Best HF rig in the 100-400 dollar range?

[al2n]

Starting to shop around for my next HF rig. Sold my Icom 737 a couple years ago when money was tight and have regretted it ever since. I loved that machine.

Been thinking of a Kenwood rig. The 140-520 series are affordable and have a great track record.

Any other models I should consider? About the only thing is that the new rig has to be easy to use with the digital modes such as RTTY and PSK. I seem to have the most fun on HF in those modes. Antarctica on 15 watts was fun.

[WØTKX]

If you don't care about CAT control... serial control of the rigs frequency, etc, you'll be OK at that price range. Used the Ten Tec Omni D that way, just soundcard I/O. Keeping track of your frequency is a little trickier. $300 for a nice one. Some of the older Kenwoods have an optional interface that needs to be installed, and you might make it at that price. $400

Up the $ to $5-600 and it's much easier. A used Icom 718 comes to mind. A lot more choices. It's OK, you've been a good boy, eh?. :mrgreen:

[KC2UGV]

I'm biased, but my FT-840 does exactly what you need, and it was $300.

And, there are a couple of pretty decent HF rigs here:http://lara.hamgate.net/swapnet/swapnet.html

[al2n]

Will probably go the 500-600 range before it is all said and done. Wife agreed to 400, but I am sure I can negotiate a deal or two for more. :)

[WØTKX]

That's the ticket!

[KG4CGC]

Will probably go the 500-600 range before it is all said and done. Wife agreed to 400, but I am sure I can negotiate a deal or two for more. :)
Been seeing quite a few semi-used FT-450 and even FT-450AT's in that range recently. People love them but why so many for sale if they are so good?

Stay away from Kenwoods prior to the 570 unless you want to let Fred go over them. The 130's through the 430S's have a certain problem with the dampening material used under the main CPU.

Now if you want to get into an old school hybrid rig ...............

[N8YX]

Stay away from Kenwoods prior to the 570 unless you want to let Fred go over them. The 130's through the 430S's have a certain problem with the dampening material used under the main CPU.

Now if you want to get into an old school hybrid rig ...............
True of the 430 and the 440.

The 130, on the other hand, is a wonderful little radio...with none of the synthesizer issues which plague its later cousins. It is also rugged as heck.

I have one of these to use with mine:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/dfc230.jpg

And a matching tuner:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/at130.jpg

Expect to pay around $300 for a fully loaded example, and anywhere between $100-200 for the DFC-230 synthesizer...which IMHO is well worth it.

[N8YX]

If you want bare-bones but robust, look at one of the following:

http://www.qsl.net/la5ki/org/sw/sa150.jpg

An entire station - rig, matching PSU and tuner - can be had for ~$500.

[KG4CGC]

I stand or is it sit, corrected.

[WØTKX]

Do either of those support CAT control, and what's supported?

[N8YX]

Do either of those support CAT control, and what's supported?
No, but an enterprising soul could build a computer-controlled DDS and run it in place of the '130's external VFO. You wouldn't get band change capability, though.

[WØTKX]

I think Mike would be happier with CAT control... especially working digital modes.

[KC2UGV]

I think Mike would be happier with CAT control... especially working digital modes.

Depends what digi-modes... I work PSK a lot, and don't have a CAT interface built yet. But, it would be "nicer" with it :)

[WØTKX]

We need to make it easier for the poor guy... wife, kids, cats... you know, :lol:

[KG4CGC]

We need to make it easier for the poor guy... wife, kids, cats... you know, :lol:
Don't forget being socked in with all that frozen tundra 24/7/365.

[al2n]

And those darn Russians always looking at my house.

[KG4CGC]

And those darn Russians always looking at my house.
So close you could work them with 2 watts and a hand held yagi.

[WØTKX]

I have made a few AK contacts, no QSL's 'cause I don't care. But I'd even send one back to you, Mike... :lol:

Been working on a QSL card design with my new color printer/scanner.

[n6hcm]

Been seeing quite a few semi-used FT-450 and even FT-450AT's in that range recently. People love them but why so many for sale if they are so good?

i think several things are happening here:

- newbies buy them only to lose interest
- OFs buy them not realizing that they're tiny (as if, magically, the dimensions weren't published in plain sight)

[WØTKX]

This my latest hamshack addition... be here next week:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41sO8P%2BYMEL._SS500_.jpg

[WX7P]

Here's my $300 special.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q275/nx6d/ham%20radio/SANY1150.jpg

Not that there are abundant ham fests in Alaska, but this radio came from an old guy who was just getting rid of stuff at a recent ham fest in Sac. It's a Yaesu FT-767GX with the 50, 144, and 430 modules with tone board. I could have also bought a spotless late serial number Kenwood TS-930sAT for $400 and Kenwood TS-120 and TS-130s for less than $150.

Use your contacts and have a handy cellphone. Someone can find you a good deal for cheap.

[WØTKX]

Yea, I'm keeping my eyes open around here... some Kenwoods went away real cheap last week.

[ka4dpo]

If you want bare-bones but robust, look at one of the following:

http://www.qsl.net/la5ki/org/sw/sa150.jpg

An entire station - rig, matching PSU and tuner - can be had for ~$500.

