Portable Radio Options

[nfernaays]

Got my SDR up and running, its pretty nice going through the different frequencies and exploring around. Pretty neat. I still have to dabble with getting into the P25 scanning but i am confident i can figure it out. There are a lot of online resources.

 

[FrankenCub]

Any of you guys know who has the best prices on mobile ham rigs? I've been looking at some of the $100 TYT and Baofeng 2m mobiles but thinking I might just buy a Yaesu if I can find a really good price.

 

[Jackalope]

Personally, I'd go with a Yaesu FT-2900 or an Icom IC-V8000. I still consider the Chinese radios to be disposable radios, and they would be fine in a situation where the radio might get stolen. I do have some Baofeng portable radios, but they're loaner radios; they're not radios that I would depend upon. The big three Japanese manufacturers (Kenwood, Icom, and Yaesu) make the most durable equipment, and the equipment with the most capability. As far as best prices, try Ham Radio Outlet(www.hamradio.com) or Main Trading Company(www.maintradingcompany.com). Main Trading Company has competitive prices, and the owner is willing to trade items for radio gear.

 

[FrankenCub]

Thanks, I'll check those links out. R&L Electronics seems to have good prices too, when they're in stock.
My truck don't lock up so theft is a little concern, I need to get new door locks to keep the honest people honest. I have a Baofeng GT3 that is actually a really good radio. Of course, not at the same level as the big three, but still a very good radio.
I was looking at that 2900, and also the FTM3200DR. And that Icom you suggested I haven't seem, was looking at the IC2300H. I'm going to a Hamfest in April, I may wait till then to look around. Might find some good deals, if they have any new equipment. I don't care for buying used electronics unless the price is super. I have a habit of buying junk lol.

 

[FrankenCub]

I've got a couple of SDR's from Stars and Stripes. They work well for the money. I ended up dedicating a netbook computer just for the SDR.

Which one did you end up getting? I got the goldeneye. Do you have a pic of your set up?

So how are you guys liking the SDR's from this company?
I've been digging through piles of pages to see which way I want to go. I don't want to go the little SDR dongle style, rather have something purpose built for SDR. Some of them are crazy expensive but will also transmit.

I also got a deal on a Yaesu FT2800M, traded an old CB base station for it lol. Still thinking I want something newer once I have enough saved up, sold a bunch of stuff this weekend that I don't use so I'm close. Probably going to stick with Yaesu, either the 7900 of the new quad bander.

 

[FrankenCub]

Spent the last 3 hours scouring the web looking for a retailer within an hour or so from me that sells HAM gear, nothing
The closest Yaesu dealer is 153 miles away in Jersey. I'd kinda like to look around at a real store instead of web pages. Looks like it's not going to happen unless I drive to NYC or Jersey, and I'm definitely not willing to do that.

 

[Jackalope]

You might try visiting a hamfest. The larger hamfests usually have commercial vendors, which have various models on display. Warm weather is hamfest season!

 

[FrankenCub]

Yeah I missed the last one in Norwich, had to be at the Syracuse hospital, also means I missed taking the test. That's not a big deal as they have them quite often in Vestal. There's usually a Hamfest in Marathon too but I think it also passed. I will look around and see if there's any coming up. Otherwise, I'll just place an order with HamRadioOutlet, they have an antenna I want for my truck and seem to have the best prices.

edit: Looks ike without making a few hours drive it'll be June before one close enough comes up in Cortland.

 

[Jackalope]

I've found that Main Trading Company will usually beat HRO's prices. I just ordered a Kenwood TH-D74A from them, and MTC was $20.00 cheaper than HRO. Plus, if you're short on cash, MTC is really willing to accept trades for radios.

 

[FrankenCub]

One of the guys on a Yahoo Yaesu group told me to check out Universal Radio, they are about $20 less than MTC on the FT-7900 and $8 less on the antenna I'm going to order this week. I haven't set my mind on which radio yet though, either the FT-7900 or 8900. I'd like a bigger display but that's going to cost at least another $200, so going to have to pass on that.
I don't have anything I'd be willing to trade in either. The FT-2800 I acquired will be used either as a base to throw in my wife's car.

 

[Jackalope]

Call Universal to make sure the item is in stock. I've ordered from Universal's website before and the radio wasn't in stock, though the website didn't indicate it was out of stock and allowed me to order it anyways. I ended up canceling the order, because I would have had to wait three to four weeks for the item. Watch Universal's used equipment list too, sometimes they have some good deals.

 

[FrankenCub]

Good idea, I'm a bit impatient when I place orders lol. I don't mind waiting on shipping, the back order shit I hate. I've looked at used radios on a fe sites, Universal included, but for some reason I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling buying used electronics. You just never know. I think sticking to new would be smarter for me seems they have a warranty. Some of the prices were actually within $20-$40 of new, hell might as well buy new. Might be different if it were an Icom 5100, or something like it with a big display, but I haven't seen even one close enough to what I'm going to have available.
The Yaesu FTM-100 is an option too. Will do digital and uses a microSD card for super easy PC programming.

 

[nfernaays]

So how are you guys liking the SDR's from this company?
I've been digging through piles of pages to see which way I want to go. I don't want to go the little SDR dongle style, rather have something purpose built for SDR. Some of them are crazy expensive but will also transmit.

I also got a deal on a Yaesu FT2800M, traded an old CB base station for it lol. Still thinking I want something newer once I have enough saved up, sold a bunch of stuff this weekend that I don't use so I'm close. Probably going to stick with Yaesu, either the 7900 of the new quad bander.

I am happy with my golden eye sdr, it works reasonably well with free software to do basic scanning operations. Have also hooked it up to my android phone and it has worked well there as well. I am struggling to get the thing to scan and interpret P25 channels but all in all for 50 bucks its not that bad. There is no cheap option if you are looking to also transmit with SRD.

