HF On A Limited Budget
alan vega (WA6MOW)
on
August 26, 2010
View comments about this article!
There are some very fine new HF rigs on the
market starting at about $630.00 on up.
The
current economic conditions have hurt a lot
of folks. A new HF ham with limited funds
may not be able to afford a new rig and may
not know what to buy in the way of a used HF
rig.
I enjoy using different gear and
continually change it on a regular basis. I
decided long ago that used gear gave me as
much pleasure as new equipment.
Assuming you
are working with $350 or less, what are good
options?
The following is a short list of
reliable gear, in my opinion, that sells for
less than $350.00. I have owned and used a
number of these rigs. They are all solid
state rigs as the hybrids are getting long on
the tooth.
Starting with my favorite; the
Yaesu FT-757GX It comes with a factory cw
filter and keyer installed. No inherent
issues, and with a flip of an internal
switch, works 60 meters along with MARS.
The
Icom IC-730, a simple functional radio with a
great reliability history. Icom IC-735, not
quite as reliable, but if you can find one
with low hours, a good rig.
The Icom IC-745,
this rig came with an internal switching
power supply which caused problems. The non
internal power supply version is a good
choice.
The Kenwood TS-440S is a great
performer and can be found with a built in
auto tuner. The above radios may come with
bulbs burned out and dead memory batteries.
They are still perfectly usable in that
condition. With a little effort, they can be
returned to their original condition.
I am
sure a new op would end up with a lot of
great QSOs with any of those rigs. When it comes time to move up
to a new rig, those radios will be worth
equal or close to the original investment.
It is all about getting on the air and making
lots of fun contacts. Ham radio, a great
hobby!
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KB2DHG on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I absolutly agree with the author.
MOST of my equipment had been purchesd used and for little money.
My Kenwood TS430s was purchased for $290.00 I have had it on the air now for 5 years with great results. I also purchased seperatly the classic DRAKE B-line twins with the speaker and power supply total cost for everyting came out to a little over $600.00
I also picked up a mint condition great performing Yaesu FT 101EE for $200.00
Yes, there is no need to spend tons of money on new HF rigs. Do a good search and you can get a great rig for tons less.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K9CTB on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Great motivational article (saving money is a great motivator)! I totally agree as well. The pointers you give in the article open up a whole world of possibilities just by researching on the PC a little, say, after dinner. I have to agree on the FT-757GX (or the II if you can find it). Terribly underrated on the reviews, but the one I owned was a true gem. Little box with all the "most wanted" stuff built in! Your examples were excellent, sir!
73,
K9CTB
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KF4HR on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Yes, there are a lot of great older radio's available for a good price out there, but newbees should be aware that, should a repair become necessary, not all these older radios are repairable. I have returned older radio equipment for repair only to be told the components necessary for repair no long exist.
After several years after a radio goes out of production certain IC's, display components, and specialized components (just to name a few) may no longer be available. Also circuit cards and other components can become brittle with age and can fail. Should a repair become necessary sometimes it may come down to salvaging parts from another radio. Earlier hybrid and solid state radio's of the 70's and 80's may fall into this situation. In certain case 100% tube radio's from the 60's or earlier may actually be easier to find components for, than some of the eariler hybrid and solid state equipment.
To be on the safe side, prior to buying an older radio it might be worth a call to the manufacturer and ask if that model still has repair support.
KF4HR
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KF5DPP on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
...and don't forget about wire antennas! I have an 80m dipole made out of speaker wire, fed with ladder line and I have talked all over the world with my 440SAT and 100watts - on many different bands. I think all together the antenna cost me $20 or so. Check my rookie log at the bottom of my qrz page.
http://www.qrz.com/db/kf5dpp
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KE7WAV on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Some tube rigs are a great way to start too. They pack a lot of punch and are very reasonable. I found a five band tube rig for $75 that was working great at a swap meet last year. Looking back I wish I had purchased it. I played with it for a while and it had a great receiver.
I have seen several tube rigs for $200 or less, and they are a great start for a smaller investment.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K3AN on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
What do you think is a reasonable minimum expenditure for all the other items needed to get on HF? Things like:
Power supply
CW key and maybe a keyer
Desk mic or headset/mic
Antenna tuner
Coax and connectors or ladder line and balun
Antenna wire, insulators, center insulator, support lines
I suggest to prospective hams that the minimum investment is about $500 to $600 total, including the radio and the above items, and that's with purchasing the expensive items used, just like the radio.
I would add the TS-130S or SE to the rig suggestions posted earlier. It will accept an optional CW filter and has no known issues. It's also VERY simple to use.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by NM7L on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
WHile I agree from the previous poster that items such as a desk mic, antenna tuners and such are nice to have they are certainly not required. As others have stated many items can be used or scavenged for use.
Coax? Try Cable TV installers. RG-6 coax is 75 ohm impedance: a close match for the 73 ohm impedance of dipoles.
Wire? Use scrap lengths & solder if necessary.
Antenna insulators / dipole center insulators? Cut apart plastic coat hangers for end insulators & use a 1/2" PVC T for the center insulator.
Tuner? If your antennas are resonant then why use a tuner? Most rigs will work to a 3:1 SWR without adverse effects.
Microphone? Use the supplied hand microphone. Audio response is not as good as higher priced units but provides the same end result.
