[PPRAANet] Mobile rig questions

Fri Jun 28 15:06:02 EDT 2019

I tell you John, I really want to go FT-857D, but I am stuck on "if" the ATAS-120A is reliable, if it is truly robust to stay functional for an extended period of time. I also hear that one really has to be certain the ground plane is superior.

-Chris, K7YMI

From: John Bloodgood <johnbloodgood at hotmail.com<mailto:johnbloodgood at hotmail.com>>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2019 2:36 PM
To: Chris W Stark <k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com<mailto:k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com>>
Subject: Re: Mobile rig questions

I encourage folks to upgrade to at least General. The 857 is a good radio to grow into, especially if you already have an 8900. I have the old Icom counterpart to the 857, the IC-7000. The level of flexibility in these all-mode/all-band type radios is fantastic. You do not get any digitized voice capability (DSTAR, C4FM, DMR) with the 857, but you can use it for data modes (FT8, RTTY, PSK-31, Winlink, Packet, APRS, etc.).

I can't really speak to exactly how much local traffic is on DSTAR or C4FM. I know DMR has been gaining a lot of enthusiasts, though I am not a fan of the audio quality. Since most DSTAR and C4FM radios are also capable of regular analog modes, I certainly would not rule them out. Example, if I wanted the APRS and image transfer abilities of the FTM-400, the fact that it is a C4FM radio that can do digitized voice would not turn me off.

John Bloodgood, KD0SFY
Emergency Coordinator & Public Information Officer
Region 2 District 2, Colorado ARES (Pikes Peak ARES)
Follow Pikes Peak ARES at:
https://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakARES

https://twitter.com/pikespeakARES

________________________________
From: Chris W Stark <k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com<mailto:k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com>>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2019 1:41 PM
To: John Bloodgood
Subject: RE: Mobile rig questions

You are correct Jim, regarding having a Technician Ham license. However, I do not plan to keep it that way and I was going to pay to have the radio professionally installed by Triple C Communications, so figured the 857D may be an option. I have an FT 8900R and have for several years. May just buy another one.

Sounds like the DStar, C4FM and the other similar formats are simply not used often enough to buy that option in a radio, or so it would appear. Your thoughts?

Thanks for the input!

-Chris, K7YMI

From: John Bloodgood <johnbloodgood at hotmail.com<mailto:johnbloodgood at hotmail.com>>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2019 9:53 AM
To: Jim Bishop <notapope at hotmail.com<mailto:notapope at hotmail.com>>; Chris W Stark <k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com<mailto:k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com>>
Subject: Re: Mobile rig questions

The 857 is a good rig. However, if QRZ is correct, Chris is a Tech, which means much of the HF range is not available to him and what HF bands are available to him are normally data or CW -- not great for mobile ops. So much of the capabilities of the 857 will not be useful and the ATAS 120 would also not give him much.

An FT-8900 would probably be far more useful, especially given it has dual VFOs, meaning he can monitor two frequencies at once. It also has four bands that are far more open for Techs using voice. It has a good data port if adding packet/Winlink/APRS or other data mode is desired.

The other things mentioned:

DSTAR and C4FM are digitized voice modes (digital voice should not to be confused with data - though many of the DSTAR and C4FM radios can also do data). In my experience, there is not a lot of C4FM in our area, DSTAR may be slightly better established. Most radios that can do DSTAR or C4FM can do normal analog FM voice, which is the predominate VHF/UHF mode. The other digitized voice mode is DMR.

Echo Link is essentially a way to connect via the Internet to distant gateways. You can do this from just about any radio or phone.

APRS is packet based data system which most people only use for vehicle tracking, even though it will do a lot more. You can add APRS to just about any radio.  I use APRS a fair amount and have a gateway at my house and form my gateway I use a single VFO version of the FT-8900. I also often use the dual band, dual VFO predecessor to the FT-8900 for APRS and other data modes in the field.

v/r

John, KD0SFY

________________________________

From: ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net> <ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> on behalf of Jim Bishop <notapope at hotmail.com<mailto:notapope at hotmail.com>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 6:19 PM
To: Chris W Stark; PPRAA Net Discussion List (ppraanet at mailman.qth.net<mailto:ppraanet at mailman.qth.net>)
Subject: Re: [PPRAANet] Mobile rig questions

Chris,

  I'm running the original version of the FT-857 in my mobile with the ATAS 120 and a 2 meter/440 dual band mag mount.  It's quite the setup.   I was out east of town this afternoon and was listening to Mexico City and Belgium.   They were both pretty busy but I'm confident I could have made both of them.
  It works well if you use the faceplates on the dash and remote mount the radio bodies.  I also use two series 51 car batteries and rotate them out to charge overnight when needed.
  Most importantly,  be sure to shock mount the faceplates with Velcro pads so they don't vibrate  and rattle around.  I think in plural because I also have a Yaesu FT-8800 sitting there too.  The other thing to consider is protecting the faceplates from direct Colorado sun.  It will kill them!  Bring them inside in super cold WX too.
  I'll always vote for the 857!

73
Jim
KD0KQL

Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>

________________________________
From: ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net> <ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net<mailto:ppraanet-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> on behalf of Chris W Stark <k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com<mailto:k7ymi at StarkTaxServices.com>>
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2019 4:49:35 PM
To: PPRAA Net Discussion List (ppraanet at mailman.qth.net<mailto:ppraanet at mailman.qth.net>)
Subject: [PPRAANet] Mobile rig questions

June 26, 2019

I have been trying to get myself back up to speed on some of the newer technologies found for 144 / 430 mobile units. As example, I see additionally:

  1.  D-Star
  2.  APRS
  3.  CMF4
  4.  Echo Link

....and the list goes on.

Even thought about the Yaesu 857D, with the ATAS 120A antenna, but truly wondered if that would work well mounted on my vehicle.

I have simply not kept up with all this stuff. Anyone wishing to offer input is appreciated! Trying to determine what would be good to purchase.....

Thanks everyone,
-Chris, K7YMI

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