It was time for a 2M HT...

[crawler#976]

Decided to get a Yaesu VX-170 from Universal Radio

http://www.universal-radio.com/CATALOG/ht/0170.html

The reviews I read sound very good, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it does! I ordered the DC Cable with voltage regulation and cigarette lighter plug, a second battery, and the handy reference card as well.

I'll be using it as a trip loaner for the most part, and in the '05 Taco for trip comms.

Mark

 

[ntsqd]

I have a used one I got off ebay. Came with the extended mic and an aftermarket antenna. I recommend both though I wish that I had the mic port plug for when loaning it out. The extended mic seems to confuse some folks.
The programming computer program and cable have proven to be pretty handy too.
About the only thing that I don't like is that apparently you can not use the radio while the charger is plugged in. Mine won't anyway.

 

[Hltoppr]

I'm about to get a handheld too...very convenient when you're with another HAM who doesn't have his rig and radio....you can still have excellent comms....

-H-

 

[tdesanto]

I'm thinking about getting the VX-7R from Yaesu.

I really like the idea that it's got a rugged magnesium body and is fully weather-proofed. In fact, it's rated to be submersible to 3' for 30 minutes.

 

[Cabrito]

I like the Yaesu HT's - I do wonder why you went with a 2m only. I have the VX-7b (black) because black is beautiful. Nice solid radio. It's nice to have the multi-band thing. Dual monitoring ect..
I also have a pair of old IC2ia HT's 1992 vintage. They work really well but the display is going bad on one of them and the battery life on all my batteries are really bad.
I reccomend you get some spare batts. I got three spares from a company whos name escapes me but they last long enough and were much cheaper than the Yaesu ones.

-mg

 

[gary in ohio]

Illl be stopping at Universal radio tomorrow during lunch to pick up a new dual band antenna for the house. Wind snapped the mast last month and sent it and the antenna tumbling to the ground.


Right now there are some really nice HT on the market. Yaesu has some very nice weather resistant units. I would have went for a dual band but for the price the 170 isnt a bad little radio. IN addition to the 12v power cord I would also get the AA battery pack and a BNC/SMA antenna adapter to go along with the radio. ICom has some nice units, Kenwood has no variety at all right now and Alinco has some nice units but are in the same price class as the better yaesu units.

 

[Cabrito]

Batteries America

Battery source - http://www.batteriesamerica.com/yaesu-vertex.htm

This is where I got my spare batts.

-mg

 

[crawler#976]

I like the Yaesu HT's - I do wonder why you went with a 2m only. I have the VX-7b (black) because black is beautiful. Nice solid radio. It's nice to have the multi-band thing. Dual monitoring ect..
I also have a pair of old IC2ia HT's 1992 vintage. They work really well but the display is going bad on one of them and the battery life on all my batteries are really bad.
I reccomend you get some spare batts. I got three spares from a company whos name escapes me but they last long enough and were much cheaper than the Yaesu ones.

-mg

Hey Michael!

I looked at the DB's, but my wallet came out ahead of the desire for a VX-7b

That, and this unit isn't going to get used much. It'll be a backup in the truck and a loaner on trips. We use FW2 (146.46) simplex on our group runs, so this should do just fine for that.

Illl be stopping at Universal radio tomorrow during lunch to pick up a new dual band antenna for the house. Wind snapped the mast last month and sent it and the antenna tumbling to the ground.


Right now there are some really nice HT on the market. Yaesu has some very nice weather resistant units. I would have went for a dual band but for the price the 170 isnt a bad little radio. IN addition to the 12v power cord I would also get the AA battery pack and a BNC/SMA antenna adapter to go along with the radio. ICom has some nice units, Kenwood has no variety at all right now and Alinco has some nice units but are in the same price class as the better yaesu units.

Hey Gary!

Say "Hi from KE7IXX in Prescott, AZ." to the folks at Universal Radio for me. I've purchased all my gear thru them. They've been great via the phone and on the net.

I decided on the Yaesu over the Icom IC-V8-15 Sport for one reason - I'm already familiar with the Yaesu programming method. Both radios spec out well, and have a similar price point.

Later Guy's!

Mark

 

[taugust]

That's a nice radio. I bought one for my 14 year old son for his first radio. It's nice to have NiMH batteries over NiCads. That was a key point for me. I have an Icom IC-V8 with NiCads and they have held up well, but the Kenwood D-7A with NiCads is dead, and it's newer than the Icom by a year plus.

 

[hochung]

The VX170 is a good solid radio. Kind of large, but very good unit.

I'm thinking about getting the VX-7R from Yaesu.

I really like the idea that it's got a rugged magnesium body and is fully weather-proofed. In fact, it's rated to be submersible to 3' for 30 minutes.

I have the VX7-R and I like it a lot. If you go with the VX7-R, also check the "extras" available for it:

for that private QSO/monitoring.... or even a desk charger:

I only wished it would tx the full 5watts on 220.


For raw function, I'd recommend the Kenwood TH F6A (the one on the far left):

Check out the specs when you get a chance. It's a very good radio.

Oh, almost forgot, there's a VX8-R coming out soon.

 

[crawler#976]

SHUCKS..

Got a back order notice on the radio, had to cancel the order and get it from HRO instead. It'll be here next week tho vs. ??? on back order.

 

[tdesanto]

Vx-8r?

Ho,

What do you know about the new VX-8R?

Do you know what additional features it might offer?

Thanks for the tips on the accessories. I was already thinking one of the diamond replacement antennas, extra battery and a desktop charger. I may have to consider one of those headsets. One step at a time though. I still need to figure out how to use my new FT-857 & the ATAS-120.

 

[Momrocks]

I bought one last year from Universal too. I like it except for the ant. For the rig, I use a 1/4 wave mag mount, it's much better bit I really want to try a 5/8 wave. Florida is nice and flat but even with that advantage, running 5w into the oem ant won't get you very far. I would love to here everyones reviews of their HT ants.

 

[1leg]

I picked up a Yeasu FT-60 last month at HRO. I also got a Mag-Antenna to use in the wife car on longer trips. With the programming software i can synq up my mobile(7800) and HT.
I have been very happy with it's performance sofar.

 

[hochung]

Jerry, for your Ft-60, do you use the FT-60R Commander to program memory?

Ho,

What do you know about the new VX-8R?

Do you know what additional features it might offer?

You can read about it here:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0008.html

pretty cool radio.

I'd still go with the Kenwood.