Used 2m Mobile?

[BikingBrian]

I already have a 2m/440 HT, but that's not going to cut it for hitting the Keller repeater from my place in OC. So I'm thinking of using a 2m mobile as a first radio in the shack. I could go new, but any suggestions for where to look to find something used? Or maybe I could go 2m/440 if the price is right, though is there even much 440 in WW?

[lagomorphmom]

The TRW (now Northrop Grummon) swap meet is in Redondo Beach the last Saturday of the month, rain, shine or Christmas.

QRZ has a swapmeet on it's website.

You can also pick up open box equipment from the website of most of the ham equipment retailers.

There is also eBay. I pointed this out to InTheWood a few months ago. "There is a used but like new TH-6 on ebay going now for $126 bidding over tomorrow. Orig owner, about 20hr of use. I'd hop on that." and I believe he was happy with the unit at a great price.

Generally we've had good luck getting used ham equipment. In general hams take good care of their equip AND/OR are a fickle bunch and buy one thing after the other for the latest AND/OR buy the newest thing and like the old thing and not want the new thing, etc., etc. Hams seem to be generally honest about the quality/usage about the equipment.

Mostly we've gotten equipment from friends or swaps where we could see the items, but did get a couple Yeasu FT-51 dual-banders on ebay. That was our go to radio before the Kenwood due to the *wonderful* speaker mic that has a lighted display - great for working events. Still have them and wouldn't sell 'em

Kerin
K6KLT

[lagomorphmom]

Btw, there are two Kenwood tri-band mobiles on eBay right now for $475. One TM-742A & one TM-741A, both with 2m & 440 modules. MARS/CAP modified. Now the trick is to find the 220 module.

These units are not longer made but have a high resale value since there are no tri-band mobiles made and the mfgrs have no interest in doing so.

[InTheWood]

Yes, I have been very happy with the Kenwood that I got on eBay thanks to Lagomorphmom. It goes with me almost everywhere. I also just picked up a Yaesu moble (2 meter only) for the Phelan home. It is an FT-290R. I'm hoping to see if it will work for the simplex work this Sunday.

2 meter mobiles are plentiful and relatively inexpensive and handy to have at home so the HT can stay in the go bag.

[BikingBrian]

Any other swap meets around, in case I don't want to wait until the end of the month for the TRW one?    Looking for a dual band mobile.

[lagomorphmom]

Have you tried eBay? I steered another poster that way and he had a lot of luck at a good price.

If the offering has a lot of pictures and comments by the owner, eg first owner, clean display AND return ok, should be fine. Hams can be a fickle bunch with the latest and best, so a lot of items can have only minimal or no wear. There's also a classifieds on QRZ. (See my posting above)

K6KLT

[BikingBrian]

I got a Kenwood TM-721A dual band (already upgraded with the easier to ready TM-731A display) on Ebay not too long ago. I've been watching there, I'll just keep my eyes open.....

[BikingBrian]

Just picked up a Kenwood TM-731A on Ebay, to go along with the TM-721A I previously picked up on Ebay, and the TM-241A I got from Toolman.

All of these have the old round 8 pin Kenwood microphones, and on one of the them the PTT button - although it clicks - it seems to be getting stuck inside. Any easy fix for that?

[BikingBrian]

To answer my own question, I noticed the problem wasn't a stuck PTT button when the up/down buttons on the top also wouldn't work. So I took the microphone apart and noticed that both the up/down and PTT buttons work again when I push down on one of the wires. I'll resolder it in the morning and it should work fine.

[Toolman]

Hey Brian... if I remember correctly, those mics had a foam dust swiper in them that would disintegrate over time. If you replace with new foam or remove all together the sticky PTT problem will go away.