I've been browsing the forums for quite some time trying to figure out what I want to do with my license. I admit that I originally got it so that I could legally carry around my scanner with me. However, now I'm trying to figure out what else I want to do and I'm not having anything jump out at me.
Where I live (Indianapolis), there only really seems to be one or two REALLY active repeaters. In fact, both are LOS and <2miles from where I live. However, I'm not sure that just talking about random stuff is really for me since I really have nothing to contribute.
I do wonder if maybe there is something else that would more to my liking. Learning CW interests me, if only because it's such a simple, yet useful way to communicate. I also find satellites fascinating, probably due to my being an engineer. Beyond that, I have absolutely no idea what may or may not be active around here and what would be worth spending any money on.
I can't even figure out mobile or HT. I'm unlikely to try to put a radio in the car to Tx, so I'm more thinking about the potential of a base usage.
My budget is "the closer to $500, the better." I've thought about the Kenwood route with either the D72A or the DM710 just due to the flexibility of having the TNC would be. Even the F6a might be nice due to the wide range of Rx freqs, I could see what else is going on in other parts of the spectrum.
I've looked into Yaesu mainly due to the large variety of radios available. I think the FT-60R would get me on air cheapest and allow for satellites, but I think that could get old quick. I've thought about getting a mobile, like a FT7900 and pairing a TNC for some additional modes. It's outside the price range (double after everything!), but even the FT-857D has crossed my mind due to the different modes it has to offer.
I know there's a D-Star repeater around, but I have absolutely no idea how active it is. That's the only reason I've even looked into the ICOM, but there may be something else I haven't considered.
What was it that really grabbed you when you got started and would that still hold true today? I'd like to not due the spend money, lose interest, just go back to only using the scanner. So far, the only thing I've actually used my callsign for was playing with APRS on my phone.
HELP!!!!:blink:
Where I live (Indianapolis), there only really seems to be one or two REALLY active repeaters. In fact, both are LOS and <2miles from where I live. However, I'm not sure that just talking about random stuff is really for me since I really have nothing to contribute.
I do wonder if maybe there is something else that would more to my liking. Learning CW interests me, if only because it's such a simple, yet useful way to communicate. I also find satellites fascinating, probably due to my being an engineer. Beyond that, I have absolutely no idea what may or may not be active around here and what would be worth spending any money on.
I can't even figure out mobile or HT. I'm unlikely to try to put a radio in the car to Tx, so I'm more thinking about the potential of a base usage.
My budget is "the closer to $500, the better." I've thought about the Kenwood route with either the D72A or the DM710 just due to the flexibility of having the TNC would be. Even the F6a might be nice due to the wide range of Rx freqs, I could see what else is going on in other parts of the spectrum.
I've looked into Yaesu mainly due to the large variety of radios available. I think the FT-60R would get me on air cheapest and allow for satellites, but I think that could get old quick. I've thought about getting a mobile, like a FT7900 and pairing a TNC for some additional modes. It's outside the price range (double after everything!), but even the FT-857D has crossed my mind due to the different modes it has to offer.
I know there's a D-Star repeater around, but I have absolutely no idea how active it is. That's the only reason I've even looked into the ICOM, but there may be something else I haven't considered.
What was it that really grabbed you when you got started and would that still hold true today? I'd like to not due the spend money, lose interest, just go back to only using the scanner. So far, the only thing I've actually used my callsign for was playing with APRS on my phone.
HELP!!!!:blink:
