Ham Radio, Part II, List you gear...

Status
Not open for further replies.
Brian D

Brian D

.
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
On the heels of the other Ham Radio post, it would be cool to have a single thread that contains a listing of who is using what. This list could be helpful for potential Hams and Hams wanting to get back into the hobby to see what works. As a Ham myself, I have no gear, so this would really help me to get gear for us while "maritime mobile". :) Please list anything else that you might have but specifically: Radio used: i.e. Kenwood TS-140S (modified?)/Icom IC703/Yaesu/Allico/... External antenna tuner: i.e. MJF Cable from radio to antenna: RG-8/RG-58/Belden 9913/RG-223/... Type of antenna: i.e. backstay/vertical/log periodic array ;)/... Mic's, keys, PCs for WeFax, and other things... Thanks
 
sailortonyb Allied Mis

sailortonyb Allied Mis

.
Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
SailorTonyB KC5SDI

Have a Kenwood TS-50 100W transceiver modified to include transmitting on marine frequencies. Antenna: Presently have a Texas Bug Catcher antenna that i installed in a hurry. For marine use it is a piece of junk rusting away. This boat has insulated back stays so i will clean them up and buy an automatic antenna tuner. Power supply: I own a power supply, but not using it on boat, Im directly hooked to the ships battery. Note: In the past, I have had excellent luck with mobil whip antennas mounted on the handrail. Lost all my Antennas to Katrina, or I would still be using them and wouldnt buy an automatic antenna tuner. For marine use, a manual antenna tuner may be less than idea in a moving boat and probably quite useless in choppy conditions since they usually require a sensative touch for adjusting.
 
J

Jack

Ham rigs on s/v La Paloma

Using a Kenwood TS-50, Pactor II modem for internet e-mail, antennas are a Hustler Marine with changeable coils and an insulated hard-drawn copper wire running from stern pulpit to top of mast. Both work quite well using lifelines and pulpits as counterpoise ground. No automatic tuner for me...MFJ 941 manual tuner that performs flawlessly. I can see my SWR and output at all times, no compromise tuning. Jack, N1IY, s/v La Paloma, La Paz, Mexico
 
NewportVic

NewportVic

.
Jun 4, 2004
174
Oday 272LE Newport
Icom 706 tricked up with marine.

MFJ 941 tuner into portable vertical ant or whatever is installed for SSB. Biggest problem is motor noise with Yanmar running. RG58 works fine. Sort of think mobile rig in car ... works about the same. Used off the Bahamas several years ago to keep in touch with relatives. Vic WW 4 OK
 
Brian D

Brian D

.
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Two Icoms, and two Kenwoods...

I see a trend here. :) I'm now looking at QTH.com in their classified section for a rig. I did some research and found several radios that appeal to me in size and functionality. These are the Kenwood TS-50S, Icom 706MKIIG, and the Alinco DX70TH. I will probably go with a Kenwood TS-50 as that is the brand I am most use to having owned several TS radios. My first rig was a brand new TS-830S. Gonna work HF from home to get the hang of it before moving to the boat. Thanks for listing your gear guys. I was hoping that more would list. But it looks like there are not that many sailors with HF gear.
 
G

Gregg

Rigs

Icom 756 Pro III, 746, and 706mkIIG, Yaesu 897D and 817. Not all on the boat of course. 746 and ProIII have built-in tuners, and I have a small MFJ 901 manual tuner for the others when needed. All have hand mics, and I have 1 straight key, 1 Vibroplex paddle, and 1 tiny portable paddle. Antennas are a G5RV (home) that covers 80-10 meters, a Buddipole portable system that covers 40-2 meters, and an MP-1 portable vertical that covers 80-10 meters, but I wouldn't count on it for 80. It did work well on 40 meters clamped to the stern rail. Couple of Hamsticks for the car, and they would be a good choice for the boat. Either the 706 will find its way out of the jeep and onto the boat this season, or I'll put the 897 on board.
 
Brian D

Brian D

.
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Thanks, Gregg...

I must have overlooked the 897D. Looks like a nice portable rig for a boat. That's why I like the TS-50, small foot-print.
 
G

Gregg18047

.
Jan 5, 2004
95
Hunter 33 Huntington NY
The 897D

has a pretty small foot print, but it's a little heftier than the TS-50, which I believe has been discontinued. A few nice things about the 897D...you can add 2 internal rechargeable batteries, OR an internal AC power supply. Makes for a very neat and compact station. The 897D will also cover 6M, 2M, and 440. There is a bolt-on antenna tuner available for the 897D. Combine this with a built-in AC or DC power supply, and you can grab one handle and take everything. Check here for reviews of the 897D: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2432 Check here for pricing of the radio and AC power supply (FP-30): http://hamradio.com/ Check here for other accesories: http://www.w4wb.com/index.htm W4RT's prices on batteries/charger should be better than OEM stuff, and their AT-897 (made by LDG electronics) is supposed to be much better than Yaesu's FC-30 tuner. There's a lot of stuff out there to look at and sort through...have fun... Gregg KE2SX
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom