Beginner radio transceivers have improved dramatically over the many years and so they pack quite a lot of functionality into comparatively compact radios. On this put up, we are going to check out the standard configurations and the way they could influence establishing a versatile newbie radio station at this time. This dialogue is targeted on presently out there new gear, with 50 to 100 watts of RF energy.
The most typical HF radio configuration was a 5-band mannequin that provided CW, AM, and SSB on 80 meters, 40 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters, and 10 meters. Within the early Eighties, the WARC bands have been added (named for the World Administrative Radio Convention of 1979) that approved these new bands. The WARC bands are 30 meters, 17 meters, and 12 meters. These enticing new bands have been quickly added to the usual HF rig. Most HF radios embrace 160 meters (really a Medium Frequency or MF band) on the low finish and a basic protection receiver for 150 kHz to 30 MHz. So today, the standard HF transceiver handles 9 bands and many various modes. (Truly, most of those rigs now embrace 6 meters, extra on that later.)
Dominant Design
On the planet of product improvement, the idea of a dominant design typically emerges. This typically accepted strategy dominates a selected market and is taken into account the usual means of doing issues in a selected product class.
From Wikipedia:
Dominant design is a expertise administration idea launched by James M. Utterback and William J. Abernathy in 1975, figuring out key technological options that change into a de facto commonplace. A dominant design is the one which wins the allegiance of {the marketplace}, the one to which opponents and innovators should adhere in the event that they hope to command important market following.
We’ll see that the majority ham radio gear conforms to the idea of a dominant design. That’s, sure product configurations change into commonplace, particularly when it comes to frequency bands and modes. Producers nonetheless innovate by including new options in an try to differentiate and procure aggressive benefit however the fundamental capabilities are commonplace. The dominant design for HF transceivers is the 100-watt radio that covers 160m by way of 6m.
VHF/UHF Radios
For VHF/UHF, the state of affairs is a little more scattered. 2-meter FM is the most well-liked band and again within the olden days, it was frequent to only have a single-band 2m FM rig within the shack. To cowl 70 cm FM, a radio ham wanted a second radio however later dual-band radios confirmed up that coated 2m and 70 cm. Right this moment, the dominant design for VHF/UHF is the dual-band FM transceiver (sometimes 50 watts of output energy) and there are such a lot of of those out there I gained’t try to listing them.
VHF FM is the utility mode for newbie radio and lots of hams are simply positive utilizing FM (or one of many digital voice modes) on VHF/UHF. Those that wish to stretch the bounds of VHF/UHF working normally go for all-mode rigs that supply CW, SSB, FM and numerous WSJT digital modes. Once more, again within the olden days, a VHF+ fanatic would purchase single-band all-mode radios for the bands of curiosity. A ham actually into VHF/UHF may need single-band radios for 6m, 2m, 1.25m, and 70 cm stacked up within the ham shack. The 1.25-meter band has at all times been a bit uncared for when it comes to tools availability as a result of that band just isn’t out there worldwide. Transverters are one other choice to get all-mode functionality on these bands utilizing an HF transceiver to transvert to a single VHF or UHF band.
HF Plus 6 Meters
One vital addition to the usual HF rig is that the 6m band is commonly included. Now this will likely not sound fairly proper as a result of everyone knows that 6 meters is a VHF band, so what’s it doing in an HF radio? It really makes quite a lot of sense as a result of quite a lot of 6-meter working is just like HF. (6 meters is the VHF band that always emulates HF.) There’s FM exercise on 6 meters however many of the motion is on SSB, CW, and, sure, FT8. In truth, FT8 is seeing quite a lot of motion on the band, so if you wish to take part on 6m, you need to contemplate that mode. Anyway, this all means you most likely want an all-mode radio for six meters, and having it as a bonus band on an HF radio with out an enormous improve in value is an efficient strategy. (These radios normally assist FM for the 10m and 6m bands.)
There are a lot of nice HF/6m radios to select from so I gained’t attempt to listing all of them. A number of the extra well-liked ones within the $1k to $1.5k vary are: Icom IC-7300, Yaesu FT-710, and Yaesu FT-DX10.
All-Band All-Mode Rigs
One other frequent transceiver configuration is the All-Band All-Mode radio out there from a number of producers. An ideal instance of this sort of radio is the Yaesu FT-991A, which incorporates 160m by way of 10m plus 6m, 2m, and 70cm. As soon as once more, 1.25m is handed over. This radio configuration has quite a lot of enchantment as a result of it covers just about the whole lot with all-mode functionality. (It additionally has a built-in sound card and USB connection which is helpful for the WSJT digital modes.)
