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Message |
    
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 518
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:45 am: | 
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I was wondering what the people on the forum thought the best HF rig under $1000.00 was,
I'm looking for a general coverage rig.
I've been looking at the Yaesu FT 840, the Icom 718 (both are under $600.00) and even considered the Icom 706 but I really don't care about having VHF/UHF coverage, but 6 meters might be nice.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Bob |
Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 225
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:08 am: |
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depends on what you plan on using it for i suppose. 11m only, 75% AM, 25% SSB, i think my ic735 has the best AM xmit, from what i hear, none of the more current hf rigs have that good of an AM xmit section. it is much louder than the ft757 i once had. have heard ts50's and 706's, on AM, some seem louder than others, and i got to use an alinco dx70th for 2 weeks to decide if i wanted it-NAH! AM audio was horrendously weak. a friend with an ft1000d prefers his rci2990 because the AM audio is THAT much better. SSB, now that could be a different story. for only amateur use, i can't help you! |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 519
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:57 pm: |
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Thanks Pat Amatuer use is what I'm looking for. I'll keep my other radios, the RCI, and Cobra.
But now that I have my general I need a good multi-band radio that would have enough power for DX good SSB audio (I won't be using AM on it) and respectible filtering in it. I've looked at the two above , and then the Kenwood 570d, and HTX 480. The HTX 480 does 200 watts out of the box. But it's higher than my cut off point is but only by $34.00.
I just do not know that much about HF rigs and what the differences are in the $550.00 radios vs. the $1000.00 radios and if it's worth the extra money to go with the more expensive radios.
Thanks for responding though
Bob |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1792
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 7:16 pm: |
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Bob
You CAN'T go wrong with these ..... FT-840, IC-718, IC-706 .....Alinco DX-70TH .... sorry pat i have had 2 of them nice radios maby not great on am. But im not a kenwood fan ( PERSONAL ONLY ).
What do you get for 400 more bucks ? well it depends if you need or will use it. DSP is nice but i have it in my ft-100d and cant realy see a big advantage .... not 400 bucks worth. Unless you are out to be a MAJOR dx hound. The FT-840 is a OLD radio been produced for about 10 years and THAT SAYS IT ALL ! Yeseu has a winner it's the VW of ham radio not a caddy but SOLID and dependable.
The IC-718 has it's own following again a good buy as is the IC-706 another cant lose radio.
Alinco DX-70 again old radio been around along time ...... HOWEVER even though the DX-70 COMES with AM/FM/SSB/cw filters which you have to buy extra for most others SUPPORT is lacking and ALINCO only has one service center and little dealer support.
IN SHORT MY PICK under 700 bucks FT-840 IF you want ssb only. Close 2nd IC-718 with dsp
if your willing to go to 900 bucks the IC-706 is a FINE radio too. |
Mike0228
Junior Member
Username: Mike0228
Post Number: 14
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 7:01 am: |
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The Alinco DX-70TH is a fine rig as long as you don't need the noise blanker. I found it to be ineffective while adding distortion to the desired signal in my mobile. You might also consider the FT-897 as well as the other suggestions. Look on eham.com for reviews of all rigs and apply your own common sense to what they say. For a used rig I'd look for a nice condition TS-850SAT or for about $1K a TS-870S. Both fine radios. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 521
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 11:04 am: |
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I know I said under $1000.00 but the Kenwood TS-480HX is 1034.00 on sale right now and is a 200 watt radio. I know bruce your not a fan of Kenwoods, but if you have a minute take a look and I would appreciate yours and everyone elses opinion.
Thanks again
By the way it looks like the FT 840 so far, but that TS-480HX looks pretty good and would like to see what you think.
Bob |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1799
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 2:01 pm: |
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Bob i have NOTHING aganst kenwoods i had a ts-700 and a ts-830 fine radios! It's like cars i drive a jap car ......
The ts-480 is VERY NICE but ive never owned one so anything i could say would be hear-say.
Now i HAVE owned or used the dx-70 the ft-840 the ic-706 and ic-718 and i matain 1500 icom f-4 uhf radios at work..... Kenwood is a long time player in ham radio so if you like that radio and ive NEVER heard anything bad about it go for it!
NOW STAY AWAY FROM OLD USED RADIOS .... most have little or no support like ATLAS..... nice looking sets out there but if they break ....
