Ok I keep going back and forth on what I should purchase as a first radio. I like the idea of an HT as I could use it almost anywhere. But also like the mobile as the higher wattage may be nice in a back country emergency.
Location: Parker County, TX and Santa Fe County, NM
Posts: 4,572
Re: (Ham Content) HT or Mobile ?
I have both and they are both very useful for different situations, but the 5-watt output of an HT makes them useless for a back-country emergency. If you can only afford one radio for 4WD, make it the most powerful mobile you can find, IMO.
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High Desert Cruisers
the 5-watt output of an HT makes them useless for a back-country emergency. If you can only afford one radio for 4WD, make it the most powerful mobile you can find, IMO.
Thats what I was thinking. I was thinking of getting the Yaesu FT-7900R.
But thought I would through it out there to see what others thought.
I currently have a mobile unit, (Yaesu FTM10R) but would like to also purchase a handheld for times when I travel. It would be nice to take the handheld on the road with me when working.
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Mods: Nuvi 350 GPS, XM Satellite Radio, Yaesu FTM-10R Mobile Ham, VE6RAO
While a HT is great to have if you wander away from the rig, it doesn't pack enough "punch" to help out in an outback emergency.
A mobile rig will usually have at least 50w on 2 meters, and in conjunction with a good antenna / antenna mount (which can increase your effective output power 2-3x), should be able to make yourself heard.
An important consideration before you decide on a mobile rig - some dual band mobile radios (not the Yaesu FT-7900 though) allow you to use them as a mobile repeater (cross-band repeat). Basically, you can park your vehicle at a high spot, and as you wander around with your handheld, it transmits to your mobile rig, which then re-transmits it on the other band using its full power. This feature can allow you (and anyone in the area with your permission) to use your handheld radio to contact help away from your rig if you go hiking, etc. So, if that feature sounds of interest, you should check out mobile radios with this feature. They are usually radios that can display both bands at the same time - Yaesu FT 8800, FT 8900, Kenwood TM-D710A, etc...
So, I suggest a mobile first, and handheld very soon after, and a review of the radio's available features to help decide which model might be the best investment, long-term...
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I second what Cruiserlarry said about a radio that is crossband capable. I have a Yaesu 8800 in the FJ and a dual band HT and this setup has paid dividends several times.
With a crossband radio you can talk on one side of the radio and monitor and scan on the other at the same time. Very useful for monitoring repeaters or public safety frequencies while chatting with your buddies.
With the HT I have used the rig radio as a repeater more than once. Very useful when you have to leave your rig for any reason and you still need long legs.
A crossband capable radio is more money, but it gives you great flexibility. If you plan on getting a HT later for use with your rig radio in a crossband format, make sure you get a dual band HT.
73's
Bjorn
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I have both and they are both very useful for different situations, but the 5-watt output of an HT makes them useless for a back-country emergency. If you can only afford one radio for 4WD, make it the most powerful mobile you can find, IMO.
Thanks for all of the info and making it clear for me to go with my original choice in buying a mobile first.
I think I will go with the Yeasu FT-7900R for now. Although it does not have the crossband repeat function, it is in my current price range and will give me 50 watts on the 2meter side and 45 on the 70cm band. Plus HRO will through in the YSK kit for free plus free shipping
And because I have two vehicles, at a later date when I can afford a different mobile rig I could upgrade to a mobile w/ the crossband repeat for the FJ and have the 7900 for the car.
It is kind of funny how I dont even have my ticket yet however I already have so many plans I found myself today looking at HF rigs
NYPD/OIG 77 R.I.P.
/ WPOK492 
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