Which radio for a Semi?
I'll be going back to work driving a truck soon and am looking at 3 different radios. They are the Icom IC-7000, Yaesu FT-857D and last but not least, is the Kenwood TS-480HX or the TS-480SAT. What ever one I get I want to be able to connect it to the computer. Any thoughts? Current Radio is a Yaesu ft-817nd. Thank for any help folks.
"It's better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for who you are not"
Jeremiah (aka W9JAM)
I run an 857D mobile and it does okay. I also have an 817 which is fun for QRP, and pretty much like the 857 menu and operation wise. If you know your way around the 817, and chose the 857, you won't have to learn a new box. Don't know much about the other rigs. Good luck.
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If the extra money isn't an issue,I'd go for the IC-7000. It's got the best receiver of the bunch by far.
BTW, I'm also a truck driver and am going back on the road again next month after eight years on the the other side of the Qualcomm as a dispatcher.
All the world’s a stage, but obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.
I had a co-driver who I was also my Elmer but I got tired of getting poked with antennas stored in the bunk so I went to another company after taking care of some Dr stuff and then came off the road to deal with some other medical stuff. Now i'll be going back to driving a truck... I can't wait!
"It's better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for who you are not"
Jeremiah (aka W9JAM)
My pic would be the TS-480. A much better receiver then the others in it's price range and right up there with the IC-7000. The only edge I'd give the IC-7000 is the display and the DSP but I've not owned the IC-7000. Only played with one. If I were going to spend that kind of money on a rig I'd expect much better performance than the sub $1k rigs and it just isn't there.
"One man with courage makes a majority." ~ Andrew Jackson
Steve KA9MOT
Macomb, IL
None of the above, because you'll be accused of channel jumping.
"Everyone wants to be an AM Gangsta until it's time to start doing AM Gangsta shit."
Well, the IC-7000 also has the 144 and 440 bands in it, so it would be my choice.
I don't have one, but I'm thinking about it. I'd sell one of my (two) FT-857's tho. :)
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of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?" ~ Professor "Dick" Soloman
You'll sell the other 857 after you find out how much better the RX is on the 7000. ;)Originally Posted by WØTKX
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I agree. Much better rig, but it should be, it cost substantially more.
"One man with courage makes a majority." ~ Andrew Jackson
Steve KA9MOT
Macomb, IL
This is true. When I was trucking I ran my FT-857D for awhile. After a few months, I decided a FT-7800 was a better choice for 2M and 70cm because it has 1000 memories. I purchased the programming cable and software along with the ARRL's Repeater directory on CD. There are over 1700 2M/70cm repeaters between Monmouth, IL and LA, CA if you search a 20 mile radius of the route you'll be taking. You can only program a few into the FT-857D so you'll be programming your radio instead of trucking.
With the FT-7800, I programmed using the software before each trip. It took 5 minutes and I had 1000 memories set up in banks for my trip.
"One man with courage makes a majority." ~ Andrew Jackson
Steve KA9MOT
Macomb, IL
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