Trying to narrow down selection for dual band mobile radios

[videobruce]

Right now, my only 'radios' for 2 meters and/or 440 are two Moto P1225 which is VHF. Since 2 meters is almost dead here and programming this is a lost cause (separate subject) almost anything is better. I've been out of touch for same time now and want to get back in
I've been over to another forum that has numerous reviews of Amateur transceivers that I started to scan thru. But, as usual, the more one reads to more confusion, or more likely questions it seems to produce.

Anyway, my wish list is as follows;
1. Very easy, non complicated programming (with software, probably Chirp),
2. Dual band; 2m & 440 mobile, one for base, the other (with a short 'depth' for mobile),
3. Wide band receiver w/ fast scanning and low intermod or similar issues!
4. Some ability to have more than one 'group' or 'bank' of channels. One for Amateur, the other for Business bands,
5. Unsure about digital capabilities since I'm NO fan of them (separate subject), but I haven't ruled that capability out,
6. Good documentation & support with at least a somewhat popular model with some track record.
7. They don't have to be the same brand or model.

I haven't ruled them out completely, but those controversial CCR's I have looked at. The one radio for the car needs to have a short depth less than 5" due to where it would be mounted. Width or height isn't a issue. I see there are a couple of the CCR's that fit that bill.

The reason for the programming issue, I have a Uniden BCD996P2 that I've only been partly successful programming mostly simplex basic services in using pay 3rd party s/w. I have read a little about these radios, and it raises flags foe me. I'm not a spring chicken any more, what was somewhat simple 10-15 years ago, is confusing now.

Any constructive input is welcome. So are questions.

 

[nd5y]

1. Very easy, non complicated programming (with software, probably Chirp),

Throw in digital and noncomlicated programming is impossible.

3. Wide band receiver w/ fast scanning and low intermod or similar issues!

No such transceiver exists that I know of. If you demand fast scanning you need a scanner or Multiple SDRs. You are going to have to reevalute your needs. What you want is probably impossible.

 

[videobruce]

I should of added, I'm not looking to spend $500, but neither looking at $100 wonders either. Also, I also should worded the title to; Which models should I rule out based on my OP to narrow down the field.

Very little is impossible. I do understand the out of band QRM problem, but I have read a few reviews that some radios claimed better rejection over others. I have scanners and they are plagued with QRM, not necessary Intermod. I would like to think decent Amateur transceivers are far better.

As to speed, I'm not talking about breaking speed records, just not something that pokes along at less than 10ch/sec or so.

But there is still the programming issue which is my major concern. Digital is a option that I really didn't want to go into. My concern is future proofing it if this is a trend to move to digital which I hope it isn't.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Right now, my only 'radios' for 2 meters and/or 440 are two Moto P1225 which is VHF. Since 2 meters is almost dead here and programming this is a lost cause (separate subject) almost anything is better. I've been out of touch for same time now and want to get back in
I've been over to another forum that has numerous reviews of Amateur transceivers that I started to scan thru. But, as usual, the more one reads to more confusion, or more likely questions it seems to produce.

Anyway, my wish list is as follows;
1. Very easy, non complicated programming (with software, probably Chirp),
2. Dual band; 2m & 440 mobile, one for base, the other (with a short 'depth' for mobile),
3. Wide band receiver w/ fast scanning and low intermod or similar issues!
4. Some ability to have more than one 'group' or 'bank' of channels. One for Amateur, the other for Business bands,
5. Unsure about digital capabilities since I'm NO fan of them (separate subject), but I haven't ruled that capability out,
6. Good documentation & support with at least a somewhat popular model with some track record.
7. They don't have to be the same brand or model.

I haven't ruled them out completely, but those controversial CCR's I have looked at. The one radio for the car needs to have a short depth less than 5" due to where it would be mounted. Width or height isn't a issue. I see there are a couple of the CCR's that fit that bill.

