Radio question

Started by mtzracing, Oct 25 2009 06:15 PM
68 replies to this topic

  • mtzracing

Posted 25 October 2009 - 06:15 PM

#1


I know zip about radios... now that's been said.

Is is safe to say my UHF motorola, XTN series XU2600, will not find a Weatherman frequency?

I want to listen to the Weatherman as a spectator as well as have an emergency, hey where are you guys, radio for Baja. The ones I have are ok if my wingman has the same radio, but is seems most of you are using a VHF that would not receive my call or let me hear you.

I've seen some of the PCI offerings as well as other that are UHF/VHS combo...

Hit me with recommendations for a hand held please.

Mitch

Visit the ThumperTalk Store for the lowest prices on motorcycle / ATV parts and accessories - Guaranteed

  • Ret09

Posted 25 October 2009 - 07:41 PM

#2

Icom, Yazu and Kenwood. I think the Yazu's are water resistant. A 5 watt for maximum range.

  • wondermuscle

Posted 26 October 2009 - 10:22 AM

#3

Ret09 said:

Icom, Yazu and Kenwood. I think the Yazu's are water resistant. A 5 watt for maximum range.

Many handhelds are water resistant. If you are using a helmet kit and the radio is exposed to the elements, when water finds it's way to the external connectors it will create a stuck mic situation. The radio won't be damaged but you may not want to hear your buddy. I got to hear nljustin giggle for miles while we were splashing through puddles heading up to mikes a few years ago, good times.... :lol:

Icom now makes a 7 watt handheld (IC-V82) based on their ever so popular IC-V8. I have used both and have found a bit more range with the IC-V82.

Here is a link to some info.
http://www.icomameri...ifications.aspx

  • soylent_green

Posted 26 October 2009 - 11:02 AM

#4

The Yaesu VX-120 is pretty good for listening to weatherman. $130 +/-

Ham Radio Outlet is a good source. Couple of retail outlets in So Cal and other places. http://www.hamradio.com/

When I bought mine a few years ago, the handhelds in the SD store sold out pretty fast as the 1000 approached. You might want to get one as soon as you can. The staff there was pretty helpful too.

Make sure to set it to listen and not transmit.

  • wondermuscle

Posted 26 October 2009 - 11:53 AM

#5

soylent_green said:

The Yaesu VX-120 is pretty good for listening to weatherman. $130 +/-

Ham Radio Outlet is a good source. Couple of retail outlets in So Cal and other places. http://www.hamradio.com/

When I bought mine a few years ago, the handhelds in the SD store sold out pretty fast as the 1000 approached. You might want to get one as soon as you can. The staff there was pretty helpful too.

Make sure to set it to listen and not transmit.

At HRO San Diego, Jose is the guy to talk to about getting the radio setup for the race channels.

  • Bubbagums

Posted 26 October 2009 - 05:40 PM

#6

If you are not going to transmit to the weatherman the IC-V82 is good because it will not transmit on the weatherman channel without a mod.

  • mtzracing

Posted 26 October 2009 - 05:54 PM

#7

I'm looking for something that is at least programable, and I know better than to transmit during the race. Weatherman channel is a common freq for people to use during non race time rides and would want that option. In truth I'm looking at some high end radios that are both uhf and vhf that way I could use the new for vhf and still communicate with my uhf radios when needed.
Thanks for the replies and please keep them coming, I'd like user feedback on some of the newer stuff.... ux120; ICT 90A; ICV 85; IC-92AD.....what ever you are using?
Thanks,
mtz

  • CHINGON

Posted 26 October 2009 - 11:37 PM

#8

Tell him to give you the "MLV" price, he'll get a chuckle.

  • mtzracing

Posted 27 October 2009 - 08:08 AM

#9

CHINGON said:

Tell him to give you the "MLV" price, he'll get a chuckle.

Hmmmmmmmmmm? and then my radio will only speak to me in portuguese?

  • nljustin

Posted 27 October 2009 - 08:20 AM

#10

WonderMuscle knows best about radios. +1 for the IC-V8 (or IC-V82)

Those things are bullet proof (or at least tumble proof).

