Radio Gear

My original collection of radios is made up of a Radio Shack HTX-202, a 5w 2m FM handheld - which I use for various local activies including local nets and portable operation, a Kantronics KPC-3 TNC and I-Com I-20 2m FM crystal-controlled radio for low-speed packet, and a Heathkit SB-101 for HF (used as a receiver). I was able to assemble this setup - which covers the most popular activities for less than $400 CAD (~ £ 170 GBP), so don't feel you need lots of money to get started.

It didn't make sense to drag the SB-101 or I-20 overseas, so I left those behind and only shipped the HTX-202 and KPC-3 with me. I had to make the simple cable to hook up my TNC and HTX-202. Buck Rogers' PacketRadio.com has wiring diagrams for most radios ands TNCs.

In 2000 I actually bought a new radio. The nifty Kenwood TH-D7E (E is for European) mark 2 which is a dual-band (2m/70cm) handheld with GPS support, APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) support, and with a built-in TNC which supports AX.25 and the mark 2 includes KISS support (not entirely suitable for Linux).

Note about the Kenwood TH-D7 and KISS support:
message on linux-hams mailing list from Jason Flynn in the UK: Wed May 23 2001 (list archive) which sums it up: The TH-D7 will never fully support KISS well enough to general Linux KISS usage due to limited space in the handheld (room for one PROM chip). The related Kenwood mobile rig, the D700 works fine (better firmware, two chips) in KISS mode.

In 2001 I redeamed myself by buying a bigger, but used radio, the amazing Yeasu FT-847, 160m - 70 cm except 4m (1.8 MHz - 440 MHz) all mode satellite transceiver. A great do-everything radio. Oh, yeah I guess I could still use an antenna so I can use all those HF frequencies.

Since 2002 I have becoming interested in learning more about RF electronics, so I have built a couple of QRP (low power) radios, starting with Small Wonders Lab's Rockmite and am currently (as of summer 2007) working on an Elecraft K2.

Email

Please send amateur related emails to ve3tix "at" rac.ca.

73 (Best Regards) de ve3tix