Ham operators- HF/2m/70cm or 2m/70cm only?

[Mike6158]

Qualifier- I hold an Extra ticket, licensed in 2001, worked a lot of mobile CW at 20WPM, dropped off the air a few years later, back on the air last year, still trying to break 10WPM. If you don't use it, you lose it. I like the "new" DSTAR stuff but haven't quite got everything figured out (Raspberry Pi node is on the way though). I like APRS functionality for a rig that could see some back country time but I haven't found an all band rig that has APRS built in (I can implement APRS without it being built in though)

For non-Hams- this is what APRS is handy for:

Google Maps APRS

If you're stuck or disabled you can "text" over APRS and your position is sent. Or loved ones can see where you are (not necessarily a plus for some )

I tried to make the map link center on Utah. Hopefully I got the link right. There are a lot of beacons in Utah.

Call is NE5U

I've got two choices for mobile rigs in my 2000 TLC. Actually if you count handhelds, I have 4. And the little FT-817 QRP rig makes 5.

Oldest to newest mobile rigs
Yaesu FT-100D with ATAS 100 antenna. All mode rig.
Kenwood TM-D719G Dual bander with APRS and

Handhelds
Kenwood TH-F6 no extra fluff
iCOM ID-51A+ (DSTAR ready but no APRS)

I can carry the handhelds no matter what I have installed. In a pinch nothing gets through quite like CW mode. That would eliminate all but the FT-100D. Thankfully I haven't found a new all band, APRS capability built in rig. More money for upgrades to the LC

Thoughts, opinions, questions? Right now I'm leaning toward the FT-100D... but other ideas are welcome

 

[1911]

Totally depends on what you want to do (and when). Personally, I don't really care about operating on HF while I'm driving, but I frequently carry a portable HF rig (Kenwood TS-480 and a Buddipole) and operate at night from camp. So my installed mobile rigs are all either 2M/70cm or just 2M; 70 cm is pretty dead where I live and drive to. YMMV.

APRS is fun, and I'm always beaconing when I'm wheeling or on my way there/home.

73,
N5MUD

 

[Mike6158]

I'm south of Austin, between San Antonio and Houston. Your icon shows the places that I like to go. I'm planning a trip to see the Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon (and other places not yet determined) sometime this fall. I'll go in from Hans Flat Ranger station. Camp the first night on BLM land, then hike in to photograph the pictographs.

Here's the deal with HF... if I had to I could get out on CW with very little power. Had to as in some sort of emergency that I'd rather not have. The FT100D is all band and the antenna is good for almost all bands from 6 to 160

The Saltgrass system around Houston was pretty busy. I can hit it via the 70cm repeater in La Grange and it used to be linked to the Saltgrass system so I could talk all over this part of the state. I don't know the owners got crossways or what but the La Grange repeater (444.725 is the one I'm talking about. There are others.) is not linked to Saltgrass and most days I hear Echolink traffic, like the Alaska Morning Net for instance. Overall though... yeah... 70cm is pretty dead and 2m isn't all that lively.

I can solve my APRS issues with this: Byonics - MicroTrak
I won't have to jack around with a TNC with that.

But I like my little Kenwood with built in Echolink and APRS. Your point about HF is valid. HF CW mobile... now that was fun... but probably about as safe as texting and driving. Other than that I probably wouldn't use it...

73
NE5U

 

[Skidoo]

Not exactly answering the question, but if someone wants to see where other hams using APRS are, here is what I use.

I run the Kenwood TM-V71A with Byonics TinyTrak4 and TT4 BlueTooth module. The TinyTrak4 plugs into the Data port on Kenwood using the B side of radio, leaving A side free for voice. The BlueTooth connects to a 10" Android Tablet running APRSDroid with OSM offline maps, which shows my position and position of other hams in area using APRS. The tablet also provides the GPS position for outgoing APRS.

The Byonics TT4 is TNC so you can use it for other packet radio things.
Some dual bands don't have the extra port like the V71A so you can't do simultaneous data and voice, so check that if you think of going this route.

