Anyone have experience ... (1 Viewer)

[ChaseTruck]

...with one of these:

Amazon.com: LUITON LT-580 VHF Mobile Radio 60watts 136-174Mhz with Free Programming Cable Long Distance Car FM Transceiver (Black): Electronics

I might want access to some frequencies outside the Ham 2m band.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Well. I pushed the button on this yesterday. It'll go into my K5; well see how it does.

 

[george_tlc]

Tell us how it goes.

I personally would have spent $30 more and bought a Yaesu FTM-3100R, Yaesu FTM3100DR Mobile Transceiver
since all my rigs are Yaesu so I'm familiar with the interface and programming software etc.

cheers,
george.

 

[ChaseTruck]

I have a Yaesu FT1900r here in the truck, and that has been working well (except for one glitch); I use Chirp for programming.

I wanted the transmission range to extend beyond the HAM 2m band.

 

[george_tlc]

Yeah, if you want to go beyond the Ham band, then many of the chicom stuff does that. So for that purpose I can see the attraction of this grey area of the chicom rigs... Much like baofeng handhelds can tx/rx on the frs/gmrs bands...

cheers,
george.

 

[Kofoed]

To George's point HRO was selling the FTM3200 for $134......it is the 3100 radio he linked, but with Yaesu's fusion digital mode.

Regarding the OP radio, I personally do not like radios (or cameras) for that matter without buttons. Going thru a menu or programming via the mic is a hassle. The labels on my Icom wore off on the mic and now??????

 

[ChaseTruck]

I plan on programming with CHIRP. I made the choice because of the extended TX range, otherwise I would have stuck with an offering from Yaesu or Kenwood. And I've yet to wear out the mic on any radio...

 

[lugueto]

I'm curious, what frequencies outside ham bands do you want/need to access?

Although it is a delicate process, opening up a radio for extended transmit is quick and easy. you can do so with your Yaesu, which is a far superior radio.

I agree with George, I would've spent the extra money for the Yaesu 3100/3200 and opened that one up.

Disclaimer: We're assuming you're a licensed ham and you're aware that this is illegal. Do so at your own risk.

 

[ChaseTruck]

Assume what you want. I am a licensed Ham, but not really part of the Ham community. When the time comes, I want access to frequencies used by an Ultra4 racing team. At that time I will have the necessary permits. Until then, it will be a regular 2m radio. Or it'll go on CL, or in the it-may-or-may-not-work-but-by-now-I've-forgotten-about-it pile....

I read up on modding the Yaesu and decided I have no intent on possibly ruining a perfectly working radio. And as for the $ value, I can assure everyone that compared to what $$$$ I've sunk into that truck, the price for trying out that radio is but a drop in the bucket

 

[ChaseTruck]

Well, we're off to a good start here . I had ordered the VHF radio - instead they sent me the UHF version of the radio, in a box indeed labelled VHF. Amazon return imminent.

The harness had two blown fuses... incidentally, the instructions begin by stating that if there is a strange smell emanating from the radio upon powering it up, one ought to switch the radio off immediately...

 

[george_tlc]

Dear God.... The yaesu is looking better

Good luck with 2nd try, but plan for 3rd try lucky and keep halon extinguisher ready...

cheers,
george.