On 3/17/06, doc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have a FT-890AT that I understand cannot do ALE. > > I have access to a TenTec 580 and an Icom 735 and am > guessing neither of them is up to the task either. > > What are the under-$1,000 (preferably closer to $500) > Ham rigs that can handle ALE, please?
I'm no expert on this but I guess it depends on what you mean "doing ALE". Any radio that you can connect to a soundcard will "do ALE" via PC-ALE , but perhaps only on a single frequency. Ideally you should have a radio that provides rig control via PC-ALE, AND one that can scan frequencies at a fast enough rate to monitor the ALE channels. My old TS440 can achieve good rig control but it scans at one channel per 2-3 seconds , the more modern radios seem capable of several channels per second. This allows them to scan ALL the HF ALE frequencies efficiently. Although my TS440 can scan slowly, an additional issue is that when it switches bands , mechanical relays are activated. Constantly scanning would likely wear the relays out over time. I usually only scan 2-3 frequencies at a time, within the same band. Obviously this limits the deficiency of my ALE efforts. So, although a $400 rig , like a TS440, will "do" ALE, you may have to move up to the $600-700 range to get a used radio with a good scanning rate. -- Andy K3UK Fredonia, New York. Skype Me : callto://andyobrien73 Also available via Echolink Need a Digital mode QSO? Connect to Telnet://cluster.dynalias.org Other areas of interest: The MixW Reflector : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/themixwgroup/ DigiPol: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digipol (band plan policy discussion) Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digitalradio/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