Bruce
PS ...... lets see a nice shack photo when you get it ! |
Mike0228
Junior Member
Username: Mike0228
Post Number: 15
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 3:22 pm: |
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Bob check out the TS480. I have heard that the front panel does not attach to the radio. Don't know for a fact. Someone mentioned it to me.
Mac |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 523
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 4:05 pm: |
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Thanks Bruce. I'm trying not to rush this into this and make sure I get myself into the right radio. Since my wife says this better be the last radio you buy for the next 10 years.
Got it on the used radios too. I was looking at few used radios, thinking I could get into a higher end rig if I bought it used. But then Rachael saw me looking at used rigs and said “don’t go out and buy a used radio that you’ll find problems with, you will be unhappy with it and want to replace it in a year”.
From what I've read, I really like the Kenwood ts-480hx. I have really come close to deciding on this radio in the past 24 hours. Even though the price is higher than I wanted to go. I'm thinking it could be something that I could grow into and keep for years, and the 200 watts might give me an advantage when talking DX.
But then I keep going back to the ft-840, and ic-718. The cost, coverage and reviews are great on both of those rigs, plus the price is great either way you go.
This decision could end up taking allot more time than I was hoping it would.
OH and yes I will post a picture as soon as I get the new rig set up. When ever that might be 
Thanks for the input
Bob
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Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 524
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 4:24 pm: |
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Mac I just posted something about that radio. No the faceplate doe not attach to the case, but it's set up to be desktop and mobile convenient. It’s slightly larger than the Icom 706, but not much.
I really like this radio and have been giving it lots of serious thought. I’ve looked at the 100-watt version and the 200-watt version and even though you loose the auto tuner in the 200-watt model, I’ve read the auto tuners in the Kenwood’s aren’t very reliable. But that was on a couple of reviews on older TS-570 D models
Thanks for the suggestion
Bob
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1802
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 7:24 pm: |
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Bob
Your doing the right thing ....keep Rachael happy!
PERSONLY .... and it might be my age ... I tend to stay with older provin radios nothing wrong with the new fangled stuff except it has no track record ..... ok i screwed up and bought a FT-100D ... but that can be blamed on my younger brother he braged about his for years ... his name is also Bob. You DONT need a auto tunner their nice but MFJ and others make very nice manual ones that work well. As far as how well they work all are good choices ..... and youll be happy with any of them .....just let her know your the boss.
PS our dog house is open if you need a place to stay |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 525
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 12:42 am: |
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LOL thanks for the offer of the Dog House Bruce.
As far as manual antenna tuners go I am looking at the MFJ-949E or maybe the MFJ-934 with the artificial ground, since I don't have the best grounding system here.
But as far as the radio goes, the TS-480HX has pretty good filtering built into it, including passband filters, it covers 6 to 160 meters with 60 meters included, has a TX/RX equalizer, 42 onboard CTCSS tones, and of course the 200 watts.
I'm thinking that this radio might keep out of my neighbors stereo too, unlike the 2970DX.
But I'm still not 100% sure that it's the radio I will to go with. It does have a great set of features. But it cost nearly twice as much as the other radios do $1034.95 vs $555.00.
I know what you mean about the track record. The other two radios have long track records with great reviews that go back years. The TS 480HX has only 15 reviews, great ones, but they only go back to Dec. of 2003.
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1803
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 7:51 am: |
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Bob
I have a mfj-945e and years ago had a 949 BOTH work very well. DON'T expect any antenna tuner will make a 6 inch rubber ducky into a 160 meter 1/2 wave ...... they WILL on say a G5RV allow you to work the WRC bands ( 17,12 ) and BOTH will extend coverage of dipoles like my spyro to the entire band. Some tuners have wider ranges of being able to match things However you must understand you lose signal DEARLY when your using the match box to rubber things that far. Getting into stereos is as old as they are and staying out of them is a never ending battle. The market for HAM radios is very tight if someone brings out a bad product ( like a ft-100 ) it can hurt you Yeasu gave up on that radio and WISELY did not drop the ft-840 which there is no plands to do. You should be happy with any of the major ham players.
Bruce |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 526
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 12:04 pm: |
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I was looking at a G5RV that has 10 - 80 meter coverage. Will the antenna tuner do the job for me on something like that?
Oh by the way the ULS has me listed as a general now.
Thanks again in advance
Bob |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 527
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 2:35 pm: |
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Just ordered the Kenwood TS 480HX, I'm choking, but since my wife said get a radio that will keep you happy for the next 10 years, I just figured the Kenwood would fit the bill more effectively.
