[Icom] HT dilemma-HELP!

[Ed]

John I heard a new ham on the air today with the Kenwood. You could barely
hear him. Others were questioning him about the radio and what was wrong. I
own a VX 5R and have had no major complaints. An after market antenna is a
must.

ED AND CARRIE YEARY  W4TEY and W4CAY
325 CUMBERLAND DRIVE
HARROGATE, TN. 37752-6942


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Geiger" <johngeig@yahoo.com>
To: <icom@mailman.qth.net>; <kenwood@mailman.qth.net>;
<yaesu@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 12:01 PM
Subject: [Icom] HT dilemma-HELP!


> Thinking about getting myself a multiband HT as a
> Father's day present (now a late one-due to the
> dilemma) since it is my first father's day as an
> actual father, and with a new baby in the house it
> might be awhile before I get to buy any other
> equipment.  I currently own an Icom T2H, which is a
> great performer, and has very long battery life.  Like
> it, but would like something with a couple of other
> bands, and something a little smaller.  I will be
> using this HT mainly for bicycle mobile work to and
> from work, and around town.  I don't use a
> speaker/mic, or portable antenna or anything like
> that.  Just hold the HT and talk on it.
>
> I am looking for an HT that does 2, 440, and at least
> 1 other band.  I also want it to at least receive on 6
> so I can monitor for band openings from work.  I want
> AM broadcast receive, FM broadcast, and TV receive.
> So far, I have narrowed down my choices to 3 HTs: The
> Kenwood F6A, The Yaesu VX7R, and the Yaesu VX5R.  I
> ruled out all Alinco HTs due to lack of 6 or 222
> coverage, and broadcast AM  receive.  I ruled out the
> Radio Shack HTX420 due to narrow receive, although it
> is a pretty good HT.  I had one for a few days.  I am
> ruling out the Icom T90 because according to the QST
> review, it looks like it has very low speaker output.
> I need something loud enough to hear over traffic,
> barking dogs, etc. Maybe somebody with a T90 can
> convince me that this isn't the case.  The Yaesu VX2R
> looks promising, but am waiting on that one to get a
> little more feedback. It would be nice to have 5 or 6
> watts as an option at times also, although the T2H
> does OK on 1 watt while mobile and sometimes in the
> house (have steel siding).
>
> So, between those three, here are the faults of each,
> as I see them:
>
> Kenwood F6A-no 6 meter transmit, terrible stock
> antenna, possible low transmit audio (according to
> eham), only 2 power settings-5 watts, which drains the
> battery, and 500mw, which can be useless
>
> Yaesu VX7R-AM broadcast receive not as good as F6A,
> due to lack of ferrite bar antenna, low power on
> 222-but doable during contesting from the Mountain top
> here, possible transmit audio problems (per eham), no
> SSB/CW receive
>
> VX5R-only single receive, AM broadcast receive not
> good, no 222, possible transmit and receive audio
> problems (per eham).  I have thown this one in because
> there are some good deals on used ones now.
>
> So, I am sure others have faced this dilemma, how did
> you resolve it?  Did you like your choice, or do you
> now wish you went with the other HT instead?  Any
> comments good or bad about any of them.  I kind of
> miss having 6 on the F6A,but at least it can be used
> for monitoring band openings.  Wish some company would
> combine the VX7R and the F6A into one HT, and put a
> real antenna on it, I would get it.
>
> Also, I don't consider the 817 an HT for my purposes,
> and can't afford one right now anyway, so that is not
> an option. Thanks for reading through this long winded
> message
>
> 73s John NE0P
>
>
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