Remember, necessity is the mother of invention. $500 - $600 to get on HF is absurd! Don't be afraid to ask others in the hobby: you may be pleasently surprised of what support you may receive.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WV1K on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
All this talk of "hurt a lot of folks" makes me laugh. I just read that three police captains are getting an 11 percent raise. I read the salaries and they're over $100,000. Everyone has two incomes or more; that in itself is fouling the economy... think. No one has had their pay cut. They're all getting their raises. Anyone newly laid off has no business buying a radio at all. The only people getting screwed by this Ford Foundation, CFR, academic family in the next town over from me are the ones who paid cash for their houses or even their ham radios, for example. They paid inflated prices after saving and investing mildly like suckers and have now lost large sums. As for hams, if you are fully employed and can't afford a radio, you're doing something wrong or are feigning it to give you something to say besides how many gall stones were smashed in your office visit last week. After 23 years it's obvious that some American hams are pathologically cheap lot who will do anything to not take out their wallet in a ham store. Perhaps the best one was a local ham who said he bought a TL-922 for short money (under 100 bucks) because a ham "didn't need it any more." Turns out the ham was dead. His wife sure could have used a moral amount of money, though.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by W5DQ on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
KF4HR wrote "..... should a repair become necessary, not all these older radios are repairable. I have returned older radio equipment for repair only to be told the components necessary for repair no long exist."
This is very true for most ham rigs older than 20-25 years or more. Many have special components that are not available unless one is willing to buy a salvage carcass or parts from a parted out rig on eBay and such. Such was my search for a replacement rig for my old Yaesu FT-726R VHF/UHF radio. It started having problems and I wanted to upgrade but not many radios with similar features were available. I looked strongly at the FT-847 as a replacement but after some research and a couple of emails to Yaesu, I found the finals were no longer available and finding NOS would be next to impossible. I opted out of the FT-847 as a main replacement. I may pick up one later if the price is right knowing that if it ever needed finals, it would be destined for parting out.
One problem I have come across in dealing with many newbies; whether from not knowing, not wanting to learn or out right fear, is the desire to not have any tubes to deal with or require any tuning of the final tank circuit to the antenna. Many I have spoke to simply think that having to do that is too 'old-fashioned' (as put by some) yet they don't want to pony up the price of a new rig to start with. Many are young people that don't have alot of extra cash and they seem to want the latest and greatest with all the bells and whistle thay can get for a song and dance. I have several old tube rigs that I have offered to loan out to some local newbies and most just tell me no thanks. They only want solid state gear to use. So be it. When I was a newbie just getting into ham radio, I would have sold my soul to have access to a TS-520S or a FT-101EE. My first rig was a Heathkit DX-60B transmitter and a Hallicrafters SX-38 recvr. But man did I have a ball with that pair!!!
Gene W5DQ
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KD5KJD on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Hello folks...
I'd offer up the ICOM IC-707. It's of the Yaesu 757 vintage. Reliable, easily repaired, front firing speaker, big tuning knob, big frequency diplay and FM capable on 10M with a SIMPLE addition of the board, still available for $30.
I still wish I hadn't gotten rid of that rig... hi hi.
The Kenwood 520S is a great rig available for around $250 at various hamfests.
and that was my 2 cents... frugality, you know!
73!
Luis KD5KJD
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K7LA on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Don't overlook silent key sales, usually coordinated by the deceased ham's local club. They are excellent sources of good, used rigs.
This week, I had a delightful 20 minute ragchew with a ham in Maine from my QTH in California. We were both using TS-440AT transceivers picked up secondhand. Mine came from an estate, was babied by its non-smoking owner, with matching power supply PS-50. Only addition was the purchase of two inexpensive Kenwood filters on eBay and some soldering time. I am using a G5RV wire antenna at 45 feet. The other ham gave me a 59 signal report at a distance of 2800 statute miles.
You really can operate effectively on a budget.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AB9TA on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Excellent Article..
Some thoughts:
Don't forget the digital modes! If you have a computer with soundcard (if you're reading this you probably do), and a radio with VOX capability, you're on your way.
I'm assuming most beginners will be working with less than optimum setups to start. Digital modes can work well with low power (most PSK is at 20W to 40W), and marginal antennas and path conditions. Successful QRP operation with 5W or less is very common.
There are lots of free downloads out there that work really well. (My favorites are Airlink Express or Hamscope for simplicity and Ham Radio Deluxe for lots of features.) Add two cables for the transmit and receive audio, (you'll probably have to build / modify something) set your audio and VOX levels, and you're on the air.
If you need a PTT interface (from USB / serial to radio PTT), these can be had for under $70 new.
It can be very frustrating to be a newcomer lost in a sea of QRO stations on SSB and CW. Digital modes can get you making QSO's with a very modest station.
Assuming that many new hams can't easily put up full size antennas (apartment dwellers, teens still living at home, etc.), stealth, hidden, attic, and other compromise antennas are the order of the day. An antenna tuner will be a requirement, lower power tuners can be really inexpensive, starting in the $70 (new) range or so. Just make sure it's a wide range tuner that can handle random wires. short antennas, etc.
I'll second the thought on the Kenwood TS-130, great radio, I'm sorry I sold mine years ago.
Building your own stuff isn't really an option for the newcomer anymore (except for antennas) as it's hard to find a good source of parts locally, especially where you can browse through the used junk to find something that will work.
However, start scrounging that wire and TV coax!
If we want people getting on the air, buying used is the way to go..
73!
Bill AB9TA
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AJ4EM on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
"Remember, necessity is the mother of invention."
Oh no, that's the old way. Now, government subsidy is the mother of invention.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KB2FCV on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Plenty of good HF rigs out there for the $100 - $350 range. In general I've seen the all solid-state rigs usually at the upper end of those numbers. There are plenty of old heathkits out there you can pick up for around $100 if you absolutely must keep the budget down. $100 still too much? Still want to get on the air? You can get a Rockmite for $29 - you'll need a good antenna but you'll still be on the air. There are alot of solutions out there for various budgets.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KC2UML on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I would agree to a point that many want new solid state gear. The availability of plastic credit cards and overnight delivery make it so easy to "try" out amateur radio without a commitment.
Please just avoid a generalization since some are interested in starting out with more experienced gear. If you have gear to lend and are willing to Elmer, yet it be known in your local club. Trust, but verify to gauge commitment as you can't Elmer everyone. Maintain contact and as the new operator progresses they will be willing to invest in their own gear which will free up yours for the next candidate.
