Took the test on Saturday, got my call sign today. EXCELLENT service
from Larkfield ARC, Huntington, N.Y.

Now comes the moment of truth. Thanks to Gary for his recommendation
of a VX-150 handheld. At some point in the future, I would also like
to get a mobile to use at home. I've looked at the Astron VS35M as
well as the MFJ-4225MV. The latter looks a little smaller and a lot
lighter. Does it have enough power to run the IC-2100H without a
problem? Are there any issues with this ps that I should be aware of?
Does the supply have to be connected to a ground rod or cold water
pipe? There are really none available where I will be setting up my
"shack". The outlet that I will be plugging it into is a 3 prong
outlet.

I plan to get the VX-150 with the E-DC-6 cable which appears will
allow me to run it off of a power supply (which may be a down the road
purchase). Does the dry cell pack accomodate NiMH batteries? I have
several sets from my digital camera along with a charger. Any other
recommendations here?

Is it worth getting the Yaesu combo mike/speaker?

Lastly, any recommendations on a reliable mail order dealer? I've
been looking at HRO and they appear to get some pretty positive
feedback.

Sorry if I've been rambling, but I'm kind of excited. I thought that
I would be waiting several weeks for the call sign.

Thanks and 73

Rich
KC2NUQ

Trainman52 wrote:
Took the test on Saturday, got my call sign today. EXCELLENT service
from Larkfield ARC, Huntington, N.Y.

Congratulations, and welcome to something I started in 1962 and then
let lie fallow for 42 years. I got my General in January, after my
Novice (WN5EGO) expired in 1963. Something about college and a war.

Now comes the moment of truth. Thanks to Gary for his recommendation
of a VX-150 handheld. At some point in the future, I would also like
to get a mobile to use at home. I've looked at the Astron VS35M as
well as the MFJ-4225MV. The latter looks a little smaller and a lot
lighter. Does it have enough power to run the IC-2100H without a
problem? Are there any issues with this ps that I should be aware of?
Does the supply have to be connected to a ground rod or cold water
pipe? There are really none available where I will be setting up my
"shack". The outlet that I will be plugging it into is a 3 prong
outlet.

W5DNA, my wife, and I have a pair of VX-150 HTs, which came in late
January. Both are now back at Vertex for service, and both show the same
symptoms: low RF levels at the antenna. They failed the same day, which
is suspicious. Until they died, they worked *just* *fine*, and they were
really easy to program and to use. I really do think that we just got a
pair with burn-in problems: she had keyed hers up maybe two dozen times,
max.

Lastly, any recommendations on a reliable mail order dealer? I've
been looking at HRO and they appear to get some pretty positive
feedback.

We got ours from GigaParts.com; good, fast service.

Sorry if I've been rambling, but I'm kind of excited. I thought that
I would be waiting several weeks for the call sign.

They're pretty darned fast about getting new licenses and license upgrades
in: I passed the Extra exam last Thursday, and the upgrade is already in
the FCC database. Wheeeeee!

Rich
KC2NUQ

--
Mike Andrews, W5EGO 5 wpm Extra, but working on getting faster

Tired old sysadmin

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:01:08 GMT, Trainman52
wrote:

Took the test on Saturday, got my call sign today. EXCELLENT service
from Larkfield ARC, Huntington, N.Y.

Now comes the moment of truth. Thanks to Gary for his recommendation
of a VX-150 handheld. At some point in the future, I would also like
to get a mobile to use at home. I've looked at the Astron VS35M as
well as the MFJ-4225MV. The latter looks a little smaller and a lot
lighter. Does it have enough power to run the IC-2100H without a
problem? Are there any issues with this ps that I should be aware of?
Does the supply have to be connected to a ground rod or cold water
pipe? There are really none available where I will be setting up my
"shack". The outlet that I will be plugging it into is a 3 prong
outlet.

I plan to get the VX-150 with the E-DC-6 cable which appears will
allow me to run it off of a power supply (which may be a down the road
purchase). Does the dry cell pack accomodate NiMH batteries? I have
several sets from my digital camera along with a charger. Any other
recommendations here?

