HT Radios w/Wideband Receive

[Benthic]

Greetings All,

I've been away from radio for quite a few years, but I find myself looking to get back into it again. I currently hold a Technician license, but am studying for the General exam next month.

In the meantime, I'm looking to upgrade my old Alinco DJ-G5T to a newer HT, preferably one with a wide band receiver. My thought was to be able to listen in on the HF amateur bands and get a feel for what I'd be getting into as a General. Can I do that with a wide band HT? I've been looking at the Yaesu VX-8R due to it's popularity here, and I just wanted to make sure it will do what I want before spending the money.

Thanks very much for your help!

Brian

 

[Moleculo]

Yeah, but you have to get an HT that has HF capabilities, and preferably one with HF SSB. The Kenwood TH-F6a is probably the one you want. I had that HT for years, and would like to get another. The receiver on HF isn't the best, but if you hook up a long wire or something better than the duck to the antenna you will be able to listen in on the stronger HF stations. I did that and also used it to listen in on SW foreign broadcast.

 

[SR385]

If you must use an HT, yeah the TH-F6a is the one to get.

 

[C2]

I'd say no. The experience you are looking for cannot be delivered with a handheld.

The VX-8R is a great HT for what it's designed for.

Teh TH-F6A might do better at HF, but would still be lacking. It would be a bad first impression of HF.

 

[n9zas]

I would have to agree,the kenwood th-f6a is the choice in this case since it is able to receive ssb. But as others have mentioned it's going to be a rough idea of what a really good receiver would be. I've heard the selectivity on those really lack from my boss. He's had two of them so far.
n9zas