Thanks for the help, now I have to start worrying about antennas.
73
Bob |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1805
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 3:59 pm: |
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The G5RV ( NOT JR ) is a intresting all band antenna. i had the JR which is limited to 40, 20 and 10 but works well with my MFJ-945 on 17 and 12 too.
The G5RV ( 105 foot one ) with a tuner has one VERY BIG advantage it's CHEEP!
As for a starter antenna except for a vertical and they go a easy 300 bucks nothing beats this antenna. It is very good on 80, 40, 20 and 10 IF YOU GET IT UP AT LEAST 30 FOOT ..... but on HF being this high is going to effect almost any ( HOZ ) antenna.
Verticals are very vice but COSTLY and narrowbanded ... i have a 4 band hustler and on 40 meters it's only 50 khz about 5 cb ch wide.
The G5RV for around 50 bucks is very hard to beat and if you can use ballanced feed from your tuner very wide band.
Bruce |
Karatebutcher
Senior Member
Username: Karatebutcher
Post Number: 1813
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 7:13 pm: |
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BOB P E MAIL ME SO I CAN TALK TO you about the General test ok
KB |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1808
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 1:47 am: |
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Bob there is a help line for hams who the wife has had enough of us buying radios
1-800-DOA-meat
Only kidding
Enjoy that new toy and if it will interface with your computer thats cool ...... i can do that with my ft-100d.
Bruce |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 529
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 2:56 pm: |
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Bruce I'm trying to talk her into letting me bring the new rig in the house. But there is no seperate room for a radio room. I would have to use the office space which is a walk through from the dinning room to the living room, and it might not be the best when DX conditions are going. But I could have it interfaced with the computer, and that adds a few nice features. It has a more complete EQ for RX/TX and a bunch of other stuff I'm not familiar with. The house is only 1245 SF with 2 bedrooms, one is not heated, and the gas in the widows is gone so it gets pretty cold out there, but it still might be better than that old tool shack I'm using as a radio room now.
Have a great Thanksgiving
Bob
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1809
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 3:44 pm: |
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Our house here we ( BAD MOVE ) had a alumin room built on it is 12 by 50 foot. This was to be a room for my ham shack and computers and a so called florida sun room. It has turned into a 50k nightmare every roof pannel leaks and the builder simply walked away ..... in florida the laws are in his favor. SO after 3 years im still patching leaks and today finaly tiling the 2 half of the floor. When this is done my antennas will be directly over my head and coax feeds will be 50 foot shorter. Our first house back 20+ years ago was 450 sq foot we had to get the sofia out the set up our xmas tree so i know the feeling on no place for a radio .... not even a garage. Just talk nice to her and if that does not work there are sheds you can buy and put in the back yard with a heat pump...... that also solves the problem of " WHY DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR RADIOS SO MESSY? " Simply lock the door behind you LOL. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 531
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 9:03 pm: |
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Bruve your right about the "WHY DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR RADIOS SO MESSY" I can hear it now. It would be nice to have the radio right next to the radio, but I would be told to be quite, and she would fight me for attention when I was on only the very best contacts.
So I guess the 80.000 BTU propane heater in the shack isn't that bad, but on days like today when it didn't get much over 40 it's tough to leave the warmth of the house.
I do lock the door and she goes out there and leaves boxes and other things for storage but only when I'm not in the room. She really hates the radio so she rarely goes out there when I'm on the it.
So as it is I have complete privacy when I'm on the radio, and the heater warms the room up in about 15 minutes even when the room is in the teens. So I guess I should be happy with the radio where it is.
Maybe I'll just get a used computer and set it up out there for the radio and see if I can run a cat 5 cable out to it for internet access.
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Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 534
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 5:26 am: |
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Ok this is the new rig with the promotional Hiel Handi mic HM-5 with the #5 element of course. But normal costs are $80.00 for the mic. and $20.00 for the cord, so I got $210.00 off because of the seasonal sale, and then a $100.00 mic. thown in on top of it. The mic. is only 4 inches long without the plug that connects to the bottom of the mic. to give you an idea of how small the face plate is.
In the reviews I've read everyone say it's a great TX/RX radio with great features, but they don't seem to care for the seperate faceplace that does not attatch to the radio, and the looks of the face plate in general. But what matters is everyone says the performance is top notch. I guess I'll end up spending another $109.00 on the 1.8 KHz SSB filter so I can use 60 meters eventually, but that's going to be another of those things that are on the back burner for awhile.
