Posted: 1/14/2012 3:20:19 PM EDT
| Having just passed my Tech test, I'm trying to dip my toe into the HAM world with an HT. I'm looking for something that's at least dual band, water resistant if not water proof, and has the option of running on AA batteries. I'll be using it outdoors to communicate with my buddies when hunting or on the trapline. Suggestions based on experience would be greatly appreciated. |
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Wouxun KG-UV2D Not the water resist part and more like dual monitor vs dual band and they sell a AA battery pack as well http://www.danpassaro.com/img/s11/v36/p691065595-4.jpg this. best 100 i've spent on the hobby yet! wouxun.us shop with Ed. YMMV Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I recently purchased a Yaesu FT-60. Mini review:
Inexpensive. Easy to program and operate. Reasonably compact for a full 5W unit. Mature, proven design. Great audio TX and RX. Full complement of accessories available - some reasonably priced, some less so. NOT dual watch (must scan to monitor more than one frequency/band). NOT waterproof. NOT DC-Daylight RX (full Air, Hi VHF & UHF yes). The stock antenna is NOT as good as it should be, in fact on 2M it is downright lousy. 
I like it. Aside from the poor stock antenna, it meets MY needs and performs fully to MY expectations. I have a mini mag mount I use while mobile, haven't gotten a better HT antenna yet! I think it or the Wouxun are good basic radios. The Wouxun is less expensive and somewhat more fully featured, but the tradeoff is ease of use. You just have to decide what YOU want. |
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Quoted: I recently purchased a Yaesu FT-60. Mini review: Inexpensive. Easy to program and operate. Reasonably compact for a full 5W unit. Mature, proven design. Great audio TX and RX. Full complement of accessories available - some reasonably priced, some less so. NOT dual watch (must scan to monitor more than one frequency/band). NOT waterproof. NOT DC-Daylight RX (full Air, Hi VHF & UHF yes). The stock antenna is NOT as good as it should be, in fact on 2M it is downright lousy. I like it. Aside from the poor stock antenna, it meets MY needs and performs fully to MY expectations. I have a mini mag mount I use while mobile, haven't gotten a better HT antenna yet! I think it or the Wouxun are good basic radios. The Wouxun is less expensive and somewhat more fully featured, but the tradeoff is ease of use. You just have to decide what YOU want. +1 does everything I want it too |
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FT-60 or the Wouxon.
Less expensive, better audio output, easier to use. I have a VX7. It is now $350 for a new one while the FT60 has dropped to $160. This puts the VX7 close to what a VX8GR or DSTAR handheld would cost, and IMO the 7 does not offer a substantive increase in performance or a capability like those others do. If I could do it all over again, I would pass on the VX7, get an FT60 or Wouxon, and put the difference toward a duplexing mobile, HF equipment, etc. ETA: If waterproof is a requirement, pick up the FT60 at $160, and then find a Standard Horizon 370 at ~120 or so. It is commercial tough, waterproof, and stupid simple to use. Best of all, it comes with a bunch of accessories and shares batteries with the FT60. That puts you at $280 for two radios and some gear, which is still less than a VX7 and about what you would pay for a VX6. |
| The 60 is a great rig from what I hear. I just prefer my HT to have wideband receive. I like AM and FM radio and to use it as a scanner. Plus the SW actually works well on my 7R. Thats why I pick it over the 60. If you have no use for those then the 60 is a better deal. |
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During my search I've seen a couple references to the FT-60 being water resistant. Is it? Does anyone use one outdoors in the rain/snow?? It is not advertised as water resistant, but to me it appears reasonably weather resistant and I haven't been afaid to use it in the "elements" (an HT is supposed to be used outdoors). Now, I wouldn't hold it out unprotected in a driving torrent but I wouldn't do that with a supposed "waterproof" one either. My first home is the Oregon coast and I have seen some rain. There we wave learned waterproof claims are mostly hogwash, and we protect our gear as seems reasonable. |
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During my search I've seen a couple references to the FT-60 being water resistant. Is it? Does anyone use one outdoors in the rain/snow?? It is not advertised as water resistant, but to me it appears reasonably weather resistant and I haven't been afaid to use it in the "elements" (an HT is supposed to be used outdoors). Now, I wouldn't hold it out unprotected in a driving torrent but I wouldn't do that with a supposed "waterproof" one either. My first home is the Oregon coast and I have seen some rain. There we wave learned waterproof claims are mostly hogwash, and we protect our gear as seems reasonable. I've seen you tube videos of a VX7 submerged in a jar. I don't think I could bring myself to do that to a $350 radio just to test it. Even if the FT60 is not completely waterproof, it's not that hard to waterproof your gear. The VX6/VX7 are the only radios that come to mind which offer everything you require, although both, sold new, are now out of your desired price range. Furthermore, anything is going to be a compromise in the world of HTs. The small ones get hot transmitting and are not suited to long duty cycles. The small and submersible ones have weak audio output and muffled input. The multiband and/or wide Rx radios have overly wide and sensitive front ends, and are absolutely useless in environments with a lot of radio noise. The toughest and best performing are going to be large/heavy public safety units that have to be programmed from a computer. |