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Author Topic: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?  (Read 1048 times)

GENENH7NV

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What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« on: May 31, 2021, 02:02:51 PM »

I started my adventure planning to get a couple radios because I live in an area where I frequently go to mountain areas with no cell service. I picked up a cheap BTECH radio and started reading everything about getting a license. Shortly after that last year my Brother in law DJ passed away from cancer. I am not interested in selling anything except if it allows me to purchase something that is needed with this setup. I have upgrade and keep everything redundancy? I am looking for a plan to try to use everything. DJ's first base station was a Kenwood SSB Transceiver TS-120S W/VFO-120. Pretty sure the upgrade is the Yaesu FT-857 (HF/VHF/UHF mobile all mode transceiver). There is an Alinco DR-135T (VHF FM mobile transceiver) APRS or packet for data? Also a Yaesu FRG-7700 receiver, Yaesu VX-7R submersible portable, Icom IC-V8 144mhz transceiver portable, and a RadioShack Pro 74 scanner. I do also have DC power supplies. I cannot put a tower up, but do have a wire antenna and a mobile base station antenna? Hustler RM-40 w/ rm-15, rm-20, and another one with no markings. What is the best plan for this?
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W6MK

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2021, 02:29:38 PM »

Your questions are likely not to be easily answerable because you may not quite know enough about the fundamentals.

A first, rational, step would be to read a beginner's manual (available on line or at your library) such as The ARRL Operating Manual.

Some history, discussion of operating modes and practices the critical role of antennas, etc.

There are some other books with titles like Ham Radio for Dummies which might also be helpful to get you started.
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K6AER

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2021, 06:00:09 PM »

Your questions are likely not to be easily answerable because you may not quite know enough about the fundamentals.

A first, rational, step would be to read a beginner's manual (available on line or at your library) such as The ARRL Operating Manual.

Some history, discussion of operating modes and practices the critical role of antennas, etc.

There are some other books with titles like Ham Radio for Dummies which might also be helpful to get you started.

As Mike had mentioned in the previous post, you need to get a license and spend so time knowing the hobby before deciding what to do with the equipment you inherited. You will fine that your interest in th eobby will change over time and it is best just to hang onto the equipment for you needs will change over time.
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N7EKU

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2021, 07:06:09 PM »

Hi,

It's great that you now have such a big variety of equipment to use!  Not many new operators get to start like that.  Well keep reading up on ham radio and studying for the test.  The ARRL has a lot of free information for newbies on their website so that is a good place to start.  Studying for the exams can help you understand the uses for all that equipment too.

Reading the equipment manuals for what you have now would also be a great idea.  Even if you don't understand everything at first.  The manuals will give you good ideas for things to study later.

A good place to start also, is to study up on basic antennas for VHF/UHF and for HF, and on the propagation characteristics of the different ham bands.

73.
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Mark -- N7EKU/VE3

GENENH7NV

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2021, 08:59:57 PM »

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. I do have the time and most of all it is something that interests me in doing. The ARRL website will be my first excursion to get started reading.
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KB5ZSM

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2021, 10:54:34 PM »

One more thought you might consider is to see if there are any radio clubs or other amateurs in your area that might be willing to mentor you. Clubs can be a lot of fun as you may get to try other gear or see other aspects of the hobby that mat interest you. If you get an answer to a question that you don't understand, there are many who would love to clarify the subject for you. A good club can be a great learning place.

Welcome to the hobby,
Win
KB5ZSM
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WA2ONH

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2021, 08:12:57 AM »

One more thought you might consider is to see if there are any radio clubs or other amateurs in your area that might be willing to mentor you.  ...  A good club can be a great learning place.

A very good suggestion +1

From the ARRL website, use this search function to look in your area:
Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs
http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club 

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73 de WA2ONH  <dit dit> ... Charlie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Never be satisfied with what you know, only with what more you can find out."
   Dr David Fairchild 1869-1954 US Scientist

KM1H

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2021, 04:57:59 PM »

I started my adventure planning to get a couple radios because I live in an area where I frequently go to mountain areas with no cell service. I picked up a cheap BTECH radio and started reading everything about getting a license. Shortly after that last year my Brother in law DJ passed away from cancer. I am not interested in selling anything except if it allows me to purchase something that is needed with this setup. I have upgrade and keep everything redundancy? I am looking for a plan to try to use everything. DJ's first base station was a Kenwood SSB Transceiver TS-120S W/VFO-120. Pretty sure the upgrade is the Yaesu FT-857 (HF/VHF/UHF mobile all mode transceiver). There is an Alinco DR-135T (VHF FM mobile transceiver) APRS or packet for data? Also a Yaesu FRG-7700 receiver, Yaesu VX-7R submersible portable, Icom IC-V8 144mhz transceiver portable, and a RadioShack Pro 74 scanner. I do also have DC power supplies. I cannot put a tower up, but do have a wire antenna and a mobile base station antenna? Hustler RM-40 w/ rm-15, rm-20, and another one with no markings. What is the best plan for this?

While the TS-120 was revolutionary when introduced in 1979 they are getting prone to various component failures, mine is the next step TS-130 introduced in 1980. It took a little work and almost no money to get it fully operational but Ive been working on ham radio gear since the 1960's and have wide selection of test equipment and parts ;D

Carl
Ham since 1955
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N8FVJ

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Re: What and How do I use inherited radio equipment?
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2021, 11:59:32 AM »

Get a local Ham to assist you. There are a lot of variables.
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