[amsat-bb] Re: Looking for Suggestions

[Mark Lunday, WD4ELG]

Sorry, Johnny, I should have been more specific.

The rigs seem to be in 3 categories for base rigs (my information):

$ = under $400
$$ = $400 to $850
$$$ = $850 to $1500
$$$ = greater than $1500

1. Satellite/VHF/UHF only: (IC910 all mode $$$$, or FM rigs that will work
the FM-only birds $ and $$)

2. HF/VHF/UHF - all mode: (TS2000 $$$$, Icom 7000 $$$, FT857/897 $$,
FT817/QRP $$)


These are all new rigs.  There are used rigs like FT847 that have same
features as the TS2000 and IC 7000.  FT847 can be had for $$ if you can get
one.



I have two FT817 rigs I use as base.  They are all mode HF/VHF/UHF, small,
tons of features, affordable, nice receiver, I take them on road trips also.
I have an amp for weak signal non-sat work on 2 meters.

For sat work, esp for non-FM birds, you really need two rigs or a separate
VFO.  The cheapest way I could get two rigs was two FT817 rigs.  I really
enjoy these for HF work also.  Although I also have a Kenwood TS570 for
higher power work.

There are some quirks with each of the rigs, recommend evaluating them via
things like www.eham.net product reviews.

If I had unlimited budget, I would have gotten IC910H because of the higher
power on VHF/UHF and dual VFO's.  But the problem would be that I could not
take the rig on the road, and these FT817 rigs are simply a joy to have.

Others will have varying opinions, so don't take my feedback as
gospel...only as a data point.








Mark Lunday
WD4ELG
wd4elg at arrl.net
http://wd4elg.net


-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Johnny Miller
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:40 AM
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Looking for Suggestions

I'm looking for opinions on my first satellite rig.  What seems to be the
norm that everyone is using?  I'm looking of a base rig.

 

Thanks

 

Johnny Miller

millerj - @ - cinci.rr.com

N8RTW

Xbox Live Gamer Tag:wcso845

 

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