New dual bander

[readymix]

Now that I have my license I am looking for a god VHF/UHF radio.
I talked with a few of the local HAM's and they said that I would get good use out of both bands. There is a good amount of activity on both freq bands. I have decided that I am getting a new radio, instead of something used and possibly abused.

I have been reading reviews and searching out the good vs bad things on all the radios. Some of them have features that I am not so sure I would ever use though.
Cross band repeat: I doubt I would ever use it, but it does sound cool.
APRS: Same as above
NOAA weather/alert: I know I would use that, but my CB has it now and I'm not going to get rid of it.

Something I would love is to have back lit buttons on the face of the radio. I see that many of the mic's have them but not so many of the radios do. The Alinco 635T does.

So far I think I am liking the Yeasu FT-880R the best, but I am far from being done with the decision. Also considering the Kenwood TM-V71A, and the above mentioned Alinco.

 

[Jagged]

Check out the Kenwood D710

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Amateur_Radio/Mobiles/TM-D710A

 

[readymix]

Where is a good place to buy these online?
I have found Gigaparts and HRO

 

[readymix]

Check out the Kenwood D710

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Amateur_Radio/Mobiles/TM-D710A

That is double the price of the 8800R.
I doubt I could swing that one past the wife.

 

[Jagged]

That D710 is practically the swiss army knife of dual-banders. I've bought from HRO and AES online before without issue.

 

[readymix]

I see it has more features than I would know what to do with. I just can't do $600.
$300 is about my limit for the radio.

That leaves me with:
Alinco DR-635T, No NOAA and the APRS sounds to be a real PITA
Yeasu FT8800R, No NOAA or APRS, and I have read a few comments about bad INTERMOD.

I wish I had more experience here. I would hate to drop that much $ and not like the radio.

 

[gnihcraes]

IMHO - I'd buy the Yaesu. See if it has computer programming capability. With so many features and repeaters out there today, it's much more fun and easy to program the radio with some software and a laptop. It's a PITA to put lot's of information into some of these new radios without the software... again, just my opinion.

Kelly. KB0UQT.

 

[Jagged]

$300 is about my limit for the radio.

No swapmeets any time soon in your area?

 

[readymix]

The next one is in November

 

[Igorr]

If I only had the choice between a Yaesu and an Alinco I would go with the Yaesu.

I still use two of the old FT-7100's and also have two Kenwood D700's (I guess they are now the old). I too thought I would never need cross band repeat, I use it often in the D700's now. I was not interested in APRS, now I use it all of the time, it is real neat to send text messages and being able to plot other stations locations on the gps in the old suburban and on the motorcycle.

73 de K7KIT

 

[pauly383]

I have radios of each manufacturer , with observations about each brand :

Yeasu Ft series ( 7800r dual band , no cross band ) , bullettproof in the AZ desert on trail runs for over 2 years , layer of dust on the faceplate at any given time . However the RJ45 mic plugs can , AND WILL , yank out . Use an adel clamp to hold it for strain relief .

I give Yeasu 4 stars for durability

Alinco Dr series ( 130 2 meter only ) , this one was 15 years old when it was given to me for my pickup , also bulletproof , has an honest to goodness 8 pin threaded mike cord

I give Alinco 5 stars because on top of durability, I like 8 pin mic cords , and they still make them with good mic cords

Icom ( ic 2100 2 meter only ) same bulletproof quality , and some Icoms have rj45 in each end of the cord so a straight through cord is easy to make for replacement .

I give Icom 4 stars for durability .

Kenwood ( various old HT's ) . Cracked display panels from multiple drops , and they still work .

I give Kenwood 4 stars for durability



Just pick your features and price and buy anyones radio <-------