So, what Ham radio to buy?

[Ry' N Jen]

I'm looking at either the Yaesu FT-817ND which would be sweet for backcountry usage.
FT-817ND [YA-FT817ND] - $695.00$680.00 : Radioworld
Or the Yaesu FT-857D for in the Heep.
FT-857D [YA-FT857D] - $870.00 : Radioworld
And the grab a couple of the Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Two Way Radio KG-UVD1
Wouxun KG-UVD1P - KG-UV2D - KG-UV6D - KG-UV920R Mobile Transceiver
or KG-UV6D hand helds for portable/trail useage.

Any thoughts?

I have read allot of good things over the last couple of years about the Wouxun radios for the price...

 

[Ohio-white-kj]

Do you want / need HF coverage?

I'm strictly a VHF guy

Adequate antennas are a real beast. N8PFF

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I'd would be nice to have but not really necessary.
I really like the 817 for portable use for in the backcountry, but I'm not opposed to just having a VHF unit.

 

[RedJeep]

I just need to figure out how to get my TS520s in my recently acquired '04 Liberty.

Dan

P.S. I am seriously joking here... however, I would like to get some HF in there at some point but perhaps a rig on the slightly lighter side.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I just need to figure out how to get my TS520s in my recently acquired '04 Liberty.

Dan

P.S. I am seriously joking here... however, I would like to get some HF in there at some point but perhaps a rig on the slightly lighter side.

I guess you could always mount it where your glove box is!

 

[al7fi]

I just need to figure out how to get my TS520s in my recently acquired '04 Liberty.

The S would be a problem. No DC DC converter. The 520 would work IF you found the room. Ham that taught my novice class back in 76 in Wichita Falls Tx ran his 520 mobile, but it was a full size sedan with a front bench seat.

I used a TS120 in my old 74 Cherokee, but have not tried to put HF in my 03 Lib. Just use a THF6 tribander and a extended duck in the windshield. Works OK for local wide area repeaters.

Newest toy is an Elecraft K3 that I am putting together along with the P3 Panadaptor and KPA 500 solid state amp.

Biggest problem I see with the Liberty is where to put the rig. Have seen some installs here with a removable faceplate mounted on the dash that looked pretty neat.

 

[RedJeep]

Finding space in today's vehicles is always a challenge. For my last ride, I built a bracket for my Mustang. Here's the build for it.

Ham Radio Install on 2006 Ford Mustang - YouTube

And then when I didn't like seeing the wires I drilled a massive hole through the dash - not overly smart, took a good hit on it when it was traded in but it looked pretty cool. Here's the hole video...

Hidden Wires Ham Radio Install in 2006 Mustang - YouTube

Dan

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I'm thinking now instead of an FT-817ND or FT-857D (I don't think I really need an HF radio. Although it is a very powerful unit!)

Hmm... I thinking of an Yaesu FT-8900/FT-8800R:
FT-8900 [YA-FT8900R] - $490.00 : Radioworld
FT-8800 [YA-FT8800R] - $450.00$439.99 : Radioworld
Or an Alinco DR-635T
DR-635T/E [ALI-DR635T] - $350.00 : Radioworld

Too many damn choices when it comes to a Ham radio setup!

For all you Hams here, what do you run for a Rig?

 

[Rennagade]

Check out the Yaesy FT-90. You can find them on ebay around $150 to $200. Super tiny and they are dual band (HF/UHF). It fits in between the passenger seat and console or under the temp controls.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Check out the Yaesy FT-90. You can find them on ebay around $150 to $200. Super tiny and they are dual band (HF/UHF). It fits in between the passenger seat and console or under the temp controls.

Thanks but Jen and I just bought an FT-350AR...

 

[Rennagade]

Congrats. Where did you mount it?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Congrats. Where did you mount it?

Well, we didn't buy the FT350AR...
Jen wants one of these:

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An FT-857D for our Jeep instead.

Seeing we'll be back next month for a week long trip to the Oregon Coast
over Christmas, we'll pick up the radio then.
We did buy a couple of HT's.
A Wouxun KG-UV6X and Baofeng UV-5R

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Along with a couple of Mic/Speakers and high gain antenna's.

For the time being they will be used with the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS),
Family Radio Service (FRS), and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
frequencies so we don't need a Ham radio licence when we're in the U.S. or
Canada.

{And yes we are up on the regulations regarding the use of these regarding power output, etc.}

 

[Rennagade]

You should still go for the test. Practice tests are available on line. I have ft897 with yaesu atas 120a antenna. I drilled a hole in the top rear of my roof. The ft897 tunes the antenna. Works good but nothing like my ham shack equipment. UHF and VHF is fine while driving if you program your presets but HF is only for standing still. Sometimes while driving I mess with HF and get excepted when I work a station but they are lost easily while moving. You really should keep eyes on the road.

 

[deejayMB]

I just need to figure out how to get my TS520s in my recently acquired '04 Liberty.

Dan

P.S. I am seriously joking here... however, I would like to get some HF in there at some point but perhaps a rig on the slightly lighter side.

Trade it for a TS50 and you're in business!

 

[deejayMB]

Thanks but Jen and I just bought an FT-350AR...

An excellent choice.

 

[1BADKJ]

You need one of these.

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[JLRockies]

You need one of these.

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Couldn't you just get by with a cell phone in NJ?