I had a thread over in the swamp, and I think it's helped me decide on the Yaesu 8800.
but I'm wondering how the Alinco 635T stacks up to it in terms of performance?
Anyone have any input?
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I had a thread over in the swamp, and I think it's helped me decide on the Yaesu 8800.
but I'm wondering how the Alinco 635T stacks up to it in terms of performance?
Anyone have any input?
Only input I have is that from a support perspective, the Yaesu is probably the better choice. Alinco distribution and service facilities have changed hands at least 3 times over the last 10-12 years.
For the record, I'm not terribly fond of Yaesu or Alinco, but if that's the choice, I'd go Yaesu.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ3N
are you an icom person?
If you have the $$, pony up for an FT-857D. You'll get 10m, 6m, 2m, and 70cm all mode. I like mine, I actually have two of them. Pretty versatile. Not the best HF rig, but OK. Consider a used one in good condition, they are out there. And you'll have the other HF bands for the upgrade to General when you do that.
Well, you do have 80, 40, and 15 CW only privileges right now. ;)
I have the Alinco DR235 rig in that series, and it works okay, no complaints. I also have a Yaesu FT 8900 (like the 8800 but 4 bands instead of two) which is a nice little rig. Perfect for mobile on 10 Meters, 50, 144, 440. I would still have it in the truck, but I put in a FT 857 for HF and 2/440. I now have the 8900 in the shack and it's fun to put on 10 FM when it's open. You can hit the 10 Meter repeaters all over the place. If you went with the 8800, I don't think you'd be disappointed. The option for the remote head is a real plus if you are going to put it in a vehicle, and I think the Alinco has that option as well. Since the two rigs are pretty much in direct competition, it's like Ford or Chevy, or can you get one or the other for a much better price.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WØTKX
Im really wanting something with crossband abilities to go in the Jeep right now. I fish a lot, so it would be nice to leave the Jeep on the beach or the dock and take my Baofeng HT with me.
im taking my general Aug 13th. Right now I'm scoring 100% on practice exams with sections 5-9.
You wanna sell that 8900? LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by K7SGJ
My only concern with the Alinco is the small number of reports of RX issues.
I was for a long time, especially when it came to the HF line. Now I have a K3. I ran Icom HF gear from 1991 to 2008. I own two IC-7000s.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
If I were looking for a VHF/UHF only rig, I'd be looking at Kenwood or Icom, but that's me. I've owned both at one time or another.
i had/have an opportunity to pick up a used D710 for $400... I'm just not sure I want to spend that kind of money on a used unit. And I can't afford one new right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ3N
Budget is the name of the game until after October.
You don't want my opinion of APRS. :roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
There are plenty of used radios around that can do crossband. I wouldn't piss $400 away on any APRS radio, used or otherwise.
I don't know anything about it, other than it gives me the location of the person transmitting... Which seems kinda pointless when I can just ask.
My feelings as well. I'm sure it has its uses, but I consider it much like Icom's D-Star; a solution looking for a problem.
If you're willing to spend $400 on a used radio, I'd make the smarter play and but a new Kenwood TM-V71A at about $350.
I didn't think the V71A has a crossband feature. Does it?
You tell me.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVs97kb4mx4
Oooohhhhh.... So it does do crossband.
So now I've got three to choose from.
Generally speaking, if the radio has dual displays, it usually does crossband.
I'll have to sit down and compare them feature for feature.
Chris also has 10m SSB on 28.300-28.500, and full privs on 6. The 857 is the most bang for the buck IMHO. And, being by the Gulp Coast, 6m opens frequently :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by WØTKX
One reason i kept the FT 100 the forerunner of the FT 857/897.
Better reciever better DSP too, HF, 6, 2/70.
Sold the Alinco DR 610 off, no transceiver in the car anymore, can't be bothered about that, if i need access to a repeater i take the Wouxun UDVP-1 with me with speaker phone.
Travelled with us many times on our hollidays to France, did a good job too, added the AM Xfilter too, so it works like a charm on AM as well.
There's an FT-100 on the bay right now.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171072649682...84.m1423.l2649
and it's local, so I can probably go check it out in person. It's just a big chunk of change for me right now.
