FT-8900R ? (Ham radio unit)

[Miescha]

Anyone using a FT-8900R?

I currently have just a simple Cobra 75wsxt all-in-one CB deal purely for trail use. I was looking to add a nice Ham setup, even though I they are not much in use in my wheeling group (but I like the idea).

I've followed other threads here and I noticed the recent post about great deals at gigabit.com (Romer also purchased his FT-8800 at gigabit.com).

I was looking at the ultra-great price on the FT-2800 but figured if the FT-7800 was good enough for Romer, then it was good enough for me

While looking at the details, I incorrectly clicked on the link for the FT-8800 and noticed that the 8800 mentions UHF-UHF and VHF-VHF capability. Not sure what this means. It also has cross-band features that I don't understand and will probably never use (which I now know is why Romer went with the 7800). It also doesn't seem to have the NOAA alerts

But while lost and looking at the 8800, I found the details on the 8900R and the following description:

The FT-8900R provides extended receiver coverage beyond the Amateur bands, so you can keep informed of communication activities in the public safety, commercial, aircraft, and government communications ranges. Included is coverage of 28-29.7 MHz, 50-54 MHz, 108-180 MHz, 300-480 MHz, and 700-985 MHz (cellular frequencies are blocked and non-restorable).

This 'quad-band' option sounds pretty darn neat. But am I understanding this correctly, will the 8900R send/recieve on the CB bands (and at a whopping 50 watts)? and also the marine VHF bands? Other than the higher price, is there any reason NOT to go with the 8900 over the 7800 or the 8800?

What antenna setup would I need to transmit/receive on such a wide range of freqs?


Geez, you guys really make it hard to get anything done. Just last week I was following this forum to determine what antenna I should buy for my simple CB radio (I'm still looking at the firestick antennas BTW). Now, as a result of reading too much, I feel the pressure to spend even more money on new toys I didn't even know I needed

[george_tlc]

The 8900 won't TRANSMIT on the CB or marine bands. Off the shelf HAM transceivers only transmit on the HAM frequencies. Many transceivers offer wide receive coverage - but will transmit on the HAM frequencies only.

There are 4 band antenna units out there for the 8900. Diamond and I think Comet both make an antenna specifically for the 8900.

cheers,
george.

[Cruiserdrew]

That 8900 is way more radio than you need. It will also be more difficult to operate and much more expensive.

Start with a single(2m) or dual (2m, 440) band. The 8800 has some nice features, but for significantly more $$ than the 7800.

The one on sale for $107 the 2800 is a fine radio, hard to go wrong there for the price.

On the 8800 the UHF/UHF etc, really means it is basically 2 separate radios. You can tune 2 frequencies of VHF, 2 of UHF or 1 or each. The cross band repeat allows you(for instance) to talk to your truck with a hand held on say UHF, and have it repeat the transmission at much higher power on VHF, then back, in reverse. I could imagine a use or two for that.

[Miescha]

Thanks for the help guys. The 8900 really is way more than I need - and as cruiserdrew noted, probably way more than I can handle. But it sure is purty

I'll probably just follow Romer and go the exact same route with the 7800 and the same mount and antenna. As I said before, if it is good enough for Romer, it is probably good enough for me.

I do however like the cross band repeat feature of the 8800 for the purpose of out-of-truck hand-held use (otherwise the measly 5w power of the handheld is not going to get far).

Thanks again!

[Cruiserdrew]

Originally Posted by Miescha

(otherwise the measly 5w power of the handheld is not going to get far).

Thanks again!

Under the right conditions, you would be surprised. Generally though a mobile unit with up to 75 watts is more useful.

Just for reference, we were playing around on the Rubicon with a 1 watt hand held patched in to a decent antenna, and hitting a repeater 50 miles away with clear communication.

Most communication from my mobile is at 5 or 10 watts.

The real limiter is the antenna, and that is the place to really hone in on a set-up that works for you.

My guess is, you will love the 7800. Go study and take your test. This is how to find the closest exam in your area:

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml

[aim]

Originally Posted by Miescha

Anyone using a FT-8900R?

The FT-8900R provides extended receiver coverage beyond the Amateur bands, so you can keep informed of communication activities in the public safety, commercial, aircraft, and government communications ranges. Included is coverage of 28-29.7 MHz, 50-54 MHz, 108-180 MHz, 300-480 MHz, and 700-985 MHz (cellular frequencies are blocked and non-restorable).

This 'quad-band' option sounds pretty darn neat. But am I understanding this correctly, will the 8900R send/recieve on the CB bands (and at a whopping 50 watts)? and also the marine VHF bands? Other than the higher price, is there any reason NOT to go with the 8900 over the 7800 or the 8800?

What antenna setup would I need to transmit/receive on such a wide range of freqs?

I have one. It will not transmit *or* receive on CB - CB is 26.965 to 27.405 AM which falls outside the exteneded receive coverage. Besides, the radio transmits only on FM.

<brain dump> There are a couple of quad-band antennas (the Diamond CR-8900 and the Comet UHV-4. The Diamond, at least really is not bad on 2M and 440. The radio isn't very hard to use, at least for the same features you would get on a single band basic radio. The monitoring of two frequencies is nice. The cross-band repeater is nice only if you have a hand-held. Remember, you cannot use 10M with the basic tech license.</brain dump>

In other words, the 8900 offers little extra to begin with; by the time you are ready to use it, you will probably want a radio in each of your vehicles anyhow. That said, it is a solid, straighforward radio, with a good display I have no trouble seeing in sunlight, a removeable display (easier installation), a nice microphone and a couple of extra bands to use in an emrgency. I like mine and do not regret the choice.

