Posted: 11/28/2010 11:00:26 AM EDT
|
Researching HT's. This will be my first radio. What I want is broad range of Rx Weather, FAA, Police, EMS etc, and 2m at least for Tx. I had just about decided to pull the triger on a VX-170 when I found out it was discontinued. So I made the mental switch to the new VX-270R, same basic radio. Now I am wondering if I am limiting myself too much getting just a 2m radio. Should I spend the extra $ and get a VX-6R?
I think the 270R will handle most of my needs, and I will have a good radio to give to my wife/leave at the house if I upgrade units. So VX-270R ($120) or VX-6R($239)? |
|
If you decide to spend some extra $$, I suggest that you look at the FT-60R. Its a great 2m/70cm radio that's widely used, has great battery life, excellent reviews on eHAM, and is on sale at HRO for $175! (normally around 200).
The 6R is certainly great, but the 60 might be a nice compromise in the middle. |
|
Quoted:
Researching HT's. This will be my first radio. What I want is broad range of Rx Weather, FAA, Police, EMS etc, and 2m at least for Tx. I had just about decided to pull the triger on a VX-170 when I found out it was discontinued. So I made the mental switch to the new VX-270R, same basic radio. Now I am wondering if I am limiting myself too much getting just a 2m radio. Should I spend the extra $ and get a VX-6R? I think the 270R will handle most of my needs, and I will have a good radio to give to my wife/leave at the house if I upgrade units. So VX-270R ($120) or VX-6R($239)? Not to throw a wrench in your plans, but you could pick up an ICOM V80 sport for $90 right now at gigaparts. If it is anything like the V8 it replaced, it will be a great radio. 70CM depends on where you are but does drain batteries faster. If you can afford it, by all means pick up a VX6 or VX7 over the FT60. Submersible, better built, more features, wider receive. The VX6 and 7 also have a better supported SMA antenna connector and top mounted, threaded hand mic input. I believe you can swap handmics between the VX170/270 and VX6/7. The FT60 is based on the same chassis as the VX150/250 which takes a shitty side mounted handmic which likes to pop out and makes it hard to put the radio in a pouch. The FT60 is better priced, has a better battery, and can Tx at 5W on an internal AA battery tray. |
|
I have an FT250R and am kicking my self for not getting a dual band radio. At your price point a Wouxun dual bander is doable. Guy I talk to on the repeater uses one and loves it. He has excellent tone and signal on a par with the Japanese (China or Singapore made) brands.
I want to work satellites, 2m only is a no go. I work ARES events and we had the medical team on the 70 cm and the HT at the med station 50 yards away took a crap, I couldn't help him. There is quite a bit of activity in my area on 70 cm and you guessed it I cant work it. When I get my dual band mobile with crossband repeat i will not be able to use my 2m HT to talk through the mobile to the 2m repeaters. 130 bucks I wish they had had this for sale last december when I was shopping for an HT. Buy a dual band. Edited for clarity |
|
I have a VX-6R and cant say enough good stuff about it.
Its a great little radio. That said, look of what repeaters are in your area...if they are primarily 2m, you can save money and lose nothing. Also consider if you will be traveling with the radio...you may want to hit the other bands when roaming about. I use my VX-6R almost exclusively for 2m....just so happens that I have a lot of 2m repeaters in my area. |
|
Quoted: If you decide to spend some extra $$, I suggest that you look at the FT-60R. Its a great 2m/70cm radio that's widely used, has great battery life, excellent reviews on eHAM, and is on sale at HRO for $175! (normally around 200). The 6R is certainly great, but the 60 might be a nice compromise in the middle. i have never regretted my ft-60. its the sweetspot for features and cost. |
|
Quoted:
nihilsum, Thanks for the picture. What antenna is that on the 6 & 7? it's a popular 50ohm rubber resistor from Comet, the MH-209SMA. good around town with a nearby repeater, and for short simplex use. it is also good in that it's quite flexible, and won't put a lot of stress on the antenna connector. note that the MH-209SMA antenna base mates perfectly with the VX6R top gasket/seal, maintaining integrity against water ingress. this is not the case will all aftermarket HT antennas. 
ar-jedi |
|
Quoted:
I have a VX-6R and cant say enough good stuff about it. Its a great little radio. That said, look of what repeaters are in your area...if they are primarily 2m, you can save money and lose nothing.Satellites, Crossband with a mobile to a 2M repeater, interoperability with others. Also consider if you will be traveling with the radio...you may want to hit the other bands when roaming about. I use my VX-6R almost exclusively for 2m....just so happens that I have a lot of 2m repeaters in my area. BUY DUAL BAND! Go cheap with Wouxun if you must, but as someone with 5 radios capable of 2m and none on 70cm I cant stress it enough. Better to have and not need it than to find your hands tied with out it. |