The reason for the programming issue, I have a Uniden BCD996P2 that I've only been partly successful programming mostly simplex basic services in using pay 3rd party s/w. I have read a little about these radios, and it raises flags foe me. I'm not a spring chicken any more, what was somewhat simple 10-15 years ago, is confusing now.

Any constructive input is welcome. So are questions.

1 and 3 are NOT compatible options. It's either 1 OR 3

3 and a 'short depth' are not compatible. It's either 3 OR short depth

Most hammy stuff is DC to daylight receive, this precludes any real front end filtering.

The garbage TYT/QYT/Baofeng/BTech/other cheap Chinese radios have little filtering and have almost zero adjacent channel rejection. They are 'radio on a chip' junk. Another issue I'm seeing, common in the GMRS Facebook groups, is these tiny mobiles not putting out anywhere near specified power. Also high rates of failure with ZERO manufacturer warranty support.

You really need to reevaluate your expectations for performance.

 

[KF0NYL]

Some of the cheap Chinese radios are superheterodyne. The TYT TH-7800 and TH-9800 are. Granted they are not as good as Japanese radios but they do work. On the GMRS side, the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus is also superheterodyne. The Midland GMRS mobiles are all system on a chip radios.

A google search of different brands/models will tell if they are superheterodyne or SOC (system on chip).

 

[popnokick]

4. Some ability to have more than one 'group' or 'bank' of channels. One for Amateur, the other for Business bands,

Just want to clarify you are expecting RECEIVE ONLY for the "business bands"? To transmit there the radio will require FCC Part 90 Type Acceptance. That will further limit your range of manufacturers / models.

 

[sloop]

Check out the Yaesu VX-6R. It meets all of your specs. unless by fast scan you mean the speed of lightning. I don's know of any HAM radio that scans as fast as a dedicated scanner. It is easy to program, it has 24 'banks' that you set up the number of frequencies in, and it is affordable and durable.

 

[AK9R]

Check out the Yaesu VX-6R.

You may have missed #2 on the wish list. Seems clear to me that the OP is looking for a mobile radio.

 

[chief21]

Many of your "wants" suggest a higher-quality / higher-tier radio. Newer radios are somewhat more complicated to program because they can do much more than previous generations could. It doesn't have to be difficult if you stick to basics and ignore many of the "bells and whistles" features.
I would suggest that you look at some of the higher-tier amateur mobile radios with VHF/UHF dual displays and remote heads. The main part of the radio can be mounted under a seat or elsewhere while the relatively tiny remote head can be mounted up front.
I have several Yaesu FTM-400 and FTM-500 models that do a good job of scanning both amateur and commercial frequencies, even though they don't have true channel banks. I've had very little problem with intermod or QRM with my radios. I usually put the amateur frequencies in the top display and the commercial frequencies in the bottom display. It's easy to select the frequencies that I wish to scan versus the ones I don't.

 

[N5WMT]

Try the Alinco DR 750 with RT Systems software. No DMR analog only. Separate volume and squelch adjustment with attenuation and easy programming and remote head if needed. I have 2 that are at least 5 years old with out problems

 

[paulears]

You have needs that are not really ham based or scanner based but you want the best of both - and so many are mutually exclusive. Don't forget that sometimes the digital radios are better equipped with groups and other systems - so you can have the analogue channels for marine, ham and business separated for easy access, but then you might lose the wide band and fast scanning, and it's a compromise. I don't think I've seen any radoi at any price that does your full list. Look at the list price of the top range yaesus and icoms they still don't do all your needs, but your budget is also quite restrictive for what you want.

 

[fasteddy64]

Not sure this is exactly what you want but I use the Yaesu FTM-7250.
First off, I never by new equipment, so the two I have (one in each vehicle) I purchased used for under $200 each.
I scan a mix of ham freqs, civilian air (VHF) military air (UHF) and Marine (VHF) freqs.
I find the scan speed to be quite acceptable.
The radio also does C4FM. I am not a fan but it is used quite a bit in my area.
I have zero intermod/interference issues.
I use RT systems to program them but it is not impossible to program manually.
Front firing speaker has great audio, even for mobile use.

