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HAM Radio…

RunningProblem said:
I might be better off buying a radio other than a baofeng 8 watt unit so I could make some contacts. Just time, money, and effort.
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Well, you cannot really use much outside of Tech if you only have the HT anyways. But the G90 is a great, and relatively inexpensive radio, to get into that would allow you to stretch your legs as a general.
I think the G90 goes for like $400 or so these days. I bought mine used with accessories for $300. 20 watts will work quite a bit.
 
I’d say, add $100 to that and step up to an FT817/818. All the bands in one box, but only 5 watts. Amps are cheap
 
Never Monday said:
I’d say, add $100 to that and step up to an FT817/818. All the bands in one box, but only 5 watts. Amps are cheap
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Meh, the UI on the 817/818 is pretty crap. Honestly the import SDR based radios offer a lot of bang for the buck nowadays. Yaesu has really let modern tech pass them by.

If you wanted something extra rugged that will work after leaving it in a box for 5 years the traditional stuff is better. But for active use the nicer SDR stuff has a lot more features for the cost

I'm waiting on my FX-4L to ship (BG2FX Amateur Radios), plan on trying to cram a battery in the case with a USB C charger/run port. So much easier than dealing with random 12v output junk. I have a Super Antenna, so a tuner usually isnt necessary.
 
Is the TYT 9800 a good radio? I had it suggested to me at one point for a mobile unit in my Jeep.
 
RunningProblem said:
Is the TYT 9800 a good radio? I had it suggested to me at one point for a mobile unit in my Jeep.
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Not owned one but know several people with them. Its a pretty solid radio, but there is one limitation to know about, which also exists on the radio its is a clone of

It can receive AM on the 10/11m bands, so you can hear CB and most of the 10m ham traffic, but unless they updated it the transmit is FM only. Since most people are running AM for those bands you won't be able to talk back to them. If your only use for that band is to listen in to truckers then its fine, but if you are planning to use it for 2 way comms on those bands (eg your club uses CB) then you will have an issue.

The cross band repeat can be handy if you have a group with mixed radios, but read up on how it works before you get out there. Not usually the easiest feature to setup.

I would consider your use case for that radio. You can get a much higher end dual band (2/70) radio for less money and with the limitations on 10m and the fact that 6m is pretty dead a lot of places make sure it fits your use case. You should be able to pick up a name brand dual band for $100-150 at a hamfest pretty easily
 
I highly doubt I’d use cross band repeat. I don’t know why I’d want to take a message on 2m and send it out to 10m ever, or 70cm to 2m.

The groups I’d go with either have Rugged Radios or probably run 2m.

The other radio I was eyeballing was the 2980 and just stick on 2m since it covers Rubicon and with 50+ watts I could maybe hit receivers in Sacramento.
 
RunningProblem said:
I highly doubt I’d use cross band repeat. I don’t know why I’d want to take a message on 2m and send it out to 10m ever, or 70cm to 2m.

The groups I’d go with either have Rugged Radios or probably run 2m.

The other radio I was eyeballing was the 2980 and just stick on 2m since it covers Rubicon and with 50+ watts I could maybe hit receivers in Sacramento.
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The time I've used cross band repeat is when I've helped at events. The main frequency for the event is 2m, so I set the radio in my truck to receive 70cm and cross band repeat to 2m. Then I set my dual band HT up to transmit on 70cm and monitor 2m.

My truck has more power and a better antenna than the HT, but I can walk around and carry the HT. The HT on 70cm only needs to reach the truck and then the cross band will get out on 2m.
 
665.0coupe said:
The time I've used cross band repeat is when I've helped at events. The main frequency for the event is 2m, so I set the radio in my truck to receive 70cm and cross band repeat to 2m. Then I set my dual band HT up to transmit on 70cm and monitor 2m.

My truck has more power and a better antenna than the HT, but I can walk around and carry the HT. The HT on 70cm only needs to reach the truck and then the cross band will get out on 2m.
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Yeah, you can use it as a ghetto repeater if all the users have dual band HTs (which most are). They listen one band, tx primary on the other. Park the truck at the top of a hill, it will have more power and more antenna
 
So what 70cm/2m mobile transceiver would you suggest? Something UNDER $300 because it’s going in a rock crawler I don’t lock the doors on.
 
RunningProblem said:
So what 70cm/2m mobile transceiver would you suggest? Something UNDER $300 because it’s going in a rock crawler I don’t lock the doors on.
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I use a TYT 7800 in the car an 9800 in the shack Great little radio for the cost and puts out 50w on 2m and 45 on 70cm.
I'd suggest the 7800.
If you are looking to do APRS and stuff, that would cost a bit more.
The nice thing about these is you can remote install the head so you can keep the main unit tucked away out of the weather and just put a rain splash cover over the head if you wanted to.
 
Also, I set my shack radio to cross band repeat while walking around the farm with an HT. I use UHF and xmit to the 2m repeater in the area. Allows me to run low power and always be able to hit the repeater that is like 20 miles away.
 
