WSEL330 Posted yesterday at 04:09 PM Report Posted yesterday at 04:09 PM I got my tech license recently and I am excited to get going. I have a HT and find it interesting but I am looking for a budget friendly base station for the general bands I am authorized to use. Budget friendly means under $800 for a radio that has room for me to grow and not limiting in a short time. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. P.S. I have Radioddity and BTech GMRS bases, Radioddity and Bufwang HT's. I am not brand loyal so..... Quote
SteveShannon Posted yesterday at 04:19 PM Report Posted yesterday at 04:19 PM Just now, WSEL330 said: I got my tech license recently and I am excited to get going. I have a HT and find it interesting but I am looking for a budget friendly base station for the general bands I am authorized to use. Budget friendly means under $800 for a radio that has room for me to grow and not limiting in a short time. Thank you in advance for your suggestions. P.S. I have Radioddity and BTech GMRS bases, Radioddity and Bufwang HT's. I am not brand loyal so..... Are you talking about UHF and VHF or HF which will allow you to grow? The Icom IC-7100 goes on sale from time to time for $899. It does all of the popular HF, VHF, and UHF amateur bands. The Yaesu FT-991A is another, but it’s incrementally more expensive. The color spectrum scope is nice though. If you’re really just talking about 2 meter and 70 cm, there are few purpose built “base stations” but many mobile stations that can easily be used in a fixed location. I would look at Icom, Yaesu, Alinco, and Kenwood, although it’s hard to find Kenwood now. Quote
WSEL330 Posted yesterday at 04:29 PM Author Report Posted yesterday at 04:29 PM 1 minute ago, SteveShannon said: Are you talking about UHF and VHF or HF which will allow you to grow? The Icom IC-7100 goes on sale from time to time for $899. It does all of the popular HF, VHF, and UHF amateur bands. The Yaesu FT-991A is another, but it’s incrementally more expensive. The color spectrum scope is nice though. If you’re really just talking about 2 meter and 70 cm, there are few purpose built “base stations” but many mobile stations that can easily be used in a fixed location. I would look at Icom, Yaesu, Alinco, and Kenwood, although it’s hard to find Kenwood now. My mistake, I am guilty of being vague. I am looking for a station which can reasonably handle all bands I have voice privileges on (6m and up). Agreed the spectrum scope seems helpful. I am initially interested in building antennas. The contact thing will be fun once I find folks on the air but I need to spend more time searching for traffic instead of just 'scanning'. I programed my HT with all local repeaters within 25 miles but only heard one organized net one time. I am investigating the local HAM clubs. Quote
SteveShannon Posted yesterday at 05:06 PM Report Posted yesterday at 05:06 PM 8 minutes ago, WSEL330 said: My mistake, I am guilty of being vague. I am looking for a station which can reasonably handle all bands I have voice privileges on (6m and up). Agreed the spectrum scope seems helpful. I am initially interested in building antennas. The contact thing will be fun once I find folks on the air but I need to spend more time searching for traffic instead of just 'scanning'. I programed my HT with all local repeaters within 25 miles but only heard one organized net one time. I am investigating the local HAM clubs. You also have SSB voice privileges on a portion of 10 meters: 28.300-28.500 MHz. Here’s the problem. VHF and UHF radio’s typically do not include 6 meters, even though 6 meters is technically VHF. But 6 meters is almost always included in HF radios, as is 10 meters. I would not try to buy a radio that includes just the bands you’re allowed. Quote
WSEL330 Posted yesterday at 07:46 PM Author Report Posted yesterday at 07:46 PM 2 hours ago, SteveShannon said: You also have SSB voice privileges on a portion of 10 meters: 28.300-28.500 MHz. Here’s the problem. VHF and UHF radio’s typically do not include 6 meters, even though 6 meters is technically VHF. But 6 meters is almost always included in HF radios, as is 10 meters. I would not try to buy a radio that includes just the bands you’re allowed. Noted, Sir. I think I will go with two radios with a price point that is palatable and play. Having said that, I will continue to actively work the bands with the HT on an aerial antenna. Thank you for your time again. I just didnt want to get a radio(s) that would be next to the treadmill and bread maker in the garage.... Quote
SteveShannon Posted yesterday at 08:42 PM Report Posted yesterday at 08:42 PM 52 minutes ago, WSEL330 said: Noted, Sir. I think I will go with two radios with a price point that is palatable and play. Having said that, I will continue to actively work the bands with the HT on an aerial antenna. Thank you for your time again. I just didnt want to get a radio(s) that would be next to the treadmill and bread maker in the garage.... Treadmills make great clothes hangers… A good way to get started is to pick up a Radioddity db20g and swap it to 2 meters and 70 cm. It’s inexpensive and versatile. Most people like them. It’s 20 watts but for those two bands that’s usually enough. Quote
WSEL330 Posted 22 hours ago Author Report Posted 22 hours ago Finally! Checked in on a local net and got to talk to real humans!!!!! Totally stoked, rabbit hole, here I come! Quote
WSEL330 Posted 21 hours ago Author Report Posted 21 hours ago how do you feel about the Btech UV-25X4? Quote
jwilkers Posted 4 hours ago Report Posted 4 hours ago The BTECH 25x4 uses HT finals, overdriven to 20 watts or so. My UHF went out on mine. I still use it for 220. It also has memory issues now, that I finally got ironed out.Sent from my SM-S911U1 using Tapatalk Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.