Am already looking at upgrading

I haven't even received my 6900N yet and am already looking at upgrades, talk about a hobby that drags you in, have also applied for a foundation course to get my licence. My main problem with all of this is an antenna that will work mounted in a loft and not cause issues for my block of flats. Also am blocked on 2 sides by other buildings or walls, within my flat, on one of the clear sides is a hill which I am at the bottom of, so not ideal.

One thing going for me is being a night owl and insomniac, so less chance of causing my neighbours issues at night.

Where there's a will, there's a way Mark.

I wish you the best of luck with your Foundation course but do you have any idea of how or what you'll be operating? Any aims or goals? (I know, the choices are huge!)

The Foundation licence will give you access to the HF bands as well as VHF/UHF and you'll have a myriad of options available to you. From a simple 'handy' for accessing local repeaters to full blown setups for a bit of HF DX activity the choices and budget will be yours to decide.

As for antenna 'restrictions' there are often solutions available to at least give you some operating capabilities.

One option would be to run a mobile station and get out into the clear where you can even string up bigger antennas for HF operations. Some like myself operate satisfactorily with antennas that are 'technically' too short and then there's the choice of magnetic loop antennas (expensive to purchase but I've built a couple of my own) let alone ingenious wire loops which can be strung up within your home environment.

Often the new 'Ham' complains of what they are not able to do rather than what they can achieve.

Always best not to lust for radios you cannot afford, antennas you have no room for, apparent interference or QRM woes and a myriad of other supposed complaints. Rather better to concentrate your efforts in what you can achieve and if unsure there are plenty of helpful Radio Amateurs that have posted much information for the enterprising Ham operator to absorb.

There's much to learn and many paths you can take which for me at least gives me the interest to strive on with a fascinating hobby.


Many suggestions (hopefully) will come forward. Some might just be recommendations of radios to buy, antennas to use or maybe even prompts to 'progress' up the licence system usually for the 'More Watts Igor' thoughts.

It's all ultimately up to you, just make sure you enjoy yourself.


All the best,
Victor