What is best supplement for a 2 meter mobile

[Need2Know]

I am being gifted by a friend with what he calls a "bare bones" 15 year old, 2 meter mobile radio. I assume it is 50 watts.

I also want to do APRS and 70cm and have other current "bells and whistles" in a second radio.

This gift may take me in a different direction on the purchase of a full featured radio than what I was considering. If I was to own just one radio, I was going for the Kenwood TM D710 mobile. But now with two, it may be appropriate to change my direction.

My questions are:

What will be the best use of the bare bones mobile? As a "go kit" radio? A mobile? Or a base backup?

As a supplement to the bare bones mobile, would another mobile be appropriate, or does it make more sense now to go with the Kenwood TH-D72A handheld?

I know the immediate answer is to wait to learn more about the bare bones mobile, its performance and features, if any. But thinking ahead, I just wondered what some options might be.

Poor me, with such decisions.

 

[Moleculo]

What will be the best use of the bare bones mobile? As a "go kit" radio? A mobile? Or a base backup?

It really depends on what else you want to accomplish. One use for the bare bones radio is to build a D-Star hotspot out of it

 

[Need2Know]

It really depends on what else you want to accomplish. One use for the bare bones radio is to build a D-Star hotspot out of it

Here is further information about the D-Star hotspot Moleculo referred to:

D-STAR Hot SpotCurrent Version is 2.56


What is it?
D-STAR Hot Spot is software for Windows that creates a D-STAR 'point of presence' (or hot spot) utilizing an analog radio and a GMSK node adapter. The hot spot creates RF access to the D-STAR network where none previously existed. With a hot spot set up, you can use your D-STAR radio (IC-91AD, ID-92, etc.) to listen to, and talk on, any DPlus equipped D-STAR repeater or reflector.

Q: Do I need a DVDongle?
A: NO

Q: With a hot spot, can I access the D-STAR network with an analog radio?
A: NO - You must use a D-STAR radio in digital voice mode with D-STAR hot spot.

Q: Can I use D-STAR Hot Spot to link with Echolink or IRLP?
N: NO - Hot Spot only works with D-STAR radios in digital voice mode.

Q: Does callsign or slash routing with with D-STAR Hot Spot?
N: NO - D-STAR Hot Spot talks to DPlus. Callsign and slash routing are not supported by DPlus.

I don't own or plan to acquire a D-Star capable radio in the forseeable future. Such a setup may benefit other users in the area, I don't know.

 

[office888]

I am being gifted by a friend with what he calls a "bare bones" 15 year old, 2 meter mobile radio. I assume it is 50 watts.

I also want to do APRS and 70cm and have other current "bells and whistles" in a second radio.

This gift may take me in a different direction on the purchase of a full featured radio than what I was considering. If I was to own just one radio, I was going for the Kenwood TM D710 mobile. But now with two, it may be appropriate to change my direction.

My questions are:

What will be the best use of the bare bones mobile? As a "go kit" radio? A mobile? Or a base backup?

As a supplement to the bare bones mobile, would another mobile be appropriate, or does it make more sense now to go with the Kenwood TH-D72A handheld?

I know the immediate answer is to wait to learn more about the bare bones mobile, its performance and features, if any. But thinking ahead, I just wondered what some options might be.

Poor me, with such decisions.

Can it do PL tones?

 

[Need2Know]

Well, here it is. Haven't seen it yet. It's in the mail:

Azden PCS-2000 2-meter mobile unit (w/mic and Owner's Manual)

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2335

Looks like it is 20+ years old. Conflicting info about whether it is 25 or 50 watts on high. Looks like an oldie but goodie. I may have to engage the whole ham club to program it.

Don't know if it can do call tones. More on PL tones, aka CTCSS tones:
http://www.zianet.com/ebear/pltones.html

 

[Need2Know]

Azden PCS-2000 2m FM Mobile Transceiver

Well, here it is. Haven't seen it yet. It's in the mail:

Azden PCS-2000 2-meter mobile unit (w/mic and Owner's Manual)

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2335

Looks like it is 20+ years old. Conflicting info about whether it is 25 or 50 watts on high. Looks like an oldie but goodie. I may have to engage the whole ham club to program it.

Don't know if it can do call tones. More on PL tones, aka CTCSS tones:
PL Tones

I received this radio in the mail today, complete with manual. It is definitely 25 watts. There does not appear to be any PL tones - at least not on the features list.

Before I test it with the assistance of a local ham with a decent antenna, power supply and more knowledge than I have, I want to get the required silver oxide batteries (S76, MS76, RS76 or 76SO) to maintain the memory.

 

[Billk]

I There does not appear to be any PL tones - at least not on the features list.

If it does not have the capability to transmit pl tones then I would not even waste the money on the batteries. Just about every repeater in my area requires a tone to access it. I am sure it is probably the same where you are. The radio will unfortunately be useless for practical applications.

Here is a link to an online repeater listing. Check your area and see how many of the repeaters use a pl tone. Amateur Radio Repeater database - Updated daily

 

[AudioShockwav]

If it does not have the capability to transmit pl tones then I would not even waste the money on the batteries.

I would not be so quick to throw in the towel, there are aftermatket PL boards that fit many radios.
As well as building your own board.
Check out the TE32 for 59 bucks first from Com Spec

http://www.com-spec.com/te32.htm

Sub-Audible Tone Encoder/Decoder Kit


http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/qrp/pltone.html

An Inexpensive PL Tone Encoder

http://www.rollanet.org/~rrars/tech_files/pl_tone_ckt.pdf

http://www.repeater-builder.com/ramsey/ramsey-ctcss-encoder-decoder-qt1.pdf

This article is prompted by a recent necessity to add tone squelch to the local repeaters to combat interference from various sources

73
Jeff

 

[Need2Know]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

There is an open repeater in Ocala, 20 miles north of us.

But cheap tone encoders and open repeaters may be a moot point given the experience we had today testing this old radio with a ham friend at his house.

The radio receives OK, but transmit doesn't give a strong signal across the street. As soon as I acquire my own antennae, I will do some more testing with this radio, such as determining the actual wattage it puts out. It is drawing the appropriate amps when the mike is keyed, but something between the mike and audio section seems to be a problem.

 

[kiondhyg]

Appears like it's 2 decades old. Conflicting information on whether it's 25 or 50 w on high. Appears like an oldie but goodie. I might have to engage the entire pork club to program it.


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