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Posted: 1/19/2015 11:25:26 AM EDT
[#1]
5w vs 8w on an HT isn't going to make a difference at all.
If you are looking for 2m, check out a used Icom T2H. That was my first HT and you can get them for $50-80 these days. Rugged radios, i've dropped mine a bunch. Get some Eneloops and a charger and they will last for days. It was replaced by the IC-V8, which is similar. |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 11:26:20 AM EDT
[#2]
I am not trying to be a dick because I hate to see that in this forum, but that question has been asked and answered 10,000 times.
Buy the cheapest and hope it works when you need it. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/678639_I_got_my_first_carry_pistol__.html http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/672661_The_HT_thread.html |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 12:33:54 PM EDT
[#3]
How about a Yaesu FT-270R? 2M, 5 watts, IPX7 submersible. There's a couple of "like new" ones on swap.qth.com for $100 shipped.
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Posted: 1/19/2015 12:40:42 PM EDT
[#4]
Cheap:
1. UV-B5 (not the one everyone else has) 2. UV-82 (wonky dual PTT though can be disabled) 3. UV-5Rwhatever (the one everyone else has) Less Cheap: 1. Wouxun UV-5D for ANY of the Above, you're well advised to buy the Programming cable. Lesser Cheap: 1. FT-60 to echo gcw: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/672661_The_HT_thread.html |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 12:40:48 PM EDT
[#5]
http://www.radioddity.com/us/home-two-way-radio/baofeng-gt-3-two-way-radio-dual-band-uhf-vhf-136-174-400-480mhz-2014-latest-version.html
I bought a couple of these a few weeks back. No regrets. They actually filter better and give me less noise than my two FT-60rs do. |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 12:43:57 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Whats best of the cheapos out there?? Thanx..FN.. The Baofeng/Pofung UV-B5 (review with excellent technical notes here) 
-under $35 shipped -better receiver than other cheap radios -comes with a great antenna -VERY easy to manually program, even with repeaters -now shipping with correct-length belt clip screws |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 1:30:02 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Whats best of the cheapos out there?? Baofeng UV-B5 (not the UV-5R) |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 1:40:30 PM EDT
[#8]
i got a bunch of uv-5rs for our pd guys here, they LOVE them. <personal radios and had no pd handhelds>
i bought a bf-f9 <8wt> to test for them also. stock out of the box i see ZERO benefit to the 8wt over the 4wt uv-5r. the antenna simply won't do much better. i have a replacement antenna coming and will test both with it when it comes in but i still don;t expect a significant improvement. the difference in 4 s 8 watts is just not that big. at twice the price the cost doesn't make much sense. i will say this the squelch actually works on the f9. and is adjustable in chirp. |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 6:44:31 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted: The YL & I are both hams and my old rat shak 202 is pooched.. We need a couple HT's for around the homestead (50 acres) as well as when we're hunting, fishing, camping or whatever. I've been looking at the Baofeng F8HP since it brags 8 watts out.. Will consider any of the cheaper chicom rigs.. Sure I'd love to have a couple new Yaesus but it aint in the budget.. So what sayeth the herd?? Whats best of the cheapos out there?? Thanx..FN.. FT60 X2 Stay away from cheap chink CRAP. If its not in the budget, save and buy one this spring, then another this summer. Skip a few cases of beer or a night out at outback steakhouse.
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Posted: 1/19/2015 7:11:53 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
FT60 X2 Stay away from cheap chink CRAP. If its not in the budget, save and buy one this spring, then another this summer. Skip a few cases of beer or a night out at outback steakhouse. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The YL & I are both hams and my old rat shak 202 is pooched.. We need a couple HT's for around the homestead (50 acres) as well as when we're hunting, fishing, camping or whatever. I've been looking at the Baofeng F8HP since it brags 8 watts out.. Will consider any of the cheaper chicom rigs.. Sure I'd love to have a couple new Yaesus but it aint in the budget.. So what sayeth the herd?? Whats best of the cheapos out there?? Thanx..FN.. FT60 X2 Stay away from cheap chink CRAP. If its not in the budget, save and buy one this spring, then another this summer. Skip a few cases of beer or a night out at outback steakhouse. oddly i know several guys that dumped those in favor of the uv5's. my vx-7 has been back for repair twice since i have had it and honestly other than being waterproof does nothing better than the chicom junk at 1/10th the price. the only thing my vx-8 does better is gps/aprs. if you ever plan to xband repeat the ft-60 won't do it either as it's dual band but single receive. the chicom radios are certainly cheap but they do work very well. i have several in service with our VFD for almost 2 years with no failures. local pd guys just got 12 for their use as they had no dept issue radios. if PD and FD haven't destroyed them, they hold up much better than people think. yes they are disposable IMHO, when they break you toss is an buy a new one. at 30.00 you can afford extra radios or a spare. with my expensive ht's my 30.00 chicom is the one that pretty much goes everywhere with me everyday. |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 8:29:14 PM EDT
[#11]
I have a FT-60 and several Baofeng ( uv-b5, BF888S, BF-F8+, F8HP). I rarely use the FT-60 any more. I got the F8HP recently, not because the 8 watts, but because it has the latest upgrades and compatible with the uv-5r accessories.
Comparison of Baofeng models https://baofengtech.com/compare I also use the HT's on my hunting land. They get banged around, covered in dust from ATV riding and rained on. The Baofeng still holding up (oldest one is 2 yrs old). |
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Posted: 1/19/2015 8:59:37 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The Baofeng still holding up (oldest one is 2 yrs old). This is why I dont bother among other reasons. I had one last 2 months. So after buying two, I could have had almost half a good HT paid for. Just not my style I guess. I have a 92AD and going to snag an F2DR when they are available. I like NICE radio gear. Not shit that might not work next month. I have a Kenwood TH77a, according to rigpix was made 1992-199x sometime according to rigpix. Still works just fine.
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Posted: 1/19/2015 9:58:21 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: oddly i know several guys that dumped those in favor of the uv5's. my vx-7 has been back for repair twice since i have had it and honestly other than being waterproof does nothing better than the chicom junk at 1/10th the price. the only thing my vx-8 does better is gps/aprs. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: The YL & I are both hams and my old rat shak 202 is pooched.. We need a couple HT's for around the homestead (50 acres) as well as when we're hunting, fishing, camping or whatever. I've been looking at the Baofeng F8HP since it brags 8 watts out.. Will consider any of the cheaper chicom rigs.. Sure I'd love to have a couple new Yaesus but it aint in the budget.. So what sayeth the herd?? Whats best of the cheapos out there?? Thanx..FN.. FT60 X2 Stay away from cheap chink CRAP. If its not in the budget, save and buy one this spring, then another this summer. Skip a few cases of beer or a night out at outback steakhouse. oddly i know several guys that dumped those in favor of the uv5's. my vx-7 has been back for repair twice since i have had it and honestly other than being waterproof does nothing better than the chicom junk at 1/10th the price. the only thing my vx-8 does better is gps/aprs. I've never had an HT go back for service. What was broken ?
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Posted: 1/19/2015 10:34:18 PM EDT
[#14]
1st time tx died. 2nd time radio died completely. both times under warranty and they fixed it. it's still a bit quirky and needs a factory reset occasionally. my vx8 has been fine but it's not as water resistant.
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Posted: 1/20/2015 8:23:02 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1st time tx died. 2nd time radio died completely. both times under warranty and they fixed it. it's still a bit quirky and needs a factory reset occasionally. my vx8 has been fine but it's not as water resistant. |
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