[Miescha]

Originally Posted by aim

I have one. It will not transmit *or* receive on CB - CB is 26.965 to 27.405 AM which falls outside the exteneded receive coverage. Besides, the radio transmits only on FM.

Sadly, I realized this only AFTER I posted. I guess I should stop goofing around looking at radios when I'm tired (or at least stop posting goofy questions ). Sorry.

Originally Posted by aim

The cross-band repeater is nice only if you have a hand-held. Remember, you cannot use 10M with the basic tech license.

In other words, the 8900 offers little extra to begin with; by the time you are ready to use it, you will probably want a radio in each of your vehicles anyhow.

I planned to get a hand-held for out-of-vehicle purposes anyway - that is one reason I liked the 8800 and 8900 radios. For the little additional money, I figured I would just get the 8900 rather than the 8800. I figured I would get a second radio at a later date for the other vehicles I use for family trips.

I guess I could still monitor the 10M freq but just not transmit with the basic tech license. Oh well, its a start.

Now to determine antenna choice and mounting location . . .

[e9999]

well, keep in mind that IIRC the FCC allows you to basically transmit on anything anywhere anyhow if there is an emergency, so tech license or not, if you're lost in the Desert and running out of water, hammer away at that 10m...!

[aim]

Originally Posted by Miescha

I planned to get a hand-held for out-of-vehicle purposes anyway - that is one reason I liked the 8800 and 8900 radios. For the little additional money, I figured I would just get the 8900 rather than the 8800. I figured I would get a second radio at a later date for the other vehicles I use for family trips.

Now to determine antenna choice and mounting location . . .

You tune one half of the radio to the frequency of a distant 2M repeater. You tune the other half of the radio to the 70cm HT frequency. You leave the vehicle, walk a ways, talk on the HT and reach the repeater. The problem is that the radio is on (even the little fan in the back stays on after it triggers for the first time) and using power. So, if you are chasing your dog and want to talk to your family - great. If you are hiking the Grand Canyon for the week - your vehicle battery will not survive.

As for the antenna:

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4946 & http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...antm/2123.html (not the cheapest place, but the first link I found)

or the Comet versions

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...antm/3248.html
and
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...antm/4289.html

In either case, either drill your roof or get a Diamond K-400C mount and mount it on liftgate lip or the hood lip.

Then get a shorter antenna like so:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...antm/3914.html to actually use on the trail. The tall antennas are fairly fragile. I use the AX-75 (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4...041d2a02897119) daily and seem to have no problems with an occasional tree branch encounter.

[nakman]

FWIW, I'm really glad I popped the extra $$ for the 8800 over the 7800. I regularly "monitor" two channels in the truck, and have at times held conversations on two of them, it's so easy to flip back and forth. Best example is the late guy reaching the group on the repeater channel, while the group is all on simplex. I also haven't missed the extra features of the 8900, it just seemed like too much to cram into that little box. But to be honest, I still haven't done anything outside 2m, other than listen to KOA on 440.

[BC_FJC]

Originally Posted by nakman

I regularly "monitor" two channels in the truck, and have at times held conversations on two of them, it's so easy to flip back and forth. Best example is the late guy reaching the group on the repeater channel, while the group is all on simplex.

I now have 3 ham radios HT, HF and the 8800. The 8800 is by far the best choise for the truck for the easy of being able to monitor 2 channels at once. I normaly leave one side tuned into the pack and the other side scanning the near by repeaters. It is also a very easy radio to learn all of the functions.

[e9999]

when you monitor 2 channels on the 8800, they don't have to be on different bands then?

[bj70_guy]

Originally Posted by e9999

when you monitor 2 channels on the 8800, they don't have to be on different bands then?

Nope, you can monitor whatever band you like on either side. It's like 2 seperate radios in one box.

[Miescha]

I know its WAY more than I will ever need and probably more than I will use (at least initially), but I went ahead and popped for the 8900 (almost identical to the 8800, but for just a bit more money you get two more bands for a total of 4). I have figured out a mount or antenna yet. It came with the free remote face mounting kit as part of a Yaesu deal that is running until the end of October (otherwise that would add around $65).

[Cruiserdrew]

Well, congrats. That's a really full featured radio, and should keep you on the air for years.


Aim's point about the radio slowing sucking the battery down is a good one. Most of the Yaesus have a feature that turns off the radio after a period of non-use. I have mine set at 4 hours, so if I forget, it's off anyway.

I did have a question about this radio. Is it one of the radios that you can actually control (like change frequency etc) from a hand held? That would be an extremely useful feature. Ie, you are using the cross band repeat, but you decide to change the main radio to another repeater frequency?

[aim]

Originally Posted by Cruiserdrew

I did have a question about this radio. Is it one of the radios that you can actually control (like change frequency etc) from a hand held? That would be an extremely useful feature. Ie, you are using the cross band repeat, but you decide to change the main radio to another repeater frequency?

As per

http://www.rigpix.com/yaesu/ft8900r_manual.pdf

and

http://hamradio.online.ru/ftp2/sch_serman_ft-8900.pdf

I don't think so. That being said, I wish somebody would prove me wrong!

As for Automatic Power-Off as Yaesu calls it - sure. You cannot turn the rig back on remotely, though.