Amateur (Ham) Radio BS and Callsign Thread!

That’s on my d710g so the v71a should do the same thing.

 

I use DMR locally and can’t get out of the truck on the ht. If I’m outside I’m on the edge of coverage. Have you tried using a bigger antenna on the ht? The ones that come with them are lacking to say the least. In the truck if I want to use DMR mobile I have a magnetic dual band antenna I’ll throw on top and screw the sma connection On the ht. My D710 is on a NMO Mount on the roof. You can also use the hotspot Connected to your phones WiFi like Foy1der said. I usually use mine like that camping when there’s no DMR repeaters around. For DMR I’m using a Alinco DJ-MD5GP.


I’ve never had the need for a tablet running APRS on the d710G. If I want a visual I can run the app on my iPhone. And see who’s around or find the repeaters in the area on it.

 

Yeah I think any of them would be nice. In terms of looks I'd rank them ftm400, d710 and the ftm-300 last.


Function wise they'll all do the same thing, with the yaesu having wires-x as an additional feature.

I'd probably read some reviews. I think the review ham radio 2.0 in YouTube did noted the face plate pops off with light force. Only an issue if you don't run it remote, which sounds like you will.

Personally for a strict aprs rig I still like the d710 specifically for the fact of having buttons. Far more buttons to achieve what you would have to scroll through a menu to do with the yaesu. That'll be a personal thing really.

I'd probably Opt up to the ftm400 if you're thinking about off the 300. I'm assuming you'll want the size. Good luck @PilotMM

 

The V71A has the same mic and I have used it to enter memory names. I just hadn't used a D710G so using the mic to text hadn't come across my mind. Reminds me of the beginning days of texting when teenage girls could text at 50wpm with those buttons.

 

FWIW I can run APRS on my 400atm and type limited text with the mic. But you can also if you’re not driving (safety first) type on the 400 touch screen. It pulls up a full QWERTY keyboard. I had the d710 for about 3 weeks before I decided I didn’t like it. Nothing wrong with it. I just really liked the 400 more.

 

*** GMRS license required, easy to obtain (SAME DAY). The GMRS-50X1 operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies, which require an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) license. You must be licensed prior to transmitting.

 

Havent been very active recently... super busy... but just popped in and saw this.

Things may have changed since I last paid attention to this, but there is one big draw back to the Yaesu and that is there is no way to connect it directly to aprs droid - I am running the 100dr and while yes it has a built in TNC it cannot be accessed by a 3rd party program- it is one way only per say. I believe the 400dr is the same, not sure on the 300dr, but I would definitely check on it... Also check that the 300rd is able to monitor radio traffic and APRS at the same time - the 100dr has a dual watch function, but when the APRS beacon is turned on it will transmit on what ever frequency you are on, so it is not functional to do both at the same time.

For my purposes the 100dr has been fine. I preset a few APRS messages in memory so it is easy to send them quickly - I basically use it to text via APRS when there is no service and let my wife know I made it to camp and send a google map link - Check out SMSGTE for that info.

If you are serious about APRS or want to use it extensively the Kenwood is supposed to be the best and is the most open and accessible via 3rd party software/hardware.

 

K400 mount tends to be the staple

 

I appreciate your input. To get APRS on the V71A do I sacrifice a channel for dedicated function? I haven't considered anything other than the FTM or the D7XX series because they have APRS function built in. I feel like you are telling me to get an HT that has dedicated DMR just to use that mode. I don't know the benefits of DMR while way out off the grid. Care to elaborate?

I just ordered a signal stick for my HT but it is a Baofeng so I haven't heard great things about it because of the noise the HT puts out. It worked better with my Nagoya but I dropped it on the antenna and it broke. New whip will be here in a few days. What iPhone app are you using? I have hard that apple doesn't have great connectivity with any BT head unit.

So another vote for Kenwood. or the larger of the of the FTM's

To me it seems the 300 and the 400 are identical in terms of function. If the 300 was out when you bought the 400 would you have opted for the smaller form factor?

