OK, so I joined this site a week or so ago and have been reading basically every post for the past couple years, so I wanted to thank everyone in advance for the wealth of knowledge. During my reading I was unable to find the answer to the following question(s):
A little background first - I purchased a Kenwood TH-D72 mid-December to replace my aging VX-5r. I love the Kenwood, and have started to really get into APRS. (So much that I set up an igate, for my area.) I found that when I am at home the scanner I used to make my igate along with other internet sites suites my listening habits at this point. I find myself using the radio most frequently in my truck. SO, I began thinking and thought I would get an amp to go in my truck so I could keep the portable and use it in and out of the truck, but I am not sure that is the way to do it, since it would only be most effective if hooked up to the amp, so why have a portable? So here are my questions:
1. Does anyone use just a hand held, if so how do you like it? (I read the review about the Vx-8r.) Do you think it is as good as a mobile? OR would you recommend a mobile?
2. If you recommend a mobile, my research suggests that the FTM350ar/r or the TMD710a would be the most similar and feature rich. Which model would you recommend?
3. What is the difference between the FTM350r vs 350ar? All I can tell is that is comes preloaded with the new firmware and a new mount? Can anyone confirm?
4. I also understand that the TMD710a will aid in my cross band repeat for back country use as it has an auto ider. Does the FTM350 have this feature?
My use for the radio would be to listen, talk, track APRS stations and my own way-points I am also interested in the easiest radio to modify for MARS, user friendliness, and the ability to cross band repeat so I can use it for APRS to relay my location from the back country 4-wheeling or hiking .
I like the the FTM350 is newer, has more updated features, and a plug and play GPS module, however I dislike that you have to purchase a special cable and software to program it. (Not a deal breaker, but a great perk to the Kenwood.) I am also concerned that the TMD710 is older, and Kenwood is slow to update and come out with new radios, but I like that there are many resources for the TMD710 on the web. I also understand that the TMD710a will aid in my cross band repeat for back country use as it has an auto ider. Does the FTM350 have this feature?
Thank you in advance to anyone that responds!
Chris,
Kf4mnc
A little background first - I purchased a Kenwood TH-D72 mid-December to replace my aging VX-5r. I love the Kenwood, and have started to really get into APRS. (So much that I set up an igate, for my area.) I found that when I am at home the scanner I used to make my igate along with other internet sites suites my listening habits at this point. I find myself using the radio most frequently in my truck. SO, I began thinking and thought I would get an amp to go in my truck so I could keep the portable and use it in and out of the truck, but I am not sure that is the way to do it, since it would only be most effective if hooked up to the amp, so why have a portable? So here are my questions:
1. Does anyone use just a hand held, if so how do you like it? (I read the review about the Vx-8r.) Do you think it is as good as a mobile? OR would you recommend a mobile?
2. If you recommend a mobile, my research suggests that the FTM350ar/r or the TMD710a would be the most similar and feature rich. Which model would you recommend?
3. What is the difference between the FTM350r vs 350ar? All I can tell is that is comes preloaded with the new firmware and a new mount? Can anyone confirm?
4. I also understand that the TMD710a will aid in my cross band repeat for back country use as it has an auto ider. Does the FTM350 have this feature?
My use for the radio would be to listen, talk, track APRS stations and my own way-points I am also interested in the easiest radio to modify for MARS, user friendliness, and the ability to cross band repeat so I can use it for APRS to relay my location from the back country 4-wheeling or hiking .
I like the the FTM350 is newer, has more updated features, and a plug and play GPS module, however I dislike that you have to purchase a special cable and software to program it. (Not a deal breaker, but a great perk to the Kenwood.) I am also concerned that the TMD710 is older, and Kenwood is slow to update and come out with new radios, but I like that there are many resources for the TMD710 on the web. I also understand that the TMD710a will aid in my cross band repeat for back country use as it has an auto ider. Does the FTM350 have this feature?
Thank you in advance to anyone that responds!
Chris,
Kf4mnc
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