An 8 watt HT. Tonfa? Looks just like a BF

[JCNHB]

http://www.kightradio.com/Tonfa-UV-985-8-Watt-Dual-Band-Handheld-Transceiver_p_346.html

It's double the power of a 4 watt BF HT.

I'm guessing with a decent HT antenna I can get some pretty good range from this HT.

I want one!


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[kayn1n32008]

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Range will not be much, if any, different than a 4watt HT. It is only 3db increase in power. That is half an S-unit.

Increase in current draw will not net any real distance gains.

 

[JCNHB]

Hey thanks. My burning desire to get one is now manageable. Lol.


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[JCNHB]

I gotta look up what an s unit is now though


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[gewecke]

Tonfa UV-985 8 Watt Dual Band Handheld Transceiver

It's double the power of a 4 watt BF HT.

I'm guessing with a decent HT antenna I can get some pretty good range from this HT.

I want one!


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Why? The battery is only 1800mah which would not last long at 8 watts out, if it actually does that. As kayn1n32008 said, almost no increase in range would result between 4 and 8 watts out. I'm not sure what they were thinking when they engineered that thing. 73, n9zas

 

[gewecke]

I gotta look up what an s unit is now though


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I'm assuming you're NEW to radios? 73, n9zas

 

[JCNHB]

Thanks gewecke. A little knowledge saves my money.

like any hobby. There is always the next step.

I only have HT's. I use it with a mag mount in my car.

I was gonna get an RF amp. The mirage BD-35 but there are mixed reviews.

Should I just find a deal on a mobile unit?

I like the BF's. After getting familiar with all the menus and settings


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[JCNHB]

Yes. I'm new. Very new. Started looking into it a month ago. Got my tech license a week ago.


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[nd5y]

Here is a review of a clone of that radio
Review INTEK KT-980HP | Ham Radio Blog PD0AC

 

[MTS2000des]

and as you can see in the review, the tests of the unit show it only puts out a tad or so more than the "regular" iterations of the ever popular UV-5R.

1-2 watts makes little difference. Want better performance? Hook any HT to a "for real" external antenna like a J-pole.

 

[JCNHB]

A j pole... I've heard of those. Ok. Thank you for that advice.

I'm using a tram 1180 38.5 inches on my roof right now.

I'll start researching a J pole.
Thank you for your tips!



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[JCNHB]

any other "for real" antenna suggestions ?
I'm dual banding 70cm and 2 meter.


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[n5ims]

any other "for real" antenna suggestions ?
I'm dual banding 70cm and 2 meter.


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Larsen 2/70 (LARSEN NMO-2/70BLACK | BLACK NMO-2/70 ANTENNA 2M/440) or the "short" version (Larsen NMO-2/70SH: Ham & Amateur Radios - Equipment, Parts and Supply | AES) for mobile use. Both require a standard NMO base for them to screw onto.

 

[JCNHB]

That second Larson antenna looks similar to my tram 1180. Center loaded also. Would it perform better than the tram because quality of the build material or... ?

Just trying to learn from you guys. Thanks fit everyone's help.


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[n5ims]

I have several of the 2/70s and they all work quite well. The short version doesn't have quite the gain as the longer ones, but for the size, still works quite well.

 

[robertmac]

Most of the "antenna" questions can be found under Amateur Radio Antennas thread. And yes a real mobile radio is much better than an HT with an amplifier and a "mag" mount.

 

[JCNHB]

A real mobile radio is better than an ht with an amp and mag mount. Ok how come? Less clutter? More reliable. Better signal? All of the above?
Sorry it might seem like a basic question.

But I'm asking anyway.... Why?


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[nd5y]

All of the above plus a permanent mount antenna instead of a mag mount.

Also the lower end Baofeng clone hand helds have a different type receiver than most real radios. Increasing received signal levels by using a good external antenna can overload the receiver and make it hard or impossible to hear weak signals.

 

[JCNHB]

Ok thank you nd5y! That answers my question.


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[WB4CS]

When it comes to the cheaper China HT's you get what you pay for. They will for sure get you on the air, but they will not perform as well as a radio from Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom, or Alinco.

I also agree on not using a magnetic mount if at all possible. Mag Mounts are supposed to be temporary antennas and do not provide near as good of a ground as a permanent mount does. A permanently installed and drilled NMO mount will perform much better than a mag mount antenna.

I'll second the Larsen NMO 2/70 for mobile use. I use one and it's a great antenna, Larsen is probably one of the best mobile antenna manufacturers for VHF/UHF. There are also several good base antennas that can be used at home that will work much better than the rubber duck antenna or a mag mount. The key is height, the higher up the better. In the car, I have my NMO mount on the center of my car's roof and it works much better than down low on the trunk of the car.

So, here's another vote on finding a good mobile radio to supplement your handheld.