handheld ham radio suggestions?

[Joseph McAllister]

I am getting my HAM radio license soon, but I prefer a hand held radio instead of the standard dashboard one, if its called that. I do not like the long antennas is the reason why I do not want the CB type radios. If there are CB radios that are the length of a vehicle antenna I would also consider.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Michael Landelius]

If you get a hand held radio your range will be severely reduced from inside the vehicle. If you got a mobile radio your power will be much more then the hand held and you can have a small antenna. My first antenna was only 19 inches long and with a mag mount base so I could easily take it down when I was done. If you go with the hand held look for a water proof one if your budget allows. I have the Yaesu VX-8R its a bit pricey but I like it, http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0008.html For a good started mobile I would recommend the Yaesu FT-1900R https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=111&idproduct=1804

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

The heart of any radio that one can buy - is the antenna.
Now that you are becoming a Ham, as you study you will discover this for yourself. There is a misconception by many that an antenna is an indicator that a geek is inside the vehicle. Rather it is someone that understands that a radio is the most original form of electronic communication to this day.

A cell phone can do what a radio can't; but underneath it is still a radio. Inversely, a well trained radio operator and his radio can do things that a cell phone can't. Many chasers are Hams, and more of them need to have a place to learn this discipline as well. Some are members of ARES/RACES/SKYWARN too.

A CB can be useful when traveling long distances. Truck drivers use this mode of operation to this day. It has been my personal experience that a CB can be most helpful when for asking directions and other important info from truckers. CB's can also be used locally when chasing with friends, so as not to tie up Ham frequencies that might occur during an emergency situation. They can also do better transmitting/receiving than the line-of-sight 2 meter radios will. Unless you have access to a repeater - which will change constantly if traveling great distances.

Ham radio had a tremendous resurgence this year alone in the number of new Hams. There has been a statistic to this effect published recently - BTW. While people have been discovering new cell phone technologies - some have also discovered an old technology that is still seeing advancements and innovations as well.

I invite you to become a member of the World Wide Radio Forum www.worldwidedx.com. It's free and only takes a moment. Both Ham and CB operators coexist within the same space while sharing and learning about radios. Some CB operators have become Hams and learn from other Hams. Since the WWRF is not a weather forum, I would think that STORMTRACK has no conflict of interest with it. If there is; I apologize and ask that you remove this post. I am a Moderator/Administrator on the WWRF. So if any member of STORMTRACK needs help or advice, just let me know ('Rob KI6USW') via PM and I will go out of my way to help you out.

One antenna that will operate in the CB band that isn't 9 ft tall -if that is the reason that keeps you from it; would be to use a Wilson 1000 magnet mount. Which is 5 2/3 feet tall. I have three antennas on my vehicle: 2m/440, a CB antenna, and a cell phone antenna. They don't make an effective horizontal antenna for a mobile application - sorry. No one does. But there is a way to go the CB route as well as having a Ham radio too - as previously mentioned. You can have it both ways...
Thanks for letting me bend your ear for a moment - too!

 

[Wes Carter]

For a handheld I have a Yaesu FT-60R and I love it. But I concur with the other guys, you will find it's usefulness close to zero inside a vehicle. The metal of the vehicle acts as kind of a cage so the 5 watts will be bouncing around in the vehicle, plus a good portion of the signals you are trying to monitor will be kept out. So the next step would be to get an outside antenna, and as long as you are there a mobile radio will do much better in that application.

You could get a 1/4 wave antenna for 2 meter radio. They are around 23 inches long, so roughly the size of a car antenna. The gain is zero usually, but you will be a hundred times better off than trying to do anything with an HT inside a vehicle.

For a mobile unit, I like my Yaesu FT-1800, which has been updated (and from what I understand greatly improved) to the FT-1900R. There are pther good ones, those are just the ones I have and like. I also had a ICOM IC-V 8000 which was a good radio. I just like the layout of the Yaesu's better, but it is strictly a personal preference because I know just as many that prefer the ICOM's. Kenwood and Alinco aslo make 2 meter mobile and handheld radios, but I don't have much experience with them.

 

[Warren Faidley]

The Yaesu radios are great. I have a VX-170. Simple, but rugged and expendable.

You can also get an external antenna adaptor for most hand-held 2m / 440 radios. They generally attach to the top where the normal rubber antenna attaches - detaches. With the addition of a remote mic /speaker combo, or headset, you have a hand-held that can be used in the vehicle like a base unit while having the freedom to use it on the go outside. One other thing, make sure the radio is set for the max. output watt power. (5 watts). With most hand-helds, this is governed by a manual setting and the used power / battery supply, so always go with a 12v. adapter or the most powerful battery available. I also suggest the optional AA battery tray which is great in the event of a situation where the battery is dead.

