Posted: 3/24/2008 12:26:20 PM EDT
|
So, not that I have my transceiver, I need to pick up an HF rig. Keep in mind that I'm a poor gov't employee who knows nothing about radios or electronics. I may even look for a used rig. Any opinions you'd like to share regarding my first HF purchase? |
|
My first HF rig was an Icom 735. This was state of the art 15 years ago or so. It is still and excellent radio with many features. I gave about $325 for it. Very pleased. I've since bought a newer radio but it does little that the Icom didn't do. Dunno how much you want to spend but for that kind of money it will be VERY TOUGH to beat the Icom. There is a Kenwood rig of similar vintage though...cannot recall the model-excellent older radio. Take a look at EHAM ratings.... |
|
My wife and I are on a similar budget. First though I'd suggest giving some serious thought to what you want the radio to do. Are you looking for something portable or a dedicated shack radio? Lots of buttons, dials, bells and whistles, or something simple? Like to tinker or want it to work out of the box? We picked up a used Kenwood TS-50 off of Ebay for pretty reasonable. We were looking for a relatively small and simple radio for HF. We wanted something that could be put into a Em-Comm box and go portable as needed. The TS-50 fit this requirement and our budget. Look to Ebay, Craigslist, any of the amateur radio forums and their classifieds, Eham.net, QRZ.com to name a few. Check out the local amateur radio club, folks are always horse trading stuff around. Semper Fi |
Just out of curiosity, have you had a chance to play with an FT-450? I realize it's pretty immature yet, but it's flash-able, all-mode, and not a lot more expensive than the IC-718. I haven't decided which one to buy myself, yet. LG. |
i actually looked quite closely at the FT-450 recently, weighing it against a possible purchase of an IC-746Pro. in the end, would have paid more for the 746, not for one bug reason but for many little reasons. of course, you have checked out the reviews on Eham.com -- some of them were very informative. as well, do a search over on QRZ.com, some good info there as well. ar-jedi |