The AM Forum

Some of yall probably use HT's on 2M. I want a real simple one, a nice big one, not a tiny little cigarette pack, and it looks like the best thing around here is the Yaesu FT-270R. But I can't believe a HT with 200 memories does not have a computer programming facility. Yeesh. Niether does the 2M/440 FT-60 with 1000 memories. Has anyone used an FT-270R or FT-60 and what did they think of it?

I have a VX-170, the predecessor of the FT-270R, and a VX-177 (70 cm version) and love 'em both. I also have an FT-60R, works great but I don't like the feel of it in my hand as well. They're all great performing radios and I have no grumbles.

For programming, I use the RT Systems software. Cost is somewhere around $40, including the cable, IIRC.

From the reviews I've read, the FT-270R is just a solid and good performing a radio as the VX-170 and has a couple modernizing touches -- but I can't remember what they are. I think you'll be happy with it.

ldb
K5WLF

Computer programming for both those radios available here:

http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/ (http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/)  and

http://www.rtsystemsinc.com/index.cfm (http://www.rtsystemsinc.com/index.cfm)

Can't help you with either of the HT models. 

I just wonder if the ft-270 is as tough as the vx-170 is, ive had one for three years and it has taken a beating, dropped it one too many times on something harder than itself and the case and screen cover got cracks in them but it still works.

Motorola MT1000

99ch, scan, 5 watts, DPL tone PL

2M band through the weather frequencies.
Will even do the tone alert for weather hazards.

Otherwise, it is uncluttered by not having bullszht "features;" there's no "menu" just a basic, strapping, radio.

Dirt cheap because commercial and public safety users are going narrow.  

Find at a hamfest near you.

I will program it for you for the cost of shipping it back to you.

(http://www.novacommunications.com/images/mt1000-lrg.jpg)

those ex public service radios always seemed to me to be the perfect thing for anyone to use because they are programmable and since there are no menus you they are easier to use i remember a guy i used to talk to used to always use bendix-king radios as his ht's.

I have the 270R and really like it. No programming software is really necessary. In fact, I barely had to glance at the manual to figure it out. Very easy to use, and very solid feeling. Also, not as susceptible to intermod, compared to my DC-Daylight vx-7r. Battery life is great too. Oh, and the audio is LOUD! A very satisfying radio at a very good price point.

But, like all things Yaesu, they get you on the accessories if you need 'em. The AA battery holder is reasonable though.

I got the AA battery cases for my VX-170/177 and it works great with any manufacturer's alkaline cells. However, watch out for the LiMH AA cells sold by GreenBatteries.com. Those cells are just a tiny bit larger in diameter than the standard and do NOT work in the Yaesu battery holder. Well, they might fit if you took a hammer to it, but that's just not the way I treat my gear.  ;D

ldb
K5WLF

I'll have to throw in the Icom IC-2AT. "The Brick" is tough as nails, uncluttered, and will probably last forever. I have two of them with the 8 cell loadable battery packs. You can also use the packs with the HTX-202, which I understand is the same radio with digital display. I also like the older Alinco stuff. My first HT back in the day was a DJ-160 and I just found another for 35.00 with charger and book. I promised it to my daughter if she would get interested in taking the Tech test. 

Phil

Big? Simple? Beefy?
I still have my FT-207R   ;D

And the old girl still works with an occasional brain fart cured by power down.
I also have the leather, overtheshoulderboulderholder set, car charge port & wall wart. I lost the mic. years ago.

Having read this,
I might go for the MT1000. I work emergency comm. for FD/EMS/Police in Southern NY. My tech friends down here have boxes of outdated and orphaned stuff, I'll put up a reward.

                                                        D

But, do any of the ones mentioned do AM?
My VX-7R does. At least on 6 meters.

(http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0777.jpg)

i always wondered how well those radios sound is the audio on am decent or not

On receiving, I found the AM tolerable, and maybe one step up from space shuttle type audio.

I like the public service bricks. Those are very tough radios and have excellent front ends should one be where there are pager transmitters. I appreciate the offer on the motorola programming as it always costs $ and the software is very hard to get and costly. If I find one on VHF, I'll pick it up. One thing, there are usually several motorola models, each covering a sub-band. This can be confusing at least for the UHF models. Is the VHF model(s) going to definitely cover that range?

I have used a military Benxix - PRC-127? I think. 2 watts, and the front slides down exposing the keys to allow an odd but easy programming method.

As for the AM on the VX-7R, I want the audio to sound like the space shuttle! That rig is more $ than I wished to expend and it's a bit small which is why I got rid of my Kenwood TH-F6. What I really wanted was a brick radio with a huge battery. The Alinco was very good but I do not have it. I have to help with the parade tomorrow, so i bought what was available. The price was not bad. I think I'll keep it, and still see about a Motorola for dedicated local use.

My choices were limited and based on good replies, I ended up getting the FT-60R. It was in stock locally as was the wired earpiece+mike which is like a cellular accessory, and a new dual band antenna made like a gooseneck lamp column, that bends and stays in place/shape. Yes I got zinged on the earpiece/mike! (I am tired of coily-corded lapel-clip speaker-mikes. The Kenwood one carries RF back into the radio and fiddles the settings!)

