Antenna & Power Supply help?
wolf...@juno.com
I have 2 Yaesu units - one FT-897D and one VX-7R.
I would like to get a better antenna for the handie, perhaps even
something I could window mount on the car with an extension kit - but
at least something better than the factory antenna.
I'm also looking for a rubber duck style for use in less friendly
environments - such as during disaster drills, or actual deployments.
The other unit ... well ... I haven't actually had it out of the box
yet. I saw the Yaesu antenna designed for it (motorized), but its a
little pricey and the reviews indicated that it takes forever to
adjust itself.
I also don't have a power supply for that unit.
My desired usage is:
Simple, infrequent use at home - basically checking in to nets.
Portable radio set-up for disaster drills and deployments (eventually
both battery and AC capable).
Ordering the Yaesu internal battery is easy enough - but with so many
options out there - any strong recommendations for a good all-purpose
antenna for this unit?
Same goes for power supplies - any recommended selections?
Finally - the only good shop I knew of in the Southeastern Michigan
area closed up - are there any brick and mortar stores around here?
73,
Ron
dave
Any VHF and/or UHF mobile antenna with an SMA male connector should
work. The VX7R comes with a rubber whip. Is yours missing?
Phil Stripling
<wolf...@juno.com> wrote:
> I have 2 Yaesu units - one FT-897D and one VX-7R.
>
> I would like to get a better antenna for the handie, perhaps even
> something I could window mount on the car with an extension kit - but
> at least something better than the factory antenna.
>
> I'm also looking for a rubber duck style for use in less friendly
> environments - such as during disaster drills, or actual deployments.
I've had several handie talkies and I've mounted a couple of them with
"better" rubber ducks, and I haven't noticed any improvement. I've
given up on buying bigger, better antennas that mount on a radio. I
know all the reviews at eham.net say the antennas work, but I'm in
respectful disagreement. My suggestion is, don't bother.
As for antennas that you can window mount, somebody makes one. I have
an AES catalogue in front of me, Fall/Winter 2009, page 89, lower right
corner is the "Clip Window Mount for Handheld Antennas." Take your HT's
antenna and mount it on the clip, clip it on the window, and use the
ten-foot cable to connect to your HT. Model 310 has a BNC, 310S is SMA.
Twenty bucks. No manufacturer is listed that I can see at my quick
glance.
>
> The other unit ... well ... I haven't actually had it out of the box
> yet. I saw the Yaesu antenna designed for it (motorized), but its a
> little pricey and the reviews indicated that it takes forever to
> adjust itself.
>
If you're going to use it in your car, you have choices: hamstick-style
monoband antennas that you use on one band only; or screwdriver-style
antennas that have motors that will let you change the band while
you're in the car. Screwdriver styles include the factory's antenna,
High Sierra, Tarheel, and some others. Read eham.net's reviews of HF
mobile antennas and pick one. Screwdriver antennas cost a fortune. I
have one, and I'm getting ready to buy another.
Since the 897 runs on both HF and U/VHF, you'll need another antenna
for 6M, 2M, and 70cm - they sell tri-band antennas for that.
I'm using one screwdriver antenna on my car (and I have a quad band for
U/VHF), and I'm going to ask my condo association for permission to
mount the second screwdriver on my roof as a base station antenna.
They're small and unobtrusive, and I have hope of getting approval, as
my association is small and we all know each other.
> I also don't have a power supply for that unit.
>
>
>
> My desired usage is:
>
> Simple, infrequent use at home - basically checking in to nets.
> Portable radio set-up for disaster drills and deployments (eventually
> both battery and AC capable).
Good power supplies are fairly expensive. If you don't get a good power
supply, you may hear it on your HF radio. They generate static, pops,
and clicks. Again, see eham.net for reviews of power supplies.
>
> Ordering the Yaesu internal battery is easy enough - but with so many
> options out there - any strong recommendations for a good all-purpose
> antenna for this unit?
> Same goes for power supplies - any recommended selections?
Here's what I do instead of a power supply. I have a couple of hundred
amp-hour batteries and a good battery recharger. Batteries don't
generate static. When I'm using the radios at home, I run it off one of
the batteries. The other is in trickle charge. When I'm on the road, I
run the radios off my car battery through a multi-outlet DC power
strip. When I'm stopped and the engine isn't running, I use one of
those hundred amp-hour batteries that I brought with me.
My operation is similar to your projected one - infrequent use at home,
portable use for fund-raising events that I volunteer for to keep in
practice. (I highly recommend this - people from diabetes foundations,
environmental restoration groups, bike-a-thons, all have runs, walks,
and bike events to raise money/awareness, and they often use hams to
track the runners and report problems. We operate at the events as if
they were a disaster with a controlled net; good practice.)
Everything's a compromise, and so is my answer to the problem. My
answer may not suit your needs, though, so ask around at your local ham
meetings and on the nets and find a suggestion that strikes your fancy.
>
> Finally - the only good shop I knew of in the Southeastern Michigan
> area closed up - are there any brick and mortar stores around here?
No. Local stores have pretty much been put out of business for lack of
local hams. We have a local guy who sells scanners and has some ham
radios, too, but they're a small part of his scanner business. Look on
the web for
aesham.com
hamradio.com
texastowers.com
They often have the best prices. If you have and AES or HRO store near
you, you can drop by and handle the merchandise; if not, you're at the
mercy of your local hams who have what you're considering.
You're going to find out it's an expensive hobby. Michigan needs hams
for emergency communications during your harsh weather times, and I
hope you pursue your goal of being active during disasters. Good luck
and have fun.