Past the Tech test now contemplating what new gadget to buy.

[loren85022]

Passed my tech on Monday eve. Now comes the more difficult task of deciding what unit to install in the van.

Strange as it sounds, dash and under-dash space isnt a commodity in my full size van. There's this big-*** doghouse hogging up everything. And for now, I dont want to invest the time and money to create an overhead console. So while I've read everyone's seemingly strong reviews of the Yasue 7800, I like the Icom's 208H because the faceplace can be located in a functional location and the box itself can be locate out of site and in a less accessible spot.

The big disadvantage is the additional cost. And that may be a dealbreaker but I'm curious if anyone has such a dual-mount unit and if it's worth the cost.

I'm new to ham so having dual band isnt essential from the get go, but I'm pretty tech-curious so I'm likely to get some use out of this. My question is does anyone like/dislike this 208h and or any other comparable with the relocatable face?

And for now, going with a hand-held isnt being considered.


http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/mobile/208h/default.aspx

 

[Jerry]

I like both models, the FT-7800R and FT-7900R. Hardly any difference between the two and both have removable face plates. I own two FT-7800's and am in the market for either a new 7900 or used 7800.

 

[Jerry]

Boy, ain't that the truth. Used FT-7800R's are like gold. I think all mobile radios are up in price, but now that I ponder on it just about everything else is, too. I bought a 7800 just prior to their discontinuance and the price from HRO was around $225 and today the FT-7900R is nearly $300 including freight. I still want one, though.

In regard to updated features of the FT-7900, I finally learned at least two of them from Bob Freeth, the fellow who owns G4HFQ Software, the program I use for my radios. I was inquiring as to whether my 7800 software would work with a new 7900 because I don't want to maintain two separate spread sheets. He replied, quote "...it will write to a FT-7900 but you can not support the new feature of separate tones/codes for TX and RX. There is also a difference with the LOCK method - the FT-7900 has a dedicated button whereas the FT-7800 uses a menu setting. Other than that I think everything is much the same." unquote.

Yakima is an agricultural town of 80,000 population and most of our travels are in rural areas so we have never needed a receive tone. And the lock button is no big deal. And given that used FT-7800's are so expensive and hard to find I think a new FT-7900R is in my future with wife's approval.