I've been on HF for years, but am new to VHF/UHF.

I'm thinking of getting a VHF/UHF base station and it looks like the only
thing around is the ICOM IC-910H. Is there a reason for this? Because of
this, it seems to me that most people must not have a base station for these
bands.

Is this correct?

Rod

Rod Maupin wrote:
Is this correct?

Nope. Many hams use mobile rigs with a hefty 13.8v supply.

Well around here, no one gets on SSB VHF UHF so not one gets them.
Only time they are active is during contesting.

Not worth the investment

Steve

"Rod Maupin" wrote in message
...
I've been on HF for years, but am new to VHF/UHF.

I'm thinking of getting a VHF/UHF base station and it looks like the only
thing around is the ICOM IC-910H. Is there a reason for this? Because of
this, it seems to me that most people must not have a base station for
these bands.

Is this correct?

Rod

"Rod Maupin" wrote in message
...
I've been on HF for years, but am new to VHF/UHF.

I'm thinking of getting a VHF/UHF base station and it looks like the only
thing around is the ICOM IC-910H. Is there a reason for this? Because of
this, it seems to me that most people must not have a base station for
these bands.

Is this correct?

Rod

Many of the newer HF rigs come with one or more VHF/UHF bands so if a person
has one of those, there is no need for a separate base station for VHF/UHF.

For example, I have the TS-2000. In addition to the MF/HF bands, it has 6m,
2m, and 440. So I have all-mode capability for these bands. Plus I can buy
a 1.2G
module and add external transverters for other bands.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Rod,

where abouts are you located and what do you wish to do on 144MHz? There are other
options besides the IC910 but all depends on your plans...


On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:09:38 -0700, "Rod Maupin" wrote:

I've been on HF for years, but am new to VHF/UHF.

I'm thinking of getting a VHF/UHF base station and it looks like the only
thing around is the ICOM IC-910H. Is there a reason for this? Because of
this, it seems to me that most people must not have a base station for these
bands.

Is this correct?

Rod

I'm in the Olympia, WA area. I just took the Extra test, and while I was
studying I got interested in the sections on repeaters and satellite. I've
worked HF for years, but never done anything else. So, my interest got
piqued.

Satellite sounds interesting, but I don't know anything about it. So, I am
going to have to do some reading up. I don't even know how to work a
repeater, so you really know I've just been into HF.

Rod

Rod,

I suspect 144MHz narrowmode activity in your area is rather low (chicken and egg
situation). On the other hand, you can make people happy with WA for WAS..
Possibilities: Use sats, Meteorscatter and/or EME. With an IC910 (possibly with an
additional preamp) and a 3wl yagi you can do all of those modes. If you want to improve
over the IC910 your alternative is a transverter behind a (good) HF rig. See
DownEastMicrowave or DB6NT (re latter: Take a breath before looking at prices). An
Elecraft with 2m transverter also comes highly recommended by many people. In addition
that makes a great HF radio. Yagi's can be had from several sources, good ones are M2 or
others (commercial) or DK7ZB (easy homebrew and cheap with great performance).

For MS and EME check the page from Joe K1JT for the WSJT computerprogram. Also check the
Pingjockey page, the JT65 EME page, bigskyspaces.com, etc. The bigger the station, the
better your results will be. 100W + 3wl allows tropo range of abt 250-300mile range at
all times. 4 x 5wl + 1kW will make that abt 500-600miles. Meteorscatter will have a
range of 500-1300 miles. More power will make QSOing easier but not influence the
distance much. Theoretical limit is abt 1500 miles which is very rare. EME means around
the world. 100W + 3wl means you can work abt 5-10 stations with patience. 1kW + 4 x 5wl
allows you to work almost all active EME stations and work DXCC on 2m. For more EME info
look at the homepage of PA0JMV.

It is interesting to see many HF folks becoming interested in VHF work. It is very
different, mainly because the relatively low activity. If you put your mind (and
equipment) to it, it can be very rewarding. I am an average station in Europe of abt
3-4kW ERP and have worked abt 70 DXCC without much effort including W,VE,KG6,ZS,JA. Just
don't expect it to be easy, it is a definite challenge!

GL! Hope to work you one day

On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 15:29:02 -0700, "Rod Maupin" wrote:

I'm in the Olympia, WA area. I just took the Extra test, and while I was
studying I got interested in the sections on repeaters and satellite. I've
worked HF for years, but never done anything else. So, my interest got
piqued.

Satellite sounds interesting, but I don't know anything about it. So, I am
going to have to do some reading up. I don't even know how to work a
repeater, so you really know I've just been into HF.

Rod

On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 15:29:02 -0700, "Rod Maupin"
wrote:

I'm in the Olympia, WA area. I just took the Extra test, and while I was
studying I got interested in the sections on repeaters and satellite. I've
worked HF for years, but never done anything else. So, my interest got
piqued.

