Recommendations for a ham mobile with 11 meters

[AudioShockwav]

I also have used the RS DSP unit.
Just like the Yaesu DSP if you over do it the audio gets distorted.
The famous underwater sounds.
I find it works great for CW.
Not so well for Audio.
73
Jeff

 

[L2]

Kenwood TS-50

 

[Mudfoot]

Yaesu FT-891

http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=345&products_id=72735
Of course the "MARS" mod will have to be done to work all the "bands" you wish/

891 is a little tight

I also have used the RS DSP unit.
Just like the Yaesu DSP if you over do it the audio gets distorted.
The famous underwater sounds.
I find it works great for CW.
Not so well for Audio.
73
Jeff

I had a couple of those RS units over the years. I had same results. Great for CW, but meh for phone.

 

[Bow]

I've used my IC-718 Mobile for... 15 years in a regular cab Nissan Frontier....

Easy MARS Mod
They can be found on the used market, and they still make them..

 

[Mudfoot]

Decent rig that holds value. My first 'brand new" rig was the IC-707, it's predecessor.

 

[Dr_DX]

I will also suggest the TS-50 at your price point. Ran one mobile back in the day and loved it. Like most ham radios the NB isn't much help so make sure you strap your vehicle (don't forget the exhaust). I liked the fact that I could basically control the radio with the 4 PF buttons on the stock mic. MARS is easy and also you can mod it so you can see all 8 digits. One button switched modes, one cycled power levels, one was freq up and the other was freq down.

I could "fine tune" someone on SSB, run the power up to break through a pile up, drop a couple of hundred KHz, flip over to AM, and listen to the boys on the bowl - and never touch the radio. If your vehicle is too noisy for the stock mic, you can use a powered Noise Cancelling mic, add the 4 buttons to it, and and use the +8v from the radio to eliminate the mic battery.

The radio was made up to 2002 so if you get a late model one, the caps are probably still good. Things I would recommend is changing out the lithium battery (especially if it has been sitting for a while), and definitely changing out the zero ohm resistor connected to the SO-239 with a fine stranded jumper wire.

Just my .02

 

[Marconi]

definitely changing out the zero ohm resistor connected to the SO-239 with a fine stranded jumper wire.

Lee, what does this little stranded jumper wire do?

 

[Dr_DX]

The Zero ohm resistor is the radio's internal "connector" to the SO-239 - the TX/RX signal runs through it. When you plug in coax to the SO-239, the center pin moves around, especially if you are using RG8 or LMR400 and over time the resistor's solid lead breaks at the point where it is soldered to the center pin of the connector due to fatigue. The resistor has no flexibility to absorb the movement and vibration. Changing it out with a fine stranded jumper gives that connection the flexibility it needs.

BTW, I am speaking from first hand experience

 

[Marconi]

I believe ya'.

I enjoyed my TS-50 for many years...and she got sick and died.

 

[Flyincoyote]

Get a old yaesu ft- 101 . They have a DC wiring cord for mobile operation. make sure its bolted down or put it in a modified child car seat

 

[Slowmover]

Get a old yaesu ft- 101 . They have a DC wiring cord for mobile operation. make sure its bolted down or put it in a modified child car seat

Inside a life-sized INSANE CLOWN doll in child car seat next to you.

Modify one of those dozen old mobile mikes you have to fit into a giant pacifier.

.

 

[Flyincoyote]

Haha..that is disturbing , cute kid

 

[Flyincoyote]

Supposedly yaesu had a mobile bracket from the dealer. I believe they are like unicorns

 

[W4KVW]

I have an FT857D. It's one hell of a radio.

I had one & it drove me crazy since I thought it was the Biggest POS I have ever owned for any CB or Ham Radio. I would not own another one for FREE if I was required to keep & use it. It would not be worth it. I replaced it with an ICOM 7000 & now know what owning the Cream of the Crop & the worst ever built feels like. The 7000 blows it away when it is turned OFF it is so much better. I would not give someone a Yaesu 857D because I would not be able to sleep because I would feel really badly about it forever. Can you tell I HATE that POS radio? I can't believe people actually think it's a good radio? Guess they have never owned an ICOM 7000 because they would no longer think the 857D is even a radio.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[BigLou]

I second the OPTIMA I have one I don,t use it any more it,s my back up radio. It,s always done good by me.