HF Mobile

Yaesu FT-857D HF/VHF/UHF Mobile

My mobile station probably gets more use than any of my gear. The FT-857D and it's portable twin, the FT-897D are excellent all purpose rigs, covering HF, 6m, 2m, and 70cm, plus full coverage Receive. An SG-237 autotuner mounted in the bed of my pickup allows all band instant QSY even with modes like ALE.

It's also a useful radio for HF Portable oeprations

SGC SG-237 Autotuner

This is my primary HF Mobile Autotuner and it's mounted in my Ram pickup. It's another workhorse, and is a smaller version of their classic SG-230 tuner, but it does not give up much. Many confuse it with the less effective SG-239 OEM tuner, but the 237 has much wider coverage. 

Alda 103 HF Mobile/Base

This radio was one of the first compact transistorized HF Mobiles. It was a competitor to the Atlas 210, and many consider it to be a slightly better radio from an RF perspective. The 103 had 80/40/20m capability, with the 105 having the traditional 5 bands.

More info on the eham.net reviewpage

It was my first HF rig, and I used it mobile & fixed. I still have it, should get it on the air some! 

Dentron MLX "Mini" 75m Mobile

This neat little 25w SSB rig never quite made it to the market. It's story is well documented by Bill K5DBZ at the qrp-l archives. Kaitie's Mizuhu radio page also has lot's of info on this radio and related gear.

The short version is Dentron designed this radio around a 9 mhz SSB module. From an RF perspective, it has a very usable receiver and crisp transmit audio. Very low power drain with the LED's and lights turned off.

My MLX-MINI is the 75m version, and was bought at Dayton from the individual trying to make a go at Dentron's remaining stock. I've played with a 20m version, and would love to have one on 20m. Before the days of FT-857's this was a hot setup!

More info on the eham.net review page