Basic Ham Radio Operation Question

[w9cll]

If you are running any common compromise antenna and want to play much on 80/160, you need an amp.

I ran an ICOM 706 MKIIg in the car with a High Sierra Side Kick screwdriver, work 80 meters on 100 watts. Made several contacts and was happy but yes it was far from a stellar performer. I never bothered with an amp and probably never will, just not worth the hassle for me. The wire and now the Hex Beam are just fine for me at 100 watts.

 

[wavrider]

10-20 meters the first 10 db of gain can be achieved by the yagi.

40 meters is so so, have worked many DX into EU on a dipole and a vertical at 100 watts.

80-160 the db gain comes from the amplifier plugged in the wall.

As for knobs and menus, I like BIG KNOB radios and do not like menus.
Nothing wrong with the menus and once they are set then forget them.
Nothing like the mechanical Collins filter on the FT102, but the TS830 goldline is nice with the VBT
The Swan 700CX sure sounds sweet on 75 meters, no menus here.