What kind of thread is this?  OP tells us to buy something.....something or another and leaves us hanging.  We need deets man!  People want their deets.

Harbor Freight, of course.

Good advice.

I'm setting these up for the family currently. I also have some Bendix King radios I used for wildland fire...those are programmed with the good stuff in my area.

Attached File

Care to elaborate on the red text?
@Ben

googled it and my friend is much smarter now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_spectrum

That will be a tough one. Most newer models you are looking at 800-1000. I currently own the FT857D which cost $800. Then you have an antenna to contend with.

Negative.  That covers UHF/VHF (short range) comms

HF can get you round tha world

That’s going to be a tough one. HF gear is expensive. As mentioned this is a long range band. I think most posters in this thread are thinking of VHF gear.

This thread is relevant to my interests.

As a child, I had a Radio Shack receiver that let me pick up stuff from all over the world. I had a big ARRL world map on the wall full of push-pins for places I had picked up broadcasts from. Bulgaria, Australia, England, and more. Always wanted to get a HAM license, but have not yet followed through. I do intend to at some point.

I would love something that could pick up the commonly used frequencies, maybe even military stuff, and allow me to transmit on those frequencies that are permissible with a license. I don't anything about any of this, so would appreciate being pointed at specific equipment.

Thanks. Old guys usually have a lower frequency.

What do you suggest that is inexpensive for the Florida Gulf Coast area?

I got a radio recently, but haven't got a clue how to do a damn thing on it. I'm not sure what good it will do me even if I do get it programmed. What channels do Conservatives talk on?

Link to one you'd recommend?

Armor check
Helmet check
Radio check
NV check
Compass check
Paper map of your area check
Wire coat hanger check

I've got some baofengs sitting in boxes I haven't the first clue how to operate.

With my current wire antenna I can hear about 3/4 of the lower 48. I'll be on 40 and 80 meters tonight listening. Should be good.

Absolutely.  People need to stop with the 'just get a scanner app on your phone' crap.

Buy the most capable scanner/receiver you can afford.

^^ This.

Alinco DX-SR8T All-Mode Desktop Transceivers DX-SR8T

Good advice op.

ICOM IC-7300 - ICOM IC-7300 HF Plus 50 MHz Transceivers  

It does not.  You need HF.  Not VHF, not UHF.

Harris PRC-160 is a solid choice

I spent about 3 or 4 hours on youtube the other night looking at everything from hand held short range, medium range mobile and home base stations that will get you around the world. The information is overwhelming at first, but slowly you can start to learn what works best for you. You have to start somewhere. I live on a hill and found repeater about 5 miles away. So I think with a good antenna I could be in business.

If they wanted to, could the gov. jam the signals?

So, what bands are most useful for 300 mile communications.

Thank you. Makes sense.

Fuck



Coming from you that’s serious as cancer

I really like the Icom IC-7100 for a transceiver. If looking for receivers only, look up Grundig - Satellit series radios are great.  Look for models that will receive SSB transmissions as well as AM, FM.  Don't worry if that doesn't make sense now, just read up on it.  Sony used to offer some good offerings and I think still does.  Search short wave radios.

Satellit 750 or 800 are great receivers.https://www.amazon.com/Eton-Grundig-Satellit-750-Ultimate/dp/B0014T7W8Y

Newer model:

https://www.amazon.com/Eton-Classic-Clear-Sounding-Shortwave-NELITE750-dp-B08BVSCY8G/dp/B08BVSCY8G/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Licensed since 1984 General class here.
Everyone needs to be licensed soon.

If you're studying for tech now, press on for general.  Th HF bands all become available for lots of use.  License now, learn to operate now.  Not when shifting for reals.

40 or 80m, NVIS antenna setup.

For anyone looking for an HF rig, I wholeheartedly recommend the Icom 7300.  I have a Yaesu FT-857D setup as a portable HF rig.  Yaesu makes great UHF/VHF handhelds.

The Icom 718 is not a bad little HF radio and can be had for $600.  It will get the job done.  I am an Extra and a VE.

If ordering from amazon don’t forget to use smile and choose American Pioneer Corps as your charity.

In for antenna recommendations

I tried to buy a few radios a while ago. Got scammed. Person took the money but never shipped them. So does anyone have a link to which radios I should buy that is from a reliable source?

HF is a ton of fun. I've had my General ticket a few years now and have made contacts all over. Have worked around 30 States and many countries, Canada, maybe a dozen in Europe, but also a couple in South America.

I got my first rig at a local club auction. Fortunately, in my area 2m is pretty active with several repeaters and clubs. Always someone to talk to and learn from. Learned alot using that rig, and eventually upgraded to a more modern unit acquired through eBay. It was manufactured in the early 2003, so it doesn't have all the bells and whistles a modern rig would have, but works great for me and requires no computer support to work.

Couple of things to note based on my experience getting started:

Your HF radio is only one part of the equation.  Your antenna is equally as important to get the most out of your radio. In most cases a simple length of wire or a dipole antenna will work great. In my case, I use a vertical antenna with a large radial/ground plane field. I also have a multi band dipole for field operations and a portable mast to elevate it.

You may also need a tuner to match your antenna and radio. This will prevent you from burning up your transmitter, but may not necessarily make your signal better. Most modern rigs will have a built in tuner, but it doesn't replace having a well matched antenna to the particular frequency you're operating on.

Don't forget coax. The cable connection from your radio to the antenna could be the most important part of your system.

You'll also need a good power supply. To my knowledge there are very few HF radios that plug into the wall. Most will need DC current to operate. Make sure you get one that has enough amps to operate your radio at full power and makes "clean", DC power. Not all power supplies are created equal, some will introduce noise into your system and make it harder to operate efficiently. Large car type batteries or deep cycle marine batteries work as well, but operating your HF radio at full power will drain one pretty quick. Solar or plug in charging methods are a necessity when operating for any length of time in this mode.

Lastly is you. There is a bit of a learning curve regarding successful HF communications. The Technician ticket is a great place to start, getting you familiar with the terminology, equipment and operation of your radios. VHF/UHF is alot of fun. You can meet and learn from some great people, and yes, sometimes there are the stereotypical old men on there.

All in with my mobile rigs, base stations and field station, I'm probably between $2500 and $3000. Keep in mind though, that you can get into the UHF/VHF game for less than $400 all in and be on the air with a real good, somewhat bullet proof setup. HF is somewhat more expensive, but with some patience, you could probably get into it for between $1000-$1500.

Lastly, if you just want to listen, check broadcastify.com for police/fire/ems frequencies in your area and get a scanner that covers those frequencies. Just about all scanners will also cover the ham bands. May be a good way to get your feet wet and see if the radio hobby is for you.

Happy to answer any questions with my limited knowledge. The ham radio forum here is filled with some real smart and helpful people.

KC1***

A complete package with the radio, antenna and tuner would be appreciated if it’s available at one source. Thanks

Got my crappy chicom radios 2 days ago. I already set them up, it is easy if you aren't retarded. I can hit several repeaters from my home and work. There is no traffic on any of them though.

eta didn't notice HF

Order from MTC Radio.  I have bought from them in person and online. Great people.
https://www.mtcradio.com/
Great customer service and will recommend and make suggestions.

I don't think this is a thread about the "radio hobby."

https://www.hamradio.com/

Physical stores across the country too

This would be helpful. I was looking at the Icom 7300 and then got lost with the antenna choices, tuner and power supply. Mostly the antenna is where I get confused.

I still have my station.

I just got a cheapie UHF.VHF on amazon....good lord, $600+ entry fee? Another expensive hobby...