Help me pick my next mobile HAM unit!

[Seanz0rz]

With the new vehicle, I am looking at upgrading my HAM radio. Currently I have a Yaesu FT-7800 and I love it. It is lacking at least one feature that is becoming a must have for me: cross-band repeat.

The Yaesu FT-8800R and FT-8900R both have cross band repeat and the 8900 can be had for around $400. The 8800 has been discontinued but is still available from the usual suspects for $300 ish.

I'd love to get into the APRS, but it doesn't exist in my usual stomping grounds. It would be a nice feature, but I am not sure it is worth the $2-300 premium.

I am also open to Kenwood and Icom. I don't think I want to go down the road of the cheap Chinese clones, maybe in another vehicle with less of an important role to play.

A remote mount face plate is a must as I don't have the dash space to dedicate to a complete radio.

My short list:
Yaesu 8900 (http://yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=0C4855ADE6394D514EAABAE148B93F5C&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0) Quad Band (I really just want 2m/70cm), Cross band repeat - $400
Yaesu FRM-400DR (http://yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=227201D29C822AEFF8482F3367495319&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0) Dual Band, Cross Band Repeat, APRS, GPS, pretty display - $5-600
Kenwood TM-D710GA (http://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/tm-d710ga/) Cross band repeat, dual band, APRS, GPS - $600
Kenwood TM-V71A (http://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/tm-v71a/) Cross band repeat, dual band - $350

I haven't seen an Icom that tickles my fancy, but I am open to suggestions.

Really, is it worth it to go to a 600 dollar radio (especially the Yaesu FRM-400DR that has the digital features that will become more commonplace in the coming decade) over a 3-400 dollar radio? If the Yaesu of today is the same quality of my FT7800, then that radio will last indefinitely. I have ordered a few replacement components from Ebay to keep the wear items of my Yaesu in good shape.

So what say you guys?

[troyboy162]

Ive never used that repeat feature on my kenwood that I can remember, despite thinking I needed it when I bought it. To me APRS is bested by the sat messengers these days due to usable locations. Even with my lower requirements I wouldn't enjoy shopping for a radio today... Simple dual band and removable face plate still puts the prices right up there in the high end.

[Seanz0rz]

This is the Chinese clone of the Yaesu 8900: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B016VOTCKC?psc=1

I'm not sure I would trust it for longevity. My Baofengs have been good, but I know they will die some day.

I should also add that I REALLY hate being sick... It makes me sit at home and surf the net for stuff to spend money on!

[troyboy162]

look at that sucker! its got some CB freqs available if we lived somewhere that was legal. Its pretty neat for a quad band, but if they made a dual for $150 id be game.

[Seanz0rz]

this one looks like it is closest to the FT8800: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B014SCYZTC?psc=1. Still over 200 though. You can find good used units for that.

FWIW, there is a $120 rebate on the FRM400XDR. That would put it at 499 from gigaparts. Tempting...

[troyboy162]

Youve got me googling over here :) lots more choices right now, but you're right about the prices. I complain about the high price of the Japanese radios, but Ive never heard of one breaking.

The things I found most interesting were these new Chinese 25W small dual bands for $60. Very no frills and featureless, but man thats kills CB for me.

[Seanz0rz]

I will put a CB in my new vehicle, mainly to talk to those that don't have a HAM. I expect to use it less than once a year.

[4x4mike]

Here is my two cents on the matter.

-Don't get a Chinese mobile radio.
-Don't get an 8900-R.
-Get a dual band.
-Decide about the APRS now.

I've got and love an 8800-R. If I had to buy another mobile I'd buy another 8800. The ONLY exception would be the V71A, if it had a face the size of an 8800. The larger face was a total turn off as I didn't want an obtrusive mount in an already small passenger area that is the 3rd gen. The main feature that led me to the 8800 is the CBR. It comes in super handy in groups and using HT's.

