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LDB · 04-26-2007, 04:33 AM

I've been licensed since Aug 2005. I passed my technician exam then. That got me privileges on the vhf and uhf bands. The primary ones are 2 meter and 440. I have several HT's and a couple of mobile radios. Some of the websites I like for radio shopping are Hamcity.com - Ham City and Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942 because they show all the radios in each broad category at the same time. Also, eHam.net Home - Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Community Site for the product review section that gives reviews on almost everything available now and in the past.

With my mobile radio and a magnet mount antenna on the roof I get excellent coverage of about a 45 mile radius of my local repeaters at home. On simplex, which is direct radio to radio, about 15-20 miles with 50 watts is the limit for full quieting and reliability.

I've just gotten my upgrade to general class so I'm authorized in certain segments of the HF bands now. I've got an Icom 706 Mk2 G that covers all the HF bands plus 6 meters, 2 meters and 440 in the vhf/uhf bands. I'll eventually get it set up in the truck. There are other options for mobile that knowing what I know now I might consider like Yaesu FT857D or maybe the new Icom 7000 if I really wanted to get spendy. Once I have the 706 or alternative set up in the truck I'll be able to talk anywhere in the world at the right times and bands.

Besides the hello radio website for general info the Gordon West books and CD's are great for learning the test material. Besides eham there's QRZ Ham Radio for more radio info and free online practice tests.

04-26-2007, 04:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
LDB Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Rating: Not Rated Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've been licensed since Aug 2005. I passed my technician exam then. That got me privileges on the vhf and uhf bands. The primary ones are 2 meter and 440. I have several HT's and a couple of mobile radios. Some of the websites I like for radio shopping are Hamcity.com - Ham City and Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942 because they show all the radios in each broad category at the same time. Also, eHam.net Home - Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Community Site for the product review section that gives reviews on almost everything available now and in the past. With my mobile radio and a magnet mount antenna on the roof I get excellent coverage of about a 45 mile radius of my local repeaters at home. On simplex, which is direct radio to radio, about 15-20 miles with 50 watts is the limit for full quieting and reliability. I've just gotten my upgrade to general class so I'm authorized in certain segments of the HF bands now. I've got an Icom 706 Mk2 G that covers all the HF bands plus 6 meters, 2 meters and 440 in the vhf/uhf bands. I'll eventually get it set up in the truck. There are other options for mobile that knowing what I know now I might consider like Yaesu FT857D or maybe the new Icom 7000 if I really wanted to get spendy. Once I have the 706 or alternative set up in the truck I'll be able to talk anywhere in the world at the right times and bands. Besides the hello radio website for general info the Gordon West books and CD's are great for learning the test material. Besides eham there's QRZ Ham Radio for more radio info and free online practice tests.