PA0SNY 

Equipment

My HAM equipment covers a range of frequencies and applications.
My activities run from 80 meters till 70 centimeters, so 'only' from 3.5 to 440 MHz
No extreme 'Lows' for me (Antenna limitations), nor extreme 'Highs'.

Therefore, the equipment is not overexiting, yet practical. In the information below,
I express my personal experience and observations on the listed items.
Click on the icon (or a link in the text) for a (higher resolution) picture.


Equipment picture (icon)
Description
Remarks

I did it!

Since March 2021
Since March 2021 I own this ICOM IC-7300. It has an RF direct sampling system. RF signals are directly converted to digital data and processed in the FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The set replaces most of the older equipment that I had.

Internet provides an enormous amount of information on this "People's Transceiver Number One". This has been a clever move of ICOM, to fully embrace the sdr concept in this IC-7300. The User Manual is useful, and when in doubt, look out for HAMs who give explanations in publications and Youtube tutorials.
solid state 100W TF-897D
The YAESU FT-897D is a compact HF/50MHz/144MHz/432MHZ all mode transceiver with coverage of Rx from 100 kHz till 55 MHz, from 76 MHz till 108 MHz (FM wide), 118 MHz till 137 MHz (all mode, so nice for Aviation!), 137 MHz till 164 MHz (all mode), 429 MHz till 470 MHz (all mode).
It needs a 20 Amp Power Supply. For me in the Shack this is a conventional PS1320, for the 'field work' I use a switched Power Supply (MSE MS-1228, with 25A continuous....).

I program the memories using te FTB software as developed by Bob Freeth, G4HFQ.

After I acquired the FT-897D in 2008, I have enjoyed many pleasant hours with it. But already after 2,5 years, I encountered a strange phenomenon: I received DSB i.s.o. LSB or USB. The unit was then rectified by Cor PA0CHN, who placed capacitors, as the filters started to conduct. Same happened a year laer with the FM filter. Then in 2019, I had to replace diodes for the 70cm PA, and a 50 MHz RX inlet amplifier needed a new transistor (my fault..... High Statics during a thunder storm with Antenna connected).

But this FT-897D has everything in the house. In one package. I used it around 2010 for Packet Radio (PSK) with good results

FT-8900 workhorse
The YAESU FT-8900. What a great and compact unit this is!. Four band FM transceiver for 28 MHz, 50 MHz, 144 MHz (all 50 Watts) and 430 MHz (35 Watts). In addition there is coverage of the Aviation frequencies in AM. Rx from 108 MHz till 180 MHz, 400 MHz till 480 MHz and 700 MHz till 985 MHz. If you might ever need it...
I program the memories using te FTB software as developed by Bob Freeth, G4HFQ.

I own the Rig for a long time. I think I bought it in the year when it was presented to the world. 28 MHz is only used from the car with a quad band mobile antenna. Normally, however, the unit is in the shack on the V2000 Diamond antenna.
The only issue I encountered was the squelch of the left 'window', that failed after the rig fell from the passenger seat during a braking action.... Finally it became clear that the squelch potentiometer had failed due to the shock: I could have it fixed mechanically by glueing parts together. Thanks to friend an SWL Steven.

CRT Electro UV
This is an extremely small sized 25W VHF/UHF transceiver known as CRT Electro UV, but you can also acquire it as the AnyTone AT779 UV. There is CRT programming software available, but that is not so intuitive as CHIRP. Unfortunately CHIRP does not incorporate this model yet (Jan 2024)

I use it for in the car, as it is so easy to carry with my 2m/70cm combi antenna with magnetic base. It is also nice to monitor Marine trafic in the area.
Indication: about 2 cigarette packs "big".
SDRPlay the Hardware SDR Screen SDRPlay is the hardware part of the ideal combination with the SDRUno software. The Rig that I have is of the first generation, and they don't produce them any longer The RSP1 fulfills my needs sufficiently. It provides reception in any mode you like (and maybe more) from 10 kHz till 2 GHz. I can write a lot but on https://www.sdrplay.com/ you have all the info you need from the British manufacturer.
SDRUno is a free software that is dedicated to SDR, and for the SDRPlay a must. On the same website you are directed to SDRUno. See the screen layout by clicking the icon.
Of course a pc (or laptop) is required to control the Rig.

When I stopped working on my 63rd birthday, my colleagues gave me this SDRPlay. At that time the RSP1 was the latest (and only) version. It is so versatile! Recently I discovered that memory banks can be filled with readily available xxx.s1b files. Or, better, you can fabricate your own! I managed to make a memory bank for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport related communication and information frequencies: check the screen picture! There will definitely be more of such home brew s!b files.
Yaesu FT-60 porto 
Here is the first portophone I bought, the Yaesu FT-60R. It has 1000 (!) memories that can be put into 10 different banks. It has the Airband (108-137 MHz) AM reception. So many features....
I program the memories using te FTB software as developed by Bob Freeth, G4HFQ.

A very sturdy bloke, that I once dropped on a concrete floor. I can't even find the dent anymore.
The FTB60 has great programming possibilities and is intuitive. G4HFQ has answered my questions always within a day. His FTB software is nowadays free. Check on his QRZ page.
UV-3R porto
This is the first Baofeng porto that I acquired. The UV-3R is very small and very easy to bring along. Like all Baofeng units, programming goes best with CHIRP.
A disadvantage is that it comes with two antennas. One for 2 and one for 70. As I use it mainly for UHF this is not such a problem. We have a fine repeater nearby whach covers Haarlem's city center nicely (PI2HLM, 430.250, 88,5 Hz)
Boafeng UV-5R
This is the second Baofeng porto that I acquired. The UV-5R is really versatile and comes with one combi antenna. It has dual watch. Like all Baofeng units, programming goes best with CHIRP. Advantage over the FT-60 is the more modern display, showing the two active frequencies/memories. But it has no AM reception and no Airband, so FT-60 is more favourable.
Baofeng BF888S This is the simplest Baofeng porto that I acquired, the BF888S. No display here and only 10 memories for UHR. That's it. The chosen memory is announced aurally.
I remember that it cost only a couple of euro's and that that was the reason for buying it
Quancheng UV-K6 start Quanshen UV-K6 Airband
This is the Quansheng UV-K6. A device the has many possibilities and covers an amazing frequency spectrum. From under 24 MHz till far above 1200 MHz. Detects signals in FM, AM and SSB (DSB). There is also a spectrum scope display selectable
I operate the unit using egzumer V0.21 firmware via its developer  https://github.com/egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom/wiki which has a good description of the menu structure of the UV-K6 and a fine user manual. Ideal for users like me: I follow the knowledgeable people behind the firmware developements. On the PG.540 (local Project Group) this is a leading topic these days (Jan 2024).





Page updated January 2024

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