Cause they just work and no software needed. We've used them for years as repeater link radios transmitters and receivers and they're still proving their worth given they were under 50 bucks each.
Which VHF/UHF mobile (analog) has great Cross-Band Repeat? (w/ minimal time between RX and TX open and good selectivity)
- Thread starter chiwititsara
- Start date
I have a TYT TH-7800 and an Icom IC-2730A. Both do just fine on cross band repeat. The IC-2730 is my base station and I use cross band repeat all of the time without any issues.
The TH-7800 is easier to unlock since it is done through the TYT programming software. The Icom requires physical mods to the board.
The TH-7800 is easier to unlock since it is done through the TYT programming software. The Icom requires physical mods to the board.
rf_patriot200
Active Member
OLD is Gold, sort of like me. More engineering and quality went into some of the older vintage equipment than the toys coming off assembly lines now.
kayn1n32008
ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
Old is certainly NOT gold. I don't want to be surfing fleabay for replacements when they die.
While I agree there is more engineering and quality in an ancient TK-x05 mobile than most of the Chinese garbage polluting our spectrum these days, it is hardly the case when comparing to the same brand, or any of the reputable manufacturers. A TK-x05 isn't even close to the quality of a TK-x180.
I can't imagine why one would want to ha e to perform surgery to get PTT, COR, Tx audio and Rx audio out of the radio. And after all that, use a PITA FPP interface, or keep an old DOS machine alive to program it. Hams are such a wierd lot, trying to keep ancient junk working.
chiwititsara
Member
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- Dec 2, 2015
- Messages
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1-Year Update on TYT TH7900 as Dedicated X-Band Repeater...
The TYT TH7900 'Chinese Crap' (it is, but at $205-$240 a good value and plug-and-play) continues OTA 24/7.
This radio lives in a weatherproof / ventilated enclosure on our property (current temp -1 F). I rarely visit this site but am always monitoring the frequencies. Every few months a power failure - sometimes - causes the unit to restart without entering X-Band. Typically, however, it recovers to the previous configuration.
Daily repeat time is 20-30 minutes, spread across the day in a few high-duty-cycle exchanges.
--- TYT TH7900 Transceiver Quality / Value ---
Not being made of money, I evaluate the TYT in light of its price.
The superhet receiver is very good. Selectivity (truly not much worse than a Yaesu FTM3100R on VHF) is decent. If you have a problem, first try swapping to the other side of the unit. Given the lack of radio traffic in our area, I will accept this compromise.
Cross-band repeat implementation is excellent and it passes FM voice possibly better than it transmits audio from its own microphone. Unlike some brands, the power levels can be set independently while in X-Band mode.
There may be some squelch pop at the end of transmissions, though it may also be my receiving radios. Using DSC instead of CTCSS seems to help but reduces my fringe VHF coverage.
Coverage - on VHF via 1/4 wave tuned whip, NMO mounted through a steel sheet on the low roof of a nearby (abandoned) hunting bunk cabin - is excellent. Transmission line is presently ~15ft of RG-213 (or LMR400, can't recall right now) + jumper. I've tried a more-favorable antenna location and 50ft of LMR240UF and found the tradeoff and hassle not worth the trouble. Once I find time to decide on a better base antenna (noting that I will be TX'ing low-power UHF on what will likely be a VHF-only vertical antenna), will likely upgrade and drop my power level.
--- Retrospective Consideration of Alternatives Mentioned in this Thread ---
A. Good Solution, Increased Complexity/Price - DIY 2 x CHINESE (TYT TH9000), MODDED FOR COS/COR from DB9 + $$$ CONTROLLER NOT INCLUDED):
OK, This is a cool solution. I like the idea of separating the radios. TH9000's (in UHF, at least) are a great value for the money at low $100's each (Yaesu monobands are getting cheap but I sadly know of no COS/COR solution for them). I've heard good things about the TH9000 i VHF, as well. One downside is their UI is far worse than the TH7900/Quad-Band models.
