New Dual Band Mobile Breaks $250 Barrier

[KC2TCM]

Ok, time for me to chime in here. I don't think there are any VHF/UHF mobile or portable radios that are made in the US, and most of the lower end models have been produced in china... My Yaesu FT2800 and 2900 are. Maybe they can afford to produce the HF rigs in Japan, and that's good. We generally need better quality from our HF rigs.

I have owned HT's from HYS, FDC, Wouxun, Baofeng, Weierwei, Puxing, Yaesu, & Kenwood. I generally compare the FT60R against most of the dual-band chinese ones. Now that the FT60 is about $150-160 for a good quality radio, I won't pay more than $80 for a new chinese one. As far as quality... Baofeng and Wouxun seem to be doing well. I only had one issue with the first UV-2D I purchased, and found a fix for the muffled sounding audio. The 2nd UV2D sounds fine. The Baofeng UV-5R is a decent radio, too. Throw the 3600mAh battery on it, and you can run it for days. I cannot recommend the HYS TC-VU88, though; firmware is too buggy, and the speaker/mic jacks are prone to failure.

That dual band mobile mentioned isn't something I'd go for. It wasn't too long ago that the Yaesu FT7800 was $230 brand new. Yea, I know prices have gone up since then. $250 for a dual band mobile with questionable support. The Alinco DR635T is only a smidge over $300, and the Yaesu FT-7900 is just a bit more. Wow, $100 more than what I paid for the 7800. Anyway, I keep my equipment for a long time (not just in ham radio, but computers, vehicles, etc...) so when I justify an extra $50-100 for something, I look at it this way... Am I going to worry about that extra $100 over a 5 year period? 10 year? Longer? That's the same way I look at used equipment. It's a gamble, and usually I'll pay more for something new, with a warranty, to know I'm not out $xxx in the first year of owning it. If it's used, or being bought with not-rock-solid support, it's gotta be cheap enough.

[NZ0Z]

Maybe it's because I'm fairly new at this, but I was wondering why the list of features includes "Inspection, Monitor, Stun and Kill" ???

Thats the first thing I noticed too!

[W6OM]

Final comment on this thread. Many great idea's and comments on what is wrong with Ham Radio products and their point of origin. As I ask any of my employee's, who come to me with a complaint, what is your solution to the problem. Anyone can point out problems, but few have sound well thought out solutions. We should all work together on solutions to the problem. I will step out and lead the parade by once again requesting and demanding Congress to reverse the trade tariff between China and the US so we are on an equal footing. In case you have not read about it, all US products have a 40% tariff at point of entry in China. All Chinese products have a 4% tariff at point of entry in the USA. If we work together as a team and demand congress change that one law it will give us all and equal opportunity to compete in the global economy.

All the Best to Everyone

I'll do my part, will you?

[WA6MHZ]

the Chinese make good WIVES too

[W5TXR]

i wont and refuse to buy chinese radios

Amen! That's all we need more 48 hour dealers at hamfests flooding the market with Chinese crap!
The ham radio community is not helping by buying this junk.
"Ask dad, He knows" You only get what you pay for.
I've been a ham for a long time, Stick with the Yaesu, Kenwood or Icom or other familar name we all know and love!

Question:

If some one says "Penny for my thoughts?" and I give my 2 cents , Where did the other penny go?

If you shoot a mime, Do you have to use a silencer?

-Mark



Mark A. Lacy
ARRL Asst. Technical Coordinator, STX
ARRL Certified Teacher / Instructor

[WZ3O]

i wont and refuse to buy chinese radios

DITTO.........

[K6ZRH]

Everybody is complaining about "Made in China". How about "Made in Malaysia", "Made in Indonesia", "Made in Kenya", "Made in Obama"? Everybody wants a great radio, durable, more features and most of all "CHEAP"!
You have to accept the world is changing, Japanese people, also an Asian, made American life easier, from cars, electronics, sushi etc.. and then followed by Koreans, from cars to electronics, kimchi etc.. then followed by the Chinese, from paper clips to noodles, to IPOD, PC and Apple, Nike and chopsticks, and even the "American flag" is made in China. I think most Americans loves cheap goods "Made in Communist China". What Can I say more.....

k6zrh
Philippine Made

[K8ERV]

As I ask any of my employee's, who come to me with a complaint, what is your solution to the problem.

I have always felt that when someone does a public criticism they should be REQUIRED to provide a good workable solution, or shut up.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[KA9MOT]

I think most Americans loves cheap goods "Made in Communist China". What Can I say more.....

k6zrh
Philippine Made

Tell us about unfair labor practices, slave labor, child labor, working/living conditions so bad, people are killing themselves to escape them.

If you buy Chinese goods, you not only condone these practices, you encourage them.

Many (Most?) Chinese products are cheap copies of products from other countries. They have no respect for US Patent laws (or any other countries Patent Laws). My Dishtronix DWM-2104A Meter is a prime example of a US Company who outsourced the manufacturing of his product, and he did it to save you money. It is a fine product but a high percentage had to be repaired before he could ship them, and then they copied the Meter and sold it all over the rest of the world... and the only thing he could do was discontinue the product..... From the horses mouth: http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...off-not-really

Who wins? Not you or I.

[G0TTQ]

I bought my one about a year ago from the 409shop.com, I received it about 3 weeks later and it works great. Al I paid at that time was $100 shipped, I use it daily with no problem.
Brain.... G0TTQ.