I've noticed alot of bits in multiple threads here.. so for ease of use for anyone else that might come along after me (and to use your collective brains!)...
What would peoples suggestions be for a first rig? Either with or without HF as an option? I've looked at alot of radios but still haven't come to a conclusion as to what is best for me. Big one for me is mobile use as the home base is something I need to work on (renting, no tv antenna, fairly new house etc). Of course, the other big one is the ability to wind output down to 10watts PEP to stay within the regs.
Anyone?
(perhaps we can start a sticky with suggestions.. as we'll hopefully drag more people kicking and screaming into an f-call course?!)
Fastlane wrote:
What would peoples suggestions be for a first rig? Either with or without HF as an option? I've looked at alot of radios but still haven't come to a conclusion as to what is best for me. Big one for me is mobile use as the home base is something I need to work on (renting, no tv antenna, fairly new house etc). Of course, the other big one is the ability to wind output down to 10watts PEP to stay within the regs.)
Icom IC 706 or Yaesu FT 857.
They are both HF & VHF all mode radios.
Two-way Yaesu VX-3R 2m/70cm Ham TRX and wideband RX handheld Yaesu FT-1802M 2m Ham TRX mobile x 2 Yaesu FT-7800R 2m/70cm Ham TRX and wide band RX mobile Icom IC-208H 2m/70cm Ham TRX and wide band RX mobile Icom IC-706MKIIG all-band all-mode Ham TRX mobile Icom IC-V85 2m VHF Ham TRX handheld Wouxun KG-UVD1P VHF/UHF wideband Ham TRX handheld Wouxun KG-679P VHF wideband Ham TRX handheld Wouxun KG-713 UHF wideband Ham TRX handheld
I did consider the 857 - however i felt that the menus were a little hard to understand and the buttons small - especially for my mobile operation. I mainly use it for mobile - however it is easy to set up back at home for base operations.
I am still getting used to it - programming it - but it DOES help if you read the manual - rather than just go and play with it - its amazing how much more you pick up after you stuff up and cant get it working - then reading the manual - makes sense
It does all that i am wanting and more - i am only F caller at the moment as well - but when i decided to upgrade to full call - i can grow into the 706 without really needing to upgrade anything
robbage wrote:Without HF, the FT-7800 seems to be pretty popular. Quite a few happy WARSUG users with them
I'm one of them. I've found it pretty straightforward to program, simple interface to use, and (a plus for mobile use) the buttons light up unlike the 8800 and 8900.
I'll back the 7800. I've got that one in my car, and will more than likely get it for a home base VHF/UHF too, and get a different HF set. Unfortunately if you want to do remote mounting unless you're building the cable etc yourself you need to buy a remote mounting kit which has extension cables and a bracket to hold the head.
Stirling SES
Team Leader (Stirling 53)
Vertical Rescue Team Member
K9 7 Support
VK6FWDH
ex-Darlington FB
WARSUG Demi-God I mean Mod
If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out.
Well done on getting your callsign! The first question I would ask is what is your budget?
Fastlane wrote:
What would peoples suggestions be for a first rig? Either with or without HF as an option? I've looked at alot of radios but still haven't come to a conclusion as to what is best for me. Big one for me is mobile use as the home base is something I need to work on (renting, no tv antenna, fairly new house etc). Of course, the other big one is the ability to wind output down to 10watts PEP to stay within the regs.
Anyone?
(perhaps we can start a sticky with suggestions.. as we'll hopefully drag more people kicking and screaming into an f-call course?!)
Meg I'm quite sure they didn't teach me that on the Operate Communications Systems and Equipment course nor the General Rescue course, maybe it's part of the Field Equipment course.
Stirling SES
Team Leader (Stirling 53)
Vertical Rescue Team Member
K9 7 Support
VK6FWDH
ex-Darlington FB
WARSUG Demi-God I mean Mod
If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out.
Two-way Yaesu VX-3R 2m/70cm Ham TRX and wideband RX handheld Yaesu FT-1802M 2m Ham TRX mobile x 2 Yaesu FT-7800R 2m/70cm Ham TRX and wide band RX mobile Icom IC-208H 2m/70cm Ham TRX and wide band RX mobile Icom IC-706MKIIG all-band all-mode Ham TRX mobile Icom IC-V85 2m VHF Ham TRX handheld Wouxun KG-UVD1P VHF/UHF wideband Ham TRX handheld Wouxun KG-679P VHF wideband Ham TRX handheld Wouxun KG-713 UHF wideband Ham TRX handheld
- rather than just go and play with it 
- its amazing how much more you pick up after you stuff up and cant get it working - then reading the manual - makes sense 