73
KC2UML
Rory
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KB2FCV on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Almost forgot to add, there are the hybrid radios too that can be had in that price range. Your Kenwood 820/830/520/530's or your Yaesu FT-101's, etc..
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N3YZ on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Interesting topic. It provides some response to the prospective ham, the youngster who comes into the shack, and says something like...
Prospective ham: "Wow, sir! This is neat. What do I do to get these postcards from all over the world?"
You: "Ok, you only need a transceiver, tuner, beam, coax, and send the contact a QSL card with a few green stamps, er dollars."
Prospective ham: "Neat stuff. Whats all this cost?"
You" "Well, hmmm, uhh, err, over a thousand dollars, but that was years ago."
Prospective ham: "Uhh...Gee, sir. Thanks. Maybe when I get old like you, I can buy all this stuff. I gotta go now."
Or, you could offer the advice in the article to help the prospect get on HF reasonably.
That advice, together with improvements in QSLing like LOTW, certainly makes HF much more accessible.
Thanks es 73! John, Annapolis, MD
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K1CJS on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Great article! A nice reminder that HF can be had with little money--just some practical know-how and a wire antenna. Thanks!
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by QRZDXR2 on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Wow for 350 one could buy a lot of radio that works on the CW bands. The cheapest I have heard of is 50 bux for a complete CW radio that included the antenna (old cable coax both for feed and outside shield antenna) he even made his own key. speaker from a old TV set.
Indeed one could get down right good at seeing how cheap one could get on the air with a fairly good radio. Don't pass CW up however, it was the old way also.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KF4HR on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
W5DQ writes: "Many are young people that don't have alot of extra cash and they seem to want the latest and greatest with all the bells and whistle thay can get for a song and dance."
Gene you hit the nail on the head. The TS-520 is a fine rig, and definitely nothing to turn a nose up at. My first station was an Ameco AC-1 and a borrowed antique Navy surplus transmitter. And I felt lucky to have the stuff. How times have changed.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by VE6JJO on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Yeah, I agree as well. The cost of entry to this hobby is really not that much. My FT-101 on Ebay was $140, still works great after 7 years. $20 for the 50 feet of coax and maybe another $20 for the home made dipole. Still having fun for well under $200...amortized over 7 years thats a pretty cheap hobby.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AB2T on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
When shopping for your first rig at a hamfest, bring your Elmer or someone that's good with electronics to help you find a good rig. I know that sounds dumb, but too many people try to go it alone and get a lemon.
If the seller won't let you look inside or load the rig up on a dummy load, forget it. It's easy to change and neutralize tubes but not so easy to pinpoint and correct solid state problems. Don't get caught out with a rig that looks great but has serious internal problems.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KD6HUC on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Many clubs even have loaner radios that can get you on the air for the cost an antenna. I am quite lucky to have a club station to operate from as well! Regardless of the economy, there's nothing wrong with being frugal. I have had Mid range HF equipment(IC-756PRO, TS-2000) and enjoyed those as much as my boatanchors and even the mini DC to daylight jobber I use daily! You really want to upset the kurmudgeons? Built your rig from a kit and hook it to your computer. Now that's ham radio...
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N6AJR on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Don't forget the older Ten Tec gear, a Corsair II or a Triton IV for example or for a cw onnly rig an old century 21 will be cheep. and a fan dipole for an antenna... and some rg8x coax ( its hf and that will work fine).
on the new side an nice FT 857 d is a deal at 700 bucks, 2m, 440 mhz, 6m and 10 -160 m and all modes ( ssb,cw, digital, rtty, am, etc) and probably cheaper than a new ht, a mobile rig and a used hf radio. really
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KD7HVL on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
since the publishing of this article eham I have noticed what seems like the used price of the FT 747, TS440, TS430 have all gone up. Hum strange.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KE4DRN on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
hi,
I agree these fine hybrid radios are a good value,
the power supply is internal.
Easy to repair with modern capacitors, resistors
and inexpensive tubes compared to expensive final transistors.
I learned a whole lot more about how radio works
with my ts-520 then pushing a button on my ts-570.
All my hf gear was purchased used.
73 james
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by W8AAZ on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I dunno, the 70s hybrids are neat nostalgic radios but I might still advise them to get a 80s 90s vintage all solid state rig, that is working correctly. Lot of the slightly earlier rigs are great radios, that just need "a little of this or that or TLC" that is, a project radio. Newcomers do not need a fixer upper at all. Do not recommend a hybrid that the finals cost an arm and a leg for nowadays. Go ahead, try to price some Japanese finals for a FT-101, or tell them to change the parts to take US tubes, another "project". They can have the project radio as a backup sometime once they get established with a working radio on the air.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K9CTB on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Oh, yeah. KB2FCV made a great point. There is the SDR angle too, and it's very inexpensive. You can still build through-the-hole circuit cards and make yourself a fully functional software defined radio for very cheap!!
http://www.genesisradio.com.au/
Maybe these kits don't quite qualify as beginner sets, but if a guy has some skill with a soldering iron ...
73,
K9CTB
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WA8FOZ on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Good article. Consider also, for newbies, the IC-718. May not be as good a receiver as other suggested rigs, BUT: easy to find, easy to use, easy to sell when you are ready to move up.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KM6CQ on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I remember looking at the new 757GX2 next to the old 757 at the "Radio Place" in Sacramento. I saved and saved and could not wait to get it. It was the latest greatest in that price range. I enjoyed that rig for a lot of years. To me that was the greatest rig ever at the time. I was a young man with a young family and the xyl was a stay at home mom but I got it. That rig was second only to sex with the xyl. Good times.
