Hi,
I'm new to posting here, but have been reading through numerous posts, gleaning all kinds of information.
I am trying to decide between 3 VHF transceivers:
Kenwood TK-7180 (likely the H model which is 50w), Icom IC-F5061 or Relm RM800A.
I currently use the TK-7180K at work and love almost everything about the radio. It is also so feature packed that I don't see myself "outgrowing" it until I feel a need for digital. The TK-7180 scans the nicest out of any radio I have used so far.
I have limited exposure to Icom, except for programming my g/f's IC-F121 for her and brief testing. I find it functional and love the programming interface, but it is "clunky" feeling compared to the Kenwood in operation. The Icom only outshines the Kenwood in transmit power 50w vs. 30w.
I also currenlty have a Relm RMV-25 installed in my car and like certain things about it, but except for the per channel squelch, I feel it has nothing to offer that even holds a candle to any of my 3 possible upgrades. I also find the scanning on the RMV-25, ineffective as it seems to constantly stop on a channel with interference.
I actually hope to sell my 2 Relm RMV-25's to finance my upgrade, as much as I like these rugged little radios. The one thing that made me consider getting rid of them was the scarcity of accessories, the relative rarity of them and the almost complete lack of forum support and user base.
These are the reasons that I have listed my 3 upgrades in current order of preference. The Kenwood seems like the perfect radio, albeit the most expensive. It is also the most common and best supported. The Icom is a little cheaper and seems to give similar bang for the buck, but not having used a newer Icom I am a little hesitant. The Relm comes in last because of lack of support, but it seems to be very close to the Kenwood in features and quality execution. I will likely be mounting with separation kit, if DIN install is not feasible, so I lean towards the first two on that front, because I know these kits are readily available.
If any of you have experience with any of these 3, I would love your opinions and reflections on which you prefer and why.
Sorry for the long-winded post.
Thanks,
Mike.
I'm new to posting here, but have been reading through numerous posts, gleaning all kinds of information.
I am trying to decide between 3 VHF transceivers:
Kenwood TK-7180 (likely the H model which is 50w), Icom IC-F5061 or Relm RM800A.
I currently use the TK-7180K at work and love almost everything about the radio. It is also so feature packed that I don't see myself "outgrowing" it until I feel a need for digital. The TK-7180 scans the nicest out of any radio I have used so far.
I have limited exposure to Icom, except for programming my g/f's IC-F121 for her and brief testing. I find it functional and love the programming interface, but it is "clunky" feeling compared to the Kenwood in operation. The Icom only outshines the Kenwood in transmit power 50w vs. 30w.
I also currenlty have a Relm RMV-25 installed in my car and like certain things about it, but except for the per channel squelch, I feel it has nothing to offer that even holds a candle to any of my 3 possible upgrades. I also find the scanning on the RMV-25, ineffective as it seems to constantly stop on a channel with interference.
I actually hope to sell my 2 Relm RMV-25's to finance my upgrade, as much as I like these rugged little radios. The one thing that made me consider getting rid of them was the scarcity of accessories, the relative rarity of them and the almost complete lack of forum support and user base.
These are the reasons that I have listed my 3 upgrades in current order of preference. The Kenwood seems like the perfect radio, albeit the most expensive. It is also the most common and best supported. The Icom is a little cheaper and seems to give similar bang for the buck, but not having used a newer Icom I am a little hesitant. The Relm comes in last because of lack of support, but it seems to be very close to the Kenwood in features and quality execution. I will likely be mounting with separation kit, if DIN install is not feasible, so I lean towards the first two on that front, because I know these kits are readily available.
If any of you have experience with any of these 3, I would love your opinions and reflections on which you prefer and why.
Sorry for the long-winded post.
Thanks,
Mike.