[SixClub] Newly Licensed Operators & Sticker Shock

[Roger (K8RI) on Six]

> At 04:55 PM 6/5/2006, you wrote:
>>I would strongly recommend that you avoid the ranger. Get the best radio 
>>that  you can afford
>>
>>"Clark B. Manor" <CBManor at Darientel.net> wrote:  Hey you guys!
> --
>
> Suggest anything in the under $ 500. price bracket that beginners could 
> afford..!
>
> The only thing I have found is the Yaesu FT-8900 (Which I would have 
> bought IF I didn't already have other VHF & UHF equipment.).

Don't write off the all band, all mode Yaesu FT-897D either.  Although a bit 
over that $500 limit they seem to keep turning up on sale, new,  in the low 
to mide $600 USD range. That is a lot of rig for the money.

I use one out in my shop to a not so great 40 through 6 meter vertical at 30 
feet.  With my rotator currently stuck with the beam to the NW the 897D is 
working better on 6 than my 756 Pro to a 7L beam at 115 feet.
Of course the boom truss has come loose and is laying across most of the 
elments.

The next step is to set the 897D up to work through the computer for control 
and for logging. That and get the rotator down, lowering the mast so the 
antennas are at the top of the tower and quite likely removing the 144 and 
440 arrays.

Bigger is *sometimes* better, but bigger is also more prone to failure and 
takes a bigger beating from the elements and as I can currently attest, a 
relatively simple rig and antenna work far better than a big, high, 
expensive one that can't be moved as well as needing repair.

Roger Halstead (K8RI and ARRL 40 year Life Member)
N833R - World's oldest Debonair CD-2
www.rogerhalstead.com
>
> Other than the Yaesu, there are few choices & those are mostly HF radios 
> costing $ 1,000. and above, with the emphasis on ABOVE..!
>
> Howard Bingham
> KE5APJ
>
> -
>
>
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