New to site, lookin for advice

[kd5drx]

ok lets get this one started off right. The ft857d is an awsome radio i run it over here in Iraq and make nightly contacts into easter europe on a piece of wire 52ft long and 100 watts so its not the power its the band. now as for a beginner you can find some nice used rigs on ebay or e.ham and they are usualy in real good shape. for a first time rig i would suggest either the 857 or an icom 706 one of the mkII or mkIIG they are also all mode all band rigs. the reason i say this is if you get your tech license it opens up all the bands above 30 mhz for you and all modes and 2m side band is a blast and so is 6m when its open and if you listen to the HF bands it will hook you to get the rest of world and you will have to get that general class ticket when you see how easy it is to pick up the mike and talk to your freinds all over the world of usa. I ran 14.302.5 in the states and had a ball meeting up with other trucking ham radio operators. you can check out the web site at the following link. [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. great link for trucking ham operators we all had a good time all over the usa. nothing like getting directions from 1000 miles away because some one had been to that place before and could get you right in.Ok i'll get off my soap box but once you get hooked you will understand the desease.

[Crankshaft]

You guys sure now how to make a gadget geek suffer ya know.lol. Gonna try and make a visit to texas towers this weekend, barring the weather here, and come home with somethin to tinker with. Definately like the idea of all in one with the 857D, so many choices, ugh. Most likely what Ill end up with then spend the rest of my time rigging it up.

[kc0rey]

If you do, get a good dual band VHF/UHF antenna and get a 6M ham stick. They are dirt cheap and with the 6M Ham Stick you'll be able to listen on the HF bands..................WHen you upgrade to General you'll have to do something about the HF antenna but by them you'll likely have your eye on a good screwdriver that will allow all of the HF Band.

[kd5drx]

and when your ready for that screw driver look up my good freind no5e and give him a call and he can hook you up with a 1 time purchase antenna and i say that from experiance you get one of his antennas and you will neve need another one i have over 1,000,000 miles on mine and never had a problem with it and always ran 300-500 watts thru it so it will last for ever. Good luck and if you need any help on the code i suggest a program calle code quick it is a very good program and for 5 wm it can't be beat.

[kc0rey]

I prefer the G4FON Morse Trainer.......It is free and works well. Version 9 just came out as well......

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

[kd5drx]

ok you left your self open for this so i got to say it all in fun though. Why aren't you a general yet then if it works so good. HA HA go on get the ticket and join us in the grown up world.

[kc0rey]

Still learning code.........I learned it in the boy scouts on paper........my mind keeps trying to convert it to what I can see on paper..........a real detriment.....but I am progressing.......

Hopefully we just didn't start a No Code/Know Code debate.......LOL

[kd5drx]

not from me i hate it only learned it because i had to have never made a code contact. just all in good fun but the code quick is good it teachs the sound alike for the leter that never changes no matter how fast you go. like the q is pay day to day and the d is dog did it so it just keeps going like that.

[tfisher63]

I'm trying to learn code too. Using the same trainer as kc0rey. I just started a few weeks ago, have only spent a couple evenings and only have learned w,k,m,b,r, and s. Dont know if I'll ever get it....

[tfisher63]

Anybody have any thoughts on a FT-100D for a first radio? I found one for under $600