Is it worth getting the Yaesu combo mike/speaker?

Lastly, any recommendations on a reliable mail order dealer? I've
been looking at HRO and they appear to get some pretty positive
feedback.

Sorry if I've been rambling, but I'm kind of excited. I thought that
I would be waiting several weeks for the call sign.

Thanks and 73

Rich
KC2NUQ

Rich,
Congratulations on the license! Will try to answer your questions:

1) Power Supply - go with the Astron, they are well built and the 35
amp model you are looking at will be more than enough for powering a
dual band mobile unit in the home. In general I think you should
avoid MFJ, some of their products are good but it is a gamble and I've
found their customer support to be lacking. Seldom do you hear of
folks having problems with Astron power supplies though.

2) Yaesu and accessories - you'll find that folks have allegiances to
manufacturers (the big 3 being Kenwood, Icom & Yaesu) much like some
folks swear by GM and others at it. I don't think you'll be unhappy
with your choice, though I do suggest that if at all possible you view
this (and other) radios in person and see if you are comfortable with
the layout of the controls and also read the manuals on programming to
see which ones seem more intuitive to you. If you don't have a local
dealer you may wish to check out a local ham club and get the chance
to meet others in the hobby and actually play with some different
radios. A speaker mic can come in handy, but is not necessary up
front and there are non-OEM models that you may like more than the
Yaesu offerings and they are typically easier on the budget.

3) "AA" Pack & batery type - Wouldn't recommend rechargeables in an
"AA" case though as they only give 1.2 volts and that may not provide
sufficient voltage for the radio - others more familiar with this
consideration will hopefully offer their input on this. Also, check
out the radio manual (many are online) and see what it says about
minimum voltage requirements. You may be just fine, I'm just not
"expert" enough on this to give you a definite answer.

4) Dealers - I've mail ordered from AES and they have shipped
promptly. Have also dealt with HRO, in person, and have had good
service. Best to see which offers the best pricing and buy there.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions, welcome to
amateur radio!

Howard
KE6MAK

Thanks Mike,

Strangely enough, I still have my first QSL card. Dated 1960. I was
8 years old then and a "backseat operator". My father was active from
around 1960 until 1976. He wanted me to become a ham, but the code
always put me off. So, here we are 45 years later, 2 years from
retirement and ready to "yak".

BTW - I ordered the VX-150 from Gigaworks today along with a few
accessories. Nothing elaborate. I'll be looking for more advice as I
progress.

Unfortunately, the local club here meets on a Thursday at 8:00 PM
which is my bedtime. I do tech support for a living at generally get
up at 4:15. Once I retire, I expect to get more involved locally.

Thanks again,

Rich


On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 03:48:56 +0000 (UTC), (Mike
Andrews) wrote:

Trainman52 wrote:
Took the test on Saturday, got my call sign today. EXCELLENT service
from Larkfield ARC, Huntington, N.Y.

Congratulations, and welcome to something I started in 1962 and then
let lie fallow for 42 years. I got my General in January, after my
Novice (WN5EGO) expired in 1963. Something about college and a war.

Now comes the moment of truth. Thanks to Gary for his recommendation
of a VX-150 handheld. At some point in the future, I would also like
to get a mobile to use at home. I've looked at the Astron VS35M as
well as the MFJ-4225MV. The latter looks a little smaller and a lot
lighter. Does it have enough power to run the IC-2100H without a
problem? Are there any issues with this ps that I should be aware of?
Does the supply have to be connected to a ground rod or cold water
pipe? There are really none available where I will be setting up my
"shack". The outlet that I will be plugging it into is a 3 prong
outlet.

W5DNA, my wife, and I have a pair of VX-150 HTs, which came in late
January. Both are now back at Vertex for service, and both show the same
symptoms: low RF levels at the antenna. They failed the same day, which
is suspicious. Until they died, they worked *just* *fine*, and they were
really easy to program and to use. I really do think that we just got a
pair with burn-in problems: she had keyed hers up maybe two dozen times,
max.

