Howdy!

I got my Technician in early 2000s, and last year finally upgraded to Extra. Looking to set up a very basic shack.

I’m looking for an HF setup, with most of my use probably using digital modes, but would like the ability to use voice.

Current transceiver is on loan from girlfriend’s dad, a Ten-Tec Scout 555 — 50W HF unit with separate modules for each band. One limitation of this is that the modules set the mode, so it’s LSB on 40m, making e.g. FT8 not possible (without some hacking of code or perhaps hacking the module).

Antenna is end-fed with an off-the-shelf 49:1. Currently only have 20m half-wave, but have just enough room for a 40m half-wave in the attic, which is the ultimate goal.

For digital modes, it looks like there are sort of 3 classes of radio:

  • “full digital” where the radio has e.g. a USB port and handles audio, transmit, and frequency set.
  • Some computer-control with RS232, but uses computer audio+adapter to transmit.
  • No digital, use adapter to transmit. This is what the current setup uses (and it works great!)

I’m leaning towards a conventional transceiver, e.g., something from ICOM, Kenwood, Yaesu, (or others) rather than an SDR unit. I’d like the ability to go up to 50-100W if possible.

I don’t have a hard-and-fast budget; would like to keep it <$1000 if possible; mostly just looking at used transceivers. Something like a Kenwood TS-590 looks pretty amazing and very “plug-and-play” (but pushing up against price). Something like a Yaesu FT-920 looks pretty feature-rich too; and even something more affordable like an ICOM 706 or even a 725 is probably more radio than I need. Or just grab a new 7300 and call it a day!

Anyway…clearly, I don’t know exactly what I want, but figured I’d ask folks with more experience if they have any wisdom. Thanks!

  • Knacht @lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    7 months ago

    7300 is the most popular rig that we check in on our net on a daily basis. They can be had used for $800 - $1000, QRZ swap meet. All the features that a ham just getting on HF could want. And not over crammed with stuff.

    Presently running a TS 890 here. With a TS 830 as backup.

    Yaesu FT 890 at was my first HF rig. $550. I’m still using it too.

  • nc7u@lemmy.radio
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    7 months ago

    Yaesu FT991a is HF and has 2m and 70cm. If all you want is HF, the FT450D is a fine rig.

  • qjkxbmwvz@startrek.websiteOP
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    Ended up with the Yaesu FT710, with a G5RV Jr. in the attic. Internal tuner tunes 40-6 with the exception of 15m and 17m. Very pleased with it so far! Several digital DX so far (Australia, Brazil, Samoa, Japan, Alaska, Hawaii — I’m at CM87/California).

    To-do list includes low loss coax (100ft run of who-knows-what currently); debug intermittent Ethernet issues (Ethernet runs parallel to feedline — choke balun/better choking of feedline?); possibly get remote tuner (one step at a time…). Fun stuff!