes with Patience.
There are sixteen ranges in all, but these are
the most productive.
9.3 – 10.1 mHz, 11.6 – 12.2 mHz, and 5.8 – 6.3
mHz — particularly at night. There are a few
smart asses that pick a spot just off the ends of
the bands, but they are few. 11.6 – 12.2 is maybe
THE best — around here, anyway, Central NC.
In an American Emergency, Standard AM Broadcast
is stll your best source for good information in a
Widespread Event. In a Global Event, 11.6 – 12.2
is where I’d go SECOND — AFTER LOCAL AM.
Any candidate ham radio would be best if it can
tune in Standard AM and also shortwave. The
receivers in ham transcreivers are superior.
73 & out
KW1B
In a TRUE emergency do not forget the 18 Clear Channel AM stations in North America. (NO other radio stations on frequency) All of those run 50,000 watts so their nightime coverage is very good and for some their daytime coverage is excellent also.
?
North Aamerica Clear Channel Sations (18)
540 CBK, Watrous, Saskatchewan Canada
640 KFI, Los Angeles, CA
650 WSM, Nashville, TN
700 WLW, Cincinnati, OH
730 CKAC, Montreal Quebec, Canada
750 WSB, Atlanta, GA
760 WJR, Detroit, MI
820 WBAP, Fort Worth, TX
830 WCCO, Minneapolis, MN
840 WHAS, Louisville, KY
850 KOA, Denver, CO
860 CJBC, Toronto Ontario, Canada
870 WWL, New Orleans, LA
990 CBW, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
1040 WHO, Des Moines, IA
1140 WRVA, Richmond, VA
1160 KSL, Salt Lake City, UT
1540 KXEL, Waterloo, IA
___________________________________________
Some other full power (50,000 watts) stations are also worth noting for additional geographic diversity (though they are NOT Clear Channel stations) :
California San Francisco 680, KNBR ?
?Illinois Chicago 670, WSCR
Illinois Chicago 720, WGN
Illinois Chicago 780, WBBM
Illinois Chicago 890, WLS
Illinois Chicago 1000, WMVP
Massachusetts Boston 680, WRKO
New York NYC 660, WFAN
New York NYC 710, WOR
New York NYC 770, WABC
New York NYC 880, WCBS
New York NYC 1130, WBBR
New York NYC 1560, WQEW
??Utah Salt Lake City 1160, KSL
?Virginia Richmond 1140, WRVA
?Washington DC 1500, WFED
Washington Seattle 710, KIRO
Washington Seattle 1000, KOMO
?Alaska Anchorage 650, KENI
Alaska Anchorage 750, KFQD