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HT Question

Mar 17th 2017, 18:13

W0SJF

Joined: May 25th 2016, 22:40
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
Currently have a Baufeng Dual Band HT used mainly for club net meetings. I'm working towards my General License and was wondering if there is any use in getting a Tri Band HT that will get into the HF frequencies or just bite the bullet and get a "real" radio and antenna. OR -- should I get both?

Thanks. W0SJF
Mar 17th 2017, 19:57

W1VT

Super Moderator

Joined: Apr 4th 1998, 00:00
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
http://www.hfpack.com/

There is an HF Pack forum you may wish to join the investigate the usefulness of an HF HT for your needs. It may be appropriate if you have the skills to work HF and have a great portable operating location available for regular use.

Zack W1VT
ARRL Senior Lab Engineer
Mar 18th 2017, 13:09

aa6e

Joined: Apr 4th 1998, 00:00
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
I would expect a "tri band" HT to cover 144, 220, and 450 MHz VHF/UHF bands for transceive. Some units might have an HF receive capability also. There may be some units that transmit on the 28 MHz (10 m) band, but that band (in low sunspot years) behaves almost like VHF. THere are also some low power HF HT-like products.

"Real" HF operating in current conditions means the bands from 80 to 15 meters and power levels of up to 100 Watts. So you're advised to look at rigs that cover that range. There are a lot of older rigs available used. I would prefer the earlier non-digital rigs, like the TS-520/530 or the FT-101. You can get them for less than the cost of a Japanese HT.

73 Martin AA6E
Mar 23rd 2017, 18:42

W0SJF

Joined: May 25th 2016, 22:40
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
Thanks, Martin. I'll save my money and go for the HF rig. You, too, Zack. Good advice.

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