 

[KK6HWP]

I run an Icom 7100 all band and all mode. it does star on all bands and if you hook up an external GPS it will do DPRS (similar to APRS). i say go all band, i use the HF radio to listen to the non-hams in our group on CB. most of my group runs 2M ham rigs. For 2M and 70CM i run the comment 2x4sr, and for HF i run a 102 inch stainless whip and an SG-237 runner. This set up will do 80M to 6M, and 2M/70CM.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Mike6158]

I run an Icom 7100 all band and all mode. it does star on all bands and if you hook up an external GPS it will do DPRS (similar to APRS). i say go all band, i use the HF radio to listen to the non-hams in our group on CB. most of my group runs 2M ham rigs. For 2M and 70CM i run the comment 2x4sr, and for HF i run a 102 inch stainless whip and an SG-237 runner. This set up will do 80M to 6M, and 2M/70CM.

Just my 2 cents...

That's what I'm going to do. I'm even going to throw a key in the box... just in case.

 

[WB8LBZ]

Hi All,
I am running an Icom 7000 in my Daily Driver, HF on a High Sierra screwdriver style with an autotuner. VHF/UHF is a dualband antenna. For APRS I run a TinyTrak3 through an Icom 2100. I also have an AIO (All In One) from Byonics for portable operation. I plan on a similar setup for the FJ-40 maybe using the brushguard as an antenna mount.

Larry in El Paso

 

[CV Kurt]

Around here, many folks run 2m only. Really depends on your wants and desires!

I run a dual band transceiver mobile... but it almost exclusively operates on 2m, with the secondary transceiver dedicated to APRS. I also carry an HT.

 

[Helipilot]

Interesting reading Guys. Just got my General license and am planning on a Kenwood TH-D72-A HT but am still researching a unit for my FJ-40 and also the fifth wheel RV. Would probably use the same unit in the FJ-40 and the fifth wheel. The ICOM 7000 has been recommended but think it may be a little too large for FJ-40. Your thoughts gentlemen.

 

[WB8LBZ]

The front panel can be removed and placed where it will fit. The front panel of the dual receiver is also removable and they will be placed where I can see them easily. I'm thinking of either dashboard level or rear-view mirror level. I was thinking of putting the radio body on the back of the seat. The APRS can go anywhere in the rear.

Larry in El Paso

 

[1911]

Interesting reading Guys. Just got my General license and am planning on a Kenwood TH-D72-A HT but am still researching a unit for my FJ-40 and also the fifth wheel RV. Would probably use the same unit in the FJ-40 and the fifth wheel. The ICOM 7000 has been recommended but think it may be a little too large for FJ-40. Your thoughts gentlemen.

The bigger question for you is where you are going to mount a multi-band HF antenna on your 40. A screwdriver antenna takes some fairly heavy mounting points. An alternative would be to carry some hamsticks for different bands that you may use and just interchange them on a single (and simpler) mount.

I usually carry a Kenwood TS-480 in a small mil-surp Pelican case and a Buddipole when I go on a long trip in my 40, and operate HF at night in camp. But if I wanted to mount it in the cab, the face plate is not that much bigger than the Kenwood dual-band TM-D710A that I do have mounted there now. If I really wanted to, I could make room for both, but as I think I already said in this thread, I don't care to try and operate on HF while driving. A moving 40 is really noisy, even with the top on. 2M FM is hard enough to hear, never mind HF AM bands from across the world.

 

[Helipilot]

Thanks for the info. Should have made myself a little more clear. Planning to do 2M only from the FJ40 and use the HT to be able to go to the 50W in the 40 and then the 40 go to a repeater with 50 watts in case I need to get help while I am hiking or prospecting away from the 40. I agree the 40 is really noisy and wouldn't plan to be talking and driving. I like the idea of being able to use a radio on other frequencies in camp at night as well.

As you can tell, I really don't have this thought out yet and obviously don't know what I am talking about.

 

[1911]

Thanks for the info. Should have made myself a little more clear. Planning to do 2M only from the FJ40 and use the HT to be able to go to the 50W in the 40 and then the 40 go to a repeater with 50 watts in case I need to get help while I am hiking or prospecting away from the 40. I agree the 40 is really noisy and wouldn't plan to be talking and driving. I like the idea of being able to use a radio on other frequencies in camp at night as well.

As you can tell, I really don't have this thought out yet and obviously don't know what I am talking about.

No problem; ham radio is a bottomless rabbit hole with a pretty steep learning curve, once you get past he basics and 2M/70cm. Fortunately, most experienced hams (and I don't consider myself one) are willing to help you learn.

 

[Helipilot]

Thanks 1911. You are right, it is a rabbit hole...probably worse than restoring a FJ40.