Mobile Question

[chief21]

One more point in favor of a VHF / UHF rig with dual receive (like the Kenwood V71a) ... you can monitor two frequencies at the same time, in any combination: VHF/VHF, VHF/UHF, UHF/UHF, or UHF,VHF.

I have a V71 and I use the left side to monitor a particular frequency (usually 146.520) while the right side scans all other frequencies of interest. The V71 also has some awesome scanning features.

John
AC4JK

 

[donnie_ke6don]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I ll start looking for a V71.
Another thing Iv found out about the 71, is the speaker can be mounted either on top or inverse the case and mount it on the bottom.
Which for a mobile mount works great IMHO.
Thansk again for the replies.



73 K7UTA
donnie

 

[mmckenna]

Another thing Iv found out about the 71, is the speaker can be mounted either on top or inverse the case and mount it on the bottom.
Which for a mobile mount works great IMHO.

donnie

True, but unless you are mounting to the roof/roll bar, you will likely need an external speaker to overcome road noise, especially in a soft top Jeep. Modern radios are pretty good, but adding an external speaker will make a big difference in sound quality. I've done that on all my radios since a couple of years ago. Really nice to be able to clearly hear the radio as I'm driving down the highway at 65mph with the windows down and the radio on.

 

[k3cfc]

Think of the future! Go with the Yeasu FT-8900 quad band! 440, 2m, 6m & 10m!

The only problem with doing this is if your radio goes down your out of luck all the way around.

 

[RESlusher]

A valid point, I will concede. The same can be said for a dual band or single band.

 

[donnie_ke6don]

True, but unless you are mounting to the roof/roll bar, you will likely need an external speaker to overcome road noise, especially in a soft top Jeep. Modern radios are pretty good, but adding an external speaker will make a big difference in sound quality. I've done that on all my radios since a couple of years ago. Really nice to be able to clearly hear the radio as I'm driving down the highway at 65mph with the windows down and the radio on.

The Jeep Iv got is a hard top with an Arizona Rocky Road Radio Bar across the front which is where the radio is planned to install.
The wiring is already installed except for the fuses and switching the coax from the HT to the bar.
Even if I mount it other than the bar, I planned on an external speaker mounted on the bar or behind my ear near the back of trhe drivers seat.
MAybe both for when the Freedom Top is off.

 

[donnie_ke6don]

The only problem with doing this is if your radio goes down your out of luck all the way around.

Thats why I plan on having the HT just in case.
Granted its only 5 watts but it would be better than nothing.

 

[DaveNF2G]

If you are in a location where you need 100 watts to reach anyone and you have only an ht, then it is not "better than nothing." It IS nothing.

Just sayin'.

 

[mmckenna]

If you are in a location where you need 100 watts to reach anyone and you have only an ht, then it is not "better than nothing." It IS nothing.

Just sayin'.

True, but VHF and UHF working mostly by line of site, there isn't a huge difference when talking into a repeater. Also, as I've done, hiking up to a ridge top with an HT works wonders. Out here in California it isn't like the show on TV. There is a lot of wilderness, National Forest, etc. When you get away from the cities, there isn't a lot of repeaters. There are places we go with our ATV's where reaching a single repeater can be difficult, finding one on VHF and one on UHF that you can hit from the same place is pretty rare.

When we start talking about redundant systems as a back up, where do we stop? Do you go as far as 2 alternators, 2 charging systems, 2 batteries, 2 different paths for the cable? Do you separate engine starting battery from radio batteries as they do in some police vehicles? Ideally, yes to all of these, in reality, it's a hobby, and if we are really worried about getting help in an emergency we don't rely on the thought that someone is monitoring that repeater 24x7, or that someone will always be listing on 146.52, or that the person you actually reach will be helpful (been there, done that, ended up phoning into 911). Instead ( and a much more prudent way to do this ) is to carry an alternate means of communications, especially if someones life may depend on it, like a satellite phone, PLB, etc.
My own personal experience is that the failures are often something more simple, damaged microphone, corroded antenna connection, blown fuse. Those sorts of things we should be prepared to fix in the field. Anyone that spends any time off the highway in the wilds is smart enough to carry tools and a few spare parts.

 

[k3cfc]

mmckenna

You have summed this whole thing up in a nut shell.

GOOD JOB.

 

[donnie_ke6don]

OK I have one more question.
Is the MARS/CAP mod worth it or is it personal choice?

73 K7UTA
donnie

 

[mmckenna]

Uh-oh, duck your head Donnie, here comes the flames!
This is a sore topic with a lot of people. A lot of ham operators do this to their radios due to some perceived notion that they will just key up on a public safety frequency and carry on a conversation with dispatch. This will be met with a lot of confusion, and a serious talking to by a guy with a gun and a badge, if you are lucky, fines, confiscation of your radio, loss of your license if you are not lucky.

