HAM - Single or Dual Band?

[teejnut]

So I'm taking my HAM test this Sunday (hopefully I'll pass). I have been looking at some radios but still can't figure out if I should just get a single band or dual band. What do people recommend? I'm not really sure on the benefits of the dual band so if someone can chime in that would help too.

Main usage of the HAM will be to communicate on the trail.


Thanks,
TJ

 

[sdnative]

TJ,

good to hear you are getting your ham license.

Most trail comms are VHF, but I have seen UHF being used (not very common). That being said, a single band VHF radio will work for you for most situtations, but a dual band will give you much more versatility.

There is a difference between dual band and dual receive. A dual band will allow you to rx/tx on both VHF and UHF, but not at the same time. A dual receive radio is like two radios in one, and you can receive any combination of VHF/UHF simultaneously, and transmit on either "side" of the radio with the push of a button.

If money is an issue, you can get a single band radio for just over $100. Most dual band/dual receive radios are $300+ depending on features.

What features are you looking for?

 

[teejnut]

Honestly, I'm not sure what features I'm looking for that's why I'm asking.

Sounds like I should just get at least a dual band to cover all my trail communication bases so I don't have to worry about upgrading down the line. Hmm...

 

[bj70_guy]

Dual band/dual receive is really nice. You can have trail talk on a simplex frequency while simultaneously monitoring a repeater, which is handier than you might think.

My first radio was a Yaesu FT8800 DB/DR and I never regretted spending the extra money. I did recently pick up a used FT7800 dual band/single receive for my other Cruiser. It's a really nice radio too - single receive means it has a much bigger display, and is a little easier to use - not a bad thing for your first radio.

 

[teejnut]

Dual band/dual receive is really nice. You can have trail talk on a simplex frequency while simultaneously monitoring a repeater, which is handier than you might think.

My first radio was a Yaesu FT8800 DB/DR and I never regretted spending the extra money. I did recently pick up a used FT7800 dual band/single receive for my other Cruiser. It's a really nice radio too - single receive means it has a much bigger display, and is a little easier to use - not a bad thing for your first radio.

Thanks for the tips. Yeah I was looking at the 8800, 7800, or 2800 from Yaesu. Still debating on what I really need vs. cost and complexity. I figure the 2800 would just be plain simple to use as a beginner which is good.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The 2800 is a good radio to get started with. It's basic, simple and robust. It works very well. You can usually find it for $125 or so.

You really can't have too many radios, so buying a better radio after you decide what you like and need is pretty normal.

I'd get a single band for now, learn how to program it and use it's features, then upgrade as you go.

 

[FJ40_owner]

The 2800 is a good radio to get started with. It's basic, simple and robust. It works very well. You can usually find it for $125 or so.

You really can't have too many radios, so buying a better radio after you decide what you like and need is pretty normal.

I'd get a single band for now, learn how to program it and use it's features, then upgrade as you go.

And please learn how to use it prior to transmitting on the repeaters.

 

[Kofoed]

For mostly trail use the dual band is not needed. The advantage of the 440 mhz band is that there are a number of linked repeater systems, which greatly expand coverage. However, most repeaters are closed. The advantage of dual band (ie Yaesu 8800) is noted.

Seeing as you are looking at Yaesus, also check out the Yaesu 2900 (the 2800 replacement) and 1802. The 1802 is very small.

 

[teejnut]

Seeing as you are looking at Yaesus, also check out the Yaesu 2900 (the 2800 replacement) and 1802. The 1802 is very small.

What's the positives of the 2900 and 1802? I noticed the 2900 is 75w vs. the 1802 is 50w. How much does 25w do for you?

 

[teejnut]

Also, on a slightly different topic what kind of range are you guys getting in simplex mode in a city environment?

 

[sprocket3]

Dual band/dual receive is really nice. You can have trail talk on a simplex frequency while simultaneously monitoring a repeater, which is handier than you might think.

My first radio was a Yaesu FT8800 DB/DR and I never regretted spending the extra money.

I CONCUR! Get the FT8800!

You may run both sides of the radio on 2m for most of the time but it's pretty handy. Like have two radios in one.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Personally, I decided that I didn't need anything more than a 2M... I ended up with the 2800 and I love it! Super easy to use...

 

[nakman]

Also, on a slightly different topic what kind of range are you guys getting in simplex mode in a city environment?

Usually about 20 miles on 50w, unless someone is up in the foothills, then it can be more. Little valleys can make a pretty big difference, so the guys up on hills will have the best success.

And x2 (or 3?) on the dual band, I've got two 8800's now... and a 2800. Many awesome uses for dual band and I'm still glad I got one as my first radio.

 

[Pskhaat]

There are many remote places where you can only pick up UHF repeaters vs. VHF. Tuweep comes to mind as a good example. I have anecdotally found UHF repeaters to be just as easily found and many times outnumber my VHF options. The marginal price increase to include UHF is worth it IMO.

 

[ca62cruzr]

A dual band dual receive like the 8800 is absolutely worth the money, but rememeber to get a quality antenna also. Diamond makes some awesome 2m/440 antennas. I use them almost exclusively. They cost a bit more but the quality is much better.

 

[Source3]

I have the ICOM 2800H in my pickup and will be purchasing the Yaseu 8800R for my FJ40.

Talk to your local radio clubs about repeater coverage. In my area, we have some repeaters on the 70cm side with incredible coverage. Also, consider a dual band unit with cross-band repeat. As I am in a radio hole at my house and cannot hit the ARES repeater, I am planning to use my HT to hit my truck, then use the 8800R to cross-band repeat my signal (bigger antenna/higher wattage) out to the ARES repeater.

My HT ICOM 32A had cross-band repeat and I found it useful working Search and Rescue while in the backcountry when we had to hoist it up into a tree so we can communicate with the incident command base.

 

[teejnut]

Yeah I ended up getting a Yaesu 7900. The 8800 was tempting but a little too rich for my blood.

 

[ca62cruzr]

I have the ICOM 2800H in my pickup and will be purchasing the Yaseu 8800R for my FJ40.

Talk to your local radio clubs about repeater coverage. In my area, we have some repeaters on the 70cm side with incredible coverage. Also, consider a dual band unit with cross-band repeat. As I am in a radio hole at my house and cannot hit the ARES repeater, I am planning to use my HT to hit my truck, then use the 8800R to cross-band repeat my signal (bigger antenna/higher wattage) out to the ARES repeater.

My HT ICOM 32A had cross-band repeat and I found it useful working Search and Rescue while in the backcountry when we had to hoist it up into a tree so we can communicate with the incident command base.

I had my Kenwood 742 in my truck we used to do that all the time for our SAR unit. Go park on a ridge then use 2m into the 440 side to trigger the Sheriff repeater. You had to give it a few seconds to get it all turned on but it worked like a champ.