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Well is it possible to record on any radio? That would be the best question for me to ask.

Sorry but...what is "disposaham HT radio"?

Well, it's so new I got it confused - it's KK4RXN. I won't get it wrong again! ------------ Barry Jeremiah 29:11-13 / John 3:16

Thanks for the info.... looking at it now, may be on a budget, but being a computer person I am fixed for soldering gear... now to get using the privileges I have earned..... hope to hear you on the air! --- Chad KC9YYE

Chad, It was very late last night and I forgot mention this SDR manufacture http://www.flex-radio.com/ but hold on to your wallet so to speak because these radios are anything but inexpensive! I spent a lot of time doing research on their top of the product a few years ago and came to the conclusion that I didn't have the financial means to purchase the product. There's was another factor and this is, I so used to spinning the VFO knob and adjusting the different controls settings, it would be difficult for me to change my habits. Now thinking about your needs or wants are probably a lot different with the present day technology. I have seen these units on the used market not because they are a bad transceiver but more like the individual couldn't get use to using a computer driven screen unit. I heard these radio on the air and they sound GREAT! You can probably find a FLEX 3000 in the USED equipment at many of the major Amateur Radio Dealers that was a Trade-In towards some new conventional transceiver....

Better add that as an M6, owing to the way life works I spent about 40 years as a SWL, not saying it needs that long!! ;-)

That is so true unfortunately!

But doesn't mean they know how to use it, a lack of SWL taking place these days! :(

On the UK licence it also states that Amateur Radio is a "Self Training Technical Hobby" Although, sadly, many new licencees only know where the on/off switch is and what the microphone is for.:chargrined:

Chad, Here's a place to start http://aesham.com then go to their USED equipment section and look at the ICOM IC-746PRO 160 through 2 m, a very good transceiver, also look at the Kenwood TS-2000 160 through 70 cm transceiver also a top notch product and look at the Yaesu FT-450 AT 160 through 10 m Strictly HF but it's a top performer. Don't forget when doing purchases on-line since the sales company is in Wisconsin, they'll add the Tax to the overall cost. You would be able to put the radio of your choice on a Major Credit and pay down the cost over a 12~14 month time period. I've personally dealt with this company for years. Here's another company I've dealt with http://www.randl.com/ once you open the web page go to the USED EQUIPMENT and click on that link. I noticed they have a TS-940S which is a great transceiver and may be in your price range. I didn't find any ICOM HF Radios but they did have a Yaesu FT-847 160 through 70 cm and this is a great transceiver equally as good as the Kenwood TS-2000...

First of all you'll need to Pass a written exam for a Technician Class License before you could use either one of these Handheld Amateur Radio transceivers. These transceivers are NOT capable of using them on GSM Frequencies. What I would recommend IF you are really interested in gaining your Amateur Radio License would be to go to the American Radio Relay League website by typing into Google ARRL and it will bring up the web page, then look for the underlined word EXAM and Click on that. The next page Find the box labeled Zip Code and type in your 5 digit Zip Code and the system will provide several locations where you can take a written exam. If you Pass the Exam the VEC will issue you a call sign. If you Fail the exam, I believe you will have to wait 2 weeks before you can try again. You should purchase a study guide for the Technician Test to aid yourself on what is needed for the exam. Using VoIP Internet Linking system is possible on Amateur Radio through EHCOLINK Analog FM or if you purchase an...