I don't think you can get an ASTRO 150 that nice for 400 bucks but you can get a TS-520 or 520-S in that price range. Granted it's not solid state but solid as a rock, you have to know how to tune a tube final though....

[KG4CGC]

And you didn't? Resale Man! RESALE!

[al2n]

I will not be buying till August-October time frame. Going to work on getting an antenna up before the snow flies first, then work on the radio. I do have a 20m qrp rig around here somewhere, but my CW skills suck enough already without torturing guys with a weak ass signal.

There is a hamfest here in August, and one down on the Kenai in a few weeks. I will be down there fishing at the time so I may stop by and see what the offerings are. Local swap net has a good deal from time to time.

[WØTKX]

You might find another older Icom. Heck by that time I might be horsetrading some of my radios. Likely another Islander might be, by then. Anticipation. :drool:

I "knew" my TS-850 was going to be available when my buddy got his K3... got first shot at it after 7 months. Worth the wait for an excellent radio from a trusted source.


Don't ever be shy about struggling with CW... used to do classes on a local repeater, and got 7 folks upgraded. One of them became a CW animal... Begali paddle, lotsa contesting at 30-40 wpm. I prefer goofing with the straight key, usually 15-20, often slower because of the CQ I answered.. :lol:

Can barely work the paddles with my right hand now. Been messing with left handed straight key, but not on the air. Heck we could play around on Echolink using the keyer's speaker near the microphone. :mrgreen:

[al2n]

I use a straight key as well for a regular HF rig. I have been messing with paddles on the qrp rig.

These are the paddles I got.

http://www.azscqrpions.com/azpaddles.html

Was a neat little kit to assemble. The QRP radio is a Rockmite.

[al2n]

Dang it!

Now you got me wondering where that rig is. Think I know where it got packed......

[WØTKX]

My work here is done, for the moment. :whistle:

20m here in Denver has been good to AK recently, after dark... I'd try to hear you.

[al2n]

ARgh!

Found my clothesline antenna, but no rig.

[KG4CGC]

ARgh!

Found my clothesline antenna, but no rig.
Found my belt, but no pants.

[WX7P]

Found my belt, but no pants.

NOT a visual, I care to think about.

Just JTY'ing with you, Charles...

[KG4CGC]

LORFD! I'm kind of kicking myself for not picking up an Icom 730 for $50 that was worked on by the local guru but was missing the flap on top.
Resale could have been magnanimous.

[al2n]

Have not found my qrp rig, but I have located some stuff I forgot I had.

Bunch of QST magazines from the 1950's.
440mhz amp.
Band plan poster
Rascal computer/rig interface
Hey! That is where my straight key went!
Watt meter
Couple bins of old school transistors, resistors, and caps. Wonder if the guys who restore boat anchors would be interested in these? The square ones with color dots on them.

This is just like Christmas!

[N9FE]

Kenwood and nothing but kenwood. My 820s from 1982 is still running. Never a problem. Got a 570 coming in september. My last 570 that i had to sell to move ran just about constant for 11 years. Never a problem. Would like to get a 870 someday when i'm rich and famous.

[W5IEI]

Here's my $300 special.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q275/nx6d/ham%20radio/SANY1150.jpg

Not that there are abundant ham fests in Alaska, but this radio came from an old guy who was just getting rid of stuff at a recent ham fest in Sac. It's a Yaesu FT-767GX with the 50, 144, and 430 modules with tone board. I could have also bought a spotless late serial number Kenwood TS-930sAT for $400 and Kenwood TS-120 and TS-130s for less than $150.

Use your contacts and have a handy cellphone. Someone can find you a good deal for cheap.

I can confirm,that 767 sounds great!

[W3WN]

Been seeing quite a few semi-used FT-450 and even FT-450AT's in that range recently. People love them but why so many for sale if they are so good?

Stay away from Kenwoods prior to the 570 unless you want to let Fred go over them. The 130's through the 430S's have a certain problem with the dampening material used under the main CPU.

Now if you want to get into an old school hybrid rig ...............As I recall, the CPU issue was with the TS-440 and 940's. It used to be a ~$120 fix from Kenwood, but I don't know if they do that any longer.

I had a TS-430 for awhile. Wish I hadn't had to sell it, but the finals got fried by someone who was using the rig, so he bought me a replacement (a C-Line as it turned out) and we swapped. He did eventually fix the rig, but I don't know what happened with it after that.

The TS-140S did not have that problem. Nice rig, I sold mine for $350 year before last. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on another one day. The 140 can be upgraded with a computer interface, but the parts are no longer available from Kenwood. You can find some alternatives online. Had I not won that TS-480, the 140 would still be in the shack.

[w3bny]

You can always try one of them Connex transceivers. Peaked and tuned for 11 I mean 10 meters and has that sweet, sweet rebel flag on it. Probably get one at the local pump and dump or the three ball hotel for a pair of Benjamins...or a bag of stink-wheed.

[WØTKX]

Don't ferget the custom faceplate and high power LED KNOBS! :lol:

Where you been, Bunneh. I worked a dude in ND the other day on 17, WØBNY.

[w3bny]

Don't ferget the custom faceplate and high power LED KNOBS! :lol:

Where you been, Bunneh. I worked a dude in ND the other day on 17, WØBNY.

Bunnies...we are everywhere! muhahahahaha...ahem.