Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

I believe I had the IC-2720 in mind, which was a dual band, dual VFO like the TM-V71 that could be configured with a "packet" side. I think that carried into the IC-2820.

http://w4rp.com/ic2720/aprs.htm

The IC-2730 appears to be neutered of its data capability.

I guess the TM-V71 is the last one standing in this ring.

 

Power installed. YAY!

Broke the remote head bracket for the Ft-857 BOO!!

So I 3d printed a new one yay!

 

From my novice perspective, Yes.
Kind of... Ftm-400xdr and ID-5100 (DPRS) are only $50 more expensive... Ehh

 

What external speaker solutions are able to fit in the center console cubby hole (where the wireless charger would be), and are decent choices? Most are much too large to fit that space.

 

I think you're right. ALSO, something I wasn't factoring into the price was that I was going to buy $100 worth of Icom accessories to hook it all up (mounting plate and suction cup thing). Now hopefully I won't have to buy $100 worth of Kenwood accessories

 

No idea what Ext speaker fits in the position, but i always go with powered ext speakers. Because i have a tendency of keeping windows down or music too LOUD

 

I bought a speaker to match the ohms on the radio from digikey. Then I ran a headphone cable up the a-pillar and put the speaker up next to the overhead console. Works freaking amazing and you can't even see the speaker. I think I posted about it but there's been too many beers for me to check.

 

Alright guys. Potentially looking at a ham radio for 2m use in my truck. I could use some opinions on which is better and the cost is a factor. Radio would primarily just be used for voice comms. I also have a Cobra 75WXST CB Radio that works well, just looking to upgrade (and keep the CB too).

Option 1 65W 2m Radio
144 MHz 65 Watt MIL-STD 810 FM Transceiver - 2 Meters
ICOM IC-2300H
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-011532
-I like the MIL-STD rating since I'm pretty rough offroad in my truck. No cooling fan is a plus.

Option 2 80W 2m Radio
144 MHz 80 Watt Transceiver - 2 Meters
YAESU FT-2980r
https://www.gigaparts.com/yaesu-ft-2980r.html
-I like having up to 80W transmission since this will be used in the middle of nowhere and an extra oomph of power might be nice. No cooling fan is a plus.

Option 3 65 W 2m Radio
144 MHz 65 Watt MIL-STD Transceiver - 2 Meters
Kenwood TM-281A
https://www.gigaparts.com/kenwood-tm-281a.html
-I think this has a cooling fan, which is a negative for my application, but it is MIL-STD rated.


If I was dreaming I would just buy the TM-D710G, I just don't have $500 bucks to spend right now.

 

The difference between 65w and 80w is neglible. That difference is not worth considering.

 

I was wondering if that was the case. Any tips or recommendations on the 3 I posted?

 

Also, antenna recommendations? I was looking at the Comet SBB-1 but it has a max power of 60 watts.

 

I’d go with the Kenwood. It’s a good, reliable radio and will do everything you want at the best price. Depending on what antenna you buy you could come out with a full setup for less than the price of the Icom.

 

If you make a trip to Fairbanks or know someone going between I have a MFJ-1724B you can have. I upgraded but I’m not sure if it really made a difference. That little antenna made just as many contacts with good receive/transmit quality as then new one.

 

Sweet thanks. Yeah I dont think I have a trip planned but if I do I'll hook up with you.

 

Honestly I rarely use more than 5w for trail comms. 10 in the hills, but more often than not if I can't hit someone on 10 in the woods, 50 won't either. Just speaking from trail experience in the mtns of VT and ME.

So with that being said maybe look into a good handheld (HT) and mag mount? Then you'd also have a handheld to use outside of the truck for spotting.

 

The only kit I'd suggest

$46

https://www.gigaparts.com/kenwood-d...AyuIzjgba8uNYSxcbs9HQ2-vjHr8ZZMBoCZuMQAvD_BwE

 

Good point. Where I hunt I could be 25-90 miles away from the highway and I'd like to have more power available than not. Trail runs I could see using 10W or less no problem. I just set up a paging station at a hospital on 6 Watts actually and that goes over 1 miles to cheap Visiplex pagers.

I do have a Baofeng HT, it's the UV8 I think, not the UV5r but similar

 

What do use for an antenna when mobile ?

 

What about adding these 2 for $45. Speaker mic so you don't have to hold the radio and an antenna on the roof for a better time than a rubber ducky in the cab. For $45 might be worth trying to see if it could be enough, and if not you'd have a backup radio set up.


BaoFeng Dual Push-To-Talk (PTT) Speaker Mic for UV-82 Series - Backward Compatible

BaoFeng Dual Push-to-Talk (PTT) Speaker Mic for UV-82 Series - Backward Compatible

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J8KG2TQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5KA-BbX4PD14J

And a mag mount

Authentic Genuine Nagoya UT-72 Super Loading Coil 19-Inch Magnetic Mount VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Antenna PL-259 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016SIJX28/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VMA-BbGK7E8K5

 

I dont have any extra antenna for it.