Ham on a Budget

[deepstar]

For a cheap solution - just use a car HF Mobile vertical. Ensure the antenna is well grounded and you should have no issues.

A large antenna will work better - but with a tuned Vertical - you can save money of the Auto/Manual ATU (frankly manual is not to painful) - especially as the Cruisers nets you will probably tune into will be relatively fixed.... i.e. you are not going to spend all day just talking on the radio and swapping frequencies are you ??? Are you ?!!

2nd hand rig (Kenwood,Icom,Yaesu) $400, Car HF Antenna - $100

[DeborahLee]

Is anyone familar with the Yeasu VX 1700?