-2 x TH9000's (one UHF, one VHF) = $270 or less
-Materials for DB9 (ebay seller radiodan-w7rf , or DIY) = $74.95, potentially a lot less (why the ebay seller doesn't consider you might want COS/COR from both radios is beyond me).
-Controller = $$$, unfortunately.
...ultimately, a project and the controller blows up the price.
B. Best Solution - DIY 2 x Motorola + RICK:
Probably the best solution out there and the only upgrade path I see for myself. However, I don't have any Motorola's or programming software/cables on-hand. And the 50w transceivers are more rare than 35w (for my VHF side). May try this some day, still. If there's some way to use the RICK with TH9000's, this would be a great value (for me, since I have TH9000's on-hand).
C. Garbage Solution - 2 x Monoband Transceivers + VOX-Controller:
Sadly, these suck. You will fiddle with the volume levels and the transmission will still drop in-and-out, with audio quality sigificantly degraded. Noise is introduced ito the system from chinese VOX controllers' (Surecom, Radiofone(?)) power supplies. Do not recomend under any circumstance.
D. Too Expensive - Discont'd Dual-Band/Dual-Receive Analog Transceivers w/ Built-In X-Band Implementation - QUALITY (e.g., Yaesu 8800, Kenwood TM-V71A):
These are great radios. No debate. The used market prices make them a non-starter for a dedicated repeater-in-the-woods.
E. Too Expensive - Current Production Dual-Band/Dual-Receive Analog Transceivers w/ Built-In X-Band Implementation - QUALITY (e.g., Yaesu $$$ high-end models; ICOM $$$ that comes with no accessories):
Market doesn't look good. X-Band Rpt is only an afterthought on the most-expensive models. Can not justify pricing for my uses.
F. OK - Dual-Band/Dual-Receive Analog Transceivers w/ Built-In X-Band Implementation - CHINESE (e.g., TYT, Alinco, Anytone, all $200 - $300):
Alinco has some interesting products but lack of different power levels on either side of the X-Band repeat is a non-starter, particularly at the price. TYT seems the best, with a turnkey solution for $205 - $250.
G. Too Expensive - 2 x CHINESE (Baofeng/BTech) Transceivers w NATIVELY IMPLEMENTED CONTROLLER:
Have heard there is a Baofeng mobile that will support X-Band Repeat with a built-in controller once you link two of said mobiles. At $500+ for the two units, not a good solution for price point.
The TYT TH7900 'Chinese Crap' (it is, but at $205-$240 a good value and plug-and-play) continues OTA 24/7.
This radio lives in a weatherproof / ventilated enclosure on our property (current temp -1 F). I rarely visit this site but am always monitoring the frequencies. Every few months a power failure - sometimes - causes the unit to restart without entering X-Band. Typically, however, it recovers to the previous configuration.
Daily repeat time is 20-30 minutes, spread across the day in a few high-duty-cycle exchanges.
--- TYT TH7900 Transceiver Quality / Value ---
Not being made of money, I evaluate the TYT in light of its price.
The superhet receiver is very good. Selectivity (truly not much worse than a Yaesu FTM3100R on VHF) is decent. If you have a problem, first try swapping to the other side of the unit. Given the lack of radio traffic in our area, I will accept this compromise.
Cross-band repeat implementation is excellent and it passes FM voice possibly better than it transmits audio from its own microphone. Unlike some brands, the power levels can be set independently while in X-Band mode.
There may be some squelch pop at the end of transmissions, though it may also be my receiving radios. Using DSC instead of CTCSS seems to help but reduces my fringe VHF coverage.
Coverage - on VHF via 1/4 wave tuned whip, NMO mounted through a steel sheet on the low roof of a nearby (abandoned) hunting bunk cabin - is excellent. Transmission line is presently ~15ft of RG-213 (or LMR400, can't recall right now) + jumper. I've tried a more-favorable antenna location and 50ft of LMR240UF and found the tradeoff and hassle not worth the trouble. Once I find time to decide on a better base antenna (noting that I will be TX'ing low-power UHF on what will likely be a VHF-only vertical antenna), will likely upgrade and drop my power level.
