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Green HAM Needs Guidance on Mobile Dual-Band 2m/70cm Rig.

K

KJ4WEX

Member
Jun 26, 2010
8
0
11
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Hello everyone, hope you're all doing well. I just got my Technician's license about a week ago and I am fairly lost as to which radio to get and why. I intend to install the unit into my 04 F-150, so I can use it when I'm out and about as a volunteer during the hurricanes down here in South Florida, in the urban areas. I spoke to an old ham who operates a ham shop and he explained that I'd need a 2m/70cm dual-bander. He recommended the ICOM-2820H, due to it's concealable mounting options, large, easy-to-read display, and the ability to use it as my own repeater if on a handheld away from the truck.

I trust his judgment and he did not pressure me into a sale. However, being born in the digital age, I have also consulted the internet. Google searches for reviews have shown me mixed feelings about the unit.

For the foreseeable future, I will not be upgrading to an HF rig, D-Star, APRS, or anything like that.

Do I go with this one or is there a comparable or superior unit out there?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
Anthony - KJ4WEX
 

I chase storms on the Great Plains during May and June. I use a Diamond NR-770 dual band mag mount. I would steer clear of the mag mount and get a solid mount for the NR-770 if you have to deal with hurricanes tho. I'm sure that Ham shop can see to your needs...
 
Be sure to get a WATERPROOF radio if you intend to work storms / emergencies. Your radio WILL get wet.

WATERPROOF, NOT SPLASHPROOF.

Also, be sure to test it out once you get the radio!

I like Yaesu products. Their customer service is fine and dandy too.

-Richard-
 
You really aren't under any 'pressure' to get a radio imediately, even if it feels like it. I would advise looking at all the radios you can find, reading their specs, making comparisons, and to add a little 'salt' to any of the manufacturer's advertisements, sort of. That doesn't mean that those ads are total 'BS', but...
I think a mobile radio is more useful than just a hand held, but that's because of how I do things, your milage may vary, and you have to decide about that.
I also am a Kenwood fan, I like them. So, if I made a recommendation it would probably be for one of the Kenwoods.
Most of the current VHF/UHF radios are at least comparable to some extent. Some have different bells-n-whistles. A 'dual band' radio gives you twice the possible options for communications. That's dependent on where you are though, some places may not have the UHF repeaters.
If these radios are primarily for emergency type situational use, think -simple-! All those 'extra' bells-n-whistles can get confusing in that type of situation, so you may not be able to take advantage of them. Finding out what is available, or required, or just handy to have -before- purchasing that radio is also a nice way of going about it. Nothing like having a gob of stuff that isn't all that usable, right? So find out.
Water proof is nice. So is dust, shock, and all those other 'proof' thingys. They will always cost more though. Big difference between a 'proof' and a 'resistant' feature.
And probably the most telling with this sort of thingy is actually getting your hands on a radio to see if it's 'compatible' with how you do things. That's also probably the hardest thing to do too.
So, as I said before, look around, compare, see what you like. You're the one that's gonna have to 'live' with the thing, so make sure you can.
- 'Doc


('Practical' thingys are handier than 'possible' thingys. You have to judge.)
 
I would look at many different makes and models of a radio that fits your needs. Then look up each one on the internet and read reviews about it. Take your time and buy the right radio that fits your needs the first time. Hope this helped.
 
The 2820H radio would be a really nice duel bander to use. Icom makes good solid radios.I have the 2200 H two meter radio and I love it

But then again all the major amateur radio makers make good radios.....

Something else to look at is a radio like a Icom 706 mkII....it also covers 2 meter and 440 and will make a nice HF rig for when / if you decide to upgrade to general....and they dont cost much more used than the 2820 does new
 
If you're not going to use APRS, DStar, or any of the more advanced digital functions, I think the Icom 2820 is way overkill. The 2820 is a nice radio, but it's a platform to use DSTAR with. You can do everything you need with a much less expensive radio...even if you want to do the crossband repeat thing. The two basic 2m/440 radios that I know of that can also do crossband repeat are the Yaesu FT-8800R and the Kenwood TM-V71A.
​
 
I have both the FT-8800 and the FT-8900 and love both radios. If in the future you do decide to get a handheld the crossband feature works great. The Ft-8900 gives you both both 10m and 6m. Personally I prefer the memory format in the Ft-8800 more than the ft-8900.
 
Do you guys have a specific place you purchase from because of better price points?

From just Google shopping it appears that the difference between the 8900 + mounting kit and the 2820 is about $130.
 
If you you think you might want to use crossband repeat, to extend the range of a handheld, go with the Kenwood TM-V71A. It is the only one with a built in ID'er. Most hams forget it must ID on both bands, not just the band you are transmitting on.
Rich
 
KJ4WEX said:
Do you guys have a specific place you purchase from because of better price points?

From just Google shopping it appears that the difference between the 8900 + mounting kit and the 2820 is about $130.
Click to expand...

Think long and hard before ponying up for the 8900. Great radio, but you probably wont use the 6 or 10 meter fm bands. Better to get a dual bander like the 8800 or equal radio. Spend your extra money on a GOOD antenna, coax and installation.
 

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