Yaesu FT-7900R or Icom IC-208H for the Cruiser?

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AKcruiserfreak

AKcruiserfreak

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jul 10, 2006
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2,188
Location
North Pole, AK
First let me say that I am very new to the ham scene, and have yet to take my technician license test, but I am trying to get an idea of what to buy once I am legal.

I was told by a few of grizzly ham operators that I need a dual band for our diverse terrain, so that is exactly what I'm looking at. I want to spend no more than $350 on the unit and these two units fall into that category (without an antenna or coax)
The Yaesu Ft-7900R http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cm...4B638CB8E0F201158C&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0 seems to be used by a number of you as well as some of my friends up here, but the Icom IC-208H IC-208H VHF/UHF FM Transceiver - Features - Icom America seems to have a few extra goodies with negligible price difference. However, I do not know anyone personally that owns a Icon.

All this to say, What should I get? Also, what would be a good, short (or foldable antenna that will allow my FJ60 to fit in my 7" garage?

Thanks
TK
 
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I purchased the Yaesu 7900 and a Diamond SG7900A antenna from AES today. The Yaesu seemed to get the better reviews and I'm hoping that the antenna work with the radio. it's 62" and seems together good mobile reviews.

TK
 
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suprised no-one weighed in with an opinion.... maybe they will now, after you made your purchase...

I have a 2M yaesu and just bought it for the trail stuff, but depending on where I end up going for trail rides I might get somethign else for the tow rig at some point and it probally would make sense to get a dual band radio then.
 
Elbert said:
suprised no-one weighed in with an opinion.... maybe they will now, after you made your purchase...

I have a 2M yaesu and just bought it for the trail stuff, but depending on where I end up going for trail rides I might get somethign else for the tow rig at some point and it probally would make sense to get a dual band radio then.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I thought somebody would weigh in, but that site you pointed out got me headed in the right direction. I'll be taking the test on the 7th, so now I just need to study.:cheers:
 
Elbert said:
suprised no-one weighed in with an opinion.... maybe they will now, after you made your purchase...
Click to expand...

AKcruiserfreak said:
Yeah, I thought somebody would weigh in
Click to expand...

Both radios are good, it just comes down to personal preference. For a new ham especially, it can be good to get the same radio or at least the same brand as your local (or IH8MUD) buddies so that they can help you program it and answer questions when you're getting started. I've not counted posts or anything, but there seems to be many more people running Yaesu radios here than any other brand. But there is nothing wrong with ICOM, they are a major brand and make good radios too.


Elbert said:
I have a 2M yaesu and just bought it for the trail stuff, but depending on where I end up going for trail rides I might get somethign else for the tow rig at some point and it probally would make sense to get a dual band radio then.
Click to expand...

A dual-band radio can be really useful in the right circumstances, but it's not necessary for everyone. 70cm does better than 2M with some line-of-site obstacles like steep narrow canyons and etc., but if you don't live or drive near a major metropolitan area then there are not many 70cm repeaters, or the few that are there are not very active. Where I live, there are few 70 cm repeaters and the band is dead (from a traffic standpoint) so I never use it. So for me, the big advantage of a dual-band radio is just having two 2M radios in the same space/same power connection/same antenna. Then, you can talk on one and use the other for APRS, or you can monitor both your trail group and the base station (at Cruise Moab for example) at the same time.


AKcruiserfreak said:
I'll be taking the test on the 7th, so now I just need to study.:cheers:
Click to expand...

Good luck with your test! Take the free on-line tests (with the same question pool as the real test) for practice. When you can consistently pass those, you are golden! It's not that hard.
 
FT7900R 2m/440 radio

i have one; signal reports say the audio is very good/clear and I use a dual band mag mount antenna. I bought it used on eBay; if i remember right less than 300 total cost. This also has the MARS/CAP mod done it as i found out later. it is fairly small and the face panel can be detached and remote mounted with just telephone cord with the plug in jacks. I use Cig lighter plug in with no problems. Do get the software and USB plug then it is really easy to program.
i also have IC-207 older brother to the IC-208 (bought new when they were offered for sale by ICOM) that thing has been thru allot too, and that is in the L/C with also a small dual band mag mount. itis a little bigger than the FT7900R still gives a good signal report.
Any questions let me know thru PM
73
john
KB7TIX
 
Good to hear that the 7900 is well liked. It does seem to get decent reviews. I'll look into the software once I get the unit. The main thing I'm concerned about is mounting the antenna. I got the Diamond SG7900A because of its length (62") and the collapsibility, but I'm still not sure how I'm going to mount it. I know people like putting the antenna in the center of the roof, but that's really not an option for me due to my garage height and the fact that I'm too lazy to take the thing off every time I want to get in a garage. Still researching...

TK
 
I ordered the 7900 and am waiting to get it.
The programming software really helps
 
RobRed said:
I didnt want to drill into my 100's roof so I opted to use a Diamond K412 hatch mount. Easy to deal with and easy to fold an antenna. Diamond has a k400 as well for heavier antennas.
Click to expand...

thanks for the heads up. I HATE drilling into rigs as well.

TK
 
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