well that's the thing Kevin, I don't have the money to purchase one, and as it is, I have 2 2 meter handhelds, with only one of them that works.  if they had the stuff to fix the ft 23 r, which is a 2 meter rig only,, do you know of anyone who would be willing to trade, because I'm very careful who I trade with and who I get a deal from, given the situation I'm in and what has happened to me over these years.  to be honnest I've had lots of people stiff me on offers, including one person who offered me a very powerful antenna for the 2 meter rig, and I never heard from him after I accepted the offer, and determined that he never emailed me.  and there was another individual who really was not very understanding about the situation, so I would need to contact someone who has a good reputation for being a pleasant person to work with in a situation like that and one that is not going to charge me hundreds upon hundreds I don't have, if that makes sense, though you do have a very very very good suggestion for rig type, if only I could get a hold of it.  thanks
Brandon
On Jul 27, 2010, at 3:24 PM, Kevin Kwan wrote:

> I'd recommend the ft60 R hand held. Just look around the internet. I'm sure 
> you can find it sold for cheap. I bought mine used but I bought a bunch of 
> things from this one ham so I don't remember what I paid but it's an easy to 
> use radio and I run it with my outside antenna, five watts.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Brandon Hennis (KC0USM)" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 5:11 PM
> Subject: looking for radio, but cannot affor one
> 
> 
> Hello list.  Brandon Hennis here.  I have a bit of a question for you.  =
> here is the situation, I am looking for a duel bander for 2 meters and 4 =
> 40, but the problem is, well the 2 problems are, that 1, I don't have =
> the resources through wich to get them, the second of the 2 is a =
> combined problem, cannot afford one, and also handi hams, whom I had =
> been subscribed with for a year or so, I am nto going through them, =
> because for one thing, our monthly bills haven't provided enough for me =
> to continue through them at this time.  perhaps when the bills get lower =
> we can do that.  I have a 2 meter rig, but what I am looking for is an =
> easy to use 4 40 rig, that I can use, because there are better receiving =
> to a 4 40 repeaterin scottsbluff to hear, but the 2 meter repeaters are =
> nearly impossible to access.  I don't have the antennas nor the =
> materials to do that with.  any suggestions?
> regards to one and all and good day from
> Brandon, K C 0 U S M
> 
> On Jul 27, 2010, at 12:07 PM, Howard Kaufman wrote:
> 
>> Use only one tuner.  Does the internal tuner match the antenna?
>> Remember, the meter is useless if you are using the internal tuner, =
> because=20
>> it's not between the tuner and the output.  a counterpoise will do =
> more than=20
>> a perfect match to eliminate RF at the radio.=20