I only wish I had the room for the GAP Challenger DX antenna. there's not enough room for it on my small lot.
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Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 12:57 pm: |
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A friendly suggestion about filters - 1.8KHz is pretty narrow and won't give you very good fidelity. Filters that narrow are generally used for contesting and not general conversation. The 2.4KHz is a better choice for general chatting and greatly improves SSB performance over the AM (6KHz) filter. International also sells a 2.1KHz filter which is a compromise between the two if you need a narrower filter but still want reasonable fidelity.
I'd try the 2.4KHz and see if that meets your needs. If you decide you need a tighter filter, you can sell the 2.4KHz much easier than the 1.8KHz. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1810
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 3:24 pm: |
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No doubt nice set. My FT-100d and the DX-70 both had detachable frounts and cables to go to the trunk. Hiel makes a VERY good mike here I have the Yaesu MD-100 on the FT-840 its as close as you can get to a made for the radio mike.... Yaesu never made a ft-840 mike ..... and the MD-100 sounds GREAT! on the air. I thought at one time of getting a insulated shed and puting it in the back yard with a hear pump system. Then we got the brite idea to build on this room ..... i will NEVER have any alumin anything built again. As for antennas the GAP is ok but alot of money. I have a 4 band hustler that is sitting in the box here since i bought the spyro dipole it did well on 40 20 15 and 10 and I rubbered it on 17 and 12. Before the hustler I also had a G5RV-jr it too worked well but i got the chance to get the vertical for 100 bucks and got it. But tampabay is the lighting center of the USA and when my starduster got creamed it was time to go horizontal and back to a dipole and i bought a spyro dipole 40-10 to avoid another hit. My 2 meter and 6 meter antennas are grounded into 20 foot copper pipes drove into the ground. On your new radio and the 1.8 khz filter i realy dont think you need it its got DSP and that should work well enough on my ft-840 i have the 6khz am the 2.5 khz ssb and the 500 hz cw filters and the plug in fm board. The FT-100 is also set up with all 3 filters and fm. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 534
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 6:11 pm: |
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I appreciate the info on the filter, and the mic. I didn't even realize the mic. was part of the deal until I made the purchase, so it was a nice surprise. I would still like to get a good desk mic. though. I've heard of people wiring Turners and D-104's to some of the Kenwoods, and even though this one has a modular mic plug, there is a converter for it so I could use an 8 pin plug.
I've seen a Sure 522 for $20.00 plus $20.00 shipping, but it's used but I rad prett good reports on it. Who knows though that Hiel HM5 might be good enough to keep me happy, but I've been spoiled by desk mic's for a long time.
Thanks again
Bob |
Highlander
Advanced Member
Username: Highlander
Post Number: 697
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 8:12 pm: |
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I would go with the Kenwood MC-60 mic. I'll bet a Shure 444 or 526T would be great with that rig, too. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 535
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 3:23 am: |
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Thanks Highlander, I've been lookinng at the Kenwood mic, and I agree it would probably be nice match. The big plus on the 522 was the price, and it was already wired for a Kenwood.
I have a pretty decent collection of CB mic's and I have heard the the Turners work pretty well on some HF rigs. But this is a new model being out for less than a year, so I'm not sure I want to take the risk of trying anything that might not be healthy for the radio.
That includes using the I-Max 2000 beyond 15 or 20 meters. I've read that with a tuner the I-Max can be tuned to go as high as 80 meters with good results, but this is my first HF rig, and I paid more money for it than I had planned. So I don't want to take any chances on anything that could possibly cause problems.
Thanks again
Bob
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Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 7:44 am: |
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Regarding Patzerozero's comment about current HF rigs having poor sounding AM. I would agree, but it's usually not the radio's fault.
Most people use too much carrier and that makes AM sound thin. Generally speaking, you can't use more than a 20 watt carrier on a 100 watt HF rig and expect to get good sounding AM. Current HF rigs use low level modulation which takes some pretty careful adjustment of the carrier level and microphone gain to get things sounding good. Using the speech processor (compression type) makes it a little easier because it decreases the dynamic range of speech and allows you to get a higher average modulation level.
Most amateur AMers use older tube gear that was made before SSB became popular. Those radios are much easier to use on AM because they use high level modulation which is straight forward to adjust and monitor.
