Vehicle Portable 2m/70cm setup

[LR Max]

So I've been running my cheapo Baofeng radio for a few weeks now in my vehicle. Overall, it is crap. And yes that is with an external mag mount antenna. It upsets me that I basically have a 5 mile range with this thing, and it really gets me when there is some guy on the repeater who is clear and 65 miles away. That said, it was $30. A GREAT example of getting what you pay for.

Anywho. I got to thinking about my next setup. Here are my requirements:

1. 12v and be able to plug into a cigarette lighter. This will make life easy. I think I should be able to transmit at 50w without any issues. Currently I have to recharge the Baofeng everyday and it has died on me. Would be easier to run it off the car.

2. Portable. I can't hard mount a radio in my car. So something that I can have in a bag and throw over my shoulder on the way out to the car in the morning would be great. Also this is a nice setup for when I'm in the SUV vs. the car. I remember 20 years ago riding along with someone who had a similar setup.

3. 2m and 70cm. Probably don't need 70cm...but why not.

4. Something that is easy to program with a computer. I've been using the CHIRP software and it works. I think everything nowadays is programmable. But being able to plug my computer in, hit CLONE, and have everything setup is pretty nice.

5. Speaker mounted on the handset. This is what I'm using now. Works well. However I'm ok without having any other buttons on the handset other than PTT. Also eliminates an external speaker, so less stuff.

6. Uses PL-259 connector. That is what my mag mount is. Would be nice NOT to have to buy another antenna. But I guess I'd be ok with adapters.

Otherwise, pretty wide open to suggestions. I like my current setup of having my HT in the passenger seat. It works well. Just want actual performance. I am ok with putting something together myself and I can, but thought I would ask to see what others have done.

Anyway, thanks for any suggestions.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

I have been using the Btech Mini Dual band (now they've got the triband) for about a year now and have been pretty impressed. Seems to meet your criteria, minus the in hand set speaker. Easily programmable with Chirp (it's a Baofeng company) More wattage than the hand held, obviously, and a good 'in between' radio with a good price point. One of these days/years I'll be a huge Yaesu with detachable face, etc., etc. but in the meantime this is a good step up.

 

[PhulesAU]

!. 90% of all mobile, but Not plugged in to lighter plug. Too much noise / dirty power.

2. Icom 208 is pretty small , and almost any thing can be made portable.

3.Most mobiles do

4. most are

5. Don't know of any with speaker mike

6. unless you get some weird junk , 99% have that connector.

 

[Frdmskr]

1) really bad idea. Good way to start a fire. Always, ALWAYS direct to the battery with a fuse in line on both leads near the battery.

2/3) buy a second radio. Keep the Chinese thing til it breaks but buy a real radio, yaesu, Kenwood, icom as a mobile. I suggest dual band like a 710g, ftm400 or whatever meets your price point.

4) chirp supports most things but RT Systems and sometimes the OEM software can do just as well. Plus OEM is free.

5) run an external speaker. Get a cheap MFJ one as they work really well.

6)most do but N is technically better. Btw ditch the magmount and go NMO clamp on or best yet, drill a hole.

Read K0BG.com and look at his install pics too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hilldweller]

1) really bad idea. Good way to start a fire. Always, ALWAYS direct to the battery with a fuse in line on both leads near the battery.

2/3) buy a second radio. Keep the Chinese thing til it breaks but buy a real radio, yaesu, Kenwood, icom as a mobile. I suggest dual band like a 710g, ftm400 or whatever meets your price point.

4) chirp supports most things but RT Systems and sometimes the OEM software can do just as well. Plus OEM is free.

5) run an external speaker. Get a cheap MFJ one as they work really well.

6)most do but N is technically better. Btw ditch the magmount and go NMO clamp on or best yet, drill a hole.

Read K0BG.com and look at his install pics too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

X2, Max

Magmounts are better than in the cab but hard mount kills it.
There's no way that a 50w radio should run off cig lighter. Too many amps. Too dirty.

Get on the HRO mailing list, wait for a sale, drive out to Norcross and buy a good hardmount radio and antenna. Buy once, cry once, have better qso's.

BTW, 2M was propagating like crazy yesterday. I went out to run errands and was able to pick up the repeater from Mount Mitchell (almost 200 miles) and was able to make contacts with stations in LaGrange and Oxford, GA from Johns Creek from my Jeep.

 

[malibubts]

X2, Max
Magmounts are better than in the cab but hard mount kills it.

They can also be much less hassle and cheaper than expected. I bought a Comet fender mount since I didn't trust myself to drill a hole for an NMO mount. The bracket did not end up fitting at all and I started looking into NMO again. I figured it would be cost prohibitive to have a shop do it, but was able to find a local radio shop that drilled the hole and installed the mount for $35. I wish I would have just done that in the first place and saved myself the headache.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[Flocker]

check out the Leixen VV898 "backpack" radio

http://www.buytwowayradios.com/products/leixen/vv-898sp.aspx

Its 25 watts, but checks a lot of your boxes.I have the 10 watt one one and its perfect. connects to an external antenna and run it off its own battery power for days (it also has a cigarette lighter adapter. I love a good land mobile 2 way radio, but i don't want my vehicle to look like the inside of an Army Humvee most days.

The new Midland high power mobile GMRS units are gonna be pretty cool too.

 

[Hilldweller]

He scored a used Icom HT at a good price. I still haven't seen it though.

Max ---- this weekend is CFW....

 

[LR Max]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I scored an Icom ID-51 for a reasonable price. A Baofeng UV-5R was included in the package (aka, taking up space at his house). The icom, now that I've got a programming cable, is pretty legit. I like it. The DSTAR function is still a bit of a mystery, but I'm slowly learning. Seems like a good network to get into.

For what I need on a daily basis, its fine. I can pick up the Buckhead repeater in my neighborhood and keep on it all the way to the office. Also I was able to hit a Marietta repeater, which was cool.

Yes I know it isn't "the best" setup, but it works for what I want right now. Its nice because I can strip all of the gear out of my car if I end up parking it on the street.

On a side note, I am able to compare a couple of cheapo chinese radios to a solid piece of equipment. The BF-F9, while limited in range, has excellent quality within that range. It seems like 5 miles outside of the repeater, it just drops off. The UV-5R, doesn't have as good of sound quality, but has decent range. The Icom blows both of them out of the water on range and quality.