handheld full duplex satellite radio to buy

[Jhernan488]

What would you recommend to get for working satellites. Currently I have the kguv8d it is not a true full duplex radio as it states, it only works as duplex when the receive is UHF like po101 but not so50. I would like to hear myself on all these satellites. What handhelds do this? I don't care if it's a cheapy one, moderately priced one or an expensive one just want to look at options.

Thanks

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

ICOM IC-W32A

 

[N4DJC]

Kenwood TH-D72

 

[FKimble]

Just get another radio like the one you have. Use one for VHF, the other for UHF.

Frank

 

[PACNWDude]

I have used for many years now, an old Icom IC-T7H handheld for working satellites. But, it has been a few years and that model has not been made for while. I even bought some Trivec UHF AV-2011 and AV-2040 antennas at one point.....most of my time was spent on UHF Follow-On (UFO) satellites. Lots of pirates and Portuguese speakers. There are many YouTube videos of these conversations.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

1. I think the OP is interested in AMSAT amateur satellites.
2. A duplex radio like W32A is easier to use on the LEO satellites than fumbling with two radios because you can preprogram channels to overcome Doppler shift.

 

[wd9ewk]

What would you recommend to get for working satellites. Currently I have the kguv8d it is not a true full duplex radio as it states, it only works as duplex when the receive is UHF like po101 but not so50. I would like to hear myself on all these satellites. What handhelds do this? I don't care if it's a cheapy one, moderately priced one or an expensive one just want to look at options.

Other than the Wouxun KG-UV8 and KG-UV9 handheld radios that will do full-duplex with UHF uplinks (AO-91, PO-101) but not VHF uplinks (AO-27, SO-50, ISS repeater), you'll have to go into the used market. The Kenwood TH-D72 is probably the best of the handheld radios, but it went out of production a year or two ago. There are a few handheld radios from the 1990s and 2000s that do this well. I have a spreadsheet that lists handheld radios, along with mobile and base-station radios, that are capable of full-duplex operation which might be useful. The link should try to download the spreadsheet, instead of opening it up in a Dropbox web page.

Mobile radios are larger, but there are more options for full-duplex FM satellite operations in those radios, including radios that are currently in production. I'm using an Icom ID-5100 mobile radio, and like the larger display along with separate knobs for each VFO (volume, squelch, tuning). I took this on my recent trip to the Orlando HamCation, and ran the power cable directly to the battery. It is capable of full-duplex operation in FM, but doesn't work for full-duplex operation in D-Star through AO-27 (receive VFO mutes when transmitting in D-Star, and the ID-5100 picks up your signals).

If you don't want/need the D-Star capabilities in the ID-5100, the IC-2730 is another Icom radio that does well. I have also used a Yaesu FTM-300DR, which works well for FM satellites, and the Alinco DR-735 (its receiver isn't as good as those in the Icom/Kenwood/Yaesu radios, but can do full-duplex operations). Kenwood's TM-V71A is also a good option, if you can find them in the stores. I have not tried the Yaesu FTM-400, but it is capable of full-duplex operation on FM satellites.

Good luck, and 73!

 

[wd9ewk]

ICOM IC-W32A

Older IC-W32As are good radios that can handle full-duplex operation on all FM satellites. These usually have low 5-digit serial numbers, and have the capability of receiving on the 800 MHz band. Later IC-W32As lost the 800 MHz capability, and the internal circuitry changed where the UHF receiver will suffer desense while transmitting on VHF. Some of these later IC-W32As had 5-digit serial numbers, but most of them came with 7-digit serial numbers.

I have one of the later-model IC-W32As, which won't do full-duplex operation on FM satellites with VHF uplinks. Still a decent radio, and I will occasionally use it on AO-91 and PO-101 (and, in the past, AO-92).

73!

 

[AK9R]

I have a spreadsheet that lists handheld radios, along with mobile and base-station radios, that are capable of full-duplex operation which might be useful.

Would you be interested in incorporating the data you've collected into a article for the RadioReference Wiki?

 

[tomhank]

All radios are not created equal. Among other things, having full-duplex capabilities is one of the most crucial. This implies that the radio is capable of both receiving and broadcasting. Yet, many contemporary radios lack this feature. They are particularly prevalent in vintage models.

You can utilize two radios in its place if the radio is not full duplex. In this manner, sending is done on one radio while receiving is done on the other. Most handheld radios including those with programmable VHF/UHF scanners can be used for this.

 

[wd9ewk]

All radios are not created equal. Among other things, having full-duplex capabilities is one of the most crucial. This implies that the radio is capable of both receiving and broadcasting. Yet, many contemporary radios lack this feature. They are particularly prevalent in vintage models.

You can utilize two radios in its place if the radio is not full duplex. In this manner, sending is done on one radio while receiving is done on the other. Most handheld radios including those with programmable VHF/UHF scanners can be used for this.

I agree 100% that full-duplex operation is crucial for satellite operating. Unfortunately, the link references a couple of Baofeng UV-5R derivatives whose capabilities may be so-so at best for FM satellites (starting with not capable of full-duplex operating), and a Yaesu 2m mobile radio that - by itself - isn't capable of working FM satellites which typically use both 2m and 70cm. The TYT TH-9800 may be able to work FM satellites full-duplex. The Icom ID-5100 mobile radios referenced at that link definitely can work FM satellites full-duplex. I have an ID-5100, which works very well with FM satellites, but has recently been discontinued by Icom.

It is disappointing to see that article with a title "5 Best Ham Radios for Satellites" having 3 of the 5 radios not capable of full-duplex operation for FM satellites, and one of those 3 that not even capable of 70cm operation. Using 2 radios for full-duplex FM satellite operating - which can be two handheld radios on the 2m and 70cm bands, or one dual-band HT with a scanner/receiver - can be a great starting point. My spreadsheet linked in a post in this thread shows many radios - including HTs - capable of full-duplex operating for FM satellites.

73.

 

[N4DJC]

Maybe the new Kenwood showing at Dayton will be full duplex….

 

[wd9ewk]

Maybe the new Kenwood showing at Dayton will be full duplex….

New Kenwood?

 

[vagrant]

Dayton? - Go East!
I'm doubtful we will see anything new from Kenwood at Friedrichschafen, or Tokyo events as well. I saw old man Kenwood a month back and he did not look well. Something about his prostate, or whatnot.

@Jhernan488 - While you wait, perhaps use a VHF/UHF diplexer and two radios. Here is a pretty cool guy that is very familiar with working satellites and he is using a diplexer in this video. That's not an echo, but he's hearing himself on another radio using a diplexer...while going through the satellite.

P.S. I too prefer the Elk Log Periodic. It has a wide beam and easily catches and holds the satellites. The Arrow works too, but it has a narrow beam and is not as forgiving, which is the tradeoff of having slightly more gain.

 

[AK9R]

New Kenwood?

Leo Fahmie KJ6HI, who works for Kenwood USA and has been one of the Kenwood reps at many hamfests in the past, has reportedly said that a replacement for the TH-D74 will be available later this year. I'm not from Missouri, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[N4DJC]

New Kenwood?

Phil Parton (N4DRO), Kenwood's national (amateur radio) sales manager, will be at Dayton. They have three booths confirmed.

According to Don Arnold (W6GPS) Phil will have "product" there. Don is usually in the know on Kenwood products. There has been something in the works on the handheld and mobile front since the Tokyo Hamfair last August.

We wil see....