You should also consider that the average serious CBer's limiter is cut, so you're accustomed to hearing overmodulation in much the same way as you're used to hearing a D104 on a base radio. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1812
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 9:47 am: |
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Bob if money is a problem go get a g5rv-jr and use a tunner. My g5rv-jr worked well on 40 20 15 and 10. For under 50 bucks you will be hard pressed to get more antenna for your money. You can also build your own. DON'T use a a-99 or IMAX and expect with a tunner to get any results other that on 10 and 12 meters. Racer you got to lissen to the guys on 29.0-29.15 running thoes old plate modulated boat ankers .... it will warm your heart ..... |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 536
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 12:47 pm: |
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Thanks for the response I'll just keep the Hiel for awhile for a mic. then, I will not be using the radio on AM, except on the high freq's where it's allowed. I doubt I would ever use it on 10 meters either, just my uneducated thoughts about AM.
Sorry to hear that I shouldn't use the I-Max eyond 12 meters. But that will be changed soon. I really want to get into 20 and 40 meters asap. Bruce your right about me being a DX Hog, and I've heard stories about 20 meters that have me wanting to get there as soon as I get the radio turned on monday. I in the read reviews about the I-Max and claims on 15 meters that it acts like a half wave and works on 15 meters without a tuner with a 1.1.1 match there. If not the I-max will get me on 10-12 for for sure until I can get a G5RV, or G5RV JR but because of space limitations I might end up using a random wire up a tree or someting.
Thanks agian |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 537
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 3:06 pm: |
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I do have one last question on the radio and power supply if you can give a hand.
The instructions say to use a 41 amp continuos poert supply. I have the Paramyd PS52KX that does 40 amps continuoes and 52 amps surge. I read on the Paryamid page it does 45 amps continuos at 60%, but don't know what that means. Do you think that the Pyramid will be good enough or will I have to buy another power supply? The instructions say it has two power connectors that are meant to be run by either two 20.5 amp continuos power supplies or one that will do 41 amps. I do have a P S26KX that does 22 amps so I could put the PS 52 on one and the PS 26 on the other power lead, but would like to get some input on this.
Thanks again
Bob |
Highlander
Advanced Member
Username: Highlander
Post Number: 698
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 4:32 pm: |
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I would think you Pyramid will work, but I would not go higher than about 80 percent full bore, that way you won't be pushing that supply too hard. Then again, SSB will proably not present a problem, but running FSK type stuff like RTTY or PSK31 you can back it down a little. Pyramids are not my favorite supply, but you should be fine. |
Racer X (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 5:27 pm: |
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There is a term used in the communications industry called Intermittant Communication Service (ICS). It refers to the fact that only 10% of the time a transciever is actually transmitting, the other 90% is spent listening. That's a 10% duty cycle. Most people fall into this category, but if you're having a chat with only one other person, you would be operating at a 50% duty cycle or more depending on who talks the majority of the time.
Also take into consideration that this assumes a mode where the transmitter is either on or off - like CW, FM or AM. As a mode, SSB uses much less power because the output is directly proportional to the average modulation level. Unprocessed speech has such a wide dynamic range that even though you are hitting 100% modulation peaks, the average modulation level is only about 10%. Depending on the type of processing used, that average modulation level can approach 90%.
Your power supply can put out 45 amps for 60% of time it's being used. What this means in the context of your question is that even heavily processed SSB signals shouldn't overly tax your power supply. It should work fine even with CW, FM, and AM modulation.
Try using the power supply and watch the voltage of it's output. If it drops more than a few tenths of a volt than you may be pushing it too hard, and you can simply back down on the power a little. Keep good airflow on the heatsink to keep the transistors cool.
You may want to consider using a large capacitor to stabilize the voltage for the radio. I've been using one with my SSB CBs for years even though I use a 10 amp power supply which should easily handle a stock SSB CB. It keeps the voltage rock solid and helps with sound quality on SSB. Look inside the power supply and you'll be surprised how small the capacitors are. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 539
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 7:44 pm: |
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Thanks to you both. I am new to HF and I will be operating on SSB almost exclusively for a while at least.
I did not have a very good experience with 2-meter repeaters so I doubt I'll be using the 6 and 10-meter repeaters either.
As for AM I'm a little concerned about causing some RFI with the neighbors stereo, so I probably won't be using it much either.
