Anyone use a QYT KT-8900?

[JohnnyOshow22]

Got my HAM license about 6-7 months ago and have used a UV-5R with a mag mount antenna on the roof with good success on trail rides and such but I am looking for something a little more permanent for the 80. I am not on the radio frequently enough to warrant dropping several hundred dollars on a really nice unit but i'd like to get something with a little more range than the UV5R. Another thing is that I am constantly in and out of the rig spotting people or hiking and it is annoying to detach the UV5R from the mag mount each time I want to get out of the truck so I was thinking about getting one of these for the inside and taking the UV5R as a mobile unit

Amazon.com: QYT KT8900 Dual Band Mobile Transceiver VHF/UHF 136-174/400-480MHz 25/20W Mini Car Radio Amateur (Ham) Radio, with Programming Cable & Software: Cell Phones & Accessories

What do you all think?

 

[izzyandsue]

Have no idea on those, so can't help you on that question. But... I have a TYT9800 in my 80 (you can also look at ty7800. I mounted it with 4 thumb screws instead of the phillips it comes with, that way I can remove easily from my truck and use it in the house for "rag chew" sessions, continue to hone HAM skills.

I like the dual band for its cross-band capability. So I can have a "UV5R type" out of the truck while on foot, and use the truck rig power to transmit.

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

Have no idea on those, so can't help you on that question. But... I have a TYT9800 in my 80 (you can also look at ty7800. I mounted it with 4 thumb screws instead of the phillips it comes with, that way I can remove easily from my truck and use it in the house for "rag chew" sessions, continue to hone HAM skills.

I like the dual band for its cross-band capability. So I can have a "UV5R type" out of the truck while on foot, and use the truck rig power to transmit.

Where did you mount it?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

@JohnnyOshow22 I don't know how easy that radio is to program, but investigate that before you buy. It may be supported by CHIRP but I don't know. Programming any radio from the front end is a serious chore so be aware.

I'd recommend a Kenwood or a Yaesu. It's a touch more money, but the programming will be more straight forward. I have both, the Kenwood has free software from Kenwood so that's a plus. I programmed the Yeasu's with CHIRP and that worked well.

In your case, I'd save the $$ and not get a dual band radio unless you really need UHF. If you don't need UHF, a single band antenna is also better electrically with basically no compromises.

Good luck.

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

@JohnnyOshow22 I don't know how easy that radio is to program, but investigate that before you buy. It may be supported by CHIRP but I don't know. Programming any radio from the front end is a serious chore so be aware.

I'd recommend a Kenwood or a Yaesu. It's a touch more money, but the programming will be more straight forward. I have both, the Kenwood has free software from Kenwood so that's a plus. I programmed the Yeasu's with CHIRP and that worked well.

In your case, I'd save the $$ and not get a dual band radio unless you really need UHF. If you don't need UHF, a single band antenna is also better electrically with basically no compromises.

Good luck.

Thanks for chiming in Andy. It is programmable with chirp. Do you have any particular models for Kenwood and Yaesu that you think I should be looking into?

Im mainly thinking about rubithon this year and how I will be in and out of the truck a lot

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Thanks for chiming in Andy. It is programmable with chirp. Do you have any particular models for Kenwood and Yaesu that you think I should be looking into?

Im mainly thinking about rubithon this year and how I will be in and out of the truck a lot

I like things very simple and while I have a general license, I mostly use only VHF and single band radios mostly due to the antenna advantages.

Kenwood TM-281A is a great little radio. The receiver is excellent on this and the front mount speaker is very clear. That's what I'm running in my 80.

I also like the Yaesu FT2900. I think that's what your dad got. I have 3 2800s, it's predecesor, and they have been solid for 10+ years.

Both of these radios are inexpensive and nearly bullet proof.

Invest more time and effort in your antenna than your radio. I especially like the Larsen 150 series, either the 5/8 wave if you have a good mount for it, or a 1/2 wave if you are less sure of your mount. I run the 5/8 wave on basically everything.

 

[izzyandsue]

Where did you mount it?

Izzy's amateur hour

Look at post 259