Dual Band Radio Opinions

[N / A]

Just got my license and need a rig for the Runner. Here is what I want, dual band, mostly for 2m, controller that is remotely mountable. In the sub $500 Candian price point. I would like Cross Band repeat as I could see using it....will I actually? No idea

That leaves me with a Yaesu FT-8800, ICOM 2730a, Kenwood V71. The FTM100 looks cool but wont do X-Band

I was set on the FT-8800 at $420 as it comes with everything I need, mounts, seperation kit, does x band. But its like a 10 year old design and I am told is going to end production.

The ICOM is $395, looks decent but comes with no brackets which I find super cheap of them. As well I have read a few spotty reviews on it.

The Kenwood at $465looks ok as well and has good reviews but does not come with a seperation kit and they want a rediculous $110 for that

Thoughts?

 

[JimBiram]

I've used an Anytone AT5888UV for three years now and it has been great, other than a mic I had to replace after 15 months. I probably dropped the mic too many times! Most important though is your antenna. I noticed a huge improvement when I installed a Diamond NR770 with a Diamond mount. The Anytone features crossband repeat, too. Only downside is that I haven't fond a way to modify it for APRS usage, but for the price it's a good radio.


Every Day is a Good Day Surfing...Some are just Better Than Others

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[HenryJ]

I have been using the Yaesu FT8800 for many years now. I would do it again in a heartbeat. If the time ever comes to replace it (I hope never) I would see what Yaesu replaces the FT8800 with

BTW it is easy to make your own separation kit for it. Under $5

 

[Frdmskr]

Might I suggest stretching the budget for a used TMD700 or TMD710. These have APRS, extremely simple menu formats, and are bullet proof. I have an 8900. I like it. It's an 8800 with 6 and 10 FM. It's a good rig and I can't complain about it other than menus at times, might just be me.

I had an Icom ID800 had its quirks. Icoms have an uneven history with audio and tend to lean towards weird menus and screens.

I still come back to missing my old 700. If you go new for the 710ga it's a bit steep but it has a built in GPS that you can pull data from for your laptop using a few programs. It also will last quite a while and integrate nicely into any rig.

Just a thought.


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[4x4junkie]

Unless you need some fancy new-fangled high-tech feature a newer radio has, I too wouldn't give a second thought about the age of the 8800's design. The very fact it's been around as long as it has only proves how good of a unit it is (and FWIW, I seem to remember hearing the comments about "it's going out of production" as far back as 2010 lol). The only real negative I can say is about it's somewhat delicate construction (the knobs don't look like they'd take well to an elbow or knee bumping into them), but otherwise it's a very solid unit with an exceptional receiver, both in and out of band (even on AM in the aircraft band).

 

[Frdmskr]

Speaking from embarrassing experience the brass takes a lot to break but break they do.

Don't ask how I know lol


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[Marutuk]

I do have the Kenwood v71, which is pretty good but yeah, no separation unit included (but that was no concern for me). I am quite pleased with it, both sound quality and features.

 

[texascrane]

(and FWIW, I seem to remember hearing the comments about "it's going out of production" as far back as 2010 lol).

It appears to really be discontinued. HRO had it in the discontinued section of their website for a week or so and it's now been removed entirely from their website. I picked up one of the last units the other week from my local HRO - $289 with separation kit was too good to pass up. I was thinking about a V71a, but for the money I couldn't pass up the Yaesu.

 

[Airmapper]

Don't know why but when I first started researching radios I pretty quickly took a fondness to Kenwood. Seemed to me they were simple, no fancy digital voice modes no one else is compatible with, no extra buttons for mode specific functions, just a plain, basic, radio. Not to say it's not packed with features, I have a D710G, it's loaded with features, but I still get that plain simple radio feel.

The V71 looks like it has everything my D710 has except for the TNC stuff and APRS programming. If you ever do think you'll get into APRS, save up for the D710G as it's almost literally plug and play APRS, close as you'll find. Although a lot of the fun in tinkering with APRS is in the making it work by cobbling together stuff, but if you want it to work off the bat, reliably and cleanly, get it built in. But if all that doesn't interest you, that V71 should be a nice radio. That true dual band is really handy, it honestly acts like 2 radios in one, only thing you can't do is transmit on both at the same time.

Maybe it's nostalgia, the Kenwoods are updated but still have that LCD from the 70s-80s CB era look and feel, but they do work excellently. I have a few Yaesu's and I will say a Kenwood mic is a lot easier to use and feels better in your hand than the Yaseu. Those Yaesu mics are why you hear people kerchunking repeaters all the time, darn PTT is on a hair trigger and right in the darn way if you try to handle the mic at all.

So my vote is for the Kenwood.

 

[brentbba]

I have been using the Yaesu FT8800 for many years now. I would do it again in a heartbeat. If the time ever comes to replace it (I hope never) I would see what Yaesu replaces the FT8800 with

BTW it is easy to make your own separation kit for it. Under $5

Yaesu is closing out the FT-8800. Price at several reputable suppliers is $289 which is a killer price for a great radio. I've used one in my truck for years. I picked up another one at this close out price to put in my commuter car. They are replacing it with the quad band FT-8900, but some reviews on it aren't wonderful for anything but 2M and 70m (440). No clue how accurate that is tho. You can't beat the close out price on the 8800.

 

[opg4759]

They are replacing it with the quad band FT-8900, but some reviews on it aren't wonderful for anything but 2M and 70m (440). No clue how accurate that is tho. You can't beat the close out price on the 8800.

They aren't replacing it with the FT-8900 the FT-8900 has been out since 2002, I'm going to bet it's the next to go in the next year or so.

They are pushing the Yaesu FTM-400XDE as the new Dual bander.

 

[brentbba]

They aren't replacing it with the FT-8900 the FT-8900 has been out since 2002, I'm going to bet it's the next to go in the next year or so.

They are pushing the Yaesu FTM-400XDE as the new Dual bander.

Only option is the 8900 with the 8800 going away. Knew the 8900 had been around for quite awhile. Word semantics. ;-) It's all good - I picked up a second 8800 for my commuter car!!! :wings:

 

[N / A]

Only option is the 8900 with the 8800 going away. Knew the 8900 had been around for quite awhile. Word semantics. ;-) It's all good - I picked up a second 8800 for my commuter car!!! :wings:

There are still some 8800's available in Canada

 

[Frdmskr]

8900 is not a bad fallback. You do want two antennas for it if you plan on using all 4 bands at a minimum.

1 for 2/440

1 for 10/6 might I suggest getting a 54" solid Hustler mast.then put a 10m loading coil from Hustler on top. That gives you 6 and 10.

Fwiw there used to be 11m coils do that antenna could go for CB with a quick coil swap and coax to a cb


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[mm58]

Unless you must have new/current market... consider the Icom IC-2720H. Great radio, remote head, compact, dual band, x-band repeat...etc
There is currently one available on eBay for $329 and free shipping (even has an antenna)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Icom-IC-272...696412?hash=item25b8e3561c:g:SaYAAOSwJQdW8hEW