20 years ago radios was crazy expensive. When I was a young vol firefighter I couldn’t afford a proper mobile radio so with some guidance I purchased a new ft2800 and modded it myself for 2M tx. I saved so much money and had a good powerful mobile that could get out from any holler in the county and still hit the county repeater clearly.
I got a 2730a for the mobile, I liked it so much I bought a second one for the garage base. I love the detachable faceplate with mike attachment, only one cable to faceplate. I recently installed the Icom Bluetooth board & and paired a trucker headset with microphone, BAM! Hands free!
Same here. I have 2 as well. Should also mention that it has cross band repeat capability. The only thing that's a bummer is if you want to mount the face plate to the radio, you have to buy an additional bracket and shorter cable, which, for what you get, is quite expensive.
A message to the new folks watching this to try and decide what to spend their money on. I watched the 2023 video and selected the Tri-band Anytone AT-5888UV III based on Jason’s recommendation. It’s a FANTASTIC radio. I get compliments on the clarity of sound all the time. I love it! I have installed in on my XC90 it was a breeze. You can trust these videos from Jason because they’re honest. I’m excited to use it and turn it on whenever I’m in the car. The cross band repeat is also great. I can’t afford two radios but now for nets I turn on the cross band repeater and use my baofeng from my living room. Great radio. Jason I can’t thank you enough. I’m studying for my General now while I’m saving for a shack in the box. KC3VLN
Great radio. I caught them on sale for $250. My YL is a ham. I bought 3. I programed All the same. My truck, her SUV and the base. You can run dual mics. One plugged into the head and one into the rf unit. I have a desk mic and a hand mic depending on my mood or if I'm on a net. Great video I'm all ICOM.756proIII,2730A, 9700 & a T-90a 2m,70cm, 6m hand held. W9DLP 73
Everytime i buy radios, electronics, firearms, and muay thai gear and my wife complains i bring up her purse purchases, and her binge buying video games for her Nintendo switch. Gets her to shut up, but now shes wanting GMRS, 2M, and HF in her SUV, but yet she wants me to get a GMRS license so she can be covered, shes not liking shes gonna have to take the technician exam.
You always do a great job with these videos… The best of series. I also have the newest Anytone and the FTM 500 in my mobile set up, but I always learn something new from you when watching these.
Hello Jason, Passed my test back in late June and started out with a BTECH_UV-50X2. Very nice for the price, chirp programmable. But, I did upgrade to the FTM-500 for Christmas.
Hey Jason, on the TYT (and other Amazon products)....The "Sold By" is on the right side under "Ships From". That "TYT Store" is a misnomer that isn't always accurate based on Amazon's view of brands. In this case it is Sold By Radioddity and Fulfilled by Amazon. Hope that helps
Great video! I have two radios on the list, the VGC and the Alinco. The VGC is cool conceptually, but the Alinco is hands down better. I used to have the VGC in my car, but found that the filtering was terrible, at least in urban areas, and the iOS app was really frustrating to use. The Alinco lives in my car now, connected to a Mobilinkd TNC3 so that I can run APRS while mobile (and Winlink while parked 😉).
I saw on ebay just a few days ago, some Icom 706, 706mk2, and mark 2g full 100 W hf thru 6M, varies on which radio watts on 2m and 440. They were used and were selling for $400+. Just a little more than just a dual band. I had the '706 and loved it. Never had any problems with it.
I'm personally have an AnyTone AT-5888UV III on my car because recently I was notified by a friend the installation of a 220mhz repeater, so I replace my Alinco DR-638T for it. I'm very impressed with the quality reception on the 220mhz band so on my job I replace the AnyTone AT-5888UV dual band for the AT-5888UV III version.
I have the vgc vr-n7500 as a base station. I love the fact that I'm able to connect/ monitor my local repeater when I'm out of range using the HT app on my POC radio.
