Ham Radio Suggestions?

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evanz80

evanz80

Joined
Jan 7, 2007
Threads
48
Messages
2,090
Location
Tijeras NM
Well, since I passed the test, it's time to start thinking about what sort of unit might be appropriate. Unless I hear otherwise, I am limiting my search to Yaesu radios, just because that seems to be the radio of choice among club members (and to avoid information overload).

I just wanted to hear from those of you who already have mobile radios:

1) What radio model did you choose and why?

2) Are there features on other models that you didn't buy, but now you wish you had?

3) Where did you buy the radio, and would you recommend the vendor? (It seems that there is no local Yaesu dealer, so I'm assuming all are ordering internet or mail order of some type. The closest "dealer search" for Yaesu showed El Paso, TX.)

4) If you have any tips for installation in an 80 series, that would be helpful as well.

Thanks guys (and gals - if there are any out there with radios that would like to comment) -
Evan
 
evanz80 said:
Well, since I passed the test, it's time to start thinking about what sort of unit might be appropriate. Unless I hear otherwise, I am limiting my search to Yaesu radios, just because that seems to be the radio of choice among club members (and to avoid information overload

Thanks guys (and gals - if there are any out there with radios that would like to comment) -
Evan
Click to expand...

1) What radio model did you choose and why?

A: FT2800. I bought it for several reasons. Cost, it was cheap and I didn't want to spend more at the time. It was 2m only and most of the "action" seems to be on 2m. Power, it puts out 60W. Reputation, there were lots of folks out there with them and not a bad thing to say. Ease of use, this radio was easy to learn. Local club support, though most folks had 7800s, at least there was consistency within the Yaesu brand. Note that the FT-2800 is a large radio.

2) Are there features on other models that you didn't buy, but now you wish you had?

A: Yes, knowing what I know now I would have bought the FT-8800. I like the dual band/cross band repeat. The radio I put in Da'40 will be an 8800.

3) Where did you buy the radio, and would you recommend the vendor? (It seems that there is no local Yaesu dealer, so I'm assuming all are ordering internet or mail order of some type. The closest "dealer search" for Yaesu showed El Paso, TX.)

A: Hamcity.com. Great prices. Great reputation. Great selection on radios and antenna stuff. Fast shipping.

4) If you have any tips for installation in an 80 series, that would be helpful as well.

A: Ya, right. My only comment is if you look at Mike's setup the face plate is mounted remotely. You cannot do this with the FT-2800.
 
1) What radio model did you choose and why?
I have the FT1500 but I recommendYAESU FT7800 OR FT8800. Detacheable face for a nice, stealth mounting. I'd go with a Yeasu model simply because it'll be easier to help each other out if we all have the same brand. Dual band is nice to have in case you need it. I have a single band and haven't had any issues.

2) Are there features on other models that you didn't buy, but now you wish you had?

My radio has way more features than I can handle and I forget how to use the features that I do know

3) Where did you buy the radio, and would you recommend the vendor? (It seems that there is no local Yaesu dealer, so I'm assuming all are ordering internet or mail order of some type. The closest "dealer search" for Yaesu showed El Paso, TX.)

Mine was an used unit from Ebay but online will be your best bet I'm thinking
4) If you have any tips for installation in an 80 series, that would be helpful as well.

I'd suggest the same hatch mount made by Diamond and your choice of two Comet antennas - long and a short whip. You'll need a clean source of constant hot power to your radio location. If you go with a detachable face, then you can mount the base unit anywhere and simply use a telephone cord to the face. See the mud board for more pics and details.
 
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alia176 said:
I'd suggest the same hatch mount made by Diamond and your choice of two Comet antennas - long and a short whip. You'll need a clean source of constant hot power to your radio location. If you go with a detachable face, then you can mount the base unit anywhere and simply use a telephone cord to the face. See the mud board for more pics and details.
Click to expand...

