Passed the 2m radio test today.

[RogerCruiser]

So, this morning I passed the technician test to operate a ham radio. Now the fun part begins, what radio to buy. I am undecided between a mobile and a hand-held. I am more inclined to go with the hand-held and have an external antenna on the truck. What you think?

 

[1911]

Congratulations on your ticket!

Hand-helds are limited to 5 watts of power, OK for a trail group but you get so much more range with a 50-75 watt mobile.

 

[RogerCruiser]

Thank you. Aren't repeaters supposed to take care of the lack of power on hand-helds?

 

[tgreening]

What's your budget? You can get a decent 2m mobile for pretty cheap these days and could always pick up a hand held to go along with it. If you don't mind used and/or a bit older tech you could have both on a shoe-string budget.

If you want new and the latest tech and can only afford one I'd go with a good HT. As you mentioned you can run it mobile and yank it out to hang on your hip when needed. If the low power is a big issue there are mobile amplifiers made specifically for use with HTs in mobile applications.

Welcome to the club. You've got your ticket. Now the sickness will really begin to spread.

 

[RogerCruiser]

What's your budget? You can get a decent 2m mobile for pretty cheap these days and could always pick up a hand held to go along with it. If you don't mind used and/or a bit older tech you could have both on a shoe-string budget.

If you want new and the latest tech and can only afford one I'd go with a good HT. As you mentioned you can run it mobile and yank it out to hang on your hip when needed. If the low power is a big issue there are mobile amplifiers made specifically for use with HTs in mobile applications.

Welcome to the club. You've got your ticket. Now the sickness will really begin to spread.

For some reason, having two radios hadn't crossed my mind, duh. That is, of course, the way to go. Now, pardon my ignorance. I've read that you can program some of the mobile radios from your PC. How do you do that, if the radio is attached to the truck?

 

[1911]

Thank you. Aren't repeaters supposed to take care of the lack of power on hand-helds?

Yeah, if you live, travel, and wheel very close to a repeater. But when your wheeling in the boonies (especially the mountains) 5 watts doesn't go very far. 2M propagation is line-of-sight.

You can get a decent 2m mobile for pretty cheap these days

Ham Radio Outlet HRO Ham Radio Outlet Worldwide Supplier of Amateur Radio Electronics Equipment is selling the Yaesu FT-2800M 2-Meter mobile radio on close-out for only $109.95 and free shipping. This is a great price on a perfect first mobile / trail radio. I have two of these radios and don't think you could do better for the money for a brand-new 2M radio.

For some reason, having two radios hadn't crossed my mind, duh. That is, of course, the way to go. Now, pardon my ignorance. I've read that you can program some of the mobile radios from your PC. How do you do that, if the radio is attached to the truck?

Use a laptop if you don't want to dismount the radio. You'll need the appropriate cable and software for your radio. Yaesu makes you buy both the cable and the software; Kenwood at least gives you the software for free.

 

[farinvail]

You plug a cable into the back of the radio. It allows you to preset channels and codes for repeaters. Usually a loptop is used. I got the Yausu 1208 it was cheep and does way more than I know what to do. I really only use mine on group Truck runs so 5w is fine. but I like the idea for emergency to be able to turn it up to 50w. A HT in the truck works alright but you end up with charger cable and antenna cables running all over, cluttering an already cluttered center console. If I were to do it again I'd spend the extra money for a 7800 just for the detachable face. I got a silly expensive antenna and mount that folds. I should have got the more expensive radio and less expensive mount and antenna. I usually unscrew the antenna and it rides in the back anyway. I really like 1loudlx's setup. I'd copy his setup if I were to do it over.

All that being said I'd like a HT to put in my wife's hand when she goes for hikes and for emergencys on the motorcycle.

 

[spressomon]

Congratulations Roger! You'll really appreciate the superior performance benefits to 2M!

 

[Darby Darrow]

So, this morning I passed the technician test to operate a ham radio. Now the fun part begins, what radio to buy. I am undecided between a mobile and a hand-held. I am more inclined to go with the hand-held and have an external antenna on the truck. What you think?

HRO has the Yaesu FT-2800 which is being discontinued for $109.

HRO Ham Radio Outlet Worldwide Supplier of Amateur Radio Electronics Equipment

 

[RogerCruiser]

Thanks for the tip guys. I couldn't resist the price and ordered a Yaesu FT-2800M for $109 with shipping included.

Next... the antenna and mount. Does anyone have a link to 1loudlx's setup? Any suggestions on the antenna?

 

[bj70_guy]

My BIL has the Larsen NMO 150 BK 5/8 wave and it works great.

 

[Kofoed]

Thanks for the tip guys. I couldn't resist the price and ordered a Yaesu FT-2800M for $109 with shipping included.

Next... the antenna and mount. Does anyone have a link to 1loudlx's setup? Any suggestions on the antenna?

Congrats on the test.

Go over to Ham Radio Outlet on Magnolia Bl and look at the different antennae and mounts. Do not fear the mag mount and 1/2 wave and up for trail use in the desert. Most can also be folded for clearacne.

They can help you with what you want.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

My BIL has the Larsen NMO 150 BK 5/8 wave and it works great.

This would be my rec as well for a single band 2m radio.

If you can stomach it, a hole in your roof is the best mount by far electrically, but if not a hatch mount works well.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Thanks for the tip guys. I couldn't resist the price and ordered a Yaesu FT-2800M for $109 with shipping included.

Next... the antenna and mount. Does anyone have a link to 1loudlx's setup? Any suggestions on the antenna?

That is a good choice for a first radio, it's butt easy to operate. I wish I had started with that instead of a hand held.

The Larson antenna is great from what I've seen if you do much off road driving where you might run into brush it is very robust. I plan to replace my SBB-25 with the Larson due to an unfortunate garage entry with the antenna in the up position .

The SBB-1 NMO is a nice supplement, it's virtually indestructible, and fits in garages, but it has limited range unless you have a good ground plane under it.

 

[RogerCruiser]

Congrats on the test.

Go over to Ham Radio Outlet on Magnolia Bl and look at the different antennae and mounts. Do not fear the mag mount and 1/2 wave and up for trail use in the desert. Most can also be folded for clearacne.

They can help you with what you want.

Thanks, I had no idea they had a store by my house. I went there and looked at the 2800 and the other ones. I liked the one with a detachable face much better, so I canceled my order. Now I am between the IC-208h ($309) and the FT-7900R ($249)

 

[Kofoed]

Thanks, I had no idea they had a store by my house. I went there and looked at the 2800 and the other ones. I liked the one with a detachable face much better, so I canceled my order. Now I am between the IC-208h ($309) and the FT-7900R ($249)

Go to this website and cruise around. Get the SoCal Repeater Guide, the little paper version (5 bucks), and the ARRL repeater directory while you are there. Hang on to your wallet in HRO!!

eHam.net Reviews - Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

Most of the guys other there are pretty knowledgable.

 

[RogerCruiser]

Went today to HRO, they had a ft-8900r that was returned at a great price, so I pulled the trigger