| KQ6Q |
Rating:  |
2003-12-11 | |
| Nicad replacements at Target Stores! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have a 202 and 404, always in my Hospital Group Jump Kit, now that I have a T81A for carrying around. You can replace the nicad packs with two sets of 9.95 NiMh's from Target - takes a little dexterity, but it works very nicely if you want to recharge.
One of the nicest set of radios around. Used the two of them mobile for a couple of years, until I decided that I'd be a safer driver with a mobile rig with a visible display - so now I have an IC-2720 permanently mounted. The 202 and 404 are permanent family members! |
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| N4LI |
Rating: |
2003-12-11 | |
| A brick -- almost literally. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
One has to approach the HTX-202 much like other radios from RS. They ain’t Icoms or Kenwoods, or Yaesus. They’re Radio Shack radios, for better or for worse.
I found one of these used a few months back -- $50, shipping included. We just had a bunch of local Boy Scouts get their Tech licenses, so I picked one up to give to one of the kids who needed a radio.
The 202 is well worth the money I paid for it. “Solid,” is the best word to describe this radio. Sure, it’s basic, is the size of a brick and weighs as much. But, it gets the job done. And, like RS radios, it’s a no frills radio. But, come one… how many features actually get used on the high-end radios? For an HT, one needs easy operation, some tones, a few memories, and little else. For that, the 202 delivers.
MSRP on this radio was $200, or so. Would I pay that? Of course not. You can get a dual-bander from one of the big three if you shop at that price. But for $50 used? Sure. Why not? The radio works. And works. And works.
A few minutes with the manual is time well-spent. But, beyond that, you need little else.
Not bad…
Peter, N4LI
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| KB2ZRB |
Rating: |
2003-12-10 | |
| Indestrucible |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| This was my first ham rig, and I had it for like 7 years since I got my license. The only problem with it was that the original ni-cad pack no longer works, but, seriously, how long can you expect a ni-cad to last. It has none of the intermod problems that plague my new TH-F6A Kenwood tribander, and is way more rugged. Radio Shack made a big mistake when they discontinued these, and when mine finally dies, I will just have to replace it with a used one as my backup rig. The 16 memory channels may be small compared to modern rigs, but are more than adequate for most purposes. If you can live without some of the bells and whistles of new rigs, this one is a great choice. |
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| N3WDZ |
Rating: |
2003-11-13 | |
| Versatile and Solid |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my '202 in 1995 when I got my Technician ticket.
By today's standards, it's not very feature-laden, but it IS very versatile compared to a lot of units on the market today. It has an external power jack which lets you use it as a base radio or as a mobile rig. It takes regular AA batteries, so no expensive proprietary rechargeable battery to buy -- just snap in 6 x 1800 mAH AA NiMH's and get DAYS of operation. Yeah, sure the NiCad pack died years ago, but NiCads have gone the way of the Dodo anyway.
It's got a detachable antenna, with BNC connector, so hooking up external antennas is a breeze. And an external mic/PTT jack for a remote mic. 5 or more watts of transmit power when hooked up to an external supply.
Sure, lots of today's HT's have more features/memory, etc, but to get one with all the I/O's this thing has costs a small fortune today. A used HTX202 runs around $75, a bargain!
Mine is currently serving duty as a mobile rig, running of my cig lighter outlet, with a 1/4-wave mag-mount in my van.
Only down-side: The backlight is VERY dim. Not a problem if you're using it AS AN HT, since you'll be holding it close anyway. But tough to read when the rig is sitting on your front seat serving mobile duty.
Oh, and one more thing -- I've done 40-mile simplex contacts on it, on "low power" setting --- this rig works!
5/5 because you can use this rig for lots of purposes - handheld, packet, mobile rig, base station, with any antenna, standard batteries, AC adapter, 12V supply, etc. |
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| AD5BN |
Rating: |
2003-09-21 | |
| Solid Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| This was my first HT. Bought for me by my mom and dad for Christmas when I was in high school and man was I excited. This radio, at the time, was packed STANDARD with everything a radio needed: CTCSS encode/decode, DTMF & DTMF memory, VFO and memory channels, independent controls for the VFO, squelch, and power/volume. Excellent sounding speaker audio, took a drop or two and didn't fail me. I loved this rig until I made a rookie mistake by turning on the radio, then the power supply, then plugging the radio into the power supply. I got the almighty electronics "odor of death" and off to Ft. Worth it went for $70 in repairs. Again - thankfully my parents bailed me out and got it repaired for me. :) It never worked the same from then on, but it was still a great rig before I messed it up! |
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| N3NDW |
Rating: |
2003-08-10 | |
| Just a Great Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
It was my first radio. Bought mine from a guy who bought it new with the extended warranty. I travel all over the country on assignments, and the 202 was always with me. Sitting in LAX at midnight talking through the valley on 1 watt, or on the repeater in Atlanta at the airport. We worked them all. Put in in the truck with the RS amp, and always very good reports. It was my mobile rig for 2 years.
I put a 5/8 wave magmount on my rental in San Francisco, and drove around the downtown area, with not intermod problems. Always reliable communications.
This is what makes a good radio. This is what made me buy another one just to have for working the special events. I leave the fancy Yeasu at home and take the brick with me. |
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| K8UPA |
Rating: |
2003-07-21 | |
| one tough little radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Had mine for several years, ran one over with my 4 wheeler (quad) sunk into the mud completely burying it. Cleaned it off and transmits like new. It also took a tumble at 30 plus mph, again it survived. Doubt my yaesu would have! I purchase one everytime they come around at a decent price. |
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| KD4SIR |
Rating: |
2003-07-21 | |
| The HumVee of HTs |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have nothing to compare this radio to since I bought mine new in Oct? 1993 and have been unable to replace it! I was a sucker and got the extended warrenty so I didn't use kid gloves with the radio (dropped it once, got caught in rain once, multiple scratches etc). Soon afterwords I bought a replacement for the original duck and a second battery. Still using the original batteries. It has been my primary radio all these years. Used it as a mobile rig (7 watts does it)too without a mobile antenna until I moved to South Bend, IN this year to hit a repeater I wanted. Oh, I did tighten the battery connection once.
I am still suprised by the performance of this radio! Field Day 2003, I was in South Bend IN and worked an airplane cruising at 6000 feet over Benton Heights MI using the battery, the replacement duck and external mic while holding the unit over my head. Others standing next to me couldn't. Built like an Army vehicle.
My wife is getting licensed and I was looking at buying us matching (smaller) new-fangled HTs, but now I am wondering just how disapointed I am going to be... |
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| KC5UPD |
Rating: |
2003-05-15 | |
| My first rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
When i got my ticket in 95 i went to radio shack and got a 202 I love it the only problem i had was the batt pack gets loose and loosed contact. \
great first HT. |
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| KB5LPA |
Rating: |
2003-01-27 | |
| One tough radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Got mine when they first came out. The Radio Shack dealer sold me the only one he had for his price to get it off the shelf. I have used it as my first mobile radio,as a handi during practice emergency drills,as a carry around at hamfests,as a "base" radio and in all situations,it works well. Have had to replace nicad pack but no big deal. Wish the shack would bring it back, but the days of radio in Radio shack are basically over. They are durable and very easy to operate. Continue to enjoy this radio. 73 |
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