Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!tekmdp!michaelk
From: michaelk@tekmdp.UUCP (Michael Kersenbrock)
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: 2m HT recommendation
Message-ID: <2261@tekmdp.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Sep-83 19:24:11 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekmdp.2261
Posted: Thu Sep 29 19:24:11 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Oct-83 15:02:08 EDT
References: ihuxf.703
Lines: 33


 I bought a 2m HT recently, and it was a Kenwood TR2500.  There were three
major reasons for selecting it.

   1. It had most all the whiz-bang microprocessor features that I wanted
      and was built nicely (bnc connector, mic./spkr extension plugs, etc).
      The only feature I wanted that it didn't have was that the ten channel
      memories didn't remember the split.  This is not Kenwood's first HT, and
      unlike their older model, the split slide switch has -600 and +600
      at opposite *ends* of travel, so the selection is easy. These little
      things are nice, but not necessary.  Kenwood, at least on HF equipment
      seems (based on what stories I've heard)to have a good reputation for
      support when necessary.

  2.  Ergonomics.  The thing you look at (LCD display) is at the top, and
      the thing I talk into (microphone) is at the bottom.  My head is built
      in a manner that likes that arrangement.

  3.  The microphone is as far to the bottom as possible.  This puts the
      antenna (which by the lightbulb & loop test radiates mostly from the
      bottom -- near the connector) as far away from my head as possible
      while transmitting.  HT's with the microphone near the top put the
      antenna base much closer to the head, and in this "near-field" the
      field intensity is dropping off at least a cubed rate, and so the relative
      radiation through my head is much lower percentage wise with the
      microphone at the bottom.  This might not be an ultra-important factor,
      but I am not inclined to be the top-microphone guinea pig to discover
      long term effects.  Especially radiation to the head.  I think
      speaker-mikes are not a bad idea.

Mike Kersenbrock WB4IOJ
Tektronix Microcomputer Development Products
Aloha, Oregon