NCLivingBrit
Well-Known Member
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
I'm still plugging away at the Technician licence material, but it's slow going so far due to time constraints due to new second job and my brain being rusty.
The benefit of this is my budget is about to become an actual, real sum of money in the next few weeks so I've been looking around at more capable options than my UV5R with a knockoff Nagoya 771 for 2m/70cm.
So I've got a couple of questions and then a general solicitation for advice and guidance. Operating wise I'm not planning on doing much more than rag chews on whatever repeaters I can hit from Reidsville at present, stuff like Dstar and FT8 just doesn't appeal right now. I'm in a second (top) floor apt with a balcony and I absolutely can't mount anything outside the apt. I have roof/loft access but I can't make holes to route cables so I'm not sure that is any use.
Question 1: Are the inexpensive (~$70) units by QYT, Juentai, Leixen etc worth a purchase as a home/car radio? They seem to be mostly in the 20-25 watt range and have some decent reviews.
Examples:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142247329890
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282595520192
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/323385270194
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/131278746194
I'm thinking I want a "base" radio that can/could be vehicle mounted since I'm allowed to have a vehicle antenna with a lot less hassle than any sort of building mount or free standing antenna where I'm living.
If the QYT etc aren't any good, can I get a decent radio in the $100-200~ price range for 2m/70cm? Ideally something I can get a decent programming cable for without breaking the bank.
Question 2: Assuming I've got a 20-25 watt base 2m/70cm radio that is probably starting off on my porch (~7' clearance vertically) before moving to my vehicle, what is a decent mag-mount antenna that won't break the bank? I've done a bunch of research and the deluge of options and different opinions has me baffled. I figure the budget will be about $100.
Right now I'm not looking to build my own antenna at all. I know this makes me some sort of filthy untouchable radio peasant, but there's a ton of reasons I'm not feeling it yet.
I realise mag-mount is going to be a compromise compared to other antenna types but I'm currently valuing flexibility and not angering the apt police over perfection. When used on the porch I'll be using some sort of steel ground reflector on a second floor balcony with plastic railings.
Question 3: Power supply? Since the radio is designed to for vehicle mount, what's the best inexpensive way to provide the required power? I've got mains outlets on the porch.
Question 4: What did I forget I am going to need? I'm hoping to get an antenna already tuned so I don't think I'll need a SWR meter yet, right?
Am I missing some other way to set this up that is in the same ballpark budget with better performance?
Thanks in advance for any input. I know I seem to be made of questions.
The benefit of this is my budget is about to become an actual, real sum of money in the next few weeks so I've been looking around at more capable options than my UV5R with a knockoff Nagoya 771 for 2m/70cm.
So I've got a couple of questions and then a general solicitation for advice and guidance. Operating wise I'm not planning on doing much more than rag chews on whatever repeaters I can hit from Reidsville at present, stuff like Dstar and FT8 just doesn't appeal right now. I'm in a second (top) floor apt with a balcony and I absolutely can't mount anything outside the apt. I have roof/loft access but I can't make holes to route cables so I'm not sure that is any use.
Question 1: Are the inexpensive (~$70) units by QYT, Juentai, Leixen etc worth a purchase as a home/car radio? They seem to be mostly in the 20-25 watt range and have some decent reviews.
Examples:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/142247329890
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/282595520192
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/323385270194
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/131278746194
I'm thinking I want a "base" radio that can/could be vehicle mounted since I'm allowed to have a vehicle antenna with a lot less hassle than any sort of building mount or free standing antenna where I'm living.
If the QYT etc aren't any good, can I get a decent radio in the $100-200~ price range for 2m/70cm? Ideally something I can get a decent programming cable for without breaking the bank.
Question 2: Assuming I've got a 20-25 watt base 2m/70cm radio that is probably starting off on my porch (~7' clearance vertically) before moving to my vehicle, what is a decent mag-mount antenna that won't break the bank? I've done a bunch of research and the deluge of options and different opinions has me baffled. I figure the budget will be about $100.
Right now I'm not looking to build my own antenna at all. I know this makes me some sort of filthy untouchable radio peasant, but there's a ton of reasons I'm not feeling it yet.
I realise mag-mount is going to be a compromise compared to other antenna types but I'm currently valuing flexibility and not angering the apt police over perfection. When used on the porch I'll be using some sort of steel ground reflector on a second floor balcony with plastic railings.
Question 3: Power supply? Since the radio is designed to for vehicle mount, what's the best inexpensive way to provide the required power? I've got mains outlets on the porch.
Question 4: What did I forget I am going to need? I'm hoping to get an antenna already tuned so I don't think I'll need a SWR meter yet, right?
Am I missing some other way to set this up that is in the same ballpark budget with better performance?
Thanks in advance for any input. I know I seem to be made of questions.
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