It's a Yaseu so it will be easy to use since you've owned the 7800. Menus are similar as is the audio output and RX. When I was shopping I looked at the 8900 but stepped away quickly as I had no need for 2 additional bands no one uses. Not to mention non offroad friendly antennas and/or splitters.

For APRS I use one of my UV-82's along with a mobilink'd device. My 4Runner has two NMO mounts in the roof which is nice because I can use them for different purposes. One is pretty much dedicated to my in dash 8800. The other has a splitter inline so I can use it with another VHF/UHF or CB. For CB I have a Cobra 75 wx st mounted behind the dash. I use it about twice a year. When I need it I screw on a short CB whip to the NMO and plug in the mic. Most of the time that second NMO has a 1/4 wave antenna that I use for APRS through the UV-82. Troy is right though, other markets have positioning dialed in. My APRS runs in conjunction with my phone. If it were to show my location, and others, on BCN I'd be in love but alas.

I've looked at many clones and I only hear so so reports on them. The VGC VR-6600Pro-A caught my eye awhile ago as it would receive AM/FM and Air band. Those bands would be useful to me for my emergency radio work which is usually not in my vehicle. What it lacked was RX on the 800-900 which eliminates its usefulness as a scanner, in my neck of the woods at least.

I'd look for a closeout 8800 or even a used one. I found most that have one hang onto it because it's pretty good. I got mine on a really good sale from HRO plus a mail in rebate. I didn't realize they had been discontinued.

[4x4mike]

I will put a CB in my new vehicle, mainly to talk to those that don't have a HAM. I expect to use it less than once a year.

I'd keep it simple then. The 75 wx st runs off a small box that you can hide. I keep the 2 foot whip and mic under the seat just in case. I'll monitor on long freeway drives but for the most part I'm turned off from all the chatter and over amped stations.

[Seanz0rz]

I have the Cobra 75 from the 4Runner I will install in the LC. I will probably go with a 4' firefly that will double as AM/FM antenna after I lose my factory antenna for a snorkel. That's the plan anyway. I won't be spending more than about 50 bucks on the entire setup.

I really love the idea of APRS, but you guys are right, cell and sat communications are just too good now. If I was into the hobby as a hobby, I would be in, but for something that just works, I'll keep my Delorme.

I'll have to see if I can find an 8800 for a decent price.

I'll have a NIB FT2900 for sale soon too.


Can anyone explain why I should be looking at a Dual Digital/Analog radio? I see the value of digital in data communications, but for voice, analog seems king for the long distance, low fidelity type of communications we survive on.

[troyboy162]

Mike whats the feedback on the new cheaper mobiles? I'm curious because when the wuxon/boafengs hit the market there was a lot of biased reviews that never really panned out to real world use. The sheapo 25w dualbands look like winners on paper.

[4x4mike]

I have the Cobra 75 from the 4Runner I will install in the LC. I will probably go with a 4' firefly that will double as AM/FM antenna after I lose my factory antenna for a snorkel. That's the plan anyway. I won't be spending more than about 50 bucks on the entire setup.

I really love the idea of APRS, but you guys are right, cell and sat communications are just too good now. If I was into the hobby as a hobby, I would be in, but for something that just works, I'll keep my Delorme.

I'll have to see if I can find an 8800 for a decent price.

I'll have a NIB FT2900 for sale soon too.


Can anyone explain why I should be looking at a Dual Digital/Analog radio? I see the value of digital in data communications, but for voice, analog seems king for the long distance, low fidelity type of communications we survive on.

I forgot you had a 75, you're good to go then. If you use it so infrequent I'd use a mag mount until you're ready for your Firefly, just to spread out purchases.

APRS is kind of cool and it has many applications but for me it's just a toy. Without cell service and expensive equipment it's somewhat limited on the trail. It would be cool to have a self contained, like a cell phone, map/screen that would display members of your group. We have a tracking and mapping system for my volunteer work but it requires larger trackers, laptops and pricey software.