Satellite sounds interesting, but I don't know anything about it.

for Satelites (which is a subset of VHF UHF) only the IC 910, the FT
847 and the Kenwood something like Ts-2000 are worth considering I
like 847 but with New sat coming making using of 1.2GHz I would not
buy one today for satelites work (i grabbed a chance to get the Boss
to buy me 910H with 1.2GHZ to settle some disputed billing between him
and I so I have both the 847 and 910)

Kenwood has a rep for nice gear but I have found there stuff "doesn't
play well others" that is it harder to find/interface no Kenwood
accesories so i tend to avoid them
So, I am
going to have to do some reading up. I don't even know how to work a
repeater, so you really know I've just been into HF.

Rod


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With the advent of the all mode - all band (nearly) radios like the ICOM 706
and others -- most new buyers find these very attractive for the price of an
all in box. So you get HF, Short Wave, and VHF/UHF for the price of an
older VHF/UHF rig. And many rigs can be used mobile as well as base.

Lots of folks operate VHF/UHF as base rigs -- probably more are using a FM
VHF/UHF mobiles with a power supply at home

There are lots of discontinued (now used) VHF/UHF transceivers such as
Icom IC-275/375/475/575/1275 Series Transceivers
IC-820H VHF/UHF Transceiver
IC-821H VHF/UHF Transceiver
IC-970H VHF/UHF Transceiver
Kenwood TM-255A/TM-455A VHF and UHF Transceivers
TS-60S VHF Transceiver
TS-711A/TS-811A VHF & UHF Transceivers
TS-790A VHF/UHF Transceiver
Yaesu FT-736 VHF/UHF Transceiver

Lots of folks operate these as a base station even though some are
mobile rigs -- using a 12V power supply

Some all modes are great for Sattellite work.
Most other activity on VHF/UHF SSB or CW is during contests.
Some use VHF rigs for data such as packet radio

And using SSB, data, or CW on VHF/UHF will get you and your buddy a
nearly private QSO

And don't forget the six meter band is VHF -- all mode 6M rigs can
work repeaters, SSB, Data, and CW.
During high SFI propagation and sporadic E, one can work lots of DX --
worked all states and DXCC on 6M is possible with a modest antenna





--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !






"Rod Maupin" wrote in message
...
I've been on HF for years, but am new to VHF/UHF.

I'm thinking of getting a VHF/UHF base station and it looks like the only
thing around is the ICOM IC-910H. Is there a reason for this? Because of
this, it seems to me that most people must not have a base station for
these bands.

Is this correct?

Rod

An after thought -- of the 400 members in our club, I recall about 20 that
have vhf/uhf - all mode capability and operate base or mobile.

Most of these have the newer all band (nearly) all mode rigs like ICOM 706,
Kenwood TS-2000, Yaesu FT-847 et al

--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !






"Caveat Lector" wrote in message
news:NKS8f.14298$i%.12029@fed1read07...
With the advent of the all mode - all band (nearly) radios like the ICOM
706 and others -- most new buyers find these very attractive for the price
of an all in box. So you get HF, Short Wave, and VHF/UHF for the price of
an older VHF/UHF rig. And many rigs can be used mobile as well as base.

Lots of folks operate VHF/UHF as base rigs -- probably more are using a FM
VHF/UHF mobiles with a power supply at home

There are lots of discontinued (now used) VHF/UHF transceivers such as
Icom IC-275/375/475/575/1275 Series Transceivers
IC-820H VHF/UHF Transceiver
IC-821H VHF/UHF Transceiver
IC-970H VHF/UHF Transceiver
Kenwood TM-255A/TM-455A VHF and UHF Transceivers
TS-60S VHF Transceiver
TS-711A/TS-811A VHF & UHF Transceivers
TS-790A VHF/UHF Transceiver
Yaesu FT-736 VHF/UHF Transceiver

Lots of folks operate these as a base station even though some are
mobile rigs -- using a 12V power supply

Some all modes are great for Sattellite work.
Most other activity on VHF/UHF SSB or CW is during contests.
Some use VHF rigs for data such as packet radio

And using SSB, data, or CW on VHF/UHF will get you and your buddy a
nearly private QSO

And don't forget the six meter band is VHF -- all mode 6M rigs can
work repeaters, SSB, Data, and CW.
During high SFI propagation and sporadic E, one can work lots of
DX -- worked all states and DXCC on 6M is possible with a modest antenna





--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !






"Rod Maupin" wrote in message
...
I've been on HF for years, but am new to VHF/UHF.

I'm thinking of getting a VHF/UHF base station and it looks like the only
thing around is the ICOM IC-910H. Is there a reason for this? Because
of this, it seems to me that most people must not have a base station for
these bands.

Is this correct?

Rod