Very helpful guys - I appreciate the info. Is there any chance that anyone would have stock numbers for the antenna hatch mount and/or the Comet antennas? I was browsing on Hamcity and there are many many to choose from.

Thanks!
 
First comment, which I think has been addressed. There are two mounts for antennas, NMO and PL-259 (UHF). You need to make sure what ever antenna you get matches the mount. I run UHF, Mike runs NMO. Without an adapter we can't share antennas.

Second comment. If you go 2m only you should, in theory, use a single band antenna. Problem is, there isn't much selection. So, I would recommend a dual band antenna, 144mHz/440mHz for better selection.

Antennas. Comet SBB-1 is the small rubber duck that works good under trees. It's also my urban antenna since I can get in the garage without getting out to fold over the antenna. Just about everybody packs one. I would then get another "wire" antenna with more gain. I have a CA-2X4SR and a SBB-7. The CA-2X4SR is not available NMO, the SBB-7 is. I think Mike has a SBB-5 which is also a good antenna.

Things to look for in the specs are the length of the antenna, the gain at 144mHz and 440mHz, and the maximum power it can handle. The more gain the better. Also, having a fold over is desirable if you park in the garage.
 
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I have a Comet SBB-1 and SBB-5 (foldable) antennas. These are NMO mount antennas.
 
Thanks Jon & Ali -

This was just the info I needed. I am starting to get a clue about this stuff. It's a whole new language, but it will be good to know. The UHF/NMO distinction is a big help. I am leaning toward an FT-8800 radio. That should cover me for many years without feeling like I need an upgrade. I will get back on Hamcity.com and see what I can figure out for antennas and a mount.

I appreciate it!
Evan
 
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Of course the low-budget / maximized flexibility option is to go for a handheld, which still would have 5 or 10 times the range of a CB. A VX-3R is about $150, or a VX-170 about $120. That could go in any vehicle with you.
 
alia176 said:
No problem Evan.
Just buy these things [spoon feeding alert]:
K400SNMO mount with 13.5' coax
Comet SBB-1NMO antenna
Comet SBB-5NMO antenna
Yaesu FT8800 radio
Don't forget the Separation Kit for above: YSK-8900

If you get Yaesu 7800, you get a free relocation kit YSK-7800. Good till 1/09
I don't know who has the best price on all this but this should keep you busy for a while.
Thank you, come again :D
Click to expand...

Hey Ash -

Thanks for the "spoon feed"! This will be a good thread for the next newbie that comes along. I was encouraged to see that the list I had constructed was exactly those items that you listed, except that I am still trying to decide between the SBB-5NMO and the SBB-7NMO antennas. The seven is longer (55 inches compared to 38 in., if I recall), and I would think it would have better gain numbers (I don't remember those specs).

The separation kit (to mount the remote faceplate) is typically included - at least for a "limited time". Your links to Universal radio were helpful, but it looks like prices at Hamcity are better. Given Jon's endorsement, I will likely use them, instead of trying to save another dollar or two and finding some other company with crappy service. The radio at Hamcity was $20 less, and the antenna prices were $3 to $5 cheaper, as compared to Universal Radio. Probably $30 cheaper overall at Hamcity (assuming that shipping is about the same).

I appreciate all the help with this! I don't know that the radio will be installed for the Tree Run, but hopefully by the end of the calendar year.

Evan
 
SteveLCetc said:
Of course the low-budget / maximized flexibility option is to go for a handheld, which still would have 5 or 10 times the range of a CB. A VX-3R is about $150, or a VX-170 about $120. That could go in any vehicle with you.
Click to expand...

That is something to think about. I am leaning towards the mobile (in-truck) version, but a handheld could make sense as well. I was reading in a thread on Mud about hams and poor sound quality, and the writer was blaming the handhelds that he was communicating with.

Anybody had any experience with handheld ham radios? It seems like everyone in our group (so far at least) has a mobile unit mounted in a truck.
 
evanz80 said:
... except that I am still trying to decide between the SBB-5NMO and the SBB-7NMO antennas. The seven is longer (55 inches compared to 38 in., if I recall), and I would think it would have better gain numbers (I don't remember those specs).
Click to expand...

