PA0SNY

Equipment

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

Therefore, the equipment is just 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
Since March 2021	Since March 2021 I own this ICOM IC-7300. The set replaces most of the older equipment that I had (Kenwood TS-820S and R-820S).	Internet provides an enormous amount of information on this "People's Transceiver Number One". The User Manual is useful, and when in doubt, look out for HAMs who give explanations in publications and Youtube tutorials.
	The YAESU FT-897D is a compact HF/50MHz/144MHz/432MHZ all mode transceiver with coverage of Rx from 100 kHz till 470 MHz in various ranges (all mode). Als the AIR band. 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. However, the electrocs around the filters gave unpleasant situations, that were finally modified by a professional. This FT-897D has everything under one roof. I used it around 2010 for Packet Radio (PSK) with good results.
	The YAESU FT-8900. A sturdy and compact unit! 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. I program the memories using te FTB software as developed by Bob Freeth, G4HFQ.	I own the Rig for a long time. I bought it in the year when it was presented to the world. The unit is now fixed 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 car 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 my radio friend and SWL Steven.
	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 (March 2025)	I use it in the car, as it is so easy to carry with my 2m/70cm combi antenna with magnetic base. Indication: about 2 cigarette packs "big".
	SDRPlay is the hardware part of the ideal combination with the SDRUno software. I can write a lot but on https://www.sdrplay.com/ you have all the info you need. SDRUno is a free software that is dedicated to SDR, and for the SDRPlay a must.	When I stopped working on my 63rd birthday (2017), my colleagues gave me this SDRPlay. I discovered that memory banks can be filled with readily available xxx.s1b files. Or, you can fabricate your own! I managed to make a memory bank for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport related frequencies.
	Here is the first portophone I bought, the Yaesu FT-60R for 2m/70 cm. It has the Airband (108-137 MHz) AM reception. I program the memories using te FTB software as developed by Bob Freeth, G4HFQ.	A very sturdy unit, that I once dropped on a concrete floor. I can't even find the dent anymore.
	This is the first Baofeng porto that I acquired. The UV-3R is very small and very easy to bring along.	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 which covers Haarlem's city center nicely, just sitting in the living room (PI2HLM, 430.250, 88,5 Hz).
	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. Programming goes 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 my favourite.
	This is the simplest Baofeng porto that I acquired, the BF888S. No display here and only 10 memories for UHF. 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.
	This is the Quansheng UV-K6. A device that 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.