Gotta like Alinco. I bought my DJ580 ht in '92. It's a tank! Thing still performs and even looks brand new. I've gone through several batteries, of course, and now have a collection of all different sizes thrown in box. My other ht is the Yasu FT-470. Bought it in '91, and yes, it still works and is in excellent condition too. Haven't keyed up in years, now getting the itch to jump on a repeater where I live now. Need to spend some money on a new ht and I'm thinking about a mobile rig too.
Swapped out my FTM-400 in the car for a FTM-500 a little over a month ago. Love it! Good seeing you at HamCation Neighbor, had a blast there. Be safe, Romie N8WWR
I am a fan of my Kenwood D710. It cost a touch but has 2 internal TNC's you can choose from for one side and breakouts for other modes and echolink for the second half. I do need to get a nicer antenna however might also recommend to get a Diamond Antenna folder. Have one for both radios in my car and It's nice not being banished from parking garages anymore.
Just passed my Tech license looking to get the Yaesu FTM500 for my truck, I run a pilot car service and I'm all over Texas. What is the best antenna to pair with this radio on my truck?
My buddy had 3 TYT 9800 radios. They all blew up in a short time. He has 1 wouxun 980 that outlasted them all. Usually audio problems. TX audio goes out, RX audio goes out. One sided radio. I like the retro look of that icom.
I have both the ID-5100 and the ft500. I still find myself going back to the 5100 simply because of the memory banks. Silly that yaesu hasn't allowed memory banks since before the 400 was made. As far as APRS, I miss it dearly on the 5100, but get by using my phone and aprsdroid app. If icom would make a 5100 with a nice big color screen and maybe aprs, it would be a winner on all counts. Better yet, if yaesu made a radio like the 400 but with memory banks, it would be the clear winner.
I love my 5100 because of its memory banks, selectable band group scanning and general ui. Best dual bander I've owned and with GPS and the way it knows repeater configs and distance etc. Cool bit of kit
I've had 2 TYT TH-9800s and the finals on both went out after a couple of years. My FT-8900 meanwhile is still going string. So is my ICOM 2720 which is using the same antenna as the TYTs did.
I purchased a tyt 9800 as my 1st mobile radio. It burnt out within 6 months. I attempted 3 X's to contact tyt for repair or replacement with zero response. I now use anytone dual and triband mobile radios. Same price and higher quality
I'm doing overlanding and am looking for a simple radio with detachable face that will get me a signal in remote locations if needed and able to talk to vehicles in a group. What radio would you recommend for that? This would be used just while doing off road use and not necessarily for taking to someone on the other side of the world.
This list of radios fits that description. Some have removable faces and some do not, so go through this list and pick the one that is in your price point.
Jason, thanks for the Great review! In my opinion, the Icom 2730A is the best bang for your buck. Your reviews on Ham radio are outstanding. Keep them coming.
Good call on the 2730a Best bang for your buck you can get. I’d put the 5100 as the best radio…at least for me. Biggest screen, easiest programming, really scan banks, D-Star, D-Rats, RS-MS1, SD card programming, auto repeater lookup, x-band repeat, full 50w on both bands. The only thing against it is DPRS instead of APRS. And I do APRS on my phone, so no real loss there. The Yaesu 500 COULD have been a much better radio, but they cheaped out on the screen size and filled it in with a huge VFO….stupid. That, the menus, and lack of scan banks kills it for me. That the 5100 costs less is icing on the cake.
I am starting to love my ftm 500 especially since I got it for $500 with the last gigaparts rebate. I will say the menu system is clunky compared to the ftm400. It replaced my 400 for mobile use but the 400 will be used as a base station now.
I currently have the AnyTone 878UVII PLUS and I absolutely love it but it is a little small for my truck. I am in search of a mobile radio that offers dual band or higher; DMR and has a removable face. Is there such a radio out there?
