Advice on a VHF/UHF Amateur Radio for the vehicle

[VK6 - PETER]

I am considering purchasing a VHF/UHF radio to put in my car and I would appreciate some advice.

I am looking for a:
• VHF/UHF Radio with wide receive capabilities.
• Possibly with D-Star. Is it worthwhile? The Perth D-Star repeater seems to be rarely used.
• User friendly and easy to read whilst driving.
• With good scan capabilities.

I know of three Icom radios (IC-2820H, ID-800H and the ID-880H) that look nice but pricy (maybe second hand is the better option). Anyone with experience with these radios or have used a good Yeasu alternative (obviously without D-Star)?

Regards
Peter

[vk6hgr]

G'day Peter.

I'm a Yaesu man and I have the Yaesu FT-8900 in the car. I've used it for years and it has given me no trouble at all.

If you don't need 10 and 6 metres then the 8800 is good as well. They can be controlled from the DTMF mike and once you put everything into channels and get used to to way they operate you rarely need to touch the control head while you're driving. (volume and squelch...)

For UHF CB and firies RX I use Philips ex-commercial gear. When you're driving you use channelised gear. It's simpler and safer!

[robbage]

I can't help you with D-STAR as it doesn't interest me or my wallet, but I'm quite happy with the IC-208H which can receive 118–174, 230–550 and 810–999.999 AM and FM. I've only just got a FT-7800 which receives similar freqs. I like the IC-208H display better for mobile use. Pity they can't receive down to 50 MHz

[VK6ZMS]

I would recommend the Yaesu FT 7800 or 7900. The Icom VHF/UHF radios sound a bit narrow on air and if the users aren't talking close to the mic it can be hard to hear them.

[Blinky]

I also have no experience with D-Star so cannot say about that. I have experience with the FT8800 and find it is excellent. The good thing with it or the 8900 as opposed to the 7800 or 7900 it the dual receiver capability. The FT7800 and FT7900 you can only listen to VHF or UHF not both at the same time. Or so I am lead to believe and perhaps someone with one can put me right if I am wrong.

You can listen to 2 repeaters at the same time either on VHF-VHF or UHF-UHF or VHF-UHF. You can use the wide band scanner feature on one reciever and still monitor your favorite repeater or simplex frequency on the other.

When driving I usually monitor the local simplex frequency on one receiver and scan all repeaters and favorite frequencies with the other. Easy to swap from one receiver to the other with the DTMF microphone and enter frequencies or click up or down memory channels. Having dual receivers comes in handy if working on the FM satellites as well. The FT8900 is similar to the FT8800 plus having 6m and 10m FM as well.

For programming, easy via the microphone and control head but also a fairly cheap option available with non yaesu software available for about $20 and USB programming cable available on eBay for also about $20 as opposed to the Yaesu software costing more.

I am very pleased with the FT8800 but that probably is a meaningless statement as the FT7800/FT7900 owners are probably very pleased with theirs too.

[VK6 - PETER]

Hello

Thank you to all who have provided input.

It looks like the Yaesu line of radios is worth more consideration. I once owned a Yaesu FT-100 HF/VHF/UHF mobile some years back and found it to be a good performer and a very capable radio for its time.

Thank you again.

Regards
Peter

[Tyranus]

I can vouch for the 7800's that's what I have and have very little problems getting out.