About 10 years ago or so, I owned a Yaesu FT-736R, and used AO-10, UO-16 and a few others. I had a lot of fun. Family and job obligations, as well as several hurricanes later (I'm in South Florida), I ended up getting out of radio for many years.
Now, things have changed. I'm disabled, so I was able to retire early (49 years old). I can't do any tower work, or antenna work anymore, so I have to rely on a friend.
I kept my old AOP-10 antennas, my Yaesu G-5400B rotor, and I currently have an Icom IC-746 (non-pro) and a Yaesu FT-8800.
I plan to put back up my AOP-10 antennas, and work the FM birds.
So here is my question. Considering the equipment I have right now, and the birds that are currently up; is it worth it for me to get a satellite radio at this time? I'm interested only in voice.
Should I even consider the old 736R, or go for the newer IC-910H. I loved the 736R, but they still demand a lot on eBay; and it's an old rig, which I'm not sure there are still parts available from Yaesu in the event it requires service in the future. It's also a relatively low powered rig, compared to the IC-910H, and even my IC-746.
The IC-910H is expensive, however it's a current model, and puts out 4 times the power of the 736R. But it's about 40% higher in price than a 736R.
Are there any birds planned for the near future which will require 440 SSB? I would appreciate any thoughts as to which direction I should go (I hope I have posted this in the right list).
73s de W4AS.