I bought the FTM-500 sub $500 back during the black friday sale on HRO. Glad I didnt pay anywhere near full price for it. Not a big fan if I'm honest. The PMG feature is neat but it wont beacon when in use. The scanning is pretty slow compared to other radios I have. Yaesu menus are what they are. Theres enough little things that annoy me that I end up just not using it very often. I will say, the speaker in the head is a phenomenal addition that all manufacturers should be doing. I mounted the body under the passenger seat and basically cant hear it... but with the head facing me, everything is clear even when I'm doing 90. The other 2 radios you have on your top 3 are intriguing to me though. May have to give them more thought.
I would have given the Yaesu FTM-6000 an Honorable Mention. I'm glad to see you had the Alinco in there. I agree they NEVER get enough love! They have such great rigs. My first HF rig was a used DX-70, the 100 watt version, that I first got to work 6 meter weak signal and listen to EVERYTHING I could, but I may have traded it before upgrading so I can't remember about HF or not but it was excellent for 6 meter and HF/SWL listening. I've still got some much treasured SWL QSL cards from those days obtained via that rig. Just different times I suppose... I loved that thing, would love to have another in good shape. And I always wanted a "stack" of the Alinco mono-band rigs! They were/are awesome! I wish they still made them all. I just couldn't afford them back in the day. You know how it is just starting out in life and just trying to play radio and still eat... So every now and then you have to choose food and rent over radio gear. And I started as a "No Coder" back in the 90's and loved squeezing every drop out of my privileges and Alinco just made such great gear, and the mobiles were very attractive too. I did manage to get a Alinco DR-M06 20/25 watt 6 mtr mobile that they upgraded to 50 watts in 2007, but I loved mine and worked FM all the the lower 48 when D Layer skip was in, and once in a while a repeater or two in the area. Even though there was a few repeaters for 6 there just wasn't any activity back then but when conditions were right people were on FM and believe it or not actually 6 meter AM would come alive. Man that was fun to work 6 AM once I got the DX-70!!! I would be very very surprised if anyone would ever be on 6 mtr AM these days. Back then it was mostly all old timers and I'm sure very sadly are mostly SK by now... I even ran into one particular WWII Vet on 6 AM whom I spoke to regularly when conditions were good. I proudly have his QSL card with a picture of the plane he flew in the war on it. Anyway, how great it would have been to stack all the Alinco mobile rigs in some kinda home made rack in "The Shack" i.e. the bedroom, when my antenna farm was a line of mobile mag-mount whip antennas on a piece of sheet that I screwed onto the roof gutter above the bedroom window, and a MFJ SWL Active Antenna vertical I had up on a 30' pole next to said bedroom window once I got the DX-70. Damn, those were the days! I first got a Radio Shack HTX-202 HT, and the the HTX-404, and then an Alinco FJ-190 2meter HT on clearance (no keypad - no rechargeable battery - just as plain as it gets) and put the 202 in the car and the Alinco in the house. I threw a speaker mic and rigged up a DC power cord to the Radio Shack 3 amp power supply that we all had in those days, screwed in the coax from the 5/8 wave mag mount out on the gutter and talked on that thing for HOURS almost every night. Sometimes it would get so hot you literally couldn't touch the body of the HT but it NEVER EVER even hiccuped!!! That's been at least 25 years ago and I found it at my mother's home about a year ago and it still powers up and works GREAT! As Tony the Tiger would say. In my opinion Alinco has always made great stuff and in those days they were often looked down on as "cheap" junk because they weren't part of the big three, but I've always had good luck and loved their stuff. Plus they're not afraid to come out with some freaky stuff sometimes. Trailblazers. I guess with the recent Chinese market they aren't looked down on as badly as they once were but they'll always be the red headed stepchild of the Japanese market. Welp, didn't mean to go into all of that but I do tend to get long winded sometimes. Anyway glad to see you giving the Alinco some love and you asked so I'll put in a plug for the Yaesu FTM-6000. I hope Yaesu doesn't drop that radio before I can save up enough pennies to snag one! Thanks for the vid and info. I've thought for sometime that you have the very BEST Ham channel on YT and are just a class act Jason! 73, KF4PCT, Bill
I’m a trucker and newly licensed ham. I’m looking hard at both Icoms: 2730a and the 5100. I’m thinking 2730a would be better in the truck. Slightly smaller face (in case of space issues) but still has larger fonts, no touchscreen to glitch out, and the mic plugs into the faceplate or the body of the radio.
