[Icom] HT dilemma-HELP!

Wed, 18 Jun 2003 12:01:29 -0400

Boy, did you pose a tough question. I have a tri band antenna on mine that I
bought at a ham fest. I couldn't remember the manufacturer and got to
looking at the antenna and there is no name on it. I guess it is a generic.
I do remember at one time NCG had one. They are relatively long and have a
50mhz load on top. A little unwieldly on the little radio but it performs
very well. I did a brief web search and didn't find anything useful. I
didn't search very long however. I did see a tri band antenna at the
Knoxville Hamfest this past weekend sold by CT Morgan. I don't know the
manufacturer.
ED AND CARRIE YEARY  W4TEY and W4CAY
325 CUMBERLAND DRIVE
HARROGATE, TN. 37752-6942

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "W8DN" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 6:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Icom] HT dilemma-HELP!

> Ed,
>   Just curious as to what particular aftermarket antenna you have had good
> luck with. I picked up an FT-50R at Dayton. Have not made the first Q on
it
> yet and it seems to hear pretty well with the factory dual band antenna on
> it so far. Anyhow, just curious.
>   Tnx & 73 de
> Mike / W8DN
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ed" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 5:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [Icom] HT dilemma-HELP!
>
>
> > 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" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>;
> > <[email protected]>
> > 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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> > > ----
> > > Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
> > > Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.315 MHz
> > > Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> > >
> >
> >
> > ----
> > Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan W6OLD, [email protected]
> > Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.315 MHz
> > Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> >
>
>
>