W7AWH - My Radio Gear

Shortly after exchanging names and locations when making contact, hams will usually start talking about what gear they are using. Below is a list of my current equipment that I might use for radio contacts.

APRS: Yaesu VX-8GR

I now have the Yaesu VX-8GR handheld GPS and ham radio transceiver. I'm using the VX-8GR to track some of my hikes and feed the data back to the aprs.fi website.

Track W7AWH from my | APRS | page.

| VX-8GR Operating Manual |

HF: Yaesu FT-897D

My main transceiver for HF is the Yaesu FT-897D. I chose the FT-897D because the price was right for an all mode HF transceiver with 2m and 70cm. Kenwood and Icom make nice all mode radios but the Yaesu fit my budget at the time. If needed, the FT-897D can also be operated in a portable environment with internal battery packs. The optional programming software kit makes it really easy to setup and control memory banks and other features of the FT-897D transceiver.
| FT-897D Operating Manual |

VHF/UHF/APRS Base: Yaesu FTM-350:

I'm using the Yaesu FTM-350 for a VHF/UHF/APRS base station. I use the APRS feature to report severe weather conditions in my area. The cross-band boost feature allows me to go on hikes with my HT and use my base station's high gain antenna for wider coverage.
| FTM-350 Operating Manual |
| FTM-350 APRS Manual |

Kenwood TS-830S:

My other HF rig is the Kenwood TS-830S hybrid transceiver. The hybrid radio uses microprocessors and transistors but has vacuum tubes in the output final stage. At almost 30 pounds it is the largest and heaviest radio in my collection.
| Kenwood TS-830S Operating Manual |

Larger Meter For Yaesu FT Series:

LDG Electronics makes a nice analog meter for the FT-897D which is more accurate and easier to read. The LDG FT-Meter plugs into the radio and is ready to go right out of the box. I'm glad I picked one of these up for my FT-897D.

| FT Meter Operating Manual |

Antenna Tuner MFJ-974HB:

After I changed my HF antenna system to an open wire-fed multi-band doublet I needed a balanced line tuner. The MFJ-974HB had a price that fit the budget for my antenna system. The antenna tunes up with ease on every band 40 meters and above on my 40 meter dipole. The tuner is rated at 300 watts so if you are not running lots of power the MFJ-974HB is a perfect match for an open wire-fed antenna.

| MFJ-974HB Operating Manual |

MFJ-259B Antenna Analyzer:

I use the MFJ-259B antenna analyzer to tune up on both of my HF dipoles. The antenna analyzer allows for an accurate and QRM free tuning process. The analyzer is also used in the construction of antennas and other antenna related projects.

| MFJ-259B Operating Manual |

Microphone:

I wanted a desk microphone and I read and have heard mostly good reviews for the Heil GM series so I gave it a try. Once again for the price the GM-5 microphone fit my budget. I get really good audio reports with the microphone and for the money it is a pretty good buy.

Yaesu FT-2900 VHF Mobile

I was looking for a 2m radio radio with a little more punch than the normal 50 watts to clean up my audio into the more distant repeaters. Yaesu has modified their old 65 watt FT-2800 and increased the maximum output from 65 to 75 watts FM for the FT-2900. Having other Yaesu radios made programming the radio's memory fast and simple. The FT-2900 can also be programmed to scan the weather frequencies for weather alerts. Digital packet radio uses the external speaker jack and the RJ12/6 front microphone connecter. There is no separate data input connection in the rear of the radio. So far I am quite pleased with Yaesu's new FT-2900 especially when I only paid $59. I used a $100 dollar government rebate for purchasing an energy efficient refrigerator to get the radio.
| FT-2900 Operating Manual |

Portable:

When I went looking for a portable unit I chose the Yaesu VX-7R for its submersible feature. I do a lot of hiking in the mountains and during the summer rainy season a water resistant radio comes in handy. Already having two Yaesu radios the programming software was familiar and made for a short learning curve.

I tried every rubber duck antenna they had at HRO one day to see if any of them could improve the signal on the VX-7R. None of them showed any signal improvement over the stock antenna using a distance mountain top repeater for the test. For hiking I have cut my own wire dipoles for all of the bands. I string them up from a tree and they work far better than any compromised rubber duck antenna on the market.
| VX-7R Operating Manual |

Morse Code:

Of course no station would be complete without some brass for sending Morse code. I don't know who the maker of the key is because I got it at an antique store in Louisville Kentucky while visiting my brother. I can tell it's old but it works just fine.

Power Supply:

For powering up the bench full of radio gear I chose the Astron RS-35A. The linear power supply weighs in at 27 lbs and can handle 35 amps peak and 25-30 steady. If you want meters on the front you'll have to shell out more cash or hook up your own.

Some Final Thoughts on Ham Gear:

I don't think Yaesu makes a better radio than Kenwood, Icom, or any of the other major players but their prices and features have worked for me.

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