Hello, All!

With the advent of the infamous "tax return", I've decided after having my license for four years, to finally buy a good 2m HT. My friend recommended Alinco stuff to me (he has a couple), so I did a little shopping around. I am seriously considering purchasing an Alinco DJ195T (you can see a little info and a pic about it at http://www.aesham.com/display_pages/dj195t.html).

Any advice or comments about that radio? It's $140... which is a good chunk of
money for me. This would be more an investment than anything else... and I thought of it this way: what good is a license when you don't have any equipment to enjoy it? :)

73 DE KD5COL,
Sean

--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Outpost BBS // Carbondale, IL // +1-618-529-3176 (1:115/776)

Hello Sean.

16 Mar 01 09:35, you wrote to All:

little shopping around. I am seriously considering purchasing an
Alinco DJ195T (you can see a little info and a pic about it
at http://www.aesham.com/display_pages/dj195t.html).

Any advice or comments about that radio?

I prefer the Icom HTs, myself.

It's $140... which is a good chunk of money for me. This would be
more an investment than anything else...

Uh, no. It's not an investment, as you'll never be able to sell it for
what you've paid for it. That is, unless you're speaking of a different
kind of investment, as in;

and I thought of it this way: what good is a license when you don't
have any equipment to enjoy it? :)

Very true. That's why I've still got my Kenwood TS520, from the late
1970s. I haven't used it since the fall of 1985. How do I know that's
the last time? I'd just gotten back to San Diego from a vacation in
Illinois and there had been an earthquake in Mexico City. If I hadn't
taken that train ride, the event wouldn't have been burnt into my mind.
Upon my return, my MIL was babysitting the animals and the house and she mentioned that the news said something about HAMs helping out in the communications. I had to turn on the rig to find out what was going on. There's also a Yaesu 80m - 10m, 1200 watt linear in a box out in the
garage somewhere, haven't seen it in a few years. But, once I'm retired,
I'll be dragging that stuff into the computer room.



... Spread The Spectrum!!!
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: Kissed By 6 Pretty Indians (1:10/22)

Roy Witt wrote in a message to Sean Dennis:

I prefer the Icom HTs, myself.

So do I. Those are nice, but I just don't have the money right now. I have a friend that has had a few Alincos and he said they're good radios for the price. I'll save up to get one of those one of these days.

Uh, no. It's not an investment, as you'll never be able to sell it
for what you've paid for it. That is, unless you're speaking of a different kind of investment, as in;

Yeah, that's what I meant to say. It's a personal investment as I don't ever plan on selling it. What's cool is my apartment manager said he didn't mind my
putting up an antenna in my room to work with. I'd like to get an ICOM mobile I saw though for my home use (it's mostly all 2M here)... $170.

Speaking of antennas, I used to have a paper with a simple J-pole for 2M made out of 300 ohm TV antenna wire. Ever heard of it? I'm going to go search on the 'net tonight (well, I may stop by a few ham-friendly BBSes first).

and I thought of it this way: what good is a license when you don't
have any equipment to enjoy it? :)

Very true.

Side note: I called my parents, whom even at my age (I'm 28), I still call for advice. Money is very, VERY tight for me, but I've had my license since November 1997 and only had a radio for three months' time. I am planning on moving back home to Portland (Oregon) at the end of the year. I'd love to get the ARRL Repeater Handbook and hit a few on the drive home from here.

That's why I've still got my Kenwood TS520, from the
late 1970s. I haven't used it since the fall of 1985. How do I
know that's the last time? I'd just gotten back to San Diego from
a vacation in Illinois and there had been an earthquake in Mexico
City. If I hadn't taken that train ride, the event wouldn't have
been burnt into my mind. Upon my return, my MIL was babysitting the animals and the house and she mentioned that the news said
something about HAMs helping out in the communications. I had to
turn on the rig to find out what was going on. There's also a Yaesu
80m - 10m, 1200 watt linear in a box out in the garage somewhere,
haven't seen it in a few years. But, once I'm retired, I'll be
dragging that stuff into the computer room.

Heheh, sounds like me and my computer equipment. I'd like to find a place out in the country so I can put up a small shack. I'm learning CW so I can upgrade
to my General license. I really would like to work 10 or 20 meters so I could talk to my parents in Nevada; they don't have licenses, but evidently a neighbor does.

My birth father, KA4VVA, was recently commended on his ARES work in the Seattle
earthquake. He's a sherriff's deputy for Thurston County, Washington and was able to provide communications for the county via his 2m HT until more could be
done. I think it's cool... I'd like to get involved in ARES.

73,
Sean

--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Outpost BBS // Carbondale, IL // +1-618-529-3176 (1:115/776)

Hi Sean,

What's cool is my apartment manager said he didn't mind my
putting up an antenna in my room to work with. I'd like to get an ICOM

mobile

I saw though for my home use (it's mostly all 2M here)... $170.

Speaking of antennas, I used to have a paper with a simple J-pole for 2M

made

out of 300 ohm TV antenna wire. Ever heard of it?

Two comments, an Icom mobile will probably put out 50 Watts or so.
With an antenna inside your room, you are putting a LOT of RF into
the local enviroment. Apart from personal health, the AC mains
wiring, telephone, TV antenna wiring will pick up a lot of signal and
could cause a LOT of local interference, and a very poor transmitted
signal.

It would be MUCH better to get the antenna outside somehow. There
are quite a number of articles you can read about so-called 'stealth
antennas. Some designs use capacitive coupling through a window to
avoid drilling holes.

All the best.

Stan

* You never find a lost article until you replace it.
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