Looking for opinions of dual banders Specifically:

[VA6SIN]

Hello all,

I'm wanting to pick up a dual bander.

ICOM and Yaesu are good and reputable, as is Kenwood.

Kenwood costs way more.

So I'm looking at the two.

I would like to be able to use the mobile as a crossband repeater and would prefer easy use. If I'm driving my mind is on the road.

Thank you,

Kevin
kevin_bruce@hotmail.com

[kc0fgp]

Kevin,

I've used a Yaesu FT-8100 mobile unit for several years and it has been trouble free. It has so many features that it takes some time to get used to it, but many of them are only used for setup. If you don't use some features often, you need a reference (supplied) to use them again. I have it remoted to the trunk and only the control head and external speaker are up front for use. I can't address the ICOM.

Mark
kc0fgp@arrl.net

[K9KJM]

Once you set up and use a cross-band repeater, You will NEVER go back to not having it!!!!!! Cross band repeat allows you to walk around with a little flea power handi in your pocket and still "get out" at high power from your mobil, or base, wherever you have your "cross band" radio set up............. Icom 2410H, 2350H, 2710H IF you can locate any of these now out of production radios work GREAT! The Icom 2800 also cross bands, BUT I am waiting for the "new" Icom 2720 to hit the streets. On paper it looks good. Alinco also had some pretty good dual band rigs a few years ago that would cross band repeat. GOOD LUCK! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KB9YFI]

Don't overlook the Alinco DR605T. #It has everything you need in a dual-bander except for VHF/VHF or UHF/UHF operation which it does not do. #It is one of the cheapest CBR rigs you can buy new (Yaesu does not make one at the moment also) and is pretty robust as well. #If you like easy operation this one is great. #There are no menus. #Just buttons and 2 volume knobs- one for each band. #I have one and like it very much. #It has a pretty good heat-sink and does not overheat much even when operating at full power (50W-VHF and 35W-UHF) for extended periods. #

I'm a Yaesu-lover normally but this rig is really robust and is not a plastic piece of junk that many of the newer offerings can be. #That's why I love Yaesu and this radio is not far behind in build quality. #I bought mine used on ebay for well under $300 with shipping from a Ham-widow. (always sad to see a silent key- but it is good to recycle a radio and keep it in the hands of a licensed amateur) #I see them on ebay for even lower at times but I think I got a good deal on mine. It was never mobile and a true non-smoking shack. #

It's a pity that it is not as nice as it was when I got it but it's been in my car for almost 2 years and is a veteran of many PSE's and gets used every day to and from work, dirty construction sites, as well as hard simplex use on full power and ragchewing on the weekends. #I can't complain about this radio one bit. #My friend who is a Motorola commercial technician and circle-M lover even says that this radio sounds really good. #He prefers it to my Yaesu FT1500 single-bander on 2M and I talk to him almost every day on both. #That's all the signal report I need but not the only positive one to say the least. #

Don't overlook this radio. #Good performer, low price, CBR, true dual-band scanning and operation, All-metal sturdy case with huge heatsink in the rear and nice sound. #Intermod on UHF does happen on rare occasions on hilltops by cell-towers but tone-squelch helps a lot for me on machines that use it. #The speaker is a bit tinny but I always use a high-quality remote speaker near my ear as my hearing is poor these days and doesn't seem to be getting any better. #A remote speaker is never a bad idea on any mobile application in my opinion.

Jim - KB9YFI - Technician

[KA0AZS]

The ICOM 207H does NOT do cross-band repeat. It's not really a dual band, but is a "twin" band radio; only does 1 band at a time.

That said, have had 1 for my wife's car for about 4 years now, and she loves it. She likes the simplicity.

The Kenwood TMD-700 also does cross-band repeat, as well as being THE radio for APRS (unpaid political announcment http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Agree with the ICOM 2710 if you can find one used. Was my primary radio prior to the D-700, and is now my back-up mobile/shelter kit radio (and no, I am NOT interested in sell or trade!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

Keep an eye on the ICOM 2720 due out this summer. Saw 1 at Hamvention and looks good, an updated 2710/

73

Randy KAØAZS

[9W2WW]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (VA6SIN @ May 15 2002,21:39)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hello all,

I'm wanting to pick up a dual bander.

ICOM and Yaesu are good and reputable, as is Kenwood.

Kenwood costs way more.

So I'm looking at the two.

I would like to be able to use the mobile as a crossband repeater and would prefer easy use. If I'm driving my mind is on the road.

Thank you,

Kevin
kevin_bruce@hotmail.com[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Currently am using Alinco DR-610T dual-bander cross-repeater.... it's good. Worth a try....... Anyway, most market's dual-band cross-repeater are having the atmost same functions....

I would recommend Alinco DR-610T...cheap and good.

