Current Handheld-Which is best
Heres another vote for the Yaesu HT rigs; I use a Yaesu VX-7R and I appreciate being able to program a single odd band split, memory channel (that require no pl), then I use the memory tune (MT) function on the radio and turn one dial back and forth to adjust for Doppler and the 2 meter transmit is ready to go anytime I squeeze the PTT. This set up works much better for me then 5 separate memory channels for every bird. The Kenwood HT's wont let you program that odd band split into a single memory channel, (dont know about others) however sadly, Yaseu made it so you cannot pass pl tones in the odd band split memory channels but of course you can pass pl tones in the other memory or VFO modes.
In my short experience, the better question I will be asking myself next time I purchase, is which HT has the most sensitive receiver and has enough other functions to still get the job done, although my VX-7R receives ok, some of the problems I had, with what seem like nulls, using the Arrow antenna and diplexer, went away when a friend gave me a pre-amp to put between the antenna and the HT. (the preamp is the size of a quarter and a 9 volt battery, so its still nice and portable, not commercially available, sorry)
Sure wish we had a good full duplex, dual or tri-band, HT that had an excellent receiver, (worked USB on both TX and RX) and had the modest other functions we need to work the satellites but the compromised HT's are still a bunch of fun, with a portable Yagi in the trunk, a spare 19 minutes (including set up) and a pass prediction schedule, can bring a big smile to my face when I am out and about, in the car.
Message: 3 Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:23:12 -0800 From: Clint Bradford clintbrad4d@earthlink.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Current Handheld To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 14794104-F646-4AE6-AA55-56174A71527A@earthlink.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
... "what is the best current handheld for FM sats"??
We do not have a currently-manufactured TRUE DUPLEX HT available. Alinco tried - but the sub-band receive performance on their DJ-G7T is gruesome.
I use and like the Yaesu FT-60R - for MANY reasons ...
-Receives 108 to a gig -bulletproof case -strongest belt clip of any amateur HT chassis on the market -easy to manually program -1,000+ memories -large, easy-to-read display -and a battery situation that is great. Load up the optional FBA-25 AA alkaline tray with alkalines or NiMH cells, and you have FULL TX POWER available, is needed. Do that on, say, a Kenwood TH-F6a, and you have ONE-HALF WATT TX power.
Oh - and the Yaesu FT-60R can be programmed for "split freq" ops - where is receives on 440 and transmits on 2M.
Overall, it is a tremendous value for your money. Under $200 at HRO and AES and other authorized Yaesu dealers.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666
Hi!
Heres another vote for the Yaesu HT rigs; I use a Yaesu VX-7R and I appreciate being able to program a single odd band split, memory channel (that require no pl), then I use the memory tune (MT) function on the radio and turn one dial back and forth to adjust for Doppler and the 2 meter transmit is ready to go anytime I squeeze the PTT. This set up works much better for me then 5 separate memory channels for every bird. The Kenwood HT's wont let you program that odd band split into a single memory channel, (dont know about others) however sadly, Yaseu made it so you cannot pass pl tones in the odd band split memory channels but of course you can pass pl tones in the other memory or VFO modes.
Actually, you can program PL tones in the odd-split memories on a Yaesu radio. You just have to program the tones with both of the frequencies - even if you only need a PL on the transmit frequency. Make sure the "T" is lit up for a transmitted PL when you are putting the first (receive) frequency into the odd-split memory.
I have never tried the Memory Tune function on Yaesu HTs. I have a VX-8R at home, but previously had a VX-2R and VX-3R that worked OK for satellites. I may give that a try. Still not a full-duplex setup, but an interesting way to deal with tuning the receiver for the FM birds. Another item on the "to-do" list...
<snip>
Sure wish we had a good full duplex, dual or tri-band, HT that had an excellent receiver, (worked USB on both TX and RX) and had the modest other functions we need to work the satellites but the compromised HT's are still a bunch of fun, with a portable Yagi in the trunk, a spare 19 minutes (including set up) and a pass prediction schedule, can bring a big smile to my face when I am out and about, in the car.
