new "radioless" ham

[AC9JK]

Hello-Got my technician license 10/07 and general 3/08 but still have no equipment. Have listened for many years and would like to start out probably with a handheld Yaesu or Kenwood or inexpensive base station; although I don't know much as far as getting a station set up.

I would appreciate any feedback as far as what is a better radio to buy - would really like to buy a used one if possible to start out as I would like some of the accessories such as a microphone, better antena, wall charger, etc. Would love to put it out that I'm looking for a radio on the local swapnets, but can't do that as I don't know a ham who could do it for me.

I would love to be able to listen to many bands, but maybe only talk on the 2, 6 and 10 meters. Not interested in HF as of yet.

Any advice or knowledge of equipment for sale would be greatly appreciated:-)

Thanks - from a fellow (female) ham,
Judy - KC9MMS

[WA4TM]

Start right here on QRZ....
http://forums.qrz.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

[AC9JK]

Hello-Got my technician 10/07 and general 3/08 but still have no equipment. Have listened for many years and would like to start out probably with a handheld Yaesu or Kenwood or inexpensive base station; although I don't know much as far as getting a station set up.

I would appreciate any feedback as far as what is a better radio to buy - would really like to buy a used one if possible to start out as I would like some of the accessories such as a microphohne, better antena, wall charger, etc. Would love to put it out that I'm looking for a radio on the local swapnets, but can't do that as I kon't know a ham who could do it for me.

I would love to be able to listen to many bands, but only talk on the 2,6 and 10 meter bands. Not interested in HF as of yet.

Any advice or knowledge of equipment for sale would be greatly appreciated:-)

Thanks - from a fellow ham,
Judy - KC9MMS

THANKS for your reply. It's confusing; there is so much out there!

[W1YB]

[QUOTE=kc9mms;1425627

I would love to be able to listen to many bands, but only talk on the 2,6 and 10 meter bands. Not interested in HF as of yet.

Any advice or knowledge of equipment for sale would be greatly appreciated:-)

Thanks - from a fellow ham,
Judy - KC9MMS[/QUOTE]

Hey Judy,

Look at this link and find a nearby club... There will be help a plenty. Just go to a meeting;visitors are always welcome.

The best first rig is NOT an HT. Look for a used Yaesu FT-857D. It will keep you happy and interested for ages.
73 de W1YB

[W4INF]

The best first rig is NOT an HT. Look for a used Yaesu FT-857D. It will keep you happy and interested for ages.
73 de W1YB

I agree, or a Icom 706MK2G, both are good radios.

GL-
Andrew

[K0RGR]

You're close enough to Milwaukee that VHF/UHF might hold your interest for a little while. I'm more familliar with activity in the Madison area - and there is lots to be found there, but I'd expect to find lots in your area, too.

I think, however, unless someone tells you otherwise, it's probably not a great idea to start off with a handheld.

If you are interested in 6 or 10 meters, you really need SSB capability. When those bands are open for skip activity, 5 watts is enough to make contacts if you have a decent antenna, which not a hard thing to have on those bands, since a 10 meter vertical is only 8 feet long.

You should be able to find a used FT-817 for a pretty reasonable price. AES in Milwaukee has one for under $500. I'd pedal my bike right over and snatch that dude up. While you're there, talk to the hams who work there about the repeaters in town. You can use the 817 with it's stock antenna to work all the FM repeaters on 6,2, and UHF, and with an outboard antenna you can work 10 meters, and listen on HF. 5 watts is also enough to work digital modes on HF decently.

[KE7UFQ]

I agree with K0RGR. The handhelds are nice, but I have found them frustrating when starting out. I got my ticket in May and bought a Yeasu VX-7R. Now it is a great radio with a ton of features, but I have a lot of trees/hills/mountains around my house and the range suffers. I bought an Elk antenna and mounted it in my attic and that really extended the range. (I am waiting to see what Santa brings until I commit to mounting the antenna on the roof. I am dreaming of a FT-897D)
In hind sight, I would have bought a FT-2800 and a power supply, homebrewed an antenna, been into the whole thing for less than my VX-7R and been on the air a whole lot more.
73, Jamie
KE7UFQ

[K5PO]

I agree, or a Icom 706MK2G, both are good radios.

GL-
Andrew

I agree with the 7069MKIIG. Reasonable priced and can operate from HF to UHF. It was my second radio and still my primary radio.

I also agree that an HT may only serve to frustrate you. They have their place, but you are going to find their limitations bothersome shortly.

[W8NSI]

Hello-Got my technician 10/07 and general 3/08 but still have no equipment. Have listened for many years and would like to start out probably with a handheld Yaesu or Kenwood or inexpensive base station; although I don't know much as far as getting a station set up.

I would appreciate any feedback as far as what is a better radio to buy - would really like to buy a used one if possible to start out as I would like some of the accessories such as a microphohne, better antena, wall charger, etc. Would love to put it out that I'm looking for a radio on the local swapnets, but can't do that as I kon't know a ham who could do it for me.

I would love to be able to listen to many bands, but only talk on the 2,6 and 10 meter bands. Not interested in HF as of yet.

Any advice or knowledge of equipment for sale would be greatly appreciated:-)

Thanks - from a fellow ham,
Judy - KC9MMS

If you can find a TS-520 Kenwood for a reasonable price, it is a hard rig to beat even though it is OLD. One of the first comments most people say when they find out you are on an old 520 is how great the audio sounds. It is a 80 through 10 rig (without the 60 meter and WARC bands) but is a great place to start hamming. A step up, but can be found for reasonable prices too, is a TS-530S Kenwood, covers 160-10 including the WARC bands (but not the channels on 60 meters). Again you will get reports of great sounding audio, no roger beeps or echo box needed.

Both the 520 and 530S use 6146 tube finals so they are 100 watt rigs.

[KB6M]

Hi, New ham here...

I bought an HT. It's a Yeasu FT-60. Great radio, lot's of features, haven't really used it much. My local club has a beginner's net that they run through the repeater. After check-in, we change to simplex. For the little HT, that was the same as saying goodnight. The 5 watts just isn't enough. I'm sure I'll use it once the public service cycle starts up in the spring.
Luckily, I also got myself an ft-1802 and a power supply. I made a homebrew J-pole and have been having fun ever since. I would not suggest an HT as a first radio. They are just too limiting. Also, if you do decide to run a mobile as a base w/ a power supply; get the highest amp power supply you could imagine needing. I have an Astron 12 amp. That is enough for me now. But, I will be kicking myself for not going bigger when I upgrade to a 100 watt radio this spring (Icom 706MK2G). I will also need to upgrade my power supply.


Greg / KI6TID