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Ooooo, Ahhhh, the Equipment

Ok, for you big gunners, I am sure you can out "rig" me hands down. I have seen many impressive setups in person and on the web, and yes, this setup does not hold a candle to yours. But I might get there some day, it all takes time, as it does not happen overnight, and money, the root of all evil!! I just wish I had the property for a tower and a Yagi antenna.

The first rig I purchased is a Yaesu FT-5100 Mobile 2M / 70cm which is now mounted in my car. It's been a great rig with no problems. Easy to use, and it is small and compact so you can mount it in a compact car too. This rig is connected to a Cushcraft Mag Mount antenna

I then started to use a TNC. What a thrill that was. I have an AEA PK-900 unit which I still use from time to time. Digital communications, passing data over the radio, what a concept. But now as the links are closing down and the interest is becoming minimal, the unit is going quite. But there are still some die hard folks out there who will keep it alive.

My first HF rig is an Icom 706 (the original version) which I purchased while visiting HRO in Georgia. Oh the dreams I had of HF and the power I could use!! With the Icom 706, I use a LDG Z-100 Automatic Antenna Tuner with this unit and it works great!

I have recently decided I needed another 2M / 70cm base unit. Taking the radio in and out of the car was a pain and restricted me from being ready when needed for an on site emergency. So I researched my options and went with a Quad Band Yaesu FT-8900R. Another fine complement to the mix of equipment I have. How about adding in the Yaesu FT-857D with an ATAS-120 antenna and BuddiPole to enhance my mobile HF work! Oh but wait, there is another new addition to the family, it's the Yaesu FT-897D with the LDG AT-897 auto tuner which I have just been added to the emergency deployment team, and multi-mode remote connection via Ham Radio Deluxe.

The best addition was a gift from my XYL (the CO of the house). She purchased me the envy of DX'ers. Yes, it is the Yaesu FT-1000 MP Mark V rig. Wow, what a nice piece of equipment that is. This purchase was a complete surprise to me and I really enjoy it. I'm still learning all of the buttons and knobs on it, but I am one that will try something once, learn it's operation, and then move onto the next option. It will take some time, but I will get there.

For Portable units, I have a Yaesu FT-530 2M / 70cm unit and a Icom TA-81a which is my tiny powerhouse unit. These get a great amount of use during our ARES, CERT, and RACES drills here in Southern Vermont.

I have 3 antenna's that I use at the QTH. For my local 2M / 70cm work I have a Diamond X510MA which gets me out of the Connecticut River Valley to a radius of 50 +/- miles. For my HF equipment, I have a Carolina Windom (45' high) and a Cushcraft MA6V Vertical Multi Band Antenna, about 20' high. And to compliment that, I also have a BuddiPole System and my folding "J" Pole 2/440 antenna for the remote locations. I don't leave home without them!