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Author Topic: Mobile for a Base Station Help  (Read 400 times)

WRTM842

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Mobile for a Base Station Help
« on: May 11, 2020, 08:22:42 AM »

Just getting going in Ham. Hopefully can take the exam at some point depending on the current situation. In the mean time I am building my gear stash. I currently have a couple of HT's, a Yaesu and Baofeng. I am wanting to do a 2m/70cm "base station". I am considering the Icom ID-5100A. Ideally I want something I can grow into if you will. I was going to pair that with a Astron PS. Would this be a decent solution for now and for future? Thank you.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2020, 08:35:04 AM by SNYPERX »
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W0CKI

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2020, 08:42:03 AM »

Many hams do exactly what you are planning to do. I use a Yaesu FT100DR as a base. It works out fine. Plan ahead as to how you want to mount it. Mine has detachable head which works OK for me but were I to do it again I probably would buy one that does not have that feature. It's only because of my shack set up.
Gary W0CKI
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W7LDG

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2020, 08:50:35 AM »

Sounds like a good start. The 5100 also gives you D-star. Another one to consider is the Yaesu FTM-400. That would give you C4FM. I have found that C4FM is more popular than Dstar. Either way you are on your way. Good luck and hope to hear you on the air.
W7LDG/Lane
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WRTM842

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2020, 08:54:13 AM »

Thanks Gary. I appreciate that response. I was also considering a Icom IC-2730A and a Yaesu FTM-7250DR, but not sure they have enough "features" for future growth.
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WRTM842

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #4 on: May 13, 2020, 09:08:41 AM »

So I am now heavily considering the Yaesu FTM-7250DR instead of the 5100A. I am shrinking the budget slightly. Also listing the items for my antenna mast. I rent so my mast can not be permanent. So at this stage I am looking at the following gear list:

Power Supply: Astron SS-50M
Radio: Yaesu FTM-7250DR
Antenna Mast: Max-Gain MK-6-STD 32', guy plates, guy line, and mounting plate
Antenna: ?
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K5LXP

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2020, 04:32:47 PM »

Are there even any DStar or C4FM repeaters around you?  Just because you have a "digital" radio doesn't mean you'd be able to utilize the network.  I have DStar and DMR equipment and it's definitely an acquired taste, it's kind of obtuse to use.  Just to plant the seeds of doubt, for the money I would rather have a true dualband radio over any digital mode. 

Given any of these radios aren't capable of weak signal modes, the antenna you'll get the most use out of will be an omni vertical.  A diamond or comet in a physical size you can manage would get my vote for your Antenna: ?  You didn't mention your feedline run so there'll be a performance/cost tradeoff there too.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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WRTM842

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2020, 04:37:11 PM »

The feedline I am am looking at using is LMR-400 coax.
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WA9AFM

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2020, 09:09:28 AM »

There is only one base dual/tri band, multi-mode rig on the market I can think of right now, the Icom IC-9700.  Most amateurs use a mobile radio for base ops selecting a unit which most suits their operating activity and desk space.
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WRTM842

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #8 on: May 19, 2020, 12:59:12 PM »

So to keep things in budget I had to make a couple of changes to my gear:

Power Supply: Alinco 430T
Radio: Icom ID-5100A
Antenna: Diamond X30A
Mast: Home Built/DX Engineering 25' Fiberglass
Feedline: LMR-240 and LMR-400
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KG5AHC

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2020, 05:05:41 AM »

So to keep things in budget I had to make a couple of changes to my gear:

Power Supply: Alinco 430T
Radio: Icom ID-5100A
Antenna: Diamond X30A
Mast: Home Built/DX Engineering 25' Fiberglass
Feedline: LMR-240 and LMR-400
Welcome to the hobby.  The first picks for startup gear can be the hardest to make.  Just wait till you start looking at HF rigs....
 
Regards, Jeff, KG5AHC
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K0UA

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Re: Mobile for a Base Station Help
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2020, 05:22:38 AM »

So to keep things in budget I had to make a couple of changes to my gear:

Power Supply: Alinco 430T
Radio: Icom ID-5100A
Antenna: Diamond X30A
Mast: Home Built/DX Engineering 25' Fiberglass
Feedline: LMR-240 and LMR-400
Welcome to the hobby.  The first picks for startup gear can be the hardest to make.  Just wait till you start looking at HF rigs....
 
Regards, Jeff, KG5AHC

Actually picking your first HF rig is pretty easy.  From a feature per dollar standpoint there really is only one at the present time to seriously consider.. :)
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73  James K0UA
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