2M Recommendations For Beginners Please!

[bigredpigdriver]

2cents

I agree my first radio was a 2800 2m, then I found that I was limited. As I started to play more in the "sport" of ham I found that HF is kind of neat. So I went and got a 857. Now I am not saying you need to go there, but I think you will be help will more bands. And as you traval you will find your new friend may use diffrent bands.:safari-rig:

 

[rusty_tlc]

The advantage of the FT2800 or equivelent is they actually cost less than a mid range CB. If you find you don't use it much your not out a lot of scratch, if you find you need more capability you can sell it for about what you paid for it.

FT2800 at Ham City $118

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

Okay, so after reading this thread and talking with my buddy, I have decided I want to go ahead and get a 2m radio. Where is everybody mounting the units? I would like to mount one under my cd player in my dash. Is this possible?

I do quite a bit of desert and backcountry driving and want 2m for emergency communications with civilization. I have been looking at the Yaesu FT-2800, but my buddy recommended a Kenwood. Is everybody happy with what you have? I just want a simple and easy to use unit.

 

[AndrewP]

A Yeasu FT-2800 is about as robust as they come, and easy to program with the software package. Even without, it isn't that bad.

Kenwood has a reputation for excellent radios, but slightly harder to use and program. I really don't think you could go wrong with either.

 

[nwoods]

One thing to consider in placement is that the speaker, if there is one, is pretty tiny. I don't think my ICOM 208H even has one? I mounted my radio under the rear seat, but ran a remote speaker closer to the dash so that I could hear it. My radio has a detachable face (a very small one at that), and fits under my ash-tray in the center console.

I am pretty good with technology, computers, and "buttonology" in general, but I feel that my ICOM 208H is too hard to use. It would be easier if I used it regularly I'm sure, but since my use is infrequent, I have to relearn it all over again everytime I pick up the handset. The acronyms on the buttons are not very clearly interpreted by me.

Other than what I perceive as potential complexity and ease of use issues, the radio fit my criteria pretty well: Multiband, decent power, very small form factor, fairly inexpensive, durable construction, and even has the added bonus color matched backlighting to integrate into my dash layout (I didn't know that until after I installed it )

 

[Hltoppr]

Ok, just placed my order from Hamcity.com for the following:

Yeasu FT7800R 2m/70cm radio with separation kit.

Comet SBB-5NMO (38" w/fold over) Antenna.

NMO-K Antenna Mount with 17' cable.

Total, with UPS 3 day shipping, was $312.80...not bad at all!

I'll make the same mounting system for the FJ45 hood as DaktariEd's...

-H- :smiley_drive:

 

[Carlyle]

I just got my same radio in the mail from 7 wt. Thanks Jarrett! Exam to be done on 07/13 and then I'll be set. The radio will mount in the camper and the antenna on top somewhere that's works the best.

 

[tdesanto]

...reading over this thread I see no mention of cross-band repeat*. When I was active, I thought that would be a great option for those of us that might be away from our rigs while in the back country.

What are your thoughts? Anyone use it regularly? Is that a feature that should be recommended to someone looking for their first 2m?

*Basically the mobile in your rig can be set up to act as a repeater, so you can use your low-power HT to get to the mobile, and the mobile re-broadcasts at much higher power, with a much better antenna, etc.

Bump for this topic as this one interests me as well.

The only radio that I've seen so far (only researching for the last couple days) that specifically mentions this capability is the Yaesu FT-8900R; however, what about the FT-857D or the I-COM IC-706MIIG?

 

[craig]

Bump for this topic as this one interests me as well.

The only radio that I've seen so far (only researching for the last couple days) that specifically mentions this capability is the Yaesu FT-8900R; however, what about the FT-857D or the I-COM IC-706MIIG?

The IC-706MGIIG only has one band, so it won't be able to do this. The Icom 2720H, the Kenwood D700, there relatives, and latest versions also support crossband repeat.

If you are going for a dual bander the Yaesu and Icom 208 aren't capable of supporting digital packet operations w/o distrurbing the main band (the one you are talking on). This doesn't have anything to do with cross-band repeat, but if you for example decide later to get into APRS you will find that the radio won't work very well (the Icom 208 is actually receive only on the sub-band).

Craig

 

[tdesanto]

The IC-706MGIIG only has one band, so it won't be able to do this. The Icom 2720H, the Kenwood D700, there relatives, and latest versions also support crossband repeat.

If you are going for a dual bander the Yaesu and Icom 208 aren't capable of supporting digital packet operations w/o distrurbing the main band (the one you are talking on). This doesn't have anything to do with cross-band repeat, but if you for example decide later to get into APRS you will find that the radio won't work very well (the Icom 208 is actually receive only on the sub-band).

Craig

Craig,

Thanks for the great input.

So, I'm actually looking more into the quad band radios. When you say that the Yaesu isn’t capable of supporting digital packet operations without disturbing the main bad, do you also mean the FT-8900R or did you mean their dual band radios?

I’m asking, because as you mention I could see myself getting interested in APRS at some point.

