Smoky
Well-known member
A few months ago I began the thread, "Ham radio for my motorhome". Got lots of good advice and thanks.
Since then I have done a lot of research and finally made my purchase today.
Some of the rigs, like the IC7000 were just to darn expensive for me.
One of the rigs mentioned came in second on my list, and I liked it a lot for my intended purpose. It was the ICOM 706 Mk2G coupled with the High Sierra vertical (electrically tuned).
Today I operated it side by side with the Yaesu FT-857D and the Yaesu walked out the door with me.
Both of them are great rigs and it was a tough decision. One thing I liked about the Yaesu is the way they matched it up with the Yaesu manufactured ATAS-125 electrically tuned vertical. Instead of a separate control box, the vertical gets its power and signal directly via the antenna coax. The ATAS-125 only works with Yaesu radios because of that special configuration. I give up 160/80 meters (because of the antenna but the radio is 160 capable) but in return I get a really compact and well integrated antenna.
The transceiver is a dream ... 100 watt (adjustable down to 5 watt) 160-10 meter bands (include the 60 m band: USA version) plus the 6 m, 2 m, and 70 cm bands, SSB, CW, AM, FM, and Digital modes.
Special features include:
Dual VFOs; Split-Frequency operation; Digital Signal
Processing (Bandpass Filtering, Noise Reduction, Auto-Notch, and Microphone Equalizer);
IF Shift; Clarifier (?R.I.T.?); IF Noise Blanker; AGC Fast/Slow/Auto/Off selection; RF Gain
and Squelch control; IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) and a receiver front-end Attenuator;
AM Aircraft reception; AM and FM Broadcast reception; U.S. Weather Band reception;
VOX; Built-in Electronic Keyer with Memories and a Beacon mode; Adjustable CW Pitch;
Automatic FM Repeater Shift (ARS); Built-in CTCSS Encoder/Decoders; ARTS? (Auto-
Range Transponder System); Smart Search? Automatic Memory Loading System; Spectrum
Scope; 200 Memories plus Home Channels and Band-limiting Memories; Alpha-Numeric
Labeling of Memories; Automatic Power-Off (APO) and Time-Out Timer (TOT) functions;
Computer Interface capability; and Cloning capability.
In addition to the electrically tunable antenna I picked up the detached control head (making the Admiral very happy that she only sees a tiny box, a combo mike boom headset (making the Admiral happy she can't hear the noise) and a bencher paddle (the Yaesu has a built in electronic keyer with memory. Yes I am a CW nut. I might even pick up a straight key for old time sake, but the damn things sell for about $100. I remember when Radio shack used to cell a $5 keyer, but very few hams still pound out morse by hand.
Phil, maybe after I get set up, I can have a test sked with you before I go DXing?
Looks like the next couple of days I will be back on the roof mounting the vertical. Getting a good ground will be my biggest challenge. Obvioulsy I will only be operating the rig while parked. I have enough on my hands driving a big rig, operating CB and running the music media. The antenna will fold down while underway.
Does anyone know how diplexers work? The Yaesu has two coax antenna outputs, one for HF and one for VHF/UHF. But the ATAS-125 antenna can handle both HF and UHF. I could switch the outputs manually, but I am told if I install a diplexer, both antenna outputs would connect through the diplexer to the antenna without switching. What is involved in a diplexer, is it a passive device? How much do they cost?
If I could find out what software is available I might also pick up the computer interface cable. Looking at the tone mike also in case I get hooked back into UHF/VHF repeater work.
Since then I have done a lot of research and finally made my purchase today.
Some of the rigs, like the IC7000 were just to darn expensive for me.
One of the rigs mentioned came in second on my list, and I liked it a lot for my intended purpose. It was the ICOM 706 Mk2G coupled with the High Sierra vertical (electrically tuned).
Today I operated it side by side with the Yaesu FT-857D and the Yaesu walked out the door with me.
Both of them are great rigs and it was a tough decision. One thing I liked about the Yaesu is the way they matched it up with the Yaesu manufactured ATAS-125 electrically tuned vertical. Instead of a separate control box, the vertical gets its power and signal directly via the antenna coax. The ATAS-125 only works with Yaesu radios because of that special configuration. I give up 160/80 meters (because of the antenna but the radio is 160 capable) but in return I get a really compact and well integrated antenna.
The transceiver is a dream ... 100 watt (adjustable down to 5 watt) 160-10 meter bands (include the 60 m band: USA version) plus the 6 m, 2 m, and 70 cm bands, SSB, CW, AM, FM, and Digital modes.
Special features include:
Dual VFOs; Split-Frequency operation; Digital Signal
Processing (Bandpass Filtering, Noise Reduction, Auto-Notch, and Microphone Equalizer);
IF Shift; Clarifier (?R.I.T.?); IF Noise Blanker; AGC Fast/Slow/Auto/Off selection; RF Gain
and Squelch control; IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) and a receiver front-end Attenuator;
AM Aircraft reception; AM and FM Broadcast reception; U.S. Weather Band reception;
VOX; Built-in Electronic Keyer with Memories and a Beacon mode; Adjustable CW Pitch;
Automatic FM Repeater Shift (ARS); Built-in CTCSS Encoder/Decoders; ARTS? (Auto-
Range Transponder System); Smart Search? Automatic Memory Loading System; Spectrum
Scope; 200 Memories plus Home Channels and Band-limiting Memories; Alpha-Numeric
Labeling of Memories; Automatic Power-Off (APO) and Time-Out Timer (TOT) functions;
Computer Interface capability; and Cloning capability.
In addition to the electrically tunable antenna I picked up the detached control head (making the Admiral very happy that she only sees a tiny box, a combo mike boom headset (making the Admiral happy she can't hear the noise) and a bencher paddle (the Yaesu has a built in electronic keyer with memory. Yes I am a CW nut. I might even pick up a straight key for old time sake, but the damn things sell for about $100. I remember when Radio shack used to cell a $5 keyer, but very few hams still pound out morse by hand.
Phil, maybe after I get set up, I can have a test sked with you before I go DXing?
Looks like the next couple of days I will be back on the roof mounting the vertical. Getting a good ground will be my biggest challenge. Obvioulsy I will only be operating the rig while parked. I have enough on my hands driving a big rig, operating CB and running the music media. The antenna will fold down while underway.
Does anyone know how diplexers work? The Yaesu has two coax antenna outputs, one for HF and one for VHF/UHF. But the ATAS-125 antenna can handle both HF and UHF. I could switch the outputs manually, but I am told if I install a diplexer, both antenna outputs would connect through the diplexer to the antenna without switching. What is involved in a diplexer, is it a passive device? How much do they cost?
If I could find out what software is available I might also pick up the computer interface cable. Looking at the tone mike also in case I get hooked back into UHF/VHF repeater work.