Subj : Handheld Tranceivers
To : Andy Ball
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Tue Nov 28 2000 10:39 am
AB>I passed the technician exam yesterday, which sounds like a convenient excus
AB>to start a thread about handheld trancievers...
Hello, Andy...congratulations on passing the exam.
AB>Radio Shack sell Alinco's baby HTs, and although they're cute little blighte
AB>there's a few things that put me off. Firstly, the 2m one seems to have a
AB>telescopic antenna and I would worry about it's mechanical reliability.
AB>Secondly I don't believe there's a BNC connector for a replacement or outdoo
AB>antenna. Finally although I plan to run low power wherever possible (not
AB>least
AB>to extend battery life), it's nice to have the option of more power should t
AB>need arise.
I've seen those "thin" Alinco HT's...one of the area hams had it at a club
meeting. The antenna looked limp as a dish rag, which brought some suggestive
comments on how to fix it. <G>
AB>Do you use an HT? What sort is it, and what are it's best (and perhaps wors
AB>points? Personally I'll be looking for a single-band radio (probably 2m), b
AB>dual/multi-banders might also serve as conversation fodder.
I've used Icom HT's ever since I was licensed nearly 10 years ago...and
really have used ONLY HT's in the shack. I started with an Icom 2-GAT, then
went to the T7A (it died recently and was replaced with an Icom T7H). I also
have their T8A tribander, that I use mainly for VHF Packet and 2 meter nets
that I run in the Little Rock area.
Some HT's are more "user friendly" to those with disabilities...there are
several blind hams in the Little Rock area, and some of them prefer the Kenwood
HT's...or the Icom W32A dual bander. I've never bought an HT that would
crossband, mainly as it's hard enough for me to concentrate on more than one
QSO at a time...although in the shack, I've had The Weather Channel, NOAA
Weather Radio, and the local SKYWARN Ham Radio net all on at the same time,
with volumes up on each...go figure. <G>
Radio Shack's HTX202 is just a generic 2 meter rig...no out of band
receive...if the very basic is what you want, that'd probably be your best
deal.
I prefer the ones with out of band receive...mainly for listening to NOAA
Weather Radio...or to the railroad frequences in the 160-161 Mhz band (I'm a
rail nut). On my summer vacations to the National Square Dance Convention, I
take my HT (with speaker mic and power supply), logbook, and repeater directory
with me...to work stations when I go by Amtrak...as I plan to next June for a 2
week trip. My most memorable experience of this was in 1994, when I went to
Portland, Oregon. I worked several stations, and even checked into some nets.
This next year, I may take along my old Radio Shack 102 laptop, power supply,
and TNC, and work packet from the train. Although, it usually happened that
when it came time for me to ID, the train would be sounding its whistle for a
highway grade crossing...drowning me out...and I'd have to ID again. <G>
Speaking of packet, Kenwood has a nice dual band HT that also has a TNC and
APRS built into it. I forget the model number, but it runs around $450...and I
know some hams around here that have it, and really like it. Speaking of price,
when I bought the T8A, I think I got it on sale for $275...I'm not sure if it's
still available now. I know Icom has their T81A (quad-bander) HT out as well.
In short, I prefer the portability of an HT...although without a decent power
supply, the batteries can die fast...plus, unless you're using an HT amplifer
(MFJ makes some nice ones), you don't have much power. However, with RF safety
regulations, the threshold for VHF is 50 watts. A good portable power supply is
The Power Station from The Ham Contact.,,I'm enjoying the one I have.
Hope this helps.
73,
Daryl, N5VLZ
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