Comms: Portable HF/VHF/UHF radio recommendation

I'm looking for a radio that will handle a few different frequencies. Basically a good starter for technician but also usable when the upgrade to general occurs. I'd like to have it portable since it will be used in an apartment, but it would also be nice to easily haul it around in case of zombies, volcanic activity, asteroids or Obummer's third term. I also like to monitor air band frequencies and it would be nice to be able to monitor shortwave as well.

I read a recommendation that the Yaesu FT 817ND would fit that description well. Any recommendations for or against that radio, or for other units out there?

The 817ND is good but very low power. The FT857D is a normal full power transceiver in the same form factor.

The one I'm interested in seeing is the new IC-7100 from Icom. http://www.icomamerica.com/en/produc...0/default.aspx But picking up a used IC-7000 is also a great idea.

All radios would be useable when you upgrade to general. :)

That unit will cover most everything it appears. 5 Watts power though, could be limiting in some uses. (automotive use)

Not sure if you'd like to wear it around your neck to use it very much.

Not sure there is a decent way to mount it mobile in the car, but something can be figured out. Velcro :)

I'm a fan of having a Mobile Rig, and a Handheld. This ft817 kinda mixes the three units I believe, mobile, handheld and HF.

Personally (for me) I'd get a decent dual band (2m 70cm) mobile rig and then get an HF rig when the license upgrade happens. Yes, buying two radios, but could have better benefits from two radios than trying to pack everything into one unit.

Most mobile rigs today will cover your aircraft freqs and some others. Some of the handhelds will cover shortwave and aircraft. (most modern radios cover aircraft)

Not sure I've helped any.

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Originally Posted by gnihcraes

All radios would be useable when you upgrade to general. :)

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LOL. Yeah, poorly worded. What I meant to say is that I'm looking for a rig that contain frequencies that a technician cannot use so when I upgrade I'll continue using the same radio.

I know the 879ND represents quite a few compromises, but the more I look into things, the more I like it.

I'll follow the advice to look into the FT 857D also.

Anyway, that was all helpful, thanks. I'm heading out to take the technician exam shortly. Should be easy!

857 and 897 have the same internals, just one is put into a mobile package, the other into a portable package. Those, as well as the Icom 706(discontinued but decent), 7000, and new 7100 would do what you ask. The 817 would limit you on power IMO and qrp rigs are not the best starter rigs. There are a lot of HF only rigs out there, but you can only access voice ssb in 10m for technician, and code only below that IIRC. Once you go general, there is the alinco sr8, icom 718, yaesu 450, and other HF only radios at your finger tips.

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Originally Posted by ChadAmberg

The 817ND is good but very low power. The FT857D is a normal full power transceiver in the same form factor.

The one I'm interested in seeing is the new IC-7100 from Icom. http://www.icomamerica.com/en/produc...0/default.aspx But picking up a used IC-7000 is also a great idea.

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I think I have one sitting in the basement if you want to take it for a test drive.

Okay, made it back from the exam.

I passed the technician exam 34/35. The examiners asked if I wanted to try the general exam. I'd been studying a bit and doing practice tests, but not doing quite as well as I'd like. But, for the same cost it didn't hurt to try... pass, 30/35!

Next stop, Ham Radio Outlet, conveniently just 15 minutes away from the exam site in Denver on Quebec. They didn't have any 817ND's in stock. They had the 857D and a couple others. I decided to follow the advice I received here (which matched the advice I received there) and went with the FT 857D. That plus a power supply means I'm about $950 poorer but I figure this will last me a while.

I want to get an external battery yet for portable use. HRO only had a 28amp brick there. Not portable. It was suggested that I look into a 7 amp or one of the very portable but more expensive lithium batteries. More money. ;) So far this is cheaper than guns or aviation; I'll take it!

Congratulations.

+1 on congrats and joining the ranks. Its always dangerous to wander into HRO after a license upgrade. Bank accounts get lighter. Last time I walked in there I dumped some cash on a dual band kenwood. Will probably be putting it to use next weekend at a bike event. Portability can be a real issue, and the 857 can prove to be a nice asset because of its size. Power supply is the one hangup.

Good job!
Enjoy using HF. Consider something like an SGC-239 antenna tuner.