Lastly, any recommendations on a reliable mail order dealer? I've
been looking at HRO and they appear to get some pretty positive
feedback.

We got ours from GigaParts.com; good, fast service.

Sorry if I've been rambling, but I'm kind of excited. I thought that
I would be waiting several weeks for the call sign.

They're pretty darned fast about getting new licenses and license upgrades
in: I passed the Extra exam last Thursday, and the upgrade is already in
the FCC database. Wheeeeee!

Rich
KC2NUQ

Thanks Howard.

You're right about MFJ. I e-mailed a question to them and never heard
back. This is a sale waiting to be made and they can't deal with it.
Imagine the post sale support.

I'll probably run the VX-150 on batteries for awhile and then go for
the Astron. Eventually I plan to get something like the ICOM IC2100-H
and put an Arrow J-Pole antenna in the attic. I have a house, but
the chimney is really not a good spot and from what I hear the J-pole
should work fine in the attic. We will see. I guess that I can
always move it later.

Thanks again,

73
Rich
KC2NUQ

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 21:15:42 -0800, Howard
wrote:

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:01:08 GMT, Trainman52
wrote:

Took the test on Saturday, got my call sign today. EXCELLENT service
from Larkfield ARC, Huntington, N.Y.

Now comes the moment of truth. Thanks to Gary for his recommendation
of a VX-150 handheld. At some point in the future, I would also like
to get a mobile to use at home. I've looked at the Astron VS35M as
well as the MFJ-4225MV. The latter looks a little smaller and a lot
lighter. Does it have enough power to run the IC-2100H without a
problem? Are there any issues with this ps that I should be aware of?
Does the supply have to be connected to a ground rod or cold water
pipe? There are really none available where I will be setting up my
"shack". The outlet that I will be plugging it into is a 3 prong
outlet.

I plan to get the VX-150 with the E-DC-6 cable which appears will
allow me to run it off of a power supply (which may be a down the road
purchase). Does the dry cell pack accomodate NiMH batteries? I have
several sets from my digital camera along with a charger. Any other
recommendations here?

Is it worth getting the Yaesu combo mike/speaker?

Lastly, any recommendations on a reliable mail order dealer? I've
been looking at HRO and they appear to get some pretty positive
feedback.

Sorry if I've been rambling, but I'm kind of excited. I thought that
I would be waiting several weeks for the call sign.

Thanks and 73

Rich
KC2NUQ

Rich,
Congratulations on the license! Will try to answer your questions:

1) Power Supply - go with the Astron, they are well built and the 35
amp model you are looking at will be more than enough for powering a
dual band mobile unit in the home. In general I think you should
avoid MFJ, some of their products are good but it is a gamble and I've
found their customer support to be lacking. Seldom do you hear of
folks having problems with Astron power supplies though.

2) Yaesu and accessories - you'll find that folks have allegiances to
manufacturers (the big 3 being Kenwood, Icom & Yaesu) much like some
folks swear by GM and others at it. I don't think you'll be unhappy
with your choice, though I do suggest that if at all possible you view
this (and other) radios in person and see if you are comfortable with
the layout of the controls and also read the manuals on programming to
see which ones seem more intuitive to you. If you don't have a local
dealer you may wish to check out a local ham club and get the chance
to meet others in the hobby and actually play with some different
radios. A speaker mic can come in handy, but is not necessary up
front and there are non-OEM models that you may like more than the
Yaesu offerings and they are typically easier on the budget.

3) "AA" Pack & batery type - Wouldn't recommend rechargeables in an
"AA" case though as they only give 1.2 volts and that may not provide
sufficient voltage for the radio - others more familiar with this
consideration will hopefully offer their input on this. Also, check
out the radio manual (many are online) and see what it says about
minimum voltage requirements. You may be just fine, I'm just not
"expert" enough on this to give you a definite answer.

4) Dealers - I've mail ordered from AES and they have shipped
promptly. Have also dealt with HRO, in person, and have had good
service. Best to see which offers the best pricing and buy there.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions, welcome to
amateur radio!

Howard
KE6MAK