I passed my General level Amateur Radio test yesterday
- Thread starter vmax
- Start date
Awesome! The 7300 is supposed to be a great rig. I bought the FT-991, which I think is pretty good, and with the VHF/UHF and digital is great all-around but I'm working a lot of HF now and the mute waterfall on the 991 (which is *not* an issue on the 7300, plus it has a larger screen), is a major PAIN. I got a good deal on the 991, but I'd really like to have the 7300.
Congrats and hope to hear you on the air soon!
- David
KI5GFU
I initially thought I wanted the FT-991a just for the convenience of having all bands in one box. But I bought a Kenwood TM-V71 dual band mobile to use as a base station for VHF/UHF.
So, when it came time to buy a HF rig, my choices were the IC-7300 and the Yaesu FTDX-10, which by all reports is a fantastic radio with better noise reduction than the 7300. Plus, it has an external monitor port and USB ports for keyboard and mouse.
I really wanted the FTDX-10, but it is about $800 more than the 7300. I decided that the 7300 has been good enough for lots of experienced operators, so it would be just fine for a rank beginner like me. Plus, the aftermarket support for the 7300 is huge.
No code technician since the 90's.
I was very active from Houston, Rosharon and Marshall with VHF/UHF contesting and grid square chasing. Also some satellite stuff using tracking programs on a Commadore 64 computer..yeah been a minute or two ago.
I've kept my license renewals up but haven't been active in years. I threaten my wife with another hobby but Harleys and 1911s pretty much keep us broke.
The other thing is that I find retirement has made my memory about as short as my....wait a minute....I can't find that either now.
I was very active from Houston, Rosharon and Marshall with VHF/UHF contesting and grid square chasing. Also some satellite stuff using tracking programs on a Commadore 64 computer..yeah been a minute or two ago.
I've kept my license renewals up but haven't been active in years. I threaten my wife with another hobby but Harleys and 1911s pretty much keep us broke.
The other thing is that I find retirement has made my memory about as short as my....wait a minute....I can't find that either now.
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Yeah you rite.
I have an entire shack in mothballs at my sons place in Marshall. I keep saying one of these days but I end up taking a nap instead.
A year or so ago I was working with a guy who was telling me that he was active and didn't even own a radio. He is a computer nerd....So I checked a few links he provided. Man, it took me about 2 minutes to realize so much has changed.
I really enjoyed VHF/UHF but it was so antenna intensive. I never really desired an HF license because from my limited experience it seemed so cliquey to the point of being like CB channel 19. Full of foul mouth and intentional interference.
Maybe conditions have improved on the HF bands?
I did enjoy DXing during band openings on 6m....but again, it was antenna intensive too.
I had 4 13 element yagi mounted in an H frame on 2m and a huge 6 element yagi on 6m.....a spit ton of aluminum in the air. Now that I'm here in the Hill Country I'd have to go 200 feet up just to clear the hillside I'm on....not a VHF/UHF location.
Repeater? Maybe.
