Posted: 7/20/2009 3:40:03 PM EDT
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I'll be testing in about 3 weeks and expect to get my General ticket. In anticipation of that, I've been looking at the different mobile options out there.
I've been looking at the FT-8900R ... I like the idea of having as many options as possible in one rig. The IC-703Plus (mentioned in this thread) looks like a nice rig, but the output seems a bit low. The other thing that occurs to me is that it looks like there's a good bit of spectrum overlap between the two, with the major difference being the Icom covers more HF while the Yaesu covers the 2M and 70cm bands (which the IC703Plus does not appear to). I'm not tied to a brand, but have been looking at Icom and Yaesu since they seem to have a lions share of the market. Comments? Suggestions? Considerations I've missed? |
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Quoted:
I'll be testing in about 3 weeks and expect to get my General ticket. In anticipation of that, I've been looking at the different mobile options out there. I've been looking at the FT-8900R ... I like the idea of having as many options as possible in one rig. The IC-703Plus (mentioned in this thread) looks like a nice rig, but the output seems a bit low. The other thing that occurs to me is that it looks like there's a good bit of spectrum overlap between the two, with the major difference being the Icom covers more HF while the Yaesu covers the 2M and 70cm bands (which the IC703Plus does not appear to). I'm not tied to a brand, but have been looking at Icom and Yaesu since they seem to have a lions share of the market. Comments? Suggestions? Considerations I've missed? above, you are talking about two TOTALLY different types of radios. i have an FT8800 (the 2m/70cm version of the FT8900) and i also have an IC703+... so with that i'll give you a little insight about what my first sentence in this post is all about... in addition to the frequency bands a radio covers, you must also consider the modes (that is, the modulation types) which it covers. note from the glossy sheet that the FT8900 is an FM-only transceiver, and (since you are new to the hobby you may not realize this yet) on the 6m and 10m bands there is VERY little FM activity. it is true that there may be a handful of 6m and 10m FM repeaters within a hundred miles of you, but you will find their user base to be fairly small to non-existent. i would opine that if you purchased an FT8900 that you would spend 99% of your operating time on the 2m and 70cm bands unless by serendipity alone there are nearby 6m and 10m FM repeaters. with an FT8900 you will be able to communicate on 4 bands using FM, with approximate ranges out to 50-80 miles depending on the antennas employed and coverage area of nearby repeaters. in contrast, the IC703+ is an "all mode" QRP (low power) transceiver that covers 160m to 6m –– and can operate on any of AM, FM, SSB (usb/lsb), CW, and RTTY modes on all frequencies. when the subspots show up again ([praying!]), 10m SSB will be once again very useful for long distance communications (aka DX). moreover, the IC703+ doubles as a shortwave receiver (e.g., you can listen to the BBC or VOA, etc), has an integral autotuner (which gives you a little flexibility and latitude with your antenna setup), and finally covers the HF bands that are useful for local/regional and nighttime operation (80m and 40m) in addition to the popular daytime-oriented 20m band. with an IC703+ you will be able to communicate on many bands using FM, AM, SSB (incl PSK31), RTTY, and CW with approximate ranges out to 10,000 miles (give or take a few) depending on the antennas employed and the prevailing atmospheric conditions. in any case, i wanted to clarify for you that FT8900 vs IC703+ is an apples/oranges comparison. the two subject radios are more different than they are similar. i would instead suggest that you contrast the FT8900 with the IC706MkIIg –– in this case, one is a subset of the other –– and it is up to you to figure out if double the price is worth it. same goes for the Yaesu FT857/FT897 (these are basically the same radios just in different packaging). ar-jedi |
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Do not think of the 8900 as having "HF". 10m FM is a toy at best. 8900 is an FM VHF/UHF rig.
Something like an IC-706, IC-7000 or FT-857 is an (all mode) HF rig with add-on VHF/UHF capability. For anything other than dedicated mobile use, a more standard size HF radio with better displays and controls is recommended... see this thread as we just covered that ground. |
Wow... just when I feel like I'm getting a handle on some of this stuff...  I indeed missed the issue of mode. Many thanks for the clarification.
Your post helps explain the use of / need for multiple radios. Correct? As far as comparison, it looks like the 706MKIIG does more than just FM and would be more comparable with the 857/897 than the 8900. Am I misunderstanding what you wrote, or am I misunderstanding the specs? I guess I should back out a step or two and ask the question ... what would be a good (great?) mobile rig for a new ham? Flexibility / options, quality, and performance are important, and I'd rather pay for more and grow into it than spend as little as possible and quickly regret it. |
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Quoted:
Do not think of the 8900 as having "HF". 10m FM is a toy at best. 8900 is an FM VHF/UHF rig. Something like an IC-706, IC-7000 or FT-857 is an (all mode) HF rig with add-on VHF/UHF capability. For anything other than dedicated mobile use, a more standard size HF radio with better displays and controls is recommended... see this thread as we just covered that ground. Thanks for pointing out that thread ... I glanced through it a few days back, but will read it more carefully this time ... and will understand a little more this time, too! |
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what would be a good (great?) mobile rig for a new ham? just so we are on the same page, what do you mean by "mobile" ? as in, it will be mounted in your vehicle? what bands do you want to operate from your vehicle? or as in, a mobile-sized radio that you will use as a fixed station at home? or as in, something else altogether? as you are probably already becoming aware, there is no single, optimum solution for all applications. you can't hunt caribou with a .22LR. all you will do is end up with an arduous, very lengthy tracking job. you can't hunt rabbit with a .338 Lapua Magnum. there won't be anything left to eat. ar-jedi |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
what would be a good (great?) mobile rig for a new ham? just so we are on the same page, what do you mean by "mobile" ? as in, it will be mounted in your vehicle? what bands do you want to operate from your vehicle? or as in, a mobile-sized radio that you will use as a fixed station at home? or as in, something else altogether? as you are probably already becoming aware, there is no single, optimum solution for all applications. you can't hunt caribou with a .22LR. all you will do is end up with an arduous, very lengthy tracking job. you can't hunt rabbit with a .338 Lapua Magnum. there won't be anything left to eat. ar-jedi When I wrote mobile, I was thinking vehicle installed. That being said, if there's an option that will allow use in both a vehicle and home that would be good, too. With regard to bands, the most accurate answer is "I'm not 100% sure." I'm very new to amateur radio and, having never been licensed before, I don't know exactly which bands I want to use or which bands / modes my interests will gravitate towards. I don't want to box myself in. Copy on the "one size does NOT fit all" thing. ETA: thanks again for taking the time to explain stuff that I'm sure seems very basic and is probably second nature to you. |