My first rig was a Yaesu FT-817ND, which I got in 2008. To be able to hit the local repeaters reliably, I got a mobile antenna and mounted it on a cookie sheet (I've since put some metal yardsticks underneath to improve the ground plane). My HF antenna is a random wire out of my 2nd floor bedroom window, and down along a wooden fence, since there is a power line crossing the yard between me and the only good tree. My first HF contact wasn't until August of 2010, during a NAQP, when I heard a Texas station calling and getting no response, for the heck of it, I went ahead and responded. To my utter disbelieve, he heard me. I'm still learning what the 817 can do. I'm up to 49 DX entities, 47 confirmed, and 45 states, 44 confirmed.

That said, do I recommend the 817 as a first rig? No, not really, unless you know CW (I'm still learning, all my contacts on HF have been SSB).

I, too, recommend you find a local club. For one thing, they can let you know about hamfests, and how to buy used gear, and what to avoid. Our club had an estate auction, and I picked up a Yaesu FT690 (6m portable), a FT212RH (2m mobile), and a Kenwood R-1000 receiver for a total of $250.

If you want to talk more than 50 miles, I would suggest an HF rig, and as a tech, you are limited to a slice of the 10m band (unless you know CW). There are used Radio Shack HTX-10's and HTX-100's out there that can be had at a reasonable price. Don't forget to factor in the cost of a power supply, be it linear, switching, or just a battery you keep charged.

Many cheap mobiles may be found in the used market for your VHF/UHF needs, but make sure they have tone capability, or you may not be able to open up your local repeaters. HT's are nice, but unless you live very near the repeaters you want to use, may be difficult to use.

Good luck,

-- Tom

I happen to like paper cards. Heck, if you were to scrawl the QSO information on a paper napkin, I'd still keep it.

73,

-- Tom

I have to second the suggestion of the Kenwood R-1000. I was lucky enough to pick up one at an estate auction for $100. While these radios don't have convenient keypad entry, they are great receivers.

73,

-- Tom

Sorry, I read too fast and missed the other problems.

-- Tom

I think by default, the 817 will try to use the front antenna (BNC connector) on VHF & UHF. Forgive me if you've already done this, but did you set it to use the rear antenna?

73,

-- Tom

I have two Clegg FM-27B's. Apparently, in the days before squelch tones, they could key up 6 repeaters at once.

-- Tom

I contacted Ukraine this weekend on 5W SSB into a Emtech ZM-2 tuner and random wire. My previous
best had been Moldova.

73,

-- Tom

I'm not sure the "D" stands for DSP, because the FT-817ND doesn't have it. Did they add 60m to the 857 to make it the 857D? That's the only thing I can think of right off hand...

-- Tom

Oops, I think you're right. Serves me right for replying when I'm still hungry.

-- Tom

Um...isn't Yemen in region 1? If so, they are OK, according to the IARU Region 1 HF Band Plan...

73,

-- Tom

I still prefer paper QSLs, but I don't make enough contacts for QSLing to get prohibitively expensive. I know of some contesters who get too many requests and don't even reply to SASEs anymore. Most of them update their QRZ profiles to reflect this, so you don't waste your card and postage.

As a new ham, keep in mind that when sending QSLs, it's best if you enclose an SASE, unless otherwise noted. Also keep in mind that few if any DX entities need a card from a US ham, so unless you do send an SAE and money or an IRC for postage, a card will be sent via the bureau, if at all. The bureau is definitely not the fastest method of QSLing, although I did get a card in only about 9 months that way, but over a year is more typical from what I've heard.

73,

-- Tom

A few questions:

1.) Do you have a wattmeter to see if the FT100D is putting out any power?

2.) What sort of ground plane/radials are you using with the HVT-400B?

3.) What power level are you using on the FT100D?

4.) Are you operating inside the house or outside? If inside, is this a newer house/condo?

New houses/condos use a lot of metal and seem to act like Faraday cages.

73,

-- Tom

I got my LoTW confirmation from EI7M. I sent a paper card, too, but I realize that they probably make a lot
more contacts than I do, so it will take a while for me to get the paper card in return.

73,

-- Tom

The 897 is a good starter rig. The 857 is cheaper, but it lacks the TCXO, something I think that is mainly
of use to someone using the rig outdoors. However, don't forget to budget in your antenna system.

My HF rig is the 897's baby brother, the 817. I like charging into contests with one hand tied behind by back.

73,

-- Tom

I have 5 handhelds, all with their own specific features and quirks.

I have a Yaesu VX-7R (covers 6m, 2m, 70cm, and low-power 1.25m), a Kenwood TH-F6A (covers 2m, 1.25m, 70cm), an ICOM IC-80AD (covers 2m, 70cm, with D-STAR and a GPS mike), an Alinco DJ-G7T (covers 2m, 70cm, 23cm), and an Alinco DJ-29T (covers 1.25m, 33cm). All are nice radios, but I find it's easier to hit repeaters with a mobile because of the power. I haven't tried every repeater in my area, though.

I guess your best option boils down to what your budget is.

73,

--Tom