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best hf base radio
- Thread starter jesse everett
- Start date
Radio is just an addition to antenna system.
I would go for IC-7300 within that price tag. No competition.
Mike
I would go for IC-7300 within that price tag. No competition.
Mike
In that price range, The FT 891 Rx is FAR superior to the entry level 7300
Very long in the tooth and it's still perfectly useable today. Honestly I did post more as a joke but for the OP I just wanted to show that you don't need the latest and greatest in the hobby. I run the above mentioned radio and have worked all over the world with not wanting for more. If your your mileage may vary but it's good for thought.
I will take my ICOM 7600 over anything anywhere near that in a used price.They are going for around $1000 Used & I paid $2999.95 for mine new & it's steal a deal today in my opinion.A STEAL at anywhere near $1000.
SIX-SHOOTER
SIX-SHOOTER
BJ radionut
Supporting Member and 6m addict
4m Band no GOOD stateside...not available to the US.
I almost NEVER use and internal tuner. Even when mobile I don't see them(internal tuner) as a plus or minus here.
The biggest item is the budget. The 7300 and the FT891 / FT450 and even the IC718 all are good ENTRY Level radios.
I would much prefer to see a newer op send a little less money for the first transceiver and send any extra money on an antenna system.
A good manual tuner in the 500 watts or better range opens the door to a wider range of antenna set-ups that can give better operation on more bands.
The Fan Dipole arrangement is also good, but for ENTRY level operator may present a little frustration in getting tuned or set-up.
The All Band Doublet or Twin Lead feed Loop antenna gives multi-band operation and can provide good DX operation and is easy to install.
The main objective is to give multiple band operations and quick up and On the Air set-up.
This allows the newer op to get going and build the antenna farm as the peak of their interest for Ham bands increases.
The Doublet or Loop antenna feed with a good manual tuner provides much better performance than any Endfed or G5RV or OCF design antenna using an internal tuner set-up (IMHO).
The above mention radios will all give a good operation!
The bells and whistles of some radios mean ZERO if used on a compromised antenna system.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
I almost NEVER use and internal tuner. Even when mobile I don't see them(internal tuner) as a plus or minus here.
The biggest item is the budget. The 7300 and the FT891 / FT450 and even the IC718 all are good ENTRY Level radios.
I would much prefer to see a newer op send a little less money for the first transceiver and send any extra money on an antenna system.
A good manual tuner in the 500 watts or better range opens the door to a wider range of antenna set-ups that can give better operation on more bands.
The Fan Dipole arrangement is also good, but for ENTRY level operator may present a little frustration in getting tuned or set-up.
The All Band Doublet or Twin Lead feed Loop antenna gives multi-band operation and can provide good DX operation and is easy to install.
The main objective is to give multiple band operations and quick up and On the Air set-up.
This allows the newer op to get going and build the antenna farm as the peak of their interest for Ham bands increases.
The Doublet or Loop antenna feed with a good manual tuner provides much better performance than any Endfed or G5RV or OCF design antenna using an internal tuner set-up (IMHO).
The above mention radios will all give a good operation!
The bells and whistles of some radios mean ZERO if used on a compromised antenna system.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
BJ radionut
Supporting Member and 6m addict
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Good Tuners for operation with ANY aforementioned radios.
Again (IMHO)
All the Best
Gary
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https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1460348
https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1460090
https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1460317
ALL GOOD radios on the used market!
https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1449375
https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1459410
https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1457608
https://swap.qth.com/view_photo.php?counter=1456610
Good Tuners for operation with ANY aforementioned radios.
Again (IMHO)
All the Best
Gary
Have to strongly agree with Gary on radios, no need for the biggest and best to start. I have had the TS480hx, 480sat, TS570, TS50. Along with numerous Icoms. I liked the 480 with an external tuner the best. For Icoms, IC707 and IC718, 7200 were my favourites.
I'm currently have 2 HF radios which are over or at the OP's max, both Elecraft. KX2 used with an amp, and KX3 barefoot. But right now I'm strictly portable, specifically SOTA operator.
Malen
BJ radionut
Supporting Member and 6m addict
J.E.: I should note, that asking 10 Doctor's a question with a given list of symptoms with said Doctor's never examing the patient in person.
This will most generally get you 10 different diagnoses!
The same can be said when asking, what is the best radio!
However, asking the question is never wrong!
There are many options available, you must ultimately decide which options suit your needs and given situation.
All of the radios mentioned above will perform well, under 90% of the current conditions, there will be none that will not make a given contact or not hear a given station.
I should note also: This morning I operated my 15-year-old Yaesu FT-950 on 75 meters.
While in use for about 90 minutes this morning, I made casual contacts in 7 different states from Central Indiana in the range of 100 to 700+ miles with good reports.
This was done with a pair of homebrew "Phased Doublet" antennas at about 45 feet feed 300-ohm twin-lead and a manual tuner. I may have a cost of around $100 USD in that antenna.
I can work bands 80 thru 17 meters on that antenna. I will work whomever I hear.
You have many choices.
Having a good versatile antenna system is much more important, again than having the best radio.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
PS: The first HF radios I had were a crystal-controlled Heathkit transmitter and OLD Allied receiver. (Both units were circa the 1950s)
I might have had $100 USD in the whole set-up in 1979. I homebrewed a tuner out of hamfest goodies for $20-30 and ran a simple homemade wire antenna.
I operated 40 and 15 meters. I had a maximum output of maybe 40 watts using CW.
I worked the world from Central Iowa. I had a BLAST!
Still, I have many of those QSL cards from those days. I remember the first time I ever worked New Zealand on 15 meters! ZL2MM (SK). I about pee'd myself
I should also note that Harry/ ZL2MM and I worked many, many times over the next several years.
He was a fine operator and had a special spot in his heart for the newer op's!
I also had an op I worked in near Spokane, Washington on 40 meters.
Jay and I both got our ticket with-in days of each other, we would work every couple of days using similar equipment.
We made it point if we heard each other to always at least say hello whenever we were operating.
I guess where this is going, is to say it does not take the best equipment. I think it takes more patience and just general skill and practice to learn how to make those special contacts.
Wanting the New Best is fine, but it's not the absolute need.
Just get on and have FUN!
MANY here to help!
73
Gary
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