Recommeded Handheld HAM Radios?

[csvff78]

I have recently added a Yaesu VX-7R to my collection. 5 watts on 6meter, 2meter, 70cm. 0.5watts (or so) on 1.25 meter (220mhz). Wide receive 0.500mhz - 1000mhz, AM, NFM, WFM. It also does PL, DPL coding and decoding. I have thus far been very happy with the unit, both receive and transmitt. There are a few other extras such as the spectrum analyzer and channel counter, that have made finding frequencies easier. IMO if your looking for a small tri or quad bander that will also do a good job as a scanner, this is a good radio for the job. AES carries them for $309.00 and $ 10.00 shipping. http://www.aesham.com

Frank K3FSS
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/2376/pghradio.html

 

[chevyman]

I got a kenwood th-g71a dual bander. It's a pretty decent radio, I've had it for a year now and no problems with it. The vx-150 is a very capable 2m unit, that's where most of the action is in most areas anyway.

HF is where the action is as many people have said, I haven't got on there yet, (too lazy to learn morse code) but hopefully someday I'll get on there

 

[Dubbin]

VX5R and lovin it :!:

 

[HamSexy007]

Personally, I like the Vertex (Yaesu) line. I've got a VX-150 and will be getting the VX-60 when I can. I've also had a few of the later model mobiles, like the FT-8100, FT-8500 and a brief stint with the FT-8900.

I just don't like the small size and useless features of the ham mobiles and portables, and have been using commerical Motorola and Ericsson radios for the last few years. Currently, I've got a handful of 50w and 110w VHF and UHF remote mount radios. I've also got a small cache of portables that I like 500% more than tiny ham portables.

For me, the commercial radios work better, since the display features better suit me, as the does the extended freq. coverage (I use my radios for more than ham).

If your sole radio needs are for ham, then take a look at the Vertex line. If you need more, start looking into commecial radios.

 

[K5MAR]

Commercial gear is nice, I have 2 Motorola 100 watt mobiles in my truck. However, the inability to reprogram commercial equipment "on-the-fly" is a drawback. So, at least to start with, stick to ham gear.

I agree about the current crop of toy-sized ham HTs. I bought a couple of ADI AT-600s, larger and heavier, but MUCH easier to use. They can be computer-programmed, but field reprogramming is easy and quick. They are also true dualband radios, and will even do crossband repeat. If you happen to see a used one for sale, grab it.

Mark S.

 

[Sonar]

Personally, I like the Vertex (Yaesu) line. I've got a VX-150 and will be getting the VX-60 when I can. I've also had a few of the later model mobiles, like the FT-8100, FT-8500 and a brief stint with the FT-8900.

I second HamSexy007's recommendation for the VX-150. Clean, simple, robust, and not too expensive. I got it for $100 when it was on sale. I used to have Kenwoods, the TH-78, TH-79A(D), but I've long since got rid of those. Those were dual-bands, but I found I didn't use 440 enough so this time around I just stuck with a 2m HT.

 

[kingpin]

I haver had several HT's over the years. I have the Vertex vx150 and the VX-7r. Both are well engineered radios. The vx150 is a very capable and rugged radio. I'll admint unlike most people, I have used it for fire work when my old Motorola was in the shop and it oputperformed some of the other motorola ht's! I've had mine for 4 years now and it still workes perfect. Won't sell it!

For the "high tech ham", the vx-7r is hard to beat. It has more features than you can shake a stick at! I have the baraometric unit installed in mine so I can see weather forcasts on the display. (usefull if you are out camping for a few days!) It has hf reception (am only) which is nice when you want to hear some foreign broadcasts. Don't expect any DX with this thing but it's handy. Has preprogrammed hf broadcast, tv, and marine frequencies. The radio (unmodified) will tx on marine frequencies so you can legally use it with your vessel. Has wide receiver (over 900 MHz), more memories thatn I'll ever use, and it's milspec. Submersable 3 ft for 30 sec. I think. It's quad band (only advertized as a tri bander but it will tx on 220. Can't find a fault with this radio at all!