TNFrank

I'm actually leaning toward 6M over 10M because of antenna size.

I have kicked around the idea of picking up a mobile multi-band radio and plugging it in to one of my solar power stations. Add an antenna and I'd have a good, portable HF/VHF/UHF radio.

I don't know about that. The $16 UV-K61's I've bought have been excellent Tri-Band radios. Price doesn't always reflect quality. Many times you're paying extra for the name.

I guess some of you didn't see the $100 total limit that I have. The RT 880 will probably be the one I'll go with if I get anything at all.

I went outside with my longer 771 antennas on 3 of my radios(AR-5RM, BF-F8HP Pro, and UV-K61) and the 3" antenna on my UV-5R and the longer antennas hit about 5 or 6 of the programmed repeaters, the UV-5R hit about 3 which I think is still pretty good for being in the 'burbs and miles away from the White Tanks. I can't wait to give 6M a try with the RT-880. If I could get 15 or 20 miles Simplex I'd be happy since 6M should skip a bit and not have to totally be Line of Sight like VHF/UHF is. I'm so glad I got my HAM Tech. License. This opens up a lot more Frequencies to play with vs GMRS/MURS.

I guess I've got everything programmed properly. I was getting automated returns from some of the local Repeaters and I even got a call back from a YL that said I had a weak signal with a lot of static, go figure, I'm using my BF-F8HP Pro from inside the house. I'm sure it's only pushing 5 or so watts. At least the HAM Repeaters are in operation, no deal for the Shaw Butte GMRS Repeater, it's still down and out.

I checked and everything was ok. I'm going to try to make my first contact. KM7BVY Over and Out. 73's.

So, .600MHz, got it. It's odd that 1.25M is +/-1.600MHz, at least to me it is. I need to go double check my 2M off-sets.

I noticed while programing some Repeater Channels into my radios that in 2M it's +/- 6MHz, 1.25M is -1.6MHz(didn't see any +1.6MHz on the list) and 70cm(kind of like GMRS) is +5MHz. So RX(transmit to the Repeater) is the frequency that's given then you off-set that by the given MHz for your TX frequency. Do I have that right? Of all the radio stuff Repeaters has to be the one thing that I have trouble with in regards to TX an RX. TX will ALWAYS be the one with the off-set, + or - whatever it is and RX is the listed Frequency. I think I've got my head wrapped around it. Also, just to add, "Uplink" is the Freq. I TX(send) to the Repeater and "Downlink" is the Freq or RX the Repeater sends back to me. If they'd just say RX or TX instead of Uplink and Downlink it'd be a lot simpler for me to understand but I think I've got it.

OK, the Radtel 880 is back on the list. I found out you can program it via USB-C and they include a programming cable so no need for that "fancy" cable. I also like that you screw in the HF antenna instead of it being a 3.5mm plug like the TK-11 has. It'll still be a couple 3 weeks before funds become available so I can watch more YouTubes and do more research. In the mean time Thanks for all the replies. 73's

Now that I have my HAM Tech Lic. I'm thinking of 6M and maybe 10M to start with. I'll DMR later if I feel the need but thanks for all in info and posts here guys.

$1500 on Amazon, my wife would skin me alive then chop me up and bury me in the backyard, LOL. The TK-11(8) looks decent enough to get on 6M to play around until I see if it's worth investing in. Until then I'll play with 2M/1.25M/70cm with the radios I have.

Here's a list of what I've gotten so far. I'm still having trouble with Repeater Off Sets but I think I've got it right. The listed frequency is the RX and you use the Off Set for your TX Frequency, correct? HAM Channels.

All of the radios I'm using have 1.25M RX/TX and I have a couple 1.25M Repeaters in my programming list. One radio I'm looking at will do HF with 6M on the standard antenna.

Looking at videos on both. The Radtel doesn't use the standard K1 programming cable so that's a deal breaker. I can do 6M with the standard antenna that comes with the TK-11 so that would give me more frequency range than the 2M/1.25M/70cm that my current radios so I'll have more to explore now that I have my HAM license. Either way I'll be a couple weeks before I get anything because I need some Crypto I have to unstake to get funds.

I was surprised at how easy the Technician Test was after only 3 days of studying on HamStudy.org. That really is an awesome resource for anyone wanting to get their Amateur license. I ended up with a 34 out of 35 and it makes me wonder why I didn't do this sooner.

I've been looking at some HTs that can do HF and saw these two. Does anyone have any experience with either and which one would you recommend? I know I'll not get the range out of either like I would a dedicated 10M base station with a good antenna but I'd at least be able to play around a bit and explore it to see if I'd want to invest in better equipment. If anyone has any other recommendations for a sub-$100 HT that'll do HF please let me know. Thanks and 73's.

Ahh, so I'll take the SSB channel off.

I went on Repeaterbook and wow, I've never seen so many Repeaters. I just when with the ones on my side of town that I think I might be able to reach and so far I have 6/2M, 2/1.25M and 4/70cm(I could have gotten more but only wanted my list on one sheet of paper) but there's dozens, especially 70cm. Way more than we've got with GMRS. I have a 2M, 144.200 SSB National Calling, can my "normal" radio do the SSB stuff? Anyway, looks like more to learn just like when I first jumped into GMRS a year ago.

Yep, I kind of figured that since HAM Frequencies are not really SET to a Channel like GMRS. It's like in Fly Fishing, they call a "Bobber" a "Strike Indicator", same thing only different. LOL. I put together a list of National Calling Freqs and some of the local Repeaters(I've never seen so many Repeaters, especially on 70cm) so I'll make up a code plug with them and write them to one of my radios to test them out once I get my call sign.

Thanks but I was thinking more about what "channels"(aka Frequencies) to add. I know there's National Calling Freqs. and some other standard channels and a lot of repeater channels. I just need to figure out what they are so I can make up a code plug for my radios.

Just passed my Tech License test, now I need to set up a couple of my radios for HAM use. With GMRS it was easy, 22 channels plus 8 Repeaters. I add MURS and I've got all the channels I'd want to talk on. What are some common/popular channels to program into an HT for 2M/1.25M(yes, I know it's not used much but I'd still like them just in case)and 70cm that I should have?

I can do 10M with the Tech License but I don't have any radios that'll do that band. The test team said they'd summit things today any I should be processed tomorrow or next day. I'm going to reprogram a couple of my radios for HAM use. I just need to figure out which frequencies to use.

Congrats. I just passed my Technician License test with 34/35. It wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be. Now I need to set up a couple of my radios for HAM use so I'll be ready when I get my call sign.

Just finished my test, 34 out of 35. I'm a HAM, LOL.