The FT-991A is an efficient selection for the ham shack or working transportable however it’s a bit massive for a cellular set up. Icom presents the IC-7100 in a cellular type issue, with a novel sloping removable entrance panel. Yaesu used to supply cellular merchandise on this house such because the very talked-about FT-857D transceiver. Nonetheless, the FT-857D is not made and its obvious substitute is the FT-891 which has solely the HF + 6m bands.
The principle drawback of this sort of radio is that it might solely do one frequency at a time. Typically, I would like to have the ability to work HF whereas nonetheless monitoring the native 2m FM repeater and simplex channels. Or possibly I’d prefer to maintain listening for six meter exercise whereas working 2m SSB, particularly throughout a contest. Nonetheless, this sort of radio is my first selection for transportable working for Parks On The Air as a result of it covers all of the bands and modes. This text is targeted on 100-watt radios however word that there are all-mode all-band QRP radios such because the IC-705.
All Mode VHF/UHF Radios
One attention-grabbing and disappointing development that has emerged is the distinct lack of VHF/UHF all-mode transceivers. There is just one such radio in the marketplace at this time, the Icom IC-9700 which does all modes on 2m, 70cm, and 23 cm (1.2 GHz). Plainly Icom determined that if they’re going to supply a VHF/UHF radio, they’d go full-featured and embrace 23 cm. Be aware that in case you pair this radio with an HF plus 6m radio, you possibly can cowl all the favored bands with all modes utilizing two radios. This radio just isn’t cheap, presently promoting new for about $1800.
I suppose we will declare this the dominant design for VHF/UHF however it’s a lone product on this house. I’ve written beforehand about an all-mode dual-band transportable radio for 2m/70cm that I need. I personal an IC-9700 and prefer it loads however I’d hand over the 23 cm band to have a radio that’s extra transportable and cheaper. I think that Icom is fortunately making good revenue margins on the IC-9700 on condition that they’ve basically no competitors on this house. Yaesu has the expertise to do one thing right here however has been content material to let the FT-991A cowl the all-mode 2m/70cm house for them.
Widespread Ham Shack Setups
Now let’s check out some frequent ham shack configurations that contemplate these completely different radio configurations. After I say “ham shack” that will embrace your cellular or transportable station, too.
Setup 1: FM VHF/UHF Solely A Technician would possibly resolve they wish to deal with 2m and 70cm, with FM being simply positive for working simplex and repeaters on these bands. A fundamental dual-band FM transceiver will deal with this properly, see A VHF FM Station at Residence. For some hams, their dual-band handheld radio serves this objective.
Setup 2: All-Band All-Mode Transceiver As talked about earlier, All-Band All-Mode radios cowl the most well-liked ham bands and modes with one rig. They’re a great way to get one radio that does the whole lot. The drawback just isn’t having the ability to monitor VHF/UHF similtaneously working HF.
Setup 3: HF/6m radio plus 2m/70cm FM radio This can be a quite common configuration for a ham shack as a result of it separates the HF bands (and 6m) from the 2m/70cm FM working. The FM rig will be left monitoring your favourite repeater or simplex frequency when you chase DX on 15 meters. In case your 2m/70cm wants are fundamental, the FM radio would possibly even be a handheld transceiver.
Setup 4: HF/6m radio plus all-mode VHF/UHF radio That is the setup for the ham that wishes to cowl all of the bands and be capable to do all modes on VHF/UHF. The band/mode protection is just like Setup 2 however we have now two radios out there which supplies the monitoring flexibility related to Setup 3. This configuration permits for having a very good HF/6m radio and a very good VHF/UHF radio.
Conclusions
The ham radio transceivers being provided are inclined to comply with sure patterns in line with the dominant design idea. If you happen to purchase a contemporary HF transceiver, you’ll possible get all the HF bands plus the 6m bonus band. These radios fluctuate in options and efficiency however all of them have good band/mode protection. The VHF/UHF state of affairs is probably not fairly as easy. The usual 2m/70cm FM rig is a well-liked choice however is proscribed to FM solely. The VHF/UHF weak-signal fanatic doesn’t have many selections past the IC-9700, which can symbolize a possibility for one more producer to leap in with a cheaper 2m/70cm all-mode radio. The 1.25m band continues to be uncared for and could also be a great further band so as to add to 2m/70cm radios.
That’s my evaluation. What do you suppose?
73 Bob K0NR
