I'm looking for opinions on my first satellite rig. What seems to be the norm that everyone is using? I'm looking of a base rig.
Thanks
Johnny Miller
millerj - @ - cinci.rr.com
N8RTW
Xbox Live Gamer Tag:wcso845
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What else do you want to do with it? HF also? VHF long distance? What price range? What antenna system are you using? There is a myriad of options.
Mark Lunday WD4ELG [email protected] http://wd4elg.net
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Johnny Miller Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:40 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Looking for Suggestions
I'm looking for opinions on my first satellite rig. What seems to be the norm that everyone is using? I'm looking of a base rig.
Thanks
Johnny Miller
millerj - @ - cinci.rr.com
N8RTW
Xbox Live Gamer Tag:wcso845
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lets cure cancer together visit:
http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sorry, Johnny, I should have been more specific.
The rigs seem to be in 3 categories for base rigs (my information):
$ = under $400 $$ = $400 to $850 $$$ = $850 to $1500 $$$ = greater than $1500
1. Satellite/VHF/UHF only: (IC910 all mode $$$$, or FM rigs that will work the FM-only birds $ and $$)
2. HF/VHF/UHF - all mode: (TS2000 $$$$, Icom 7000 $$$, FT857/897 $$, FT817/QRP $$)
These are all new rigs. There are used rigs like FT847 that have same features as the TS2000 and IC 7000. FT847 can be had for $$ if you can get one.
I have two FT817 rigs I use as base. They are all mode HF/VHF/UHF, small, tons of features, affordable, nice receiver, I take them on road trips also. I have an amp for weak signal non-sat work on 2 meters.
For sat work, esp for non-FM birds, you really need two rigs or a separate VFO. The cheapest way I could get two rigs was two FT817 rigs. I really enjoy these for HF work also. Although I also have a Kenwood TS570 for higher power work.
There are some quirks with each of the rigs, recommend evaluating them via things like www.eham.net product reviews.
If I had unlimited budget, I would have gotten IC910H because of the higher power on VHF/UHF and dual VFO's. But the problem would be that I could not take the rig on the road, and these FT817 rigs are simply a joy to have.
Others will have varying opinions, so don't take my feedback as gospel...only as a data point.
Mark Lunday WD4ELG [email protected] http://wd4elg.net
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Johnny Miller Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:40 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Looking for Suggestions
I'm looking for opinions on my first satellite rig. What seems to be the norm that everyone is using? I'm looking of a base rig.
Thanks
Johnny Miller
millerj - @ - cinci.rr.com
N8RTW
Xbox Live Gamer Tag:wcso845
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lets cure cancer together visit:
http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
You might consider some of the older Icom rigs for 2 & 70cm. IC251 IC451. Good rigs, reasonable (200-300) each. Can not used computer controlled doppler correction (I use that big knob). Simple and reliable. 73 Bob W7LRD
----- Original Message -----
From: Johnny Miller
Sent: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:39:55 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: [amsat-bb] Looking for Suggestions
I'm looking for opinions on my first satellite rig. What seems to be the
norm that everyone is using? I'm looking of a base rig.
Thanks
Johnny Miller
millerj - @ - cinci.rr.com
N8RTW
Xbox Live Gamer Tag:wcso845
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lets cure cancer together visit:
http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
_______________________________________________
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (3)
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Johnny Miller -
Mark Lunday, WD4ELG -
w7lrd＠comcast.net