To dual or not to dual, that is the (ham) question...!
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- #22
fine on paper, but surely there is more than just stated power, like quality of the transmission, and efficiency of the device (does 65W spec automatically means a more powerful signal out than 50W? is the standard used even the same?) Also isn't that 30% (or 23%?) easily overcome by using a 3dB antenna over the 1/4 waves that everybody seems to like so much? The radios do offer reduced power out levels, so seems like the manufacturers are attuned to the fact that the max power is not a critical issue for most. Plus since the 1802 is much newer, appears to be the eventual replacement for the 2800 and they reduced the max power at the same MSRP, I'm not too worried about that. (Does it looks like I like the 1802 already?
).They do get quite hot, though, apparently.
alvarorb
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Eric,
From what I read, the 1802 is a fabulous radio. And, I have nothing but good thing to say about the 2800.
I've not tested the 1802. But, I'm sure you will be happy with any of the two.
Regards
Alvaro
From what I read, the 1802 is a fabulous radio. And, I have nothing but good thing to say about the 2800.
I've not tested the 1802. But, I'm sure you will be happy with any of the two.
Regards
Alvaro
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FT1802 works good for me. For ~$130 it's hard to go wrong with either ft1802 or ft2800.
The 1802 is smaller than the 2800 and made fitting it behind the center console in my 80 easier and still allowed access to the 3 x 12V outlets I had previously installed low down on the rear of the console.
Besides how could you argue with the vehicle choice of the yaesu glossy?
cheers,
george.
The 1802 is smaller than the 2800 and made fitting it behind the center console in my 80 easier and still allowed access to the 3 x 12V outlets I had previously installed low down on the rear of the console.
Besides how could you argue with the vehicle choice of the yaesu glossy?
cheers,
george.
Pskhaat
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Dual-band.
Why? There are many most remote areas in that are suprisingly only on UHF (e.g. Tuweep). Emergency and field workers carry UHF HTs for which you may need to make emergency out-of-band calls in life/death.
Why? There are many most remote areas in that are suprisingly only on UHF (e.g. Tuweep). Emergency and field workers carry UHF HTs for which you may need to make emergency out-of-band calls in life/death.
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- #26
ah, interesting point! what frequencies are they normally using?
And take the published power output ratings from the marketing brochures with a grain of salt. Bench measures have purported to be a little less on some if not most of the 2M radios...Yaesu and Icom alike. FYI.
alvarorb
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I would go Dual band. I have already used both bands of my new rig and only got it about 2 weeks ago. I couple times i was on the road the only repeater i could hit was a 70cm. I think it's pretty much doubling your chances of making contact if you need to.
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- #30
after a bit more reading:
the dual band units like the Yaesu 7800 do provide a much broader receiver range (e.g. 108-520 + 700-1000) compared to the 2m only unit like the 1802 (136-174), so more fun listening to "stuff" out there. That's a good plus.
OTOH, it seems like you may be able to hear FRS/GMRS and most (all?) S&R but won't be able to transmit to them so the dual band may not be a great benefit there in case of emergency.
All the same, I do see that used units in good condition sell for suprisingly high amounts on ebay, so it looks like one would not lose a lot of $$ potentially by making a less than perfect choice, either way.
the dual band units like the Yaesu 7800 do provide a much broader receiver range (e.g. 108-520 + 700-1000) compared to the 2m only unit like the 1802 (136-174), so more fun listening to "stuff" out there. That's a good plus.
OTOH, it seems like you may be able to hear FRS/GMRS and most (all?) S&R but won't be able to transmit to them so the dual band may not be a great benefit there in case of emergency.
All the same, I do see that used units in good condition sell for suprisingly high amounts on ebay, so it looks like one would not lose a lot of $$ potentially by making a less than perfect choice, either way.
Reread post #25 then research the MARS/CAP mods available for many dual band radios.
-B-
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- #32
Well, mods are a different story and this whole mod thing seems to be a bit iffy, too. For instance, I read (not sure how correct this is) that there are FCC rules stating that it is illegal to use a modified ham radio to transmit on non-ham bands, even if one would be allowed to access the frequencies otherwise. So they likely have serious restrictions in place. Doesn't seem like a free for all. Are the mods even legal (even when not used) since the FCC certification of the unit would likely no longer apply?
Of course, if it's a real serious potential loss of life emergency such legaliities may be moot points.
All the same, I'm starting to lean towards the dual band now, given the much wider receiver range. Should be fun to listen to some of the public safety stuff.
