Radio Suggestion

rescue69 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2013, 10:49 PM

Hello,

Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated, do a lot of traveling in my current job. When I do like to take my radios along, currently using two Yaesu rigs one for VHF the other UHF. I have been debating picking up a dual band, then some guys I work with when out of state are suggesting a Trbo vhf rig. I don't talk a lot on UHF so am torn between which way to go. I know the receive on a professional radio is better than a ham radio, money is not the issue as I can afford either way just not both, if I want to stay married lol. So my question is would a dual band handheld be the better route or a VHF Trbo rig, would allow me to listen to some public safety in the area, cost difference between the two is about $200. Just curious to get some opinions of others?

Thanks for looking

Rick

LtDoc · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2013, 11:29 PM

As much as I don't care for Yaesu, I would definitely recommend that brand before wasting money on a 'Trbo' type radio. There are just not enough 'Trbo' ham radios or repeaters to even come close to being useful. I seriously doubt if there will be in the next year or three or four.
- 'Doc

mmckenna · #3 (**permalink**) 02-14-2013, 11:45 PM

I agree. MotoTrbo is just one digital mode, there are a couple other used on the ham bands, so just settling on one flavor of digital would be sort of pointless. At $600 or more for a MotoTrbo radio you could do a lot better.
Get a good dual band radio. The MotoTrbo radio will not have a VFO, so you will either need to have everything you might need programmed in there before the trip, or you'll need to take the programming cable along with you to make changes on the fly. An amateur radio with a VFO will serve you much better. Even with the commercial gear I have, I keep a Yaesu FT-170 around for those times when I need a simple/basic frequency agile radio. When I need a bit more, I have a couple of Kenwood LMR handheld radios that have the front panel programming enabled.

perrybucsdad · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-2013, 10:02 AM

Not sure I would go with a Handheld as the range is just not that great. I had Yeasu VX6R and it was great for listening, but the range just stunk. I'd pick up a FT-7900 or something similar if it were me. I just picked up a FT-8900 (which has 4 bands -- 10m, 6m, 2m & 70cm) and just love it. The 10m FM I could do without as I can't transmit on that band and I don't think anyone does 10M FM in my neck of the woods.

73's

W2NJS · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2013, 11:11 AM

There is plenty of TRBO operation now throughout the USA and the world as well. The question is whether there is any in your home area to start with. TRBO radios do TRBO and FM, but as of now there are no dualband TRBO radios being sold. TRBO radios are, and will continue to be, less expensive than P25 radios and right now there are two manufacturers of them, with more one the way. That said, your best bet is to get a dualband ham VHF/UHF radio to use at home and while out of town.

elk2370bruce · #6 (**permalink**) 02-15-2013, 11:32 AM

For the price, you can't beat the Yaesu 7900 dual bander. I've had one in the car since they came out and have had no problem.

TheSpaceMan · #7 (**permalink**) 02-15-2013, 9:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elk2370bruce

For the price, you can't beat the Yaesu 7900 dual bander. I've had one in the car since they came out and have had no problem.

I agree. The 7900 is amazing little dual bander! You can buy them brand new for around $300 or less.

gewecke · #8 (**permalink**) 02-15-2013, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrybucsdad

Not sure I would go with a Handheld as the range is just not that great. I had Yeasu VX6R and it was great for listening, but the range just stunk. I'd pick up a FT-7900 or something similar if it were me. I just picked up a FT-8900 (which has 4 bands -- 10m, 6m, 2m & 70cm) and just love it. The 10m FM I could do without as I can't transmit on that band and I don't think anyone does 10M FM in my neck of the woods.

73's

Don't rule out your vx6r just yet, john. Try some other antennas on it, counterpoise, etc. Besides, how far were those stations/ repeaters you were trying to get to?
The vx6r is very versatile with the right antenna for the band you use.

73,
n9zas

n2pqq · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2013, 11:37 PM

I am waiting for the Yaesu FTM-400D radio to come out.

FTM-400D - YAESU 08/25/2012 08:06pm PST - YouTube

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...xvrs/5400.html

I have not bought a dual band radio since my Yaesu Ft 90

My guess is it will be in the $500 to $600 range.

rapidcharger · #10 (**permalink**) 02-16-2013, 11:18 AM

One thing to remember about MotoTRBO XPR 63xx and 65xx series radios is they only accept one radio ID for the entire radio so if you're wanting to operate on a public safety DMR system that would require a particular ID and then on a ham DMR system that requires another ID, you're not going to be able to do both.
You may also run into problems using newer XPR radios that won't do wideband out of the box for analog ham repeaters. You'll need to acquire or go through someone with entitlement. What a pain.
If all you want is a good commercial radio for analog use, there's dozens of models I'd pick over an XPR.

JRayfield · #11 (**permalink**) 02-16-2013, 10:16 PM

You're going to have the same problem with wideband operation with any new commercial radio, not just the Motorola XPR-series radios. This has nothing to do with the manufacturer. This is an FCC 'issue'. No manufacturer can sell a commercial radio (Type Certified for Part 90) if it can programmed for wideband, unless the manufacturer 'jumps through some hoops' (including waivers from the FCC) to be allowed to do it. The way Motorola came up with to handle this is actually quite good, as compared to what could have been required.

John Rayfield, Jr. CETma

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapidcharger

One thing to remember about MotoTRBO XPR 63xx and 65xx series radios is they only accept one radio ID for the entire radio so if you're wanting to operate on a public safety DMR system that would require a particular ID and then on a ham DMR system that requires another ID, you're not going to be able to do both.
You may also run into problems using newer XPR radios that won't do wideband out of the box for analog ham repeaters. You'll need to acquire or go through someone with entitlement. What a pain.
If all you want is a good commercial radio for analog use, there's dozens of models I'd pick over an XPR.

kayn1n32008 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-16-2013, 11:51 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9780; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.600 Mobile Safari/534.8+)

There are also more than 2 companies making DMR radios. They incluse Motorola, Tait, Harris, Hytera, Simoco, Vertex/Standard and Kenwood. More are also in the developement stages of DMR as well.

N2PYS · #13 (**permalink**) 02-17-2013, 8:11 AM

I Have had an FT 8900 since it was released in the USA although i no longer have a vehicle and Do Not have a Drivers license ( I am on round the clock opiates) so if i had a license and was in any accident the way the law is written i would automatically be at fault. so i use that rig in my House now but it has never given me any problem what so ever and has never so much as blown a fuse. as a matter of Fact i am selling a brand new ICOM IC 92 AD To Buy Another Mobile to Put on my power Wheelchair, it will bring more wattage to "pedestrian mobile"

Peace