Beginner HF Radio - HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe

[@TwstedTV]

Its funny when you started to Chuckle reading the end of the list, Hahahaa. - Also as soon as you shown the radio list. I immediately knew which one is a very good one. The Yaesu-FT991A (for Home-Base) was the pick [for me], super great for the AIO. And the Xiegu-G90 (for mobile HF only) use like POTA, SOTA or hiking with friends and even camping. Then also carry a good HT like the Wouxon 9D+ to hit those 2m & 70cm towers while also mobile with the Xiegu-G90 or 6105 to be fully covered on communications, while out and about.

[@TheSmokinApe]

The 991a is the one radio I constantly regret not buying.

[@kj4mfw]

Good content! 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out 👍

[@waynepeloquin1146]

I picked up a Yaesu ft897 used from a local ham through our swap net. All bands, all modes. He was upgrading to the ft991A. Very happy with it. No waterfall

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the comment, I've heard good things about the 897.

[@randyhavener1851]

Great Job Mr Ape!!!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Randy 👍

[@unclecow]

awesome man great info

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it!

[@twohandsandaradio]

One thing I talked about in a previous life is "fit". What radio "fits" Stan. There is no real way of knowing what fits without getting hands on and that's tough to do these days. One thing he could do is watch watch watch videos. See if anything sticks out that he likes or might be deal breakers. Also take your list and have Stan read the reviews on Eham.net. That's a good barometer too. The quirkiness of the ZIE-GOOP stuff could lead to some serious remorse. But flip it at a loss and try again. I would say out of the bunch the 7300 would be the one to stretch and get. Now if he would think used then the door really opens up. I would say get an older IC-7410. Yep...I like it better than my 7300. It's all about "fit". Excellent video Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Great comment, glad you liked the video RA 👍

[@twohandsandaradio]

@@TheSmokinApe Always! Rotten choice in beer but I can overlook it. LOL!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha, thanks man 🍻

[@myballwilson]

Icom 7100 my first and happy with it.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, love my 7300 👍

[@leeharrell67]

Hey, the FT-891 and a bandscope-ish! FT-991A wins the day!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha 👍 thanks for watching!

[@stridermt2k]

I started out with a used modded IC-718 that I purchased from eBay. Once I realized I was "in" I bought a new IC-7300 and love the thing. Starting out with used can be tricky, but it's not a bad way to go.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, that 7300 is a fantastic radio that should last for years. Thanks for the comment Mike!

[@bidlokwerve]

I saw "LID Tips" and clicked......Great concept!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, I appreciate the feedback 👍

[@KC5TGTRadiosNMore]

Thanks for the info and nice job on presentation.... I own the FT-450D and I have worked it hard. It’s been great and has never failed me. Lots of features for the price and small enough footprint that it might work OK mobile or portable too. I’ve made contacts all over the world with it and a G5RV. Maybe in the future I’ll get a nicer antenna and radio > like a 7300, or even better the 7610 someday. I like to keep my HF rig separate from my VHF/UHF so I can monitor or talk on local frequencies and have the HF rig going at the same time on digital modes.... 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, the 450D looks like a great radio 👍

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Careful with the 7610 I hear they have issues on the screen nd parts on the if circuit blow. My buddy ray on 1.930 can tell you more ur he had 2 fail in short order.

[@jbgreer]

The spreadsheet vs models: add weights to represent priorities and you've got a great tool that many folks can use. Add it to Google Sheets and you're a hero!

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s not a bad idea, I’ll see what I can do 👍

[@ubergeek318]

thats a hard choice for the price point, i have the 857d and G90 , looks like stan will have to open the pocket book up a bit wider or look for used

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol, Stan is going to have to make some choices

[@TonyLing]

The 7300 goes up to 76MHz or so. No use in the US just yet I believe.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It does 6m 👍

[@K1STG-Fred]

I’d love to go used but everything I have been finding is just as much as new. Guess I need to dig deeper for used deals.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s hard to find a good deal, I’ve seen people selling used HTs for more then they cost new... WTF?

[@acepharmer]

I am starting to feel like Stan. I live in a rural area and there is very little activity on the two 2 meter repeaters that I can reach and thinking HF is where I am going to make contacts. I have a tech ticket ATM but halfway through my study guide for general and hoping to go to my ham fest later this month. I am not opposed to gently used items. I could see myself using an HF as a base but also the occasional POTA activiations and there are a couple of clubs within 1-2 hour drive that I would participate in field day activities. Any suggestions would be appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Good luck on the test, the Yaesu 891 seems to be a very popular pota radio 👍

[@zenithtuberadio]

Hello, I'm a little confused I'm which power supply to buy since they're so many. If you had a RCI-2950 radio as a base... which would you choose? Thank you very much.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I love my MFJ-4225MV

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Stan wants a 991A and call me for the mic settings

[@TheSmokinApe]

I think you are right 👍

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

TheSmokinApe make him buy a mic prior to trying to use the hand mic they suck. I run the md100 base mic from yaesu. You can get any XLR and wire adapter and it will work 97% better then the muffled mh31 hand mic. Love mine and the super het is great front end. Tried and true preforming receiver. ESP with Am station 2.5 miles away pumping 2.5k million Watts. Yea it’s not a base with 5” screen but the screen does well. Menus are menus can’t be both right ☺️😊 KC3ONO

[@TheSmokinApe]

Kevin Helijeepworld thanks for the info 👍

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

All that time and $ in choke/rf interference suppression your 991a be ripping right along.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That 991a is a nice radio 👍

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

TheSmokinApe try one and do your own 991 Vs 7300 I bet you sell your 7300 👍 5$ on it so you won’t take to much of a loss on the 7300

[@TheSmokinApe]

👍

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

Dear Stan, if you fail to make contacts during your first experience as a ham, you will get frustrated and likely quit the hobby. Start out with at least 100 Watts to help you as you're getting started to make sure you are making contacts. You may get frustrated if you purchase your first radio and it does less than 20 watts, QRP (low power) usage takes skill and you will hear stations that you cannot call. Please save up and wait for the day that you can afford an Icom IC-7300, you will not regret this radio. It does not have an internal battery so you will need a power supply or a decent battery. This thing is a workhorse! I have been compiling a list of all the things I recently purchased and you can see my set up if you scroll down on my qrz page: www.qrz.com/db/W3TCP Do some research of your own and watch KZbin videos, if you have any local hams, visit them and test out their setup. Hope that helps, 73 W3TCP -Ernie

[@TheSmokinApe]

Great post, thanks 👍