Yaesu FT991A

Hi All
Just getting back into ham radio after several years - was ZS (since 1980) and then VK and now KJ7SIS ...

Just ordered an FT 991A and a Compactenna Ham-R7 and have a few basic install questions:

1. Power supply options - suggestions
2. Grounding - I am in a home with limited access to install a ground rod etc - any suggestions welcome

Thanks
Dennis

 

Power supply option: Garden tractor battery, size U-1 should cost around 40 bucks. Nominal 30 Amp-Hours, will run your radio all day. any automotive charger will top it up.

I operated HF for 25 years BEFORE I bothered driving a ground rod....

 

1. I used to be all about linear supplies and still use a big Astron. But...I've been impressed with the switcher I bought from Alinco for Field Day use last year.

2. Do the best you can...having a good station ground is important. Better a long run of ground wire than no ground, and better a ground rod down a couple of feet than nothing at all. Like PM, I never bothered with a station ground back in the hallowed day, but have long since mended my ways.

Annnd...WELCOME BACK, OM!

 

I have had very good luck with one of these running an APRS weather station:
https://www.amazon.com/MegaWatt®-S-400-12x-Adjustable-Supply-MegaWatt/dp/B00LIBRKQM/ref=sr_1_18?crid=3HLVZUB0R4Z2G&dchild=1&keywords=megawatt+power+supply&qid=1610667071&sprefix=megawatt,aps,152&sr=8-18
As for the antenna and ground, do you HAVE to use a 4 foot antenna? If you are not restricted, I would suggest something else.

 

Thanks WL7PM!

 

Thanks! I am in a HOA and need to be subtle - so trying this small multiband option- I used to operate extremely well on 20 and 40m dipoles in the old days!

 

What is the world coming to when there are HOAs in Whitefish, Montana?

Geesh...

I've never used that compact antenna but if it's much more than an exposed dummy load I'd be pretty surprised and also impressed. Normally "small" antennas are seriously inefficient and have very narrow bandwidth so they require re-tuning a lot.

But...both CW and FT8 make contacts quite a bit easier than SSB.

If you become disappointed with the compact antenna, you might consider a "stealthy" wire outside; lots of hams use them, including end-fed half-wave wire antennas made of very thin, dark color insulated wire that's almost impossible to see unless you know exactly where it is. Something like that, plus some "trees" to both support the end and hide the wire, can make for a pretty good antenna system that works better and isn't so touchy.

 

Are you kidding? It's not an antenna. Cancel the order, buy some wire and cable for the dipole or loop and drink the rest.

I never had the opportunity to make grounding, but this did not prevent me from working on the air for many years. All continents, over 200 countries. What am I doing wrong?

I tried MFJ-4125 and liked it

 

That's a Southern California response. You'd be surprised how fast "invisible" antennas become obvious with 1/4" of ice on them, glistening in the sunlight . . .

 

I could still come up with something way better than that 4 foot antenna.