got HAM?
- Thread starter SoCal_80
- Start date
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Congrats! I've got two Yasue FT-8800 dual band radios. One in the cruiser and one in the comuter. Love them because of the dual band capability.
Start reading in the electronics section on the board. Lots of great threads on radios and antennas.
Start reading in the electronics section on the board. Lots of great threads on radios and antennas.
Nice choices - spending all my $$ on the trailer, and hopefully a RTT. I'd love to have a handheld as well. Thought about it awhile back to use with scouts. Set the truck dual band for cross band and have the hand held set to the input frequency on the truck radio to get out further in case of an emergency. No need for dual band on the HT. Might want to think about that and save a little $$ on the HT unless you really think you'll be using the dual bands on the HT as well as the mobile unit.
Used SOCALJF's handheld on my hike to the upper falls in Sheep Canyon this past spring - nice to have in case of emergency (rattlesnake, etc.) to talk to he or Yosh back at base camp.
Overwhelming how much info is out there isn't it!
Congratulations! Welcome to the club.
For my hand held I went as small as possible to keep it portable and run dual band in my rig for added range as described above. I still only use simplex on runs so never had a chance to try this.
For my hand held I went as small as possible to keep it portable and run dual band in my rig for added range as described above. I still only use simplex on runs so never had a chance to try this.
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Congrats Sean, good on you for taking the time to do it.
- Thread starter
- #7
So i am thinking about getting a HT first and am looking at the Yaesu VX-7R (rugged, submersible, etc. which is perfect for me to take backpacking). I figure the HT will allow me to "figure stuff out" sitting on the couch w/o having to sit in the car or run a mobile from a power supply in my office.
Does anyone have any experience with the Yaesu VX-7R ? I have read good reviews and with the available mods, it should serve me well.
Does anyone have any experience with the Yaesu VX-7R ? I have read good reviews and with the available mods, it should serve me well.
I have one. Works well. Pretty much everything is buried in menus though. I have to look at the manual everytime I need to do anything. Speaker is not very loud and sounds tinny when turned up. You may want to invest in some programming software if you plan on adding a bunch of repeaters. It is very tedious to do it manually.
If you dont need the 440 (or 220) band, you may consider the FT-270. Strictly 2m, but built like a tank, waterproof, and good speaker. Much cheaper too. It is a bit heavy though, may be an issue if you use it for hiking.
The only thing I do on my VX-7 that I cant do on the FT-270 is cross-band repeat.
You can also look at the VX-8DR if you need all the bells and whistles.
If you dont need the 440 (or 220) band, you may consider the FT-270. Strictly 2m, but built like a tank, waterproof, and good speaker. Much cheaper too. It is a bit heavy though, may be an issue if you use it for hiking.
The only thing I do on my VX-7 that I cant do on the FT-270 is cross-band repeat.
You can also look at the VX-8DR if you need all the bells and whistles.
- Thread starter
- #9
I have one. Works well. Pretty much everything is buried in menus though. I have to look at the manual everytime I need to do anything. Speaker is not very loud and sounds tinny when turned up. You may want to invest in some programming software if you plan on adding a bunch of repeaters. It is very tedious to do it manually.
If you dont need the 440 (or 220) band, you may consider the FT-270. Strictly 2m, but built like a tank, waterproof, and good speaker. Much cheaper too. It is a bit heavy though, may be an issue if you use it for hiking.
The only thing I do on my VX-7 that I cant do on the FT-270 is cross-band repeat.
You can also look at the VX-8DR if you need all the bells and whistles.
Thank you for the info. Defiantly a noob here when it comes to radio gear....
fj80toyman
...One Landcruiser at a time
I have a Yaesu VX-5R and I agree with what has been said about the complexity, I forget some things about it when I bring it out occasionally.
One thing I'm really impressed with is the battery durability. I can go for months without using it / charging it and it will fire up and work well. I do have a 2nd battery that I alternate but I really like it for an HT. The buttons are a bit small for my bearpaws but I get by.
I started with that one for exactly the reasons you said, but I couldn't reach anything but the local repeater around here with it's own antenna. I built a j-pole for the roof and it will reach a whole lot further, so it works well as a backup for me now.
Dan.
One thing I'm really impressed with is the battery durability. I can go for months without using it / charging it and it will fire up and work well. I do have a 2nd battery that I alternate but I really like it for an HT. The buttons are a bit small for my bearpaws but I get by.
I started with that one for exactly the reasons you said, but I couldn't reach anything but the local repeater around here with it's own antenna. I built a j-pole for the roof and it will reach a whole lot further, so it works well as a backup for me now.
Dan.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks Dan!
I have been researching that HT and it appears to have great reviews. Now i just need to wait for the FCC to issue me a call sign...Anyone know how long it typically takes ? I have been checking their website but nothing yet..... And HRO will not sell to me w/o it...
Usually takes 2 - 3 weeks for initial license. Is this where you are looking?
License Search
I doubt that's a legal requirement. Of course there's always the "we have the right to refuse service" blah blah blah. Just tell them you are listening only.
- Thread starter
- #19
I believe/i would think an external speaker would not be problem. There is a headphone out jack which is amplified, so i would think powering a smaller speaker would not be an issue. So far i am very happy with it. I have been eying a Yaesu 8800R for the truck...Just trying to find a good deal somewhere!
The 8800 is a good radio. No complaints here.
But why do you want to buy a second radio without having hardy used your first radio. How do you know what you want or why you would want one unless you're fulfilling some predetermined poser expedition checklist.
Use the radio for a while. Find out what you want to do with amateur radio.
If you just want it for trail communications, the VX7 and an external mic, speaker and mounted half wave will do all that you need it to do. For emergencies, the VX7 and an aftermarket/homemade antenna mobile will come in more handy. If you're broken down in a gulch, the 8800 may not do much at all, but with the VX7, you can climb up to a nearby peak. You'd be surprised by the improved reception and transmission of a couple of hundred feet.
Give the Arrow J-pole a try, it's only $30 or something like that. Hook it up to the VX7 with an SMA to N connector and mount the j-pole on the roof. That should open up more of the local repeaters in the area.
KM1Q