Base Station Radio

[N1API]

Well I've been researching Base Radios for some time now. Not knowing where to start, I looked at rigs from DC-To-Daylight to Boat Anchors.

I think I've narrowed it down to those radios that do not have menu type controls like Kenwood TS-450, TS-690.

I know I want 6M but am willing, for the right price to settle on a non-6m unit and look for a 6M only or 6 - 10M rig.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Depends on your budget and how "big" a radio you want. If you are talking new, I think the best bang for your buck is the little Yaesu 857D. 160 through 440 with Air receive and also receives the FM broadcast band. If you are "out and about" or portable this one receives just about everything. If you are looking for base station type of radio I would start with the Yaesu 3000 and work on up from there depending on your budget and the room you have at your location. I'm particular to Yaesu but the ICOMs are also good and so are the Kenwood radios. Though with the Kenwoods I think that the the smallest is the TS-2000 and now you're getting into the bigger buck radios. The ICOMs and Yaesus can be had for under a grand - especially when you get the discount coupons.

With the ARRL convention this week you can do a hands on of most of the radios and the manufactures my have discount coupons to hand out at the show. So this is a good place to look over all the equipment and get an idea of what may be to your liking.

Good luck! Hope you can find your "dream radio".

Al - N1API