What Radio Should I Buy By Norm

What Radio Should I Buy? By Norm – K 6 YXH

Agenda u This class provides the new ham with information about radios in general, with “'show ‘n tell” by experienced hams. – Now that I have my license, what do I do with it? – What radio should I buy? – Can't I just wait and take it out of the box when there's an emergency? (No) u u u How do I use the radio from the car? How do I use the radio from my home? What did all that technical stuff on the exam mean, and how much of that do I really need to know?

Bands u Multi-band Handheld Radios (dual, triple, quad) 6 m (50 - 54 MHz) 2 m (144 – 148 MHz) 1. 25 m (220 - 225 MHz) 70 cm (440 – 450 MHz) 23 cm (1240 - 1300 MHz) u u Some have reduced power on 220 MHz Most have Rx-only outside of Tx bands: – – – – Other Ham Bands Police, Fire & Municipal NOAA Weather Marine Aircraft Broadcast & Shortwave (AM & FM) Business

Mono, Dual, Tri, & Quad Band u Mono 2 m (144 MHz) 70 cm (440 MHz) 1. 25 m (220 MHz) u Dual 2 m + 70 cm u Tri 2 m + 1. 25 m + 70 cm u Quad 6 m + 2 m + 1. 25 m + 70 cm

Dual-Receive Two independent receivers u Monitor two frequencies u Talk on one band while monitoring another u Advantages: u – Monitor two repeaters – Monitor emergency services and ham bands u Disadvantages: – Confusing for new hams – Accidently transmit on the wrong band

Hand Held Radios

Three Popular 5 watt UHF/VHF Radios u FT-60 R (Yaesu) – Dual Band, under $190, rugged u TH-F 6 A (Kenwood) – Tri-band, 5 watts on all 3 bands, dual-receive, about $280, most popular u Icom 92 AD – Dual-Band, Dual-Receive, $670, D-Star Digital as well as Analog, rugged

Alinco u Alinco DJ-V 5 The DJ-V 5 is a great 2 m / 70 cm (dual band) radio. This radio is easy to program by hand use. It is a great performer and an exceptional value. It has Alpha tagging so you can name the channels. The DJ-V 5 is inexpensive and works well, making it a great starter radio. Shopping HRO $159. 95, Jun's $194. 95 u Alinco DJ-596 TMKII The DJ-596 TMKII is a 2 m / 70 cm (dual band) handheld transceiver with 5 Watts output on both bands. It supports alphanumeric channel labels and 100 memory channels that can each store up to 15 operating parameters. Shopping HRO $229. 95, Jun's $194. 95

Feidaxin u Feidaxin FD-150 A/450 A Programmable Handheld Radio The Feidaxin radios are from China, are very low cost (around $75 with shipping), and I'm hearing great things about them from Agoura Hills CERT and others who have tried them. These are not feature-full radios, but are more than enough to get you on the air and talking! So far I've only heard about their mono-banders (2 m and 70 cm), but they also have a dual-band product. Availability is only through small shops and e. Bay, so not something you can get by popping down to HRO or Jun's. A good sturdy radio with excellent value. You might be able to get a great deal by ordering in quantity, something you won't find with the larger retailers. PRO – price, price; sturdy construction CON – The FD-150 A is limited to the 2 meter band, and the 450 A to 70 cm Shopping e. Bay $30 - $50 plus shipping Reviews: e. Ham and e. Bay

Yaesu u Yaesu FT-60 R (Dual-band, Rugged) Universal $189. 95 u Yaesu VX-3 R (Dual-band, low power, very small) 1. 5 watts on 2 m, 1. 0 watts on 70 cm, AM/FM Receiver, $8 battery Universal $149. 95 u Yaesu VX-6 R (Tri-band, Rugged) 5 watts on 2 m and 70 cm, 1. 5 watts on 220. Universal $229. 95 u Yaesu VX-7 R (Quad-band, Rugged, Dual-receive) 70 cm, 1. 25 m, 2 m, 6 m – waterproof, low power on 220 MHz. Universal $287. 95 u Yaesu VX-8 (Quad-band, Dual-receive, Rugged) “VX-3 on steroids”. Latest, full-featured, “does everything” – GPS option, Packet Radio, AM/FM Receiver, Bluetooth, and more, more! Universal $369. 95

What Frequency? u No one owns a frequency u Simplex u Repeaters u Automatic Offsets u Band Plans u Repeater Directory – Also Simplex and Data – IRLP, Echo. Link

How Do I Charge It? 4. MIC/SP jack – connection point for microphone, earphone, PTT, and ground 5. EXT DC jackconnection point for the external DC power source (to charge the radio)

How Do I Plug It In?

Accessories u Extra Batteries: $50 or more u 12 Volt Adaptor $35 u After-market Antennas u Speaker Microphone: $35 - $50 u Mag-mount for mobile: $25 u Drop-in charger (quick charger) $60 – Rechargeables have an uncertain charge state – Alkaline Packs are always ready - $35 – Plug into car outlet – Useful during power outage or portable – Longer, more efficient – Can boost radiated power by 100% – GPS Options ($$$) for IC-92 AD and VX-8 – 5 x stronger signal than inside car!

Mobile & Base Higher Power: 40 – 50 Watts u Larger Display u – Detachable Display – Remote Mounting u Installed and Ready u Antennas – Direct run to fuse block or battery – Self or Professional Installation – Magnetic Mount – Mobile Mount (set screws) – Small to VERY LARGE

Mobile Radios

12 Volt Power Supplies u u 3 Amps required for handheld 11 Amps required for mobile 30 Amps will power just about anything! Get one made for radio – others may shut down in the presence of radio frequency energy or cause interference.

Where to Buy? u HRO Ham Radio Outlet – Burbank, Anaheim, San Diego – http: //www. hamradio. com/ u Jun’s – Culver City – http: //www. hamcity. com u Internet – Universal Radio u http: //www. universal-radio. com u http: //www. texastowers. com/ u http: //aesham. com/ u http: //ebay. com – Texas Towers – Amateur Electrical Supply – e. Bay