Mobile, vehicle radio question and suggestions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jake Tyson
  • Start date Start date
I would also agree with the others. I run for communications:

Icom 2820 D-STAR Dual-band
Icom V8000-2m
Galaxy 99v CB
Yaesu FT90 dual-band(backup)
Icom 28h 2m(backup)
Uniden 68XLT CB(backup)
Diamond 7900SG NMO
Wilson 1000 Mag mount
Granted, i have a lot of other equipment as well. But it's for other stuff, not comms.
 
Personally I recommend the Yeasu FT-7800 (or FT-7900). Think of it as a middle of the road mobile radio that is between the 2800 and the 8800. It gives you the ability to operate on 2 meters and 70 centimeters and really when chasing you do not require cross-band repeat as found on the 8800.
The FT-7800 is a tiny bit more than the 2800 by on average about 100 dollars but in the long term I think it is a much better choice.

As far as a CB radio they are just a extra that is not necessary and I would just save your money. The only real use they serve is for comunicating to truckers so that you can get road information but really that is only a realiable sorce of information on the interstates since that is where the most radio traffic will be and you will generaly already know what the road conditions will be as far as the weather that will be impacting your route.
 
thanks bart. but im just gonna stick with the ft-2900r, it has all i want,

but i am trying to find out what kind of mount i best for the antenna i will be using (a nr770) rail, or roof magnet.

im just trying to get an equipment list together.

as soon as i finish here, ill have the radio covered.
 
Jake Tyson said:
thanks bart. but im just gonna stick with the ft-2900r, it has all i want,

but i am trying to find out what kind of mount i best for the antenna i will be using (a nr770) rail, or roof magnet.

im just trying to get an equipment list together.

as soon as i finish here, ill have the radio covered.
Click to expand...

I would only recommend a magnet mount as a last resort, unless you plan to use the radio only for chasing purposes and thus don't need a permanent antenna. Browse the rail mounts, but also take a look at the lip mounts for doors. Proper grounding is a must for any mobile antenna application.
 
Jake Tyson said:
ok i found an ft-1900r for $45 is that a good radio, and or price
Click to expand...

That's a good price, and it also has the NOAA weather radio presets. And here is what it sells for new. If it's $45, you had better snatch it. If you don't want it, let me know where it is and I'll snatch it for that.

I owned a Yaesu FT-8800 and it is a fine radio, but I did have a problem with it. The buttons on it are not backlit and are very small. Plus there is a bit of a learning curve with it because a few times I hit a wrong button and got in some wacky mode I never used and had to stop and break out the manual to figure it out. In my opinion, it is better suited as a base unit. If I were going dual band I'd get the FT-7800. But I think you will be happy with the FT-1900R, FT-2800R, or FT-2900. They are all fine radios.
 
Hey Jake, for study materials on the cheap, check with your local library system. There's usually up to date books to be found. Once you get hooked you can spend the big money on the ARRL books.

With regards to antennas, everyone has their preferences. I like flexibility, and therefore have not punched a hole in my roof since I started seven years ago. Has my performance suffered? Not that I've noticed. I've used mag-mounts, rail mounts, and lip mounts, all with good success. Just be aware that your mag-mounts or rail mounts are strong enough to keep that antenna from becoming a missile when you pass an 18 wheeler on a two lane highway ;)
 
well the guy at the ham place in my lil town sold the 1900 before i could get it, but he does have a 2900 for 140$

any particular mounts you guys would reccomend? (other then drilled in)

i an order the antenna in either uhf or nmo.

tim: thanks for the library idea

rob: thanks for the links
 
I use a mag mount for both the CB and the 2m radios. But a rail mount may be better - when one considers high winds as a factor. I think my Wilson 1000/CB antenna will take the wind; I know the Diamond/mag-mount will. But a rail mount is really on there tight. It may not be able to be centered over the sheet metal like a mag mount will install - as this helps with counterpoise/ground reference for receive('RX') and transmit('TX') wave. I know many people use the rail-mount type for chasing. Maybe I will have to change my setup to this one day - if my present setup doesn't make the grade...

Either way, you must learn a basic Ham principle: Don't scrimp on the antenna. It is what receives; and it is what transmits - ultimately. Using a 'lesser radio' is still optimized by the best antenna. The best antenna you can get will pay dividends in the short and long run. Even if you upgrade your radio someday with a better unit; a great antenna will remain! Look for antennas that have the best 'Db gain'. The 770 is pretty decent; but I think there are one or two that are slightly better still. But the 770 is quite decent - and a keeper...

NMO's are a better interface; but they do cost a bit more than the standard PL-239 connector. The antenna price will be a bit more for that reason. I run the with the PL-type connector.
 
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I don't remember if this antenna comes in 2M only, but I use the dual band (2M/440) version. It's been great, and the fold-over option has come in handy at times with parking garages and the like...While I've never ordered anything from rfparts, it was the first site to turn up a usable example...

http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/nr770hbnmo.html

I do swap out with a much smaller 1/4 wave antenna when in town, because I just don't need the extra gain and such when I'm surrounded by repeaters. The smaller antenna is also NMO, and goes on the below mount without a problem, giving me interchangeable options.

And the mount I use on the back hatch of my Xterra...

http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/k412snmo.html
 
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Hey Jake, what kind of vehicle do you have or will you be using? This makes a big difference as well when it comes to mounts. Otherwise., the antenna and mount you chose are a great choice.
 
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