Thanks Paul for your response. Maybe I'll just get RT's USB cable and use Kenwood's software and go from there since it sounds like Kenwood's software will cover most of what you need for programming.

73 Rob

Hi, I was thinking about getting the new TM-D710 Kenwood radio. I was wondering how the free Kenwood programming software compares with the RT System KRS-D170 programming software. I have other radio's using the RT system software and the USB cable and it works great to copy freq and other information between the software tables. I guess I'm just curious if the RT system programming software allows more settings versus Kenwood's free version or vise versa. Anyone have any information this?

73

Yeah, the 710 seems like a nice radio that does a lot. I guess I'm surprised there isn't more responses to this. I'll have to read some of the reviews on various radios. Thanks for your comments.

Rob
w7fj

Hi guys, I'm looking to update my shack dual band transceiver. I'd like to get some ideas on what the best types of transceivers are out there for around $500 that can do APRS with a built in GPS, Digipeating, Crossbanding and Echolink, etc... I don't really care about D-Star at this point since we don't have a D-Star repeater in our area. I have been looking at the TM-D710a and the FTM350, but I'm sure there are more out there that others have used that have these features too. Please drop me quick note as to what you might be using that has been reliable for you, so I can make my decision?

Thanks,
Rob

Has anyone used one of these Antennas from here http://www.amazon.com/Short-Meter-Mobile-Stick-Antenna/dp/B0044EDFBO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347795891&sr=1-1. I realize the performance will not be that great, I have a Little Tarheel motorized ANT that I use too, but I don't run it all the time since I don't need access to all the bands, plus I have to remove it get in the garage. This would be great to use for Monoband on 20M. I'm sure I'll have to run it through a CType-Impedance matcher to correct for higher SWR and make my transceiver happy, but if it works, it might be worth $20 =)

Thanks for your response. I didn’t realize the APRS was done through the D-Star network. I don’t have a D-Star repeater in my area here, but I travel to places that do and wanted to use it there. I already have a VX-8 hand held and works pretty well for APRS and general use, but just thought I’d get one that had D-Star and a built-in GPS that wasn’t on the Mic. I guess maybe I’ll just wait then because it doesn’t sound like D-Star is really worth the investment since APRS would be useless without a D-Star repeater close by. Maybe one day they will separate the 2, so the APRS is not dependent on the D-Star link. I think that was a dumb idea =) Thanks again...

Hi, I am in the market for a new dual band HT. I'm looking for one with D-Star, Echolink, APRS and with a built-in GPS (No external type GPSs). The new Icom ID-51A looks like it'll be a nice radio, but would prefer an alpha keypad for messaging. Does any HT exist currently w/ all these features?

Thanks Dale and others for the advise. I might try the remount idea a little later, but for now I clipped approx. 1/8" off the antenna and seemed to help on both bands a bit. It brought the 440Mhz band down to 1.8:1. The 2M band is really good at 1.1:1. Larsen claims that the antenna is pre-tuned and doesn't require clipping. However, I noticed someone did the same thing with this antenna and it seem to help in their sitution so I thought I would try since raising the antenna in the sleeve seem to be worse.

Thanks again,
Robert
7C7KYR

Thanks for the info. I don't think I'll toss the antenna yet since it does perform nicely on 2M. It is a little noiser on the 70cm band. However, it does't really justify a replacement at this point. I guess I'm just interested in knowning what SWR values others are getting with this Antenna on the 70cm band. I'll continue searching I guess.

Robert

I'm currenty running an FT-8800R rig with a KG2/70 Glass mount antenna on my Dodge RAM 2500. I have the antenna tuned on the 2M band at about 1.1:1 to 1.2:1 at 10watts, but on the 70cm band I can only get 2.0:1 at best. Has anyboby else got better SWR readings with this antenna especially on the 70cm band or is this as good as it gets for Larsen glass mount.

73's

Does anyone know what mounting bracket would work the best to mount a Diamond 7900 type Antenna to the driver side fender under the hood without doing any or minimal drilling. I know Firestik sells one, but I think it’s for the new body style and I still have the older 2002 body style. Also, there is talk that you must use an extension on that bracket so the coax doesn’t hit the fender. Does anyone have any good ideas on Ram antenna fender mounting configurations on old style Rams they’d be willing share w/ maybe pictures?

Also, I’m kind of new to Antenna mounts and wonder what an NMO mounting type means? I want to make sure I get the right mounting hardware.

73’s
Robert
KC7KYR