Kenwood TM-471A / Yaesu FT-1807M

[bc780l]

Anyone know a reliable source from which to obtain the Kenwood TM-471A (the UHF version of the TM-271A) and the Yaesu FT-1807M (the UHF version of the FT-1802M)?

Anyone know why Kenwood and Yaesu don't import these to the US? (Yes, I know there's no FCC type acceptance on them, but why have they not been submitted for approval? There's a market for them.)

Tnx.

[W9RXR]

If there was enough of a market for them, the manufacturers would go through the expense of getting FCC certification and the trouble to market them in the U.S. Apparently, they don't believe there's enough of a market to do so.

Single-band UHF radios have typically not sold well in the U.S. The economics don't work out that well. Alinco's DR-435 (440 MHz) goes for about $100 more than the DR-135 (2m). For the price of two single-band radios, you can get pretty close to the price of a dual-band radio.

[bc780l]

Many folks like mono-band radios for several reasons (better performance-at least for some, lower cost, dedicated use). Unfortunately, there's no competition in the US for them--only the Alinco 440, which would likely sell better if their reviews were better.

Mono-band rigs, in general, seem to be declining for the primary reason stated: get a multi-band for not much more. Look at where you can find mono-band 50, 220, or 440 rigs. Yep, multi-band is a good choice for many people, but nope, not the choice for everyone.

I guess we should be happy and give thanks to those manufacturers that continue to support the hobby at all.