Ham radio features video

Made this video because in many forums there is always the HAM/CB/FRS debate and I wanted to show the really cool features you can do with ham and how it can help you on the trails.

https://youtu.be/LPF8JPlTNeQ

Repeaters, texting, weather reports, emailing, position beaconing, etc.

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for posting that up! What unit were you using?

 

Yaesu 400XDR, it’s $170 off right now through April. There is a 4-6 week backorder but it’s worth the wait.

 

Whats your favorite place to shop for ham gear? Got my technician a token chinese handheld, eventually looking for a mobile.

 

I prefer Giga Parts as they are helpful on the phone, fast shipping, no tax in AZ at least, and have the lowest price usually.

A lot of people like ham radio outlet and they have lots of locations. My personal experience is it’s a group of old hams who can’t answer questions about a topic after 1992 and aren’t exactly jumping for joy to being with. Not only that, they often recommend terrible options and have put the wrong coax and connectors in my bag twice now. It’s 45 min away so I can’t just easily return it.

I started with a baofeng, with the right apps and cable you can do aprs with the radio coupled to your phone. It’s way better to have it all built in though.

 

@Joe23 @tacoma16

 

I got similar vibes from HRO. Probably depends a lot on the person you end up dealing with.

I actually have a wouxun, but it uses the same cable as the baofeng. Did APRS from an android phone a while back and it worked pretty well. An actual mobile with it built in would be way better though.

I'm still trying to come up with a way to find lively repeaters when travelling though. Do you know if its possible with that Yaesu to send repeater info from something like the RepeaterBook app directly to the radio over bluetooth?

 

I don’t think you can stream repeater data to the radio via BT. There is a way to go directly to the frequency and repeater offset of another aprs user if they have that data in their beacon and your radio hears it.

As far as lively repeaters while traveling, you can scan in VMO and I think there’s a function in the radio that figures out the tones for you. Or you can use the repeater book app on a phone. I have a Windows 10 tablet so I could always feed 50 repeaters in at a time from the programming software if I have WiFi or cell reception, quickly load it onto the mini SD, and continue on my way. Could also have a local sd card and a traveling sd card that you update before a specific trip.

 

Nice vid. Thanks for posting.

Any idea how this rig compares to the kenwood D710? I’ve been looking at getting the kenwood but this unit looks nice too. Though iirc, the kenwood has a higher tx power...

 

It’s like anything, the Kenwood has some features that the yaesu doesn’t have a vice versa. The one thing I loved about the 710 was the ability to change or turn on cross band repeat with a handheld ham radio from miles away. What I don’t like is the dated everything. Saw one in person and it looked straight out of 1985. Also with the current sale the 400 is only $400 bucks, killer deal. I like the touch screen and it’s makes it pretty easy to send messages or otherwise manipulate there options. The yaesu digital mode is also awesome in my opinion and they are offering exchange programs and stuff for repeater owners to convert.

I also like that the yaesu is more square than rectangle. Made mounting in my 3rd gen look factory.

As far as power, I thought both were 50 watts, which is more than enough. It comes down to topography and line of sight. 1,000 watts on 2m/70cm won’t penetrate a mountain and if you are on a tall peak, 20 watts will get you 100 miles. Hell, I beacon an aprs station 80 miles away with my 5 watt hand held.

 

I saw that. $400. I'm sooo considering it. I've had my shitty little Baofeng and a mag-mounted antenna since I got my technician license. The digital aspects are what make it dangerously tempting.

 

Do it!! I just beaconed my gps location and short message via satellite the other day lol. So much you can easily do with a decent radio.

 

I think I’m going to pick up this radio while it’s on sale. I do like the x band repeat of the 710, but I’d prob rarely use it

 

400 will cross band repeat too, you just can’t chabge it remotely later.

 

Nice video! Good to see someone show more of the features on the 400XDR. Before I bought the D710 I watched reviews of this one but it seemed the touch screen was a tad slow to respond in the videos I saw. Everyone has their preference in radios but I think it’s time for Kenwood to step their game up a bit with the screen on the mobiles. I do love my D710 though. Again great video!

 

Ugh. You aren't helping. I have been debating the 400XDR vs the 710GA for a year now.

 

Lol I was as well, until the yaesu sale. It became a no brainer after that. It ends in April so decide quick!

 

Kenwood is like the Toyota of ham radio, dated but reliable in some aspects. Touch screen isn’t too slow, but not exactly an iPhone. Once you get the hang of it I think it’s 100% fine. I also keep a small spongy stylus in my door handle for when my hands are super dirty or I plan on messing with settings a lot. Works even better.

 

First time I am hearing of HAM.... can someone give me an ELI5 explanation? seems like everyone should have one...

 

What they are trying to do here in integrate all the systems together. D-Star has been down for a while but we have analog and DMR linked together now. I believe there may be one System fusion repeater in the area. Most here are analog though. We’re fortunate to have a very active ham community here. I’ve been to Florida in places where you never hear anyone on the air and no one will answer when you call.