A Dummy (Me) Asks About Ham and Transceivers

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I read the comm and ham threads avidly but without much comprehension. I've got some kind of block. Here is my question ---

Can I get a HAM transceiver that will, at least, give me SW reception (getting rid of need to have SW radio)? I have a Baygen but this doesn't count for purposes of this question.

I'm thinking that way I can fiddle around with the ham aspect as I get to it, even post-rollover if I need to (might have plenty of time on my hands and who knows what agencies will be "regulating it")?

This isn't a question about brands to buy, but about the "way it works".

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), July 25, 1999

Answers

Yes, any HF ham transceiver is also an excellent shortwave receiver, better than any of the "civilian" ones. You might want to visit my ham pages for details on how to get started with amateur radio.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), July 25, 1999.

OK, related question. What would I need to buy, in sequence, to start out with getting the sw benefit of transceiver, heading on TOWARDS a full ham rig? Or do I need the full rig to pick up signals -- and the rest is just a question of when I want to learn to do ham?

So, which "pieces" and in which order do I need to buy them (still not asking a brand question).

Please assume I would like to listen and/or speak internationally.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), July 25, 1999.


OK, related question. What would I need to buy, in sequence, to start out with getting the sw benefit of transceiver, heading on TOWARDS a full ham rig? Or do I need the full rig to pick up signals -- and the rest is just a question of when I want to learn to do ham? So, which "pieces" and in which order do I need to buy them (still not asking a brand question).

Please assume I would like to listen and/or speak internationally.

BigDog, I'm a no-code Technician, which is a dilletante version of the Ham license. You could pass this test within two weeks, easy. Only problem, no world-band transmitting privileges, But you get two- meters which is key for local transmitting, since the repeater coverage in the US is not only complete, but often highly redundant.

In case you don't know, the FCC gives you the questions and answers before you take the test. Spend a few hours going through these questions and you're golden on the test. Much of the test involves basic electronics which you probably already know anyway.

2-meter is great because with a $100 handheld unit, you can hit a repeater just like with your cell-phone. Presto, effective communications within a 20 to 100 mile radius.

If there are any GI's in your local HAM club, they might even be planning for a battery/solar cell emergency power unit for the repeater.

If you're intent on international transmitting, your biggest task is purchasing and setting up an antenna. A Yagi beam antenna with a rotor on a tower is the ultimate transmitting tool. From there, you can move down to simple inexpensive wire antennaes or many choices in between.

With cheaper antennaes, it's my feeling that you need significantly more skills to get any effective use out of them. With an expensive beam on a tower you can use brute power to get your signal through.

I think some areas have repeaters on 6 meters and 10 meters, and if your community has those, then you won't need much antenna to get long range use of those bands at the repeaters frequencies.

Even with an inexpensive two-meter rig, you can elevate an inexpensive home-made antenna in a tree and get decent simplex (ie. no repeater) communications, especially if the other station has an elevated antenna. This is very sensitive to geography as 2 meter travels "line of sight" like FM broadcast radio.

Bottom line: An antenna is your biggest task. The rest of the stuff could probably be purchased and installed in one afternoon.

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), July 25, 1999.


OK, related question. What would I need to buy, in sequence, to start out with getting the sw benefit of transceiver, heading on TOWARDS a full ham rig? Or do I need the full rig to pick up signals -- and the rest is just a question of when I want to learn to do ham?

So, which "pieces" and in which order do I need to buy them (still not asking a brand question). Yes, you need the whole thing, but that consists of the transceiver, an antenna, a power supply, some cables, and possibly an antenna tuner, which is used to make your antenna work with the transceiver. The latter piece may or may not be needed, depending on your transceiver and your antenna; the person you buy the equipment from can advise you on this point.

Please assume I would like to listen and/or speak internationally.

As far as equipment goes, international is the same as anywhere outside your immediate vicinity.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), July 25, 1999.


BIGDOG:

Good boy, Fido -- you're asking the right questions, barking up the right tree. Some good info in previous answers. Here's a couple more tidbits:

1. If you buy used older model HF transceivers (like the Kenwood TS-120S I bought) you may not get 'general coverage,' i.e., the receiver section may only receive on the ham bands, not on the rest of the SW spectrum. (If you've read my ham posts you'll know my position on SW -- I don't believe it will provide any locally meaningful info -- so I won't miss it. However, to each his own -- just make sure your transceiver says "general coverage.")

2. If you get your "no-code" license you DO get world-band priveleges, specifically phone on 10 meters. That band will get you around the world much more reliably than 6 meters. That's because of the sunspots peaking nowadays.

3. Forget about 2 meters -- get used to the HF bands (10 meters and below)-- that's what you'll be using post-y2k, when the 2meter repeater network WILL DISAPPEAR.

4. Basic Law of The Universe: there are NO 'got it' hams in any local ham clubs. But they are nice guys and will help you get your ticket and set up your station. Don't talk Y2K to them -- or they'll stop feeding you milkbones, BigDog.

5. Getting a no-code ticket is a no-brainer for us electronic nerds -- but if you don't have that background it's worth investing in a computer-based license exam program. It'll get you up to speed no matter if you don't know an electron from a toaster. The best by far is W5YI, 817-461-6443, $29.95 for the No-Code Tech version. (I got their General ticket version, used it for 1 week, and got 29 out of 30 questions correct on the exam.)

6. Concerning antennas, the best is the cheapest, namely a full-wave horizontal loop set no more than 10 feet about ground level. You won't find much info on this from your local hams -- but read up on what Jocelyne Slough posted on one of my comm threads a couple months ago. The antenna is called an NVIS antenna.

The next best bet (re simplicity and cost)is a wire dipole. The local hams can give you good advice on that.