As a guy who works on public safety radio systems, and carrying the proper non-hacked radio, I don't even do stuff like this. Even if I have to do a test on a system, I always make a phone call to dispatch to tell them what I am doing.

Would I do it in a situation where my life was in danger, yes. Would I recommend it to someone else? No. You are getting into an area here where fines, confiscation of your gear, loss of your license, etc, some into play. While it is not illegal to mod your radio, it is against the FCC rules to transmit without the proper license. As I'm sure you are aware, an amateur radio license has zero privileges outside the amateur radio bands.

I'm going to step back now, likely you'll get an earful of input from those on both sides of this discussion.

 

[Jimru]

I have had the FT-8800 for years and am very happy with it.
Btw, it not only has "dual receive", but cross-band repeat, as well. You could be outside of your Jeep with your HT transmitting with 3.5 watts on VHF and the FT-8800 will repeat your transmission with 50 watts on UHF.
Yaesu makes good stuff, IMHO.

 

[DaveNF2G]

While it is not illegal to mod your radio, it is against the FCC rules to transmit without the proper license. As I'm sure you are aware, an amateur radio license has zero privileges outside the amateur radio bands.

I'm going to step back now, likely you'll get an earful of input from those on both sides of this discussion.

It is also illegal to have a radio that is programmed to transmit anywhere the user does not have a license or permission to operate.

The so-called "emergency loophole" has been closed for a while. But don't worry, those who want to have a non-amateur transmit capability "just in case" will always find a way to justify themselves.

 

[MTS2000des]

Kenwood TM-V71A vs Yaesy FT-8800R

I own both the Kenwood TM-V71A and the Yaesu FT-8800R. I'd say the V71 is a clear winner, here's why:

1)-Much better build quality. The Kenwood control head feels better, no flex in the plastic or play in the knobs like the Yaesu. IMO it looks more professional. Keys are backlit, unlike the Yaesu. And you can select between amber or green backlight to match your vehicle lighting or preference.

2)-the Kenwood has much better performance, no PL/DPL "falsing", a problem that the Yaesu has due to a firmware problem. Speaking of, the Kenwood has upgradeable firmware, the Yaesu uses masked ROM- no firmware upgrades are possible.

3)-the Kenwood does an outstanding job for crossband repeat, and has a built-in ID'er to keep you legal. The FT-8800 does not have an ID'er.

4)-the Kenwood microphone: QUALITY LMR style mike that has RJ-45's on both ends for easy replacement. The Yaesu mikes are crap, cheaply made, and fall apart. Been through two of them.

5)-the user interface on the Kenwood is just plain more logical.

Don't get me wrong, the 8800 is an okay radio, but if I had a choice- I would have bought a second V71A. The V71A is also less expensive, in fact until recently it was on sale at Gigaparts for $355 with free shipping but I see the price went back up.

 

[mmckenna]

4)-the Kenwood microphone: QUALITY LMR style mike that has RJ-45's on both ends for easy replacement. The Yaesu mikes are crap, cheaply made, and fall apart. Been through two of them.

Truer words have never been said. I'll second this one.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPad; CPU OS 6_1_2 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B146 Safari/8536.25)

4)-the Kenwood microphone: QUALITY LMR style mike that has RJ-45's on both ends for easy replacement. The Yaesu mikes are crap, cheaply made, and fall apart. Been through two of them.

Truer words have never been said. I'll second this one.

I will third that. In fact it uses the exact same cable as the LMR mics. I switched out the cable that came with my V71a and use an LMR one that has the rubber boot on the radio plug.

Best purchase I made was my v71a, to replace my 8800. It also has an option to eliminate the .5 second tail on cross band repeat.

 

[donnie_ke6don]

I have seen the Kenwood 2 mtr advertised as being Mil Spec.
Iv only seen the V71 in one ad as being MIL SPEC certified.
Which is it? Is it or not?
Either way, Im still leaning towards the V 71 for several reasons.

 

[SCPD]

I have seen the Kenwood 2 mtr advertised as being Mil Spec.
Iv only seen the V71 in one ad as being MIL SPEC certified.
Which is it? Is it or not?
Either way, Im still leaning towards the V 71 for several reasons.

http://kenwoodusa.com/UserFiles/File/UnitedStates/Communications/AMA/Brochures/TM-V71A.pdf

Nothing here about any mil-spec certification. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[K4APR]

What model Jeep? I just semi-completed an install in my 2013 Patriot. I went with a remote head Kenwood TM-V71 for voice (used mostly on UHF) and an older Kenwood TM-271 for APRS. I still have PLENTY of work to do on the cable management and routing:

TM-V71 Control Head:

YagTracker APRS Terminal (dark picture - Better pictures - http://www.rpc-electronics.com/yagtracker):

Equipment mounted in the back:

Antennas:

GPS Antenna for APRS: