Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Radio recommendation?  (Read 516 times)

KG7WAQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Radio recommendation?
« on: June 22, 2022, 10:30:38 AM »

I've got an Icom IC-207h and was looking for an upgrade.
Don't use it as a mobile radio, so if there's a base station that's fine.
2m/440mhz
Have some Heil headsets and mics with some icom adapters - so staying with icom might be a good idea, but I'm open to suggestions.
Don't have a budget yet, so hit me with anything!
Thanks.
Logged

K5LXP

  • Member
  • Posts: 6823
    • homeURL
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2022, 10:58:45 AM »

What part of V/U FM operation are you hoping to "upgrade" - ?  The 207h does 90% of any FM radio made today, so what would be covered by the remaining 10% that would inspire you to part with some money?

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
Logged

KG7WAQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2022, 11:21:47 AM »

I think i was looking to see peoples thoughts on additional features.
I was looking at the IC-705 or the IC-7100, or even the IC-9700 - having waterfall display, and other meters are nice. Granted those are rather expensive options, but something I'm kinda considering. 
Logged

K1KIM

  • Member
  • Posts: 1556
    • HomeURL
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2022, 11:25:24 AM »

Icom ID-5100A

Logged
So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

KG7WAQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2022, 11:41:23 AM »

That looks like a very good option.
Logged

AF5CC

  • Posts: 1664
    • HomeURL
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2022, 02:22:24 PM »

Icom 2730 looks like a great radio if you don't need D-Star.

73 John AF5CC
Logged

K4GTE

  • Posts: 178
    • HomeURL
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2022, 02:50:18 PM »

Icom ID-5100A
Logged

WA9AFM

  • Member
  • Posts: 978
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2022, 06:53:04 PM »

Kenwood TM-V71A
Logged

KF4HR

  • Member
  • Posts: 223
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2022, 10:09:09 PM »

Moving from the 207H to the 5100 gets you a larger display and a few other minor extras, and DStar.  That's fine if that's all you want to do but if you plan to venture beyond FM and DStar, such as HF, VHF/UHF/MW SSB/CW operation, Satellite work, digital work, etc, I suggest getting a IC-9700 and a IC-7300.  These make a nice near-matching compact set of rigs and you'll be set for pretty much everything you may want to do down the road, from 160M through 1.2ghz.   
Logged

KG7WAQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2022, 08:53:26 AM »

Moving from the 207H to the 5100 gets you a larger display and a few other minor extras, and DStar.  That's fine if that's all you want to do but if you plan to venture beyond FM and DStar, such as HF, VHF/UHF/MW SSB/CW operation, Satellite work, digital work, etc, I suggest getting a IC-9700 and a IC-7300.  These make a nice near-matching compact set of rigs and you'll be set for pretty much everything you may want to do down the road, from 160M through 1.2ghz.   
I have a Icom IC-7600 (which is in for repair) which is great for my HF. I was looking at the 9700, which would fit nicely with all the accessories I have for the 7600, it is a major leap in price, so do have to consider if it's a worthwhile expense.
Logged

K1KIM

  • Member
  • Posts: 1556
    • HomeURL
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2022, 11:25:56 AM »

Picking up a new ID-5100A for under $400 versus getting a both IC-9700 AND an IC-7300, are not in the same discussion.

Let's throw in a $7500 amp and a $6000 contest radio. And maybe a 90 Meter tower.  ;D ;D ;D

I originally though the OP was just looking to upgrade his 2M/70cm radio.

Wow. His money is being spent quickly.
Logged
So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

KG7WAQ

  • Member
  • Posts: 56
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2022, 11:29:31 AM »

Picking up a new ID-5100A for under $400 versus getting a both IC-9700 AND an IC-7300, are not in the same discussion.
What do you think would be the benefit of possibly getting a IC-9700 vs the ID-5100? Are all the extra bells and whistles worth it? I know I have to answer that question for myself, but opinions from others help.
Logged

K1KIM

  • Member
  • Posts: 1556
    • HomeURL
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2022, 01:44:24 PM »

Picking up a new ID-5100A for under $400 versus getting a both IC-9700 AND an IC-7300, are not in the same discussion.
What do you think would be the benefit of possibly getting a IC-9700 vs the ID-5100? Are all the extra bells and whistles worth it? I know I have to answer that question for myself, but opinions from others help.

