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Base Station Radio
#1
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?
K1RCT - Rob
W1NRG Station Activities Manager
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#2
(07-14-2014, 10:22 AM)KC1ACN Wrote: 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

Al - N1API
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#3
If you are considering used my choices are:
IC-746 - an older model but reasonable in price if you can find a nice one. Has HF plus 6 and 2 meters. I own one and use it primarily for 2 meters now but prior it was my primary rig.
Kenwood TS-2000 - again an older model but has HF, 6 and 2.
Its really nice to have a rig with all the bands.

Like Al said the FT-857D has HF, 6, 2 and 432 but is designed as a mobile rig. Everything is menu driven as opposed to the previous models which are desk models. Also it does not have a build in tuner which is a nice feature if you are using something like a G5RV.

I am not up on the newer models but I would go for a rig with more bands.

I have a Yaesu FT1000MP MkVField for sale but only HF. More $ than the previosuly mentioned.

Good luck on your search.
Jim N1ZN
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#4
OK then... just plunked $600 for a clean looking Kenwood TS-450.
Now on the the Antenna, Antenna Analyzer, Ground Network and maybe an MC-60 mic.

Already am working on a (almost) homebrew 40A power supply. Really just boxing up a SMPS in a ventilated box.
K1RCT - Rob
W1NRG Station Activities Manager
Home Email

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#5
(07-26-2014, 04:56 PM)KC1ACN Wrote: OK then... just plunked $600 for a clean looking Kenwood TS-450.
Now on the the Antenna, Antenna Analyzer, Ground Network and maybe an MC-60 mic.

Already am working on a (almost) homebrew 40A power supply. Really just boxing up a SMPS in a ventilated box.

The club, (actually The town of Wallingford), has one. so lots of us familiar with it.

The club owns it's "sister" the 690-S the difference being that the 690 has 6 meters.

Al
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#6
I wanted a TS-690 but wasn't ready to buy one and the sale ended with a purchase. Not too many people giving those up.
K1RCT - Rob
W1NRG Station Activities Manager
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