Ham Radio Guys - Help Me Out

cjjtulsa · Mar 29, 2017

Would like to get a Ham license at some point, but think it would be cool to be able to listen in occasionally (storms, etc.). A guy at work has several units his late father in law had, that he's selling. Any idea on what might make a good general RX and possible future TX unit out of what he has? I know one is a mobile 2 meter (I think), but would the others suffice for general disaster and just hobby listening before a guy gets his license? Here is what he has:

Kenwood TS440S
Kenwood TS680S
Kenwood TS530SP
IC 271H
IC2200H (mobile 2m, I believe).

Any suggestions? Thanks.

soonersfan · Mar 29, 2017

Man, I thought this was going to be a thread about pork.

slas · Mar 29, 2017

soonersfan said:
Man, I thought this was going to be a thread about pork.

I was getting to reply with Honey over Smoked.....

cjjtulsa · Mar 29, 2017

LOL - edited for clarification.

ParatusForty-Six · Mar 29, 2017

cjjtulsa said:
Would like to get a Ham license at some point, but think it would be cool to be able to listen in occasionally (storms, etc.). A guy at work has several units his late father in law had, that he's selling. Any idea on what might make a good general RX and possible future TX unit out of what he has? I know one is a mobile 2 meter (I think), but would the others suffice for general disaster and just hobby listening before a guy gets his license? Here is what he has:

These are all HF base rigs, operating on the 10-160m bands
Kenwood TS440S
Kenwood TS680S
Kenwood TS530SP
These are both 2m rigs
IC 271H
IC2200H (mobile 2m, I believe).<<<This is correct

Any suggestions? Thanks.

See bold above. If your primary desire is to listen to local weather and general SW chatter while you study for your license, then the Icoms will do fine for that. They will make good first 2m tx options too, once you have your ticket. I would search and see, on a cost comparison basis, what you can get in the dual band (2m/70cm) flavors. I do as much listening and talking on 70cm as I do on 2m. Both bands are open to those with a Technician License. You may decide that for your purposes, an HT (handie talkie) type unit will serve you best. Just depends on where you live and your access to a repeater. Mine's not great at home, so my HT isn't ideal. That is why I have a dual band base station rig, which is what almost all of these options are (base stations, that is) with the exception of the 2200H.

Of the bands covered by the Kenwoods, you're looking at only being able to transmit on the 10, 15, 40, & 80m bands at the Technician level, and you're limited to very specific operating frequency bands within them. Those bands aren't going to be busy with the kind of stuff you're listening for, though, unless I'm really mistaken.

If you have potential SHTF intentions, then you can't go wrong have a couple of bases which will receive the spectrum. This lets you listen to a lot more than what's happening locally and listening under those circumstances is way more important than talking anyway. Just some thoughts.

Poke78 · Mar 29, 2017

cjjtulsa said:
Would like to get a Ham license at some point, but think it would be cool to be able to listen in occasionally (storms, etc.). A guy at work has several units his late father in law had, that he's selling. Any idea on what might make a good general RX and possible future TX unit out of what he has? I know one is a mobile 2 meter (I think), but would the others suffice for general disaster and just hobby listening before a guy gets his license? Here is what he has:

Kenwood TS440S
Kenwood TS680S
Kenwood TS530SP
IC 271H
IC2200H (mobile 2m, I believe).

Any suggestions? Thanks.

ParatusForty-Six covered the bases with his answer. Here are some additional details:

The IC271H is an all-mode radio for 2 meters, i.e. 144-148MHz. All-mode means AM, FM, SSB, and CW (Morse Code). It is a vintage radio that is no longer produced and some hams highly value it for its single-band, all-mode capability. It is useful for FM operations from a fixed location so it can be used to operate repeaters from home. Here's a page you might find interesting: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/913

Here's the rub based on the info in your initial questions - you really need UHF capability to listen to the storm spotters interact with the National Weather Service. That is the band used by the linked radio system that covers all of northeast OK. In Tulsa, primary operations are on 443.850 to maintain contact with spotters in the field away from the metro area. Your 2-meter will be handy for listening to local storm information on 146.88. It is used to separate local conditions and spotter reports from those that may yet be coming in from the non-metro area. This is a moment-by-moment decision by the net control operators at the NWS. Flexibility has value.

Your work buddy needs to check out the website for the upcoming hamfest in Claremore to see if he can still get a flea market table so he can sell that gear. http://www.greencountryhamfest.com Right now, there are 43 tables left and those will be sold at the door on Friday and Saturday, April 7-8. If he really wants to sell from a table, I'd recommend that he be there at noon Friday to ensure he gets a table. I can tell you for a fact they will go quickly.

cjjtulsa · Mar 29, 2017

So it sounds like none of these will basically cover many of the most popular storm spotters, or other post-disaster type frequencies - is that correct? He also has a couple of different hand-helds, but I figured they wouldn't cover near as much as the bigger Kenwood base stations. It all seems pretty complicated to a guy on the outside.

cjjtulsa · Mar 29, 2017

OK - the hand-helds are I-Com units, one IC-V80 and one IC-V82. Both are new in the box. And yes, I also would like something just in case the S does HTF. Just a little something to scratch that part of my prepper itch. Base station or mobile is fine - whatever works, and is best for the purpose.

Raptor62 · Mar 29, 2017

cjjtulsa said:
So it sounds like none of these will basically cover many of the most popular storm spotters, or other post-disaster type frequencies - is that correct? He also has a couple of different hand-helds, but I figured they wouldn't cover near as much as the bigger Kenwood base stations. It all seems pretty complicated to a guy on the outside.

It is a little complicated. Really a scanner might be better to start. All those rigs are solid equipment.
One problem is tech is changing...a new mode DMR is very popular for hams and law enforcement.
Go to youtube and check out stormchasers. The cab of their truck is piled high with radios. Ham radio is a ton of fun. Go to ARRL.org. Practice tests are available online. Go to the green country hamfest in Claremore. Sometimes the NOAA severe storm lab in norman has a display and vehicle there. The Tulsa club will have a booth there and those guys can help you decide what equipment you need.

ParatusForty-Six · Mar 29, 2017

Honestly, the Tech test shouldn't take you more than a few weeks of preparation. I used the Icom page at hamstudy.org and did the flash cards until my proficiency was up, then started taking practice tests. Once you can pass a few practice tests in a row, then schedule the real deal. Seriously. Do it.

Ham Radio Guys - Help Me Out

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