Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

Very nice. Currently working getting my ft-891 in there. Down to grounding straps and the terminal connector

 

Is there anything that makes the Kenwood that much more appealing than this Icom?

https://www.gigaparts.com/icom-ic-2730a-dual-band-mobile-radio.html

2 things going for the Icom, for me. The price is a little better. And it may be frivolous of me... but the Icom would look better in my cab.

I've spent a bit of time and money getting rid of that ugly orange color out of my dash... I know it can change to green... but the Icom screen looks easier to read, and where it'll look better in the truck lol.

 

Lack of APRS ability. The Kenwood has a 6pin mini din that'll allow for APRS. Also, can be used as an echolink node if you go that route. Just options.

 

Also, does that icom xrepeat?

 

I do like the Echolink node feature, but does it do cross band repeat? I am at work I can't look some things up because of the firewall

 

the Icom does cross band repeat

 

Yes. The Kenwood is one of the top with xrepeat.

Basically

-APRS that can be done with a real map. Can also text with it through keyboard on device.
-cross repeat
-echolink node

Biggest features. Use xrepeat all the time. Control it with the dtmf keys on the HT. Kicks ass as a satellite rig too.

Some things to note about the ftm100

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/use-the-internal-tnc-on-an-ftm-100dr.554532/

 

the Kenwood would be an awesome radio!

 

I've got about two years using it. Super solid radio. Some of their tech is old, but it sounds great and works amazing

 

The Icom says it

The features say the Icom will cross band repeat.




And as far as APRS goes... I don't know what it is or how it works. lol

 

Well there ya go!

APRS is a tactical system that shows info of other stations that participate. The info can go through repeaters, satellite, or directly. It can show location, frequency In use, small comments, or send direct messages to you. It can also track your telemetry and show the route you're taking. Cool stuff. Works well if you travel and need a bailout. Can point towards a tower and text right to someone's cell phone.

 

Well shit... sounds like something I'd like to learn more about. I knew this HAM stuff was going to be (yet another) rabbit hole all my money sinks to the bottom of.

 

It gets worse when you move up to general. It's like plying battleship mixed with bingo for adults. Haha. It's a lot of fun.

 

The TM-V71A is a fabulous radio! Keep in mind that adding APRS requires a TNC and an Android phone/tablet. It doesn't need to be the latest and greatest android. Something a few years old will work fine.

The TM-V71A is actually one of the very few that can actually crossband repeat legally. As you can set it to Morse ID. Required for unattended operation.

I would only use cross band if you're on an aux battery. You don't want to come back to a truck with a dead battery. Cross band can be incredibly useful. However, you're better off improving the antenna on your portable. Carry a roll up antenna such as the Ed Fong DBJ-2. Get it up into a tree and your 5w portable will outperform your 50w mobile.

 

I don't have an FT-891 but I would love to pick one up one day- of course it will be a while before I have the cash for it but its def on my list to go HF mobile.

 

I am studying for mine now but I have been listening on HF for a very long time

 

I may look for a used TM-V71A when I am able to add a dual band to the Tacoma, I use an N9TAX roll up with an HT or the FT1500 and have been very happy with it in the woods camping.

 

Ham radio is a very expensive hobby but its pretty rewarding, I like APRS and Echolink. I use DMR occasionally also. Florida has an outstanding statewide linked UHF repeater system (SARnet) that can be accessed from pretty much anywhere along I-10 and I-75 look it up I believe its sarnetfl.com, if you are ever down this way give me a shout.

 

I think I meant does the Yaesu or Kenwood do cross band, I was getting a little busy at work and may have typed wrong

 

I currently have an FTM-100 installed in my Tacoma. It's....ok. I'm not thrilled with it. I previously had an FT-8900 and I regret swapping them out. I miss the dual VFO in the FT-8900. I didn't anticipate how much I'd miss that. The FT-8900 is also more simple to operate on the fly. One button to reverse the repeater pair, is missing on the FTM-100. I typically will make contact on our local repeater. I would toggle between the repeater pair and the reverse pair to see how well I can hear the station on the input. If I could hear them well on the input, then I'd switch us both to simplex. If the FTM-100 can do this, I've not found it. Toggling the receive from carrier guard to tone guard was also a simple button press on the FT-8900. The FTM-100 requires going into a menu. Sigh.

I picked up the FTM-100 cheap at the Cleveland Hamfest. We just got a few YSF repeaters on the air. I really like YSF. I think I like it better then DMR. Since I'm conflicted, I decided to leave the FTM-100 installed and I'm working on installing a CS-800 as well. So I'll have YSF and DMR. When I grow tired of YSF, then I'll probably drop the FT-8900 back in, and sell the FTM-100. Leave the CS-800 installed.

I'm also working on installing my IC-7000. I really want to get back into HF mobile. I was eyeing the FT-891. I think I'll stick with my IC-7000. The IC-7000 has an analog video output that outputs the control head display. You guys think I can hook that into the "front camera" input on the anytime backup camera mod to display the IC-7000 on the Tacoma Factory stereo head?