Help me figure out mobile HF radios

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Precision
Posts: 5268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:01 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Precision »

Ok, completely overwhelmed. In fairness to me I have not had time to chase down many of these links. Weekend will afford me some time.

To Randy's idea of buying a non-HF and playing with it. I don't think this will work, but I want to see if I am getting this at all.

for local coms, I am looking at getting the Baofeng UV-82hp. For a little more money it looks like you get more power, more power options, and better (more rugged) case / components over the UV-5R.
Is this an actual Ham unit?
Do I need a license to use it?
And most importantly, will this be a training platform for the basics of the bigger unit I mentioned before? ---- I am guessing, NO to the last question.---
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
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Precision
Posts: 5268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:01 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Precision »

My goal is to have an on person unit that can (on certain bands) communicate with the larger unit.

I think any of the UV- units (UV-5R / UV-82hp) would do that given proximity / line of sight,

Then I want a portable unit. Defined by me as something that can be mounted in the vehicle and used as designed. It sounds like the Yaesu FT-857D will do that, but I will need to invest in a proper antenna set up and a tuner.

the brains- Yaesu FT-857D
https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-Transceive ... su+FT-857D

the antenna Amazon suggested
https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-ATAS-120A- ... 857D+tuner

The tuner amazon suggested
https://www.amazon.com/YAESU-FC-40-Auto ... 857D+tuner

Would this make me functional in the vehicle? Are the tuner and antenna correct for all the bands the unit offers? It doesn't look like it to me.

Then for my non portable solution, my assumption is I could set up a different antenna at the house and swap out the other two components as needed or buy a different brain and leave it permanently at the house. One of the less expensive bigger units that is a generation or two older as it will run on land power?
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
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slowpoke
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Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:09 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by slowpoke »

Precision wrote:My goal is to have an on person unit that can (on certain bands) communicate with the larger unit.

I think any of the UV- units (UV-5R / UV-82hp) would do that given proximity / line of sight,

Then I want a portable unit. Defined by me as something that can be mounted in the vehicle and used as designed. It sounds like the Yaesu FT-857D will do that, but I will need to invest in a proper antenna set up and a tuner.

the brains- Yaesu FT-857D
https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-Transceive ... su+FT-857D

the antenna Amazon suggested
https://www.amazon.com/Yaesu-ATAS-120A- ... 857D+tuner

The tuner amazon suggested
https://www.amazon.com/YAESU-FC-40-Auto ... 857D+tuner

Would this make me functional in the vehicle? Are the tuner and antenna correct for all the bands the unit offers? It doesn't look like it to me.

Then for my non portable solution, my assumption is I could set up a different antenna at the house and swap out the other two components as needed or buy a different brain and leave it permanently at the house. One of the less expensive bigger units that is a generation or two older as it will run on land power?
I dont think thats the tuner you want, but I am not sure. The Atas should be the mobile tuner. Try calling the guys at gigaparts.com They should be able to at least meet amazons prices, and they do tend to know what they sell. They're good people. They will also help you to figure out what else you will need like antenna mounts and wireing.

edit I just checked and they're considerably cheaper than amazon
https://www.gigaparts.com/yaesu-ft-857d.html

My suggestion is to follow the previous advice and get your technician license and inexpensive ht then figure out the hf unit while studying for your general.
also your likely going to want to get an audio card interface so you can do digital modes off of a laptop. I have an ft817, with a netbook, interface and antenna tuner that all fits in a satchel. psk31 is fun :)
"Islam delenda est" Aesop
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Weetabix
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Joined: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:04 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Weetabix »

DX Engineering has it even cheaper.

Precision- unfortunately this is not a plug and play proposition. Get the license manuals. Get your Tech. Join a club. Play with 2m and 70cm. Get your General. Do lots of reading. Do DX on HF.

And the Baofengs require a Tech license.
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D
Precision
Posts: 5268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:01 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Precision »

ok, so what I hear you saying is slow down.

Buy an inexpensive home based rig AFTER I have gotten some training on someone else's rig at a club.
Get at least a tech license before I go much further. By the time I get the next upgrade on the license, I will likely know enough to buy something that will work for me.

No plug and play. Each set up needs to be custom assembled to fit desired parameters. I am looking at roughly $2000 for a car mobile rig that will do what I think I want currently.

Note to self, find new hobbies that are not so damn expensive.
"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~Thomas Jefferson
My little part of the blogosphere. http://blogletitburn.wordpress.com/
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Weetabix
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Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Weetabix »

I got a perfectly serviceable Icom 2m mobile rig at a hamfest for $20. $15 or so for a mag mount mobile antenna, and Bob's your uncle. Start cheap and easy, then move up.

Lots of people deride the Baofengs, but I think they're good starters. Baofeng + repeater book info for repeaters in your area + Chirp software (free) + mag mount 2m/440 antenna, and you're mobile and building operating skills.

But get the Tech license first. ETA: but with the gear above, you can start listening right now. You can learn a lot by listening.

What's an analogy? You don't recommend that a new shooter go out and buy a $3,000 1000-yard rifle, then plop him on a bench and expect him to compete, right? Same kind of thing here.
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D
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Weetabix
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Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Weetabix »

Precision wrote:Note to self, find new hobbies that are not so damn expensive.
Quoted for truth! :lol:
Note to self: start reading sig lines. They're actually quite amusing. :D
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slowpoke
Posts: 1231
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:09 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by slowpoke »

Weetabix wrote:
Precision wrote:Note to self, find new hobbies that are not so damn expensive.
Quoted for truth! :lol:
Amen
"Islam delenda est" Aesop
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First Shirt
Posts: 4378
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:32 pm

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by First Shirt »

slowpoke wrote:
Weetabix wrote:
Precision wrote:Note to self, find new hobbies that are not so damn expensive.
Quoted for truth! :lol:
Amen
+1

(But that covers a LOT of ground!)
But there ain't many troubles that a man caint fix, with seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six."
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Denis
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Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:29 am

Re: Help me figure out mobile HF radios

Post by Denis »

Other than owning a pair of Baofeng handhelds strictly for SHTF use, I know nothing about radio stuff, but I passed on this thread to an acquaintance stateside who sometimes deals in used radio gear. Here's what he said:
I currently have 2 older (80’s) radios, and might sell one, but they are more of a “transportable” type even if people used to install them for mobile. Both are Yaesu FT-847’s. They are a good example of an all band transceiver from the era. They are available used for 800USD to 1200USD. The FT-857 is the preferred model for all band field use, esp among the prepper, emergency comms folks, but they are not cheap.

Smaller radios with HF, like the Yaesu FT-8900 destined for my truck but currently on my desk, include 6m and 10m. Those are HF, but not the really low bands. Propagation on those bands has been poor. I’ve also got the TYT TH-9800 clone, which retails for $250USD. I might sell it if it checks out as good, but it won’t be super cheap.

The other 4 or 5 mobiles I currently have are just dual bands, VHF and UHF.

Mobile HF is even more dependent on antennas and tuners than fixed ops. There are more compromises involved in antenna design when operating mobile (mainly size and height). So there is a big learning curve for HF mobile.

Since Precision is just starting out, this page might be helpful as it’s focused on the beginner and the sort of ops it sounds like he wants:

https://brushbeater.wordpress.com/2017/ ... s-in-2017/

I wish him well, and it’s an interesting journey with lots of nooks and crannies to explore.

I’ll mention [to you] if I pick up a good HF rig, or sell some of my other gear.
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