FT-8900R ? (Ham radio unit)

[cook]

$404 from gigaparts, or $440 out the door from HMO. What else is in this price range that compares? The FT-7900 is a well reviewed radio for about $150 less. But no cross-band repeat or any HF. I'm not sure I will use either feature until I try. What radios in the $400 - $500 range would you recommend looking at?

 

[nakman]

$404 from gigaparts, or $440 out the door from HMO. What else is in this price range that compares? The FT-7900 is a well reviewed radio for about $150 less. But no cross-band repeat or any HF. I'm not sure I will use either feature until I try. What radios in the $400 - $500 range would you recommend looking at?

I would say Yaesu FT-8800. By the time you get a good antenna, maybe 2 antennas (stubby for trails?), plus a mount, the cable.. you'll be in the $400-$500 range. Shouldn't have to pay extra for the remote faceplate kit as they are typically free.

 

[ca62cruzr]

Yaesu maks great radios, but unless you know you are going to have use for it, the 8900 is over kill. It would have been much more appealing to me had they dropped 10m for say 220 or even charge a little more and put in 1.2Gig. If you are just starting out the 8800 is a great radio. Check AES Home page Its about $360 and you get a free remote kit right now. The best part of these is they are MILSPEC and will take the dust and abuse that wheeling puts them through. You want to add HF down the line save up for the ft857, Compact and rugged, they would make a great pair.
I'm finally getting around to radios for my cruiser but I'm debating between Kenwood commercial or my beloved 742 running 2-220-440.