So it sounds like I'll be in good shape. I will keep a sharp eye on the voltage and even though it’s nice to have 200 watts for DX, I doubt dropping it to around 150 watts would hurt much if at all. But of course I would like to have all 200 watts available to me when ever I needed the extra punch.
I do want to get a key and try some CW sometime since I can copy pretty well at 10+ wpm. But I know that transmitting will be another thing, and It's going to take some time to learn to key at any speed. I am still using the copy drills in W5YI at higher and higher speeds because the drills are still a challenge that I enjoy.
I was shocked at the price of keys so the key will come down the road later. SO I won't have to worry about CW drawing too much power for now.
Thanks again for the help
Bob
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Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 227
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 10:29 pm: |
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yeah, racer x, my ft101e (currently in dire need of tubes/refurb) would scream on AM w/a shure 526t
no matter where the carrier was set(no wonder i need tubes!) my short lived ownership of the ft757 was because no matter what mixture of adjustments i made, 'your signal strength's good, but you gotta crank up the audio or get a power mic on that thing' was quite annoying, especially from those who've known me & my love of loud audio. the alinco was just...NOT intended for use on AM, couldn't make it sound much like anything more than a whisper, numerous power mics did not give anything to the audio. my ic735 is a classic example of 'careful adjustment to get things to sound good'. if it's 'not warmed up' i see all kinds of funny things on my sx100, i get nervous and start adjusting, had i left it alone and keyed a couple times the downward swing goes away and everything looks good, even though nobody said it didn't sound good. then it takes a few tries to get it back where it was, where it's sometimes difficult for those listening to me to tell the difference between the icom and the screamin' S9. ah yes the ole compressor when talking local...
but none of this matters anyway because bob p wants to talk ssb on the amateur bands...good luck w/your new kenwood!! |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1814
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 27, 2004 - 11:44 pm: |
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Patzerozero
What percentage of hams use AM ? Ill bet its under 5% so can you realy blame alinco for not putting much efford? I ran both dx-70's i has on 10 AM they worked just fine..... maby not ch-6 audio but worked the world with about 25 watts. The fact is if you want good am audio on 10 meters go get a AM only BOATANKER or cb radio and mod it. I ran several cybernet ( hygain ) on 10 with great results. Untill last year i still had the push-pull 1625 linear i built for that band with 4 watts of drive it put out 60-80 watts plenty for that band. I PERSONLY love AM but its not going to stop me from going with good HAM radios since AM is like CW a thing of the past. |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 540
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 12:14 am: |
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Pat as I’ve said here and in other posts I have a problem with RFI and the neighbor’s stereo, and AM would just add to it. Besides I prefer SSB on all bands. I have an 11-meter SSB radio that gets very little use now, and has only seen AM a few times in the past few years that I’ve owned it. You like AM that’s fine, and I would never say anything about your choice to run AM.
I do not want to modify a new radio amateur radio for 11 meters and void the warranty when that radio cost me $1034.95 plus tax saving me over $200 during a special seasonal sale.
Also as you know AM isn't used very much on the HF Bands. There are only a few bands that have relatively small slots of AM space allocated to them.
Just my opinion, you can do what you want with your equipment, operate it on any frequency you want and use any mode you want. It’s none of my business, just as using SSB as my preferred mode is none of your business.
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Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 229
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 8:29 pm: |
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easy there bob, not knocking anything you 're doing, i don't think i've ever knocked anybody's choices on this forum, given my opinion more than once, but never in a degrading way, so hope you didn't take my comments as such! i too have a neighbor that lets me know when he hears me in stereo on his tv's speakers, but we have a gentleman's agreement regarding when i stop, and its worked fine. and i was just suggesting as to what hf/amateur radio i'd use and why, before i knew your goals. i would not ever buy any radio without ssb, as i do talk there also, just not as much as on AM. and i'd be reluctant to take the snips/soldering iron to a brand new $1000 or more radio myself. so, see, we actually have a bit in common! and my 'good luck' was sincere!
