don't get me wrong, the newer radios have their place. case in point,
the kenwood ts480 and the ts2000 with a vs3 board, a blind ham could use
the things with little fuss. I will eventually be a blind ham also but
I'm opting for an older radio because I'm on a strict budget. I'm
currently looking at the yaesu ft201 and a 101b. I use to own a 101b and
it wasn't a bad radio, but between that and the old 520 I use to own,
let's just say I still miss that 520. I'm going to have a look at that
201 this weekend so hopefully I'll be ready for when I get licensed. I'm
opting for foundation license for now because it's quick and easy to
obtain and I'm pants when it comes to alot of electronics and antenna
theory.
On 18/03/2008 10:13 PM, the old scribe known as G4ILO was able to impart
this pearl of wisdom:
Shaun Oliver wrote:
I'm sorry to sound like some kind of whining bitch, but, is it me, or is
amateur radio fast becoming a pissing contest of sorts to see who has
the flashiest rig at the cost of a new car. I for one refuse to spend
that amount of money on a hobby I know I'll get alot of fun out of. I'm
not completely sure about contests and what place they hold within the
amateur community, but I'm sure there's a place and a reason for them.
hell, I might even try my hand at a couple when I finally gain me ticket.
you don't need the latest icom or kenwood or yaesu, which you'd have to
take out a mortgage to own, half the fun as far as I'm concerned is
working with what you have. and sometimes, that might be a pile of cow
shit, some duct tape, fencing wire for a feeder and a couple of aluminum
coke cans for a matching circuit, and an old valve radio that's been
beaten to death and still manages to put out it's full power. if the
above works, why change?
me, I'm all for having a nice long chat with the fellas and working a
little dx occasionally. I use to like to do that on the chocolate box
but, there's too many fools there for that to be any fun anymore.
sorry if I sound whiney but, yeah there you have it, my 2 cents worth.
I see where you're coming from, Shaun, and I for one totally agree with you.
I think the simpler the equipment the greater the feeling of achievement. Of
course, a K2 or K3 is not exactly simple. I have an MFJ Cub transceiver that
I get out from time to time and I really get a kick out of the QSOs I make
with it. I'd probably use it more if I wasn't embarrassed by the fact that
it drifts rather a lot (and I lack the time, patience, knowledge and parts
bin to try to do anything about it.)
-----
Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf
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