To dual or not to dual, that is the (ham) question...!

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e9999

e9999

Gotta get out there...
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I'm thinking about getting a mobile ham unit, thanks to the unrelenting positive stories I read here... :)

I searched and read around here a bit but didn't see a definitive discussion of whether or why it's worthwhile getting a dual band 2m/70cm radio.
I'm not talking about a true dual receivers unit, that is a real advantage, just one that has either 2m or 70cm capability, not simultaneously.

From what little I know of this ham thing, it seems like the 2m is largely dominant. More repeaters and traffic apparently. And likely better range, no?

So, aside from the usual Bigger is Better for Mudders syndrome, plus the gadgetry aspects we so dearly love, is there really a good reason to get a 440 capability for an exped vehicle? Of course, it's nice to have but the dual band radios seem to be quite a bit more expensive. I'm thinking that it might be better to put that extra $ in a better antenna.

Or -on the contrary- is just about any ham bound to feel the need to upgrade eventually to dual band no matter what and might as well start there?

Anybody out there really using the 440 band on the trail?
 
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I got it, quad band actually, haven't used it yet. I allowed basic MIBS principles to guide my purchase decision though, like you touched on above. Maybe some day I'll go 440 but for now everyone I know is on 2m, so that's where I am.. I wouldn't dwell on the decision too much, with so much interest now it should be easy to unload a radio onto someone else who's looking to get into it, or get another rig for another truck, etc. Kind of like OME springs you'll get most your money back if/when you decide to sell & upgrade, so even if the first radio you buy isn't your last it won't be an expensive lesson.

But good move on getting a decent antenna! that's key...
 
e9999 said:
I'm thinking about getting a mobile ham unit, thanks to the unrelenting positive stories I read here... :)

I searched and read around here a bit but didn't see a definitive discussion of whether or why it's worthwhile getting a dual band 2m/70cm radio.
I'm not talking about a true dual receivers unit, that is a real advantage, just one that has either 2m or 70cm capability, not simultaneously.

From what little I know of this ham thing, it seems like the 2m is largely dominant. More repeaters and traffic apparently. And likely better range, no?

So, aside from the usual Bigger is Better for Mudders syndrome, plus the gadgetry aspects we so dearly love, is there really a good reason to get a 440 capability for an exped vehicle? Of course, it's nice to have but the dual band radios seem to be quite a bit more expensive. I'm thinking that it might be better to put that extra $ in a better antenna.

Or -on the contrary- is just about any ham bound to feel the need to upgrade eventually to dual band no matter what and might as well start there?

Anybody out there really using the 440 band on the trail?
Click to expand...


I think the biggest positive for 440 for mobile LC type folks might be the cross band repeat. However that wasn't something I thought I would use really...so I went a dual band (Icom IC-208H) with single display mostly because of the tiny (!) form factor/remoteable face/control. For my uses I will be using from the rig communicating with the caravan ;) .
 
Im running dual band, Do I need dual band ? no.
The local radio club repeater is 2m and 70cm , there is some action on 70cm but not as much as 2m.
I beleve that on most radios have higher power on 2m as well.
Either way you will be miles ahead of your CB.

ken
 
I selected the dual band radio for several reasons.
1. The Yaesu 7800 radio came recommended by several here on 'Mud
2. In NM, we have a huge state-wide VHF/UHF repeater system that has a few remote nodes that are only 70cm.
3. Adding 70cm greatly expands the RX frequencies, including FRS/GMRS.
4. Relatively high gadget factor.

-B-
 
thanks for the feedback.

dual band does not seem that compelling for my uses around here, then. Although the GMRS bit is attractive. Maybe a single band would be just fine for me to get started....
 
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e9999 said:
thanks for the feedback.

dual band does not seem that compelling for my uses around here, then. Although the GMRS bit is attractive. Maybe a single band would be just fine for me to get started....
Click to expand...
The cost delta between single band and dual band units is so small why not get the dual band to start? Just from casual browsing it looks to be an average of around $50 more for dual band.
 
rusty_tlc said:
The cost delta between single band and dual band units is so small why not get the dual band to start? Just from casual browsing it looks to be an average of around $50 more for dual band.
Click to expand...

well, yes, that would be OK. But I am looking at the Yaesu 1802, a newer unit very highly rated at $130 -and fits the console of the 80-. The next Yaesu 2 band, the 7800 is more like $250 I think. So $120 for a not so obvious benefit.

haven't looked at Kenwood and Icom. Which ones were you thinking about?
 
e9999 said:
well, yes, that would be OK. But I am looking at the Yaesu 1802, a newer unit very highly rated at $130 -and fits the console of the 80-. The next Yaesu 2 band, the 7800 is more like $250 I think. So $120 for a not so obvious benefit.

haven't looked at Kenwood and Icom. Which ones were you thinking about?
Click to expand...
I stand corrected, on closer investigation the cost delta is much higher than I originaly thought. Much more for a true dual band (ie auto repeater).
 
rusty_tlc said:
I stand corrected, on closer investigation the cost delta is much higher than I originaly thought. Much more for a true dual band (ie auto repeater).
Click to expand...

yes, the 8800, the 2 receivers one, is more like $350 or so, I think.
 
