HAM radio info

[UP N MTNS]

Didnt want to hi-jack this guys thread anymore: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174266



Doing a little more research on HAM's I came across this. Looks like no more Morse Code test as of February 07.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1



We are going to a HAM radio shop this weekend to get info on radios and find out about taking the test.

Anyone have any comments/suggestions on handheld radios,we will need two of them (wife and myself)?

Would like to stay in the $200-$250 each range.



Thanks in advance



Adam

 

[klaybus]

Icom

Icom IC-V8 is what I've got. Works great. For the mobiles I run a Icom 2720 dual band (2 meter\440) & the Icom IC-V8000 (2M) mobile in the garage... . I've had great luck with them & their reasonably priced.



IC-V8 $125 (Handheld 2M)

IC-2720 $379 (Mobile 2M\440)

IC V8000 $250+- (Mobile 2M)



All prices are approx.



Clay

 

[klaybus]

Ic V8-2

10) Manufacturer: ICOM

Item : IC-V82

Description : 2M 7W HT W BP-222N+CHRGR

YOUR HRO PRICE $129. 95

Additional information :





Icom Mail-In-Rebate through March 31 2007 - save an extra $10



http://www.hamradio.com/

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Pretty hard to go wrong with any of the "Big 3", Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu. You might want to try for the simpler to operate models - sometimes these things come with so many bells and whistles, and multi-function buttons, that a single miss-push of a control button can take a few minutes to correct. That can be a issue if you happen to be mobile at the time, and left the operation manual back home.



Don't ask how I found that out... :-laf :-laf

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Yaesu 8700 or 8900. I'm a Yaesu nut, and so far everyone I've shown them to has willingly converted. muhahahaha!



I have a Yaesu 857D and a VX-7R.

 

[Forrest]

See if you can get your hands on an ICOM and Yaesu. Then grab the manuals and go through some programming, like the different repeater settings.



They'll be different. I know some folks that love the ICOM HF radios, but have Yaesu VHF/UHF just because of the ease of programming.



I've got the Yaesu 5200 in the truck. Very nice

 

[klaybus]

Pretty hard to go wrong with any of the "Big 3", Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu. You might want to try for the simpler to operate models - sometimes these things come with so many bells and whistles, and multi-function buttons, that a single miss-push of a control button can take a few minutes to correct. That can be a issue if you happen to be mobile at the time, and left the operation manual back home.



Don't ask how I found that out... :-laf :-laf

That single miss-push Gary stated is very true. Been there, done that! The dual band is the worst for me for that situation. (2720)

The IC-V8 isn't too difficult though. I have the 2720 manual in the truck & the V8 in the 5vr... . The V8000 is MIA.



Clay

 

[opjohnny]

My son, 9 years old passed his code test, 5 words per min. The night before he was to take the test he found out about dropping the code requirement. He took the test anyway. Just had to brag!

 

[DPellegrin]

Heres a question for you guys I drive down I94 to work between St Cloud and Minneapolis Minnesota I have a CB radio and think its pretty fun to chat with other drivers. I was just wondering how many people can I expect to hear on a Ham? I was thinking 2M hope im not hijacking the thread just curious.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Lots of people on in that area, especially during commutes. The 147. 00 repeater out of Maple Plain is pretty popular. Also check out http://www.tcrc.org/



-Chuck

KC9HPO

 

[RoryTek]

I seem to like my Yeasu FT-90R just set the programming with the laptop and forget it. Nice little dual bander plus you can stash the transciever elsewhere with the seperation kit.

 

[UP N MTNS]

Thank you guys for all the info,keep it coming.



I went to the HAM shop today,I'm so confused about what to get now It seems like every radio the guy showed me he then would show me the next "much better" radio up for only $50 bucks more. In five minutes he went from showing me the basic 2M radio in the $175 range to $399 radios... LOL



Maybe someone who is willing to answer some of my "new guy" questions about radios and HAM in genral could PM me there phone number and I could talk with someone who is not trying to make a commission off me.



Again thanks for all the help.





Adam

 

[Duluth Diesel]

PM sent.