[w9gsd]

i LIVE HERE IN MILWAUKEE, AND WE SEEM TO HAVE INTERMOD PROBLEMS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF TOWN. BEING NEW MYSELF, IT SEEMS INTERESTING THAT THE STORE HERE THAT SELLS HAM EQUIPMENT DOES NOT RECOMMEND YAESU. ICOM AND KENWOOD SEEM THE BEST OF THE BUNCH.

EVEN THOUGH THE KENWOOD -TM-V7A IS MORE EXPENSIVE THE UNIT HAS SOME MANY GREAT FEATURES, IT SEEMS WELL WORTH THE PRICE. HEARD NOTHING BUT GREAT REPORTS ON IT.

STILL WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT NEW ICOM 2720 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif :

[N1RKY]

I have an Alinco DR 610 TQ. It does cross band and has not given me any trouble in the couple of years I've used it.
I found programming it sometimes a little difficult. Have to refer to the manual at times. But, once you do it a couple of times it's pretty easy.
It does have a lot of extra features as well.
I also have an Alinco DJG5T dual band HT, which I use mobile with a Mirage amp. Also very good results and no problems with this radio. It works the 610 crossband very well.

Earl Shepard K1ERL

[N7ZXP]

I have a Yaesu FT-7100M in my truck and have great luck with it. I had a older Kenwood in for a while but it would not take the pounding of off-road travel. The Yeasu seems to be built right. I recommend it.

[K9DRX]

Someone mentioned the Kenwood V7A - NOTE: it is NOT a true dual bander. #Yes, it has dual receive but can only receive 2 frequencies on the SAME BAND. #It cannot do U/V at the same time. #Also has no cross-band repeat. #Basically, you are paying for Kenwood's lesser dual band radio with a blue display that recieves two frequencies at once. #Not worth the extra $150 or so. #Also, this blue display is damn near impossible to see in bright light unless you have yourself lined up with the display at just the right angle. #I couldn't see it in the store at AES in Milwuakee unless I held it DIRECTLY in front of my face. #Any angle and bright light wiped it out.

[K9ZMD]

Hello,
In spite of only occasional use, my Yaesu FT-8100 is troublesome. #The mic is easy to connect but very hard to disconnect. #I had to program a mic button for switching to UHF because the &quot;push to switch bands&quot; function of the UHF control knob went inop. #That may be related to the UHF volume control now being intermittent. #Lately, the rig goes into xmt without warning. #No amount of deliberate vibration, cable flexing, or connector twisting will make this happen, but just turn your back on it for a second . . . .
73 #Gary K9ZMD, Palmdale, CA

Hi, I have two 8100's, both of which have given me outstanding performance. They have also travelled to Africa and back with me, and still work as good as the day I bought them. Great working vhf/uhf, or uhf/uhf, or vhf/vhf, or in repeater mode. Only problem is possible breakthrough if you use it in an area where there is loads of other rf around, such as in the City, but not too much of a problem. Bottom line:- this piece of kit is a work of art!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif # #Also 9G1BJ # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
OOPS - I forgot to agree with Gary - K9ZMD, the mic is a bit of an animal to disconnect from the rig
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[bigtrain]

If you haven't purchased a dual bander yet, check out the new one by Icom 2720 and the new one by Alinco. I have a 8100 Yaesu and has given good service once I got the thermal bug worked out. The 7100's by Yaesu had a problem but it has been corrected.

[W0XS]

I have a Yaesu FT-8500 dual band VHF/UHF transceiver in my car. I first purchased a Kenwood unit but the intermod was horrendous. The local dealer tood back the Kenwood and recommended the Yaesu which has been intermod free for the several years I have owned it. I'd recommend Yaesu based on my own experience.

[kd4sq]

I have an Alinco DR-590T that is a pretty good radio with good features, but has the most abyssmally bad documentation I have ever seen. It cross-band repeats, the documentation does not mention it. It has a remote capable control head, the documentation does not mention it. It occassionally locks the display and needs to be reset: there is no procedure in the documentation, and I have to remove and replace the memory battery to get it unlocked. I'm in the market because I am getting mortally tired of being out on a search and having my communications die, and then getting back to the truck and finding out that it is because the Alinco display has locked.

[N0NCO]

Quote[/b] (bigtrain @ Dec. 09 2002,15:21)]If you haven't purchased a dual bander yet, check out the new one by Icom 2720 and the new one by Alinco. I have a 8100 Yaesu and has given good service once I got the thermal bug worked out. The 7100's by Yaesu had a problem but it has been corrected.
I bought an FT-8100 when they first came out. Worked great for around 3 years. Since then, I have had major trouble with it. I've had the module failures, the wide-open volume control problem, the ringing problem, ye gads - I think my 8100 has suffered nearly all of the problems an 8100 can have! The shop I bought it from tried a number of things, but the troubles would soon return. They eventually gave up on it &amp; refunded my money. What did you do to solve the problems?

73,

Joel - N0NCO