RFI on Ham Radios

[LuckyDuck]

Perhaps I should just go ahead and tag @Gunfighter14e2 on this post from the get-go but I had a question about purchasing one's first Ham radio.

For a bit of housekeeping- I've mentioned it here before but I had gotten my technician ticket a number of years ago (it's still current) and haven't done anything with it. Truth be told (and I might have said this before) but I pursued getting my license as just an alternative from drinking beer and arguing with folks here in the Pit. Reckon I thought I'd be spending my time better learning something new.

Only problem is I never didn't anything with it once I got my license initially. I had read that the volunteer testers often times would allow someone to "test up" and see if they could pass the exam for the higher license (and dang rabbit I would have passed the 'General" exam with flying colors given the opportunity) but the event I found myself in only allowed testing for the Tech license.

Alright- moving on, I'm approaching the point where I'll need to (if nothing else) renew my license with the FCC (which they're now charging for as of recent). I don't want to necessary squander my previous attempts of acquiring knowledge but I'm also struggling with renewing my license if I haven't so much have touched a HAM radio in almost 10 years.

I'm as introverted as they come but I have had it in my head that I owed it to myself to at least give this hobby an honest shake and see where that takes me.

That said- I'm looking at two polar ends of the spectrum/price point. The models I'm looking at are both handheld & triband but their prices are vastly different...

The models I'm looking at are:

This Kenwood on the "high" end: https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/th-d75a/


and the "lower end" being this particular Yaseu, the VX-6R: https://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/products/ama_handheld.html

On one hand- since I haven't done jack squat with my HAM ticket for over half a decade- part of me wants to just be dismissive and cut my losses. If I really felt contrary- I'd buy the Yaseu and run away with my asian princess.

But- that just doesn't seem to be how it works right?

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Testing up as you call it is SOP, unless the VE's had some kind of emergency. I've seen many people walk in for their first test & pass all three tests.
Price points in radio are worthless, specs are the truth Sayer. There is no draw back to either of those radios & the VX6R is what I prefer & use. I install the barometric pressure sensor (no longer available) in mine and w/a wrist temp sensor D/A was known quick. That said when teaching FNG's I/we use chink UV5R's we have modded and they exceed the ability of "Higher End Radios", in many aspects. Which would/will be much better for SHTF work, if needed. While they don't have the finesse they still get the job done. For my QTH & portables its all Kenwood for a number of reasons, but I also have Collins, Swan, Icom, Heath kit ect, in transceivers, and support gear runs the gamit.

Depending the level of ability you're after, radio can get very expensive once you're past just CW or talking. If you ever get into RF snooping it gets very, very pricey real quick. To the tune of 3-10X gun shit, no matter the shooting level. The rewards though can be huge even with a very small scale investment, if shit goes sideways. The Military Golden triangle requires you to have the ability to Shoot, Move & Communicate and none of the three come w/o training.
For basic training to get your license one of the best places is to start Here and take the test's until you are in the 90-95% range each time. The tech & general are 35 question tests but the question pool is over 400 for either, The Extra is a 50 question test with a pool of over 600 possible questions.
Now all that said, in any emergency you do not need any type of gov permission to operate any radio on any freq, but like all things you need to know how to use it and its much more, than just pushing a button. Find a club Here and they can get you or point you to someone that can get/teach you to any level, you want the ability of.

The biggest advantage of radio to me is the ability to gather info on events local and all around this rock w/o media or state sponsored spin.
Another advantage is having groups all around yours that can keep you updated about what is happening in their A/O should shit go sideways. As most all of them have different coding systems just for that. Nice to have other groups to call on for any type of help if need be,... and they all bring different skill sets.

 

[John?]

@LuckyDuck

you define your mission and kit will become obvious.

I’ll second @Gunfighter14e2 comment on finding a club. Those folks know the local RF environment and can advise on proper kit. For example, i am a long time Icom user but live in the Kaw River Valley now. Yaesu digital is the hot ticket here as most repeaters run Fusion. So if you want the option to use digital repeaters you need to know what infrastructure is available to you. FM analog repeaters are everywhere, but things are moving to digital rapidly.

General use HTs can and should be FM analog. Many to choose from. We use chinese radios modded to open them up a bit. They’re cheap and no one complains when they get lost, dropped off a ravine or run over by an ATV. It happens.

Mobile radios are different and where you should focus for VHF and UHF. INTERNET relay of some sort is a big discriminator on kit (there are many protocols depending on your local repeater set up).

Get your General ticket. It ain’t hard. My 12 year old twins have it, and my 13 year old is and Extra. All run CW at 30 wpm. Digital modes are super easy.

HF is far more useful to us than VHF/UHF. Having both is very useful.

Learn how to build wire antennas. Add in a TinySA of you choice and you’ll be off to the races for talking, listening, and RDF.

Easy Button:
Yaesu or ICOM mobile rig and power supply. Let repeater digital infrastructure drive your choice. Antenna: Arrow vertical works well. Or build your own.

HF. Basic Yaesu 710 is currently one of the best and most affordable rigs. It is what I would buy if I needed a QRO HF rig. I ran one during field day and was impressed. Antenna: 10-80 end fed half wave will get you started. Build your own after than. You will also need an antenna tuner, coax,
Power supply, etc. members of you local ham club often have gently used items for resale after an upgrade.

Hope this helps.
-john

 

[Alpine 338]

If you have time study the question pool. I prefer the FCC version, as it has the options I like. The reason maybe they didn't offer the General exam when you took the test, as I understand it, the tests have to be pre-ordered, and maybe they only ordered the Tech exams when you tested?

I would suggest the Yaesu FT-60R. It's still made in Japan vs. China as most of the comparable models are now made in a Country that hates America. I think the battery charger is made in China though. It is one of the last HT's that still has a manual squelch, and still utilizes AA batteries. All three of those things met my requirements.

Take the test, for the measley $15 and an hour or so of your time, it's worth it.