Yes bells and whistles. Also it depends greatly on whether you need a waterfall to chase signals. If almost all your 2m/70cm coms are via repeater, then I say not necessary. All mode is a different story.
Very large price difference.

I have over a dozen radios that are each purposed for a different function. The FT-991A is also a very good radio (though the menu is somewhat cumbersome to many).

Do you want C4FM, D-Star, DMR etc etc?  You get my point.

My 4 top used radios not including HT's........IC-7300, FT991, IC-5100 and my old workhorse TS-430S.

Go to a brick and mortar store and play. Then buy what feels right for YOU!

Logged
So Many Toys.......So Little Time!

WB6BYU

  • Member
  • Posts: 20896
    • Practical Antennas
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2022, 05:15:28 PM »

Quote from: KG7WAQ

I think i was looking to see peoples thoughts on additional features...




Depends on your operating preferences.  I still use a 207H
as my VHF/UHF radio in the house - it does everything I
need for simplex and repeater operation.

Let’s look at other features available in some of the newer rigs:
there are my personal opinions and observations.  Before
anyone says that certain bells and whistles are important, have
them explain how they use it and the benefits it provides, then
see if that applies to your preferred operating style.

MULTIMODE (SSB / CW etc.):
What do you use VHF for?  For just chatting to locals, FM is
more convenient, better voice quality, less background noise,
and far more users.  Weak signal operation typically involves
higher gain antennas (horizontally polarized), and listening
for / working signals near the noise floor, unless you hit one
of the irregular tropo or other openings.  It’s a very different
way of operating:  great if you enjoy the technical challenge
of trying to improve your station to work further distances,
but not for everyone.

HF:
I prefer not to use the same rig for HF and local chat.  That
way I can use both at once, like chatting on CW while
monitoring the local repeater, or having a local give me
feedback on my audio quality, listening to me on HF
and replying on 2m as I make adjustments.  The
combination of a good HF transceiver and a basic VHF /
UHF FM rig (or 2m only, as I rarely use UHF) provides
better performance and lower cost than many
“shack-in-a-box” rigs.

DIGITAL:   
Several of the locals splashed cash on the last version,
but now it is virtually unused, as it is incompatible with
products from other manufacturers.  Some folks are
excited about it, while others of us spend enough time
on the internet already and don’t need to add a voice
mode to it.  I’d rather wait until there is a standardized
implementation available from multiple sources, rather
than a sales gimmick to lock you into a particular
manufacturer.

CROSS-BAND REPEAT
I’ve had rigs capable of this for 15 years, and never had
a use for it.  Yes, it might be useful if you want to chat
with your buddies while working in the yard when an HT
isn’t adequate to hit the repeater, or similar situations.
Personally, I’m not that much of a slave to my radio.
If you do get a rig for this purpose, make sure it has
some method to ID transmissions on both bands to keep
it legal.

BANDSCOPE
FM operation is channelized according to the local  band
plan, and modern FM rigs can scan the whole band to
find activity, or just those channels of interest.  A bandscope
is of more use on SSB / CW, where signals might pop up
on any frequency.

DUAL RECEIVE
This is something I use for a specific purpose:  transmitter
hunts with multiple hidden transmitters on different frequencies.
It lets me hunt one transmitter while listening for another
that is too weak to hear from the start.  If you want to keep
track of activity on different frequencies at the same time,
this may be useful.  Otherwise, the scan function is often
sufficient for monitoring multiple frequencies.
 

I’ll let others describe what features they find useful in what
circumstances, because some of their operating styles may
be more like your own.  But in general, the 207H is still a
functional radio and there isn’t much reason to upgrade,
unless you have specific applications that require other
features.

KD7RDZI2

  • Member
  • Posts: 689
Re: Radio recommendation?
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2022, 08:15:36 AM »

If your interest is VHF UHF ssb as well, I would keep the radio you have for repeaters and a TS711 and TS811 or IC275 and IC475 for SSB/CW and Satellites.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up