Dual Band Vecicle Mounted Radio Opinions Please

[Carlyle]

To bring you up to speed my camper and truck burned in November and I ma having to replace my compete set up. I live in Colorado and travel extensively to fish and camp in many remote areas, Baja again when the drug war simmers down. I had a Yaesu 7800 with a 5' comet. I don't profess to being even good with a radio, but it seemed a pita to use. Perhaps it is my lack of Ham background, but I don't consider myself un-trainable.

I have been playing with a Icom 31A hand held a bit that I picked up last week and feel that it is too limiting with only the single 440 band and 5 watts and will send it back for a vehicle mounted dual band of some sort. I thought the Yaesu 7800 was a pita to program, but I'm hearing they all are. Any suggestions? Yaesu versus Icom? The Yaesu 7900r has all the features I would like, but is it going to treat me the same? How come none of them are mac friendly?


Suggestions please.

 

[1911]

None of them are simple to program. Personally, I think my Kenwood radios are somewhat easier to program than my Yaesus (the menus just seem to be a little less obtuse), but others think the opposite is true so YMMV. Any brand is way easier with the programming software and a cable though. Another plus for Kenwood - the software is a free download and they usually provide the cable with the radio. Yaesu makes you pay for both.

 

[Rockpig]

I'm also new to the HAM thing and wanted a dual band radio that was easy to use. I have pretty much decided on the Yaesu FTM-350AR. It's a little pricey but everyone says it's super simple to use and navigate. All I have to do now is pull the trigger and put the order in.

 

[brussum]

I have a Yaesu FT-8900R and have been pretty pleased with it. I was really torn between that, the 7900, and the 350AR. There are trade-offs for each of them. I like the fact that 8900 basically two radios (and four bands) for a decent price (I bought mine used). I leave it on my local IRLP repeater while also monitoring the various SIMPLEX and repeater channels in the area. I'm also fond of the detachable head unit...it makes for a clean install if you can hide the radio body elsewhere. The radio isn't the easiest to program because of all the menus, but I think that's par for the course in moble rigs. My Yaesu 1900 and HT are a PITA as well. Luckily, I programmed the radio once and haven't had to change any settings. I suppose you could buy the PC cable and software to make frequent programming easier.

 

[Carlyle]

Thanks for all the input and after much thought I went back with the same radio and now have the 7900r again, simply because I didn't want to relearn a new radio over again. The detachable head unit is a plus as well as the ability to clone. Now I just need to find someone who has all the repeaters on a disk..

Thanks,

Carl

 

[1911]

Now I just need to find someone who has all the repeaters on a disk..

http://www.arrl.org/shop/TravelPlus-for-Repeaters/

 

[Carlyle]

http://www.arrl.org/shop/TravelPlus-for-Repeaters/

Nice! Thanks