A question of Dual Band Hand Helds

[VK5MRD]

Shortly I am looking to purchase a Dual Band Hand Held. #I am not too sure on which to buy. #I have heard good things about the Yaesu FT-60R and the Icom T90A. Currently all my Ham gear is Icom but I am open for suggestions. #Any comments for and against these HT`s would be welcomed.

Many thanks.

Best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[w4glm]

Dave, I am partial to my Icom W32A.

I have owned it for 5 years and of course have

gone through some battery pack's (get em rebuilt)

It's never failed.....Mac

[ne3r]

The handhelds from Icom, Kenwood, & Yaesu are pretty much the same in quality these days.

My Yaesu VX-7R gets quite hot when using 5 watts, and the FT-60R is even smaller, I would expect it to have some heating problems. I don't oave an IC-T90A, but borrowed one when I was looking at radios, it got hot when using 5 watts too.

Now that I've bought my Yaesu VX-7R, I realized that I probably should have bought the Kenwood TH-F6A for its 5 watt output on 125cm band, but I don't think that is available to a vk5.

73
Joe
N3PAQ

[VK5MRD]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info on the different Dual Band Hand Held radio`s. #I was looking at the Icom T90A but then I came accross the new Icom 91A. #I was wondering if anyone has had much to do with the 91A and if they could recomend one.

73 de Dave VK5FDMR

[VK5FIVE]

Hi Dave....I have recently purchased the last of the Yaesu VX 5R handheld & can highly recommend, covers 2m/6m/70cm...VX 7R covers the same. It's fully recharged in 5.25 hours & is very sensitive on receive, also use the "potatoe" microphone which doubles as a headphone jack...always receive excellent reports. A second hand unit might be worth a look & the VX 7R is still currently in production. 73's...Rick VK5FIVE

[VK5MRD]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your info on the Yaesu Hand Helds. #I have heard that the VX5R and the VX7R are very good models. #I am looking for at least 5 watts and DTMF. #I have also been looking at the Icom T90A and the Icom 91A. #They all seem to be very good radio`s each in their own way. I will keep you posted.

Thanks again and best 73`s Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kd4sm]

I went with the Yaesu VX-7R. Its recharge time with the factory supplied charger runs about 5 hours or so. Also, like others have said, it does get warm during transmit, but i guess all radios do somewhat. I too was an Icom believer, but got scared away from the T90A due to many reviews of poor battery life and 8 to 10 hour recharge times. The 91A uses the same battery as the 90, so it may have long charge times as well. The other factor that swayed me Yaesu's way was the lower cost of accessories compared to the Icoms. So, far, the VX-7R has been a great radio for me, but I would consider Icom in any radio purchase.

[VK5MRD]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your message. I believe the charge time for the Icom 91A is 6 hours which is better than the charge time of the Icom T90A. #I guess most HT`s would get warm during transmit depening on out put power and length of transmit time. The Yaesu VX-7R is a good radio for sure. #We will have to see if Icom Australia will introduce the 91A? Might be worth waiting for....

Thanks and best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KC2PBJ]

I've been using the ICOM T7H and find it appropriate to my needs. At the high power setting (5w) it does get hot along the belt clip.

[VK5MRD]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me roughly what the expected transmit time would be on firstly 5 watts then if operated on just 1 watt? #Just curious to know how long a fully charged battery would last?

Best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[w4fid]

I have had numerous Icom HTs over the years and loved every one of them. Years ago my IC 02AT traveled with me over 1/4 million miles and was in hundreds of rental cars over a few years. Everything of theirs I ever had was great and totally reliable. So I am an Icom guy.

I have had a few yeasu HTs over the years. Now I own both a Yeasu 2 m HT and an Icom 2m/440 HT. I like both and both work well. However, every Yeasu I ever had was a bear to program. Even the dealer I got the one I have now had a hell of a time showing me how to program it -- and he's a Yeasu fan.

If I ever win a Yeasu at a fest I'll sell it unopened and use the money to buy an Icom.

John W4FID

[VK5MRD]

Hi John,

Thanks for your comments. #I have to admit that I am a big Icom Fan. #Yeasu do make great gear too so I am not disputing that fact either. #I guess like anything new you must read and maybe re read the manual a few times before it sinks in. #So far I am very happy with all my Icom radio`s from my HF base to my Dual Band mobile to my HT. I would like my next Icom purchase at some stage down the track to be a HF/VHF/UHF mobile combo similar to the new Icom 7000. Thanks for your comments and happy dx-ing.

Best 73 Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[N5YFC]

I have had a W32A for at least 4 years and like
it just fine. They were discontinued a few years
back and brought it back - due to popular demand.
That says alot about the rig.
I would buy another one it this one gave up the
ghost.

Wayne
N5YFC

[VK5MRD]

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for your info. I only have Icom gear so maybe I may be biased but I would recommend any Icom as a product to anyone. I am very happy with the quality and performance of every Icom product I own or have used.

Thanks for your comments.

Best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kb4oew]

I have an FT-60 and it is and has been a great radio. Never any problems, great signal reports, and one well built radio. Another thing I like about it is the compatibility with the VX-150 programming cable and in a pinch the battery. Of course each person has their opinion of what radio they perfer, and others may not like the 60. However for my money, I would buy another one.

[VK5MRD]

Hi James kb4oew ,

Thanks for your post re the FT-60. I am sure it is a great radio. It is best to make sure we do our homework well and read up on the different models before we go out and purchase a product with our hard earned money. Thanks for your comments.

Best 73`s Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[VK5MRD]

Maybe the next thing I may consider might be to upgrade the supplied antenna and to purchase an adaptor so as to connect an external antenna to the HT for either mobile or base use. Not that I have had any problems with the supplied antenna either. I am very happy with the Icom HT, I love it! Definately one of my best purchases.

best 73`s Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[VK5MRD]

Something I wish I had done a long time ago too.

73`s Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ka5piu]

Hello.

I have the Kenwood TH-f6a and the Yaesu VX-7R.
The Kenwood is easier to program by far and much more logical in its layout in almost all areas.
The Yaesu keypad is odd, the *0# keys are on the side of the
radio.
The Kenwood has the volume on the ring and not the outer knob.
The Yaesu is water resistant, the Kenwood has a better external feature connector that supports a 3 button mic.

[KC0REY]

I had the VX-6R and loved it........I swapped it, and was instantly sorry that I did..........I bought another VX-6R last month........

I am hard on my handhelds. I drop them, I fall on them (problem with my knees) they get knocked off of tables, sat on etc. My origional VX-6 handled the abuse nicely. I killed an Alinco DJ-V5 in very short order (less then a year).

I dropped my Icon T2H off of my GoldWing at 70 MPH and after I picked it up it worked just fine. It did not look too good anymore though........

I haven't dropped my new VX-6R yet, but give me time.......

[VK5MRD]

Hi #Guys,

Thanks for your comments. #I am sure that Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood and the other brands make decent Hand Helds. #They have to as they would not stay in business otherwise. #So far so good with my Icom, I know I may be biased. #I have not used any other brand so I can not comment on the other brands performance. #I am very happy with my rx and tx audio. #Accessing the rpt`s on 2m and 70cm is excellent, simplex range is not bad either. #Would like to try an aftermarket antenna and also try it on my base antenna and in the mobile.

Thanks for your comments.

Best 73 de Dave VK5FDMR http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif