G4NSJ – My Radio Gear, Amateur Radio Transceivers

My radio gear:

These are the transceivers I use, or have used, here at G4NSJ. I like separate radios rather than a so-called shack in a box, so I can monitor several frequencies at the same time. Some are expensive, some cost very little, and a couple are old friends that have found their way back to me.

On each page you will find what I use the radio for, what I like about it, and any problems I have come across. Pick a heading below, or see the Site Directory for everything on the site.

My amateur radio equipment. A look around the shack at most of my radios, with photos. Includes an audio message.

HF transceivers

The radios I use on the HF bands, at home, mobile and portable.

Icom IC-7300. My main HF rig, which also covers 50MHz and 70MHz. I like everything about it except the single aerial socket, and how I get round that with switching and a diplexer.
Kenwood TS-570D. I have two of these. One monitors our local 10 metre repeater, GB3CQ, and I keep an ear on 5398.5kHz. Its two aerial sockets switch from the front panel, which is really useful.
Xiegu G90. A small HF rig with a built-in ATU. I use it mobile on 40 metres and portable on 60 metres, with whips set up using my NanoVNA. Includes a video.
Alinco DX-70. A compact transceiver covering 160 metres to 6 metres, with its main specifications.

10 and 12 metre radios

Radios for the top of the HF spectrum, where the 10 and 12 metre amateur bands sit close to the 11 metre CB band.

CRT-SS9900 Superstar 9900. A rugged all mode radio covering 10, 11 and 12 metres. I have it set up for GB3CQ, with one puzzle about CTCSS on receive. Includes an audio message.
AnyTone AT-5555. An all mode 10 metre transceiver on AM, FM and SSB, which can be computer programmed to cover 11 metres too.
President Ronald. A 10 and 12 metre FM and AM radio, opened up to cover all the CB channels too. I may bring it back into the shack as we near the sunspot maximum.

4 metre radios, 70MHz

Four metres is a band we are lucky to have in the UK, and I have several radios for it.

AnyTone AT-588, 4 metre version. My main 4 metre radio, and how to find the right software to program it. Includes an audio message.
AnyTone AT-5189. A great little 25 Watt rig. I have two, one in the radio room and one for mobile use.
Tait T2000/II. A four channel radio with a sensitive receiver and lovely modulation. A few of us bought ten or more when a local taxi company stopped using them.

2 metre and 70cms radios

My VHF and UHF radios, for local chats, repeaters and listening.

AnyTone AT-778UV. A brilliant dual band radio for the price. I have three: one in the car, one at home and one for PMR446.
Midland CT3000. Almost identical to the AnyTone AT-778UV, and the AnyTone programming cable works with it. I use it on 70cms repeaters.
Baojie BJ-218. A tiny 25 Watt dual band radio with its own cooling fan. Programming it with Chirp and a cheap cable worked first time.
AnyTone AT-588, 2 metre version. I use this one only for listening to the marine VHF channels in the English Channel. Includes an audio message.
TYT MD-UV380 DMR handheld. My first step into digital radio, on GB7CQ and Hubnet, and the new operating habits it needs.

Old favourites

Two radios from my early days that have come home again.

FDK Multi 700E. I bought it in the late 1970s and sold it to my friend Cliff in the 1980s. In 2024 he gave it back to me. Includes a photo of me in the shack in 1984.
Yaesu FT290R. A gift from Nick, G4JEI, which gives me SSB and CW on 2 metres, and how I got the output up from 1 Watt to 3 Watts.