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Good all purpose HT?

Sep 4, 2012
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I'm looking to get a good quality HT with a wideband reciever, high power output(relative for an HT), and expanded/expandable TX range. I have experience with the Yaesu VX7R and VX8R/DR's and was wondering how those and the rest of the VX family (VX5R, VX6R) stacked up against competitors such as the Kenwood TH F6A or any other quad/tri banders anyone might be bias to. Please let me know.
 

Myself...
I use 2 different All purpose Ht's

All these years later with all these newer Ht's
With various Digital features.

I Always come back to:
Icom T-90a (tri-bander)
Kenwood THF-6a (tri-bander)

My T-90a will go head to head with any other HT on 2 and 6 meters and 70cm in analogue .. is Often mistaken for a base station on repeaters (with Excellent audio and really easy to use). Even though it is indeed an Excellent ht it does have a draw back.. batteries do not last too long though..

My Kenwood THF6a is also an Excellent tri band ht..
However at times it has weaker audio (especially compared to my T-90a) ..it does though ofcourse have 1.25 meters and does very well on this band (even though my T90a also can do 1.25 but at much reduced power output)and well in regards to battery life..well the THF6a does Excellent there indeed and it is also easy to use.

I am sure there are other good basic HT's out there...
Likely Yaesu especially..
However few if any other HT's in my experience equal the T90a & THF6a.
 
The four I have it narrowed down to are Yaesu VX Family, The ICOM T90A(courtesy of kingcobra), the Kenwood TH-F6A, and hte Alinco DJ-G7(1200Mhz capability)
 
IMHO the Kenwood th-f6a is the way to go. You will not be disappointed with its performance or rx capabilities.
I found the vx7r to be a real pos, but the vx6r is nice which I'm currently selling for the purchase of a mobile rig.
 
If it means anything to you.
THF6a also has receive for ssb.

I have heard the T81 is good.
Although i have never used it (or heard it being used)

90% of the time..
I use my T90a with High gain Dual Bander replacement antenna.

I actually hit repeaters from ground level up to 45 miles away.
On occasion i hook it up to my roof mounted TriBander at 100 miles.
Mostly though i talk on many repeaters within some 20 or so miles of me.
(cops have tried on 2 occasions to confiscate it,well Tried)

I walk 14-20 miles every day.
It is the T90a that comes with me !!
 
well I just picked up a TH-F6A for 245 shipped, lightly used with car charger, house charger, speaker/mic with volume adjust and kenwood case....good deal?
 
The four I have it narrowed down to are Yaesu VX Family, The ICOM T90A(courtesy of kingcobra), the Kenwood TH-F6A, and hte Alinco DJ-G7(1200Mhz capability)

I've had all of these at one time or another. Personally, I think the Yaesu radios are the toughest of that bunch (can take the most abuse). The TH-F6a is a great little radio but not as durable (don't dunk it in water). I had to sell the T-90A because the receiver was just way too hot and I got a ton of intermod in the big city. The DJ-G7 was interesting, but there wasn't enough activity on 1.2Ghz FM to justify keeping it.
 

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