Another excellent video! Question, I have had a Yaesu FTM-400 for some time now and love it to pieces. How would you compare / contrast that with the newer 500?
I never had a 400 due to all the problems with the first run of that radio. Those issues were all resolved with the XDR models but I never bought one. Most people think that the 400 is better for APRS stuff overall.
I have the FTM-500DR, and I don’t miss my FTM-400DR at all. Quite an upgrade. Question: what do you do for antennas on the quad band radios? I mean my TRAM 1181 works fine for 2M/70cm. What happens with a quad that covers those two frequencies but also needs to cover 6M/10M?
thanks for the vids. heard nothing said about programming the radios? Chirp or separate - expensive, like the RT Systems WCS-2730 Programming Software for the Icom 2730a at $48? if not mentioned, means manual programming?
Programming software wasn't the focus of this video, but... Most every radio has some software of some sort. RT Systems is expensive, yes. I don't use it. CHIRP is great, but only covers some more popular models. I'm not sure what Icom software you are referring to for $48 though. Yaesu has free software for their radios.
@@HamRadio2 I find your vids very useful and informative. some of the best online in fact. thank you. RT Systems WCS-2730 Programming Software USB Kit with Version 4* Software and USB Cable $47.99 But as newbie, I need to know which if any software comes with or is needed for the model. also, 12volt DC or 120v AC? both? will the unit work off a 1000 watt inverter? 1500 watt inverter? I'm leaning towards the ICOM 2730A despite the addon expenses. what antenna should I use? Jpole or ??? I'm in a Mobile Cabin. (motor home to you fellows). how about "Here's the moblie unit I would buy today for my first entry/first purchase, I would use this antenna and this software, and here's what I look for?" and why. You need this cable, these connections, etc. available here. A complet bundle I guess. Heck, I'm the newbie. and not so proud to admit it. don't want to buy some "stuff" that doesn't work, that will be returned and lotsa stuff to know and KISS doesn't seem to work in this "hobby," but Murphy sure does. lol hard to find a true live personal Elmer these days willing to do just that. you guys are as close as some of us get to an "Elmer." KI7IJS
The 2730 does cross band repeat. And having dual receive is nice. I eas doing Wreaths Across America Houston in Dec. And I could listen to both frequencies for the event at the same time.
I have the FTM-6000 as a base radio but my mobile is the ANYSECU WEP-9900 with a color screen on the mic. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it does the job for me.
I just found this out the hard way but the AT-578uv III plus is not part 90 certified. The previous pro version is and thus the plus model does not have the professional mode. My solution was to buy both and use the plus as a home base station 🤣
Hopefully, someone here can assist me. Upon learning about the GPS features of the Icom 5100A, I became interested in obtaining a radio with similar capabilities. As I frequently travel around the country and will soon embark on a coast-to-coast journey, having GPS functionality is crucial. While I am newly licensed and have relied on a CB radio during past trips, I now feel the need for a more sophisticated radio than just a UV5R. Is the Icom 5100A the only radio in that price range with GPS that can locate nearby repeaters?
Hey guys. I'm about to take my general, I've only used the baofeng ht's. Never had a mobile, I travel a lot in my truck and I was wondering if I could get a mobile rig that can easily disconnect from the antenna and power supply and be brought into my house to use as a base station. Seems like a good idea to get into HF. Thanks.
Mobile VHF/UHF or Mobile HF Radio? Most people that try this eventually realize it is too much of a pain and they end up buying 2 radios. You can do this with any radio, but there aren't any radios that are actually designed for quick disconnect and moving from car to home.
