Icom 208h

Evan Platt wrote:
Hello all..

I have a Honda civic, so radio space is a premium.

I'm looking for a ham radio that has DPL, and will receive 42 mhz and
484.

Is there such a beast that's a reasonable priced unit? Someone
mentioned a Icom unit, but it's hardly a mobile, and it's close to
$1k. I don't need to transmit on anything other than 2m and 440, but
would like to receive local PD on 484 and CHP on 42 mhz.

The Yaesu 8900 looks sweet, but doesn't do either 42 or anything past
480.

Thanks.

Evan

The Icom 208H does not receive in the 42MHz range, per their specs:

Wideband receiver
See why Icom has a world renowned reputation for superb wideband
receivers with the IC-208H. The IC-208H wideband receiver covers 118–173,
230–549 and 810–999MHz* as standard. Listen to your Amateur VHF/UHF
bands, as well as aviation, marine, weather and other utility
communications in a compact mobile package. Extends your mobile radio
enjoyment!
* Excluding Cellular range.



Icom 208h


I'm looking for a ham radio that has DPL, and will receive 42 mhz and
484.

Will the 208 do 42 mhz? According to the mods.dk page, it stops at
118.

Evan


You are correct. It doesn't appear to cover the 42MHz spectrum you
would like. The only radio I can easily find that comes close is the
Yaesu FT-8900R. I don't know if the extended TX mod will extend its Rx
range in the low spectrum to cover 42MHz or not. You're probably going
to have a difficult time finding a reasonably priced Dual band rig that
will do this. 42MHz generally is too close to the radio's own IF
spectrum.

You may end up doing as I do and just rely on monitoring the CHP
extender channel only (154.905MHz in most areas of California.)
Despite being only 1 watt Tx from the cars and usually only on when a car
is stopped, you may find surprisingly good reception on this. Sure
works better than nothing.

As a last resort, you can wait an unknown amount of additional years
until CHP finally gets the budget and the FCC approval to move the entire
system to 700 MHz.


Ed K7AAT

On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 21:56:53 GMT, Ed
wrote:

Will the 208 do 42 mhz? According to the mods.dk page, it stops at
118.

Evan

You are correct. It doesn't appear to cover the 42MHz spectrum you
would like. The only radio I can easily find that comes close is the
Yaesu FT-8900R. I don't know if the extended TX mod will extend its Rx
range in the low spectrum to cover 42MHz or not. You're probably going
to have a difficult time finding a reasonably priced Dual band rig that
will do this. 42MHz generally is too close to the radio's own IF
spectrum.

You may end up doing as I do and just rely on monitoring the CHP
extender channel only (154.905MHz in most areas of California.)
Despite being only 1 watt Tx from the cars and usually only on when a car
is stopped, you may find surprisingly good reception on this. Sure
works better than nothing.

As a last resort, you can wait an unknown amount of additional years
until CHP finally gets the budget and the FCC approval to move the entire
system to 700 MHz.

Ed K7AAT

The only radios I can think of that are reasonably compact, and will
do what the OP wants are the all-band mobiles like the Icom IC-706
MKIIg. Of course they are a little larger (but can be remoted) and
cost more than a dual-band VHF/UHF rig. It's a lot of extra machinery
and expense though, just to pick up receive on 42Mhz. Could always
use an HT with wide-band receiver, like the Kenwood TH-F6A and others.

Dick - W6CCD

Yeah, I have the extender now, but as you mentioned, the range is
quite limited. Maybe I'll look into a 4 or 8 channel low band mobile
or HT


How about a scanner? Sure would give you a lot more flexibility, not to
mention, be a bit cheaper.


Ed