I really wish Houston had an active Amateur Radio community
I’m in the market for a used solid-state HF (shortwave) receiver, a proper “tabletop” model, but unfortunately Houston doesn’t seem to have much of a local amateur radio “scene” that I can find.
The last time I hooked up my 2-meter transceiver, I heard ONE active repeater in the area, and that was after about half an hour of searching. As for any kind of local “swap meet” or forsale/wanted list, none seem to exist. There are some clubs down around NASA, but that’s a way from here. There’s Houston Amateur Radio Supply, but they’re a half-hour drive away and don’t have anything used for under $300.
I’ve tried eBay, but keep getting outbid by a dollar or two at the last minute for the last three auctions that I have bid on. One for an Icom 720A, one for an Icom R-70, and one for a Radio Shack DX-300.
Anybody reading this have (or know of) a solid-state HF/shortwave receiver sitting in someone’s closet that needs a new home? I have a budget of $150.
(I’m trying to rebuild my “ham shack” in the process of upgrading to a General-class amateur radio license from my current Technician-class)
January 11th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Have you thought about any of the computer controlled receivers, like stuff from Win Radio…
http://www.winradio.com/
Oh, just looked at your budget. The stuff from WR is pretty pricey, but I love the idea of incorporating a radio into my system.
January 12th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I can’t help you with your search, just wanted to wish you GD LUCK. BST 73 DE OH0GRY
January 21st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
don’t know of the unit, but have you been to O&E Electronics on Shepherd a few blocks south of 610 north? I read your earlier post about the lack of electronic stores in Houston (definitely check ACE out, if you haven’t) - O&E is small, but has a lot of really esoteric stuff — worth asking them.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
If you’re still looking I’ve got an excellent RadioShack DX-300 general coverage receiver that I’m doing nothing with. I have the owners manual and a service manual for the near-identical DX-302. It was given a tune up by George over at Houston Amateur Radio Supply a few years ago right before I put it in the closet.
I too wish Houston had a more active HAM community with some younger people into the hobby. I’m 27, had my ticket for ten years and have gone years at a time without a radio because there’s nobody to talk to.
Email me, f41driver@hotmail.com.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
You point is well spoken. I was sat for the General license when I was in high school, and took the extra at the same time I sat for the General Radio First Class Radio telephone.
I am old, well not real old but as I remember amateur radio was mainly an interest for radio and television related engineers who made their own equipment, with the reciever being a noted exception.
No one makes anything anymore, much less can modify or repair any transmitter gear. Lost art apparently, everyone is an appliance operator.
My license has been dormant for twenty years, I called the FCC and my old callsign has not been reassigned, I could easily pass the written test again, and maybe squeak out eight words of code with a weeks practice…but as you mentioned who would you talk to unless it was significant DX?