 

[FrankenCub]

I am happy with my golden eye sdr, it works reasonably well with free software to do basic scanning operations. Have also hooked it up to my android phone and it has worked well there as well. I am struggling to get the thing to scan and interpret P25 channels but all in all for 50 bucks its not that bad. There is no cheap option if you are looking to also transmit with SRD.

Thanks, I've been looking at a lot of them and have no idea which way I want to go lol. Other than really don't want to go the $20 dongle. The TX ready SDR is in the 4 digit mark so no way I'll be getting one of those. I'll hold off for a little while. I just ordered a new dual band antenna and mount so my mom can have her 2m antenna back lol.

 

[FrankenCub]

Call Universal to make sure the item is in stock. I've ordered from Universal's website before and the radio wasn't in stock, though the website didn't indicate it was out of stock and allowed me to order it anyways. I ended up canceling the order, because I would have had to wait three to four weeks for the item. Watch Universal's used equipment list too, sometimes they have some good deals.

I took your advise and called them, seem like really good guys and helpful. Turned out they had the mount and antenna I wanted in stock but didn't show the spring, but also just got a shipment from Comet so he said he'd call me back after the girl in receiving went through the order. He called back a few hours later and the springs didn't come in yet but he said they sell a lot of them and should have them in a couple weeks. I'll have my parts by Thursday and the spring when it shows up. I can do without the spring for now, it's just an insurance police really.

 

[FrankenCub]

Well I gone and done it now! I missed the Yaesu rebate offer so I went looking at Icom as I knew they had one going too and thought I'd go a step up on the radio. Well damn it I missed that one too
Oh well. The more I compared radios I decided I really wanted a bigger screen and I can't stand the back light color Yaesu uses. Seems I just sold off a bunch of stuff I ordered the Icom ID-5100a. Coming out of Delaware so will have it this week.

 

[Jackalope]

Congratulations on the new radio! I got a Kenwood TH-D74A last week. I'm still learning all the features.

 

[FrankenCub]

Thanks, it should be interesting figuring everything out lol. That looks like a pretty sweet Kenwood, but wow, I had a hard time clicking that BUY button on the Icom. I think I'd have anxiety doing it for a small HT lol.

 

[nfernaays]

I saw an advertisement for the Rugged Radio RM 50....looks pretty neat, cb uhf vhf Ham all in one with removable head and mounts. This might fit the needs of many.

RM50 50-Watt Remote Head Multi Band Radio [RM50-MB] : Rugged Radios:

 

[FrankenCub]

I saw an advertisement for the Rugged Radio RM 50....looks pretty neat, cb uhf vhf Ham all in one with removable head and mounts. This might fit the needs of many.

RM50 50-Watt Remote Head Multi Band Radio [RM50-MB] : Rugged Radios:

Looks like it may be a rebranded TYT quad bander. Better off buying the Yaesu 8900 then do the MARS/CAP mod, would be cheaper and better brand.

 

[4excal]

Just to jump back in to the thread, I gotta say most(and yes I said most ) of the lower price models, which are the only versions I've bought, are all relatively equal in transmitting and receiving and features. Wheeeeew long run on sentence award . What I've noticed in the 3 or so different brands that myself and brother have had,are the ease of menu use and software flow like with chirp. obviously different models, different costs and different wattages make better machines. I was just sharing my experience when using them in same places and terrains to test. Maybe it helps someone who's in purchase mode and stressing..just snag one and use it as a starter cause you'll most definitely upgrade later

 

[FrankenCub]

Just to jump back in to the thread, I gotta say most(and yes I said most ) of the lower price models, which are the only versions I've bought, are all relatively equal in transmitting and receiving and features. Wheeeeew long run on sentence award . What I've noticed in the 3 or so different brands that myself and brother have had,are the ease of menu use and software flow like with chirp. obviously different models, different costs and different wattages make better machines. I was just sharing my experience when using them in same places and terrains to test. Maybe it helps someone who's in purchase mode and stressing..just snag one and use it as a starter cause you'll most definitely upgrade later

I don't think a starter Chinese radio is a bad idea, you can pick them up for less than $80 for a mobile. After looking at 75 or so radios at all sorts of sites I've found that if you're going to buy one of the higher end Chinese radios, you're much better buying one of the big three. The prices are usually within $20-$30.
My little Baofeng GT3-TP is a great radio as far as I'm concerned. To step up to a Yaesu or Icom HT would easily be +$200.

 

[nfernaays]

Just came across this site, seems like a sound concept. Not just a ham network but a radio network utilizing FRS GMRS CB and HAM's to create a disaster radio comm network

https://amrron.com/about/

 

[FrankenCub]

I've looked at that site a couple times, haven't sat down to read it all though. Think I found a link to it here somewhere. Does seem interesting. I should finish readin it lol.

I finally got my radio installed so I'll probably add a thread so not to tie this one up with it.

 

[cgrutt]

Found a used kx3 with px3, auto antenna tuner, internal battery charger, pelican case and extras for sale at local HAM club. Not really in budget but it's what I wanted and price was too good to pass up lol. Think I'm going to buy the 2m adapter for it. Really good SHTF gear.

Not mine and not a great video but this is the set up

 

[Jackalope]

That's a nice buy. There's nothing like having an extremely portable station.

 

[Doc8404]

Way too much digital for me.
What is there that you turn on and PTT.

 

[cgrutt]

IDK ask USMC he's got same one LOL.

 

[Acer-m14]

anyone need a amp .. LOL .. its been years but used to work on these and bigger for RF welding ..

 

[Acer-m14]

i have a boat anchor .. LOL ..