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1-6 of 6 messages
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Portable + amplifier = good combination?
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by VA2XTR on October 29, 2009
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Hey guys!
I'm about to purchase my first ham radio since I got my license.
Small problem is I bought a new house few months ago... you will understand that this little project is (and will) draining my account.
Meanwhile, I would like to still have something to play with.
I will start with UFH/VHF and I have two options:
Option-1: A Yaesu Mobile (FT-8800) + Good power supply + antenna for the house (since I want to play and learn it prior installing it in the truck) + wiring the house + another kit for the truck = $$$
This option also required a good antenna installation that I don't think I will be able to do before the winter...
Option-2: A handheld like the Yaesu VX-6R with an amplifier like the BD-35 in the truck. this option also give me the opportunity to carry it in the house and learn to play with it.
I am just afraid about few things:
Is the option-2 (handheld + amplifier) a good combination?
Is it reliable and powerful (or near) as a regular mobile?
Will the button be to small to play with in the truck?
what's the + or the - of both options? should I wait for the option-1?
Thanks helping me !
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RE: Portable + amplifier = good combination?
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by K0BG on October 29, 2009
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The truth is, limiting yourself to FM only, is just that; very limiting. You're much better off with an all band, all mode radio such as the Icom 706 or 7000, or perhaps a Yaesu FT-857. Then, you'll have not only FM, but all of the rest of the modes and full coverage to boot!
As for antenna, the ski is the limit!
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: Portable + amplifier = good combination?
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by KC7YRA on October 29, 2009
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In my mind, it kind of depends on a few things. First of all, let me ask a question. What do you mean in regards to wiring your house? Most power supplies come ready to plug into standard 110V household outlets. No wiring required.
As for the radios. A nice mobile rig is hard to beat. I currently have an ft-8800 as my main "base" radio for 2 meters. It performs well and has yet to fail me. Coupled with a decent antenna, it works very well.
The handheld option is a little harder to stomach unless you are in a VERY repeater heavy area and can look at any of your windows and see the repeaters OR you do a lot of hiking/biking. Handhelds work great for what they are but as soon as you put a large antenna on to them, us usually suffer from intermod and other problems caused by an inferior receiver not built to handle the onslaught of RF.
If I were you I would get a mobile rig and a power supply as you were thinking. Consider a large enough power supply that you can expand in the future with more radios. Look at a 30ish amp supply. Then build a few antennas for the house. A simple 1/4 wave ground plane can be built for next to free and put anywhere. You can also build a copper or roll up J-pole that can be placed anywhere and will get you on the air without problem. Plans for those can be found all over the net.
When it comes to your vehicle, get an NMO antenna mount (About $14 U.S.) and a 1/4 wave NMO mount antenna for VHF (About $8 U.S.). Mount those and get some extra power wire from the battery.
Now you can switch the radio wherever you need it, use up to 50 watts and have a far better receiver. And for the price of handheld and amp, you won't be far off with this setup. If the 8800 is too much for your budget, consider a 7800/7900. Dual band but much cheaper.
Good luck,
Brad
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RE: Portable + amplifier = good combination?
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by VA2XTR on October 29, 2009
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Regarding the wiring of the house I mean 2 things
First, the electrical outlet were installed in the 60 and most of them doesn't have a ground. I have to purchasse few UPS for my computers to be safe...
I am redoing all the first floor but I plan to built my shack in the basement that is yet to finish.
Second, there is many trees around the house and I believe the leafs can make some sort of interference in VHF/UHF. Not sure since I'm a newbie in this hobbies.
anyway, I'm still figuring out a good solution to put the antenna and the wiring inside the house.
Thanks for all the help!
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RE: Portable + amplifier = good combination?
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by VE7DQ on October 29, 2009
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One thing that hasn't been addressed yet: a portable radio with an external antenna (either as a mobile or as a base) is very prone to overload and intermod. The receivers are extremely sensitive but lack adequate filtering in the front end. It's the compromise made for the portable's small size and dc-to-light receiver coverage.
In the truck, screwing the coax on and off a fragile SMA connector will get old quickly, as will having the 12-volt power cord dangling off the portable as well.
See where I'm going with this? I'd opt for option 1. You don't need the radio's mounting bracket in the house. Wiring in the house? Covered by Mr. YRA in the post above. Running a piece of coax outside isn't a big challenge, and the antenna needn't be anything special. Trees are a non-issue. Ya work with what ya have.
Good luck and welcome to the hobby!
73
Tom
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RE: Portable + amplifier = good combination?
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by KC7YRA on October 30, 2009
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Yup, No worries about the leaves and trees. As long as they are a few inches away, you will get decent performance. Yes the leaves will have an effect of some sort but for casual repeater use, you would never know the difference.
My step dad has a copper j-pole that is completely surrounded by a tree. We installed it 13 years ago and now the tree has completely overgrown. We make sure the leaves are not actually touching the antenna but they are very close. He has no problem getting into the local machines out to 50 miles.
Brad
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