Subj : Re: Getting started
To   : Steven Sheeley
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Dec 29 2016 10:17 pm

 SS@>    Hello everybody!

Hi, Steven,

 SS@> Does anyone have any suggestions of what would be good to start with?

  First off, there's a rig for every budget, from a handi-talkie for under
$50 (if you drop it, you might as well buy a new one), to full blown rigs
of HF/VHF/UHF in the tens of thousands of dollars.

  Second, the Technician Class license gives you full amateur radio privileges
on 50 megahertz and above (6 meters, 2 meters, 1.25 meters, 70 centimeters,
33 centimeters, 23 centimeters). You have LIMITED privileges on the HF bands,
with CW (Morse Code only) on portions of 80, 40, and 15 meters. On the 10
meter band, you have data (CW, RTTY, PSK31, and other digital modes) from
28.0 to 28.3 Megahertz...and single sideband (SSB) voice from 28.3 to 28.5
Megahertz. Plus, you're limited to 200 watts output on HF, but 1500 watts
on 6 meters and above. However, the general rule is to "use the minimum
amount of power needed to carry out communications".

  Third, if you are in an area with "antenna prohibitions" or restrictions
on having RF gear, you may have to operate "internet radio" (like I have
to do). Using my computer (running Windows 7, 32-bit), with appropriate
software, I can access Packet Via Telnet, Echolink, D-Star, and D-Rats;
with no rigs, power supplies, SWR meters, coaxial cable, antennas, etc.
While the "purists" will say "this isn't ham radio", more and more hams
are ending up in situations beyond their control, where they can't have
RF gear, antennas, etc.

  Fourth, the Baofeng or Wouxon HT's don't have a lot of power with them,
but they are under $100 -- yet, the saying applies "you get what you pay
for". I've had the Yaesu FT-8800R (dual band 2 meter/440) as a base station,
although it was meant for mobile use...but I think that rig has been
discontinued. The Yaesu FT-857 has HF, VHF, and UHF, with 100 watts power.
To really use that though, you need to pass the Technician and General
Class exam. Much of what is on the Technician exam is also on the General
exam, but in more detail.

 SS@> BTW, I live in Rural West Virginia so I don't have any local swap fests
 SS@> or anything and the one club thats close to me is unreachable (Thier
 SS@> website is broken and I can not submit a contact there) so it looks
 SS@> like I'll need to stick with mail ordering.

  I would recommend either Ham Radio Outlet, Main Trading Company, or
Gigaparts for new gear. Some have used gear available, but check the
warranties with the used gear. Some ham radio groups have swap nets, but
be careful on getting gear there...some hams unfortunately use those to
get rid of "a worthless boat anchor doorstop" -- a rig that no longer works.

Daryl, WX1DER


Daryl, WX1DER

.... H.A.M. Radio Operator: H)ave A)nother M)eal.
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