I passed the technician exam yesterday, which sounds like a convenient excuse to start a thread about handheld trancievers...

Radio Shack sell Alinco's baby HTs, and although they're cute little blighters there's a few things that put me off. Firstly, the 2m one seems to have a telescopic antenna and I would worry about it's mechanical reliability. Secondly I don't believe there's a BNC connector for a replacement or outdoor antenna. Finally although I plan to run low power wherever possible (not least
to extend battery life), it's nice to have the option of more power should the need arise.

Do you use an HT? What sort is it, and what are it's best (and perhaps worst) points? Personally I'll be looking for a single-band radio (probably 2m), but dual/multi-banders might also serve as conversation fodder.

Thoughts, comments and observations are invited!

73, Andy.

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I passed the technician exam yesterday, which sounds like a convenient excus AB>to start a thread about handheld trancievers...

Hello, Andy...congratulations on passing the exam.

Radio Shack sell Alinco's baby HTs, and although they're cute little blighte AB>there's a few things that put me off. Firstly, the 2m one seems to have a AB>telescopic antenna and I would worry about it's mechanical reliability. AB>Secondly I don't believe there's a BNC connector for a replacement or outdoo AB>antenna. Finally although I plan to run low power wherever possible (not AB>least
to extend battery life), it's nice to have the option of more power should t AB>need arise.

I've seen those "thin" Alinco HT's...one of the area hams had it at a club meeting. The antenna looked limp as a dish rag, which brought some suggestive comments on how to fix it. <G>

Do you use an HT? What sort is it, and what are it's best (and perhaps wors AB>points? Personally I'll be looking for a single-band radio (probably 2m), b AB>dual/multi-banders might also serve as conversation fodder.

I've used Icom HT's ever since I was licensed nearly 10 years ago...and really have used ONLY HT's in the shack. I started with an Icom 2-GAT, then went to the T7A (it died recently and was replaced with an Icom T7H). I also have their T8A tribander, that I use mainly for VHF Packet and 2 meter nets that I run in the Little Rock area.

Some HT's are more "user friendly" to those with disabilities...there are several blind hams in the Little Rock area, and some of them prefer the Kenwood
HT's...or the Icom W32A dual bander. I've never bought an HT that would crossband, mainly as it's hard enough for me to concentrate on more than one QSO at a time...although in the shack, I've had The Weather Channel, NOAA Weather Radio, and the local SKYWARN Ham Radio net all on at the same time, with volumes up on each...go figure. <G>

Radio Shack's HTX202 is just a generic 2 meter rig...no out of band receive...if the very basic is what you want, that'd probably be your best deal.

I prefer the ones with out of band receive...mainly for listening to NOAA Weather Radio...or to the railroad frequences in the 160-161 Mhz band (I'm a rail nut). On my summer vacations to the National Square Dance Convention, I take my HT (with speaker mic and power supply), logbook, and repeater directory
with me...to work stations when I go by Amtrak...as I plan to next June for a 2
week trip. My most memorable experience of this was in 1994, when I went to Portland, Oregon. I worked several stations, and even checked into some nets. This next year, I may take along my old Radio Shack 102 laptop, power supply, and TNC, and work packet from the train. Although, it usually happened that when it came time for me to ID, the train would be sounding its whistle for a highway grade crossing...drowning me out...and I'd have to ID again. <G>

Speaking of packet, Kenwood has a nice dual band HT that also has a TNC and APRS built into it. I forget the model number, but it runs around $450...and I know some hams around here that have it, and really like it. Speaking of price,
when I bought the T8A, I think I got it on sale for $275...I'm not sure if it's
still available now. I know Icom has their T81A (quad-bander) HT out as well.

In short, I prefer the portability of an HT...although without a decent power
supply, the batteries can die fast...plus, unless you're using an HT amplifer (MFJ makes some nice ones), you don't have much power. However, with RF safety regulations, the threshold for VHF is 50 watts. A good portable power supply is
The Power Station from The Ham Contact.,,I'm enjoying the one I have.

Hope this helps.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ


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Hello Daryl!

DS> Hello, Andy...congratulations on passing the exam.

Thanks! =o)

DS> The antenna looked limp as a dish rag, which brought some
> suggestive comments on how to fix it. <G>

<grin>

DS> I've used Icom HT's ever since I was licensed nearly 10 years
> ago...and really have used ONLY HT's in the shack. I started
> with an Icom 2-GAT, then went to the T7A (it died recently and
> was replaced with an Icom T7H). I also have their T8A
> tribander, that I use mainly for VHF Packet and 2 meter nets
> that I run in the Little Rock area.

I'm guessing the first three bands are 2m and 70cm. Is the third 1.25m or 6m?

DS> Radio Shack's HTX202 is just a generic 2 meter rig...no out of
> band receive...if the very basic is what you want, that'd
> probably be your best deal.

I think my Radio Shack catalogue must be way out of date, it features Alinco radios but not the HTX202. I'll have to see what I can find out about that one.

