Posted: 7/27/2008 8:10:38 AM EDT
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So, I'll be taking my Tech exam shortly, and I'm looking for my first radio... Due to space and budget constraints, I've pretty much settled on a HT. The question now is, which one? I'd obviously like to use all the bands a Tech license would allow me. Big pluses for the ability to connect an external antennae, and to charge off of either household AC or the cig. lighter in my truck. So... iCom? Yaesu? Something else completely? Do I need to pull my head out of my ass and study more? 
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I'm partial to the Yaesu VX-6. They're a bit pricey, but they do 2M and 70cm, and they work well as a Wideband scanner. They are also waterproof, which I have unfortunately proven. It's also hard to beat the VX-150/170 if you need a 2M only HT. I've heard good things about the FT-60R, but I've never actually put my hands on one. |
^---This. Buying a handheld for a first rig, and finding out in my area I have to stand on a chair to hit the local repeater....priceless.
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What about the VX-7? I can get a gently used one locally for $125. I don't think hitting the repeater is going to be a problem, I have direct LOS to it from my back porch. I'd love a mobile rig, but I'm on a very tight budget. Once I'm done with school, though... When is the VX-8R supposed to come out? |
LOL... I shot the seller an e-mail, I'll call him tomorrow afternoon if I haven't heard back from him. I'll take it by the local radio shop and have them test it out for me before I buy it, too. I'd love a mobile, but unless I can find another deal like this, it ain't gonna happen any time soon. Gotta pay for college, yanno. 
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The only way I bought a FT-7800R for $135 was because I was patient. The same goes for my $25 Visars. Just register and lurk on the big radio sites, (BatLabs, RadioReference, QRZ) and something's bound to show up. |