anyone NOT like the FT8800?
- Thread starter bj70_guy
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
lowenbrau
SILVER Star
That's the one I wanted but couldn't afford. I went with the FT7800. Can't really tell you anything about it though. I have yet to key the mike.
VE6 TLC
VE6 TLC
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2003
- Threads
- 72
- Messages
- 2,937
- Location
- Broomfield, Colorado
- Website
- www.gamiviti.com
I've got the 8800, I like it a lot. Here's all the stuff I can say that's bad with it:
-the buttons aren't backlit like on the 7800. Also the faceplate buttons are really small, you think you're hitting the memory one but dangit now you're scanning again..
-the dang thing has way too many features, I still haven't learned most of them. After trying to get a repeater to work, I had the "wires" mode on for most of Cruise Moab and the whole way back, so I was transmitting with a 'beep' every time. Pretty frustrating, and I couldn't find that in the book anywhere. but then an old guy on a local repeater told me what button to push and boy did I feel stupid, and relieved. So now I don't beep, but I expect a few more of those episodes.. however that's likely more about me being a newb than the 8800. If you get one I'll tell you the magic button to press.
-We had an interesting discussion about the legality of the cross-band repeat mode in our member's only forum a while back.. suffice it to say how you think you may use the cross-band repeat mode may not be entirely FCC-compliant, particularly when dealing with the proximity of the station and its control operator. Don't let that dissuade you though, but DaveinDenver brought up some good points that made me second-guess how I was thinking of using this feature some day.
do you want Pros?
- true dual band mode flat out rules. Have the radio on two channels, you just tap the button of the channel you want to transmit on. Awesome for monitoring a repeater to pick up folks far away, while staying in touch with the local group running on simplex. Independent volume and squelch knobs for each channel... man it's cool.
-Lots of other stuff too, but dual band is still my stand out favorite. the 7800 is an awesome radio, the 8800 really should be all that and then some. I just wish the buttons were lit. hth...
-the buttons aren't backlit like on the 7800. Also the faceplate buttons are really small, you think you're hitting the memory one but dangit now you're scanning again..
-the dang thing has way too many features, I still haven't learned most of them. After trying to get a repeater to work, I had the "wires" mode on for most of Cruise Moab and the whole way back, so I was transmitting with a 'beep' every time. Pretty frustrating, and I couldn't find that in the book anywhere. but then an old guy on a local repeater told me what button to push and boy did I feel stupid, and relieved. So now I don't beep, but I expect a few more of those episodes.. however that's likely more about me being a newb than the 8800. If you get one I'll tell you the magic button to press.
-We had an interesting discussion about the legality of the cross-band repeat mode in our member's only forum a while back.. suffice it to say how you think you may use the cross-band repeat mode may not be entirely FCC-compliant, particularly when dealing with the proximity of the station and its control operator. Don't let that dissuade you though, but DaveinDenver brought up some good points that made me second-guess how I was thinking of using this feature some day.
do you want Pros?
- true dual band mode flat out rules. Have the radio on two channels, you just tap the button of the channel you want to transmit on. Awesome for monitoring a repeater to pick up folks far away, while staying in touch with the local group running on simplex. Independent volume and squelch knobs for each channel... man it's cool.
-Lots of other stuff too, but dual band is still my stand out favorite. the 7800 is an awesome radio, the 8800 really should be all that and then some. I just wish the buttons were lit. hth...
I also have an FT-8800, have had it for almost 2 months now. It is a very feature-packed radio, that's for sure. It wook me quite awhile to figure out how to get it to do what I wanted, I even had to take it back to HRO once and have them give me a lesson.
Pros:
* When I first got it, I didn't like the dual band mode, it was too confusing. Now that I've been using it for awhile, I really like it.
* I like the buttons on the mike, but I have to say that I have a hard time remembering what they're all for.
Cons:
* You have to be VERY careful with the dual band mode, to make sure which side is the "main" one before you start transmitting. I haven't done it yet, but I can easily see myself yelling into the mic on the wrong side, transmitting on the wrong repeater, wondering why nobody is answering me.
* It is VERY time-consuming to program, if you use the front panel controls. It especially sucks that you can't "clone" all the settings from one side to the other so they are duplicated. Do yourself a favor, get the software and cable, do it in your computer then dump it all to the radio. Soooo much easier and faster.
* Ya, the tiny buttons and non-backlighting is a pain, especially at night, with tired weak 47-year-old nearsighted eyes like mine.
