[FARC] 160-2m 1st rig recommendations?
Herb Palm
herb65palm at earthlink.net
Mon Dec 12 11:53:09 EST 2011
Brian.
Fairly new to amateur radio, I was licensed in August 2010. Shortly
after that time I looked around, not with anybodies recommendation, for
a radio that is best described as an "all band rig" and the "best one
for me" I found was the TS-2000, since it does cover everything from 1.8
MHz to 440 MHZ and with an add-on(UT-20) will also reach into the 23 cm
band. I have seen references to radios being ALL BANDERS but if they
don't do what the TS-2000 does, they are not.
Yep, it's just under $1,700.00 and you still need a power supply, but it
has been worth it. Not being very portable, I recently bought a Kenwood
TS-570D that only does ALL HF bands. Used, but in super mint condition,
it was less than half of your proposed limit of $1,000.00.
All three of my other radios, a mobile and two HT's, are also Kenwoods
by choice to minimize the learning curve and their extremely good voice
qualities and capabilities.
I know virtually nothing about "software defined radios" but do know a
good bit about computers. So I did a Google search and found this
statement:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The advantages of a SDR over a traditional analog radio, a hybrid
DSP/analog radio or "firmware defined radio" are many. Versatility,
flexibility and immunity to obsolescence are just a few of the inherent
characteristics of fully software defined radios. Don't be mislead by
other manufacturer's claims that their radios or accessories are
"software defined" when they are just really software controlled or have
software defined "like" features.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading that statement on the Flex Radio site makes me ask this
question: if this type of radio can only be operated with the use of a
computer, are you not dependent on one of the "most obsolescence
plagued devices" ever created by man, the COMPUTER? (I made the word
obsolescence bigger to make a point.)
I don't have a problem using a computer for amateur radio activities
since I'm a strong believer in Echolink which I can access both with RF
and/or a laptop on a near bi-weekly frequency. Having the ability and
the flexibility of a true RF radio is everything to me. There are many
people that will attest to that.
Whatever choice you might make, I hope it is the best one for you.
73, Herb - K3HCP
Brian McEntire wrote:
> 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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