2m or do I need a dual band

[travel dodge]

I need to get my first radio. I will be doing medical work for preformance rally which I belive can all be done on 2m. It also seem when all you guys get together 2m is what is used.
Do I need to have a dual band rig? What about for that solo travel call in mexico when something big goes wrong? Is baja and the mainland covered better by a dual band rig?

sorry I am new to the radio thing and would love to save some money. It will most likely not be the only radio I will every buy just the first.
thanks

[DaveInDenver]

Do I need to have a dual band rig? What about for that solo travel call in mexico when something big goes wrong? Is baja and the mainland covered better by a dual band rig?

Do you /need/ a dual band? I dunno, do you? Having any particular band is only useful if you have someone to talk to on the other end. So do friends have dual band radios, for example? There are repeaters on 70cm and that alone can make it useful. But if the people you are talking to only have 2m radios, then having a dual band wouldn't necessarily be useful unless you want it for the hobby aspect. Can't help with Baja, never been there. I have a dual band and I probably TX on 2m 80% of the time, 70cm the rest. I do listen to UHF more often for things like FRS radios, etc. Your call in the end, but like you noticed the radio will be more expensive, as will the antenna because you will need a dual band antenna which is gonna be at least a little more than a single band.

[shane4x4]

FWIW the cost to upgrade to the dual band is worth it in my opinion. It's not much extra really, and it'll be nice to have it if/when you ever need it.

[spressomon]

I went with a dual band simply because most are available in a very small form factor remote mountable head unit. I don't really see myself using the 440 end...my main impetus for getting HAMified is for better more reliable communications with my fellow explorers (than CB)...and having an emergency communications device.

[bc_fjc]

Go for the dual band. It is realy nice to have all the options avalible if you need them. There are a lot of UHF repeaters out there and depending on your travels you never know when there might only be a UHF repeater in range... I've got a dual band radio in the truck and am now shopping around for a HF rig to setup at camp, it's nice having options

[pskhaat]

There are several remote locations in S.UT and N.AZ area where I've only been able to reach repeaters on 70cm.

[crawler#976]

I got into the Ham scene specifically for long range comms. We were on a trip a couple years ago when two of the group got confused on the location of camp. They were nearly 30 miles away heading in the opposite direction, and were easily reached via 2M simplex from a near by hill. Within an hour were in camp - only because of the directions given over the air.

After I got my licence I found that the hobby aspect of Ham radio is a lot of fun. I started out w/ a single band a year ago, and quickly realized I was missing out on a large part of the frequently used radio spectrum. If I knew then what I now now, I'd have bought a dual band mobile to start with (I just bought a simple dual band to replace the single band radios I had). In the not to distant future will probably get a multi band HT just for kicks.

So, if you can envision yourself as more than a casual user, I'd recommend bucking up and starting with a dual band. If not, you can't beat a Yaesu FT-2800M and an antenna for $160.00 shipping included...

Mark

[adventureduo]

I went dedicated 2m because mostly everyone we travel with runs it and it's more common. Also, i've been told many times by experienced users that they've never seen a dual band radio/antenna work as good as a dedicated 2 meter radio/antenna setup *(im talking 2 meter only, 2 meter radio and 2 meter antenna). I wanted the best performance for a strictly 2m setup.

I went Yaesu 2800m and a Super Gainer 5+ gain antenna from Diamond.

As far as mexico goes, make sure you get a permit to operate there.. http://xe-permit.wd9ewk.net/

[DaveInDenver]

Also, i've been told many times by experienced users that they've never seen a dual band radio/antenna work as good as a dedicated 2 meter radio/antenna setup *(im talking 2 meter only, 2 meter radio and 2 meter antenna). I wanted the best performance for a strictly 2m setup.
No reason a multi-band radio won't work just as well as a single band. Some single band radios are narrow band (i.e., 2m only) receivers and that can make a difference in how well they work since they can aggressively filter out-of-band noise. Wide band RX (i.e., one that can get aircraft, marine, FRS/GMRS, weather, etc.) usually gives up sensitivity for convenience. The TX side, not much real world difference between all the radios.

But, in the end, it's really all about the antenna and you can use a single band antenna on a multi-band radio, just swapping out antennas as you change bands. Perfectly acceptable practice and commonly done on HF.

[articulate]

. . . are available in a very small form factor remote mountable head unit.
That's precisely why I've got a dual band. Like Scott said above, a good selection of areas are only covered by 70cm repeaters, so that's a bonus.

Veteran HAMs seem to enjoy (very welcoming to) new HAMs when they venture off the 2m band.

[gary in ohio]

I need to get my first radio. ....
..
Do I need to have a dual band rig?

Dual band gives you 2 bands instead of one, Is that good or bad depends on where you live and what you use the radio for. A nice feature filled dual band isnt that much more than a 2m radio so I would so go with the dual band.




What about for that solo travel call in mexico when something big goes wrong? Is baja and the mainland covered better by a dual band rig?

Do you have a license to use your ham radio in mexico? I know mexico has a recipocal agreement but not sure if its a CEPT or permit based. Make sure you know before taking transmitting gear in to a non us country.


s

[travel dodge]

Hmm... If only I was not trying to build a garage before the snow falls.. I think I will end up with the Yaesu FT-2800M as my first radio.. seems like it will do everything I need right now... Then my 2nd radio will be a dual band handheld with a amp in the truck.. I am sure a spare will be nice to have around and I am not sure how much I will use my radio untill the people I wheel with have radios and ham permits.