--- Retrospective Consideration of Alternatives Mentioned in this Thread ---
A. Good Solution, Increased Complexity/Price - DIY 2 x CHINESE (TYT TH9000), MODDED FOR COS/COR from DB9 + $$$ CONTROLLER NOT INCLUDED):
OK, This is a cool solution. I like the idea of separating the radios. TH9000's (in UHF, at least) are a great value for the money at low $100's each (Yaesu monobands are getting cheap but I sadly know of no COS/COR solution for them). I've heard good things about the TH9000 i VHF, as well. One downside is their UI is far worse than the TH7900/Quad-Band models.
-2 x TH9000's (one UHF, one VHF) = $270 or less
-Materials for DB9 (ebay seller radiodan-w7rf , or DIY) = $74.95, potentially a lot less (why the ebay seller doesn't consider you might want COS/COR from both radios is beyond me).
-Controller = $$$, unfortunately.
...ultimately, a project and the controller blows up the price.
B. Best Solution - DIY 2 x Motorola + RICK:
Probably the best solution out there and the only upgrade path I see for myself. However, I don't have any Motorola's or programming software/cables on-hand. And the 50w transceivers are more rare than 35w (for my VHF side). May try this some day, still. If there's some way to use the RICK with TH9000's, this would be a great value (for me, since I have TH9000's on-hand).
C. Garbage Solution - 2 x Monoband Transceivers + VOX-Controller:
Sadly, these suck. You will fiddle with the volume levels and the transmission will still drop in-and-out, with audio quality sigificantly degraded. Noise is introduced ito the system from chinese VOX controllers' (Surecom, Radiofone(?)) power supplies. Do not recomend under any circumstance.
D. Too Expensive - Discont'd Dual-Band/Dual-Receive Analog Transceivers w/ Built-In X-Band Implementation - QUALITY (e.g., Yaesu 8800, Kenwood TM-V71A):
These are great radios. No debate. The used market prices make them a non-starter for a dedicated repeater-in-the-woods.
E. Too Expensive - Current Production Dual-Band/Dual-Receive Analog Transceivers w/ Built-In X-Band Implementation - QUALITY (e.g., Yaesu $$$ high-end models; ICOM $$$ that comes with no accessories):
Market doesn't look good. X-Band Rpt is only an afterthought on the most-expensive models. Can not justify pricing for my uses.
F. OK - Dual-Band/Dual-Receive Analog Transceivers w/ Built-In X-Band Implementation - CHINESE (e.g., TYT, Alinco, Anytone, all $200 - $300):
Alinco has some interesting products but lack of different power levels on either side of the X-Band repeat is a non-starter, particularly at the price. TYT seems the best, with a turnkey solution for $205 - $250.
G. Too Expensive - 2 x CHINESE (Baofeng/BTech) Transceivers w NATIVELY IMPLEMENTED CONTROLLER:
Have heard there is a Baofeng mobile that will support X-Band Repeat with a built-in controller once you link two of said mobiles. At $500+ for the two units, not a good solution for price point.
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I don't see the Anytone AT-5888UVIII listed. I have one and its way better than the POS TYT-9800s that I had for not only cross banding but general use. Very feature rich radio with better than average RF performance. Its also a tri-band having 2m, 220 and 440 and they currently run about $250 on Amazon.
rf_patriot200
Active Member
The 5888UVIII is on R and L Electronics homepage all month long, at $249
I know the TYT radios do not get any love on this forum. But I can say that the two TYT TH-7800 radios I have had for a year now work just fine. And the cross band repeater function works well.
Are there better radios and/or better solutions? Yes there are.
The TH-7800 that I was using for my base station has since been replaced with an Icom IC-2730A which works very well and also does well on cross band repeat. The shack TH-7800 is now used as a dedicated radio for Winlink.
Are there better radios and/or better solutions? Yes there are.
The TH-7800 that I was using for my base station has since been replaced with an Icom IC-2730A which works very well and also does well on cross band repeat. The shack TH-7800 is now used as a dedicated radio for Winlink.
Guess you would really hate that up until a few years ago we had Midland 13-509s in use in a couple of applications, till we took the system off the air.
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