You have a lot of good picks in your line-up. I have the Yaesu FTM-300 and the FTM-400. It looks like they discontinued the 400, which is unfortunate as it’s much more intuitive to use with its touch screen. I also have the Anytone 578, but I wish they made it with a removable head.
I'd like to see other brands on the list from the likes of Harris and others that aren't "popular" foreign brands. Are all of them, Motorola, etc out of reach price wise? No longer made? Problematic? Are there European models that are any good? Which ones?
I don't understand all the popularity with the FTM-500. Every time I saw something new on it, including the promotional videos, I would want it less. Plus it has the Yaesu menu setup. I own the FTM-400 but I am not getting a 500. I also own a Icom ID-5100 and love it. That is my favorite overall VHF/UHF mobile radio.
Hi Jason, I have noticed that when I have APRS enabled on the Sub band and I am in scan mode on the Main band occasionally the Sub band frequency changes. Have you ever experienced this?
My TYT 9800, or, was it 9500?.. I used for less than a year. It is just a police scanner now. It got so there was almost NO audio in the TX signal. And of course, no one fixes them.. ... Same thing happened with my WouxunKG-U950P. It too is just a scanner now.
I returned the TYT 7800 which has the same screen, ifound the screens menu hard to read the led. could not tell what the letters were and could not program the radio with there software as it would stop part of the way, no help from the company ended up with the Anytone 778.
What does it mean by FM only on the wouxun kg-uv980P? Im about to take my test and just doing some research. I know the 6 and 10M portuon are for general as well. But ive heard this 'FM only' phrase elswhere.
FM is a mode. You will learn about modes in the test questions. 6-meters is a band that Techs can use, but 10M FM portion is only for General and higher.
The Yaesu mobiles don't have memory banks. This is a deal breaker for some. On the FTM-500 there is no effective way to scan two different sets of memories (like one set on the A band and the other set on the B band). The radio is also missing a feature that is standard on many other radios where after a signal drops, you can pause for a variable length of time before resuming a scan. Yaesu's cheapest handhelds have both of these features. Yet they have left them out on their mobile lineup. This is why my two FTM-500s are sitting in their boxes... and I'm using my ICOM radios instead.
@@HamRadio2 yep. I would expect that is true for most. I do a lot of scanning of very busy systems. It's super frustrating to have the scan resume immediately after someone unkeys. You never get to hear the other person's response. At least that is my use case. All other radios I own have this feature (to pause before resuming)... except the Yaesu mobiles. Same thing is true of memory banks.
@@HamRadio2 I picked up an ICOM 5100 this week. When brightness is turned down it is fine at night. At least it has the "night time" setting so you don't have to manually keep switching it. Can you imagine if and when the 5100 gets a color screen??! Come on, ICOM!
I used to drive truck and the brightness of the ic2730a was so annoying at night to the point of just turning it off if I was driving past 8 or 9 pm that's my biggest problem with the radio
@@HamRadio2I believe the reason for not permitting amateur radios on GMRS or LMR for that matter is because of the VFO. I guess they don’t trust us hams to lock the frequency to the center of the “channel”. But maybe they forgot about permitting us to use 60 meters…. Bureaucracy, go figure!
@@HamRadio2 I whole heartedly agree. Instead of making rules that serve no real purpose or benefit us in any meaningful way, why don’t they use OUR TAX DOLLARS to enforce legitimate rules that are being violated daily on certain frequencies?!? We hams, would be far better SERVED!
By the way, the anytone triband rig is fantastic!!! Probably the best bang for the buck. Though my FTM 500 gets far more use, I’m glad I have the 578. If for nothing else, you “can” encrypt end-to-end with that line up (578) and the equivalent anytone HT’s. Not technically legal (unless you have an LMR license) but the point remains.
My wife hates the fact I got my HAM license. She hates it because now I have two expensive hobbies. Buying HAM radios and buying guns.
Haha
The two things that keep me going. Are we related?
