WorldwideDX Amateur Radio Forums

For me it's not a matter of distaste, but a preference for the better durability of the 8DR. Durability was one of his requirements. I also like some of the extra features of the 8DR, however if you don't need them then there's no need to pay the extra price for them.

You won't be able to use the Yaesu GPS for navigation on your PC. I'm not sure that the GPS chip used is better in one radio vs. the other; they both work for me. The lack of PC control in the Yaesu means that you cannot use a program like UI-View or APRSPoint to set up an IGATE, relay messages, etc. You should be able to use the VX-8GR to display stations on a map, but I have not personally done it with that radio.

Hope that helps.

Can you explain what it means to not have full TNC? For reference, I have the Kenwood TH-D7. What am I able to do with the D7 that I can't do with VX-8?

You cannot use the VX-8 TNC for any type of packet. You cannot use it as a digipeater or igate. The TNC can only be accessed by the radio and it can only be used for the built in APRS functions. Because of the ability to do packet with the TH-D7, I was even able to connect it to my PC and use the winlink system to send an email. One could argue that there is a way to do that with the APRS->email gateway, but that doesn't necessarily work for any use case.

I think there is a place for both of these radios in one's radio arsenal. The proposition gets expensive in a hurry, though.

Thanks Moleculo. As long as I can fully use APRS and APRSPoint/UIView, I'd be happy.

Winlink is something I've wanted to try. But with a HT/portable it is mostly impossible for me because of reception (trees, mountains, distance). Ideally I want a compact portable HF that can do APRS too!

The value of APRS is the vast network.

You will not be able to fully use APRSPoint/UIView with the VX-8. Those programs need to be able to access the TNC to enable all APRS functions.

Sorry to repeat the question:

All the APRS functionality EXCEPT digirepeat and igate?
VX-8 can receive APRS via PC software.
VX-8 can transmit APRS messages via PC software.

Jake

The software will not be able to access APRS on the VX-8 at all. In order for a radio to receive or transmit APRS traffic via the software, the software must have access to the TNC to be able to read or send the messages. The only thing you probably will be able to do with the VX-8GR is display stations location on the map. That's it.

Where did you receive the IPX8 information? The Yaesu tech emailed me back stating the radio is IPX5. Did some more searching and saw the brochure rating it IPX7.