Answers here are always so complicated. Just experiment and find out for yourself. Here are my experiences.

Simply put, the lower the frequency, that more flexible the communications. Per watt, 6 meters will give you better flexibility and range over 2 meters. The same goes when comparing 2 meters to 440.

Ok, I know you will ask the question.

If 6 meters has a better range, why are so many people on 2 meters? Good question! I think it has something to do with TV interference.

The range you can communicate on a given band is proportional to the antenna also. I have talked up to 100+ miles with 10 watts on 6 Meters, but the person on the other end had base with a huge antenna!

On 2 meters, Base to mobile I have talked up to 40 miles with 50 watts. Again, the antenna may have been a factor.

440 is the ultimate city band. I can be inside a building, and hit a repeater 5 miles away with a watt. Range is lower, but this band is definitely more flexible from an operation standpoint.

220 is a cross between 2 meters and 440. Actually, The range on 220 is not much different than 2 meters, or at least it seemed that way during my testing. This band has alot of the charactoristics of 440.

I know, some knucklehead is going to pick me apart, but I can only go by my experiences and express my point of view.

Someone asked "Why have 6 meters on an HT?" Why not?
When 6 meters is on, you can talk around the world on a door knob. Not to mention there are some aeras that have 6 meter repeaters. I use to use mine to talk back to my echolink station that was on 6 meters. If you cant find a use for it, dont buy it.

Phineas

 

All you have to do is attach the coax to the 2 terminals. It will work, just not NEARLY as well.

Phineas
K0KMA

I think it all depends what you are in the hobby for. As a General Class, I am not on HF nearly as much as I am on 50mhz+. I mainly upgraded to get on 10 and 12 meters. For me there is no need to upgrade. If things change, I will got get an extra class in a sec.

Phineas
K0KMA

I have done this modification(Actually my Own Mod). The only problem with my mod is once you do it, it will only be usable on 6m. The ouput is quite resonable. I have seen up to 600watts output once you get it tuned in right(400w on average). My modification is a little simplified in comarision to the ones you see on the net.

1. I bypass the input band selection network, and run an 8X coax straignt from the relay to the begining of the tube input circuitry(See the schematic, you will see what I am talking about.

2. I replaced the wire going from the output side of the tubes to the load coil, and the antenna side Cap(The big variable cap on the left side when you are facing the front of the amp). You cant miss this wire cause it runs to the band coil selector switch and a grounded choke on the bottom side of the amp. I replaced this wire with a copper #10 Solid. Its over kill, but during this conversion process I learned how importatnt connections are.

3. On the 10/15 meter coil, I tap the coil at about a turn. You will have to play around with this to get the best results. I ran that #10 tapped from the main conductor straight to the tapping point bypassing the band selector switch.

4. Took 2 blades out of the Load Cap(The one on the right). It will work without doing this, but the tuning is very tight if you dont.

Voila

Phineas

Yeasu FT8900R

Phineas
K0KMA

I think you could have considered calling it a "GroundWave" club, rather than just for 10 meters. 6 meters is another great band for local chat.

Phineas
K0KMA

The first thing I would do is check to see what type of transisters it has in them. Make sure they have good output at the 50mhz range. Otherwise, you will have a a large reduction in output power. A popular transister used in some of those amps is the 2SD1446 which is made for low end VHF applications, but will work on HF. Another one is the motorola MRF492. Again, HF transisters will will work, but wit ha reduced output.

The second thing to look at is whether it is a Class C, or Class AB amplifier. Most CB amps are Class C which will work fine on FM, CW or AM, but will be kind of Noisy on SSB. The main differnce between the two types is a bias voltage of .6 volts supplied to the base of the transister. If this circuit is built into the amp, you will see a grounded diode of a voltage regulator. This can be added if it is not there. I would reccommend a switch to be added to go between class C and Class AB operation. Lookup how to make a voltage divider with a diode for more details.

Last thing to consider is the matching transformers/combiners. Theses will have to be changed because of the core material. Ferrite is only good up to 30 MHZ. You can either have some made, or wind your own with terroids. I will not go into the details here, but I hope you are a good calculator jockey....lol

From my experience so far, unless the amp is a tube amp(SB200, Swan1200, etc...), converting a CB amp is not as easy as it looks. Converting a CB and adding filters to work cleanly on HF Amateur bands is far easier than converting them for 6 meters. You may want to consider trashing the guts of that texas star, and consider using the case and heatsink to build another one from scratch.

http://www.farcircuits.net/ has a good 6 meter 100 watt amp that will use almost any VHF transister. For 16 dollars, they will send you instructions, and a printed circuit board.

I hope this helps.

By the way, you can modify any peice of radio equipment you want for personal use on an amateur band. As long as you dont sell it.

Good luck on your homebrew project. Homebrewing is a lost art. Lets keep it going!!!!!

Phineas
KC0LSC

Get the Comet SMA24, or BNC24 antenna.

You wont regret it!!

Phineas
KC0LSC

If you just have to have a single mode 10 meter rig, I would go with the 2950dx. There are a lot of HAMS that will tell you to get an Icom, or Alinco, but from my experience, these radios are an antenna nightmare for a mobile. I still use my 2950dx, and its a fine radio. Another radio I would recommend is the Magnum 257. The Magnum is $200 new, and puts out a little more than the Ranger does, but the 2950dx gives you 2 bands instead of one. Also, I would recommend getting a 102' whip, or a large coil CB antenna. before I modified it, I could talk in the lower part of 10 meters before I did anything to it. Because of the large conductor, its very broad banded. With a cheap CB tuner, you can get to 12 meter band very easily.

If you choose to go with one of the all mode rigs, I would recomend the same setup, excpt I would get an MFJ945e tuner. With the same antenna(Workman SP3000), I could tune 6,10,12,15, and 20 NP. Could not quite get 17 without adjustment.

By the way, I do agree with the other posts on one point. I had a choice between 3 radios for my mobile.

1. Icom 718 - $475
2. Kenwood TS50S - $550
3. ICOM 706 - $600 (Older model with 6m + 2m)

All of these also have 100watts PEP built in.

My 2950Dx cost me $350 new with tax. That is only a $125 dollar difference. The 2970dx is about the same price as the used 718. That is something to consider when you buy a dedicated radio. Now, it may be worth it if you go with the HTX10 or the Magnum257 which are under $200 new, but past that you are getting into multimode HF.

One more downside about going with an HF rig in a mobile is the antenna nightmare. Sure you will get more radio, but that mobile setup will hit you hard in the pocket if you are not careful!!!! With a 10 meter radio, you can use any modified cheap CB antenna.

Hope this helps

Phineas
KC0LSC

Wide??? People say my ICOM 706 is wide, and it is all stock...lol

Phineas
KC0LSC

I would say either the Ranger2950DX(www.ranger-usa.com) or the Magnum 257. I have both of these radios and I am very fond of both of them. If you can find a good price on a RadioShack HTX10, that is also a fine radio.

Phineas
KC0LSC

KC0LSC

I got mine in 11 days

Phineas

Yeah, that is a cool Call sign. I was pissed to be given KC0LSC. Oh well, that what vanities are for...lol

Phineas
KC0LSC<Bleck>

KC0LSC is my new Call sign. Did you get the manual?

I am curious, how long did it take for you to get into the FCC database? I passed my tech test on Nov. 3 and still havent shown up.

Phineas
NewTech