She only hates it because your third major expense (her) is at risk of losing time, attention, and money.
I say all the time about my gun “hobby” that it’s turning money into noise, I guess we can say same of our radio hobby as well.
Only 2 hobbies.That’s rookie numbers 😂😂
20 years ago radios was crazy expensive. When I was a young vol firefighter I couldn’t afford a proper mobile radio so with some guidance I purchased a new ft2800 and modded it myself for 2M tx. I saved so much money and had a good powerful mobile that could get out from any holler in the county and still hit the county repeater clearly.
I got a 2730a for the mobile, I liked it so much I bought a second one for the garage base. I love the detachable faceplate with mike attachment, only one cable to faceplate. I recently installed the Icom Bluetooth board & and paired a trucker headset with microphone, BAM! Hands free!
Same here. I have 2 as well. Should also mention that it has cross band repeat capability. The only thing that's a bummer is if you want to mount the face plate to the radio, you have to buy an additional bracket and shorter cable, which, for what you get, is quite expensive.
Nice one. Bluetoothed an old realistic dx394 during lockdown. Id not done radio since 94. Thanks
A message to the new folks watching this to try and decide what to spend their money on.
I watched the 2023 video and selected the Tri-band Anytone AT-5888UV III based on Jason’s recommendation. It’s a FANTASTIC radio. I get compliments on the clarity of sound all the time. I love it! I have installed in on my XC90 it was a breeze.
You can trust these videos from Jason because they’re honest. I’m excited to use it and turn it on whenever I’m in the car. The cross band repeat is also great. I can’t afford two radios but now for nets I turn on the cross band repeater and use my baofeng from my living room. Great radio.
Jason I can’t thank you enough.
I’m studying for my General now while I’m saving for a shack in the box.
KC3VLN
Thanks
ICOM 2730A was my first mobile radio and I regret selling it.
Great radio. I caught them on sale for $250. My YL is a ham. I bought 3. I programed All the same. My truck, her SUV and the base. You can run dual mics. One plugged into the head and one into the rf unit.
I have a desk mic and a hand mic depending on my mood or if I'm on a net. Great video I'm all ICOM.756proIII,2730A, 9700 & a T-90a 2m,70cm, 6m hand held.
W9DLP 73
Everytime i buy radios, electronics, firearms, and muay thai gear and my wife complains i bring up her purse purchases, and her binge buying video games for her Nintendo switch. Gets her to shut up, but now shes wanting GMRS, 2M, and HF in her SUV, but yet she wants me to get a GMRS license so she can be covered, shes not liking shes gonna have to take the technician exam.
You always do a great job with these videos… The best of series. I also have the newest Anytone and the FTM 500 in my mobile set up, but I always learn something new from you when watching these.
Had a TYT9800 for the past 7 years.. still a good radio, love the slim remote mount, its mounted up above my rear view mirror. Great radio.
I do like a crossband repeater! I use my old Yaesu FT-8800 as a base station at the home, now, and its quit handy!
Yep
Hello Jason, Passed my test back in late June and started out with a BTECH_UV-50X2. Very nice for the price, chirp programmable. But, I did upgrade to the FTM-500 for Christmas.
Congrats
Will definitely come back to this if my Motorola xtl2500 ever gives out. Might be 20 years, but this is a very good guide to these radios.
That's a great radio
Could you recommend a radio that a mamma could use to communicate with their adult child who lives about 10-13 miles away if the grid went down?
My first mobile was an HTX-202 velcroed to the center console of our Ford Festiva. The amp was bolted to the back of the console.
same. Wish I still had it.
Hey Jason, on the TYT (and other Amazon products)....The "Sold By" is on the right side under "Ships From". That "TYT Store" is a misnomer that isn't always accurate based on Amazon's view of brands. In this case it is Sold By Radioddity and Fulfilled by Amazon. Hope that helps
Great video! I have two radios on the list, the VGC and the Alinco. The VGC is cool conceptually, but the Alinco is hands down better. I used to have the VGC in my car, but found that the filtering was terrible, at least in urban areas, and the iOS app was really frustrating to use. The Alinco lives in my car now, connected to a Mobilinkd TNC3 so that I can run APRS while mobile (and Winlink while parked 😉).
