Forgive the long post, but I'm excited and have many questions
One more week till my first ham-fest, and my exam.
Like all rookies I'm lost on equipment. I will pursue HAM until I get my extra.
I KNOW I will end up buying mid to high range, but for now I'm thanking I'm going with a Yeasu of some type.
My gut feeling is:
1:Buy the highest end mobile they make so I'm covered, in the car and hopefully I can get a removable mount so I can take the radio indoors.
2:Buy a 950 and I'm good to go for all my needs.
I plan on getting the best antenna made.
Now the HT questions.
3: How far can I reach out to find a repeater, running barefoot, rubber duck?
4: How much increase in distance if I hook the HT up to a magnetic antenna in the car?
5: I have a tripod and old rotor antenna on my 2 story house, and it is not used. The motor works great. Is that a possible advantage when I buy an antenna, and once again how much increase in range?
I hope a HAM friend will go with me and help out, if he can get off work.
If not I'll hit the ham-fest lean & green. I guess I'll just introduce myself to as many people as I can before the exam, and hopefully they can guide me through my purchase.
6: I am 99% sure I'm going to buy new. I want the warranty. I only buy extended warranty's on computers and I have saved countless dollars. EVERY PC I have owned has been back at least twice, and I buy high end machines.
Is this a good idea on HAM radios? It seems like every ham I know says they have several boat anchors lying around.
7: does CASH help with the dealers at the ham-fest?
Thanks to all
One more week till my first ham-fest, and my exam.
Like all rookies I'm lost on equipment. I will pursue HAM until I get my extra.
I KNOW I will end up buying mid to high range, but for now I'm thanking I'm going with a Yeasu of some type.
My gut feeling is:
1:Buy the highest end mobile they make so I'm covered, in the car and hopefully I can get a removable mount so I can take the radio indoors.
2:Buy a 950 and I'm good to go for all my needs.
I plan on getting the best antenna made.
Now the HT questions.
3: How far can I reach out to find a repeater, running barefoot, rubber duck?
4: How much increase in distance if I hook the HT up to a magnetic antenna in the car?
5: I have a tripod and old rotor antenna on my 2 story house, and it is not used. The motor works great. Is that a possible advantage when I buy an antenna, and once again how much increase in range?
I hope a HAM friend will go with me and help out, if he can get off work.
If not I'll hit the ham-fest lean & green. I guess I'll just introduce myself to as many people as I can before the exam, and hopefully they can guide me through my purchase.
6: I am 99% sure I'm going to buy new. I want the warranty. I only buy extended warranty's on computers and I have saved countless dollars. EVERY PC I have owned has been back at least twice, and I buy high end machines.
Is this a good idea on HAM radios? It seems like every ham I know says they have several boat anchors lying around.
7: does CASH help with the dealers at the ham-fest?
Thanks to all