N8YX must have set the frequency on that FT-100.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
550 $ looks pricy, i bought mine for 400 euro and i expect the FT100 D to fetch there 450 - 500 $ the FT100 about 375 - 425 $.
That are the prices here in euro, transceivers are a bit more pricey here for the import and longer transport ways and VAT.
There is a large Google group for the FT 100 too.
Mine is now in my posession for the last 7 years and works daily flawlessly.
Mostly used as FM radio for the news and 2/70.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy something on eBay that has only a Buy It Now price.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ3N
He's only about 5 miles from me. I wouldn't "buy it now" at that price, but it may be worth going to look at in person. Perhaps he'll come down on the price for locals.
Maybe. I have had some good luck on eBay doing that with a quiet message. Another eBay trick, don't bid till it is almost over, and especially if the auction ends in the early AM hours for US time zones. Set an alarm clock and see what's happening. I have had my best purchases happen that way.
I snipe every time, all the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by WØTKX
I draw the line at having it automated, though...a true gentleman uses his mouse :D
Considering the chunk that Paypal and final value fees eat away, cash may be king.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
One of the funniest is when I got my NIB 10m to 2m Ten Tec transverter. I was watching it, and one of the locals I know came on a repeater. He was talking about it, and saying how he had just seen it and was asking my opinion, he knew I had two others. Of course, I'd been watching it for over a week, quietly. He didn't know my eBay screen name. I out bid him, at the last few seconds, because I kept my mouth shut. :lol:
He was mildly upset... "Some other guy in Colorado". Sorry Tom, that was me. I've been watching it for a while. Never play poker with me. Bwaaaa!
It's overpriced, period. I'd pay a max of $450 cash.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
It's been discontinued for years. Parts are becoming hard to come by.
I snipe some things using a snipe program. But its mostly sub $100 camera's.
I'm typically don't spend more than $100 on eBay on any given item. If its usually more than that, I prefer to either buy local so I can put my hands on it, and/or just order a new one from an online retailer like Amazon.
Luckily in 63 transactions, I've never had a bad experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ3N
Good info.
Unless I luck into some miracle deal on something like an 857... It's highly likely that I'll end up with an 8800 or a V71A.
The only thing that I like about the Alinco over the others is the multi color screen. But as I said, there are a few reports about RX problems with the Alinco.
I'm going to sit down tonight and compare the 8800 and V71A feature for feature, and do a little more research on both.
What I'll probably end up doing is installing a VHF/UHF radio with crossband in the Jeep, and then saving up for a nice base station. I usually get a nice chunk of change for Christmas from the parental units so maybe that's what I'll give myself for Christmas. A nice all mode base unit, something like an Icom-7000.
I got my second FT-857D for $600. Yes, it was a good deal. :yes:
Yeah, I had both the 100 and the 100D. I just cant see paying 500+ for one when you can pick up an 857 for a wee bit more. That being said, I sold my FT-100D a few years back for 600$ without ever putting a price on it. I was setting up my table at a local ham fest and a guy said will you take 600$ for it, the rest is history.Quote:
Originally Posted by PA5COR
The reason I got rid of them is that both had what I consider less than acceptable audio, volume wise. I just couldnt hear them while driving down the road(windows open). No matter what speaker I used. I did not have the same issue with the 857, 706, or 7000. In the shack it was no problem at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KB3LAZ
I drive a soft top Jeep, and even though its a 2013 and way quieter than my 2003 was, it still has a lot of road noise. I'm going to wire an external speaker for whatever radio I install. There's enough room in the padding of the roll bar just above the drivers seat to the left, to put a small square external speaker.
I always use external speakers too. Still didn't have enough volume. However, this was only an issue with the FT 100 series that I had. Never an issue with other radios.Quote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
My other option is to run an RCA directly to my head unit and play the audio through my full stereo system. Which is an option I hadn't though of until just now... Hmmmmmm.
Jammin out to the local gang. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by K9CCH
Only when I want to! LOL
theres a 10" sub in the back, and a JVC touch screen entertainment center in the front... Audio ought to be pretty reasonable! LOL
I didn't realize that the FT-350AR had cross band abilities.... I reallly Really REALLY want an FT-350AR. I had given up on it because I didn't think it did cross band, but that is truly the radio that I want.
At first glance, cross-band repeat seems like a really cool feature but I never could figure out why I'd ever need it myself.