DS> I prefer the ones with out of band receive...mainly for
> listening to NOAA Weather Radio...

I bought my cheap VHF/UHF FM only scanning receiver in Britain years ago. I have a suspicion that it was also sold in Canada. It features the NOAA WX channels but until I moved here I never had an opportunity to try them. I find
them quite handy, especially when there are tornados about.

DS> I take my HT (with speaker mic and power supply), logbook, and
> repeater directory with me...to work stations when I go by
> Amtrak...

It sounds great, I'd like to see a bit more of the US by rail, but I imagine Amtrak gets a bit expensive.

DS> I may take along my old Radio Shack 102 laptop, power supply,
> and TNC, and work packet from the train.

If the 102 is like the 100, that would be a really nice form factor for a packet terminal. Similar machines were made by Cambridge Computers, Amstrad and I think Tandy (although I'm not sure if theirs featured a terminal emulator).

DS> Speaking of packet, Kenwood has a nice dual band HT that also
> has a TNC and APRS built into it. I forget the model number, but
> it runs around $450...

That's not a bad price if it saves you the cost and bulk of a conventional intelligent external TNC.

DS> In short, I prefer the portability of an HT...although without a
> decent power supply, the batteries can die fast...

I've been experimenting recently with NiMh AA batteries (Sears 'Die- Hard' brand). They seem great, but my scanner is a bit finikity about battery voltages and rings the low battery alarm way to early. My guess is that it would do the same if I put NiCd batteries in it. A 13.8V 3A PSU is on my Christmas list for when I'm at home. One of the attractions of those weeny HTs
like the Alinco is that they need fewer batteries.

DS> ...unless you're using an HT amplifer (MFJ makes some nice
> ones), you don't have much power. However, with RF safety
> regulations, the threshold for VHF is 50 watts.

I wonder if the 340mW of the Alinco would enable me to reach the local repeaters. Other handies seem to go up to about 5W which sounds adequate for VHF or UHF use. What are your thoughts on this?

DS> Hope this helps.

It has, thanks.

Regards,
- Andy. 73

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Hello Daryl!

DS> Check with your local Ham Radio club to determine
> repeater coverage in your area. Obviously, no point
> getting a rig with a band that isn't covered in your
> area. :)

I've heard two local repeaters, on 2m and 70cm. Neither seems to have very much traffic.

DS> ...a running joke is that Icom stands for I) C)an
> O)nly M)onitor...and that "came true" awhile back...
> an old Icom HT I had would still receive, but would
> no longer transmit!!

Do you still have that one? It might be something as simple as a dry joint. I
suppose it could also be down to the battery (assuming TX power requirement is higher than RX). What happened when you tried to transmit?

DS> It's also good to switch between NOAA Weather Radio,
> and a SKYWARN Net in the area, if it's activated.

I don't know anything about SKYWARN, what can you tell me about it?

DS> The only bad thing with the 100 and 102 is that it had
> an pixel display (no ANSI)...

Are ANSI and colour commonly used in packet radio?

DS> The bad thing about Ni-Cads is that they develop a
> "battery memory affect".

I've been using NiMH AA rechargeables lately, which are supposed to be free of that problem. I deep cycle them every now and again though.

DS> I live in a neighborhood that's notorious for
> lightning strikes during thunderstorms, so I just have
> a magmount antenna in the shack.

We get a lot of storms, especially during the summer. We don't have a lot of room, and I don't have a lot of cash, so I will probably have to think quite hard about suitable antennae.

DS> I run a Mirage HT amp for VHF Packet (to provide
> enough "oomph" <g> to get into the simplex packet
> frequency), but the HT remains on low power (1 watt).

I imagine you'd want the HT on low power if you were feeding it into a power amplifier! <g>

DS> However, some nights, I can get in without the amp...
> and the max output power I have is 5-7 watts.

I imagine the power amp helps compensate for the mag-mount antenna. If you had
a directional antenna, do you think you could get away without the power amp?

73,
- Andy.

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Hello Daryl!

DS> It depends on the time of day, and whether or not nets are run
> on it. On one of the repeaters in the Little Rock area, it has
> the capability of being linked up to several repeaters across
> the state.

That sounds interesting, I wonder how common that is.

DS> The transmit light would light up, but it wouldn't key the
> repeater. And yet, I knew the repeater did NOT have a sub-
> audible PL tone on it...plus, I WAS able to key the repeater
> with another HT.

Hmm, i wonder if perhaps the power amplifier failed in some way, you might still have been radiating, but not enough to key up the repeater. Were you able to test it's output with a power meter and dummy load?

DS> SKYWARN is an organization in the United States, that is
> composed of "storm spotters"...individuals trained by the
> National Weather Service, to provide "ground truth" to what the
> Doppler weather radar is showing. Most of the spotters are ham
> radio operators, and many communites have "weather nets"
> ...activated by the National Weather Service...when there is a
> threat of severe weather. Spotters usually report...

Sounds both interesting and worthwhile!

