Opinions on HT's wanted

I'm planning on buying my son (and myself) an HT for Christmas and have narrowed down my search to two rigs.

Kenwood TH-F6A Tri Band - 144/222/440

Icom IC-91AD Dual Band - 144/440

Now I am not particularly looking for a rig with 222 but it looks like a descent radio.

Does anyone have any experiences with these radio's ? If so please share.

[al2i]

I have the Kenwood and have mistreated it pretty severely, but it just keeps working. It has a super-broad-banded reciever section, so I have had some trouble at my home QTH due to my proximity to a WX broadcast station. Other than that, it has been pretty awesome, and I like using the computer to set up the programming, so the adapter cable is a must-have accessory.

[kf0rt]

I've heard good things about the Kenwood.

I've got a Yaesu VX-7R and wouldn't recommend it unless you use it a LOT (complexity of use issues).

[N2RJ]

I have a Yaesu VX-5R, wife has a VX-7R.

They are mad complicated, but if you have the computer cable and use the software - either EVE or RT systems ADMS, it makes things a lot easier.

Honestly, I haven't programmed my HT via the keypad in ages.


I dropped mine 13 floors down of my old NYC apartment building onto cold concrete and it escaped with a broken front clear plastic over the display (replaced cheaply) and a few scratches. I don't think that is typical, but it's one seriously rugged handheld.

I have a Yaesu VX-5R...


I dropped mine 13 floors down of my old NYC apartment building onto cold concrete and it escaped with a broken front clear plastic over the display (replaced cheaply) and a few scratches. I don't think that is typical, but it's one seriously rugged handheld.

Wow. Just Wow. I totally love my VX-5R. No programming issues here.

[M0GLO]

VX-5R's for everyone! :lol:

I LOVE mine. I program it with ADMS and the keyboard.
Takes a little time to learn the keyboard shortcuts, but it's a breeze once you do.

Like everyone sez, they are indestructible.

Take a look on eBay, they are going for about $160 I think.

[al2i]

Well I had a choice between a free VX-7R or a free VX-3 yesterday and decided to go with the VX-3R, with which I have been monitoring the local IRLP node ever since. I am able to do everything I need with the VX-3, and it is much smaller, so I can lose it in a pocket.

[WV6Z]

Well, you know someone had to say it so, Motorola Astro Saber II or GTFO. ;)

[K1OU]

I have no use for HT's. The answer is called a cell phone.

[ad4mg]

It offers little to Dave's question, as it's no longer available, but I also have a VX-5R, and I program it using the Yaesu Programmer software and cable. No problems with the rig at all in over two years!

No experience with the rigs listed, but I've found the 6 meters on the '5R pretty useless. maybe you'll get more mileage out of the 220 band. If I was to buy another handheld, it would be a simple dual-bander.

[M0GLO]

You can still get 5R's on eBay, that's were I bought mine 4 years ago.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yaesu-VX-5r-6m-2m-70cm-HT_W0QQitemZ290186275416QQihZ019QQcategoryZ40069QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yaesu-VX-5R-Triband-FM-transceiver-VX-5-VX5-MINT-COND_W0QQitemZ130180251451QQihZ003QQcategoryZ40069 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yaesu-VX-5R-Triple-Band-radio-50-144-430-MHz_W0QQitemZ160187021897QQihZ006QQcategoryZ40069Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And a twofer deal if you wanna fix one on what the seller says is the cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/YAESU-VX-5R-W-extras_W0QQitemZ290186383034QQihZ019QQcategoryZ400 69QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[N2RJ]

I have no use for HT's. The answer is called a cell phone.

I have two cell phones - one from work (blackberry) and one personal one. So does my wife - she has a blackberry from work and a personal phone. We don't want to give up the personal phones even though my I have no restrictions on cell phone use. I don't want to give up my number and I don't want to port it over to a work phone. Besides, there are calls you just want to keep private.

We still have four ham HT's and 10 FRS radios.

The FRS radios were cheap on clearance at RadioShack, and are useful when going into the woods with any guests that want to take a walk out back. Cell coverage isn't the best here.

Besides, we help out with public service events so the HTs come in handy.

My wife also uses hers as a scanner.

Thank you all for your thoughts. Since it is a Christmas present I don't want to buy anything used. When he upgrades to General Class I will look for an HF rig on eBay with him.

I'm leaning towards the Kenwood TH-F6A which covers 144/222/440 MHz as we don't have any 6 meter repeaters close enough to make it worth while. Now 222 MHz is a different story as I was able to find about 15 repeaters in my area that he could access on 222. Right now he is borrowing my FT-50R so at least he has something to use to get him on the air. I'm also going to get him the General study guide since he wants to get on HF and he also wants to learn CW.

When he told me he wanted to learn CW a tear formed in my eye.

[WV6Z]

Good choice Dave!

[W4KLB]

:-? i'm not much on deadwoods, but those that have them say they are wonderful,i have the 91(I can only monitor)
side by side with the stock duck the icom wins and ther is no 222 around, just 2 meter and 70 cm.
city kenwood country icom or maybe alinco??? :roll: :roll: :roll:

Well I ordered the Kenwood TH-F6A the other day from HRO and it should be here today. I want to be able to charge it up and enter in all the repeaters I'm reasonably sure he will be able to access and back in the box it goes. I am considering buying one for myself but I need to get a descent HF antenna tuner before I can consider a new HT. I still have the FT-50R for portable work so I can hold off for a while. I plan on building a new wire HF antenna and feed it with some ladder line I have sitting in the closet. The only tuner I have is the auto tuner in my TS2000 so it's time to get my hands on something new.

Thanks all for your input, it is very much appreciated.

Merry Christmas to all.