W.

KB7-TVO

 

[Andrew Herron]

Before I had a mobile in my car I used a trunk-lid mounted antenna to a RadioShack THX-420. It did the job nicely, but as others have said, your range will be greatly hindered. As a radio, the 420 is an excellent beginner dual-band radio with simple controls and rock solid construction. I still use mine as a back up.

 

[Warren Faidley]

You can also find some really inexpensive used or refurbished units that might be less expensive than the addition of external mics, etc. needed to make the hand-held like a base unit. It's nice to have both without having to un connect the hand-held every time you take it out of the vehicle.

W.

 

[Benjamin Rock]

If you still prefer a handheld radio, you can buy a small external antenna to hook it up to while you are in the car. It will greatly improve the distance of the handheld that way and you can still just unhook the radio and carry it with you. I have a very small magnet mount antenna for my HT when I'm in the car so I still get some distance off it. Now I'm not saying you can hit the repeater that is 100 miles from you with the Handheld, but you will be able to get a lot further with it than without. I use my ht more than a base or mobile radio or antenna because it's more versatile and most of the repeaters I work are with in 50 miles of me. Yes, a mobile radio will get you more power and require a little better antenna, but if a handheld is the way you want to go, just get a small magnet mount antenna for it so you can use it effectively in the car. Go to one of the local hamfests in your area and look around for antennas and accessories. The one I use is a small rare-earth magnet dual band antenna that stands maybe 12 inches tall. It works great for my Handhelds and was cheap at only $15 at a hamfest.

 

[Joseph McAllister]

I have noticed a couple of you have recommended the Yaesu FT-1900R, and have seen it before when i was researching and liked its sleek design as well as the 10 NOAA channels and illuminated front panel, however would it still give exceptionally well with a near 30" antenna?

 

[Ric Burney]

Here are a few sites that may help determine what equipment / antenna configuration may be best for your needs.

American Radio Relay League, a great ham resource site:

http://www.arrl.org

A good general resource site (not mine) for ham radio information:

http://www.k0bg.com/

Another site for ham product reviews (radios, antennas, etc.):

http://www.eham.net/reviews/

Good luck in your search, hope this helps.

 

[Tim Stoecklein]

As far as antenna length goes, I run very small (<8") antenna 80% of the time when I'm in urban areas or areas with good repeater coverage. I might slap on a larger antenna when I head out into the sticks. Both of these are "mobile" antennas, and attached to a magnet mount system will allow you to be very flexible when you want to move, or take down, the antenna.

In almost all cases, you'll be able to attach a mobile antenna to a handheld via a simple adapter. This will increase your ability to receive signal from a greater distance, BUT, as has been mentioned, go with the mobile rig for more transmit power.

 

[Jason Foster]

I actually was considering selling my icom W32 dual bander. What I really want for it, I don't know if I can get. Plus, technically I was given the radio, should donate it.

The W32 is great, still has the BNC (SMA SUCKS!!!!!) antenna connector style. It is a favored radio for those RACES/ARES folks because they are dependable. Not cell phone small, but then again, I like my radios to look like radios not some pussified POS.

I considered the Yaeseu rigs, but I've seen so many of those with audio issues, or just plain too low of volume (often due to the water resistant casing). Kenwoods are just expensive now...not the leader they use to be, but still seem to have the best audio and intuitive control. I do not recommend the the old TH D7 the APRS HTs....a bunch of junk. It is better just to get APRS by other means (TinyTracker4) and save the dough for gas!

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

As far as 2m/440 radios goes; this one is da bomb (do people still say that?!?).
It's very pricey and very new; around $600/$700 list.
APRS, etc, etc..

Review:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/40252-review-new-yaesu-ftm-350-a.html

Retail outlet:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/fm_txvrs/3350.html

EDIT:
Older or used 2m rigs will suffice.
The FT-1900 is a simple and versatile radio as well.
But your antenna quality is the peak of any radio's effectiveness.
Even if you are to use a handheld 2m radio. You may just have a handheld radio; but you can maximize it capability by spending money on the best external antenna to extract all of its performance that it is capable of. Another thing to get more efficiency out of any handheld radio, is to run it off of a power supply from you vehicle instead of its internal battery.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I'm a week late to this thread, but I highly highly highly recommend the Kenwood TH-F6A handheld tri-band. It's been an amazing handheld ham radio.

 

[Chris K]

I have a Yaesu VX-150 HT that I use to monitor (I also railfan during the offseason - it's does an awesome job of picking up railroad freqs too).

This year will be my first year of dedicated chasing, so I will finally be taking the plunge and getting a license here in the next couple weeks. Technican's class for now, but I might upgrade later on.