LINEAR, MOBILE RADIO SUGGESTIONS

[darticus]

I have a TYT handheld radio which is 2m and 70 cm. Works great but sometimes I need a little power to get through the noise. You pros probably know the best choice. Do I buy a small 20-30 watt linear or do I buy a 2m 70cm mobile radio? I'm new to this so I have to ask what are the best choices in this that won't kill my wallet? Xmas is coming and just thinking of what my wife might like to buy me. I have a great roof top antenna and a power pack already. Should I buy on the Internet suggestions needed. Thanks Ron

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

For me it`s a no-brainer, buy a mobile radio. You will spend about the same amount of money if you buy an amp for the HT and you will have both a mobile radio and still have the HT to use. I have been down the same road as you and I did buy an amp first. I now consider that a mistake. The mobile radio will perform better than the HT and amp especially in the RX end of things and will be much more convenient to deal with in the end.

 

[AudioShockwav]

Good stuff from Captian Kilo.
I did the same thing only just 2 meters had an Alinco DJ-F1t and found that I needed just a bit more to reach the machines on the edge. I went out a bought a TPL amp and used it for a while. My next buy was A FT 2400 2 meter mobile and I suddenly became aware of the much better RX with the Yaesu.
HT's are very good for what they are but they have limits.

73
Jeff

 

[darticus]

Great info! Thanks
I Do need a dual band 2m and 70cm so help me with a choice.
Sounds like people are suggesting I should buy a 2 band 2M 70CM mobile or base and not the amp. Now what to buy? My base antenna is reasonably good (Diamond X510HDM) Now for some suggestions for reasonably priced quality mobiles. What about buying from internet stores? The base sounds good but I thought a base is tooo much money or is there something your not telling me. I would love a base but are they affordable? Thanks Ron

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

AFAIK nobody makes a 2m/70cm base radio any more. The handfull that were made in the past were all multimode not just FM and were meant for satellite, weak signal SSB/CW or EME stuff. Everyone pretty much runs a mobile radio on a power supply in the house. Some of the HF radios like the Yaesu FT-857 (mobile) and FT-897 (base) include 2m and 70cm. That's the only way I think you will find 2m/70cm in a base radio is if it is an HF radio to begin with or you get an older radio like an Icom 271A RigPix Database - Icom - IC-271E

or a Kenwood TS-790 RigPix Database - Kenwood/Trio - TS-790A

or the likes.

 

[doctor]

dual bander

Just go buy a dual bander mobile radio...and you will be satisfied 100 percent <hopefully, make sure it is 50 watt unit...try hamstation on the internet< repacked icom 208h high power 2/440 on sale $64 saving not to bad>, sometimes you can get a repackaged dual bander reasonable,or r and l electronics..I deal with both..each has his favorite..and don't forget simplex frequencies band opens up you can work across to another state once in a while...
73
doctor/795

 

[milkman21218]

Yes, some internet stores are very good like AES, HRO, Ham City, R&L Electronics, and Universal. A very nice Dual Bander is the Yaesu FT-7900r. I run the Jetstream mobile antennas from R&L. The JTM-7505 & the JTM-7905. These are the very same as Diamond's SG-7500 & SG-7900. I also run the Jetstream JTB-1 same as the Diamond X510. But cost about $90.

 

[ElectronTubesRule]

I agree get a mobile radio it will have the power you want and easier to work the controls. Hand Helds are like cell phone they have too many double function keys and the keys and knobs are always too small for any man's hands.

Mobiles usually have the power you desire too! I seriously doubt you will regret getting a mobile unit!

 

[darticus]

Thanks I bought the Kenwood TM-V71a. Should be great but just found out the software cable cost 50 dollars. Ron

 

[n8fgb]

Great choice. You can set it up for crossband repeat,with id'er, and walk around the house with your ht.
Rich

 

[Moleculo]

Thanks I bought the Kenwood TM-V71a. Should be great but just found out the software cable cost 50 dollars. Ron

Skip the "official" Kenwood programming cable and buy one off of ebay if you don't want to make one yourself. They're $20 on ebay:

Programming Cable Kenwood TM-D710 TM-V71 PG-5G PG5G | eBay

 

[darticus]

Thanks for that great lead. Hope it will work. Ron

 

[darticus]

Would like to do just this. Is this easy to set up with the radio? Kinda new to this. Thanks Ron

Great choice. You can set it up for crossband repeat,with id'er, and walk around the house with your ht.
Rich

 

[Moleculo]

Would like to do just this. Is this easy to set up with the radio? Kinda new to this. Thanks Ron

You have to purchase a radio that has the capability. Something like the Yaesu FT-8900 will work. There are a few radios that will do this. After that, it's just a matter of dialing up the frequencies you want to use and turning on the function. After you purchase a radio, let us know if you can't figure it out and we'll get you going.

 

[darticus]

I bought the Kenwood TN-V71A. Says it can do it and will give it a try. Trying to get through this crazy north east fall snow storm with 19 inches of snow in NEW Jersey. Thanks Ron

You have to purchase a radio that has the capability. Something like the Yaesu FT-8900 will work. There are a few radios that will do this. After that, it's just a matter of dialing up the frequencies you want to use and turning on the function. After you purchase a radio, let us know if you can't figure it out and we'll get you going.