I'm interested in buying an IC-F70DT 11 portable radio (for amateur use), but I have some questions about the unit and its programming.
First, I'm wondering just how fast the radio can be set to sample the priority channel while receiving on another frequency? IIRC my old Bendix/Kings and Motorola radios could be set to sample about once every second. Does that sound right, and is this feature included with the F70 radios? And would I be able to scan analog and digital channels at the same time in the same group? I guess I'm wondering if the radio can switch modes on the fly or if that's something I have to manually change myself?
Also, can this radio be configured to transmit/receive GPS data while in digital mode? You'll have to forgive me, I'm a digital newb! I didn't see anything about that in the on-line pdf instructions... only that this feature works while in analog mode. Is this something that can be done with a third-party solution or is this not possible yet?
Lastly, I'm hoping someone can give me an idea of what I should expect to pay for this unit plus the programming software. I would want a digital enabled version with a full-keypad... maybe even a FPP option if this is available. I wouldn't need any kind of encryption enabled. The model # I got off Icom's website is IC-F70DT 11... is that correct? When I look at various on-line vendors the prices vary quite a bit. Often, the websites list the radio simply as F70... hard to tell if it's digital enabled. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction with some on-line vendors?
I really appreciate any insight you have to offer.
Regards,
Trace, N6RPU
First, I'm wondering just how fast the radio can be set to sample the priority channel while receiving on another frequency? IIRC my old Bendix/Kings and Motorola radios could be set to sample about once every second. Does that sound right, and is this feature included with the F70 radios? And would I be able to scan analog and digital channels at the same time in the same group? I guess I'm wondering if the radio can switch modes on the fly or if that's something I have to manually change myself?
Also, can this radio be configured to transmit/receive GPS data while in digital mode? You'll have to forgive me, I'm a digital newb! I didn't see anything about that in the on-line pdf instructions... only that this feature works while in analog mode. Is this something that can be done with a third-party solution or is this not possible yet?
Lastly, I'm hoping someone can give me an idea of what I should expect to pay for this unit plus the programming software. I would want a digital enabled version with a full-keypad... maybe even a FPP option if this is available. I wouldn't need any kind of encryption enabled. The model # I got off Icom's website is IC-F70DT 11... is that correct? When I look at various on-line vendors the prices vary quite a bit. Often, the websites list the radio simply as F70... hard to tell if it's digital enabled. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction with some on-line vendors?
I really appreciate any insight you have to offer.
Regards,
Trace, N6RPU