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Pskhaat
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As a Ham, you can build your own radio if you wanted. That's what it's all about (or at least was all about). There is no req'd FCC cert for a Ham radio per se, though there certainly are cert's req'd for FRS, GMRS, CB, et cetera. Now, as a Ham you should by all means not TX out of your license allocated bands, but in an absolute emergency, I'd happily pay a $10k FCC fine.
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- #34
happily, it seems that the FCC makes it clear than in an emergency, pretty much anything goes, including using bands out of your license range etc
alvarorb
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Excellent news Eric.
When do you take the exam?
Alvaro
When do you take the exam?
Alvaro
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- #37
Hi A. Took the exam a bit back.
alvarorb
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So what's your call sign?
Alvaro
Alvaro
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- #39
no call sign yet, CSCE disappeared in the bowels of the FCC I guess...
a bit more feedback on dual band units:
- I must have gotten the wrong impression from reading accounts here and elsewhere of how dominant the 2m was over 440. From an admittedly limited few sessions of scanning through the bands, I was suprised to see that 440 was in fact quite a bit more active than I thought. There is a fair amount of talking there.
- Downloaded a list of repeaters in the SoCal area. There were about 200 in the 2m band, 150 in the 220 range and 450 in the 440 range. So it seems like the 440 is actually quite a bit out there.
- Having a dual band unit seems go along with much wider receiver coverage than a single 2m unit. Besides obviously the 440 and then up to 999, there is also the 220 and an extended 2m area band. For instance my Yaesu 7800 goes well below 144 whereas the 1802 2m only does not. Seems to be the case also with the Icoms I saw. As a result you get a lot of the aviation band with the dual unit that you would not with the single band. So all, in all, for pure listening pleasure, the dual band is way up there compared to the single band. Added to the additional transmission capabilities, it's well worth the extra $100 in my opinion (as some did already state above and elsewhere) - I'm glad to have revised my earlier impression.
I'd be curious to hear how the 2 bands compare in terms of range (as in different wavelengths propagation + different antenna gains + different power issues all combined). Anybody knows?
a bit more feedback on dual band units:
- I must have gotten the wrong impression from reading accounts here and elsewhere of how dominant the 2m was over 440. From an admittedly limited few sessions of scanning through the bands, I was suprised to see that 440 was in fact quite a bit more active than I thought. There is a fair amount of talking there.
- Downloaded a list of repeaters in the SoCal area. There were about 200 in the 2m band, 150 in the 220 range and 450 in the 440 range. So it seems like the 440 is actually quite a bit out there.
- Having a dual band unit seems go along with much wider receiver coverage than a single 2m unit. Besides obviously the 440 and then up to 999, there is also the 220 and an extended 2m area band. For instance my Yaesu 7800 goes well below 144 whereas the 1802 2m only does not. Seems to be the case also with the Icoms I saw. As a result you get a lot of the aviation band with the dual unit that you would not with the single band. So all, in all, for pure listening pleasure, the dual band is way up there compared to the single band. Added to the additional transmission capabilities, it's well worth the extra $100 in my opinion (as some did already state above and elsewhere) - I'm glad to have revised my earlier impression.
I'd be curious to hear how the 2 bands compare in terms of range (as in different wavelengths propagation + different antenna gains + different power issues all combined). Anybody knows?
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- #40
addendum:
a closer look at the 440 repeaters list in SoCal suggests that whereas there may be a lot of them around, many/most are closed or private, whereas most of the 2m ones are open... so the advantage could well be to 2m in practice. Not sure.
same elsewhere?
some experimentation also revealed that I could readily hear some FRS and GMRS transmissions on the mobile dual whereas there was nothing to be heard on portable GMRS/FRS units. Antenna length, of course. Surprisingly, there was even some transmission I caught on the GMRS band that seemed to be with guys working on a fire. Obviously with a more serious unit or with a repeater than little HTs, but I didn't think they would use that band... Strange. Maybe some improv?
a closer look at the 440 repeaters list in SoCal suggests that whereas there may be a lot of them around, many/most are closed or private, whereas most of the 2m ones are open... so the advantage could well be to 2m in practice. Not sure.
same elsewhere?
some experimentation also revealed that I could readily hear some FRS and GMRS transmissions on the mobile dual whereas there was nothing to be heard on portable GMRS/FRS units. Antenna length, of course. Surprisingly, there was even some transmission I caught on the GMRS band that seemed to be with guys working on a fire. Obviously with a more serious unit or with a repeater than little HTs, but I didn't think they would use that band... Strange. Maybe some improv?