[kellymoe]

I have a 2m hand held Yaesu and a duel band Yaesu FT7800R for my truck. So far I have only used 2m. If everyone you talk with is using 2m then just go with the 2m. Duel band will just give you a little more flexibility but isn't absolutely necessary. Either way you will be glad you are not using FRS anymore.

[DaktariEd]

I chose to go dual band for added Tx flexibility and for the cross-band repeater capability of my Yaesu FT-8800.

If I am out and away from my campsite walking or hiking (I often go alone) I'll carry a 2 m handheld tuned to the unit in the Cruiser. The theory is that if get into trouble I can call for help, using the repeater function to connect to the outside world.

http://www.bajataco.com/smileys/safari.gif

[adventureduo]

Hmm... If only I was not trying to build a garage before the snow falls.. I think I will end up with the Yaesu FT-2800M as my first radio.. seems like it will do everything I need right now

That's the radio we have. Works great.

[travel dodge]

so about the mexico thing, If you are just using car to car or bike to bike who will know if you have a permit or not. I know that this is a subject that no one wants to talk about but you will find you driving across the desert and check for a permit?
Also got my radio today, I can put a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the wire for power right? I would hard wire it but for this radio being able to switch cars quickly and easily is very important.
thanks

[gary in ohio]

so about the mexico thing, If you are just using car to car or bike to bike who will know if you have a permit or not. I know that this is a subject that no one wants to talk about but you will find you driving across the desert and check for a permit?
Also got my radio today, I can put a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the wire for power right? I would hard wire it but for this radio being able to switch cars quickly and easily is very important.
thanks

If your referring to the license in Mexico, check with the ARRL, there is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico, but not sure of the type. As far as using the cigarette lighter, NO! NO! NO!. Most of the new 2m and dual band radio's are pulling 15amps or more. You cigarette light is rated at 15amps. "power/aug" plugs are sometimes rated at 20amps, but your going to be close on your power needs if you go to these plugs. Power should be taken directly from the battery with fuses on both leads.

[ntsqd]

Seconding Gary's reply, you really want to pull power AND ground directly off the battery. Some units come with a QD in their power wiring, so sourcing another set of leads would allow movement btwn vehicles.
If they don't have a QD I'd suggest using the Dean's QD's sold for electric RC cars. Simple, Robust, & up to that kind of power.

[travel dodge]

the cig lighter is run right off the battery to a heavy duty fuse box (quality stero amp type) under the passenger seat of my suby. Doing this will alow me to switch to my truck if I have car problems or need to run heavy sweep for a stage.
I will find the best cig lighter I can and the wiring getting to the plugs can handle many more amps.

[gary in ohio]

cig lighter PLUGS regardless of what wires feed it are not designed for much more than 10amps. If you already have the wire from the battery skip the plug aand go direct to the radio. If you need a quick disconnect then get some power pole connectors.

[Ursidae69]

If your referring to the license in Mexico, check with the ARRL, there is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico, but not sure of the type.

I'm doing a little research on ham radio operation in Mexico. There is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico. There are 3 types of reciprocal operating authority, they are 1) a CEPT license; 2) an IARP; and 3) a reciprocal permit. The Mexico reciprocal agreement is type #3. This means we must apply for and get a permit from Mexico to legally transmit there like Socalfj said earlier in this thread.

The ARRL website has a lot of useful info for getting the permit.

Licensing Information for Mexico (http://www.qsl.net/oh2mcn/xe.htm)

Application for US citizen (http://www.qsl.net/oh2mcn/xe-usa-full.pdf) (pfd)

List of repeaters in Mexico (http://www.qsl.net/xe2ngt/repes.htm)

[benedmonson]

I'm doing a little research on ham radio operation in Mexico. There is a reciprocal agreement with Mexico. There are 3 types of reciprocal operating authority, they are 1) a CEPT license; 2) an IARP; and 3) a reciprocal permit. The Mexico reciprocal agreement is type #3. This means we must apply for and get a permit from Mexico to legally transmit there like Socalfj said earlier in this thread.

The ARRL website has a lot of useful info for getting the permit.

Licensing Information for Mexico (http://www.qsl.net/oh2mcn/xe.htm)

Application for US citizen (http://www.qsl.net/oh2mcn/xe-usa-full.pdf) (pfd)

List of repeaters in Mexico (http://www.qsl.net/xe2ngt/repes.htm)


This is great to know as I just p***ed my tech test saturday and will leave for 6 weeks in Mexico the 22nd of December.

[benedmonson]

Ughhhhh, just checked out the information for getting your permit to transmit in mexico and it now cost $1052 pesos or about $96.00 USD!!!!! No freaking thank you. What are they thinking, we don't spend that for a 10 year lic. here in america??? Surely most americans go ahead and transmit mostly on simplex and don't worry about the permit, am I right???

[Ursidae69]

Ughhhhh, just checked out the information for getting your permit to transmit in mexico and it now cost $1052 pesos or about $96.00 USD!!!!! No freaking thank you. What are they thinking, we don't spend that for a 10 year lic. here in america??? Surely most americans go ahead and transmit mostly on simplex and don't worry about the permit, am I right???

Well, I do not plan to get the permit. I'm just posting what I found. :peepwall: Officially, in Mexico I won't transmit. In the past, when I have gone through checkpoints I turned my radio off. I was asked about it one time at a checkpoint and I told them that I do not transmit in Mexico and they were fine with that answer.

I wonder if all the race teams have permits? I doubt it...