Hello, Noob here. I have been lurking while i study for my test and started looking at radios. I have a couple of repeaters i pretty sure i can hit with a HT but down the road about 40 miles there are so many more. Here in Northeast Alabama there are lots of trees and hills to contend with. I was looking at the Yaesu FT-2900 for a mobile rig and a cheap Baofeng UV-5R plus for a HT. I would just get the HT but i am afraid i won't be able to reach that many repeaters. I don't have the funds to get both of them right now. Any thoughts on what you would? Thanks for the replies and looking forward to getting on the air.
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Mobile or HT for first radio
- Thread starter sndmntboy
- Start date
An HT is very limiting, just doesn't have the ability for much except very local stuff. I wouldn't recommend an Ht as a 'first radio'. Sure, they can do as much as any other radio at about 5 watts and after adding an external antenna, but the typical rubberducky isn't going to do much more than just very local stuff. I think a common mobile radio would mean more 'range' and usability. That says nothing about the complexity with the programming, and that can get sort of confusing with only a limited number of buttons to do that programming as with an HT. That mobile radio may not be the latest and greatest, but will typically be more usable than an HT.
That's a personal opinion based on seeing a number of 'new' hams go the HT route.
- 'Doc
That's a personal opinion based on seeing a number of 'new' hams go the HT route.
- 'Doc
I would say go with the mobile radio.Alot better range with it over the HT.The ht has its place but it is very limited for range,even with an external antenna.
I have 2 of the 2900 rigs and love them !! The 2900 has a great receive on it and is easy to program.Get a decent antenna for either your car or house and you are off and running !!
I have 2 of the 2900 rigs and love them !! The 2900 has a great receive on it and is easy to program.Get a decent antenna for either your car or house and you are off and running !!
Another vote for a mobile. Trying to use an HT mobile in an area like you are describing can be very frustrating.
Get the mobile, and do a proper mobile antenna installation. (NOT a mag mount).
Get the mobile, and do a proper mobile antenna installation. (NOT a mag mount).
Go with a mobile radio. There was another discussion about this concerning using an HT and then later adding an amplifier to it. Here is my opinion on that idea.
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...153750-handi-talkie-amplifier.html#post424267
http://www.worldwidedx.com/general-...153750-handi-talkie-amplifier.html#post424267
I've been a ham for 20 years. My first radio was an HT because I didn't own a vehicle. I used it as a base with a large antenna, power supply, speaker, and mic. I used it mobile when I got a vehicle with an external antenna, cig. lighter cord, and speaker mic. They do live up to their name, they're handy.
However, using an HT in this manner is complex and the results are mediocre. A rubber ducky is worthless. You'll need all the above listed accessories. You're better off with a mobile rig.
Over the years, after I bought a second radio, and thru all the other radios I own, I very rarely ever use the HT. A mobile or base rig just works so much better and is so much better to use.
You can always tell the guy with the HT. His signal is usually weak and then he disappears because his battery died.
However, using an HT in this manner is complex and the results are mediocre. A rubber ducky is worthless. You'll need all the above listed accessories. You're better off with a mobile rig.
Over the years, after I bought a second radio, and thru all the other radios I own, I very rarely ever use the HT. A mobile or base rig just works so much better and is so much better to use.
You can always tell the guy with the HT. His signal is usually weak and then he disappears because his battery died.