So, I can see that the IC 2820H (must be the replacement for the 2720H) and the Kenwood D710A (must be its replacement shown on website) offer the APRS capabilities, but these only offer 2m/7cm.

So, does it come down to this question?

Which is more important for me: 10m (or more HF)/6m/2m/70cm capabilities or 2m/70cm + the ability to do APRS and some other cool digital transmissions?

I was kinda hoping for the one radio to do it all.

If I can’t have my cake and eat it too, I was thinking that the ability to use the lower frequencies and higher power would ultimately be more important when in remote areas.

Am I overestimating the usefulness of the lower frequencies like 6m and 10m (or additional HF frequencies as the radio will allow) in remote areas?

 

[craig]

That is the conclusion I came to. I couldn't find a dual band (2 radios in one) that was also a quad band (Same term w/ different meaning). For me it came down to IC-706MIIG on the one side or the IC-2720H / Kenwood D700 on the other side.

It has been about a year now, but when I looked at the Yaesu radios I couldn't find one that was dual-band that could be configured for vox (voice) on the main band with digital packets on the sub-band (secondary radio) in a way that wouldn't interrupt voice communication on the main side of the radio. They have a dual band radio, it just doesn't work well for APRS.

The Icom 2720H I have, is configured to send digital packets ONLY if there is not traffic on the main radio. The Icom 2820H *does not* have APRS built in, you will need an external TNC. I use an Elcom uTNT bluetooth TNC/GPS/tracker which is very easy to setup. The Icom radios work well for computer based APRS.

The Kenwood radios do have APRS included. The built in APRS works well and pretty much just plugs into your GPS for display purposes. If you want to use a computer for APRS (such as OziAPRS), or to use other digital packet services then the Kenwood doesn't work very well.... well, at least the D700 didn't work well. From what I've read, the TNC in the Kenwood isn't able to keep up and drops packets. You should independantly verify this though, and also see if the newer Kenwoods have an improved TNC.

Craig

 

[tdesanto]

Craig,

Again, thanks for all the great info. So far, the only radio that I've been able to find (given what marketing info is available on the manufacturers' websites) that has the ability to operate as 2 radios in one and offers transmitting capabilities in 4 bands (10m/6/2m/70cm) is the Yaesu FT-8900R. Although, 10m is the only HF band it can use.

So, I think it really boils down to this, then: how important is digital communication compared to the ability to user the lower frequencies like 6m, 10m, and other HF frequencies when overlanding?

It would seem that while traveling in remote areas that the lower frequencies and higher power output that usually comes with that would be more important.

Would you or anyone else care to weigh in on this topic?

Many thanks for the help.

Tony

 

[craig]

I only have my tech license so my opinion is limited here. I use my SPOT for emergency communication and use 2m for vehicle to vehicle comm and APRS.

 

[Nevets10]

Craig,

Again, thanks for all the great info. So far, the only radio that I've been able to find (given what marketing info is available on the manufacturers' websites) that has the ability to operate as 2 radios in one and offers transmitting capabilities in 4 bands (10m/6/2m/70cm) is the Yaesu FT-8900R. Although, 10m is the only HF band it can use.

I used a differnt set up in my H1. We were using it for extended back country travel and communications were critical. I installed an Icom IC 706 MKII G.

The radio is all mode meaning it will transmit FM, AM, SSB and CW. It outputs 100 watts on side band, 50 watts on FM 2 meter and 25 watts on 70cm (440) and 40 watts on AM (CB). I could tune it continuously from HF to UHF (including CB on 11 meters).

But keep in mind that transmitting on many frequencies, except in an emergency, is a violation of FCC rules.

It has jacks for 2 seperate antennas, One is for VHF/UHF. The other is for HF. The antenna for HF also required an antenna tuner. I used a SG237 Tuner. I mounted the HF antenna on the back of the H1 (wagon) and the VHF/UHF on the roof. It worked great!

It may solve your problem.

 

[Tennmogger]

Great thread! One possible mistake is expecting 2m to provide emergency communication during anywhere/anytime "back country" offroading. There's no guarantee there will be coverage on 2 meters (a line of sight mode for all practical purposes). Sure you can talk to your trail buddies, but probably not to other hams. Maybe there will be a repeater available, probably not.

Many of the places I go there is no 2 meter repeater coverage, and that's here in the highly populated East. Go out west and many areas will have no repeater coverage. Drop into a deep valley and a repeater just a few miles away will not be available. At least with a handheld you can hike and 'hill top'.

Even if there is repeater coverage, you must know about it ahead of time to know what frequency to transmit on. Otherwise you might scan the band for hours and hear nothing. If you do hear a repeater, then you must determine the CTCSS tones required to bring it up.

If the goal is to coordinate on a trail run, 2 m is fantastic. If you are going out by yourself then 2m (and 70cm) might leave you without communications. With HF (not just line of sight), at least you can talk to someone. That someone might not even be in your country, but you can get help. Obviously that requires at least the General class license. The Technician license is a great first step.

Bob
WB4ETT (ham since '65).