Posted on 01/10/2021 5:35:47 AM PST by OKSooner
This topic has come up at least a couple of times in the last few weeks; I'd like to bring it up once more for one's own selfish needs.
One is interested in a starter Ham radio kit that for now will be used as a receiver only at home.
Later, one might wish to get the FCC license and acquire the means to transmit also but for now the interest is in a receiver with the following specs:
Reasonably portable, battery power capability would be nice. Scans available radio bands for traffic if possible. Made by a reputable manufacturer located ANYWHERE ON THIS PLANET EXCEPT CHINA. (I.E. USA or Japan, most likely.) Any reasonable difference in cost would be justifiable...
7.299 LSB by day,
3.999 LSB by night. (Esp. after midnight)
Exactly — no tuning around.
If bizzy, wait for clear air. Stay spot-on.
Get an EXCELLENT plain old AM receiver.
It’s amazing what you’ll receive at night
from hundreds of mils away. All the big
cities have 50,000 watt major blowtorch
stations. Most decent ham radio “low-bands”
or “HF” rigs de an excellent job on plain
old M broadcast. A decent antenna is a must.
-73-
Yes, I thought that I made that clear. Thanks for the reply.
People should do some research on the Internet.
There is no one simple answer for what kind of radio or antenna you should obtain to get started.
As I have stated on this site before, the design and erection of a good antenna is more important than the radio. A good antenna can be made simply out of wire and insulators. Wire cut to the proper length to “match” the frequency of the desired band is very important but not hard to learn.
There is a whole section of the ham radio hobby that focuses on “QRP” radios. These are very low power radios which, when properly matched to an antenna, can transmit over VERY long distances.
Nobody can advise, in a couple of paragraphs, everything you need to know. In fact, ham radio is a lifetime hobby of experimentation with various radios and antennas. Many operating radios are tube-type antiques that STILL work very well.
Thanks for the input, but again, "No Chinese nothing".
Radio can be very tricky, and it can also be very easy.
This is why getting licensed is so very important: The training you get.
Three levels of licensing. Each license level brings more frequency bands and more capabilities to the license.
1. Technician. Very easy to get. Get the book ($25), two weeks study, and you’ll do fine. Even 7-year olds can pass this test, literally, 7-year olds do it. Gives basic radio capabilities. A nice taste of ham radio but not much in the way of capabilities.
2. General. This license is tougher to get but really opens up ham radio, especially the long distance stuff. This is perfect for what you are seeking in being able to knowledgably talk to others long distance. It also introduces digital capabilities for computer use on the air and other very interesting state of the art things.
Depending on your prior electronics experience, this may require a few months or more to get up to speed. If you have electronics experience, then this license level may be a breeze for you. I hold degrees in electrical engineering and took two weeks to prepare. I imagine anyone with even electronics technician (not engineering) level experience will be able to do the same.
3. Extra. This license is much tougher and fully opens everything. General is perfect for the majority of people and Extra is nothing that is needed. Besides, very few people have an Extra class license so who would you talk to anyway? I have an Extra class license but outside of some very unique things, the General level license serves my needs more than the Extra.
I HIGHLY recommend studying and getting a General license. It will teach you all kinds of great things about communications that is useful in peace or in war. Wait until you get into studying for General before buying anything. You’ll find your choices of equipment will be guided by that knowledge.
To other poster’s points, An Icom IC-7300 transceiver at $1,100 is the best bang for the buck goin. The gives a nice baseline for cost and performance. Price can be as low as $300 for a lesser, yet capable, transceiver, or as much as $12,000 for the top of the line.
You’ll need an antenna based on the frequency band you intend to use. There are many bands, so you’ll often see 6-12 antennas at a ham’s house. Some of these are very large, some merely wires. All, cost money, from $50 to thousands.
Again, just baselining costs for you.
Thanks for the helpful input, I do appreciate it, but again "No Chinese nothing", for reasons that frankly should not require clarification.
Didn’t think of that!
What about C.Crane? I’m able to drop a couple hundred on a radio, just not $1000+. Not sure where they’re made, though.
At risk of being shouted down:
Make “Icom.” Model “IC-718.”
Does AM Broadcast, and all shortwave and ham
bands below 30 mHz. Street $500 or less.
Buy from a dealer, NOT ebay.
Baofeng UV-5 from Amazon. Yes, it’s Chinese,
but it’s dirt cheap and works fine. Be practical.
MANDATORY: Get Mister Ward Silver’s “Dummies”
book from Amazon. It’s The Best overall Newbie
briefing.
-73- (Means “Best Wishes.’)
OK so if you are just listening then...
TECSUN PL-660 or PL-880.
Thanks for the input. I’ve studied electronics at the UG/Technician level, in a previous life...
Why would you bother to get an FCC license?
Since we no longer have the rule of law....F’em. No need to do anything like that.
We are in a brave new world in the post-constituional democRAT dictatorship. I expect there to be a re-institution of the “Black Codes” on conservatives. It’s coming, you can hear it already in what they are saying.
Seems a lot of people are missing the point that this radio would be for listening only.
I too have been considering that it might be good to have alternative ways of getting the news and while ham radio sounds like the option, it sounds very complicated.
I like the idea of getting a receiver only, something with which just to listen for the time being.
If you actually get an answer to that question, could you please ping me?
Please keep this thread at the entry level for the benefit of myself and others, thanks.
What do you use for an antenna on your boat?
I’ve been thinking about buying a Marine SSB. But I don’t know if I should, or if I should just get a regular Shortwave. I probably won’t use it as a Ham unit unless its an emergency. I probable won’t get a license. Does a Shortwave radio cover the Marine frequency?
I’m on our boat full time.
NO CHINESE NOTHING, for reasons that are already obvious to all.
I would also add for emphasis, "NO CHINESE NOTHING". For those who understand, no explanation is needed, and for those who don't understand, no explanation will suffice.
But No Chinese Nothing, thanks all.
Icom (Japanese) makes many good “2-meter” hand-helds as well. I fully understand and agree with your stand.
As far as I know, here are NO American-made walkies.
The only reason I suggested the Chinese Baofeng is, it’s cheap and rapidly available. There are plenty of (frankly, hetter) others around.-
-73-
Bkmk
My problem, even if just for receiving, is getting an antennae for the mtns
IF you want to send me a list by PM of what frequencies & bands that you would like to listen to (and later transmit upon) I will try to help you.
FOR STARTERS, go get your TECHNICIAN license, which is really EASY to do.
(I studied by listening to tapes, commuting to/from work for about 10 days.)
Once you have your “TECH”, then buy any quality TWO METER transceiver OR a 2M/440Mhz (usually called a DUAL-BAND) transceiver.
A personal note: After you have “been active” as a TECH for a while, you will better know what you really want to acquire.
(MOST of my equipment is converted COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL GEAR by MOTOROLA, MIDLAND, ICOM or GE.)
Yours, ex-cadet
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