Radio info

[ChattyCathy]

I will be shopping soon for 2 hand-held radios.  It's been over 10 years since I got my license (recently renewed), and I hate to admit it, but I know nothing about what to look for.  (Okay, I admit it, I learned what I needed for the test, then immediately forgot everything - well, not everything, but all the ohms, repeaters, antennas, and pretty much anything electronic went immediately out of my brain).  I just looked on ebay, and they have radios listed very cheap - too cheap probably.  If anyone could give me some direction, I'd really appreciate it.  My ex-husband had originally purchased my radio and I didn't pay any attention to any of the details.  I also have a limited budget, so I'll have to get the most reasonably priced.  Can someone help me???

[ChattyCathy]

Okay, let me ask this:  What kind of radio do you have?

[RennMan]

CC:

Here's a link to another topic in this forum,  perhaps it will help:

http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php/topic,2263.15.html

Paraphrasing here, from the other topic

-----------
Vertex VX-150 2m HT, with a spare extendable antenna, and battery back (for use with AA batteries), possibly also a mic.

Alinco 220Mhz HT, also with extendable antenna, battery back (as above), and possibly also a mic.

Reason for the extendable antennas is better signal gain over the standard "rubber duckie" antenna.  The external mic is a good idea, so you don't have to hold the HT up to your mouth all the time.
--------

Hope this helps!

[kew]

Clint - or who ever else might know the answers.

I'm looking at buying a Yaesu FT-60-M (yes, I know its a dual band - let it go ). Its a given that I'll need a spare battery case for AA-batteries. My question is about cigarette lighter adapters.

1)Do I need an adapter with a filter if I'm going to Tx/Rx while the car is running?

2)If so, is the filter a simple RC trap, etc that I can easily build myself, or does it involve a more complex circuit?

Also what is th difference between a "2 pin spkr/mic and a speaker /mic (AES Catalog/pg 25 under FT-60R) and why would I want one in preference to the other?

[Toolman]

Ken,
 Buy the cig adaptor for that radio part# EDC-5B about 24$
The speaker mic you want is MH-34B4B about 30$ no adaptor required....plug and play.

No filter required that I've noticed.

[kew]

I found the following info on the speaker mike (MH-34B4B). My question is, of what value is a speaker mike that can't tolerate direct sun light or rain?

[clint]

No speaker mic, well no non military speaker mic, can take direct sunlight or rain.

Plastic warps in too much heat.
PTT buttons stick.
Mic elements grow stuff.
Solder joints corrode.

Would you leave your television out in the rain or direct sun?

[kew]

That was my first impression. I was just wondering what others thought.

[kew]

Is there any place relatively local where I can find small parts. I need a 90 degree "SMA" adapter and I'd rather not have to drive to HRO or go online for a $5 part.

[Dr. Dstructo]

Is there any place relatively local where I can find small parts. I need a 90 degree "SMA" adapter and I'd rather not have to drive to HRO or go online for a $5 part.

You can find most of the thing you need at Abletronics on Archibald Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.  They are on the east side of the street just above Sixth St.

[kew]

Thanks

[ChattyCathy]

At last ---- I just ordered two Yaesu/Vertex VX-150's and will be getting them on Thursday, one for me and one for Shirelindy.  Once I get them, they're going to be very foreign to me since I haven't had a radio for about 8 years and my ex programmed everything into it back then.   Hopefully somebody can help us get them in working order -- anybody???

Cathy - KF6EVA
Tracy - KF6RPX

[Wrightwood]

Great news ChattyCathy as we looked forward to having both of you join us on the weekly net.

KG6ZEP

[clint]

Cathy,

Susan or I will be happy to help. Maybe you can crawl across the wash some evening and we can have some wine do some programming.

Clint

You will be seeing antennas popping up over here soon.

[ChattyCathy]

The wine sounds great!  I already got an offer to program the radios, but thanks anyway!!!   Once programmed, I'd be happy to crawl across the wash to get some pointers (and some wine)   

[RennMan]

I have a question concerning two somewhat similar Yaesu dual-band tranceivers.

The first one is the FT-7800R
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=3C10CFA04DF2657239AEACCA0D33FF2E&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

The second one is the FT-8800R
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&ProdID=873&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

I think Wrightwood has the FT-8800R.  It appears from looking at the specs, that the main difference is the true dual-band monitoring capability on the FT-8800R, and something called cross-band repeat capability on the same unit.

My first question is, to a somewhat new user as myself, is the added capability worth the extra $125 price?

Any ideas or opinions helpful!

Thanks

Matt/KG6ZET

[Wrightwood]

Matt,
In my opinion the extra money is well worth it as you have two complete radios in one.

The left side can be setup as 2 meter or 440 and the same holds true for the right side of the radio. I have the 6 preset buttons setup with different combinations.

For instance:
#1 (left) Table Mtn 2 meter (right) Wrightwood 2 meter primary Simplex
#2 (left) Table Mtn 2 Meter (right) Keller Peak 2 meter
#3 (left) Wrightwood 2 meter primary Simplex (right) County White ECS 440
#4 (left) Table Mtn 2 meter (right) County White ECS 440
#5 (left) Table Mtn 2 meter (right) Scans 5 known simplex frequencies
#6 (left) Table Mtn 2 meter (right) Scans known simplex frequencies and a couple of important 2m & 440 repeaters

The only thing these radios don't do is transmit on 2 frequencies at once 

[clint]

Cross band repeat can be very useful but has limited applications for lots of people.
Here is one example of what it can do.

You work in a large concrete office building, say on an airforce base, where your HT cannot reach outside all the way to a repeater and they won't let you install a base radio and an antenna on your buidling.

With adual band repeater radio you could leave the radio on your car. Carry a low power HT around inside the buidling. Set the radio to receive 440 and transmit 2 meters and you can now talk to Table Mt. with a 50 watt mobile and 5/8 wave antenna with your 1/2 watt 440 HT.

But that presumes you want to spend money for a dual band radio when you can buy single band radios for less money, and have better emergency reliability. And it presumes you want to own 440 with darn few open repeaters.

My experience says there are better ways to go.

Your Sensei