I have considered getting a used FTM-100 if I could find one for the right price. They pop up on eHam and QRZ from time to time for $200-$250. Would it be worth the savings? I don't have a problem paying nearly $500 for a radio but I also have to consider an antenna and hardware/wiring which I imagine will be at least 10% of my total cost. Have you considered the Mobilinkd TNC3 for the FTM-100? Ultimately it brings the cost to get in up and adds another variable.


This is tough guys, I was just about sold on the Yaesu and looking for the little price break over the Kenwood. Now it looks like Kenwood will do what I want more efficiently. I will just keep putting pennies in the Piggy Bank until I have enough lol

-M

 

To the APRS Elmers that are already helping me so far. What would I need to convert a Kenwood TM-V71A into an APRS unit? A GPS input and an external TNC? Since its dual band could I have it continuously broadcasting on APRS on channel 2 while using channel 1? IIRC I though I saw that the Yaesu actually won't let you do that, it will either drop a packet on APRS or not let you TX on the alternate frequency. Can anyone confirm?


If there is a savings in getting a V71A with the associated extras that is a route I would consider because looking at the basic specs on Gigaparts, the V71A looks like a great unit.

-M

 

I’m running MyAPRS. It runs independent of the radio.


To me the d710 offers plenty of info on the screen.

 

Nope

 

• A tnc device. You can either make one or buy one.

https://store.mobilinkd.com/products/mobilinkd-tnc2-2

• Ideally a tablet or Droid phone for display. Reportedly you can get an upgraded tnc that runs with an apple phone, but I've heard mixed reviews.

I'll find my writeup for you

 

I run APRS on the right side and run repeaters on the left side. To me by time you buy a V71a and add all the stuff to it you’re pretty much paid for a d710. Other option is putting a d710g head in a v71a making it a d710g. I don’t believe they are making those replacement heads anymore.

 

@PilotMM notice the buttons in the bottom


To me, the Kenwood is an aprs radio, while the yaesu is a radio that has the ability to do aprs, if that makes sense.



Also, unless you have a bunch of homies that do digital, I'd buy into @foy1der suggestion and just get a handheld for whatever digital mode you want to run.

 

Man you guys are fast today. Thanks @medic2230 and @m603holden

And everyone else so far. Looks like the 710G is what I am looking for.
-M

 

The whole bit with the d710 vs the v71a really comes down to having a full self contained radio with just an analog read out vs having multiple devices that work as one but gives you a full graphical interface with a real map. Just a matter of what works best for you.

 

@PilotMM

Here's an example of what the tm-v71a would be set up as.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aprs-ham-radio-w-bs.556190/

 

Yep, the real difference I have seen between the 71A and 710G is the graphical interface.

Regarding the two separate sides of the 71A, If you are listening to VHF on the left side and you transmit a package on the right side, the left side audio will go dead for a moment. The reason is, the frequencies are too close together for the filtering of the radio to distinguish your receive from your transmit. Think of it this way: Typical VHF repeaters are offset 600Mhz, not something like 50Mhz. This is because the high output from the antenna will be heard by the receive frequency of the repeater if they are too close. Very narrow filtering is hard to do. Our radios do cross-band repeat to get by this. You split your frequencies by a full ham band and no longer have nasty filtering issues.

Now if you are listening to UHF on the left and transmit a package from the right, you should be able to hear UHF the whole time. I have not tested this but I assume it will work. I hardly ever use 70cm as our local UHF repeaters are terribly noisy.

For the TM-V71A you would need the radio, antenna mount and cable, antenna, TNC (mobilinkd), TNC->Radio cable, and android device with bluetooth.

For the 710G you would need radio, antenna mount and cable, and antenna.

You may want a "relocation" kit for either radio to make it fit your installation. I made my own because I didn't want to spend $80 on some simple cables.
Hope we aren't overloading you with too much info.

 

Yeah the D710 is the way for me to go then. Less stuff to fail. I will make my own cables too, I figure if I can wire my own fuse buss and install my suspension how hard can it be

Not overloaded yet. But I am hanging on to the tail feathers. I am reading the APRS thread now.

Thanks again guys
-M