  • mtzracing

Posted 27 October 2009 - 09:50 AM

#11

nljustin said:

WonderMuscle knows best about radios. +1 for the IC-V8 (or IC-V82)

Those things are bullet proof (or at least tumble proof).

Just when I thought I had made a decision.....?:bonk:
I was leaning toward Yaesu's VX6 as it is dual band so I could talk to my other UHF radios and I'm told by HMO that it is an easy one to MOD if you were incline to doing so.

When you guys are riding in groups I've heard it said "We are going to be on the Weatherman Channel" (of course this is not during a race). Do the radios need to be "Modified" to do so? Remember I said in the begining I know squat about this topic.

mtz

  • nljustin

Posted 27 October 2009 - 10:32 AM

#12

mtzracing said:

When you guys are riding in groups I've heard it said "We are going to be on the Weatherman Channel" (of course this is not during a race). Do the radios need to be "Modified" to do so? Remember I said in the begining I know squat about this topic.

I too know little about radios, but I know in order to use the Weatherman channel, you have to do some modification to the radio's... it's very simple and involves removing a tiny chip from the circuit board. Ham Radio Outlet in Clairemont has an instruction sheet for doing this mod yourself to the iCom IC-V8 (voids warranty btw).

  • PowerCell

Posted 27 October 2009 - 10:36 AM

#13

I know everything about radios... if you can afford one, get a Motorola.

  • mtzracing

Posted 27 October 2009 - 05:56 PM

#14

PowerCell said:

I know everything about radios... if you can afford one, get a Motorola.

Motorola XTS 2500 MSRP@ $2500 and not even top of the line!

So what would be your recommendation @ $200 - $300 range?

mtz

  • PowerCell

Posted 27 October 2009 - 07:35 PM

#15

mtzracing said:

Motorola XTS 2500 MSRP@ $2500 and not even top of the line!

So what would be your recommendation @ $200 - $300 range?

mtz


Get a used HT1000 off of ebay...

  • nljustin

Posted 27 October 2009 - 08:25 PM

#16

mtzracing said:

So what would be your recommendation @ $200 - $300 range?

IC-V8: http://www.eham.net/...ews/detail/1788
IC-V82 (less favorable according to the reviews): http://www.eham.net/...ews/detail/5046

I've had my IC-V8 since October 2005 (thanks BajaRudy). It's been through two Baja 1000s, a handful of local desert races, countless miles in the desert, a few spills here and there, tossed around the dashboard of my truck, in the glove box, in my gear bag, and many, many hours listening to the Weatherman work his magic. Still works like a charm and, if you're not transmitting, will hold a charge for a very long time.

I actually broke it for the first time earlier this year - ripped the antenna off. Easy, cheap fix.

  • wondermuscle

Posted 28 October 2009 - 06:09 AM

#17

You can't go wrong with the Yaesu's VX6 or the IC-V8. I know the IC-V8 needs to be moded to get race channels, it is so easy even Justin could do it. I have found that the Yaesu's are a bit more complicated the the Icoms. I personally prefer the Icom IC-V8. Simple, robust, waterproof (more importantly dust proof), easy to Mod and cheap.

Do you live in San Diego? PM me and we can chat offline.

  • mtzracing

Posted 28 October 2009 - 06:42 AM

#18

Thanks for the info everyone. WM, pm sent.

mtz

  • brett frederickson

Posted 28 October 2009 - 07:12 AM

#19

wondermuscle said:

You can't go wrong with the Yaesu's VX6 or the IC-V8. I know the IC-V8 needs to be moded to get race channels, it is so easy even Justin could do it. I have found that the Yaesu's are a bit more complicated the the Icoms. I personally prefer the Icom IC-V8. Simple, robust, waterproof (more importantly dust proof), easy to Mod and cheap.

Do you live in San Diego? PM me and we can chat offline.


Our race team has 6 IC-V8 and not one problem in 3 years. I did the mod in about 10 min on each. We have been using the 271 kenwoods for base units in our chase trucks with antennas and everything needed your less than $200.00 and have 50watts.

  • Goebz

Posted 28 October 2009 - 07:21 AM

#20

Anyone tried one of the "submersible" Yaesu's?

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