Hello fellow Enthusiasts,

I have to tell you that once in a while I get into a hobby that tends to suck the money right out of me.  I think this may be one of those hobbies.  I should have guessed when a close friend tells me, after chatting for a few hours about radios,  that it never hard to buy a radio if it comes home wrapped in a fur coat!!!  

I hadn't purchased a radio yet as I have been looking a few that will do both mobile and shack duty.  I had pretty much settled on either the Yeasu ft-857D or the Icom IC-7000.  The Icom model I have determined to be one of the better and more sought after radios due to it's quality and robustness.  I wanted to get a good radio for my first so that I would have a warranty and something that would last for many years to come.

Alas,  I have come back to earth and purchased a small package deal from a Gentleman in Alberta.  After conversations all the radios. I was told were in good condition.  Upon receiving them I have found that only one of the FT50's will even power on and the other seems to be okay.  FT-411 that came with it doesn't want to power on but I have now way to charge it either.  I know that old saying buyer beware.  I guess when I told this fellow Ham from Alberta that I was new the Dollars signs must have rung off the shelf.  

I'm lucky that I have a friend who says he will help me out and see what the issue may be with the radios that aren't working.

I feel like I am venting but I guess I just wanted to let other new Amateur Radio Operators know that when you are looking in to Used Radios please be ready for a disappointment.  Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  

Lesson learned.  Any one want to buy a FT-50R Thats doesn't seem to work. Hahaha

Thanks all for Listening and have a great evening.

-73-
ve3zxs
Dan

Hello Master of the airwaves,

I am a new Lic. ARO and would like to ask the for an opinion on a first time radio. I have my eye on 2 for a Home base. Both I have read the reviews for and I am having hard time deciding. They seem to be both evenly priced and seem to have, for the most part, the same features, however it is not an easy choice. The 2 radios are The Yeasu FT-857D and the Icom IC-706MKIIG. I have sort of decided on a mobile and an HT but the base is the most important fro what I have figured out for my situation. Being from Canada it makes it hard to purchase anything used as most US Hams will not send to Canada because of the Government on both sides. With all the forms and bureaucratic bull I'm surprised we sell anything back and forth. Free Trade my Butt. LOL.

I have read a few times that some people don't like to buy new but I would think for my first radios I would like to buy new so I have a warranty. Sounds like this may be a good thing to start out with.

If you could also recommend accessories for each.

I haven't purchased anything yet, am I mean Nothing I have a very good friend who has lent me an old HT the I had been using as a mobile mounted in my car but I think I have blown it for now. Have to get it fixed for him. So I am really not using anything. Wow, when the bug bites he bites hard. I miss the radio already and I'm only new to it and haven't gotten into anything heavy yet.

Well thats it for now, Thanks in advance for all those who answer.

And if any of you find yourselves in the unique position to have way too much stuff in your shack, donations can be sent to... Dan...:-)

- 73 -
ve3zxs
Dan C.
ve3zxs@gmail.com

When make a small jpole or even a slim jim does the size of the tubing matter.  How about a small Yagi antenna for use with 1/4" copper tubing?

Hello all,

I have a few plans for a 2 metere J-Pole but they all stipluate that the copper tubing is 1/2 inch.  I have stumbled accross a stock pile of Old 1/4 tubing and I waswondering if it was secure enough would it do the jobe the same as the 1/2".  Being a new Ham here in Canada we tend to use Ice towers and I iccles to build with so I'm not sute what the draw back would be or if it would even work.  Any Help would be welcome.

thanks,
73
ve3zxs

Hello all,

I would like to say that this is by far the best site I have used for forums and technical info.  I am a newly Licensed Ham here in Canada.  ve3zxs, and I would like to offer a trade an Oscilloscope for a first timer radio.  I would prefer one that I could use both in the car and for home. UHF/VHF if possible.  I was given the Oscilloscope for use with my new hobby but with out a radio it makes it had to use anything that I was given.  I have looked at HT but I do spend quite a bit of time in the car..

The Oscilloscope doesn't have the leads but the manufacture is still around and can be picked up from them.

If any one is interested please email me and I can get pics and model at that time.  Currently at work and forgot the pics at home.

Thanks all

73's
ve3zxs