That would be nice. Until that ever materializes, I've settled on a pair of FT-817NDs for my all-mode full-duplex portable satellite setup. Not as small as an HT, but that pair of radios is certainly adequate for what I do. Having higher-capacity internal rechargeable packs lets me run 5W without worrying about an external power source, or I can plug either (or both) 817s into a 12V jumpstart battery for extended operating time.
After setting up the 817s many times at hamfests or in the field, I don't need much more time with the two 817s compared to using an HT or a 2m/70cm FM mobile radio. Hamfest demos using the two 817s on VO-52 or AO-7 have drawn much more interest in recent times, and they will be with me at the next hamfest I attend on Saturday (13th). :-)
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Just had to weigh in on this occasionally recurring issue. I have now had a KWood D-7 for a year and there is nothing like full duplex. Sawson, KG6NUB and I both use them and routinely work the country with an AR-800 whip, or down to 50 MW on his Arrow or my Elk for real "gain". Being able to hear your downlink may not be absolutely necessary, but it takes away all guess work. These radios also do an excellent job digipeating over ISS (when the D'ptr is turned on), using the built in tnc. Best part, these radios continue to pop up on the used market in excellent condition. FWIW
Craig N6RSX
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org]On Behalf Of Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 1:28 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Current Handheld-Which is best
Hi!
Heres another vote for the Yaesu HT rigs; I use a Yaesu VX-7R and I appreciate being able to program a single odd band split, memory channel (that require no pl), then I use the memory tune (MT) function on the radio and turn one dial back and forth to adjust for Doppler and the 2 meter transmit is ready to go anytime I squeeze the PTT. This set up works much better for me then 5 separate memory channels for every bird. The Kenwood HT's wont let you program that odd band split into a single memory channel, (dont know about others) however sadly, Yaseu made it so you cannot pass pl tones in the odd band split memory channels but of course you can pass pl tones in the other memory or VFO modes.
Actually, you can program PL tones in the odd-split memories on a Yaesu radio. You just have to program the tones with both of the frequencies - even if you only need a PL on the transmit frequency. Make sure the "T" is lit up for a transmitted PL when you are putting the first (receive) frequency into the odd-split memory.
I have never tried the Memory Tune function on Yaesu HTs. I have a VX-8R at home, but previously had a VX-2R and VX-3R that worked OK for satellites. I may give that a try. Still not a full-duplex setup, but an interesting way to deal with tuning the receiver for the FM birds. Another item on the "to-do" list...
<snip>
Sure wish we had a good full duplex, dual or tri-band, HT that had an excellent receiver, (worked USB on both TX and RX) and had the modest other functions we need to work the satellites but the compromised HT's are still a bunch of fun, with a portable Yagi in the trunk, a spare 19 minutes (including set up) and a pass prediction schedule, can bring a big smile to my face when I am out and about, in the car.
That would be nice. Until that ever materializes, I've settled on a pair of FT-817NDs for my all-mode full-duplex portable satellite setup. Not as small as an HT, but that pair of radios is certainly adequate for what I do. Having higher-capacity internal rechargeable packs lets me run 5W without worrying about an external power source, or I can plug either (or both) 817s into a 12V jumpstart battery for extended operating time.
After setting up the 817s many times at hamfests or in the field, I don't need much more time with the two 817s compared to using an HT or a 2m/70cm FM mobile radio. Hamfest demos using the two 817s on VO-52 or AO-7 have drawn much more interest in recent times, and they will be with me at the next hamfest I attend on Saturday (13th). :-)
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/
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On Tue, 2010-03-09 at 18:38 -0800, D. Craig Fox wrote:
necessary, but it takes away all guess work. These radios also do an excellent job digipeating over ISS (when the D'ptr is turned on),
Not that it's likely any time soon. What's that, a month or so now since any real activity? It was on for an hour two weeks ago, but that's been about it.
Gordon MM0YEQ
participants (4)
-
Call Sign -
D. Craig Fox -
Gordon JC Pearce -
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)