The true dual bander (operate two freqs simultaneaously) has a lot of neat features, and the prices of over $325 confirm it. The two band radios are cheaper.

I seem to remember that you live in Laguna. SoCal has a lot of 440mHz machines, problem is, nearly all of them are closed/private, and all you hear are people checking in for their weekly net. However, there are some really cool linked repeater systems on 440mHz in SoCal.

I'd start with the 1802 and then move up as necessary. You can sell it for cheap to a buddy later to get them into amateur...
 
gigaparts.com has the yaesu 2800m on sale (on backorder though) for $119.00 shipped. I just ordered two of them, but have to wait until July for them to ship.
 
Jon, isn't the 1802 a newer model (newer tech?) than the 2800 and smaller (fits in the center console of an 80, I read, sweet!)?
 
Pretty sure the 1802 is a less powerful, less sophisticated radio. It is truely the "entry level radio" in the line up. THe 2800 is pretty much a full featured box, it just happens to be single band. I have found the 2800 to be an excellent radio, and at $119 is a really good deal. The heat sink/fanless cooling is particularly suited to of-road use. Think about it, a real radio, for less than some model CBs.

An older model, the FT1500 is highly regarded, and can be had cheap on ebay. It's harder to program, though. It's also quite small.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
An older model, the FT1500 is highly regarded, and can be had cheap on ebay. It's harder to program, though. It's also quite small.
Click to expand...

(Elaborating on Cruiserdrew's comment above)

For you guys that are looking at new radios... small size and "fits in the console" are valid criteria, but IMHO, you need to be looking at more important features. For example, if a radio is a bit larger but is "remotable" (detachable face) then this feature negates the size difference. You also want a radio that can push 50w when you need it.

And most important, you want a radio that can be programmed easily; preferably with PC based software. Until you get some experience, you will not have an appreciation for how sophisticated these new radios are, and the programming (i.e. initial set up of 1000 memories in 20 memory banks plus 5 or 6 radio profiles aka Hypermemories) can be quite complex.

I suggest reading the owner's manual for the radio before you make a selection. These radios are far from "switch to channel 19" and start yakkin'

-B-
 
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Eric,

One thing that's very cool on dual banders is that you have two radios in one. So you can be on two frequencies (same or different bands) at the same time. In other words, you could be talking on a simplex frequency on the trail with the rest of the members of your group while monitoring a repeater.

Regards

Alvaro
 
alvarorb said:
Eric,

One thing that's very cool on dual banders is that you have two radios in one. So you can be on two frequencies (same or different bands) at the same time. In other words, you could be talking on a simplex frequency on the trail with the rest of the members of your group while monitoring a repeater.

Regards

Alvaro
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true indeed and a nice feature. But as usual, it's always a question of what features do you want/need vs how much $$ you want to spend. At this point, just starting out, an inexpensive simple unit is probably enough for me from what I understand of the above, and as said elsewhere, maybe better to spend a bit more on the antenna instead. Sadly, I can think of many other things I can buy for the LC with the extra $200, and if that is not possible, then (maybe) for the kids... :D
 
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I tried to figure out why the 1802 is more $ since the 2800m puts out more watts, and all the rest seemed the same but I probably missed something.

Like Andrew says, the 2800 has no fan and a huge heat sink, it is mil-spec and should be bullet proof. I have been debating the dualbander vs. single for a couple weeks. The defunct radio in my 4r is a crossband repeating dual bander and I (along with others) have posted here how cool those features are. But after a lot of reflection, I concluded that I actually only used those features a few times, and the dual bander I wanted (ft8800r) is 375.00. The 2800 I can leave in the open 4r to the elements and thieves and not get upset if it disappears.

Having said that, if money were not an issue, I would get a crossband repeating dual bander.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
Pretty sure the 1802 is a less powerful, less sophisticated radio. It is truely the "entry level radio" in the line up. THe 2800 is pretty much a full featured box, it just happens to be single band. I have found the 2800 to be an excellent radio, and at $119 is a really good deal. The heat sink/fanless cooling is particularly suited to of-road use. Think about it, a real radio, for less than some model CBs.

An older model, the FT1500 is highly regarded, and can be had cheap on ebay. It's harder to program, though. It's also quite small.
Click to expand...


not sure why you think the 1802 is a lesser unit. Same MSRP. On paper it has the same and some more features. A tad less powerful (50 vs 65w) but almost 3 years newer technology and a much better rating: 4.8 vs 3.7 or so on eham vs the 2800. Anything I didn't see?
 
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