Ed
KG5UN
Gulfport, MS

 

[k6cpo]

Throw in digital and noncomlicated programming is impossible.

No such transceiver exists that I know of. If you demand fast scanning you need a scanner or Multiple SDRs. You are going to have to reevalute your needs. What you want is probably impossible.

Not necessarily. On Yaesu Fusion® radios, you can program them just exactly the same way as your analog radios and still make full use of digital. Switching between analog and digital on a Fusion radio is a simple matter of pushing a button. On some of them, you can switch with a push of the PTT button on the microphone. You can use Fusion on exactly the same channel as analog.

 

[AK9R]

Switching between analog and digital on a Fusion radio is a simple matter of pushing a button.

True. However finding the exact WIRES-X room that you want to communicate in is a little more involved. Not a problem if you are sitting still and looking at the radio. A little more of a problem if you are mobile.

 

[K6GBW]

Easy to use analong radio, go with Icom IC-2730A. Remote mount the control head on the dash and hide the radio under the seat. It will do dual band analog exceptionally well and is easy to see the display when driving. As for a digital radio that is easy to program...they don't really exist. Sometimes you can get a premade codeplug for your area for the most popular radios like the Anytones, but on the whole, learning to deal with DMR is going to require investing time and mental energy to understand it. Even when DMR is working right it can be a little glitchy. If you have a low threshhold for glitchy frustration I'd stick to the analog. The Icom is a really solid radio and will serve you well.

 

[fasteddy64]

True. However finding the exact WIRES-X room that you want to communicate in is a little more involved. Not a problem if you are sitting still and looking at the radio. A little more of a problem if you are mobile.

Perhaps but that is just one small part of using a digital radio. Her we just use digital on simplex or through repeaters, no internet needed.
So programing the radio itself is quite simple.

 

[caverjamie]

Connect Systems CS-800D maybe? I have two of those. It's Part 90 certified now. However it's not as flashy as the newer Chinese digital radios, but I wanted a radio I could pronounce. I also wanted a mobile dual band with both analog and DMR capability. Dual band to save space in the small car, and the remote mount head also was helpful. Programming software is ok, I don't consider it hard or use or anything like that.

I feel a little dirty when I use it though - I am very used to Motorola and Kenwood land mobile radios repurposed for amateur use. It's hard to go from that kind of quality to "rough around the edges" equipment. Like you cannot change the backlight brightness on the CS800D, the Zones are not labeled on the channel display, and the channel buttons cannot be set to beep when you press them like the other buttons. Just weird stuff. I have a combo NX-5700/5800 in my truck, and I plan to get another NX-5000 series setup when we replace our car. Gotta save up for that one so CS800D until then!

 

[videobruce]

For whatever reason, I have not received a e-mail for ANY of these replies since my original post Nov. 21st which is the reason I haven't responded.

 

[videobruce]

1 and 3 are NOT compatible options. It's either 1 OR 3

You really need to reevaluate your expectations for performance.

Here are #1 & 3 of my list;
1. Very easy, non complicated programming (with software, probably Chirp),
3. Wide band receiver w/ fast scanning and low intermod or similar issues!

What does 1 have to do with 3??

Those could of been worded somewhat differently;
'Fairly easy', 'Fairly wide band to 470MHz receiver'.
And I did state "low intermod" , not NO intermod.

The list did not specify EVERY item necessary, it was and is only a 'ideal' list.

 

[videobruce]

Some of the cheap Chinese radios are superheterodyne. The TYT TH-7800 and TH-9800 are. Granted they are not as good as Japanese radios but they do work. On the GMRS side, the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus is also superheterodyne. The Midland GMRS mobiles are all system on a chip radios.
A google search of different brands/models will tell if they are superheterodyne or SOC (system on chip).

I don't ever recall seeing that spec in any of the literature.