Well, you can't really get an HF radio that puts out less then 100 watts
unless you go QRP, which is 5 watts or less, but anyway, most HF radios put
out 100.  Also, there are some AC powered HF radios on the market, how ever
they're just a bit unreasonably priced right now to say the least. You could
have a tripod put up on the roof or something for antennas, a lot of people
do that, I've heard chimney mounting isn't the best way to go for some
people though others say it works out alright, I don't know anyone around
here I talk to though who has an antenna chimney mounted and since mine is
right next to the power lines coming in to the house I'd never even think of
it. I have my antennas on stand off brackets on the side of the house, 10 to
17 meter vertical anyway, is next to my bedroom window so if I have to do a
quick repair on it I can just lower it to that window, take the window out
of the frame, and change coax, or a connector or something if I have to. My
duel bander is on the house too but we couldn't do the same with that one
since it's on the gack of the house and the gutters are there, the brackets
are so long reaching it not going to happen, but anyway, that's an option
too.
----- 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.
>