Hi John:
I just got my TH-D7AG not so long ago and am VERY happy with it. Definitely full duplex on satellite (you'll need either headphones, I use an old personal CD player set with a small Radio Shack converter plug) or external speakers to avoid feedback. In addition you get a built-in TNC and I started dabbing around with APRS, including using the PCSAT-1 on NO-44, so that allowed me to do even satellite APRS. More fun for the money! PCSAT-1 is now in eclipse though :(
I got mine from HRO. Reliable retailer, prices as good or bad as anywhere else I believe.
Now the TH-D7AG is not built as solidly as let's say my Yaesu VX-7, which I like too. I used the latter when I started satellites because that's what I had. In simplex. I never realized how much duplex is better till I got the Kenwood. But I've made many contacts with the Yaesu. If funds were not a problem, then I'd recommend the Kenwood, but just as starter, if another dual band radio is already available, start with that one.
Amir Findling, 73 de K9CHP, member ARRL, AMSAT #36083 Coordinator, Senior K9 Handler Western NY SearchDogs, Inc. http://www.wnysearchdogs.org/ K9 Certification Tester, NYS Federation of SAR Teams http://www.nysfedsar.org/ 1st Special Response Group (1SRG) http://www.1srg.org/ Apprentice Tracker, Joel Hardin Professional Tracking Services http://www.jhardin-inc.com/index.htm
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org]On Behalf Of John Mock KD6PAG Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 2:07 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Is TH-D7AG the only widely available full-duplex HT??
I was trying to help out another ham get started with satellites, and just checked the on-line HRO catalog. They no longer list the Icom W32A, only its accessories.
Does that mean that the TH-D7A[G] is the only HT being made today which works well on FM satellites??? Are there other vendors besides HRO to check?
-- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)
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