and yes bruce, i understand the big 4(if you include alinco w/ic, kenw & yae) are geared for the needs of the legal amateur ops, not us cbers, so i don't fault alinco or the rest if their radios don't perform where and as i need them to. that's why i still have my 101e, and picked and choosed til i decided on the ic735 over a few others. i know you can talk dx LOW power, i've talked from MASS to TX with a slightly modded OLD lafayette walkie talkie on a whip antenna (ok, and a homemade 1 transistor amp off the skis oversized battery) from the berkshire mtns while on a snowmobile in 1980 or so, tried a hundred thousand times prior and a million times since, but only did it once, and also on 26.835 with a yosan walkie talkie on my maco v5/8...but yes i do crave my ch 6 audio, can't live without it! |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1819
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 12:00 am: |
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Pat
On 10 meters Moble running 4 watts i worked germany and alaska. With 2 watts on 10 ssb using my spitfire walkie talkie and a RUBBER DUCKY i worked costa rica from my frount lawn. Now on 2 meters back in the 60's i was running a converted URC-11 WW2 AM down pilot radio it ran about 200 mw with a regin reciever from a hill in new york i worked W3MFY in trevose Pa about 100 miles away ... now HE had 4 11 elm beams up over 100 foot ..... yes low power and DX can go together ... tonight cuba was comming in here in tampa on 2 meters as was alabama..... a local with 10 watts worked the cuban station ....
when the DX god is with you all is good! |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 545
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 2:41 pm: |
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Pat sorry for over reacting, I thought I read sarcasm in what you where saying, and took offense. I over reacted and again do apologize for my behavior.
Thank you for the wishing me good luck with the radio. It's been on the market for less than a year, so there's not much of a record to follow. The Ham store I bought it from said that they only began selling it in June of this year, they said it's a nice radio and has been pretty popular. But as Bruce was saying I would have been more comfortable with a radio with a longer track record. The deciding factor was this radio had so many cool features, and great incentives that I just couldn't pass it up.
Again I apologize
Bob
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Patzerozero
Intermediate Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 239
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 5:57 pm: |
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;-) & (-: !!
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Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 547
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 11:51 pm: |
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Well I got the rig set up and learned how to use the antenna tuner. With the I-Max I can get a 1.5.1 on 20 meters, and it's flat on 17, 15, 12, and 10 meters. I haven't talked to anyone yet. I did hear Japan and Australia but I was too busy learning to try to talk to anyone. There's so much in the manual it's going to take some time to learn how to run this thing.
On certain bands it will not allow you to change to certain modes. for instance on 40 meters it will not allow USB and on 10 meters it will not allow LSB.
But thanks for all the support
73
Bob |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 548
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 7:07 am: |
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Oh and by the way the Pyramid PS-52 KX works fine. On SSB it draws about 28 amps at full power. And on AM it draws just under 40 amps dead key.I did not check it with audio swing but it can't peak at 52 amps. So I think I'll be fine as far as the power supply goes.
Thanks again for everyones input.
Bob
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1823
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 7:17 am: |
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Bob now you have your new toy here is the shack ( shambles ) back in the 80's
(NOTE IT WAS CLEANED UP FOR THE PHOTO )
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Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 549
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 4:26 pm: |
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LOL Ok Bruce I'll post a picture of the new shack in a day or so because i have to clean mine up too. But it's in about the same shape as your old shack there. |
Radio_terminator
New member
Username: Radio_terminator
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 11:18 pm: |
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Hands down, the TS-480SAT is the best deal out there for under $1000. The HX model is a little bit more than 1000, but not much.
I've got the SAT version. I believe that there is currently no better deal for an HF radio Period.
But, that's just MHO. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 975
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 8:37 am: |
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Before I bought my Yaesu FT-897D I had narrowed my choices down to the Kenwood TS-480SAT and the Yaesu. The Kenwood is the most modern looking and I almost bought it, but the Yaesu 897D includes not only 6 meters but 2 meters and 70cm. Both can be had for under $1000. I went with my need to have all bands and modes in one radio. If the 480 had had 2/70cm I would have chosen it. I am very happy with he Yaesu so far.
Mikefromms |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 3448
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 1:42 pm: |
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that is exactly what kept the kenwood from my consideration as well, mike! had more then a few contacts in MS on 6m last spring, so maybe we'll get to hear your REAL radio & not a galaxy next time!!!! |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 976
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 7:16 am: |
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Ha, ha, you love those those Galaxies, huh? Yeah, this Yaesu is the real deal. It's like a computer. It's a lot of radio for under $1000. Not as pretty as a Kenwood but rugged and military looking.
Look forward to making contact with you somewhere on the bands.
Mikefromms |
Kirk
Intermediate Member
Username: Kirk
Post Number: 328
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 11:17 pm: |
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Hey Bob, have you tried the ARCP/ARHP Control software with this rig? Just curious---Kirk |
