Comments on: Choosing your first ham radio http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/ ham radio, computing, money, and other ramblings Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:11:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.12-alpha by: Steve KB0KBJ http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/#comment-8978 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:13:25 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/#comment-8978 Hi Nick. My firt radio was a Drake TR4C. Old tube rig. Still got it. It gives off so much heat you can keep your coffee warm on top of it. But really the first one i really used was and is a Icom 2100. Still got it in the truck, bouncing off the console ,plugged into cig lighter. It's been in every rig i've had. Even rentals. Been on planes with the 5/8ths mag mount in my carry-on luggage (security said "oh a cb huh?" I said "yup" I wasn't going to explain. :) I've opened it up. Fiddled with the pot's. Power levels are now 10/25/and 65.dumped drinks on it. It still works! and I've never EVER had a bad audio report using it. In fact when I get on it after using my Yaeseu's people almost always comment how much better they hear me. Bought it for 100 bucks. That's my first one. Take care Nick. Steve KB0KBJ Hi Nick. My firt radio was a Drake TR4C. Old tube rig. Still got it. It gives off so much heat you can keep your coffee warm on top of it. But really the first one i really used was and is a Icom 2100. Still got it in the truck, bouncing off the console ,plugged into cig lighter. It’s been in every rig i’ve had. Even rentals. Been on planes with the 5/8ths mag mount in my carry-on luggage (security said “oh a cb huh?” I said “yup” I wasn’t going to explain. :) I’ve opened it up. Fiddled with the pot’s. Power levels are now 10/25/and 65.dumped drinks on it. It still works! and I’ve never EVER had a bad audio report using it. In fact when I get on it after using my Yaeseu’s people almost always comment how much better they hear me. Bought it for 100 bucks. That’s my first one. Take care Nick.

Steve KB0KBJ

]]> by: Know the frequencies you use http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/#comment-54 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:08:23 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/#comment-54 [...] I know that it may seem difficult to remember the different frequencies at first, but it will be beneficial in the end. When I got my first radio, I programmed the memory and set alphanumeric names for each of the channels. For some time, I relied on this naming system to know what was what. After a while, I knew which memory channel was which (at least for the ones I used alto) and begin gradually changing the display of each from the name to the frequency. Now, in the areas where I am on a regular basis, I know the repeaters by frequency. [...] […] I know that it may seem difficult to remember the different frequencies at first, but it will be beneficial in the end. When I got my first radio, I programmed the memory and set alphanumeric names for each of the channels. For some time, I relied on this naming system to know what was what. After a while, I knew which memory channel was which (at least for the ones I used alto) and begin gradually changing the display of each from the name to the frequency. Now, in the areas where I am on a regular basis, I know the repeaters by frequency. […]

]]> by: Doyle KG6YUN http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/#comment-40 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:25:09 +0000 http://www.romandock.com/choosing-your-first-ham-radio/#comment-40 HI Nick; I got my first license in March of '05. A friend loaned me his 2 Meter HT with a add-on speaker mic. At his suggestion I acquired an inexpensive Mag Mount [MFJ]for use in the car. I found myself using the radio mostly in the car talking with local Hams during my commute times [30 to 45 min each way]. I quickly discovered the small controls and miniscule dispay did not work for me. I then bought myself a used Icom 229H 2 meter mobile radio via the eham.net classifieds. It has proven ideal for my needs and I still use it. I also still use the MagMount antenna as I can quickly move from my car to the wife's van or to the pickup. As I use the cigarette lighter for power I must keep the power turned down. [No blown fuses yet.] I find the 10 watt setting more than adaquate for working the repeaters here in the Silicon Valley. I am considering an upgrade to a dual band VHF/UHF rig as the 440 band is active here in the local area. But I would caution new users to check their area before spending the extra money. I think your article about a first radio is good. [You should include your call sign.] ---->Doyle KG6YUN HI Nick;

I got my first license in March of ‘05.
A friend loaned me his 2 Meter HT with a add-on speaker mic. At his suggestion I acquired an inexpensive Mag Mount [MFJ]for use in the car.

I found myself using the radio mostly in the car talking with local Hams during my commute times [30 to 45 min each way]. I quickly discovered the small controls and miniscule dispay did not work for me.

I then bought myself a used Icom 229H 2 meter mobile radio via the eham.net classifieds. It has proven ideal for my needs and I still use it. I also still use the MagMount antenna as I can quickly move from my car to the wife’s van or to the pickup. As I use the cigarette lighter for power I must keep the power turned down. [No blown fuses yet.] I find the 10 watt setting more than adaquate for working the repeaters here in the Silicon Valley.

I am considering an upgrade to a dual band VHF/UHF rig as the 440 band is active here in the local area. But I would caution new users to check their area before spending the extra money.

I think your article about a first radio is good.
[You should include your call sign.]

—->Doyle
KG6YUN

]]>