73, Dan
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K0IC on August 26, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
As helpful the advice is, I am told on threads that there are relatively new radios you can not get parts for. I hope that has been addressed. I am of the school of thought one needs a mix of new and old gear because some things are more equal that others. Appliance operators do not fix their gear period. Technology has made appliance operators out of repairers of older gear.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KK7PW on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Nice article. I would like to suggest that Ten-Tec rigs be added to the list. I enjoyed rock-solid performance from the hamfest find of a 580 Delta for $250 (including PS and mic). I currently use an Omni-D with xVFO and have never been disappointed. Great receiver, easy to use and tough. BTW, I sold the 580 for $250 after a few years of use -- they are built so well, and perform so well, that they seem to hold their value. And, built in the USA. My two cents. Thanks for the article. de KK7PW
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K5TEN on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Good info by OP!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a used (pre-owned LOL!) rig.
There are a few things to consider though.
Make sure it was from a non-smoker. If it's through ebay or some other online sales or auction make sure the seller allows return if it's DOA.
PLEASE: when it's a silent key or estate sale, bring a cell phone and make some phone calls what a rig in that condition will bring and make a FAIR offer. Most often, the other party or XYL will not know the fair price of the equipment. Only a complete scoundrel would take advantage of someone after they have lost a loved one by weaseling them into selling for a fraction of the rig's actual value.
I have bought some pretty cherry used rigs off of ebay and have been VERY lucky that I have not as of yet gotten burned by a bad seller selling bad equipment.
Someone new to the hobby could pick up a decent used Icom and a nice headset and keyer for less than $500 if you shop carefully. Heck---if you can lay your hands on a cherry KWM-1 or KWM-2....or one of the last few Drakes...you hit the jackpot.
Good luck!
73
Bruce
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KC8RWR on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
How about a brand new QRP rig built in ones own home? That and a nice wire dipole, I should think you can do much lower than $350.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by NB1R on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Amen on the IC 718, this was my entry into HF and it's a great performer - if you can save up for a new one, you won't risk buying the previous owner's problems.
I've also had a used Kenwood TS-120, no WARC bands, but plenty good for getting started, dirt cheap used too.
Let's not forget QRP rigs either - you can build your own CW gear with a variety of great kits.
Then there's the good ole HTX-10 and HTX-100 for 10 meters from Rat-Shack - one band only, but it's a great one once the new cycle picks up!
73 de NB1R
James
Lexington MA
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WD8DUP on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Great suggestions, Alan.
When I was first starting in Ham Radio 30+ years ago, people used to ask me why I would only cut the ads out of my QST and 73 magazines.
The answer was simple; the new rigs of today are the used rigs of tomorrow.....
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AE6RO on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I was just thinking about how $110.00 bought me my Novice rig. It was a new-in-the-box Heathkit HW-16. Still a great CW rig.
As far as 10 metres goes, I would only get something with FM. Not to break the deafening silence on the absence of sunspots, but Cycle 24 is long overdue. In any event it's better to have FM for 10 metres and treat it like a VHF band. You know, in case the propagation never improves. John
P.S. I used to have one of the Radio Shack rigs. I worked a guy in New Zealand with it's 25 watts of SSB and a 5/8 vertical on the roof from Pasadena, CA. But that was near the peak of Cycle 23, amigos,not now. And the on/off switch broke on it so I had to jumper the switch so the memories would erase whenever I unplugged it. Haven't seen it in some time. Maybe gremlins took it or it is just buried under some junk.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AA5JG on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Plenty of good radios out there for less than $350 used. In the past, for less than $200 each I have purchased a Kenwood TS120 (twice), a Yaesu FT77 (twice). Both are pretty good older rigs and the FT77 has the WARC bands as well. I also got a Yaesu FT920 off of ebay that worked fine for less than $150, but that is a once in a lifetime find! Other solid state rigs you can find for less than $350 would include:
Alinco DX70T-and get 6m with it as well. If you are really lucky, you will get the TH version that does 100 watts on 6m
Icom-740, really good older rig. Was contest quality when it came out. No computer control for it, but you can live without that.
Icom 751-Should get this for less than $350. Not as good as the 751A model and you might find one of those for $350 if you are lucky. They both have loads of features, good filter setup and were top of the line when they came out.
Kenwood TS140-good simple to use radio. Might also find the TS680 for less than $350, that gives you a 140 plus 10 watts on 6m.
Yaesu FT301/FT7B series-some of the first solid state rigs Yaesu made. Will get you on the air, still have a good reputation.
73s John AA5JG
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K9MHZ on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I'm going to get some hate mail on this one....
Agree with everything people are posting. But also....avoid old Heathkits, unless you're into working on them and enjoy it. I've had many of them, so it's with a little pain to admit that they're not holding up like other rigs of similar vintage....maybe with the exception of the linears and antenna tuners. In fact, they're just plain dying and decaying.
The older Kenwoods, Icoms, and Yaesus are a much better way to go, IMHO.
Cool when you can get on for a few hundred bucks!
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AE6RO on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I like Heathkits but never really enjoyed working on them. They use a lot of PC boards and the SB-type dial drives don't hold up well.
As long as we are talking stone-age, what sort of reputation does a Swan Radio have? John
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WA6MOW on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I did not recommend some of the older rigs that are well under $350.00 as reliability can become an issue. A new ham would become frustrated buying a $200.00 radio, or a loaded radio with known inherent problems, and then having to spend money having it repaired a short time later. I have owned many of the rigs mentioned after this article was posted and have learned about reliability the hard way. QRP is another story altogether. I am an avid QRPer. A fleet of QRP rigs gets expensive. The average mono bander costs about $80 to $100 in kit form. Buy one for each band and you have spent over $400.00. QRP is a challenge and not for everyone. A simple wire antenna and 5 watts is great fun for a guy who has done it all. Spending the evening searching for a QSO and going to bed empty handed is not for everyone. Someone commented on the cost of a power supply and antenna. A used switcher(Samlex or Jetstream) sells for around $50.00 or less. Cost of an antenna? I use a 66ft. center fed wire that is almost invisible. It is fed with cheap 300 ohm twin lead and thin gage buss wire for the 33 ft.legs. Insulators are cut from and old plastic curtain rod. My balun is an old oatmeal box with about a dozen turns of coax ( I know it is the wrong type of balun) and works great. Antenna tuner? An old used MFJ 901 is inexpensive and does a great job. For less than $100.00, including power supply, balun, antenna and tuner, your station is complete.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KB1GMX on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Stone age radios..
