I think the only antenna I need is a 4 to 6 ft vertical that I can keep near my station. I have an older Bearcat scanner and picked up the closest repeater easily from my basement with its 6 inch whip. Keep in mind, I need to make my shack somewhat temporary as a possible house move could happen in a month or two. If anyting, I'll make a 2m ground plane antenna based on instructions I found. I can worry about improving my antenna setup later once I know for certain what my housing situation will be.

If I have to move back to the other house, will the window antenna still work regardless of the metal siding?

Thanks again!

Sorry for the late reply, work intervened.

Anyhoot, as with a ground-plane antenna, it has the radiator and 4 radials. My idea with the dish is to use it inverted, with the parabolic going in reverse. I would drill a hole for the SO-239 to fit into and either with screws to hold the radiator assy in place or the tension of the feed line would hold it in place. My thinking is that the dish would act as the radials; although not at a 45 degree angle like the radials should be, but I think it has a bigger foot print. So, I think it would come even.

This is all theory; and if it works, then it works. If not, then I can salvage the SO-239 and make a proper ground-plane.

This is my theory and I hope to have it done by Monday sometime. Unless there is some valid flaw with the design, all I need is the radiator wire, the SO-239, and some feedline.

Wish me luck.

Ok, I have been looking at the various ground plane antenna for ideas and I like what I have been seeing. Now then, I have a left over small satellite dish and tri-pod I want to use. I have also been thinking about how to use the one dish to facilitate 2m, 70cm, and 23cm bands w/o having to build 3 seperate units.

One thought was to make interchangeable radiators, each piece being a different length to facilitate different bands. Another thought would be to install all 3 rads and run leads off each one to a selector switch then to the radio. Obviously, this would be the best option if do able. And if it is do able, how would I arrange the rads on the dish? I am pumped about building this, just need to get a few details resolved.

Thanks!

 If you don't mind me asking, how would I build this window antenna? Thanks

I really appreciate all of the advice.

I will be waiting a bit before purchasing a radio. I have an odd housing situation at the moment which could change in a month or two. If it does change, the house I will be moving into has metal siding. What kind of effects will that have on Tx/Rx? In the mean time, if I do end up buying a radio, would a tri-band mobile antenna work ok as an indoor antenna? The nearest relay is less than 5 miles out from my current location and at the other house. At this point, I'd settle for an HT until I get somewhere more permanent.

I do want to end up getting the TS2000 or the IC-9100, but only after I get General Class and some money saved.

The local clubs are having field day today; however, I am uncertain if I will get to go. I work in the evenings, so if I go, it will only be for a short period.

Thanks again for the feed back.

Your questions are similar to some that have come here and trolled. But I didn't let that stop me. Others didn't let it stop them. Did you let it stop you?

I gave you solid information.
[/quote]

Ok, great. I appreciate the info; however, I find that kind of greeting to be a bit rude. You don't know me and I don't know you and there is no reason to treat newbies like that. Regardless, I came here to get my head on straight so I don't bow out of the hobby because of hardware overload.

A 2m HAM would be ok, but I want to go farther than a 50 mile radius. I have really been eye-balling the FT-817ND simply because it has a lot of feature the big boys have and all the bands a Tech can use right away. Now, since this unit only has 5 watt output, am I limited on the types of antenna I can use? I have read about overloading the front-end, but clarification on whether or not it damages the unit hasn't been made. I understand 5 watts is what the unit transmits, but the RX doesn't rely on the wattage does it? So, if we presumed I purchased this unit for both base and field ops, what sort of antenna setup will I need for home use? I already have a good idea what to get for field use.

Please don't take my q's as trolling. Yes, I may know some of the lingo, but that is just things I have picked up from researching. I really do appreciate the advice given. Thanks.

I had a feeling i had over looked some base units. Regardless, i simply cannot afford something like that for now, which leafs me to find the most features at a goid price.

I mean 2m, 70cm and 23cm. I have yet to see any base radio TX in those ranges. IE, the IC-718 TX's 160m to 10m. When I think below 2m, I think of HF, MF, and LF bands. Above 2m are the 1.25m, 70 and 23 cm bands just for clarification. And no I AM NOT A TROLL.

I have spoken to the owner of the rental house about installing an antenna in the attic. He is ok with that. I guess I don't quite know what I want to do. The prospect of making contact in other parts of the world seems to be the most interesting. My head is swimming with all of these different radios, the various antenna setups, and computer software which can be used. I had hoped to find a radio which would work with the HAM Radio Deluxe software, but that'll have to wait for now.

Thanks.

EDIT: I thought something like WIRES, Echolink, or D-Star were needed to access internet repeaters? After reading another post, maybe the FT-8900R would be the better choice for a first radio. As a tech, I will be able to work all the bands it has, plus it does have internet capabilities.


Is this how you great new prospective HAM's that have questions?

Hello,

First time poster here. I recenty got the HAM bug and have been studying for the June 30th exam. Anyhoot, I have been mulling over all the transcievers and trying to pick one that has the features I want without blowing a wad of money.

First, base stations a beyond my budget and they don't seem to come capable of operating in any band beyond 2m. So, I am left with the mobiles, portables and HT's. I have a few models in mind, but they are mainly low power units that are tri-band or quad-band. I am ok with this, however, I keep reading about over loading the front-end while using bigger antenna's. Some say it is not an issue depending on where the operator lives, others say it can damage the radio.

The radios I have interest in include: FT-817ND, FT-8900R, IC-706MKIIG, IC-92AD, TH-F6A or D72A, and the VX-8DR. My "shack" will be in a basement, so the stock antenna will be useless. I cannot mount a permanent antenna, so a mobile unit would be best. I have looked at Buddisticks, Miracle Wand, and other similar units. Is there an antenna that can be tuned to function from 160m to 23cm w/o needing to buy seperate units? Also, what sort of linear amps do you recommend for base operations. I had seen one used with the FT-817 that took the 5 watts and boosted it to 100+. A prime feature I am looking for is the ability to communicate through internet repeaters for global access. I do not intend to install any of these in a vehicle, in fact, I plan to create a Go-Pack.

I am trying to keep the install as simple as possible and my budget is roughly $1000 for everything. Am I at least heading in the right direction? Thanks for your time.