[Icom] HT performance comparison

Tue, 18 Feb 2003 19:28:28 -0800 (PST)

Hi John,
I, too, do a bit of 2 meter or 440 FM work while bicycle mobile.  I use any one of my Icom rigs ( W32A, T2H, or the T81A) with good reports all the way around.  I found to be the best thing to do was to improve my antenna!  For the T81A, the rather flimsy (crappy) original equipment antenna I found I had the worst of all copy reports, just like you seem to have.  The antennas I use for any of these rigs are the Pryme Antennas.  I specifically use the Pryme the RD-98 and the RD-98 SMA.  These are constructed of a rubber coated solid piece of stainless steel wire which performs fantastically.  Since they are created for dual-band use; their performance is great.  What I also like is their extreme flexibility.  As for the antennas that came originally with the radios, except for the T2H, I threw those away.  Compromise antennas with substandard performance, in my opinion. I also use their SPM 400 speaker mic with earbud velcro'ed to the handlebars so as to keep both hands on the handlebars.  The radio is either clipped onto my belt or put into a foam rubber drink holder then velcro'ed into a spare water-bottle cage. That way I have no worries about getting tangled in wires or dropping my radio!  Hope this helps!
73 de Luis KD5KJD
 John Geiger <[email protected]> wrote: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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