I have an gift HW101 that took some work but is a good HF radio and a classic.
Later I found two Tempo-One for 100$ and after a little bit of work they are back on the air. Surprisingly easy to fix and work very well. And for glow in the dark radios they are stable and small. Even thought the sweep tubes were toast it was a trivial matter to change out the sockets and put in a pair of the ever present 6146s. Over 100w seems to be more than enough power too.
Older tube gear like FT101s and a whole raft of others are often had for a song. Some not so cheap as they maybe those classics everyone wants. For those that have or wish to spend a limited amount of money on the hobby learning or enjoying the art of radio repair has it's rewards.
While I'm into solid state gear I do VHF and up with it and building more, HF is for me relaxing where older radios are fun and tubes solve the problem of unobtainium exotica fairly well.
For an antenna yes, I have a tower with tribander and VHF stuff. But its fun to hang an inverted L for 80 and 40, build a L-network tuner and work DX and local for fun.
Allison
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by VE3TMT on August 27, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
"PLEASE: when it's a silent key or estate sale, bring a cell phone and make some phone calls what a rig in that condition will bring and make a FAIR offer. Most often, the other party or XYL will not know the fair price of the equipment. Only a complete scoundrel would take advantage of someone after they have lost a loved one by weaseling them into selling for a fraction of the rig's actual value."
Good point...Can you say Titan 425 amp for $350!
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KF6VCI on August 28, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Great post! I went out and found a TS-440 with many filters and agreed to buy it. It's important to share
what you know about specific transceivers.
To have fun, one doesn't need a ton of expensive gear. I had my best moments with an Elecraft K1. The dipole almost touched the lawn, my CW was so bad I didn't even get most QSO partners' names. (surprise, some were YL and then came a card from Vern G5RV, the antenna designer, then a SK).
73 de Chris KF6VCI HS0ZFE MI1ESG
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KI3N on August 28, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
HF does *not* have to be expensive. My first rig was a used but good condition Kenwood TS-120s, an MFJ-941e manual tuner, and a Hustler 4BTV antenna. Not having all those bells and whistles on a radio let me focus on the QSO and band conditions instead of being distracted by all the toys. Too many new hams thinks its all about the gear ... the gear is just a means to communicate. I believe a good basic rig helps teach the fundamentals.
Another nice thing about these radios is that if you find out that HF isn't something you want to continue with or decide to uprgade to a more sophisticated radio, they have great resale value so you lose little of your initial investment.
My Kenwood TS-120s is a joy to use, and when I want to ragchew QSO or some straight-key CW its the radio that I fire up.
de KI3N
|
| |
|
My $100 DX station back in the day...
|
|
|
by W8KQE on August 28, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I know we're talking 160-10m HF rigs here, but i'll never forget how I DX'ed 'on the cheap' back in high school, while on a very limited budget, during the strong sunspot cycle in the late 70's. As luck would have it, with the cycle peaking high, I had a 'monoband' Lafayette SSB-50 CB converted to 10m (15w), going into a Wilson mag mount antenna tuned for 10m SSB. Sitting in an Olds Cutlass in my parents' driveway in New Jersey, I effortlessly worked one after another European and Soviet stations, and later in the evening, Japanese and Australian stations! Many were '10 over 9', and my reports were often '59' as well (back then, Hams often gave honest reports, rather than giving everyone a '59'). This was one of the most thrilling times for me in the hobby!
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N2LWE on August 28, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
WV1K stated "As for hams, if you are fully employed and can't afford a radio, you're doing something wrong or are feigning it to give you something to say besides how many gall stones were smashed in your office visit last week". Your comments are ridiculous. Someone having a full time job does not mean they have tons of money to spend. It also does not mean they are cheap. Everyone has obligations in life and just because you may have few doesn't give you the right to assume anyone with a job should be able to purchase even a used radio. I have a good job with good pay but with a mortgage, two kids and a car payment to get me to that job doesn't make me cheap. Lets not forget the gas, electric, water, food and every other expense in life, simply because I have a full time job I just can't go out whenever I feel like it and go on a spending spree for things I want don't don't really need. By the way, I'm not doing anything wrong either as you might think because as you say I "have a full time job". Your reasoning can only make me think, whatever frequency you transmit on becomes silent after a few minutes when other hams had enough of listening to your non-sense.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WB8ROL on August 28, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I am NOT a beginner ham BUT I bought one of the Genesis Radio G3020 SDR kits last year and put it together and got it working without too much problem. The last kit I built before that was in 1973 and was a tube transmitter - Heathkit DX60B - so I am NOT much of a kit builder and had to borrow a decent iron and solder flux hi hi
BUT the G3020 cost me $140 (now I think it is $160) and it runs fantastically well. Worked a ton of stations including ragchews on digital (Olivia and Contestia modes) and have a ball with it. A real decent sound card is needed, though, and will set you back another $100 for it. However, you can use a relatively cheap soundcard (48khz sampling) and get it on 30mtr digital cheaply.
The advantages to going this route is that you are NOT buying a USED rig AND you are NOT buying OLD technology AND you may learn a thing or two. AND You are buying into the future of ham radio (or at least part of it).
