Dual Band HT-What to Buy?

[johnp3205]

Sorry if this question is asked too many times but here goes again. My Alinco dual bander, DJ-580T finally broke down after many years of reliable operation. I am now in the market again for a reasonably priced dual bander. I looked at Alinco, Kenwood, Yaesu, but have not been able to settle on anything just yet. What is important to me is programmable by software, maybe an alkaline battery case option, good audio of course, and not too small of a unit. Any good suggestions from owners out there? I see the Alinco is very affordable but I know nothing of its actual performance. I would like to stay under $300. Thanks,
John
KB8YTB

 

[cmjonesinc]

I like my yaesu ft60.

 

[rkymtn7700]

I would buy a Baofeng

I am a feed provider and also an extra class Ham Radio operator...

If it were me I would not spend hundreds of dollars on a Japanese HT. Baofeng makes a pretty decent HT for under 50 dollars and it has a wide frequency range on both VHF and UHF. The radio will operate well beyond Ham and Public Service ranges. It has a decent receiver and transmitter for the price and it is programmable with a USB Baofeng and a PC computer running free software (CHIRP).

I have a UV-5R+ but Baofeng offers several models...


BAOFENG UV 5R Plus V UHF 136 174 400 520Mhz Dual Band FM Two Way Radio | eBay

 

[KE0GXN]

The Yaesu FT-60R. It has everything you stated you want and can be had for $149.95.

It has served me well.

 

[cmjonesinc]

And they're very well built. Ive had my ft60 and vx150 for several years and they've seen lots of abuse. The metal frame isn't going to fall apart when you drop it.

 

[639]

I know that this thread is a couple days old, but ... another vote for the Yaesu FT60.

I'm kicking myself for getting rid of mine. It is a fairly rugged radio, and it can be purchased relatively cheap as has been mentioned here. You can get a AA battery pack for it, and it is programmable with PC software (it's been a while, but it seems like a found some good third party software when I had mine). Also, it is a nice size, not so small that you can lose it but not a huge brick either.

 

[fasteddy64]

I will add my vote for the FT60R.
Mine works just as good as a scanner than it does as an HT. The wide receiver is excellent and really shines in the 225-400 MHz military aircraft band, where I do most of my monitoring.

Ed
KG5UN

 

[gewecke]

Though a tri bander, I have to mention the vx6r since its waterproof and scans very quick for a ham talkie and also covers aircraft nicely. . 73, n9zas

 

[k6cpo]

I am a feed provider and also an extra class Ham Radio operator...

If it were me I would not spend hundreds of dollars on a Japanese HT. Baofeng makes a pretty decent HT for under 50 dollars and it has a wide frequency range on both VHF and UHF. The radio will operate well beyond Ham and Public Service ranges. It has a decent receiver and transmitter for the price and it is programmable with a USB Baofeng and a PC computer running free software (CHIRP).

I have a UV-5R+ but Baofeng offers several models...


BAOFENG UV 5R Plus V UHF 136 174 400 520Mhz Dual Band FM Two Way Radio | eBay

Before you start touting the advantages of the Baofeng HTs, you might want to look at the article on Page 74 of the November 2015 issue of QST magazine.

Over a period of four years, 2012-2015, the ARRL lab did spectral testing of various HT models at the Dayton Hamvention. Of all the different makes and models of HT, the Baofengs had the highest non-compliance rate for spurious emissions as laid out by the FCC (97.907e,) even worse than Wouxun. Conversely, the Japanese HTs (Yaesu, Kenwood and iCom) had 100% compliance rates.

Just more proof that you get what you pay for...

 

[AI7PM]

Kenwood TH-F6 is a good one. Actually tri-band, as it has 220 as well. Relatively inexspensive.

 

[MTS2000des]

Before you start touting the advantages of the Baofeng HTs, you might want to look at the article on Page 74 of the November 2015 issue of QST magazine.

Over a period of four years, 2012-2015, the ARRL lab did spectral testing of various HT models at the Dayton Hamvention. Of all the different makes and models of HT, the Baofengs had the highest non-compliance rate for spurious emissions as laid out by the FCC (97.907e,) even worse than Wouxun. Conversely, the Japanese HTs (Yaesu, Kenwood and iCom) had 100% compliance rates.

Just more proof that you get what you pay for...

Yep. The ChinaTurd radios are what they are. Garbage in most cases.

The FT-60 is the "go to" dual band HT. Yaesu, The Radio, makes them in JAPAN now and they come with a drop in charger, they work well with PC Programming and Chirp, and other free ware like Commander and a $15 programming cable. Alkaline battery cases available, well written manual, great performance, and unlike the China crap, USA based factory support and service.

One does indeed get what you pay for.

 

[k6cpo]

Yep. The ChinaTurd radios are what they are. Garbage in most cases.

The FT-60 is the "go to" dual band HT. Yaesu, The Radio, makes them in JAPAN now and they come with a drop in charger, they work well with PC Programming and Chirp, and other free ware like Commander and a $15 programming cable. Alkaline battery cases available, well written manual, great performance, and unlike the China crap, USA based factory support and service.

One does indeed get what you pay for.

I would never buy a Baofeng. I have one but it was a prize at a club raffle. The only reason I haven't unloaded it is because it's Part 90 certified and I have need of it as a backup to my other Part 90 radios. I don't think I've ever actually used it on the ham bands.

 

[jwt873]

I bought a Baofeng UV3R because it was yellow (and only cost $30). It was a change from all my other HT's which are dark grey/black. As you can see, in the pic below, it adds a bit of color.

It's only 2 Watts, but when connected to the 6dB vertical on top of my 40 ft tower, I can hit repeaters 30 - 40 miles away.

 

[K5MPH]

FT-60R is a pretty good pick.....

 

[902]

I like the FT-60R, too. I inherited a VX-2 and that seems to be a very nice little radio, too, especially for wide receive capabilities.