Where do I start ?

[EI52N7W]

First of all, Hi to everyone on this fantastic forum,I couldn't find any section to introduce myself, So Hi from Ireland

Im looking to get myself a good export dx ssb radio and I note theres a few mentioned here like the ranger,cre,optima, I would like one the has pleanty of coverage for listening as well, Im a bit rusty on the subject as it was 25 years ago when I was bestowed upon me my first radio being a ham international jumbo, I was in heaven (at the time).

Can I have some guide as to where to start say with a budget of 750 euro for a export radio, that would cover 25 -30 (im aware they can be adjusted) and also a antenna (fiberglass whip) type of power supply to use and a good swr meter, It's starting to come back

Im amazed at the forum you guys got, not available when I was dxing 25 years ago, not even dialup.

Any help would be great
Im just a good bit out of date with everything,

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[M0GVZ]

€750? I'd not even bother looking at export CB gear. I'd look at amateur radio gear - virtually all are 100W or more out, have far better TX and RX and are just in an entirely different league. €750 would be more than enough to buy you a used Kenwood TS480SAT which is a good entry level rig. You may be able to find the TS480HX which is 200W out.

 

[EI52N7W]

€750? I'd not even bother looking at export CB gear. I'd look at amateur radio gear - virtually all are 100W or more out, have far better TX and RX and are just in an entirely different league. €750 would be more than enough to buy you a used Kenwood TS480SAT which is a good entry level rig. You may be able to find the TS480HX which is 200W out.

Thanks, but im taking into account base antenna swr tuner power supply etc, don't know if I want to go that far yet, maybe thou

 

[wavrider]

With that budget.

I would look into a used HF rig.

You can transmit on what frequencies you have privileges on to use for phone.

A sirio gainmaster vertical antenna.

Will not need a tuner if you stay above 24mhz I believe. they are very broad banded.

A 100 watt HF amateur rig will need a good 20 amp power supply.

Many hf rigs have receive from 500 hz up to 30 mhz so you can use it for SWL also.

This still all come under the 750 euro budget.

 

[cbradiomagazine.com]

Exactly what those guys said...if you also want to do some listening get a used HF rig that you can modify for 11 meters and then you can talk and also listen to all the bands!

 

[Blackcat630]

A good entry level hf rig maybe a icom 718 and a power supply of you choice. Imax 2000 will be a broad banded fiberglass vertical. String up a wire for the low bands... Tons of swr meters to choose from. That would get you on 11 and all the others to listen to.... maybe

 

[EI52N7W]

Thanks for the reply's , but im a bit lost in all this, I thought I needed a license to buy one of those rigs ? Although I will apply to the body here (Ireland) for one, that kenwood that was mentioned above looks a nice bit of kit for the money, I could be tempted, Where would the best place to purchase from...

 

[TonyV225]

Welcome aboard you will love this site

 

[EI52N7W]

Thanks very much,

Im looking at that kenwood sat that was mentioned above, looks a nice bit of kit for the money and i have looked up a bit on it over internet, Seems to get good reports.

forgive my ignorance but do i have to have it adjusted in any way for the 11 meter band ? or is it ready out of the box?.

As i said in a previous post, my experiance with cb radio dates back to 1985 when using a ham international jumbo for dxing on 27555, than i got married quiet young and it was shelved for house ownership and the like. then i got into TV Systems, Terrestrial and satellite, To which my core business is built with, But i do love radio rigs and the like to which im very interested in, and want to learn more,,,,

p.s just getting older, haha

 

[EI52N7W]

or is it 10 meters, told you I am rusty,,

 

[Blackcat630]

If you get a Kenwood icom yaesu alinco....(hf rig) and you want to use it on cb or freeband (27.555) as you mentioned „ it will need to be modded. It usually isnt all that difficult... look on line for the model you like and "mars cap mod"... Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the forum.

 

[EI52N7W]

If you get a Kenwood icom yaesu alinco....(hf rig) and you want to use it on cb or freeband (27.555) as you mentioned „ it will need to be modded. It usually isnt all that difficult... look on line for the model you like and "mars cap mod"... Welcome back to the hobby and welcome to the forum.

Thanks. can anyone recommend where would be the best place to buy one, (modded).
I would also like to be in the comfort of knowing that whoever is doing the modification is spot on.

Thanks to all

 

[fodendaf]

new dealers:
Home
South East Communications 2010
Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

second hand:
radio transceiver: Classified Ads. Used Items For Sale in Ireland - DoneDeal.ie

search for hf radio also and brand names yaesu or kenwood or alinco or icom

Buy and Sell in Ireland | Adverts.ie

www.hotelromeo.net(down at present)
i understand there are facebook groups for radio sales that are active also but i have no facebook account personally.

most of the second hand radios are already modded due to cb'ers vastly outnumbering ham radio operators. If you want to buy a new modded radio you will have to make enquiries yourself.

Many radio dealers advertise in the irts.ie monthly magazine, you may be able to pick up a back issue from someone.

Nobody uses ebay in ireland for radio sales for some reason but if you search brand names on it you may find uk dealers have many new radios listed on it( but no second hand radios anywhere unless you look for cb's)

you can pick up a license from IRTS – Amateur Radio in Ireland, Irish Radio Transmitters Society. most of the study material is on that website or comreg.ie. the exam testing is situated 15 minutes walk from busaras in dublin so if you can get a bus anywhere in ireland you should get to it.

the exam is between the uk foundation and intermediate in difficulty and gives full privileges on all bands without learning morse. I suggest starting with a cb though, the police and army do monitor freeband operation and you will bring unwanted attention on yourself.
(ask me how I know)

 

[EI52N7W]

Thanks a lot for the info very helpful, I don't think il go for the exam this year as the sitting dates seem top be around september - october, so i may leave it til next year for that.

Im looking at a icom 718 or the kenwood ts480sat, with the icom i think il need a atu and supply as with the kenwood the atu is built in....