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KL7IPV on August 28, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Don't forget the Ten-Tec Omnis and the Deltas too. Ten-Tec made and still makes great radios. The ones from the 80s are great ones. Also Swan like the 100MXA and the 102BX. Great radios too and hard to find. Getting started need not be expensive but even "on the cheap", great radios are available.
Frank
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by W8LV on August 29, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Add a PAC-12 Antenna FOR 85 ObamaBucks, and your antenna problem is solved. Now you can set up, take down, anywhere anytime.
I know the tower guys will take me to task on this.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KC2WQW on August 30, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I got on the air for less then $400.
Used Kenwood TS-120S = $150, no WARC bands but 80m - 10m is still plenty to use.
Used MFJ 949e Transmatch = $75
Used Astron 20A P/S = $75
40m full wave loop = $40, parachute cord, dog bone insulators, 1.25 inche PVC electrical conduit for one of the corners, 15ft of 450-ohm window line, and 143ft of 14 black wire for the loop and another 67ft for a 1/4 wave 80m ground wire.
So far I get on 40m and 20m no problem, but the other bands are flaky and sometimes the tuner gets RF hot. MFJ is really living up to its nick name (More Friggin Junk) so I ordered an external 4:1 voltage balun to see if it becomes easier to tune so that's another $30.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on August 31, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
TS-120...Great radio. Any old Kenwood will do fine.
Do not buy the TS-950. Expensive and breaks often.
If you can spend a little more.....The $600 new icom 730 Has DSP and all the extra features.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WA2JJH on August 31, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Sorry.I mean the Icom 718. AC supply, PBT,DSP. The icom
78 is the commercial/marine varint. Even better.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KC2WQW on August 31, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Heh, I'm actually considering adding another $300 or so to my setup as it is. Considering a HEIL HM-10 microphone with all the needed accessories (PTT pedal and adapter) and a SGC DSP speaker because those items I can carry over to any radio I may replace the Kenwood with in the future.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KA0SBL on September 1, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I'm almost embarrassed to say how little I have tied up in a Kenwood TS-430S, Yaesu FT-101ZD, FT-8100R, HTX-202, Alinco DM-330MV, Outbacker Perth Plus and assorted tuners, meters, coax, antennas and handhelds. If you're patient enough to find it at the yard sales, Craigslist and silent key sales, and if you don't mind doing some tinkering, you can get on the air for no more than the cost of a new CB. So don't let lack of money stop you!
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KJ4FUU on September 2, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
That is good advice.
Sometimes, an Elmer or a club can help a new ham to find a used transceiver. I have a TenTec Omni A (analog, needs to be restrung) that cost me $0.00. I intend on putting up a multi-band vertical, which will cost a little, including installation accessories, but someone could pick up a cheaper antenna if they wanted to. The guy that gave me the radio also gave me a D104 mike, which I have to wire a new plug on and see if it will work.
I think the "need to have" category for an HF operator includes:
Transceiver
Mic and/or Key
Coax/Wire
Antenna, properly tuned for your band
The "nice to have" category includes:
Tuner (gives you some leeway in tuning your antenna)
Desk mic
Paddle (plus a keyer, if the radio isn't equipped with one)
Custom printed QSL cards
Antenna analyzer
Test equipment, ad infinitum
I'm not sure where to include "Friend who can loan you what you don't have".
-- Tom
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KJ4FUU on September 2, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Also, regarding estate sales:
While I like getting discounts, I would feel guilty if I paid unfairly cheap prices because the widow or heirs didn't know any better. Maybe someone else can live with themself, but not me. YMMV.
I do have some things from an estate. I picked up a Yaesu FT212RH 18-year-old 2 meter mobile ($50), a Yaesu FT690RII 6 meter portable with 10w amp ($100), a Kenwood R-1000 receiver ($100), and a Daiwa 14 amp power supply ($10). That last one I got because the club tried to sell it at a hamfest for $40 and got no takers. I can live with those prices.
If I can, I'm going to see if I can find the battery case for the FT690RII for portable operation. I also need to find the carrying strap.
-- Tom
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by VE3FMC on September 2, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
QRP Kits and rigs were mentioned.
IMO, bad idea for a new ham. Running a couple of watts and making contacts requires CW skills. Which most new ops do not have as they did not have to pass a code test to get a ticket.
Even if they know CW it would be frustrating if they could not make contacts. That is not a good way to get a new comer to the hobby excited about HF. No contacts, what's the point of being in the hobby? Next thing you know they have moved on to something else.
|
| |
|
Is It Really a Limited Budget?
|
|
|
by NO6L on September 2, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Some issues and thoughts missed by the author. An electronic technicians point of view.
The first is where it came from, as in environment. Trust me, you don't want an older mobile HF rig that has been in a mobile installation for more than a couple of years. Between the extreme temperature variations, vibration and dirt, that radio is going to be an authentic headache and waste of money. And if it was on board an ocean going vessel, don't walk, run the other direction.
Cosmetically, there are rigs that don't look the best and function fine. But really, what are the chances? If a Kenwood TS-440 looks like it came fresh out of the box, it is probably going to be in very good shape, except...
...how long has it been stored? Even a brand new looking rig can be an infinite source of grief if it has been in storage for more than a couple of years. Lubricants stiffen, electrolytic capacitors loose forming and if the gear was not stored in a container, dirt and lint can settle in open rotory switches, relays and potentiometers. If it was not used in the past year or two, you might want to rethink your purchase. We're talking about a complex piece of gear and different sections and functions will only work at full supply voltage, so a soft power-up to reform capacitors won't work.
Estate sales. Yes, bargains can be had here, but, not only can you not question the owner as to the condition and history of the gear, he/she is dead! Don't do it unless you know the history of the equipment for a fact.
Don't go by what something sounds like on the air. If you don't know the guy, how can you be sure he/she is really talking on the equipment that is up for sale?
