D710GA. However, I have been finding myself leaning more towards the ID-5100A as people seem to love it and it would also give me D-Star to play around with.
What mobile ham would you recommend?
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D710GA. However, I have been finding myself leaning more towards the ID-5100A as people seem to love it and it would also give me D-Star to play around with.
If Kenwood makes a mobile version of their D74A handheld, which operators have requested, I would pick one up and enjoy it in my mobile.
( I would connect a dummy load on my 400XDR and just use it for Wires-X with my hotspot )
( I would connect a dummy load on my 400XDR and just use it for Wires-X with my hotspot )
AE6QE
Member
Hopefully I am not repeating anyone, but I would definitely recommend researching what digital repeaters are around you, and if they are active. Unfortunately, the digital modes (DMR, Fusion, DSTAR) are not interoperable, and no radio I know of does multiple modes in the amateur market. For example, the only repeater in my county is dual-mode Fusion and FM, and I miss 1/2 the traffic on my analog radios if I am just listening. Needless to say, my purchases recently are all Yaesu equipment on VHF/UHF. It's another point of consideration, especially if you are looking at Icoms and Yaesus.
Analog-wise, I think everyone is making quality products at this point, as it's a point of distinction from the Chinese imports.
Analog-wise, I think everyone is making quality products at this point, as it's a point of distinction from the Chinese imports.
Timely thread for me. I've been toying with the idea of replacing my FT-8800 with something a bit more modern. The FT is still a very serviceable ham radio, but I actually use mine more for public safety monitoring than amateur communications. It's not as good a scanner as a scanner, but for listening to my local PD and FD while driving around and some of my client agencies when I am in their areas, it's mostly meets my needs.
I'm looking for a new radio because the FT-8800 doesn't do narrow band spacing. Specifically, one of the agencies I monitor moved to a 2.5khz split frequency and the FT won't hear it.
With all that in mind, here is what I've been looking for.
Narrow band.
Dual band, VHF and UHF
Wide reception band. On UHF has to go above 480.000 Mhz.
The ability to scan multiple banks as with the FT-8800.
Remote mount head.
Computer programming.
Alpha tagging.
CTCSS and DCS.
Ability to transmit on amateur bands
DMR capability would be nice, but is not a deal breaker.
So far, the multi bank scanning and UHF reception range seem to be the most elusive things to find.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm looking for a new radio because the FT-8800 doesn't do narrow band spacing. Specifically, one of the agencies I monitor moved to a 2.5khz split frequency and the FT won't hear it.
With all that in mind, here is what I've been looking for.
Narrow band.
Dual band, VHF and UHF
Wide reception band. On UHF has to go above 480.000 Mhz.
The ability to scan multiple banks as with the FT-8800.
Remote mount head.
Computer programming.
Alpha tagging.
CTCSS and DCS.
Ability to transmit on amateur bands
DMR capability would be nice, but is not a deal breaker.
So far, the multi bank scanning and UHF reception range seem to be the most elusive things to find.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yeah, a Kenwood NX-5700/5800 dual RF deck with single remote head.
Add in the FPP option, DMR option.
It'll be more expensive than the amateur radios, but it'll give you a lot more flexibility. Add on P25 later if you need it. 4000 channel option, etc….
k6cpo
Member
The FT-8900R is totally useless for a Technician license holder on 10 meters. Technicians are allowed SSB phone ONLY on 10 meters between 28.300 and 28.500. They have no other privileges anywhere in the band. Six meters has a pretty good offering of FM coverage, including repeaters. This is one of the reasons the only multi-band antennas available cover 2 meters, 70cm and 6 meters only.
Unless it's changed since the last time I blinked, Technicians do have CW privileges on 10m from 28.100 - 28.300...
All US hams have CW privileges between 28.000 and 28.300
NOT correct. The Diamond CR-8900 is a quad-band (10, 6, 2M, and 70cm) mobile antenna that was designed specifically for the Yaesu FT-8900R..... and also works very well with the TYT TH-8900, which I used it with.
jhooten
Member
Yeah I know. I would have said the FT-8800 but it ain't made anymore. And besides they can use it on 6 meters. Who knows it may just give an incentive to upgrade to general. BTW, 10 FM is open as we speak.
The CR-8900 is not the only one. It is the one that works best. Make sure to read and follow Diamonds recommended mounting instructions to get the best out of it. AND, don't try to cheap out and order from on the the Asian discount suppliers. Chances are the one you get will not be tuned for the US bands and performance will suffer.
++ on what jhooten wrote. My first quad-band mobile antenna for my TYT TH-9800 was a cheaper knock-off of the Diamond CR-8900. Never did get it to tune up with good SWR on all four bands. I could optimize 10M, then the 2M band would be off. Or optimize for 6M, but that would then throw off 10M. Replaced it with the Diamond CR-8900 and all four bands tuned mostly independently of each other.
jhooten
Member
Oh, and with the proliferation of Fusion systems I broke weak and bought a Yeasu FTM-7259DR this weekend at Summer Fest.
I would look long and hard at the AnyTone D578UV3PRO. If you don't have a DMR repeater very close to you, simply add a digital hotspot and you are good to go.
Firekite
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The speaker and mic are both still in or connected to the radio body right? I’m facing the same kind of decision myself and wishing Kenwood would do two things:
1) Integrate a mic jack and line out in the head.
2) Release a mobile version of the TH-D74A HT.
If I’m going to sinking $450 to $650 on a new mobile radio like that, it would be nice if it could hang with the latest and greatest HT and be easier and cheaper to install.
k6cpo
Member
Whatever... When I was looking for an antenna for my FT-8900R, I ignored 10 meters completely because I have an HF radio and I'm an Extra class.
I've had a blast with 10M FM in my mobile, and not only during band openings. There are quite a number of 10M FM repeaters on the air around the US and world. Because of their increased range I have 3 that I can hit via ground wave in my area... no "skip" needed.
If you ask nicely they may pop those features out for you next week (month? year? Years?).
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