What Radio Should I Buy? By Norm – K6YXH

Agenda   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)   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  Multi-band Handheld Radios (dual, triple, quad) 6m ( MHz) 2m (144 – 148 MHz) 1.25m ( MHz) 70cm (440 – 450MHz) 23cm ( MHz)  Some have reduced power on 220MHz  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  Mono 2m (144MHz) 70cm (440MHz) 1.25m (220MHz)  Dual 2m + 70cm  Tri 2m m + 70cm  Quad 6m + 2m m + 70cm

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

Hand Held Radios

Three Popular 5 watt UHF/VHF Radios  FT-60R (Yaesu) –Dual Band, under $190, rugged  TH-F6A (Kenwood) –Tri-band, 5 watts on all 3 bands, dual-receive, about $280, most popular  Icom 92AD –Dual-Band, Dual-Receive, $670, D-Star Digital as well as Analog, rugged

Alinco  Alinco DJ-V5 The DJ-V5 is a great 2m / 70cm (dual band) radio. This radio is easy to program by hand and use. It is a great performer and an exceptional value. It has Alpha tagging so you can name the channels. The DJ-V5 is inexpensive and works well, making it a great starter radio. Shopping HRO $159.95, Jun's $  Alinco DJ-596TMKII The DJ-596TMKII is a 2m / 70cm (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  Feidaxin FD-150A/450A 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 (2m and 70cm), but they also have a dual-band product. Availability is only through small shops and eBay, 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, price; sturdy construction CON – The FD-150A is limited to the 2 meter band, and the 450A to 70cm Shopping eBay $30 - $50 plus shipping Reviews: eHam and eBay eBayeHameBay eHameBay

Yaesu  Yaesu FT-60R (Dual-band, Rugged) Universal $  Yaesu VX-3R (Dual-band, low power, very small) 1.5 watts on 2m, 1.0 watts on 70cm, AM/FM Receiver, $8 battery Universal $  Yaesu VX-6R (Tri-band, Rugged) 5 watts on 2m and 70cm, 1.5 watts on 220. Universal $  Yaesu VX-7R (Quad-band, Rugged, Dual-receive) 70cm, 1.25m, 2m, 6m – waterproof, low power on 220MHz. Universal $  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, more! Universal $369.95

What Frequency?  No one owns a frequency  Simplex  Repeaters  Automatic Offsets  Band Plans  Repeater Directory –Also Simplex and Data –IRLP, EchoLink

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

How Do I Plug It In?

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

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

Mobile Radios

12 Volt Power Supplies  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?  HRO Ham Radio Outlet –Burbank, Anaheim, San Diego –  Jun’s –Culver City –  Internet –Universal Radio  –Texas Towers  –Amateur Electrical Supply  –eBay 