Talk:Amateur Radio Equipment: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "The TS-2000X is on sale at GigaParts for $1899 at the moment, http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/HF-6M-VHF-UHF-1-2G-Radios/Kenwood-TS-2000X.html and that appears to be a g...")
 
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The TS-2000X is on sale at GigaParts for $1899 at the moment,
http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/HF-6M-VHF-UHF-1-2G-Radios/Kenwood-TS-2000X.html
and that appears to be a good price for a new one.  The reason I bought it was because it does everything and I wasn't sure which aspect of ham radio I was going to be interested in.  Whatever it was, I was ready.  I do like it, but wouldn't recommend it to someone who's only interest is His HF Net.  They could spend a lot less currency and simplify their life with a dedicated HF transceiver.


I have the stuff to put up a 160M loop antenna, but haven't put it up yet.  I suspect this will work on all the bands we'll need when connected to my antenna tuner.  At the frequencies we're talking about you usually need to construct your own antenna, so make/model doesn't make a lot of sense.  My loop will consist of a 508 ft loop of #12 insulated wire connected to the antenna tuner using 450 ohm ladder line.  I probably spent around $100 for the components to make this antenna.  I bought a used AEA QT-1 antenna tuner off eBay for around $150 last year, but won't be able to try it until the loop antenna's up.  I selected it based on eHam ratings and comments and I'm not sure if the company that makes them is still in business.  My power supply is a Alinco DM-330MV but has been superseded by a later model, http://www.gigaparts.com/Product-Lines/Variable-Voltage_2/Alinco-DM-330MVT.html.  Ham radios use 12VDC power, so if your location (QTH) has batteries that might be a better answer for you.  My cabin battery bank is 48VDC and it's easier for me to get 120VAC than 12VDC.
We can use this page for notes and information until we are sure we want it on the main page.
 
Although I'm happy with my radio, if folks only interest in His HF Net, I'd probably recommend they get a dedicated HF transceiver.  If they're interested in setting up a local comm net or interfacing with local hams, they'll either want to get a dedicated VHF/UHF radio or get an HF transceiver with that capability built in.  I have a Kenwood TM-D700A VHF/UHF radio for local communications from my and could probably get by just fine with an HF only transceiver for His HF Net.
 
All the VHF/UHF stuff is easily done mobile and truckers might even be able to check into the net if they worked the antenna issue hard enough.  RV'er could also be part of the net.  All these consideration increase the complexity of what's the best equipment answer and used cost effective used equipment add still another dimension.
 
Sorry I have such a complicated answer for such a simple question and I don't even feel like I did it justice.
 
Charley

Latest revision as of 21:14, 23 February 2014

We can use this page for notes and information until we are sure we want it on the main page.