Ham Radio Question

[AudioShockwav]

One of the "KOOL" items of working VHF/UHF is the antennas are small!

So true, I used to run a 14 element Yagi on 2 meters long ago, turned it with a tv rotor lol.

You can build a 2 Meter ground plane for about $10 worth of parts and some solid copper wire.

73
Jeff

 

[w9cll]

@AudioShockwav brought up the fact that when the solar cycle starts to wane, I (a CBr) may want to consider getting my ticket. I'll be honest, the main reason I've been hesitant about HAM radio is the cost of equipment. So before diving into the HAM pool, or even thinking about it, I'd like to know this. When the solar cycle ends and conditions are at their worst, (as a HAM) which frequency would I choose and why?
I'm speaking in general terms. And yes, there is a method to my madness.

Thanks!! Your input is greatly appreciated.

Used will be your friend here, for what a Styker radio cost new you can get in HF with a radio that will run circles are around the styker.

 

[sp5it]

@AudioShockwav brought up the fact that when the solar cycle starts to wane, I (a CBr) may want to consider getting my ticket. I'll be honest, the main reason I've been hesitant about HAM radio is the cost of equipment.

Check price of Stryker 955 and second hand IC-718 for example. 718 will eat that toy for a breakfast.
On the other hand, if you already have some export CB 10m with ticket is yours. Just tune your antenna for 10m band.
Mike

 

[whiteastro]

When I finish up my unfinished work on this house so I can sell it and get out of this stinking valley, I plan on heading down the Ham Highway so I can concentrate better at the task at hand. I home studied for a Waste Water Treatment license once when I had too much happening in life and what a pain that was. I was actually shocked when I passed the exam because I'm not a chemist and math isn't my strong area. I don't like doing anything Half-Assed !

 

[AudioShockwav]

Check price of Stryker 955 and second hand IC-718 for example. 718 will eat that toy for a breakfast.
On the other hand, if you already have some export CB 10m with ticket is yours. Just tune your antenna for 10m band.
Mike

My friend Tracy, KE6OYE runs a Icom-718, good entry level radio.

73
Jeff

 

[Crawdad]

My friend Tracy, KE6OYE runs a Icom-718, good entry level radio.

73
Jeff

718s rock on SSB. Don't use mine anymore but can't seem to let it go. Great starter HF rig.

7 3

 

[9C1Driver]

@AudioShockwav brought up the fact that when the solar cycle starts to wane, I (a CBr) may want to consider getting my ticket. I'll be honest, the main reason I've been hesitant about HAM radio is the cost of equipment. So before diving into the HAM pool, or even thinking about it, I'd like to know this. When the solar cycle ends and conditions are at their worst, (as a HAM) which frequency would I choose and why?
I'm speaking in general terms. And yes, there is a method to my madness.

Thanks!! Your input is greatly appreciated.

There is no reason not to get your ticket really. I just did it earlier this year after many years of dragging my feet. I still love talking 11m SSB but you have so many other new options. As far as cost, jeez when you price some of the new RCI and Stryker stuff wow. There are plenty of used options for ham rigs and 2m radios are super cheep.

 

[Hurricane145]

I spent about 2 years on CB and once I learned about ham radio got my novice license. That was in 1971. I never looked back much to CB after that. I have a couple closet shelf queens but only very rarely turn on a CB radio to listen around a little.
There is just SO much more to do with a ham license it is crazy. There is always some activity on one HF band or another regardless of where we are in the sunspot cycle. In the worst of it, 20, 30 ,and 40 meters are very active still. Even though there could be some activity on 10 and 15, everyone just moves to what the more active bands are at the moment so some openings can be missed. We tend to go where the action is because we are not just stuck on one band like CB is.

The gear can be expensive but doesn't really have to be terribly so. Most start kinda small and build up a better station over the years.

 

[928bolo]

The gear can be expensive but doesn't really have to be terribly so. Most start kinda small and build up a better station over the years.

I think many hams get sucked into big radios with lots of buttons. Looks impressive but often is overkill for the operating needs of most hams. I'm thinking of the Icom 7850, Kenwood TS-990. Elecraft K4. They are good radios, and pretty to look at, but you can spend far less for just as good, if not better radios (FTDX-101, FTDX-10, FT-710, Icom 7610, Elecraft K3).

IMHO a used Kenwood TS-590s is a great radio for any ham. Used it can be bought for less than $700. It doesn't have a hypnotizing display, but its SSB audio, and smooth CW QSK is very good. Easy to do digital modes with the USB interface.

A good antenna is were most budget should be applied.

 

[Crawdad]

A good antenna is were most budget should be applied.

Truer words never spoken............but that budget doesn't have to be huge in the beginning. There are plenty of wire antenna designs that can be homebrewed at low expense, are very efficient radiators and work very well. There are many multi- band designs that do not require the purchase of an external tuner. Homebrewing can be fun and provide a great sense of satisfaction when making a 5,000 mile DX contact using an antenna that you made from scratch. It also adds to your antenna knowledge so you know what and what not to look for if/when your antenna budget grows at some later date. I began on 10m using a homebrewed, low cost, wire Inverted V and worked 50+ DX countries with 100w. They just plain work.

