Any Amateur Radio Operators On the Board DE KI4KZ

[carolinarider09]

I am looking for some information on getting back into ham radio.  I have been a licensed operator since the early 60's. However, in recent years I have neglected the hobby.  Astronomy, computers, motorcycling sort of took over. 

I would like to re-enter.  I don't think my Yaesu FT-2400 is a good choice any more as well as my Heathkit HR-1680 and my Kenwood TS-430S.  Well the Kenwood may still be reasonable but I think it has an issue so, it may not be fully functional. 

Anyway, what I was interested in is a reasonable transceiver for 80 - 10 meters.  I will think about the need for a 2 meter rig a little later on. 

Any suggestions would be welcome.

[Jess from VA]

Bill, I have no experience or answers.

But there have been a couple of pretty good threads over on ARFCOM (AR15.com) on adding radio comms to good preps for security.  (click General, then general again -  subforum)

I never joined, but I read over there all the time.  (It's pretty snarky over there, but good information can be found.)

[carolinarider09]

Jess, thanks.  

I will give it a look.  

I did.. that's a wide ranging forum.  Lots of stuff there.  Not sure of the quality yet but,,,,,,  almost anything you wanted...

[carolinarider09]

Jess,

The more I read the more impressed I am with the range of data there.  All kinds of stuff and it seems genius (i.e. real people with real experience and knowledge in a wide range of stuff). 

[lakehunter]

There is a great group, Dutch Fork Amateur Group in Little Mountain, SC very near you. Look for the tower in the middle of town near main traffic light with my old 6 element tribander on it, meet there 3rd Thursdays, next is Feb 18, 2021. Also, https://w4dfg.org for more info. Great old timers on HF and very sharp new techie crowd with digital vhf and uhf. Something for all hams. I run older stuff, FT-101, FT-990 and such. PM if you like, here as Lakehunter. Have fun DE KQ4PW

[carolinarider09]

Thanks Lakehunter.  I think you recommended something else in the area as well.   

I will give them a look. 

[Oss]

damn you  

Now I am going to have to go study for the tests

One more thing to learn........... doesnt look too hard since morse code is no longer tested

what band is good for a starter.  I see mobile stuff and big stuff

[carolinarider09]

Yep, that was the issue, the code,  It was the only reason I did not go for Extra back in the sixties.  20 WPM code. 

One of my Elmers back in the 60's was a gentlemen that was really into code.  I remember, more than once, being in his ham shack and we were talking while there was Morse code in the background on his HF rig.  Then, he would stop talking, grab his key and send for a few minutes, and then turn back to me to continue our conversation. 

[Jess from VA]

Jess,

The more I read the more impressed I am with the range of data there.  All kinds of stuff and it seems genius (i.e. real people with real experience and knowledge in a wide range of stuff).  

It's a high percentage of veterans (wartime and other), gun culture, cops, shysters, and even feds.  The rules of the road are way more wide open, but there are rules.

When tech liberal scum went after conservative media, their preplanning made the attack on them only last hours (or less).  

The general forum is really a wide open crazy free for all.  Most of the rest of the forum isn't.

New joining members (in the general forum) are widely distrusted and often criticized with replies like... screw off ATF man!!  Forewarned is forearmed.  

[carolinarider09]

I will have to watch what I post 

I am just reading now.  As I said lots of good stuff and information.  Have not gotten beyond the general board. 

[Thunderbolt]

Look at a Yaesu Ft-991-A.   SDR (Software Defined Receiver) with a spectrum or waterfall display so you can see what's happening around you and will get you on all the HF bands as well as 6M,2M and 70cm.  You will need a 12V power supply probably around 30A also and of course appropriate antennas.

Terry
N4TWX

[carolinarider09]

Thanks Terry.

And yes, the 30 amp power supply was one of the frist things I was looking at.  I have an older one but it is being use in my observatory. 

[bassman]

If I'm not mistaken, BaggerJohn in Ohio is/was  into HAM radio and believe is quite knowledgable on the subject.  M'be he'll see this and respond....or you might send him a  PM or check the Ohio board.

Good luck

[The emperor has no clothes]

Prescott John is into them. He usually sticks to the AZ & SoCal boards.