Gain is higher with the SBB-7. Something else to consider. Cruise Moab has a 54" length restriction on antennas. Originally it was for CB. I don't know if they have extended it to ham. I seem to recall the SBB-7 exceeds the length.
 
evanz80 said:
... I am still trying to decide between the SBB-5NMO and the SBB-7NMO antennas.
Click to expand...

There is 1 disadvantage to the SBB-5 that I discovered on an outing earlier this year. I decided to leave on the SBB-5 rather than swapping on the SBB-1 "rubber duck" for the trail. That was a mistake. The SBB-5 has about 4" of coil around the middle of the whip. A branch got caught in the coil and ripped apart the antenna. It was totally bad luck and my stupidity for leaving it on in those conditions.

The CA-2x4SR has a single coil in the middle of the whip. The SBB-7 has no external coils. Either would be much less likely to get hung on a branch. The trail yesterday had a lot of low dense branches and Rudy's mag mount got knocked off about 20 times. Jon was using his CA-2x4SR and he had no problems with the branches. I swapped to the SBB-1 which was OK for truck-to-truck but doesn't have the gain to reach out like the taller antennas.

I would guess that we were 50+ miles as the crow flies from Virgin Mesa to Sandia Peak. Jon and Ash made excellent contact even though both were mobile and it can be difficult to get good contact with the Sandia repeater from Ash's side of the mountain.

-Mike-
 
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Beowulf said:
Jon was using his CA-2x4SR and he had no problems with the branches.
Click to expand...

Or, at least not too many. I did bend the antenna slightly, but it was easy to fix. I also lost one of the set-screws someplace, but that could have happened anytime in the last few months. Over all, it did work well under the trees and I was able to hit the Sandia repeater. I'll measure the distance tonight.
 
Can someone explain to me the need for two different antennas? One short and "rubber duckie" style (I have the SBB1NMO) and say a longer one like the SBB5NMO?

I assume you get clearer communications, better distance and the like?

Thanks. I guess I'm going to have to get a second one as well.

:D
 
Generally speaking, the output pattern or "beam" can be "formed" better - like a toroid, or doughnut - with a longer antenna. They talk about "gain" that is how flattened the toroid is. The flatter it is, the more it sticks out. A rubber ducky output pattern is just basically spherical. A shorter antenna is not as susceptible to damage, and range is not that important when 4wheeling because we're all generally within a couple of miles.
 
It sounds like if money isn't too much of an issue it would be good to have both a short rubber one and a long one. Use the short one when you're wheeling and keep the long one that good for long range in the truck. Break it out if you need it.
 
beno said:
Can someone explain to me the need for two different antennas? One short and "rubber duckie" style (I have the SBB1NMO) and say a longer one like the SBB5NMO?

I assume you get clearer communications, better distance and the like?

Thanks. I guess I'm going to have to get a second one as well.

:D
Click to expand...

marcfj60 said:
It sounds like if money isn't too much of an issue it would be good to have both a short rubber one and a long one. Use the short one when you're wheeling and keep the long one that good for long range in the truck. Break it out if you need it.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I use the rubber duck for around town, and on trails when close in. When I'm out by myself, or I want longer communication, the long wire comes out. There have been times when I couldn't hit a repeater with the duck, but had no problem with the long wire.
 
Just ordered another antenna.....

This is addicting....

And WAY too geeky.

At work today I was reading the Yaesu manual and my manager at DL said "what are you reading"...

I responded: how to talk with people across the world for free from my truck not using a cell phone..

He said "are you a ham?"

I said, "well, I have the parts to be a ham....I just have to put it all together...."

He said..."you're going to be one of those old guys with beards talking to other guys with old beards in Stockholm..."

I said "yeah, probably."

Geeks.

-o-
 
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