Anyone using a YAESU - FT-2800M

[crawler#976]

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cm...rodID=D8f1dyu1kYo=&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

Yup, after my trip with the ExPo crew, I really NEED a 2M...

The unit seems to be reasonably priced - I've got about $350.00 to spend for a complete setup.

Thanks for any input!

Mark

 

[Pskhaat]

You may wish to consider the 7800 with dual band. The UHF band is actually really good and there are a LOT of UHF repeaters, as well as being able to monitor FRS/GMRS frequencies when other folks have these in their vehicles.

That said, I don't think you can go wrong with the 2800, Yaesu makes a good radio. I personally use the 8900.

 

[BajaTaco]

I believe that Uwe has the 2800M. Uwe?

I have the little brother (2600M) to that one and I dig it. Glad to hear you plan to get a radio! If you check the http://www.arrl.org/ site, you'll see that every so often they have the exams at Rimrock and Prescott. Next one is in Rimrock on Sep 08, and one in Prescott on Sep 30.

 

[crawler#976]

OK,

Looks like the 2800 is gonna be the choice for me at $150.00 os so.

So, what are my antenna options?

Any one dealt with Universal Radio Inc.???? They seem to have pretty good online pricing.

Mark

 

[Pskhaat]

So, what are my antenna options?

Larsen, NMO mount. You can't beat simplicity and performance.

​

 

[whitethaiger]

OK,

Looks like the 2800 is gonna be the choice for me at $150.00 os so.

So, what are my antenna options?

Any one dealt with Universal Radio Inc.???? They seem to have pretty good online pricing.

Mark

As Baja said, I got the 2800M and like it.

I've ordered a 'world radio' from Universal 5+ (?) years ago and had no problems with them.

Looks like Baja already has some good info on getting the license in your area. It's probably a good idea to get your license no later then completing the hardware setup.... I hear some people have a hard time to get around to take the exam after they get everything working.

There is plenty of info on how to get started with 2m, license exam preparation, etc. on 4WDtrips.net also.

 

[asteffes]

I like that Yaesu provides four power levels. It's not just 5-10-50 or similar. I don't like running a radio at full power any longer than I need to, so the 25 watt setting is a very nice feature.

 

[BajaTaco]

Mark, that is a great price. Also, make sure that comes with the DTMF mic (the one with the keypad). I'm pretty sure all the USA units are sold like that, but just check to make sure.

The Larsen NMO looks good to me. Are you going to roof mount or hood mount? (or rear mount - like your CB)?

 

[BajaTaco]

I don't know if you have thought about where you will put it yet, but since you have a Tacoma like mine, here is food for thought:

http://www.bajataco.com/electronics/2mradio/index.htm

Having it on the bottom of the stack like that allows plenty of air to pass over the cooling fins. Another thing you may want to consider is going with a radio that has a remote faceplate. That way you can keep the radio box mounted somewhere back in the Xcab or wherever, and just have the little compact radio face mounted on a cool little RAM mount or something. It allows lots more options for convenience and visibility. [edit: Now that I think of it, I don't know if this is avail. unless you get at least a dual-bander)

 

[crawler#976]

Chris,

Is the mike below what you're describing?

Thank's for the pic's - that's what I had in mind for mounting it. I've got the CB under the front seat - that's OK with a limited # of channels that can be selected from the mike, but I'll need to see the 2M...

I'm really considering a roof mount, but I'm not sure I want a 50"+ antenna up there. The CB mounting location works great if I'm in front...I think the bed acts as a partial ground plane.

 

[crawler#976]

OK, I ordered the radio and decided to try a roof top mag mount w/ a 1/4 wave antenna for the time being. We'll see how it does - it's only $18.00, so it's no big deal. I asked the guy about mounting a 1/2 or 5/8 wave antenna off the corner of the bed like the CB, he said it would be badly degraded in performance. Unfortunately the radio is on a 7 to 10 day back order - they are very popular! Out the door w/ shipping for under $180.00...leaves me some coin for other mods.

 

[asteffes]

It sounds like you got a great deal on an excellent set-up.

 

[BajaTaco]

OK, I ordered the radio...

:jumping: Right on!

Yea, that is the mic I was talking about. It looks like the cooling fins on that radio are on the top (mine are on the bottom), so keep that in mind when you determine mounting location.

 

[HenryJ]

What are you guys using for programming software?

I really like the software from http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/
His help was outstanding when I had a problem. It turned out to be a misconnected cable, but He went out of his way to help me out. The software is much better than the Yaesu software.

I used the cables from http://www.ttl2usb.com/
The error in my cable was an isolated incident. If you have any problems the information is available to make corrections.

Yaesu seems to be kind of a joke in my valley, so I don't mention the make of my radio. I do love them though. I run the FT8800 in the truck with a VX7R handheld for hiking. The crossband repeat allows me to set up the truck as a mobile repeater when we hike the canyons. I have yet to need it, but having it makes the wife more comfortable in remote areas.

I too chose the 1/4 wave NMO mounted whips. Cheap and durable.

Here's mine - Dual band ham radio

 

[DaveInDenver]

What are you guys using for programming software?

I also have a VX-7R and I use Jim Mitchell's (KC8UNJ) VX7 Commander (it's free).

http://www.kc8unj.com/

On the 7800, I guess I'm a glutton since I use my two fingers.

BTW, what are you using for a duplexer?