7 3

 

[AudioShockwav]

. I began on 10m using a homebrewed, low cost, wire Inverted V and worked 50+ DX countries with 100w. They just plain work.

I worked South Korea on 100 watts and a homemade dipole using two whips.
Mounted vertical.
Ten meters is so much fun right now and antennas are easy, simple CB antennas tune well on ten with a little snip.

73
Jeff

 

[kopcicle]

I'm gonna lift my leg and mark a spot here if no one minds.

I'll be back soon with something more than a semi permanent stain.

 

[kopcicle]

gawd the mobile version of the site sux dry dawg turds.

I'm a huge fan of the ARRL Antenna handbook. If you can't find it here in one of my early posts I'll locate a version on Archive dot org.

That's a good start because amateur band antennas are, well, different. You don't have to forget everything you learned about 11M antennas but you do have to open your cranium to the principals that define effective radiation rather than the myths, hearsay, urban legend, hype and absolute BS that permeate anything and everything Citizens Band.

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I don't know of an easier way to get an audio visual representation of radio reception into your hands.

HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools

Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.

hamstudy.org

Many I have mentored have praised this site.

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Is how they finance the bandwidth for hamstudy.org

I strongly recommend that the Technician and General exams be studied concurrently. Enough of the General exam is similar to the Technician exam that it just makes sense.

https://www.radioddity.com/
Your first radio, handheld, mobile or something is there. Reputable site, good communication, rapid shipping and at $21 on sale (quantity discounts) they're nearly disposable. Get the programming cable as well. And while I'm here...

Home - CHIRP

Redmine

chirpmyradio.com

Just figure it out.

That takes care of 2m and 70cm but what about HF and 6m?

meanwhile out in the garage part II

in true shadetree fashion the new bearings were installed.

www.worldwidedx.com

Okay that's a lot for a nugget to swallow so I'll type some more brain vomit.
Don't get a Hybrid like a Kenwood TS 520-530 or TS 820-830 unless you are prepared to work on it. Other than Terry Wagoner https://www.k9tw.com/
There aren't a lot of good techs out there. If you find one, tell us all.

Now the subjective slide of things. As much as I like and operate things like the TS-830S and the Tempo 2020 they're not for everyone. I could tell you stories but that's not what I'm here for.
I like the Icom IC-735. General coverage receiver, a bit of memory (if you change the battery) a tricky AM but not without options (See adjustable B- introduced to the ALC jack) well over 100W, needs a stout DC supply, and has a great following.
It also has a limited CAT functionality.
There are a few other things about the 735 but, well, Google is your fiend.
I own a HW-101 and SB-101. Heathkit are not for the faint of heart or those without a tube tester. Remember these were built by amateur solder jockeys and not by a factory.

I own a FT-857D. I hate the receiver but the "shack in the box" (HF,6m,2m,70cm) is convenient. The earlier 817, 897, also have issues but to each their own.

µBITX – HF SIGNALS

GitHub - threeme3/usdx: Simple and experimental (class-E driven) SSB transceiver.

Simple and experimental (class-E driven) SSB transceiver. - threeme3/usdx

github.com

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Special note here. The Radoberry is a a transceiver in name only. The TX output is on the order of about 2v P-P. In short, barely enough to drive the pre-driver of your CB radio. So although it's intriguing t calls for some understanding of stage gain and prior rf construction practices.

In the end you need an antenna.
You need a receiver.
You need a transceiver.
A note here, I regularly converse with southern Kalifornia from the puget sound on a crap loop with 100W. Anything less and it gets boring.
Arrange for at least an 80m antenna. My recommendation is

Windom off center fed

I prefer the 80% version with a 4:1 balun.

And

I Walk the walk. Although I do not and will not participate in online exams I am a VE and I am dedicated to the art science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.
I will help in any way I can. To that end I have a curious but effective means for anyone that just can't seem to absorb enough of the material to pass even the practice tests. It isn't for everyone but if you just can't for some reason I may have an answer.

Enough for now. It's late, even on the left coast and I have to ...

 

[928bolo]

Truer words never spoken............but that budget doesn't have to be huge in the beginning. There are plenty of wire antenna designs that can be homebrewed at low expense, are very efficient radiators and work very well. There are many multi- band designs that do not require the purchase of an external tuner.

A half wave, resonant dipole, up a half wavelength in the air is hard to beat. I used a fan dipole for 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m and 100w to work my first 150 DXCC. I learned CW along the way that helped a lot.

Now with FT8, it is possible to work stations around the whole world in a day.

 

[kopcicle]

Now with FT8, it is possible to work stations around the whole world in a day.

FT8
I just can't bring myself to do it .