Amateur Radio FAQ

Baccusboy · Jan 18, 2018

Boxcab said:
I have a lead on a used Kenwood TS 50,

http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/ts50s.html

I'm looking for comments on this transceiver as to suitability as a starter set and what a good price would be.

Thanks for any help.

.

If I remember what I read, they are just old enough that the caps are going out on them. If they have been re-capped, that would be a good thing. Other than that, it would work for a starter radio.

I see one sold on qrz for $400 plus shipping, in the past few months. I think I'd want it for closer to $350, locally.

I'd also rather go with a used Icom 718 and an external tuner, which will be a little more, but you'll get your money back out of it easily. A used Icom 718 is maybe $400 to $450, and an LDG tuner for it might be another $150? Or you could get a used manual tuner for half that.

Hyper-W · Jan 18, 2018

gamer_jim said:
I'm playing with my Airspy SDR. I can clearly hear digital signals on several bands. For example, 50.211 right now.

How do I determine which mode they are using?

I am using fldigi and tried several modes but nothing is legible.

What am I doing wrong?

Based on the 6 meter band plan, I would guess SSB.

http://www.arrl.org/band-plan

Boxcab · Jan 18, 2018

Baccusboy said:
If I remember what I read, they are just old enough that the caps are going out on them. If they have been re-capped, that would be a good thing. Other than that, it would work for a starter radio.

I see one sold on qrz for $400 plus shipping, in the past few months. I think I'd want it for closer to $350, locally.

I'd also rather go with a used Icom 718 and an external tuner, which will be a little more, but you'll get your money back out of it easily. A used Icom 718 is maybe $400 to $450, and an LDG tuner for it might be another $150? Or you could get a used manual tuner for half that.

Thanks for the input. I may be able to pick it up for around $200.

Still looking around to see what's out there. Not wanting to dump much money into HF until I see if I will spend enough time using it.

.

mac1_131 · Jan 18, 2018

I had one years ago. Decent radio but lacks 2 meters and 70cm (440mhz) that a lot of newer HF mobiles have.

No tuner so you will need resonant antennas or an external tuner.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

K31 · Jan 18, 2018

Boxcab said:
Thanks for the input. I may be able to pick it up for around $200.

Still looking around to see what's out there. Not wanting to dump much money into HF until I see if I will spend enough time using it.

.

I don't see that it has 6M (even though it's not HF) based on the link you posted, like most "HF" rigs have, and although it says 10-160M I also wonder if it does 60M or I should say can transmit on 60M.

It doesn't have DSP which almost every recent radio has and is nice for noisy environments and interference.

For getting your feet wet in HF, it's a good price point although eham has a post by a guy who says he bought one four years ago for $125. Maybe offer him $150?

I would definitely want to see the seller demo it, next to a good recent radio would be best.

Baccusboy · Jan 18, 2018

If it works, I'd jump at it for $200. That's a good price for a starter radio, assuming there are no problems. Heck, you could probably put it up for sale for parts on QRZ for at least $50 to $100, if it ever died.

I'm not a 6 meters fan, and a $30 Baofeng will get you VHF/UHF.

Don't worry about DSP. Learn how to run the RF Gain. I find that's much more useful, on most radios. Especially older ones.

A good antenna is far more important.

Traveler · Jan 19, 2018

Morse code class Wednesday January 24th 7:00 pm, at the AARC clubhouse. Sign up here -- https://www.w3vpr.org/node/319

APRS TNC-PI workshop Sunday January 28th 1:00 pm, AARC clubhouse -- https://www.w3vpr.org/node/413

Engine4 · Jan 27, 2018

Passed the tech exam this morning, now on to another expensive hobby.

gamer_jim · Jan 27, 2018

Engine4 said:
Passed the tech exam this morning, now on to another expensive hobby.

Congrats!

K31 · Jan 27, 2018

Engine4 said:
Passed the tech exam this morning, now on to another expensive hobby.

MOZEL TOV, Today you are a Ham :party29:

Well, maybe Monday you are a ham.

Keystone70 · Jan 27, 2018

Engine4 said:
Passed the tech exam this morning, now on to another expensive hobby.

Congrats. I upgraded to General Tuesday night. It just keeps getting more expensive

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Traveler · Jan 28, 2018

Engine4 said:
Passed the tech exam this morning, now on to another expensive hobby.

Congratulations. Welcome to Amateur Radio.

Traveler · Jan 28, 2018

Keystone70 said:
Congrats. I upgraded to General Tuesday night. It just keeps getting more expensive

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

On to HF (hurts fast, your wallet)

Congrats

Traveler · Jan 30, 2018

Speaking of hurting your wallet, Frost Fest in Richmond this weekend:

http://frostfest.com/wp/

Frostfest will be on Saturday, February 3, 2018, from 8:30AM to 3:30PM. Everything you need to know about Frostfest can be found right here!

Engine4 · Feb 1, 2018

What's an good entry level swr/watt meter to get?

K31 · Feb 1, 2018

Engine4 said:
What's an good entry level swr/watt meter to get?

I bought this originally (well originally I bought another brand meter that went back because it would not zero) and I haven't been disappointed.

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-874

It covers VHF, UHF and HF in one unit.

You can probably get it a little cheaper from HRO, etc.

Engine4 · Feb 1, 2018

Thank you sir!

cms1528 · Feb 1, 2018

MFJ makes good stuff

K31 · Feb 2, 2018

cms1528 said:
MFJ makes good stuff

Begin the Lee vs. RCBS debate.

Seriously, MFJ has a mixed reputation (some refer to them as Mighty Fine Junk) but I haven't had anything I've bought from them fail and I bought that meter when I was first licensed. It's survived being driven around in my vehicle for a few months, hooked in line for a while to monitor my output and being loaned out. Like I said, I first brought a name-brand competitor's meter and had to return it because out of the box it wouldn't zero. I bought the other meter from HRO and they took it back no questions asked.

MFJ also sells some innovative stuff that you can't find anywhere else.

Deep Thought · Feb 2, 2018

cms1528 said:
MFJ makes good stuff

Products? Sure. Quality control and durability? not so much.

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