Gordon,
No current-production HT radios from any manufacturer offer full duplex. Kenwood has discontinued the TH7-D, and Icom hasn't produced the IC-W32A for some time. I bought one of the Icoms used last sumer at the Huntsville, Ala., hamfest, and it does well. That being said, I continue to prefer the HT I started out with, which is a Yaesu VX-7R. Off list, I'll send you a PDF about working the satellites with an HT that you may find helpful.
Also, unless you have already bought an Arrow or intend to homebrew a dual-band yagi, you ought to check out the Elk 2m/440L5 log periodic. I prefer it over the Arrow I started out with, although others disagree with my preference (including K9CXM, who I see also has responded to your post).
I hope you come to enjoy working satellites with a handheld station as much as I. It's the most fun I've ever had in ham radio.
73,
Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
-------------- Original message from Gordon Bousman nw7d.ham@gmail.com: --------------
I'm getting started in satellite work and interested in purchasing a suitable HT for portable satellite use using an Arrow antenna. Wondering what is considered to be an optimum HT especially considering ease of managing the Doppler shift during a pass. I understand that the HT must be full duplex capable and thus rules out some models.
Thanks, Gordon, NW7D _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb