[ICOM] Icom T8A on 222 mhz?

Bryce P Rumery k1gax at juno.com
Tue Oct 26 07:52:10 EDT 2004


Howdy John;

Do not, under any circumstances, use the stock T8A rubber duck for 222
MHz transmissions!  A friend used one some time ago and burnt out his
finals twice.  It's just nowhere near resonant for that band.  I
recommend using one of the following antennas:  Comet HT-224 (11 ") or
the Maldol MH-610 (14").  These both are triband antennas for 144/222/440
MHz.

Don't expect much on 222 MHz.  The HT receive is "numb as a post" on 222
MHz due to the internal filtering of the radio.  In my tests (before I
parted with the radio), I found that if I was within a mile or so of a
repeater running 100 watts, I could hear it to varying degrees, but
beyond a mile, the repeater's signal disappeared.  As far as transmit
goes, expect no more than 50 to 100 mW of output (depending on the
radio).

Overall, expect FRS coverage, or less, on 222 MHz with the T8A.  It might
be good for keeping in touch with friends at a hamfest, but not much
more.

73, Bryce, K1GAX

On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 22:11:14 -0700 (PDT) John Geiger <johngeig at yahoo.com>
writes:
> I recently picked up an Icom T8A triband HT which has
> had the extended transmit mod performed.  THis allows
> the HT to transmit on the 222mhz band, among other
> things.  Has anyone used the T8A on 222 successfully. 
> I understand that some people burned out their finals
> doing this, but I assume it was because they used the
> stock antenna, which isn't resonant on 222mhz.  Does
> this work OK with a 222mhz antenna?  I know that the
> HT is deaf up there, but would be using it for short
> range communications.
> 
> 73s John NE0P
> 
> 
> 
>                 
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