Now I'm about to get politically incorrect, so if you've got a problem with that, too bad. If you go to an unknown sellers residence, put your cell phone on vibrate only, first. Then, if the inside smells like a cloths hamper that hasn't been emptied in six months, the seller looks like a drunk or drug user, there is an ash tray with a 12 inch pile of butts in it next to the rig and you can smell their armpits upwind, pretend you just got an emergency call on your phone and leave. If they have no sense of self respect, what kind of respect for you or the equipment being sold do they have? Not only that, you don't want anything from that residence in yours. It will probably become infested with cockroaches like the previous owners is.
Ebay and Craigs List. Do your homework, get as much information on the seller as possible and give them an Internet "cavity search". If they turn up all over it like a bad rash, don't deal with them, learn from other peoples mistakes. And if you get hosed and you did not get remedy, there are three rules; talk, talk and talk some more about it. Tell everybody about your experience.
The case for new gear. Time is money, and implementing these considerations and steps along with those offered in the article may take too much of it. It comes down to this; "Can you afford the expense of used gear"? Case in point. A brand new FT-857D costs about $800. Sounds like a lot, right? Well, you get HF, 6m, 2m, 70cm and all mode to boot! It sounds great with the stock mike and even better on a base with a Heil GM-4 or 5 attached in "wide" mode. That's four all mode transceivers for $200 each with a warranty. Time to be face to face with reality. If you can't afford $700 to $900 for a new rig that covers all bands, all modes, and you can't provide your own support and service for an older one, maybe Amateur Radio HF is not for you at this time. Be patient, save the cash and/or learn electronics repair basics and you'll be on HF soon enough.
Now, I've seen people break these rules time and again and don't learn, after even four or five attempts. You have been warned.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N5IVZ on September 4, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
The Kenwood 520s and the 830s are two of the best radios for a beginning ham. I would also recommend a 570dg as well for a great used buy.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by NR5P on September 4, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I think that the ts-520 is about the best money for what you get...unless you want a general coverage receiver. I seem to get better audio reports with mine then I can get working on the audio with anything else I have had. Easy to repair and I don't think there is anything you can't get for a ts-520 to fix it. Also I believe many came with a dc converter for hooking to 12 volts for backup although running the tube heaters isn't ideal for a backup power.
Also in an a/b comparison with an icom 740 (that had never been tampored with) I noticed that the 520 had much better receive. I had both rigs at once and was having a hard time copying somebody and switched to the ts-520 and could 100% copy them. Just seemed to have a quieter noise floor. I love mine and will never sell it.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KJ4NOO on September 5, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
My 1st transceiver was an old FT-101EE that was inoperative.I cleaned the switches and it came back to life. I worked a lot of DX with it and a G5RV including Antarctica! I still have it and tune it up now and then to keep it operational as my backup rig.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KC2WQW on September 9, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
VE3FMC: I think its more of a YMMV for new hams with QRP. Before I was able to put up my 40m loop to use my Kenwood TS-120S I was working with a homebrew buddipole and my Yaesu FT-817 to operate on the HF bands. Sure you're really not gonna break through pile-ups with it, but my early experiences from my back yard I was still able to make several contacts out in Europe a few thousand miles away on SSB, not CW. Even though CW is more efficient for QRP, its not the only mode to operate as you can still use SSB or a digital mode like PSK31 and still rack in the contacts.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by K9MHZ on September 11, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Definitely a YMMV deal with QRP. High value in QRP....teaches a lot in antenna efficiencies, matches, band conditions and propagation, etc. Fun, interesting, but boutique.....like AMSAT, microwave, moonbounce, you name it.
I think FMC stated it best....if you want to get new people jazzed up about the hobby, let them first experience some activity inexpensively and without one hand tied behind their backs. QRP will happen later if they choose.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by DV1VHY on September 13, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I returned to ham radio summer of 2008 after an absence of over 30 years. After getting my license, I asked my brother in law to look in to swap meets in the Michigan area. I received a call from him that a Kenwood TS-520 in excellent condition can be had for 150 US$. The seller guaranteed the performance of the rig. Remember that this radio had to travel across the US, across the Pacific Ocean and survive the handlers of Manila.
I was able to get my first SSB HF QSO on the 19th of Feb 09. It was with my former club station DX1DBT. Talk about having goosebumps and the hair on the back of your neck rising. What a thrill it was! I used a random length wire as an antenna. I also used an MFJ-948 antenna tuner. Without a doubt due to fortuitous circumstances I was able to get on the air below 350 bucks.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N1YRK on September 18, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
This reminds me of an article in CQ Magazine that I read when I was a kid, perhaps 30 years ago, on how to get on the air for some low amount...perhaps under $50? I remember some retired ham from Florida wrote it.
But probably the most important thing to think about when trying to get on the air for low money is: what can you do without? If you're one of the rare birds that finds CW sufficient, and have the room for a decent antenna, you can do very well with some of the QRP kits out there. But I do think that those ultra-cheap, under $20 radios are more of a novelty than an actual useful radio.
If CW is not sufficient, then the net question is: Are digital modes sufficient? If you have the room for an 80 meter antenna, the 'Warbler' is a pretty good kit and sensitive radio. Well, they used to be: I just went and checked SmallWonderLabs and found the Warbler has been discontinued. Hrm. Well maybe someone else can kit it. Small Wonder has other PSK kits for $120, and these do not demand such a large antenna.
If SSB is the way to go, probably the best thing to start off with is 10 meters. The Readio Shack HTX-10 and HTX-100 are nice radios, and when Radio Shack decided to stop selling radios they cleared them out at bargain-basement prices and for several years the price for a good unit was around $50. But prices seem to have increased lately.
Most radios are going to require a 12V power supply. Any supply for a rig ore powerful than QRP is generally expensive. But old computer power supplies can be adapted and lots of money saved.