D_JEEPER so there is a 9800d PLUS version and a 9800D. The PLUS version says, from my limited knowledge, it can talk and receive on all bands. This, plus an antenna, mount, a cables and some red and black wires would probably end up around $300.

TYT TH-9800D Plus Version https://a.co/d/hqtIJkT

  • Frequency Range: TX: 28-29.7/50-54/144-148/420-450MHz, RX: 26-33/47-54/108-180/320-512/750-950MHz
  • Channel Spacing: 2.5/5/6.25/7.5/8.33/10/12.5/15/25/30/50/100KHz
  • Operating Voltage: 13.8VDC (±5%)
  • Size(W x H x D): 5.5 x 1.6 x 6.6" (w/ knobs & connectors)
  • Weight(Approx): 2.65lb(1.2Kg)
 
RunningProblem said:
D_JEEPER so there is a 9800d PLUS version and a 9800D. The PLUS version says, from my limited knowledge, it can talk and receive on all bands. This, plus an antenna, mount, a cables and some red and black wires would probably end up around $300.

TYT TH-9800D Plus Version https://a.co/d/hqtIJkT

  • Frequency Range: TX: 28-29.7/50-54/144-148/420-450MHz, RX: 26-33/47-54/108-180/320-512/750-950MHz
  • Channel Spacing: 2.5/5/6.25/7.5/8.33/10/12.5/15/25/30/50/100KHz
  • Operating Voltage: 13.8VDC (±5%)
  • Size(W x H x D): 5.5 x 1.6 x 6.6" (w/ knobs & connectors)
  • Weight(Approx): 2.65lb(1.2Kg)
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Seems like a decent deal for a new tech class ticket
 
RunningProblem said:
D_JEEPER so there is a 9800d PLUS version and a 9800D. The PLUS version says, from my limited knowledge, it can talk and receive on all bands. This, plus an antenna, mount, a cables and some red and black wires would probably end up around $300.

TYT TH-9800D Plus Version https://a.co/d/hqtIJkT

  • Frequency Range: TX: 28-29.7/50-54/144-148/420-450MHz, RX: 26-33/47-54/108-180/320-512/750-950MHz
  • Channel Spacing: 2.5/5/6.25/7.5/8.33/10/12.5/15/25/30/50/100KHz
  • Operating Voltage: 13.8VDC (±5%)
  • Size(W x H x D): 5.5 x 1.6 x 6.6" (w/ knobs & connectors)
  • Weight(Approx): 2.65lb(1.2Kg)
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That is the one that I have, the Plus version (comes with a steeeeker on the case so you know it is official haha)
For a mobile application, you can get a Nagoya 50w rated antenna for like $40 or so and be on the road. Another option is to not skimp on the antenna (because a radio is considered an accessory to a good antenna) and go for a name brand Diamond or Comet or Tram.
 
Never Monday said:
Seems like a decent deal for a new tech class ticket
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The only issue that I have found with having these frequencies.... you cannot use SSB on 10m or 6m (or any band... nor can you transmit in AM). This radio is good for REPEATERS on 10m,6m,2m and 70cm, but not standard QSOs.... so even though it opens up for "HF" portions of the bands, you cannot really use the HF capabilities like SSB or AM or whatever. I bought a Diamond V2000a antenna because it had 6m capabilities, yet found out it really didnt work how I wanted it to.

I think if I were to go for it again, I would just buy two of the 7800s and be done with it. However it is always to have something and not use it rather than to need it and not have it. Maybe check around to see if you have any repeaters that are 6m or 10m and go from there?

Just my $0.02.
 
D_JEEPER said:
The only issue that I have found with having these frequencies.... you cannot use SSB on 10m or 6m (or any band... nor can you transmit in AM). This radio is good for REPEATERS on 10m,6m,2m and 70cm, but not standard QSOs.... so even though it opens up for "HF" portions of the bands, you cannot really use the HF capabilities like SSB or AM or whatever. I bought a Diamond V2000a antenna because it had 6m capabilities, yet found out it really didnt work how I wanted it to.

I think if I were to go for it again, I would just buy two of the 7800s and be done with it. However it is always to have something and not use it rather than to need it and not have it. Maybe check around to see if you have any repeaters that are 6m or 10m and go from there?

Just my $0.02.
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10m repeaters are off limits for Tech class.
 
Clb said:
He said "We":flipoff2: Not "I" :lmao:
Filed under
Yes honey I'm going with you....
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Haha, it will be at our home with close family and friends. I have the duty of providing drinks to the guys :grinpimp::beer:
 
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kf4zht said:
I'd hit the used board or a hamfest and find a used Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu for about $125.
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A brand new Yaesu FT 2980 gives you 80 watts for about $150+$175 new.

O have one in my Willys wagon, one in my GFs F-250, one in my Suburban and one in my camper. All in all a good little radio.
 
64Trvlr said:
A brand new Yaesu FT 2980 gives you 80 watts for about $150+$175 new.

O have one in my Willys wagon, one in my GFs F-250, one in my Suburban and one in my camper. All in all a good little radio.
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But thats 2m only. He was asking about a 70cm/2m dual band.

I think the last 2m only rig I bought was about $60ish
 
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