[Icom] HT performance comparison

[John Geiger]

Here is an interesting experience I have had recently.
 Maybe someone can shed some light on what is going
on.  

I do alot of bicycle mobile work on 2 meter FM, using
an HT.  No mobile antenna or anything, just hold the
HT in my right hand and talk on it.  Use left hand for
steering and braking.  In Jan 2002 I purchased an Icom
T81-and loved it.  Nice small package with 4 bands,
plenty of power (5 watts) and 1296!  Always wanted to
be able to say I was on that band.  However, the other
local hams gave me less than stellar reports, even
when I was using 5 watts or 3.5 watts (depending on
the battery pack).  They would tell me that I was
breaking up, hard to copy, etc.  Got frustrating
enough that I considered getting out of 2 meter FM
altogather.

After selling the T81 and trying a couple of different
HT, I have settled on an Icom T2H.  It is larger than
the T81, and thicker, but everyone loves the
performance.  Never have problems making the repeater.
 Everyone told me to keep it-it is the best sounding
HT yet, full quieting, etc.  And this is at 1 watt!  I
never have to go to full power (6 watts) when out
mobile, and only have to use 6 watts if I am in a bad
position in my house, which has steel siding.

So how can an HT running 5 watts give out a worse
signal than an HT running 1 watt?  I am not
complaining, I now love the T2H.  I did like the T81
except for the signal problems.  


Anyone have any insight or similar experiences on this
phenomenon?

73s John NE0P

  

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