2 Meter or Dual Band

[W2SY]

I have been out of the hobbie for 15 years and want to buy a 2 meter rig. My question : Is it worth while buying a dual band (2 meter / 70cm rig). What is the advantage of having 70cm capability?

Thanks,
Bill N2UNO

 

[RadioDaze]

I don't know what the 70cm activity is like in your area, but my dual-band Yaesus double as very competent scanners. On the other hand, correct me if I'm wrong, most of what you'd want to scan is VHF, which can be handled with a 2M rig.

It's rumored that the 70 cm band is less congested and possibly has more mature inhabitants, but I've just now made up that rumor, so you might give it some time to spread.

 

[DaveNF2G]

That's really a completely local type of question. It depends on whether anyone is using 440 where you are.

 

[elk2370bruce]

I have been out of the hobbie for 15 years and want to buy a 2 meter rig. My question : Is it worth while buying a dual band (2 meter / 70cm rig). What is the advantage of having 70cm capability?

Thanks,
Bill N2UNO

Go for the dual bander. There are loads of active 440 repeaters in South Jersey. The cost of the dual band capability is far less then the capabilities.

 

[eaf1956]

2 M vs Dual band

I have been out of the hobbie for 15 years and want to buy a 2 meter rig. My question : Is it worth while buying a dual band (2 meter / 70cm rig). What is the advantage of having 70cm capability?

Thanks,
Bill N2UNO

Another thing to consider is if you travel. There may be areas where 440 is active and 2M is not. Where I live it's mostly 2 M with some 440. 50 miles North where my brother lives it's mostly 440. (This is mostly because there is 2M interference in that town) I run ICOM 208's in both mobiles just in case.

 

[zz0468]

It's rumored that the 70 cm band is less congested and possibly has more mature inhabitants, but I've just now made up that rumor, so you might give it some time to spread.

LOL! You KNOW what a zoo 2m is around here. I haven't owned a 2m radio since the 70's.

To the OP, get the dual bander. They're not that much more expensive, and one can't have too many bands to operate on.

 

[W2SY]

OK dual band it is. Which of the following do you recommend for performance and user friendly:
Icom-208H or Yeasu FT-7900.

I really appreciate everyone responding with much needed advice.

Thanks,
Bill N2UNO

 

[CalebATC]

I wish I would have of gotten a 2/70cm for satellites. So, go with a dual bander!

 

[ve9jmc]

I bought a Kenwood TM-V71a and have been very very pleased with it. in my opinion ya can't go wrong with it.

 

[RadioDaze]

Well, I'll cast a vote for the FT-7900.

 

[n5ims]

Don't forget that the Wouxun (Wouxun KG-UVD1P - KG-UV2D - KG-UV920R Mobile Transceiver) dual band radios are getting good reviews and are selling for just over $100 currently for the handheld model. Shortly they'll release their mobile version which can also be pre-ordered if that's what you prefer. This may make a dual band radio less than a single band one from Icom/Kenwood/Yaesu.

 

[elk2370bruce]

I've had good luck with the Yaesu 7800 and the slightly upgraded 7900. The programming software and cable are strongly recommended and defintely worth the price.

 

[ranger821]

Kenwood V71A is a good one. I have had mine for 8 months and LOVE it. It replaced a 25 YEAR OLD iCOM 2340h. Bill55, were you in the air police back in 1968-70 time frame. Your user name is close to a friend of mines from nam.

John
KB4OIF

 

[W2SY]

Ranger, I was not in Vietnam. The draft ended 2 months before my 18th birthday.

To everyone who responded to my questions, I want to let you know I bought a new dual band- Icom 208H. I'll write a review on it in a couple weeks.
Thanks for all your insight. It really helped me decide.

73,
Bill N2UNO

 

[magillapd]

Asking a ham what radio will works best will get you all sorts of answers. I'll tell you what I have and why.

I was told by a friend to get a dual band radio 2m/70cm and I'm glad that I took that advise. I get 2m that I wanted and have already been glad that I've had the 440 available.

For my car I put in a Yaesu FT-7900. I did this because I wanted access to both bands but didn't need cross band repeat. I have a diamond NR770HBNMO dual band anteanna (drilled a hole in the trunk lid and eveything) I can get out great. This radio is great with 50 watts on 2m and 45 watts on 70cm. The combination of this radio and anteanna so far has been fantastic.

For my desk at home I have a Kenwood TM-V71A with a diamond X300NA on a 20 foot mast. For the house I did want a cross band repeat, and I chose Kenwood over a Yaesu beacause I liked the looks and fuctions better (plus has a real mic feel, yaesu is kinda slim and I feel like I'm going to break it).

So there you have it. But I highly suggest getting a dual band radio. The extra expense now is better then getting just a 2m rig and then wanting more later on.

 

[W2NJS]

Speaking as the owner of three Icom 208s, and going back about six years with them, I can testify to their quality. Never have had any problems with them (one mobile, one at home, one at the condo). Only thing that may, I say may, need fixing is the mic audio. I have a current post up on this board about improving the mic audio that some might find helpful. I even use mine to monitor the 900 mHz repeater at times, plus airband (AM, works great with great AM audio) etc. etc.

 

[W2SY]

I agree with you 100%. I recently bought two 208H's and I love them. I had the mics modified for better audio quality by Bob Nagy AB5N and now I really, really. love them. Guys in my club are astounded by the difference. They say it sounds like I'm sitting next to them. I'm sure their are other cures but this one definitely works.

 

[k8tmk]

I would recommend a dual-bander. Specifically, one that can receive on both bands at the same time. Many will work on one band or the other, but will not receive on both at the same time. For a hint, look for pictures in the advertisements that show both bands on the display.

Around here, some of our repeaters are on 2 meters, and some are on 70 cm. So, a dual-band radio is almost a necessity.

Randy, K8TMK

 

[gewecke]

I guess this depends too,on how much you like uhf in general? I PREFER uhf over vhf comms of any kind, hands down.
I will listen to vhf public safety and murs before 2 meters any day,but my real preference is 70cm. simplex,uhf public safety and business comms and of course gmrs. Also 220 and 900 mhz.
n9zas

 

[W4TF]

That's really a completely local type of question. It depends on whether anyone is using 440 where you are.

Exactly my thought. Where i work (ft Lauderdale, FL) 440 is HUGE, where I live (110 miles north) 70cm is DEAD! It all depends on where you are or plan on using the radio really.

Personally, 70cm is my band of choice mostly because I spend most of my times indoors and I'm able to word the band with my HT from most places indoors.