Buying a TH-F6a just for SSB HF. Dumb idea?

**RAINS1** · Sat 28th Feb 2009, 13:31

I'm new to ham radio but have been playing around with scanners and FRS/CB for year. Went to buy a new scanner and decided that it was better to buy a wide band HT to play with wile to study for my first ham lisence. My question is weather or to get a Yaesu vx7r or Kenwood TH-f6a? There are two sticking points. 1. The Kenwood picks up SSB signals and the Yaesu dose not. 2. Alas the Yasue is waterproof and very sturdy. Did I mention I live in a very wet part of Oregon and like to hike/mountain bike all over the place. So sitting on a 4-6k mountain top would the Kenwood be able to pick up SSB HF stuff. I don't have a huge HF antenna and have no plans to get one. Any suggestions would help a lot. Thanks!

R

**K7KBN** · Sat 28th Feb 2009, 16:40

The antennas that come with VHF/UHF HTs are essentially worthless unless you're quite close to a repeater. If you replace it with a decent telescoping antenna, you might be a bit happier. That said, there is no substitute for a large antenna on HF. If you're just receiving, this can be a random piece of wire, maybe 50 feet long or more (any small wire, like #22, will do fine). Just get it up as high as possible.

For transmitting, you'll have to take the necessary precautions to ensure you have a good match between rig and antenna.

Carry a roll of insulated copper wire with you on your next trip to the mountains -- and don't forget the radio. Experiment.

73
Pat K7KBN
Bremerton WA

**ChadAmberg** · Sat 28th Feb 2009, 16:43

Here's what I look for:
Step 1. Look up the reviews on eHam.com for both radios. Pay attention to what people complain about, not as much to what they praise.

Step 2. Go play with both in the store. Look for ergonomics, ease of menu use, etc. That may make a huge difference. Read the brochures, look for accessories like http://www.niftyaccessories.com/pouch_n5x.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; that may protect the Kenwood from enough rain to make it worth while.

As it is, I wanted the Kenwood TH-F6a myself based on the specs and capabilities, but when it came down to having one in my hands, it felt just a little weird, probably because its a little short. But I was able to pick up some SSB on HF while messing around, which was pretty darn cool.

**RAINS1** · Sat 28th Feb 2009, 17:42

I was really wondering if the Th-f6a might feel a bit odd in ones hand. It is a rather weird shape. Very short but also very thick. Been threw zillions of online reviews. I tossed out the idea of buying a VX8r simply because it was too wide. Just afraid I will break a Kenwood th-f6a.

R

**ChadAmberg** · Sat 28th Feb 2009, 22:50

I never got the impression that the th-f6a was fragile at all. It felt sturdy in my hand, just a little shorter than I like. Then I got a good deal on an IC-91AD so I took that. But every now and then I consider trading it for the Kenwood.
Especially since I'm looking at picking up a new TM-D710A for mobile here in the next month or so.
But don't discount it until you've had it in your hands. It may feel just right for you!

**RAINS1** · Sun 1st Mar 2009, 01:14

Would love to go to a store, look at and play with a TH-F6a. Alas the nearest dealers are 120 miles away! An incident today sealed the deal on my need for waterproof radio. I went mountain biking and well it was not supposed to rain at all. Guess what I got rather wet despite the forecast. Could have ruined an f6a radio because I would not of been carrying a water proof case. Still at some point I may buy a Kenwood HT. Maybe when they come out with a new HT after all the f6a is 7 years old,