7800 Vs 7900?

7wt

Expedition Leader
Does anyone know if the Yaesu 7900 is just a minor upgrade from the 7800 or what? I looked over the propaganda they put out and it looks like the same thing for the most part but someone told me it has different capabilities and I should look for a 7800. Any thought?
 

kellymoe

Expedition Leader
I cant really say, I can tell you however that I have been very pleased with my 7800. If you are just getting started it's a great radio.
 

gary in ohio

Explorer
The FT-7900R is similar to the FT-7800R, but adds a Memory Only mode and provides 5 watts more on 440. Minimal change and unless you buy from existing stock, the 7800 is discontinued.
 

gary in ohio

Explorer
Memory only mode allows you to disable the VFO. Most people ready operate in this mode already. Program up all the local freq then just flip between channels.

When it comes in real handy is to keep fingers off the radio, dont allow someone to get into some mode that keeps them from operating the radio.
A lot of folks use this for stations where a number of operators might use the radio, such at a club station or maybe at a EMS command post.
 

soonenough

Explorer
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the cross-band repeat function of the 7900 that the 7800 doesn't have. Also, not sure if it matters to you or not, but the 7800 has lighted buttons (7900 does not). This was a big selling point for me, since I planned to use the radio in a vehicle. Some would argue that it's not that important once you get used to the controls and learn where all of the buttons are. Something to think about...

Also, I didn't know the 7800 had been discontinued! I just got one back in January. Oh well, still a great radio; I've been very pleased with mine.

*EDIT: I just went to Yaesu's website and apparently I'm out of the loop. In addition to the 7800 being discontinued, it looks like the 7900 got a minor redesign, as it appears to have lighted buttons now. Who knew...
 
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DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
You might be thinking of the FT-8900, Ryan. The FT-7900 is a single VFO, dual band radio, no way it could cross band. Yaesu upgraded the FT-7800 to a FT-7900 in a few ways, but the 7800 also has lighted buttons.
 

gary in ohio

Explorer
You might be thinking of the FT-8900, Ryan. The FT-7900 is a single VFO, dual band radio, no way it could cross band. Yaesu upgraded the FT-7800 to a FT-7900 in a few ways, but the 7800 also has lighted buttons.

While The 8900 (quad band) and 8800 (dual band) both have cross band repeat. Neither radio has the ability to ID both transmitters so the cross band repeat function is not legal in the US, At least the way most people use cross band repeat.
 

DaveInDenver

Middle Income Semi-Redneck
While The 8900 (quad band) and 8800 (dual band) both have cross band repeat. Neither radio has the ability to ID both transmitters so the cross band repeat function is not legal in the US, At least the way most people use cross band repeat.
Yes, we've talked about it a million times. Whether or not it's legal, the functionality is there, that's all I was saying.
 

soonenough

Explorer
You might be thinking of the FT-8900, Ryan. The FT-7900 is a single VFO, dual band radio, no way it could cross band. Yaesu upgraded the FT-7800 to a FT-7900 in a few ways, but the 7800 also has lighted buttons.

The 7900 doesnt have cross band repeat.. The 8800 has it.

:eek: Whoops, I'm definitely getting some model numbers confused; I was thinking of the 8800. Thanks for the clarification guys


...In addition to the 7800 being discontinued, it looks like the 7900 got a minor redesign, as it appears to have lighted buttons now. Who knew...
Now I'm thinking straight again. The 7900 is a new model to replace the 7800; the 8800 doesn't look like it's changed.
 
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w squared

Observer
The 8800 and 8900 also have a perfectly legal functionality that most rigs don't have. They can simultaneously listen to two separate frequencies. For instance:

-Monitor a 2m repeater and a 70cm repeater at the same time.

-Monitor the local 2m repeater while also scanning public safety channels

-Monitor a calling frequency while also being able to tune each repeater along your journey in turn.

I don't know if I'll ever use cross-band repeat (I believe that it's legal to use in Canada)...but I'm pretty sure that I'll use the ability to monitor one of the local repeaters while also scanning.
 

gary in ohio

Explorer
I don't know if I'll ever use cross-band repeat (I believe that it's legal to use in Canada)...but I'm pretty sure that I'll use the ability to monitor one of the local repeaters while also scanning.

The simple test is, DO you have to ID all your transmitters. If the answer is yes then crossband repeating is not legal in your country.
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
I have had both - the radios are pretty much identical right down to the out of band transmit mod. As mentioned the new radio has a tad more power than the old model.
 

7wt

Expedition Leader
Thanks guys. I am pleased to learn that the new is a little more powerful. The guys at the local ham shack are trying to sell me an HT first but I keep leaning to the mobile. I know I will be much happier with the mobil after the instal but the HT is a lot more versatile. What to do, what to do?
 

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