Looking for pickup HF rig for 20/40m

[CB590]

Anyone have suggestions on a 20 or 40 m rig for my pickup truck? I have an Alinco SR8T for base that cost me $470 new, but want something maybe with just 20/40m for my pickup..

Cheaper the better.. 50w and up preferred..

 

[RatsoW8]

MFJ makes low power single band ssb radios 75 through 2 meters. You can Google that. Heathkit did back i in the day but those were tube rigs.

I used to run the MFJ 20m ssb radio mobile long time ago and they work surprisingly well.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Those MFJ radios are low power and not very mobile friendly. The only monoband or dual band radios you are going to find are VHF/UHF or 10/12m export radios. There is no market for something like a 20/40m radio. It would cost pretty much the same as a low end HF radio with next to nothing for coverage for that price. Your best bet is to look for a decent used HF mobile radio and enjoy all bands from 80m up to perhaps 70cm.

 

[wavrider]

AS CK posted best bet is find used HF rig with ATU and enjoy the bands.

With that said a friend of mine as some of the MFJ mono band SSB transceivers and they work rather well.

Low power output but receive sensitivity is OK and audio is good.
But for the price of just one of the mono banders you can add a few more $$$ and have full HF coverage.

Example I just picked up a Kenwood TS-50 for $200.00 small compact and full HF coverage. Menu driven but not my cup of tea I like big knob radios ( behave BJ)
But for the price I picked it up for a back up rig to the other back up rigs.

 

[w9cll]

Example I just picked up a Kenwood TS-50 for $200.00

I have been searching for a good TS-50.... nice price!

 

[Hurricane145]

I have been searching for a good TS-50.... nice price!

I got one when they first came out. It was a very good mobile rig. Very easy to operate as the menus were set and forget. I had no engine noise with it. If it had a remote head I would still have it!! I went to a 706 MK2 primarily for the remote head. With that I have to use the noise blanker when the engine is running and it is not nearly as simple to use when mobile.

 

[autotuner]

There are lots of mono bank kits available on the net, usually under 10w but amp kits are there too.
I don't know if your license allows construction....

 

[Tallman]

Icom-746 PRO

 

[binrat]

Why not something like a used TS-480 or FT857? Or a 817 with an amplifier if you are an outdoors type of guy. That way if you need to pop the radio out to sit on the picnic table while camping its easy and does not draw a lot of power.

 

[Bow]

IC-718.

I have been running one in my truck for 8 years, picked it up used for $300

 

[BJ radionut]

http://www.qrpkits.com/bitx20a.html

http://www.qrpkits.com/index.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HF-6-Band-3-15W-HF-TRANSCEIVER-QRP-SSB-CW-Dual-
mode-KN-850-KN850-/121514100347?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

 

[BJ radionut]

https://qrpver.com/transceivers/qrpver_1_v_3.html

 

[2RT307]

IC-718.

I have been running one in my truck for 8 years, picked it up used for $300

Hey Bow! I put my 718 in my oickup for a bit. Also did a Kenwood TS-430. The size of the rig is actually ok in a pickup.

73,
Brett

 

[Bow]

Heck yeah Brett....

I'm running the same radio in the same truck I use to talk to you in Houston with!

718 is a solid, no frills, rig the is tough as nails.

 

[Paul-W5lz]

I think your best bet would be to find an affordable all band HF radio. Who says you might not change your preferred bands later? They really aren't that expensive, and is more convenient in the long run.
The 'sticky' part of used radios is that you just don't know what you're getting till you got it, you know? I like bargains too! Just make sure it's a bargain...