HAM fest (amateur radio) in Monument Colorado?

[streetglideok]

I went to the Denver hamfest last year, and it was bigger than this one, but more junk IMO.

[Singlestack]

I got there about 11:20 and stayed thru the givaways (didn't win any - darn!). Only person I knew there was Jim Andrews of BCares. He was selling his ATV sets - $1000 ea. Jim is "the guy" who made ATV happen at BCARES. Her also did the nice writeup in QST magazine a few months ago. He told me that after the 4 mile canyon fire, he offered to make ATV sets for members at his then-current cost of materials - $350. Built 12, taking a loss on each (they actually cost more than $350 ea), then decided if there was the demand to make them at a profit. Nicely built box.

Almost picked up a used G5RV Jr for $20, but I wanted one with a Balun and not needing the extreme run of coax. Also saw a guy selling a nice interface for the KX3 radio that provides a good display replacing the KX3 scrolling display and a keyboard interface - a bit pricy at $250 ea tho - kind of defeats the purpose of buying a cheap radio...

[streetglideok]

They had one Icom 718 for $500, but as my wife said... you might as well buy a new one for $680. Saw an icom 706 as well, $500 for that one as well, better that I've been seeing, but no bargain either. Should have talked to the cheesehead more and got his contact info. Oh well, next time.

I've read some about the atv and BCares as well. Weren't they the ones who worked the high park fire last year?

[Singlestack]

>Weren't they the ones who worked the high park fire last year?
yup!

Say, what do you think would have been a "good enough to buy" price for the 718 and 706?

[streetglideok]

Well, the 706, looked like a MKIIG, which was the last version of it. $500 is a fair price for it really, as long as everything worked at full power. I seemed to remember reading about finals failures on that version. If it was cheaper, I'd prolly sprung for it, but that price really isn't bad. I've seen some crack smokers try and ask $700 for the things, which is insane. I'll buy an 857 for a little more, and its current production. As for the 718, $400 I would consider it. Keep in mind, it has analog filtering on the audio side, so if you want to run filters, they cost more, $100-$180 a pop, typically one for SSB, and if you do CW, then one for that. At $500, to me its a lil high. You can find used yaesu 450's which do not need filters, as they have digital filtering, in the $650 and up range easily all day. That's just my take on them personally though. Also, figure in an antenna tuner, external for $140 prolly as well, regardless if they have a built in tuner or not. I was looking at the yaesu 757 and 890 myself. Lil older rigs which would require filters, but less menus on them as well. They were higher end rigs when they were new, so in a lot of respects, would outperform a 718, and be into them a little less. Catch is, if they break, may get a bit pricier to repair.

Maybe some experienced HF guys will chime in and give us some input. Right now 890, 450, 718, 7200 and 950 are on my list. 950 may get scratched off as its a lil chunky though good, because I may want something more portable than what it is. Most of the hf work I may do will have to be portable or mobile. BTW, QST feb issue had the atv story in it.

[Singlestack]

Maybe some experienced HF guys will chime in and give us some input. Right now 890, 450, 718, 7200 and 950 are on my list. 950 may get scratched off as its a lil chunky though good, because I may want something more portable than what it is. Most of the hf work I may do will have to be portable or mobile. BTW, QST feb issue had the atv story in it.

Great info there, Street. Yes, it was the Feb issue. I'm coming around to the thinking that I want my home radio to be suitable for mobile/portable as well. So the big base station setup is not what I'm looking for. What I'm trying to sort out is if a QRP rig will suffice or if I need something in 50-100W. I really like the size etc of QRP but not sure how that will work out for DX HF.

[streetglideok]

Ive heard guys say how they use qrp rigs to talk DX, but only in ideal conditions, and with the right antennas. Unless you want to make qrp your thing, which some do, I would look into either mobile or portable. There is the ft100, 857, 897, 706, and 7000 for mobiles or small portable. A lot of the hf rigs really aren't that big anyways, and can put out 100w. May also look into the alnico sr8. Fairly cheap no frills rig. Even the icom 7200 isn't that big. I'll have to behave a bit on my spending, but I'm thinking some kind of smaller portable rig. Possibly make a setup for hamsticks for the jeep, and maybe a bracket to make hamsticks into a dipole, and get some wire antennas for 80m, etc when portable. Slowly work on putting a setup together, poles that can be assembled, etc, for ares or whatever.

Also might add, the kenwood 480sat/hx are appealing. Removable faceplate, and filters that aren't absurdly expensive. Pretty decent reviews, though I've read the 7200 is better over all. Lacking experience, I really don't know how important the filters are, such as the icom 718 filters list for $284 on hro IIRC. If they are strongly recommended, that puts it into the realm of the yaesu 450. Adding filters to the kenwood 480 puts it into the range of the icom 7200. I guess buying a used icom 718 would reduce the risk if you need to resell it.

[streetglideok]

Singlestack, I did some digging this am, we were slow at work. Looks like the ic718 comes with a filter built in. The tighter filter is mostly used for contesting, so not a deal breaker. Several sources said $500 or less would be a decent price for one, so the 718 may be worth a look. I have to go to the candy store Saturday to pick up my D710 I ordered, so I may harass them about hf radios.

[Singlestack]

Good infos - thnx!

[bradbn4]

Once again time to consider going to the "pico" megafest

Gigantic Pikes Peak Area

MEGAFEST

Saturday July 8, 2017

0800 to 1300 (Vendors 0600) Ticket sales 0730

Lewis-Palmer High School


http://ppraa.org/megafest
1300 Higby Road, Monument, CO