HF Rig Upgrade

[twmans]

I've been off the bands for several years and now that I'm retired have been thinking of getting active again. I need some advice on a new HF rig. I'm traveling in a fifth wheel and would like something I can move from truck to trailer quickly. Advice on an antenna would also be helpful. At times operating outside on a table might also be something I'd consider. So give me some input on what might meet my requirements. The smaller the better,
but having said that I do want a rig that will perform.

Tom WD8CSL

[whodo]

Can't offer much advice on the Latest and Greatest compact HF rig, actually need to think about replacing my antique rig.

Now when it comes to antennas I can highly recommend the Screwdriver antenna. Maybe "Dave KJ4OR" will comment on his new Screwdriver antenna and give both of us a recommendation for a new hf rig.

[twmans]

Thanks WODO, the screwdriver antenna seems to be very popular among the
RVing set. A long wire or V also seems to work for some but I'd hate to try to put one up in busy campground. I've considered a vertical on a mast but there seems to be a problem with radials sometimes. For mobile I may use a ham stick.

Tom WD8CSL

[whodo]

A long wire works when your out in the middle of the Arizona desert :D :D
But when in a RV park it is awful hard to put one up.

One item that I do carry with me is a "COIL loaded " inverted "V". It was published in QST back in the late 60's as a field day inverted V or a disaster inverted V, it cuts the length down to approx. 37 feet to center and works well with a less than optima slope angle with or without a tuner, using a tuner I have actually had great results hanging it flat like a long wire.

[kimgw]

im still running my ft101 ee and it still works well on 15 and 40

[whodo]

kimgw im still running my ft101 ee and it still works well on 15 and 40

Can you still get tubes for that antique? I know I should talk, I have a FT101 (yup the orignal 101) that has been gathering dust since I bought my FT301AD in 1979.

[kroving]

Glad to have you aboard.:) I have an old Yaesu FT 890 xcever and a screwdriver antenna. I love them both but could stand an up date on the xcever. The new units have "roofing filters" in the front end that help a lot in crowded band conditions. You need a rig with an automatic antenna tuner but must turn it off when you tune up the screwdriver. Some of the newer xcevers have built in tuners that tune an antenna, similar to a screwdriver, but of thier own manufacture. That would be nice because it is all automatic. On the other hand, it is sad that most new hams would not even know how to peak and dip a simpel transmeter. It is all automatic now. There is a great RV'ing net (The Wally Bynam) RV service Net on 7230 (40 mtrs) every morning at 8:00 AM. It was an Airstreem net but now is open to everyone. Check it out, you do not have to officially join it to participate. The net control will normally leave a space before returning to some one, just through you call into that space and if he hears you, he will give you a net rotation number. When your number comes up, he will call you. If he does not hear you, try several times, somewone will hear you and relay you in. It is a great bunch and they do have get-to-gathers now and then around the country.

I hope this is of help to you. The gang here will always be here to help if we can and I hope we can have an "eye ball" QSO somewhere down the log. :D

Dave
KJ4OR

[kroving]

Glad to have you aboard.:) I have an old Yaesu FT 890 xcever and a screwdriver antenna. I love them both but could stand an up date on the xcever. The new units have "roofing filters" in the front end that help a lot in crowded band conditions. You need a rig with an automatic antenna tuner but must turn it off when you tune up the screwdriver. Some of the newer xcevers have built in tuners that tune an antenna, similar to a screwdriver, but of thier own manufacture. That would be nice because it is all automatic. On the other hand, it is sad that most new hams would not even know how to peak and dip a simpel transmeter. It is all automatic now. There is a great RV'ing net (The Wally Bynam) RV service Net on 7230 (40 mtrs) every morning at 8:00 AM. It was an Airstreem net but now is open to everyone. Check it out, you do not have to officially join it to participate. The net control will normally leave a space before returning to some one, just through you call into that space and if he hears you, he will give you a net rotation number. When your number comes up, he will call you. If he does not hear you, try several times, somewone will hear you and relay you in. It is a great bunch and they do have get-to-gathers now and then around the country.

I hope this is of help to you. The gang here will always be here to help if we can and I hope we can have an "eye ball" QSO somewhere down the log. :D

Dave
KJ4OR

[skywatcher]

Hi People! KC0THS/Woody here.
I have been using a Yaesu FT 897 for some time now and really like it.
I am mostly on 20 meters days and the Marconi net sometimes at 3.872 nites.
On 2 meters I monitor as well as join in on the storm nets.
The 897 does it all from dc to daylite and does it well. I have the 897 ant tuner on the side and use hamsticks most of the time. I also have a Comet vertical all band antenna that I stick in a hitch mount with 8 feet of ant mast to get it over the roof.

It isn't much, but it works for me.
I saw someone mention Quartzite, was there last year Jan/Feb time frame on business at YPG.
Great show!!!!

[wannabetravlin]

I've been using an Icom 706MKIIG with a High Serria screwdriver for over 6 years now and I love it...If I were to buy a new transceiver I would look pretty hard at the new 7000. I've heard the front end is pretty impressive...

I bought the 756PROIII for my home QTH last year and I really love that radio. But in all honesty I don't use half the bells and whistles. I kinda wish I would have bought the little 718. It really is all I need.

I have no problem with other rigs...my first was an Icom and have had them every since.

Yaeseu has a new rig (450)that is awesome and that new Kenwood 480 is nothing to sneeze at either.

[whodo]

I bought the 756PROIII for my home QTH last year and I really love that radio. But in all honesty I don't use half the bells and whistles. I kinda wish I would have bought the little 718. It really is all I need.


All the bells and whistles that I don't need is the reason I haven't bought a new rig. I really need to buy one, but, I don't want all the bells an whistles, I want a plain Jane bare bones rig.

Oh yeah, one that I can work on as well, I'm down to my last set of (solid state) finals and a couple of "LED's" for the digital read out left. When there gone the rig is gone, have to be able to know what freq. I'm on :D

Anyone have any suggestions for a new plane jane rig? (for 10-80)

[wannabetravlin]

Here ya go...check out this site: http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/hf/718/default.aspx

This a plain-jane-radio

[whodo]

wannabetravlin
Thanks for the link. I will have to check it out and see what Icom has to offer. Never owned a Icom, I've always had Kenwood and Yaesu, may be time to make a change.

[wannabetravlin]

Can't blame you there...all good radios. I've only talked to a few guys using the little 817 but they seem to like its performance. One point to ponder, they've all said they added the DSP module. Some after the fact, but that seems to make a big difference.

Good luck hunting. I know what its like. I sat on the fence for almost 18 months before I finally broke down and bought my rig.