 Rhude
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Joined: Feb 2010  FL, USA
 Posts: 368 Feedback: 0% (0) |
Posted: 4/13/2012 6:27:34 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT But I'm having a horrible time trying to navigate the atrocious websites that the retailers have just to find that I don't really know anything about the equipment I need. My biggest problem is that I'd like to get a basic dipole antenna with the pre-built connecting hardware for a 6 meter, to attach to my Vx-8dr to extend the range, but I can't tell relative quality of one manufacturer from another. I know this hobby is primarily a do-it-yerselfer's haven, but it would help if didn't need the codex of manufacturer's parts numbers just to figure out what I'm looking at on these sites. I'm very wary of experimenting by blindly ordering stuff that won't work. |
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Posted: 4/13/2012 8:56:58 PM
All you need is a center insulator like this one. A length of coax with the connectors already installed and some cheap THNN wire from Home Depot. Are you wanting to work the local 6m repeaters or are you doing SSB work?
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RedHotChiliPepper
I'm on a goat
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Joined: Jan 2009 AL, USA
Posts: 1833 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 4/13/2012 9:22:12 PM
[Last Edit: 4/13/2012 9:22:37 PM by RedHotChiliPepper]
Originally Posted By KB7DX: Are you wanting to work the local 6m repeaters or are you doing SSB work? I greatly doubt the VX-8 does SSB. |
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robmkivseries70
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Joined: Oct 2009 USA
Posts: 433 Feedback: 100% (1) Link To This Post |
Posted: 4/13/2012 9:36:37 PM
The HT does FM so a vertical antenna is in order. Best, Rob
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ar-jedi
Intellectually adrift
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Joined: Dec 2002 USA
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Posted: 4/13/2012 11:00:56 PM
Originally Posted By robmkivseries70:
The HT does FM so a vertical antenna is in order. Best, Rob ^^^ this. ar-jedi |
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Posted: 4/13/2012 11:37:28 PM
Gotcha, now I just have to decrypt a site to order something from.
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Posted: 4/14/2012 12:49:36 AM
A vertical dipole for 6 meters is about 9 feet tall (468 / 52 = 9). How about a 1/4 wave ground plane?
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Posted: 4/14/2012 12:57:35 AM
I guess the big issue plaguing me is I don't know the wheat from the chaff in RF equipment. I just don't have any exposure to this stuff because it appears to be unobtanium listed as a long set of model numbers on some really bad websites. There's just not enough info to begin buying something.
I'd be neck deep in better HF stuff if I had some kind of starting point, other than just getting an all-in-one device like a handheld |
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robmkivseries70
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Joined: Oct 2009 USA
Posts: 436 Feedback: 100% (1) Link To This Post |
Posted: 4/14/2012 8:49:14 AM
Rhude, that's the down side of the HT 'shack in a box'. If you really want 6 meters, a dedicated rig (Ranger) may be cheapest, SSB is going to be much better for making contacts than FM. Six meters is available on most modern H.F. radios; though, if you really want to get serious the antenna is really important Best, Rob
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SandHillsHillbilly
Grampy of the Night Crew
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Joined: May 2008 SC, USA
Posts: 6576 Feedback: 100% (2) Link To This Post |
Posted: 4/14/2012 4:50:14 PM
Before going to the trouble of buying an antenna check to see if there are repeaters in your area.
Cushcraft makes a good 6m vertical. |
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