HAM: Handheld versus Mobile

[Lostmanifesto]

I know the preferred method for trekking into the unknown is having a solid mobile station in your vehicle with a nice antenna for distance. What I am wondering is how many of you rely on handheld HAM versus mobile? I am on the fence as to which I need for what I require.

My typical uses include:

Heading out to the desert with friends communicating within our group when need be.
Monitoring local weather (rare).
Providing directions when photographing vehicles in action (me with camera, them driving by me to get a shot)

I don't use the device as extensive as most of you do and I dislike CB Radio. What type of reception are you getting with your 7-watt handheld radio while inside your vehicle? Not having to deal with wiring up my entire truck and also being able to grab the radio and hike with it are appealing. However, if the range and battery life you are experiencing is extremely poor, it may not be worth it.

Any thoughts would be great. Radio suggestions would be great as well!

Thank you,

Jordan

 

[SP Jon M3]

I started out with a HT (5w) with an external antenna mounted to the hatch of my truck. This worked rather well. I was able to hit repeaters more than 60 miles away with full clarity. Though without the external antenna, I'm sure that I wouldn't have been able to get that far. But it quickly became a hassle to swap between the wire for the external antenna and the rubber duck, so this was my main reason for going with a mobile unit later on. The mobile with 50w attached to the same external antenna allowed me to get to the same repeater from 130 miles away!

The other reason I switched is that using an HT as a mobile radio becomes cumbersome. Harder to read the display, too many wires coming out of the HT (antenna and power) vs. just a mic for a mobile unit. Plus with the antenna wire you need to be a bit more careful and not crimp the wire. So now I have both the HT and mobile and this has worked out alot better than just the HT with external antenna. I have the ease of use from the mobile, and the ability to grab the HT and go for a hike.

As for the battery, when running my HT as a mobile I just plugged in the 12v power adapter and was able to run off of that. So I never had issues with the battery (unless I forgot to plug it in).

In the beginning I was in the same boat as you are, wanted something simple and didn't want to wire up the whole truck. But in the end it was simpler to have the mobile wired up and the HT sitting in the glove box.

 

[hochung]

You want both, so it doesn't matter which one you get first. I know, not much of a helpful post. LOL

 

[crawler#976]

May I suggest getting two radios?

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010078 - a fine mobile radio that isn't too expensive. Built like a tank, they can take a lot of abuse. I had two of these in an earlier model, and they worked great even after a couple years in a doorless on occasion trail rig that got as dirty as you can imagine. I needed dual band access, so I sold them and bought an FT-7800.

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010076 - I use one of these, an earlier model, but the same radio. It's also a rugged HT that performs great.

These two radios combined are less than many dual band mobiles, and that's a lot of bang for the buck. It's nice to have the HT available for folks that may be along for the trip that aren't HAM's.

 

[Lostmanifesto]

Thank you so much to all of you. Good knowledge base on this forum. Two would be key, budget will only allow for one. I think I am leaning towards a HT to begin. Also, considering how little I actually use the radio I think a HT would be better.

Crawler - I will look into that HT model you suggested. The mobile unit you suggest was actually on my list. People seem to love it. Do you see a big difference 5w to 7w? Worth the price difference?

Thank you

 

[crawler#976]

In practical reality there is no difference between 5 and 7 watts output.

Reception in the truck is OK with the stock stubby antenna. For better range I carry a Pryme antenna http://www.pryme.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2156 It makes a marked improvement in range and reception. It's not real friendly inside a rig, but for outdoor use it's great.

One of the things I like about the Yaesu HT is the audio output is great. It can be heard in an open top Jeep with no problem. If you settle on a HT first and want to add a few accessories you quickly get into the cost of a mobile. Two batteries is an absolute must!

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/5270.html shows the cost of genuine Yaesu stuff.

So if you get the HT and one battery, you're at the same cost as a mobile unit - less antenna of course. And a good one of those isn't that much. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamantm/4479.html

Add it up - you get a high performance, easy to program, super tough radio for under $200.00.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Two would be key, budget will only allow for one.

I was in the same boat as you and now I have both a mobile (not yet mounted) and an HT, and I actually came in well under my projected $200 budget.

How did I do it? One word: CRAIGSLIST. Got a Kenwood TM-261A 2m Mobile for $50 and a Yaesu FT-50R HT for $100. Both radios work. The Yaesu is a dual-bander so if I need 440 in the truck I can just connect it to the antenna.

Yes, I know it's great getting a new radio, and I will probably get a new one, sooner or later. But for now, just getting back into the hobby, I see nothing wrong with going with a used radio. Sure, there's some crap out there but at the price it's often worth it to take the risk. I actually like the idea of having a used mobile because then I'll have something I can get experience "installing" before I try it on a brand-new radio.

In addition to CL there is eBay and a number of HAM websites where people sell their old stuff. You could also contact a local club and find out if somebody has something gathering dust in their garage or radio shack that they'd sell you for a low price.

Anyway, it's a thought. Nice way to dip your toes in the water without having to spend a lot of $$.