If you're still sick fire up the YouTube and watch some videos on digital radios. I think the Comms Prepper has some new videos on it. I hear guys talking about it on the radio here. I think the consensus is that the radios are expensive and the network is too small. One little group has all of their own equipment and a tower and have a private digital group. Through digital they also do packet radio which is one advantage.

In my travels I'll see a D-Star repeater every now and then but not often. I think DMR is the other system, mostly manufacturer driven. The new 3200-DR is a nice looking radio. I got to finger one recently and I like how clean and solid it feels. It does digital and is Yaseus venture into the mono band, lower price mobile set up. It doesn't appeal much to me as it's mono band and doesn't have CBR.

You can use the 2900 to fund a radio or keep it and toss it in the Ford. I wish I had a little radio in my wife's car, which I'll touch on in Troy's post.

[4x4mike]

Mike whats the feedback on the new cheaper mobiles? I'm curious because when the wuxon/boafengs hit the market there was a lot of biased reviews that never really panned out to real world use. The sheapo 25w dualbands look like winners on paper.

Those new really small 25w dual banders are kind of appealing. Not as a primary mobile but as a back up or low use, portable radio or one to loan out for a trip. I follow a couple of groups on the FaceTube and people are buying them and having good experiences. One reason I mentioned not getting a primary Chinese radio above was mostly because of reliability and ease of use, especially when you take into consideration additional features like dual band, CBR and APRS. One thing I do read about some of these radios is that they can just crap out. Things like not turning on, no TX, no screen, loosing programming (and the radio doesn't allow field programming), over heating, etc. Just at Pismo I see it, mostly with the UV-5R's, granted there are guys that beat the hell out of that radio.

I know a few people that have the KT-UV980 and the KT-8900, or their variants. They seem to like them. I guess they are a bit tricky to program and can only be fully programmed via CHIRP. I don't have a huge problem with this except that it limits the radio in the field, especially if you need to add or modify the programming (say in an emergency). I started using CHIRP when I got my UV-82's and I'll say it makes life a little easier especially since I have three of the radios.

Lack of alpha labeling and heat are cons for me on these radios. While I don't use a ton of different frequencies I travel around enough that I have multiple frequencies for different regions. I'd need a cheat sheet to keep track of all the programmed stations. Also, while the small form factor is nice the little radios turn into hot bricks pretty quickly. It may be poor heat sinking (or not enough because of it's size) or cheap electronics. Heat kills and if the radio is used frequently I don't imagine it would last long.

I know handhelds are a little different but I sold my nice Yaseu HT for UV-82's and haven't looked back. They are lighter weight, have better and cheaper batteries, have similar accessories, "allow" more use of a band and have additional features like a flashlight or FM tuner. While that might sound cheesy they are features that come in handy and of course they radios are typically back up or used in conjunction with a higher quality radio.

[4x4mike]

A remote mount face plate is a must as I don't have the dash space to dedicate to a complete radio.



Sean, I'm 99% sure I have the remote mounting kit for the 8800/8900. I know my radio came with it but since I didn't use it I shelved it. I'm sure it's all where I left it and I'm pretty sure I remember where that is. I'll consider it a donation to the LC build and hopefully it's one less thing you'd have to spend money on.

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-006367

[Seanz0rz]

Sean, I'm 99% sure I have the remote mounting kit for the 8800/8900. I know my radio came with it but since I didn't use it I shelved it. I'm sure it's all where I left it and I'm pretty sure I remember where that is. I'll consider it a donation to the LC build and hopefully it's one less thing you'd have to spend money on.

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-006367

Thanks! I'll have to start looking for a good 8800. I haven't dug much into the digital stuff, but I don't see it being something for me. I really don't want a quad band radio but cross band repeat is a feature I really want and something I think I would actually use. The rest of it is cool stuff to have but not essential to my lifestyle. I have enough hobbies as it is...