First Radio Yaesu FT-7800 vs FT-7900

[canav844]

Maybe I'm splitting hairs, for the sake of splitting hairs, but here goes....

5watt power difference on UHF (leans me in favor of 7900), 2 different buttons on the face plate (I prefer the 7800 on the looks), $30-40 price difference (7800 wins there), I've read here the 7900 has more durable internals (so that's a plus for the 7900).

What else am I missing in comparing these two radios? Is the 7900 better for future long term support being the newer platform, or is the 7800 the better option, having so many users out there that like their units, providing community support?

So close in price they're both within budget, from the information available I'm pretty well split down the middle on the few differences that I can find information about.

Also this is my first HAM radio (though I'm familiar with a variety of scanners, FRS, GMRS, CB, and the use of the Motorola radios on hand when dispatching) so I'm not 100% sure on exactly what features I need to be looking for.

[soncorn]

Originally Posted by canav844

Maybe I'm splitting hairs, for the sake of splitting hairs, but here goes....

5watt power difference on UHF (leans me in favor of 7900), 2 different buttons on the face plate (I prefer the 7800 on the looks), $30-40 price difference (7800 wins there), I've read here the 7900 has more durable internals (so that's a plus for the 7900).

What else am I missing in comparing these two radios? Is the 7900 better for future long term support being the newer platform, or is the 7800 the better option, having so many users out there that like their units, providing community support?

So close in price they're both within budget, from the information available I'm pretty well split down the middle on the few differences that I can find information about.

Also this is my first HAM radio (though I'm familiar with a variety of scanners, FRS, GMRS, CB, and the use of the Motorola radios on hand when dispatching) so I'm not 100% sure on exactly what features I need to be looking for.

The only negative I see right now with the 7900 is that there is no programming software. Otherwise I would say go for it.

[canav844]

Yeah I got impatient and went over to the local Ham shop, and picked up the 7800 (and it's all installed already too), I figured it was was $30 more I could spend on an antenna, and if I get tot the point where I'm wanting something the 7900 has that the 7800 doesn't then I'll probably have hit the point where I'll be looking for an excuse to buy more radios and build my shack anyways.

[newsphotog]

You picked a good first radio. The 7800 was my first rig too. I was never disappointed.

[Steve-in-Kentucky-KJ4KKI]

I've been looking to buy my first mobile. Up to now, I've used my HT (which works pretty well as we have a repeater on the highest building in the county). I'd been very confused as to the 7900 vs. 8800 vs. 8900. I want to use it for sats and the Yaesu rep told me that while it's not dual receive, I can put the freqs in with an odd-split and it will work. Of course, I can't dink around with the HT and use it for a repeat radio. As far as picking the 7900, it ranked 4.9/5.0 at EHam. The major improvement has been tightening up the knobs on the front. I think it's a great radio.

[mrweather]

The FT-7800/7900 won't do crossband repeat because it's not a dual-receive radio. Only the 8800 or 8900 has that capability.

[Steve-in-Kentucky-KJ4KKI]

The 7900 won't do a crossband repeat, but you can do an odd split and program different frequencies in the rx and tx. Handy for sats. It's a decision of if one really needs crossband repeat vs. if it would be nice to have. For about $100 more, I'm having trouble justifying it.