I'd like it if we had a source of a 'complete ham station', from microphone to antenna, which would get people on the air on 20-17-15 at 25 watts SSB, with a simple dipole/coax/insulators, power supply, microphone...all for $200. I'd say that price level would be reasonable, but there may not be enough demand for a station package.
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by WO0Z on September 18, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
There's no reason for a new ham to do QRP or tube rigs.
I started out with an FT 101E and had a great time with it.
But, I spend a lot of time fiddling with the tune up.
The real deal is, get on the air and make contacts.
Inexpensive "mobile" rigs can be a great value -- because many of them never _did_ go mobile.
If you scrounge around, you can probably find a local ham who was the one owner or has a long history with the rig. Solid state is a real edge here -- on the whole, if it worked yesterday, it works today (no "tube life" issues to sweat over).
Solid state has been around long enough that anyone, with a bit of effort, should be able to score a nice 100 watt solid state rig for anywhere from 150 to 350 dollars and do just fine. If you get attracted to QRP, CW only, etc., then that's for later.
For the first rig, you want at least CW, SSB, ideally RTTY of some kind so that you learn what you like before handicapping yourself with a rig that may or may not correspond to what you find you like. This can certainly be done in this range of money spent.
Explore, experiment, and see what you like, rather than saddle yourself with "likes" you may not care for.
Oh, yeah, and a basic dipole on 40 meters (if that is all you can do) is plenty good as a starting point. You can do a heck of a lot on 40, including DX, WAS, contesting, digital, and anything else you care about. All with 100 watts.
Even an indoor antenna for 20 meters (if you have deed restrictions) is a place you can start with a setup this basic. Plenty of time to do something grander when you know what variation of "grand" you want.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N1YRK on September 18, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Ok, I've rewritten this paragraph a few times, trying for more clarity each time.
The less money is available to spend on the radio station, the less flexibility the operator has. New operators with difficult budget restrictions need to define which functions of amateur radio most interest them. These need to be taken in the context of the operator's lifestyle. For instance, if a new ham doesn't have much money, lives in an urban area, and is primarily interested in chasing DX, is in a much more difficult position than an operator who has acres of land for an antenna farm, thousands of dollars per year to spend on equipment, and likes to ragchew. These two situations represent opposite extremes. Typically an amateur will have a mixture of resources and restrictions, and a limited scope of activity. This results in a wide variety of shacks to suit the needs and abilities of each ham.
With this in mind, it would be a mistake for some new hams to be told they need to build a radio to talk to their friends. Similarly, an electronics student may not find buying a radio to be very useful. These are but two examples of differing needs, there are many others. For this reason, 'Elmers' shouldn't try to figure out best, most affordable radio for new hams, as much as they should be trying to help the new ham define his or her needs, and suggest solutions compatible with the new ham's budget.
What I am saying may be obvious to many of you, but some times it needs to be reiterated.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by AI4WM on September 24, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Nice article. I tend to be a skeptic on the Yaseu 757. It seems to be one of the rigs needing the most attention/repairs on the Yahoo Yaesu group.
The advantage of the TS-440SAT is it is a nice fully featured radio and includes an internal auto tuner.
Most all others will require at least a basic external antenna tuner of some kind.
Some of the radios not mentioned and very good first rigs as well as primary rig if you are not into the newest most expensive most buttons, bell and whistles are the hybrids. Very forgiving on relatively high SWR and some of the receivers will rival or surpass some of the newer ones. Among some of them are the Yaesu FT-101ZD, FT-902DM, Kenwood TS-530S, and TS-830S. There are others. I only mentioned those with the WARC bands.
One of my favorites was and is my 2nd rig, an ICOM IC-735. It has a very sensitive general coverage receiver, covers all bands and is a fully solid state rig. The disadvantage of the IC-735 is that everything was an option; filters, keyer, microphone (at least the good one), and it still needed a power supply and antenna tuner.
Many of these radios may be picked up with at least some of the filters and sometimes even a microphone. Add a basic key or keyer and some wire and isulators for an antenna and you may very well get on the air for between $350 & $500 (USD)
|
| |
|
RE: HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by E76549 on October 3, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have had good luck with a Yaesu FT 101 ZD that I purchased used in 1987. I was told it was about 5 years old at the time. It is still chugging along and has not required any repairs while I've owned it. On average I have used it several hours per week and I do more listening than transmitting.
If a used HF rig is in decent shape when you buy it from an honest and reliable source it can last a surprisingly long time without any repair bills.
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by N2RRA on October 3, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Good article, but he clearly doesn't quite know these rigs like many of us do.
I've owned the yaesu GXII and it had problems. I've owned the IC-730 and three IC-735's and they all worked great with no inherit issue what so ever. Advice...Check the reviews!
Good points made about today's economic problems and how you can go about enjoying this hobby cost effectively.
I just purchased an IC-745 which is a far cry from today's radios, but I purchased it for another QTH as a kick around rig. For just a little over $200. bucks along with a home brew dipole for about $20. And a $50. Power supply still under $350. I'm enjoying DX with my straight morse key and think despite some modern gadgets you can't beat the simplicity of older radios. Not to mention if you had to repair them you can. Not like today's radios. It does the job!
73! Good article!
|
| |
|
HF On A Limited Budget
|
|
|
by KE7WAV on October 5, 2010
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
My first station which I am currently using:
MFJ- Key - $15
HW-8 - $120
Headphones - $5
Wire Ant/coax - $25
Total= $165
4 bands of QRP fun for less than $200. That's hard to beat.
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to discussions on this article.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Related News & Articles
Where Do I Go from Here?
Other Recent Articles
VK5RJ Still Gracing the Airwaves at Age 101:
rec.radio.amateur.moderated -- 5 Yrs. Old:
Tune-In To The World -- Amateur Radio Gets People Talking:
Student Sends MIT Letter to Space:
Amateur Radio Club Talks to Hams Worldwide on Centennial:
|
