Posted: 10/4/2010 8:33:03 PM EDT
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So I am starting to get back into ham radio and been considering some different radios - how does this setup sound: Mobile: Kenwood TM-V71A (a lot like the FT-8800R, but has backlit buttons –– huge for me... good reviews on Eham.net) HT: Yaesu VX-6R (rugged, small, cheap –– who needs 6m FM on a bloody HT?????) Base..... still working on that, but thinking a FT-857D in a comm-box that I can use as base or a "portable" rig Also thinking of a FT-2900R for a APRS/packet rig... Good? Bad? What would you change? |
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I love my TM-V71A, make sure you get/make a computer cable as programming 1000 channels gets a might bit tedious. Kenwood for me has always had really nice sound, I get positive responses for all my Kenwood stuff. Not that any of the radios you quoted are low grade, I would either get ALL Kenwood or ALL Yeasu, to keep it simple. I run the 71A as my base, I also run a TH-D7A and TH-22AT for hand helds, and an old TM-231A for a back-up radio.
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I was going to try to go all Yaesu, but the backlit buttons are such a nice feature to have on the Kenwood... I'll have to dig around Kenwood's website and see what else they have –– their 2m/22/440 HT looks pretty sweet... I know one guy with that and he likes it a lot. |
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Not to pry, but what license class do you have? What all are you wanting to do with the 857 for a "base" radio?
My usual recommendation is to avoid the "shack in a box" radios and get a regular 2m/dual band etc radio (like a duplicate of your mobile), and if you're looking for HF to get a more standard HF radio like an Icom 718, 7200, Yaesu FT-450, used radio, etc. Learning HF on a mobile-size multipurpose radio would be somewhat limiting IMHO. |
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Quoted:
Not to parade piss, but you sure you have enough UHF traffic to justify a dual band mobile? I know UHF is pretty dead here. I am sorry I spent more for a radio with 440  Dual in-band is very handy if you have a radio that will do that... you can listen to two freqs at the same time, and unlike two radios, it disables both receivers when you transmit. Or monitor a freq and scan some channels on the other side of the radio... just gives you a lot of flexibility. |
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Quoted: Not to parade piss, but you sure you have enough UHF traffic to justify a dual band mobile? I know UHF is pretty dead here. I am sorry I spent more for a radio with 440 Plenty of 440 traffic around here –– in fact, most of the repeaters I talk on are 440. So I guess here are my updated options: A- Original Idea Mobile: Kenwood TM-V71A HT: Yaesu VX-6R ) Base: FT-450 or FT-857D in a comm-box that I can use as base or a "portable" rig Also thinking of a FT-2900R for a APRS/packet rig... Cons: Different radio mfgs. not consistent for programming, use, etc. B- All Kenwood Mobile: TM-V71A HT: TH-F6A Base: TS-2000 Cons: Not the widest product line, F6A is a good HT, but I like the form factor of the yaesu better.... C- All Yaesu Mobile: FT-8800 HT: VX-6R Base: FT-450 + a VHF/UHF rig or FT-857D FT-2900R for APRS in the car? Maybe..... Cons: Not a bad option.... FT-8800 doesn't have backlighting on some keys.... I can live without that.... I had the 8800 before I went off to college and sold it, so I wouldn't be opposed to it again... Icom? eh, sorry... They have some good stuff - but it just doesn't fit for me right now... |
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So I guess here are my updated options: (snip) No big deal to mix brands of equipment, get what suits your needs and preferences best. I might suggest.... Mobile: TM-V71A HT: VX-6R Base: FT-450 + TM-V71A TS-2000 is a nice radio but more expensive. It does get you all mode on 2m and 70cm although few ever use those modes.... for most a separate HF and FM dual band radio is a lot more useful. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
So I guess here are my updated options: (snip) No big deal to mix brands of equipment, get what suits your needs and preferences best. I might suggest.... Mobile: TM-V71A HT: VX-6R Base: FT-450 + TM-V71A TS-2000 is a nice radio but more expensive. It does get you all mode on 2m and 70cm although few ever use those modes.... for most a separate HF and FM dual band radio is a lot more useful. That is a good suggestion, but if youy have the money available the TS-2000 would be my choice for base. 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
So I guess here are my updated options: (snip) No big deal to mix brands of equipment, get what suits your needs and preferences best. I might suggest.... Mobile: TM-V71A HT: VX-6R Base: FT-450 + TM-V71A TS-2000 is a nice radio but more expensive. It does get you all mode on 2m and 70cm although few ever use those modes.... for most a separate HF and FM dual band radio is a lot more useful. That is one of the big deciding factors for me to pick the TS-2000. In my opinion it is the best radio for HF +2m and 70cm and it is available in a version with 23cm too. 
I think it is the best available for HF/VHF/UHF and I have a Icom IC-7000 that I am happy with. |