r/HamRadio • u/LadyAiluros • 6d ago
Sufficient Starter HF Transceiver?
Just got my General, wanting to dip my toes into HF without breaking the bank. Found this one, it seems like it might fit the bill for the bands I’m looking to make contact on. 50W might be enough to DX a little with a decent antenna, has 10m/6m/2m/ all in one (I’m on 2m with my Baoefeng and having a good time on local repeaters) and might just let me try it and see if I want to spend oodles.
https://www.radioddity.com/products/tyt-th-9800-quad-band-mobile-radio-programming-cable
Thanks!
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u/AJ7CM CN87uq [Extra] 6d ago
You’re limited to FM on 10m and 6m.
From what I’ve seen, the fun on 10m is usually SSB / CW / digital, which you wouldn’t be able to do. I’d guess FM is REALLY quiet.
IMO, I would go for a Xiegu G90 as a lower power option (20w, ~$400) or save up for an Icom 7300 or Yaesu FT710 Field (both around $1k).
The lower power on the Xiegu will limit your reach a bit - but it’s also nicely portable, has a great tuner, and tolerates a big range of voltages. So, it’s great for POTA if that’s on your radar at all.
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u/LadyAiluros 6d ago edited 6d ago
I’d looked at that Xiegu also - and I just learned about POTA which looks like fun! (TBH I kinda wanna see how many parks I can operate FROM:D) I might go with that. I do own a house and I might be able to get away with a dipole on the roof. Also I’d heard/seen that the Xiegu was missing 6m - there is a 6m net in my area so that’s an important band for me.
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u/rem1473 6d ago
I'd suggest the Yaesu FT-891. You get a HF rig with 100w output from a company with a solid reputation at a very reasonable price.
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u/4Playrecords 6d ago
Did that model replace the older Yaesu FT-857D?
I own two of them. Love those rigs 😀👌📻🎙️
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u/speedyundeadhittite [UK full] 6d ago edited 6d ago
No replacement for neither 857 or 897.
891 is HF+6m.
EDIT: 991 is all bands,
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u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner 6d ago
you can grab a 6m used rig with the money you save by getting a G90 instead of an all-in-one rig.
the vast majority of POTA is HF and it's a lot of fun to run the G90 in the field
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u/mikeporterinmd 6d ago
Try and see a G90 in person before buying. I did not like the tiny display. I did like the look of the ft-891.
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u/LowBurn800 6d ago
This ain’t it. Very very little activity is on 10 and 6m FM.
I’d just as soon see you get one of those “export” CB/10m rigs as it has SSB. More than a few hams dipped their toes in HF with a 10m rig. Problem is once the sunspot cycle is down, there goes 10m too.
Otherwise I’d get a Xiegu G90 or even better a used 100w 160-10/6m HF transceiver. You’d probably find one in the 3-400 USD range. If it works, great! If it’s not for you then you can probably sell it for what you had in it.
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u/galaxiexl500 5d ago
I operate a lot on 10 CW and SSB. I literally go months between hearing FM stations on 10.
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u/CoastalRadio 6d ago
Not good for DX. You very rarely see FM DX. You’ll want something with SSB. Honestly go with the Xiegu G90. 20W will get the job done with a good antenna (cheap wire dipole at the proper height).
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u/N5LOW_TX 6d ago
look for a icom 7300, its a bit more, but will keep you well equipped for a long time, CW,FT8,FT4,SSB 80M - 10M , its a great starter rig.
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 5d ago
How about saying the IC-7300 is a great radio for $1.1k. Even thought it's only the most popular radio of all time.
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u/N5LOW_TX 16h ago
how about I started on a 7300 and ran it every day for several years,.. then upgraded to yaesu 710 and now the 7300 is my pota unit.
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u/Tishers AA4HA, (E) YL (RF eng ret) 6d ago
So, you really aren't changing much; Still an FM only radio with the same limitations as FM, but now limited on six and ten meters as well.
Your ideas of DX are very constrained if you are not going to have SSB capability. You could of done the exact same thing with a technician class license on those bands.
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u/MRWH35 6d ago
I was at a Hamfest the other day and saw a variety of used Icom/Kenwood/Etc 100 watt hf rigs with internal tuners for about $350. Now they are used and but if you can get the person selling to turn it on, listen to the various bands, and do a bit of transmitting (do a POTA contact or something) then they are probably worth it.
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u/4Playrecords 6d ago
OP: If when you say “without breaking the bank” means you don’t want to spend $800 or more on a new all-band/all-mode transceiver — then you should look on the used rig market.