Got some programming software. ADMS-1J from RT systems. A couple of comments about that. It can only be installed from the original CD, so aparently the user cannot make a backup. That is a disadvantage in my book. I did not try to make a copy, only copied it to a drive and then tried to install from there (the usual practice here) and that is when it demanded installation from the CD. During installation, it tried to phone home/get out several times, which was not permitted. It will however install without this. It is able to check for updates which is a good thing. The program is easy to use and offered easy instructions on the order of actions to get the file in or out of the radio. in the instructions for type of squelch, however, the words used in the help instructions do not match the words in the drop-down box for squelch type selection. They seem to be in the proper order though. I rate the software 1-5
(1=worst/most annoying, 5=best/least annoying):

1.) usefulness: 5 (import and export from CSV or tab-delimited. Import directly from ARRL TravelPlus file)
2.) obscure minor annoyances: 4
3.) easy install: 5
4.) easy for dmmies: 4
5.) easy for experts: 5
6.) system hogging: 5 (17MB memory used)
7.) backup worries: 3 (there might be a workaround to the "original CD issue", and you can export the files to tab or comma delimited)
8.) security on a Microsft scale: 4 (not including the "original CD issue", a windows-like software key is required)
9.) ease of reading/GUI presentation: 5
10.) USB-2-radio dongle robustness (compared to similar civilian items): 5

overall on the perfection scale: 4.5
Notes: for #7 and 8, I have not tried to make a backup. Those might improve.

How many channels might you need ?

The HT600 has a lot in common with the MT1000, including chargers, batteries, and adapters, but it only offers 6 channels, max. Advantage is that they are more plentiful at hamfests, typically $10 for a clean one.  Batteries will kill you, because you don't want an old battery.  $40/new, $60 if you want Motorola.  Charger is between $5-10 for a drop-in rapid or regular rate charger.

I have the software for both, so keep an eye out and let me know if I can help with programming.

Answering OpComm's question -- yes there are "sub band" configurations, and you can't really see which one you're buying until you get hooked up to the Radio Service Software, and you can read the chip in there.  But really, it's not as much of an issue for performance as during the HT220 days where the entire chassis was set up for maybe a 10MHz spread.

Instead, when it comes to "splits," the limiting factor will be the end points for accepting the frequency programming. There's one that allows down to 136Mc, and another that allows up to 176Mc.  Most of the ones you find are the mid-band range, so your chances are good you will get what you need. And for the money, so what if you get the "wrong" one the first try !

Most of my experience is with VHF models, and I have found that both the MT1000 and the HT600 radios hold their specs across a wide range. I've got mine peaked in the mid-150s, and the receiver remains hot through 162 weather frequencies, and down in the 2m band.  Like 0.25uv for 12db SINAD, at best, and maybe 0.4uv at worst. Transmit power, set for 5W, will be limited more by the SWR of the antenna cut to where ever, when you get too far away from that center frequency. Into a dummy load it holds at 5W across a good 20Mc.

P-M me when you're seriously on the lookout and I'll share more of a spotter's guide.

I need more than 6CH in DFW. Less than 100 though. I'll see what I can pick up at hamfests if they are that cheap, it's a bargain.

Yeah I have to think you would want more than 6ch.

Thing is, do you know how many public safety outlets will remain on traditional VHF channels ?

Not concerned about the investment in an MT1000 or whatever, but because around here I already am seeing a tremendous falloff in activity among police and fire comms on VHF.

I have less than a dozen channels filled with that.  Another half-dozen simplex pairs go to VHF Marine Band channels since we are out on the water a lot. The only else is that I've got four 2M repeaters, and .52 in there, and that's it.

Motorola sales people have really done their job peddling multi-jurisdiction trunked radio systems and the inevitable "upgrades" to further enhance contract revenue. That's really caused a lot of good gear to be dumped on the market or to the crusher.

 

The Icom IC-02AT is another sturdy HT from the 80's but 10 memory channels may not be enough for you.  They aren't small but mine has stood the test of time with no issues other than a replacement lithium back up cell.  Even at hamfests I rarely fool with an HT and I have a more modern Yaesu VX5R but I came across my 02AT while moving some stuff around today and realized I really like the audio and ergonomics better than the more recent Yaesu. 

The old 02AT got a lot of use in the pre-cell phone days.

The RatShack HTX202  gots 12 chanels.  its built well and designed fer low intermod and front-end overload.

I've had on from the mid 90's and it werks well...  I know of one who used it as their 2m mobile ( pluged it into the cig lighter and a mag mount) ... epay gets around $70.00


klc

Do the orange vest and light bar come with the radio, or do you have to buy those separately?

D,

Its a RatShaft ....... accessories are always additional.


klc

I avoid them things like the plague!! no that's not my style at all. Generally I don't like people to even see a radio during events and mine gets locked to the frequency and goes in a military belt pouch around the side, no one even knows it's there or theyr think it's a cellphone carrier or something. It's all about the advantage.