[Rover] Rover build-up question

[Rodney J Johnson]

Jacob,
   It is good to see another post from you.
   I've been on the road for the last three weeks, from Indiana to the
Gulf Coast and back, and am finally on my way home.   I'm a bit late
replying to you, but here goes anyway.
   If you decide to sell the Alinco, like I did, I would suggest a Yaesu
FT-817, FT-100 (I have both) or a Icom 706MKIIG.  Strangely enough, I
don't use either of them in my rover setup, because I have other
'dedicated' radios for that, but I decided I wanted more bands in one box
for non-contest operations and general mobile use.  The main reason was
only the added bands.  I still like the Alinco radio better than the ones
I have now, except for the added bands.  You will have to add a bit of
cash over and above the value of the Alinco (it should still be be worth
over $400), but for less than $600, you can get a new FT-817, and be on
HF plus 6M, 2M and 432/440 all modes.  The 5 watt signal  will get you
lots of contacts.  It won't break the bank, and will be much cheaper than
buying transverters for those bands.  Later, if you decide to do one or
more transverters for other, it can drive them also.  One caveat: The
Yaesu and Icom rigs are definitely more trouble to operate, in my
opinion.  The menu structure is not nearly as easy to operate on either
of them as the Alinco. 
    Yes, 6M antennas are a bit large, but not impossible.
   I use a KB6KQ loop while mobile, and a three element yagi if parked. 
I leave the boom in place, and just slip the elements onto it at
pre-marked locations when stopped if I want to use it.  It really does
not take long to set up.
   Often, I don't  even bother to set up the yagi.  I have very good
results with the loop, but do realize there are limitations to it's
effectiveness.  As a rover, you will find the other stations will make an
effort to find you. 
  Very few of us rovers can afford to go out and buy everthing at once,
and a small signal on several bands will be a lot more fun than a large
signal on only one band. Then later, if you decide that you need to
upgrade, there will be always be others to buy the used gear, and  allow
you to upgrade power, antennas and amplifiers as you can afford.  
   There is a very large market for the used gear, and for the most part,
it hold it's resale value pretty well.
   Have fun, and get on more bands...that is the main game in being a
rover.
I have said over and over again, that if I only had one watt on each
band, that I don't think my score would diminish by more than about
10-15%.
    Also, I use a mobile tri-band vertical for 2M, 223, and 440 bands for
FM.  I often only have a HT for 223 and 440FM at about 3 watts.  I am
constantly amazed at the range I can achieve with that setup.  I've
regularly done 223FM contacts at over 50 miles in the very hill parts of
the northwest. 
   Get out there and put out a signal any way you can, and they will find
you.
   Rod Johnson WE7X
  Issaquah, WA.

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