Subj : Re: Wannbe HAM
To   : Steven Sheeley
From : Tony Langdon
Date : Mon Sep 12 2016 08:27 am

-=> Steven Sheeley wrote to All <=-

 SS> I'm looking at taking my test and finally get a Ham setup going. I've
 SS> been interested in HAM since High School (Far to long to be honest) and
 SS> have finally gotten myself to the point where I can afford to do this.

I'm guessing you're in the US, with your Z1 address.  Find the local club, they
should be able to help you locate the material.

 SS> My question is where is the best area to get HAM equipment and what is
 SS> a good starting rig? Looking for both mobile for my truck and a base
 SS> station.

That's a big question.  It depends what you want to do and how much you have to
spend.  Occasionally, there may be some pracical limitations (for example, if
you park in underground car parks, you will have significant height
limitations, which will limit your HF antenna options).

VHF/UHF is easier to install in a mobile, while HF offers longer range (without
the help of infrastructure) and variety, at the cost of more complex antenna
and grounding requirements.  Antenna and installation are everything on HF
mobile.

For the mobile, I like to have 2 radios - a VHF/UHF dual (or more) band radio,
and a HF or HF/VHF/UHF all mode radio.

At home, you have a lot more flexibility, because there's (usually) more space
for erecting the large antennas that are more efficient on HF.


.... There is a multi-legged creature crawling on your shoulder.
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