7. You're moving in the right direction, BigDog. Get that no-code ticket and you'll be ready to join our Y2K Net on 10 meters (hopefully will get it started by early Fall.)

Bill, KG4DHJ

P.S. I just handed in an article on Emergency Communication and Ham Radio to our local club. I donned the clothing of a total Polly in writing it -- this way 'they'll still love me in the morning.' B.

-- William J. Schenker, MD (wjs@linkfast.net), July 26, 1999.



Bill, I know this ?? gets asked repeatedly by various ones. House is in valley, with hill about 1/2 mile away. How does this affect antenna situation and do I have to sit on top of the hill to be communicating or receiving?

OK and now I'm ready for you to tell me which eqpt I should get, specifically, if you're willing.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), July 26, 1999.


BIGDOG:

1. I screwed up on my original post in Par. #2: No-code tech will NOT get you privileges on 10 meters -- I was ready to doze off when I wrote that -- that's my excuse (Also, early Alzheimer's.) Then at 1:30 AM I awoke suddenly to realize I put out the wrong info -- very embarrassing -- so here I am sitting at the keyboard at 1:40 AM -- talk about obsessive/compulsive.

So let me re-formulate my recommendation. DO get your Novice or Tech PLUS license. That will get you privileges on 10 meters. That means you will have to take your 5 words per minute code test besides the basic theory. All right, it's really not a big deal -- as long as you get the right computer program to teach you the code. (Going from 5 wpm to 13 wpm, necessary for a General ticket, is another story -- requires a lot more work.) Accordingly, change my reco from W5YI's No-code Tech package for $29.95, to their Tech/TechPlus/General package ($49.95.) Many apologies.

2. House in valley/hill nearby situation: yeah, as Puddintame mentioned, it affects your 'getting out' on certain frequencies, namely those that depend on line-of-site' radiation, which is 2 meters and higher. Once again a reason for getting a ticket that gives you 10 meter privileges.

And once again, a good reason for putting up an NVIS antenna: it radiates STRAIGHT UP -- so you don't have to worry about that hill nearby.

3. Specific equipment reco. What you'll usually find available in the used equipment market are HF transceivers made by Kenwood, ICOM, or Yaesu. Any of those brands (Japanese) are good. I like Kenwood 'cause that's what I've had in the past, and what I'm most familiar with. I've bought most of my stuff from Burghardt, 800-927-4261. Not the cheapest, but they give you a 90-day warranty.

Buy ALL SOLID-STATE rigs only -- NO tube jobs. Buy one with a digital readout. 100 watts output is standard and ALL you'll need. The coverage usually will be 80 meters to 10 meters. It may not have 160 meters or 6 meters or higher -- but you don't want to mess with those bands anyway. Your standbys post-y2k will be 80 meters, 40 meters, and 20 meters.

(What about your 10 meters, that you'll depend on with our Y2K Net, in the coming months PRE-y2k, with your TechPlus license? If Y2K is as bad as we think it will be, you won't have to worry about the FCC. Which means you (and many others) can use 20 meters instead of 10 WITHOUT a General license. [Illegal? Yes, as long as the FCC is functioning. Do NOT try transmitting on 20 meters if the FCC is still alive!] That will be MUCH more reliable, especially as the sunspot cycle starts to wane after next year.)

Bottomline reco: I like the Kenwood TS-120S, 'cause it's cheap -- $350 at Burghardt. Other guys will give you the equivalent model numbers for ICOM and Yaesu -- expect to pay $500-600.

You can buy from private parties -- but that can be risky -- unless you buy from a ham in your local club -- he'll do right by you if he's selling his own equipment to you.

(Caveat: if you are a major wheeler/dealer, like my buddy Art Welling whom I'm sure you know by his excellent posts on y2k fora, you may be able to pick up incredible bargains in equipment. Whenever I go looking for bargains I usually end up getting stung. Email him for his up-to-date take on specific purchases.)

You will most likely want to buy an antenna tuner. Unless you've had years of HF radio experience you can mess up your transceiver with a 'mismatched' antenna. Play it safe & use a tuner. My reco: MFJ-949E, 'Deluxe VersatunerII,' at about $130. That model also has a built-in 'dummy antenna' which you'll definitely want. Buy direct from MFJ (or a reputable dealer) -- I like MFJ -- real honest and friendly people (I'm biased towards them 'cause they're south of the Mason-Dixon line) -- 800-647-1800.

You'll also need a microphone. Burghardt sells the Kenwood MC-50 for $80 -- it matches the TS-120S. Other brands take other mikes.

You'll need a 20-Amp CONTINUOUS 13.8v regulated power supply (until Y2K -- after that you'll need instead, solar panels and other gear -- that's the kind of thing we'll talk about on the Y2K Net.) Used, they'll go for up to $150. Ask the Burghardt salesman. You can also get them new for about $100-110 (made in China) if you know your surplus electronic supply houses.

I'm not going to tell you specifics on antennas -- there's such a plethora of products and types out there. However, if you get involved with buying towers, and beams, and rotors -- you're getting into big bucks and big complexity and big expenditures of your valuable y2k-prep time. I like K.I.S.S. -- and NVIS antennas fills that bill fine.

You should be getting other specific recos from the other posters here -- see what they have to say. When you're all done collecting the conflicting recos go find an 'Elmer' -- an experienced ham, in your local club. Do NOT avoid that strategy!

Good luck, '73, --- Bill

-- William J. Schenker, MD (wjs@linkfast.net), July 26, 1999.


BD- Definitely consider going for at least your no-code technician license. I'm studying for it now (using an $11 Radio Shack book), and finding it relatively easy. No exam on Kaua'i until September, but they are held more frequently in most areas. I may also work toward the code portion, but that's later.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), July 26, 1999.

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