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  • HANDHELD TRANCEIVERS

    From David Pratt@2:250/355 to Andy Ball on Mon Nov 27 23:27:36 2000
    Quoting Andy Ball to All <=-

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

    Congratulations, Andy; now for the 5wpm Morse test? As you may
    already know, provided you are a US citizen, you can use a US License
    to operate for temporary periods in the UK. Your call sign would be
    M/[US call]/P.

    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!

    I have a couple, but they are both dual-banders. The best one is the
    Alinco DJ-G5. As I bought it when they first came out, it was quite
    expensive, but the price has rocketed down since then. You often find
    them in the Readers' Ads in the mags. My other one is an Icom IC-Q7E
    which only runs 350 mW output, so it's main use is working through
    repeaters.

    My most recent rig is the Elecraft K2 transceiver, built from a kit
    from the USA. It covers top band to 10 metres, CW and SSB and I have
    worked round the world on it with a 33 ft end fed wire. It is really
    worth considering if you like building things. I have to say that I
    get much more of a kick out of working stuff on the K2 than I do from
    a Japanese "black box".

    Have fun, whatever you do.

    73

    David G4DMP
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  • From Andy Ball@1:124/5009 to David Pratt on Wed Nov 29 16:43:10 2000
    Hello David!

    DP> Congratulations, Andy;

    Thanks!

    DP> now for the 5wpm Morse test?

    I need more practice! <grin>

    DP> As you may already know, provided you are a US
    > citizen, you can use a US License to operate for
    > temporary periods in the UK. Your call sign would be
    > M/[US call]/P.

    Interesting to know, but I'm not likely to be a US citizen, at least not for a while!

    DP> ...The best one is the Alinco DJ-G5...

    I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.

    DP> My other one is an Icom IC-Q7E which only runs 350 mW
    > output, so it's main use is working through repeaters.

    At 350mW and with a typical HT antenna, how close would you say you have to be to the repeater?

    DP> Have fun, whatever you do.

    Thanks!

    Regards,
    - Andy.

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