Author |
Message |
Wildrat
Advanced Member Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 647 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 5:10 pm: |
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What is a good2 mtr radio to be looking for? For a beginner that doesn't want to have to buy another radio later? Wildrat P.S. I went to a HAM tailgate this past Saturday and picked up a 2 meter beam antenna for 15 bucks. I thought that was pretty good. When I was about to leave the ole fella gave me about 100 feet of rg8u and about 100 feet of rg8, that was a good deal too. |
Moderator136
Moderator Username: Moderator136
Post Number: 169 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 5:27 pm: |
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Wildrat A good 2 meter radio for the price is a Yaesu FT-2800m it has up too 65 watts of power. It is a mobile radio and you will have to have a power supply to run it on the base. I have one and never had any problems with it.Its a good rig. Moderator 136 CEF 136 kc0svc |
Bruce
Senior Member Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3412 Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 6:31 pm: |
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ok on the beam and the 2800 is a nice radio |
Wildrat
Advanced Member Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 650 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 7:01 pm: |
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OK, I'll start looking for one so I can be ready when the day comes. Thanks Mark Wildrat |
Rldrake
Junior Member Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 2:49 am: |
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Unfortunately, the really good 2 meter only transceivers are no longer produced. All of the manufacturers currently only offer FM only rigs...only exceptions being MFJ's model 9402 which does USB...and cw with the optional $50 board. For the most part the only way to get a 2 meter only all-mode, or even most-mode, is to buy used. The best of these usually go for very high prices nowadays. Cost wise it usually makes more sense, nowadays, to purchase transceiver that covers HF/VHF/UHF or to go with a transverter if optimum performance is desired. Just keep in mind that the 2 meter experience is very, very limited if one restricts himself to only close range, strong signal FM and/or repeaters. |
Rldrake
Junior Member Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2006
| Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 2:56 am: |
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One more thing, the 100' rg8/rg8u that was given to you would best be saved for future use. While such feedline is quite useful on the lower HF frequencies, it is quite lossy at vhf. For any run much more than about 20', one needs to be using 9913 types or LMR 400 equivalents at the minimum. |
Wildrat
Advanced Member Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 656 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 9:06 am: |
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Actually the stuff that I thought was rg8 or rg8u had 9913 stamped on it. I can't remember if it was the big stuff or the little. When I go in the garage I'll have a look. Mark Wildrat CEF674 |
Patzerozero
Senior Member Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2272 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 - 6:00 pm: |
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9913....the good stuff, double shielded with 95% braided shield & 100% foil shield, a bit stiff, but it HELPS WITH RFI/TVI! its use in my mobile stopped RFI to the truck electronics.... |
Bruce
Senior Member Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3419 Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 7:52 am: |
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Wildrat .... My coax is the lmr-400 and on 6 i use a good mini-8 but even RG-8 will work well at 2 meters in less that 100 foot runs. |