Yaesu 8800 or Kenwood D710

[890man]

I just got my license and am looking to get a radio. I was just about to get the Yaesu but I am really interested in APRS for my truck. I thought about just adding something like a Tiny Tracker Byonics - TinyTrak4 GPS Position Encoder to the 8800 but having everything in one radio sounds pretty good. I see alot of talk about the Yaesu but not much on the Kenwood. What are your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[BC_FJC]

I have both radios along with the TinyTrak and Micro-Trak.

The FT8800 is a great radio and vary easy to use. Some of the problems when using it for APRS is that you have to switch the active side manualy and it is output only. I don't know if the TinyTrak will receve to a PC or not. The other short comming is if you wonted to use other digital modes you still needed a TNC. If you wont to do two way APRS with your laptop skip the TinyTrak and get a TNC, GPS recever and APRS software.

With the D710 all you need to do is plug in a GPS recever and configure your radio. 2 way APRS data is avalible on the radios display. It also has a built in TNC if you wont to connect your laptop (Cable and APRS software required). It's a vary clean install. Now for the downside the 710 is not all that user frendly. with the 8800 you can control most of your functions from the mic keys or from the display with the 710 almost everything is from the display and throw multiple menus making some of functions difficult to access. That being said I don't have any plans to switch back.

I don't use my TinyTrak that much anymore but am still using my Micro-Trak (APRS beacon with built in radio). It is realy easy use to keep tabs on almost anything.

If you have any questions I will do my best to help out.

73,
VA7DRW

 

[890man]

Thanks for the reply. It looks like the Tiny Track 4 has a built in TNC and will also receive. I would like your input on that one. Do you think the TT4 would solve some of your current issues? I was also thinking about going with a stand alone Micro Trac also. How do you have that set up. Is the range good. I did hear from a friend of mine with an earlier Kenwood mention the menu system being more difficult and having the manual with you is a good idea.

Thanks

BTW, Ill have to post my callsign when I get it.

 

[FJ40_owner]

I have a D700 and love it. It has two real squelch knobs, not some firmware push three buttons, turn a knob and select a digital setpoint. I run APRS an have no problems using it. My only issue is there is only one antenna port.

And most of my handhelds are Yaesu. (ft209rh, ft50, vx-2, vx7)

 

[BC_FJC]

The new TinyTrak 4 looks like it has everything. You will still need to have your laptop connected to receve but looks like a winner.

Don't get me wrong I am really enjoying the 710 but am still finding myself having to search throw the menus for some of the functions I don't use all the time. I have moved the functions that I do use all the time to the programable keys. I've had the radio for 5 months now and am still learning how to use it. My 8800 only took me about 6 weeks to master.

I still feel that for APRS the 710 was my best choise.

 

[Corbet]

Sorry I can't help much with you specific question but there are a few of us with Kenwood units in our rigs. I got the TM-v71a so that I could upgrade it to include APRS in the future. Plus the buttons are back lit to see in the dark.

 

[890man]

So does anyone have the kenwood hooked up to a laptop to receive position information from others? I know the avmap can do it but I want to have better off road maps including aerials and have the positions plotted.

When APRS is in use, can you also transmit voice or do you have to switch over manually. I am still on the fence. Having a separate transmitter like the micro-trac might be a good idea if I have to switch between APRS and transmitting over 2M.

 

[BC_FJC]

So does anyone have the kenwood hooked up to a laptop to receive position information from others? I know the avmap can do it but I want to have better off road maps including aerials and have the positions plotted.

When APRS is in use, can you also transmit voice or do you have to switch over manually. I am still on the fence. Having a separate transmitter like the micro-trac might be a good idea if I have to switch between APRS and transmitting over 2M.

I do, most of the time right now I just use the radio since I haven't mounted a laptop in the truck yet. I'm using the APRS Point software that uses Microsofts Map Point maps, Easy out of the box setup... I have been playing with some other software packages that will except other maps but have not had the time to make them work proporly yet... I will keep you posted.

As for the 710 you do not need to switch between APRS mode and Voice. The radio do's this for you. It can only transmit from one side at a time so if you are talking the aprs tx will wait until you are finished.