What HF set do you have? No 3 in an occasional series.

FullCircle

FullCircle

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Nov 2003
Messages
28,223
Visit site
Could you list your HF equipment and installation please. It would be nice to if you could mention cost in passing.
Is there any kit you would avoid, or also list the must have, or top of the wish list.

many thanks....
 
i think l`escargot is watching you ... he thinks you are planning an escape ....... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
For an Atlantic circuit on 2004 I fitted an ICOM 802 plus a Pactor llex modem. Excellent kit. Cost? about £2500 IIRC. A lot depends on installation.

New boat has a rather elderly looking ICOM, I've no idea how well it's going to work.

I forgot to mention, the Contessa used a backstay antenna; as does the new boat.
 
Started with a SonySW55 receiver which barely managed wefax connected to backstay.
Then a Lowe HF150 which was a more serious receiver till the digital display failed. Still got it if anyone wants to give it some TLC.
Now have an Icom 706 s.hand about £400. Works well onboard but surprisingly juicy on receive.
Kenwood TS570D (again about £400 s.hand) at home using a wire dipole which is excellent and I'm tempted to take it to the boat.
 
Icom 706 Mk 2 G modified for all-band, backstay aerial and Icom AT2 (I think) automatic long wire tuner, with copper ribbon and keel-bolt connections.

Work Ham DX on 80m; 40m; 20m; 15m & 10m at will....marvellous!!
 
Icom M802 with AT140(?) Auto tuner
Pactor IIex Modem (running Pactor III)
2 Section 'Pacific Aerials' whip

In the process of installing it all at the moment (got all bar the aerial and ground in place)

All bought second hand (801 + Tuner + Whip = £1,000; Pactor = £230) from other cruisers, but all the kit was only one season old so pretty new still. So far installation has cost nothing (except time), but will need a few bits (cable gland for whip aerial through the transom; ground plate; copper strip)

Also - while we're on the topic I managed to source the 'distance learning LRC course' that was mentioned on here a few months back. It comes with a booklet and cassette. I just need to find somewhere who will let me sit the exam now without having taken their course!

Jonny
 
[ QUOTE ]
Icom 706 Mk 2 G modified for all-band, backstay aerial and Icom AT2 (I think) automatic long wire tuner, with copper ribbon and keel-bolt connections.

Work Ham DX on 80m; 40m; 20m; 15m & 10m at will....marvellous!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, an identical system to mine!! Have used it for many years and like you, think it's superb, whether on the transats or mucking about in the Med. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It has been completely reliable, so I have had no hesitation in recommending it to others (on here and elsewhere) and had nothing but good reports back.

Would only add to your list, the Norseman backstay insulators which, at around £80.00 a piece, do need to be taken into account costwise. Fitting is an easy DIY job. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Started with a SonySW55 receiver which barely managed wefax connected to backstay.
Then a Lowe HF150 which was a more serious receiver till the digital display failed. Still got it if anyone wants to give it some TLC.
Now have an Icom 706 s.hand about £400. Works well onboard but surprisingly juicy on receive.
Kenwood TS570D (again about £400 s.hand) at home using a wire dipole which is excellent and I'm tempted to take it to the boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Lowe 150 is excellent, the 'Rolls-Royce' of HF receivers, so I'm very surprised that the display failed. Certainly it would be worth someone grabbing and sorting it out. We used one on our first Pond circuit (couldn't afford a transceiver then!) and it was faultless, providing Wefaxes and RTTY the whole way round with the simplest of backstay connections.

Despite having the Icom transceiver set-up noted in the above post, we would never do a long passage now without it aboard as a back-up.
 
Just taken delivery of ICOM 801E with AT141 and Pactor SCSIIusb modem - backstay insulators go in next week and fitting commences. I'm going to assemble everything at home before doing anything on the boat so that I can see what goes where and what else is needed.

It is SWMBO's birthday present so I couldn't possibly say what it cost, but arm and leg spring to mind. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Ill recommend the Icom 706.Ive never had one there always sold before i get a chance.For many years they have been praised by everyone that has used one including amatures.

The new Icom 7000 replacement has had such bad comments (by amatures) Icom suppliers continue to sell the 706 Price 849€

Yaesu make nice radios although amatures useing them have advised against buying one when i wanted a 857D 629€

http://www.thiecom.de/icom-amateurfunkgeraete.html

This supplier has a good range inc Icom 802 & marine SSB their prices are around the lowest to be found so a good ref point

Yaesu also make a 450AT 819€ which has a built in ATU

Kenwood 480 950€ also has a built in ATU

Ten tec are very solid rigs but expensive!

I like the Yaesu but if i had the money i would buy Icom!

Im useing a Yaesu 897D Pactor 3 PC And MFJ ATU to a diapole (a wire with ceramic egg isolators run from the masthead) and long base loaded whip with detachable ends to change bands.(which is proving to be a very good solution)

If you buy yaesu you will need another microphone im useing a kenwood one
 
alinco dx 70 receiver about 400 when I bought it nearly new - used as home base receiver for ham use as well. truly excellent bit of kit. linked on boat to a mfj manual antenna tuner (wouldnt recommend - get an auto) and on this boat an 80m mobile whip. on previous boat I used the backstay which is better in some ways, but currently I only use the set up for inter G ragchewing so the whip is OK
 
icom pcr1000, connected to computer, great little set, no hassles atall, using it for wefax and navtex, although have a dedicated navtex receiver and ais on computer as well. Dont feel the need for transceiver at this time.
 
icom pcr1000 costs more than a transceiver!

Dont buy an Alinco!Its almost impossiable to repair.Its a good rig i thought of buying one in 1996 to replace my FT77,i was then based in Corsica,someone fitting out bought one,he left for the French Islands.

I kept up with him untill the Canaries then lost him,if that snooty lot on 14303 had relaied his rig would have kept us in touch,once you loose contact theres so much going on you just move on.
 
Hi T, but, the pcr is more than just HF.. it is a VERY good rx, and not just hf, many people are interested in other bands for listening, thats why I have my pcr1500 as WELL as the tx.. the computer control is excellent too

In rx terms, the 706 is very poor, as are the yaesu multiband sets, 817, 897 et al.. for a rx only the icom is pretty darn good.

Also, re Alinco repair, I DO alinco repairs, so any problem, send them to me.. Martin Lynch aslo does repairs.. as do many others.. it is a great set but limited by the channelisation.

Joe
 
Wondered why I was struggling with the 706, it's much improved by a DSP extension speaker.
Do you have any experience of the 7000 or indeed the Kenwood 480AT Joe?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top