Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site ihuxf.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxf!parnass From: parnass@ihuxf.UUCP Newsgroups: net.ham-radio Subject: Re: 2m HT recommendation Message-ID: <703@ihuxf.UUCP> Date: Wed, 28-Sep-83 11:06:53 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxf.703 Posted: Wed Sep 28 11:06:53 1983 Date-Received: Thu, 29-Sep-83 05:59:32 EDT Organization: BTL Naperville, Il. Lines: 173 - 1 - A recent "net.ham-radio" reader asked for recommendations for 2 meter handie talkies1 (HT's) I recommend the Yaesu FT208R. I recommend this unit not NOT because I own it, rather I own it because I think it is one of the better units available. It meets several of the criteria important to my needs: o+ CTCSS - Ease of installing a synthesized CTCSS encoder. The FT208R has plenty of room set aside for just such an accessory, and a wiring harness that allows the encoder (or encoder/decoder) to plug right in. o+ Battery replacement - The battery pack is a monolithic unit, and is easily replaceable. Flipping a lever on the bottom of the radio unlocks a battery compartment cover. This type of battery is used by several radios in the land mobile industry, hence replacement bat- teries are available from several battery manufactur- ers. Spectronics sells a replacement battery made by Alexander. It has 50 mah more capacity than the origi- nal Yaesu battery, and is a bit cheaper. o+ Ruggedness - A heavy cast metal frame surrounds the radio. The top is metal, not plastic. The volume and squelch controls are of the conventional type, rather than type found in cheapie transistor radios which per- mit dust to enter the enclosure. The external appear- ance shows the designers paid attention to details. It's built "like a Swiss watch." o+ Flexibility - For interface to the outside world, there are jacks for earphone, charger, external power (disconnects the internal battery)2, and external speaker/microphone. The antenna connector is a BNC type, rather than the 1/8" "earphone-type" jack on the Tempo units. o+ Memory backup - The FT208R uses a lithium ("watch- type") battery to power the memory. By the time this battery needs replacement, I will have sold the HT! __________ 1. handie talkie is a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc. 2. This is important. The batteries may be charged while powering the radio from an independent DC source. - 2 - Now for the negatives: o+ The receiver does not provide sufficient audio output for use in noisy environments. The audio output on the Tempo S1/S5 is much more substantial. o+ There is no memorization of transmit frequency offsets, as in the Santec ST144up. The user must make the proper selection via a rotary switch on the top of the radio. o+ With ruggedness comes weight. This is not the lightest unit on the market. o+ The scanning algorithm, like that found in most Japanese radios, could be better. There is no way to lock out channels from being scanned. The options for scanning for a clear channel, and scanning without stopping (even for a second!) are rather useless here. The priority scan feature acts differently than that of most scanning receivers3 and is not nearly as useful4. Ten-Tec just announced their own, American made, 2 meter HT. Shipments to stores are starting now. I saw this unit (serial number 8) at the Mid-Con show, and it looked promis- ing. Some salient details: o+ Its scanning algorithm resembles that used in the more traditional scanning receivers Americans have grown accustomed to. o+ The case is entirely plastic. __________ 3. The priority scan feature in the Bearcat 250, 20/20, 300, 350, 220, and the Regency K500, M100, and M400 samples the priority channel every 2 seconds. If there is activity on the priority channel, the radio locks onto it until the transmission is completed, then resumes listening on the channel that was interrupted. 4. The priority feature on the FT208R samples every 10 or 15 seconds, which is too infrequent. When activity is found on the priority channel, the radio locks onto it ... forever! The radio never resumes its normal activity. - 3 - o+ The battery pack is removable in the same manner as that of the ICOM 2AT. o+ There is almost no room for a CTCSS encoder, so Ten-Tec is designing one of their own. As for future developments in this area, I think we will see: o+ Improvements in battery technology, leading to longer times between recharging. Maybe we will see long life, throw away, battery packs. o+ Multi band HT's for 146, 220, and 450 MHz. o+ Multi mode HT's with SSB and FM. o+ HT's with public service band receive capabilities built in, like the merging of an HT with a portable scanner. I don't advise buying a used HT unless you have a comprehen- sive guarantee or trust the seller. Many amateur stores won't even take in used HT's on trade. They are difficult to service and suffer more physical abuse than base station and mobile radios. -- ============================================================================ Robert S. Parnass, AT&T Bell Laboratories, ihnp4!ihuxf!parnass (312)979-5760