* The volume controls are kindy touchy, they are too easy to turn and you go from "can hardly hear it" to "waay too loud" with very little movement.
Pros:
* When I first got it, I didn't like the dual band mode, it was too confusing. Now that I've been using it for awhile, I really like it.
* I like the buttons on the mike, but I have to say that I have a hard time remembering what they're all for.
Cons:
* You have to be VERY careful with the dual band mode, to make sure which side is the "main" one before you start transmitting. I haven't done it yet, but I can easily see myself yelling into the mic on the wrong side, transmitting on the wrong repeater, wondering why nobody is answering me.
* It is VERY time-consuming to program, if you use the front panel controls. It especially sucks that you can't "clone" all the settings from one side to the other so they are duplicated. Do yourself a favor, get the software and cable, do it in your computer then dump it all to the radio. Soooo much easier and faster.
* Ya, the tiny buttons and non-backlighting is a pain, especially at night, with tired weak 47-year-old nearsighted eyes like mine.
* The volume controls are kindy touchy, they are too easy to turn and you go from "can hardly hear it" to "waay too loud" with very little movement.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks guys. I bought one today, so I'm no longer interested in hearing the "cons" 
I can see the problems you guys are talking about now that the radio is in front of me. I'm hoping they won't prove too bothersome. The guy at the radio place gave it a very high recommendation, and sold me a Larsen dual band to go with it.
I think the biggest problem is going to be learning how to use it - it looks harder than getting the license was!
Bruce, the 7800 was my other choice if I hadn't gotten carried away (as usual...). I talked myself into a VX-6R as well
Nakman, I'm ready for the magic button
I can see the problems you guys are talking about now that the radio is in front of me. I'm hoping they won't prove too bothersome. The guy at the radio place gave it a very high recommendation, and sold me a Larsen dual band to go with it.
I think the biggest problem is going to be learning how to use it - it looks harder than getting the license was!
Bruce, the 7800 was my other choice if I hadn't gotten carried away (as usual...). I talked myself into a VX-6R as well
Nakman, I'm ready for the magic button
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2003
- Threads
- 72
- Messages
- 2,937
- Location
- Broomfield, Colorado
- Website
- www.gamiviti.com
Alright, congrats!!! woo hoo!!! Sweet radio, great choice, 7800's are for sucka's... there, feel better?
ok seriously, the "wires" button is the lower left volume knob, the bigger one, the one that controls the volume of the left band. You push the right one to turn the thing on and off, but the left one toggles the "wires mode." You'll see the display toggle "INT ON" and "INT OFF" as you do this. for either band, the lower left knob controls this.
ok seriously, the "wires" button is the lower left volume knob, the bigger one, the one that controls the volume of the left band. You push the right one to turn the thing on and off, but the left one toggles the "wires mode." You'll see the display toggle "INT ON" and "INT OFF" as you do this. for either band, the lower left knob controls this.
- Thread starter
- #7
Gee thanks, I feel a LOT better now ;p
I signed up for the Yahoo FT8800 mailing list - check out the FIRST paragraph from the welcome message:
"First off - if your radio beeps every time you key up and are wondering why, you've activated the WIRES function described on page 50 of the manual, you can momentarily press the left VOL knob to turn it off. Happens to just about EVERY new user, and this question is asked weekly!"
I signed up for the Yahoo FT8800 mailing list - check out the FIRST paragraph from the welcome message:
"First off - if your radio beeps every time you key up and are wondering why, you've activated the WIRES function described on page 50 of the manual, you can momentarily press the left VOL knob to turn it off. Happens to just about EVERY new user, and this question is asked weekly!"
I really want this radio!
thanks for posting this so I know what I am getting into
Also how do you sign up for that mailing list...always better to learn from others
I would also really like a link to the discussion about the dual band repeating since that is a major area of use for me.
thanks
1lelance
KE7NKP
thanks for posting this so I know what I am getting into
Also how do you sign up for that mailing list...always better to learn from others
I would also really like a link to the discussion about the dual band repeating since that is a major area of use for me.
thanks
1lelance
KE7NKP
- Thread starter
- #9
I just purchased the new Kenwood TM-V71A yesterday. Very close to the 8800 in features and you can see the buttons at night.
I have been on the air for a day, so i can't give you much a detailed report. You might want to check it out if you're in the market.
I turned it on and started talking so it wasn't that hard to do basic stuff.
Free programing software.
I have been on the air for a day, so i can't give you much a detailed report. You might want to check it out if you're in the market.
I turned it on and started talking so it wasn't that hard to do basic stuff.
Free programing software.
