HAM Radio Purchase - Going to buy...

[workinwifdakids]

I think I'm going to get a Yaesu FT-250R (2M 5W handheld) as my first HAM radio. The obvious disadvantage is that it's a single-band radio, but what are your thoughts? If everyone gives this the all-clear, I'll be making my order this Friday morning.

At the same time, I'm going to pick up a Diamond RH-77CA antenna ($25 @HRO); I've heard that an upgrade from a rubber ducky to a high-quality after market antenna is the most cost-effective upgrade to a handheld. Also, I'll get the battery pack that will let me run AA batteries. That should win me some flexibility.

Comments prior to purchase?

[workinwifdakids]

I can swing the VX-3r on my budget. Is that worth going from 5 watts to 3?

[workinwifdakids]

I'm seeing some poor reviews of the VX-3r on eHam and elsewhere. The FT-60 looks better received. Thoughts?

[Fivetoes]

How it was with me, once I got my ht my circle of contacts seemed to all jump to 440, so there I was wanting a new radio. So if you get a single band now, for sure you will want a dual band pretty soon.
As for three watts, if you have repeater saturation you won't need more power.

[randy]

Late to the party as, it happens, I had an early get up to work a public service event (annual labor day parade) providing communications to the parade marshal's (me on my IC Z-1A, darling daughter bicycle mobile with her IC-T7H).

I'll defer to Chris on the various Yaesu units as I primarily have Icom and Kenwood gear. (except to say that if you want to get into APRS, stay the hell away from the Yaesu units, they have just enough functionality to advertise APRS capability, but really suck in their limitations and don't support a lot of functions standard on the Kenwood units)

Looks like my choice for an entry level twin band handheld is being discontinued (IC-T7H) and replaced by the IC-70A. Too new for me to have an opinion on that.

For my purposes, a 5w HT (with external power) is mandatory. I do too many public service events in marginal repeater coverage areas. The only micro-watt HT I have is kept in my desk at work to monitor the SKYWARN net if needed.

However, if you eventually get a mobile that has cross-band repeat capability, the low power HTs work fine as you only have to get to your mobile, and it gets to the repeater (your HT needs 440 capability to do this legally).

Oh, and +100 on stock HT antennas, AKA Factory Air Cooled Dummy Loads

[workinwifdakids]

Hell, you can buy mine, plus charging cradle, 12v power supply, vox headset, and the SMA-24. Make me an offer, I want to upgrade anyway.

Email inbound.

[Rumpshot]

Workin, go for the gusto with Chris.

Chris, Workin is in East LA, repeater heaven.

I have after market antennas on my ht's, but the difference is minimal. When operating mobile, I currently use a magmount external.

[workinwifdakids]

Workin, go for the gusto with Chris.

Chris, Workin is in East LA, repeater heaven.

I have after market antennas on my ht's, but the difference is minimal. When operating mobile, I currently use a magmount external.

Jerk! I'm in east LA like you're in south Flagstaff.


You're right, though - plenty of repeaters around. I did give Chris a quote, though, and we'll see what we see. If I need to wait a bit to come up with some more cash, that's ok, too. Chris is a good person, and fair to a fault.

[Rumpshot]

Edited for style...

[Rumpshot]

Workin, go for the gusto with Chris.

Chris, Workin is in East LA, repeater heaven.

I have after market antennas on my ht's, but the difference is minimal. When operating mobile, I currently use a magmount external.

Jerk! I'm in east LA like you're in south Flagstaff.


You're right, though - plenty of repeaters around. I did give Chris a quote, though, and we'll see what we see. If I need to wait a bit to come up with some more cash, that's ok, too. Chris is a good person, and fair to a fault.

As far as Ham Radio/repeaters are concerned, you are in East LA. Now if we start talking your neighborhood or how to get to your house you are right.

Flag has some repeaters I CANNOT reach from the house. But Flag does not have the Prescott College....