Beginners setup.

[68 Mag]

Hi. I'll assume most of you have seen my post about studying for my test. Assuming I pass it, what would a good setup for a first time radio user be? What's a packet radio? Should I set up a base station, or a handheld thing? Is it possible to do this for under 500? Thanks







68 Mag


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[Fester Addams]

If you are just planning on operating 2m to begin with you can easily stay under $500 bucks. You can get a new 2m rig for around $175, and an antenna for about $75. Coax will vary depending on how much you need but figure on about $.80/foot for decent coax. Heck you might even have enough for an HT.



And as for packet, it is a digital mode mostly used on 2m and occasionally on 70cm and 10m. To explain it the simplest way, it works kind of like an internet chat room. All you need is a TNC (terminal node controller), an interface cable between the rig and TNC, and from the TNC to your PC, and some software to control it. You can find VHF TNC's for as little as about $150.



Hope this helps, and 73


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[68 Mag]

Thanks. What's the difference between UHF, VHF and HF? Thanks.



Mag


<a href=http://pub50.ezboard.com/b68sboards>My Forums</A>

My 8N website.

<a href=http://www.mowerloader.8k.com/> The Mower loader</A>
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[Fester Addams]

HF (high frequency) is up to 30MHz

VHF (very high frequency) is 30MHz to 300MHz

UHF (ultra high frequency) is 300MHz on up



There is also MF (medium frequency) 300kHz to 3MHz

LF (low frequency) below 300kHz

SHF (superhigh frequency) which I believe starts at 3GHz but not positive



73






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