Handheld Ham?

[technique]

Looking for info on handheld Ham radios. I know nothing except they're probly good to have.

I can get 5 of these
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=87CE6C1FF54D5BBCA7F39179AB3B1511

Or

I can get 5 of these
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=7A3213027D790BCFC558E51B3306C192&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

This would be a trade deal kinda thing.
Any info on these or similar set-ups?

Thanks

[JohnyMac]

Technique,
what are you going to use them for? For local (Close) communication they may be overkill. For long distance communication (100 + Miles) they may not be enough. 

The reason I ask is my family is struggling with the same questions. Locally we are just using FRS radio's which I would give a solid "4" to (Using a 1-5 scale with 5 being perfect). With that said, we want something to receive Short Wave and Long Wave signals and to be able to communicate at long distances.

We want to buy something used as apposed to new and having to dump $0,000's. My nephew was assigned to doing research on this however no report as of yet. I think he thinks that his dad and uncle are crazy. After all cell phones will be around for ever...Right? 

[Currahee]

All of my friends and I have switched to 2M HAM HTs for tactical coms... blows GMRS/FRS out of the water in most any parameter.  With the rubber ducks on 1 watt one mile comms through eastern woodland is not an issue (assuming there is no high dirt in between)  I have reached repeaters out to five miles (through woods) with the duck antenna on mine and 20 miles with a yagi/directional antenna.  Cities mess with it a bit more, but you could go down to a narrower band too.  We have more practice to get in but it has been a great, and fairly inexpensive move.

I don't know about those specific models, I would hunt for reviews, but I know its a good brand.

[JohnyMac]

Currahee,

don't know if this is a bad OPSEC question but what 2M HAM's do you own. For kicks and giggles (Depending on price) I would like to give them a try especially if the units do not require line of sight.

My situation is woodland and eastern mountains 1,500 - 2,000 feet high. The mountains are many as apposed to a range like you will find out west. So there are a lot of valleys and ravines. If you are communicating with someone in your valley, on the same side of a mountain you are fine with FRSs but I would really like to get something that can reach out and talk to someone maybe even on the other side of the mountain.



 

[APX808]

Hey technique

The VX170 is discontinued, and the FT270r its is continuation (PRODUCTION DISCONTINUED IN 2009 AND REPLACED WITH FT-270R) so basically they are the same.

I own a FT270r and I'm extremely happy with it, there are a lot of accessories available and its IPX7 so you can put it underwater and it will still work, the battery life is excellent in reception mode it last for weeks without discharging and there is an accessory so you can use it with AA batteries.
Cons, there are smaller VHF units the FT270r/VX170 its a little heavy and a little bulky but I'm ok with that.

[Ghost]

Hey APX how much do those FT270R's go for (or how much should you pay for them)?

[APX808]

Hey Frosty,  I'm from Argentina so I have no clue how much you'll have to pay for one of those...
I checked on ebay and it seems its 160 bucks in the US

[Ghost]

Roger that mate. Thanks. [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[Currahee]

JM any unit is gonna require line of sight... how particular that is is gonna depend on transmit power, but no mater what you can't transmit through hills.  When in hill country you need to practice your radio technique a good bit more.

I use a Standard Horizon HX370

[JohnyMac]

Kind of what I figured Currahee- Line of site.

Standard is a good brand made in Japan. I have several Standard hand-held VHF radios.

[Ghost]

Guys, what would be a good one to get for someone who knows jack shit about comms? Something that's affordable, rugged, and most importantly, simple. Vandal and myself need a way to talk shit to each other over distance lol.

[JohnyMac]

IMO Frosty,

Local and line of site FRS radio's you can pick up at radio shack

Long distance which has already been talked about in another post: VHF CB's with a 10 meter band. Use the search button and check for communication or communication among forum members or something like that. There was a great post and follow-up.

Gd lk

[redraptor26]

for short range comms http://www.trisquare.us/tsx300.htm

and part of long range comms http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0777.html

[crudos]

The reason I ask is my family is struggling with the same questions. Locally we are just using FRS radio's which I would give a solid "4" to (Using a 1-5 scale with 5 being perfect). With that said, we want something to receive Short Wave and Long Wave signals and to be able to communicate at long distances.

Shortwave seems to be under appreciated in the prepper community for whatever reasons, from my point of view. With a decent transceiver and antenna, you can have nearly worldwide communication. Plenty of older ham gear still around, though parts may become a problem (tubes and such). Some really solid newer boxes though too. And with shortwave, you don't have to rely on repeaters for distance. A good base station set-up and something mobile would be idea in my book. Get to know your local hams, for both equipment and advice.