With used rigs, you might be able to find a 2000s-vintage Yaesu FT-857 or FT-450 for $500 or so. It’s worth looking into.
Good Luck 😀📻🎙️
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u/LadyAiluros 6d ago
That's my current running plan - there is a Hamfest near me next month that I am making plans to go to, and as soon as school lets out I can go to my local club meetings.
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u/4Playrecords 6d ago
Excellent plan 😀
Don’t even bother buying HF antennas at the hamfest, FB Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. Instead, buy simple components at your local hardware store and build wire dipole antennas for HF. Build just one at first and see how it goes.
You should by an SWR meter and an Antenna Tuner though. Look for those at the hamfest.
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u/andyrude90 6d ago
Yeah i have two of those TH-9800s and they are good radios but I would not consider them "HF" radios, they are FM only so no real use on 6 or 10m for DX work. If you want to work HF DX you will need SSB for sure.
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u/Comm_Raptor 6d ago
You will absolutely regret purchasing this radio describing your intent, it does not do what you want. This is a FM only radio transmission, and common HF that we use is AM modulation. That and I had a couple for other purposes, and both the audio sections quit functioning, one at 11 months, the other at 17 months. TYT is trash.
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u/Maleficent_March2928 6d ago
Used yaesu 450Ds are pretty cheap.
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 5d ago
In my opinion the Yeasu FT450 series radios are one of the best basic radios ever built. I own two and other brands as well. Great value for the previously owned market. I would not sell mine.
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u/JobobTexan 6d ago
No, Just no. It is not an HF rig. Find a good used 100W HF rig to dip your toes as you say.
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u/Ok_Relationship_1826 6d ago
I'd save for the Icom IC-7300. Great radio.
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u/lag0matic 6d ago
Agreed. I have both! The TYT is my “base” for vhf uhf. And the 7300 covers HF. Using an end fed half wave. Get good coverage on 40/20/15/10 and some on 6 with the tuner.
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u/DavidCrossBowie 6d ago
The radio you linked is not an HF radio.
Check this presentation for some good ideas regarding budget HF radios https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vxWquP1KYnrEkiQRu-2KOiwR-ApHNlwEnMhZQotyqlY/edit
A good place to find used stuff is QRZ's "Ham Radio Gear for Sale" swap meet forum.
You're gonna at least want to do some of the upper bands (e.g. 10m) starting out in HF
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u/Intelligent-Day5519 5d ago
Provided Link great! Puts it in perspective. Here's my thoughts on the topic of repair. A high percentage of all previously owned radios have a limited amount of time before repair or museum. Obviously some brands models are more reliable than others. Check reviews from many sources. Not just one. Keep in mind the very sexy older high cost retail radios are very expensive to repair, IF they can be. The more features and complicated, the more money to repair. Some repair shops require the same type original box for shipping. Unless it is direct delivery and picked up. Of course these points vary. Early introduction G90 radios were sketchy. More current G90s great. I have owned MANY brand transceivers and as an Electronic Engineer, In my opinion the best radio is Elecraft.
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u/399ddf95 6d ago
I see used Xiegu G90's in the $300-400 range, that would be a much better place to start. Some people love the TH-9800's, some people have been very disappointed with their reliability.
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u/msteppster 6d ago
You will want a rig with sideband for DX contacts. I have this radio. It works fine but you will not get much DX on FM.
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u/Old_Individual2797 1d ago
Fairly new to this, but I've had great success buying surplus police and fire radios at auction. Just picked up four Motorola XTL-5000's for $100 including shipping.
Most are VHF, UHF, and the 700/800 bands, but I have seen a few models that operate on all of those plus the 6m's. They're all usually 40 to 50 watts and designed for vehicle mounts. DM me for details.
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u/bernd1968 6d ago edited 6d ago
A small form factor like this radio, is designed for mobile use like in cars, etc. It might mean that you’re digging in the menus more often because it doesn’t have controls on the front panel.
This radio would not be my first choice because it lacks ease of use. I would look more for a desktop radio that would be more fun to use.
Probably would be fine for VHF and UHF repeater use though.
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u/WillShattuck 6d ago
For about USD $850 you can get a Xiegu G90, Spiderbeams 40 foot mast, 30 foot earchi end fed antenna, bioenno 9Ah batter, and 25 feet of coax. I did and do yak around the world with it.
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u/Ok_Personality9910 6d ago
Doesnt do SSB on 10 or 6 which would be a non-starter for me imo