Hi Bob;
I started out with a DIAMOND X200. This is a dual band antenna for 2 meters
and 70 cm.
I had an ICOM 2410H.
I used an optacon at the time and along with the internal speech board in
the radio itself, I had no problem with accessibility.
Durability and reliability were also non-issues.
If you start out on vhf-uhf, you'll make lots of contacts and you will find
a local club whose members will assist you.
As far as my experiences go hf can wait however, you should get a good
reliable power supply.
I chose the ASTRON 35 watt supply without the meters.
I figured that I would never need anything larger than that and I was
correct.
Even if you use two radios, that much power will be more than adequate.
We are on the down cycle of the sun spots any way and I understand we won't
see an increase until 2009 and hf really does have a learning curve.
I hope this advise helps.
73 De Anthony W2AJV
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Humbert" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 11:26 PM
Subject: Re: accessible VHF equipment
> If, no, when I pass the general exam January 15 I'm going to buy the
> THF6a.
> I'm not going to get it sooner because I probably would spend too much
> time
> learning it and not enough time studying for the exam. I'm consistently
> scoring around %90 on the QRZ practice test and so I think I'm going to do
> ok.
>
> HF is going to wait for about a year. Meanwhile I'm trying to learn all
> that I can about the best way to go. Here is what I think so far:
>
> Fifty watts should be plenty. Just enough to drive a linear amplifier
> legally if it is ever needed. More power, from what I read here, is ruff
> on
> antenna tuners etc
>
> All HM transceivers operate on 12 volts and therefore any of them can be a
> portable in a disaster so the only things to consider are accessibility,
> reliability, and durability. Yes, cost too but from what I hear here,
> there
> hasn't bin any real reason to upgrade for many years. If I have any
> additional nickels I'm going to put them into an antenna and I sure hope I
> hear more discussions about antennas from you guys here. I have ruled out
> a
> Yoggi, quad, and delta loop because I just don't have the space. Many
> people have a back yard pool. I have a pool back yard and there just
> isn't
> room for anything else. Vent pipes here and I suppose everywhere are now
> PVC and so the chimney seems to be my only option. Even they are just
> stucco and sticks with a double metal pipe in the center where cool air is
> drawn down through the outer chamber of the pipe cooling the hot air pipe
> in
> the center. A very ingenious idea but not so very strong. So, I guess I
> am
> looking for the best nondirectional multi band antenna. Right now, my
> thinking is that I will forget about 40, 80, and 160 meters to keep the
> weight down. Any efforts to straighten out my thinking will be greatly
> appreciated.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Howard Kaufman" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 6:27 PM
> Subject: Re: accessible VHF equipment
>
>
>> Okay, a duel band magnetic mount will do fine. Most operation will be
>> repeater based. So how far away are the active repeaters? Have a ham
>> come
>> over with an HT to see how he gets out. And your budget is an issue. If
>> you buy a 50 watt mobile type radio, you will want a handy talky, but if
>> you buy a handy talky, you will want a 50 watt mobile type
>> radio. Eventually you will want both anyway.
>>
>
>
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