DS> 1) Tornadoes -- a violently rotating column of air in contact
> with the ground. Sometimes the tornado will not be "direct" from
> the ground to the sky...but it'll appear "separated". However,
> if there is a "debris cloud" on the ground, it is a tornado...
> even though the entire circulation isn't visible.

I was here in Illinois in 1998, and was shopping in Walmart in Mattoon when the
alarm went up. They had us all move to the centre of the store where they kept
clothes and other soft, relatively harmless items. The security men walked around giving candy to the kiddies. The storm outside was pretty fierce, and apparently the twister came fairly close by us.

We were kept there for quite a long time before it was deemed safe enough for anyone leave. The sky outside was copper green and straw had blown in through the doors. I would like to see a tornado, but not at the expense of anyone's life or property.

DS> 2) Funnel Clouds -- same as above but NOT in contact with the
> ground. Some funnel clouds will stay "aloft", but others will
> become tornadoes. While Doppler Radar may show a tornadic
> circulation, the spotter will usually relay the report whether
> the circulation is aloft, or on the ground.

We keep an eye out for those when we're out driving, especially when a 'tornado
watch' has been announced. Am I right in thinking that these sometimes 'touch down' and become tornados?

DS> 3) Wall Clouds -- a lowered, rain free cloud base, usually at
> the southwest corner of a severe thunderstorm, where the
> updrafts and downdrafts meet. This is usually the area where the
> tornado will form, especially if it begins to rotate. Next to
> the wall cloud is usually an area of large hail.

That's worth knowing! I remember one night when we had a tornado warning in effect and one had touched down just North of Mattoon, hearing some amateurs describing on 2m hail-stones the size of baseballs! My wife was actually quite
close to that one, with a van full of kids (not ours). Thankfully they got home safely.

It certainly sounds as though SKYWARN offers meteorologists valuable additional
information.

DS> ...if you're just going after messages via a packet bulletin
> board system, all you need is black and white ASCII text.

Agreed, and monochrome systems tend to consume less power, especially important
in mobile and emergency applications.

DS> I have magmounts in the shack for 2 meters, 6 meters, and 440. I
> saw an ad in the Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) catalog for an
> HF antenna that you can mount on a window or a table, thereby
> not needing an "outside antenna". The only drawback was that it
> didn't cover 160, 80, or 75 meters...but, it covered the rest of
> the HF bands, and up to the 440 UHF frequencies. I think it runs
> around $100, but I'm not sure.

I ordered an AES catalog last night, it might help me choose an HT. This compact HF antenna, does it use a pre-amplifier to compensate for its small (and presumably less efficient) size? Or is it a window- mountable magnetic loop antenna?!

Regards,
- Andy.

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On (08 Dec 00) Andy Ball wrote to Daryl Stout...

I would like to see a tornado, but
not at the expense of anyone's life or property.

I saw a close one here in Tulsa OK a few years ago. OVER MY LEFT
SHOULDER ;-)

Best regards, (73)
Dick, W5MFD since 1946
rb@gratisnet.com

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Hello Daryl!

Greetings, Andy...

> the capability of being linked up to several repeaters across
> the state.

That sounds interesting, I wonder how common that is.

It depends on the location, and I guess the demand for information. Getting a
repeater on the air and maintaining isn't cheap.

able to test it's output with a power meter and dummy load?

I don't have those in my shack...plus, I'm not mechanically or electronically
inclined.

Sounds both interesting and worthwhile!

It is. And, it appears we'll see strong thunderstorms here Monday...then snow
Tuesday and Wednesday...so, I'm sure the area hams will be busy with communications.

and apparently the twister came fairly close by us.

I've had funnel clouds directly overhead...that is TOO CLOSE!!

the doors. I would like to see a tornado, but not at the expense of anyone' AB>life or property.

The safest place to see that is on video.

> circulation, the spotter will usually relay the report whether
> the circulation is aloft, or on the ground.

We keep an eye out for those when we're out driving, especially when a AB>'tornado watch' has been announced. Am I right in thinking that these AB>sometimes 'touch down' and become tornados?

Correct. It depends on how strong the circulation is with the parent thunderstorms. The stronger the circulation, the more likely it is to become a tornado...and also more intense.

describing on 2m hail-stones the size of baseballs! My wife was actually AB>quite
close to that one, with a van full of kids (not ours). Thankfully they got AB>home safely.

Even though tornadoes aren't exclusive to the United States, they happen in the U.S. more than anywhere else in the world. In fact, I saw video from a tornado that hit Spain!! Obviously, I wouldn't ice my tea glass with hailstones!!

I ordered an AES catalog last night, it might help me choose an HT. This AB>compact HF antenna, does it use a pre-amplifier to compensate for its small AB>(and presumably less efficient) size? Or is it a window- mountable magnetic AB>loop antenna?!

I believe it's a window mounted magnetic loop antenna. It's toward the back of the catalog (can't recall the vendor name), but I know it's on the left facing page. As I recall, it's around $100.

73,

Daryl, N5VLZ


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