Can anyone suggest a dual receive (listen to downlink while transmitting) mobile rig that does not
have APRS, or D star....just basic..ie cheap!
In current production, there are a few mobile radios at varying prices that can work the FM satellites full-duplex.....
Kenwood TM-V71 (no TNC, but its faceplate can be hooked onto the radio) and TM-D710 (has TNC, but its faceplate is not capable of being hooked onto the radio); Icom IC-2820H (don't need to install the D-Star or GPS modules); Yaesu FT-8800R (2m/70cm) and FT-8900R (10m/6m/2m/70cm). The Alinco DR-635 appears to be an option as well. It is capable of being a cross-band repeater, and its manual mentions full-duplex operation.
I currently use the IC-2820H as my main FM satellite radio. Great sensitivity, and separate knobs for volume and tuning for each VFO. It is near the top of the price list compared to the other radios, but it really works well for FM satellites. I do not have the optional D-Star or GPS modules for this radio. The Kenwood radios are also good, but you would have to switch VFOs every time you want to adjust your receive frequency - transmit on 2m VFO, then switch to 70cm VFO to adjust receive frequency, then switch back to 2m VFO before your next transmission. The Kenwood radios only have one set of knobs, not knobs for each VFO like the IC-2820H. I have not used the FT-8900R, but previously had an FT-8800R (basically the same as the FT-8900R, without 10m and 6m). The FT-8800R is noticeably cheaper than the IC-2820H, but its receiver was not as sensitive as the Icom radio. I have not used the Alinco DR-635, but had previously used a DR-605 that was capable of full-duplex satellite operation.
If these are too expensive, it's off to the used market for one of these or an out-of-production mobile radio. There are lots of options from all the manufacturers.
73!