$100 to $200 a month at most for now is what I can set aside, separate receiver/transmitter will do, but a transceiver is preferred for space reasons... Building kits is always an option for me and my wife (also licensed, she is KC9YYF) Tube type, Solid state, Software defined.... all the same to me, Just want to get those first radios up and running, so requirements are kind of flexible... new/used not an issue as long as it can me made to work, even minor repairs are acceptable as soldering irons are long known friends. Definitely not afraid of a box of parts and schematics... --- Chad Lampson KC9YYE

Sounds like the Filter Capacitors in the receiver's power supply are dried out and need replacement. I hope you have a schematic of that receiver. There are Suppliers on the web like Antique Radio Supply that might have what you are looking for as far Capacitors, common values and the required voltages. Dan WA9WVX

Chad, I've been in your position many years ago but what you haven't stated is if you're looking for brand new gear or you're willing to start out with used gear / equipment. What is your budget going to allow for the necessary equipment required? We can't all start with the best equipment although that would be ideal. Do you want a separate transmitter and receiver or a transceiver? Do your requirements allow for older tube equipment or do you want something solid state? these questions you'll have to answer before anyone can recommend which path to take. Dan WA9WVX

I have used an external watt meter and it's showing no wattage. My brother took the system home and he is going to see if his signalink / hrd drives psk. If it does, then that will elimanate(sp) many issue sources for me. Bob

Rich, That HF RF Amplifier was originally designed for the U.S. Military but it's actually hard to tell which company manufactured the unit. It could have been RF Harris, Bendix or Collins Radio. It would be interesting to know which ceramic RF tube is being employed in that RF Amplifier. I'm guessing that the RF Amplifier was manufactured in the 1950s or early 1960s with the style of meters used and the Frequency indication in "MC" Megacycles. Most of the Military HF RF Amplifiers I've seen only require 200~300 Milliwatts of RF Drive Power. What a find at a garage sale! You might want to send an e-mail to Columbia Electronics Inc. sales@columbiaelectronics.com and inquire if they have seen this type of a HF RF Amplifier also include your photographs. 73, Dan WA9WVX

Hey VPK -- what did you do in the Navy? I was a radioman on USS Kitty Hawk in the 1960s and doubled as a signalman if I wanted to get some fresh air (I could copy flashing light better than all but a couple of the Signals Gang!)

Way to go! A learning moment. I seldom (not in the last three years) operate on VHF or above. From what I've heard, FCC requires NBFM on some bands (Narrow Band FM). Best things to get when you get a new radio are the operating manual, AND the service manual. The service manuals for just about any radio will cover the step-by-step procedures for aligning the various circuits and it specifies just what sort of test equipment to use, and what connects to which test point....on and on. Good luck!

I bought a log book from ARRL. Entered my first QSO. It looks kinda lonely in there. I've been looking at lcwo.net to learn Morse code.

Try pushing the PTT on the mike when the software is transmitting. That will tell you if the software is not actually keying the radio. Then if that is working put the mike near the speakers of the PC and turn monitoring on so the audio comes out of the speakers. If you can QSO with this then the software is not talking through the audio connection to the transmit audio in the radio. I had a shorted plug and found it this way - good luck. John NQ3RP

I agree with Dem. On my FT-857d the ALC does not show on PSK but rig TX is working very well, I can see TX from Power/SWR meter.

OK so I'd like to make a quick update to the post and hopefully this will actually close this one off. This whole time the microphone was set to low sensitivity. And lastly I read that having your narrow FM mode on can actually make your TX audio output lower. So I changed my narrow FM mode off. I tested my radio again and the audio defiantly got much higher. So Probably not tonight but I'm gonna see about making some contacts and see what kind of feed back I get. If this fixes the issue I sure do feel stupid. But thanks for anyone who took the time to read this and tried to figure out what I could possibly be doing wrong. And thank you to K7KBN.

Hey thanks for responding. I actually have access to an entire electronics lab. My only issue is I don't have the knowledge to know where to start. I have basic electronic knowledge and have "basic" training on how to use oscilloscopes, frequency counters and such. So you're saying the deviation adjustment. I'm assuming this would be something on the main board of the radio. If I knew how to test the circuit would this be a simply turning of a screw type of adjustment or soldering and cutting out kind of adjustment?

Might be a deviation adjustment. I would guess you don't have a lot of the required test equipment for servicing an older rig like the 208, but I believe there are a few amateur radio supply places in/around Orlando where they probably could.