[FARC] 160-2m 1st rig recommendations?

[Brian McEntire]

I want to thank N3HTA for forwarding the e-mail below to the FARC list
a while back. I signed up and took Robert Long's (KD3JK) General
License class this weekend. It was very helpful and I met some great
hams. I passed the General test  :)  and recommend the class highly to
anyone thinking of upgrading if Bob offers the class again next year.

Now I have a good "problem", I need a rig. I am doing a lot of
Googling, but I'd appreciate any opinions. I know there are often
conflicting views so I won't ask "what's best." But, suggestions for
good brands too look at or if anyone knows of one that might fit my
goals please let me know.

I'd like to buy new. I'd like to spend under $1000. I might stretch
that to get into a Flex-3000 SDR or something with similar
capabilities and performance in that price range.

Looking for something for my home. I'm really interested in the
digital modes and plan to hook the radio up to my laptop (a new Dell
with plenty of horsepower.)

100 W would be nice but I'd probably trade power for more bands if
that trade-off exists in my budget.

The radios that look close to fitting the bill are the Yaesu FT-950,
Flex-3000 SDR, and Kenwood TS-2000. They are all above $1000 though
and only the Kenwood does 2m.

Suggestions for other radios to look at? Does anyone know of an SDR
that does HF and 2m?

Thanks!!
Brian / KB3TCC



On Thu, Sep 22, 2011 at 10:52 AM,  <N3HTA at aol.com> wrote:
> All:  I just opened this email and wanted to spread the  word as much as
> possible.  Do you want to upgrade to General or do you know  of a Tech that
> wants to upgrade?  Great opportunity!  My thanks to the  Antietam Radio
> Association and to Roy (N2CSQ) for putting this on the MADXRA  reflector.   Jim
> N3HTA
>
>
>
> ____________________________________
>  From: n2csq at hotmail.com
> To: madxra at madxra.org
> Sent: 9/21/2011 12:29:58  P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
> Subj: ARA GenlClass Tng
>
>
> Forwarded  for WA3EOP - Antietam Radio  Association
> ============================================================================
> ==============
> Did  you hear the good news?
>
> It on happens at best, once every 3 years or  so, and if eligible you might
> want to give this serious  consideration-
>
> ARA under the guidance of Robert Long, KD3JK, will offer  a General
> Class!!!!
>
> At the ARA Meeting last night, the membership  approved that Bob could
> organize and present the class in a Weekend Wonder  Format using Gorden West
> instructional materials.
>
> The dates reserved  for this I'm told are Friday- Sunday, _December 9, 10,
> and 11,  2011._
>
> Bob has reserved a room at the Washington County Sherrif's  Office, (Off
> the Western MD Parkway) and Friday Evening + Saturday + Sunday  morning will
> be used for support classes and after class Sunday, sometime in  the
> afternoon, the ARA VE Team will conduct a limited testing session of  Element 3 just
> for those in the class.
>
> Bob is asking first that hams  interested in assisting him with the
> presentation of this class contact him  and volunteer. He already has 2 volunteers
> but could use perhaps 7 or 8 more  with each volunteer in charge of an
> agreed upon class presentation  element.  Typically, the volunteers get support
> materials to help them  prepare for their time in class.
>
> Second, Bob is collecting VE Examiners  to help administer the Sunday
> Afternoon exam to the class.  I think he  needs perhaps 2 or 3 more Extra Class
> Hams to complete the team. I volunteered  to help assuming my work schedule
> stays the same. He wants a team Secretary to  help with the paperwork.
>
> Lastly.... The call is out for class  students!  Prerequisite- you must
> hold a Technician License by the time  of the class.
>
> Guys and Dolls-  I can't empathise enough that this  is a golden
> opportunity to have help upgrading to the General Class Word if  you aren't there yet.
>  Yes it
> comes at a cost but a modest one.   Materials, basic which includes
> textbook and computer aids for pre-study at  home will cost $40 ordered through Bob
> who gets a quantity discount. Those who  want the added advantage of audio
> instruction too may buy that for an  additional $26 too. That is just an
> option but some folks learn better that  way.
>
> Of course this opportunity is not limited to ARA members so pass  the work
> to your Tech License Friends.  Typically the weekend wonder  courses are
> highly successful for those who read the books in advance of  class. The class
> is designed to remove the cobwebs and keep what you studied  fresh
> in your mind for the Sunday exam.
>
> It's good to register with  Bob early so you get your study materials with
> plenty of time to leisurely  study and not do a last minute rush before the
> class.
>
> For further  information if needed- call Bob Long at 301-824-5132 or email
> him at  rjlong61 at myactv.net.
>
> Thanks
>
> Page  WA3EOP
> =
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