One of the best mobiles is the 2730. This radio was my first dual band, and still going strong ! There’s a great group for that radio on Facebook.
For me, the best is the Yaesu FTM-400. Great radio,
2730a best all around radio you showed. Love mine
I saw on ebay just a few days ago, some Icom 706, 706mk2, and mark 2g full 100 W hf thru 6M, varies on which radio watts on 2m and 440. They were used and were selling for $400+. Just a little more than just a dual band. I had the '706 and loved it. Never had any problems with it.
Icom 2730a is my first mobile radio that I just bought at hamcation, I love it!
I love the FTM-500 as well, but I also run a TYT MD-9600 running OpenGD77. That's a fantastic radio once you flash the firmware.
Alinco dr735 love it. Use it as my home base unit, for years now.
I would love to see Anytone come out with the AT-D578UVIII Plus with HF capabilities (100 watts) like the discontinued Yaesu FT-857D with DMR.
Yes
I have the TYT9800 and I really like it I run it on low power and I've been told it sounds good
FTM-300 is full duplex as well in case anyone wanted to know. I can’t speak for the 500 but I’m willing to bet that it is.
I'm personally have an AnyTone AT-5888UV III on my car because recently I was notified by a friend the installation of a 220mhz repeater, so I replace my Alinco DR-638T for it. I'm very impressed with the quality reception on the 220mhz band so on my job I replace the AnyTone AT-5888UV dual band for the AT-5888UV III version.
I purchased an FTM-200 at Hamcation. I'm enjoying it, except I miss the memory organization of previous Yaesu Dual-Banders.
Paul, WB0BBC
I have the vgc vr-n7500 as a base station. I love the fact that I'm able to connect/ monitor my local repeater when I'm out of range using the HT app on my POC radio.
Great review, Jason! Although not reviewed, I like the Alinco DR-MD500 for its DMR capability.
Gotta like Alinco. I bought my DJ580 ht in '92. It's a tank! Thing still performs and even looks brand new. I've gone through several batteries, of course, and now have a collection of all different sizes thrown in box. My other ht is the Yasu FT-470. Bought it in '91, and yes, it still works and is in excellent condition too. Haven't keyed up in years, now getting the itch to jump on a repeater where I live now. Need to spend some money on a new ht and I'm thinking about a mobile rig too.
New ham question...
For dual recieve units, are you able to scan on one and remain on a specific freq on the other?
Swapped out my FTM-400 in the car for a FTM-500 a little over a month ago. Love it! Good seeing you at HamCation Neighbor, had a blast there. Be safe, Romie N8WWR
N8WWR!!!
Been using the TYT9800 since 2019. I’m still liking it to this day.
hi Jason, had my TYT 9800 in the truck for 2 years and still works fine.
I am a fan of my Kenwood D710. It cost a touch but has 2 internal TNC's you can choose from for one side and breakouts for other modes and echolink for the second half. I do need to get a nicer antenna however might also recommend to get a Diamond Antenna folder. Have one for both radios in my car and It's nice not being banished from parking garages anymore.
710 is no longer in production, else I probably would have included it
Hey, I really appreciate your video on how to program a TYT TH-9800. I've had two fo them for a couple of years and they haven't let me down.
Hello, just came across your channel. I live in North Carolina. Where can I go to get study materials for my tech license?
Just passed my Tech license looking to get the Yaesu FTM500 for my truck, I run a pilot car service and I'm all over Texas. What is the best antenna to pair with this radio on my truck?
Outstanding concise review of radios. Possibly the best I’ve seen. Very helpful. Thank you for the “transparent” full disclose comments.
Glad it was helpful!
My buddy had 3 TYT 9800 radios. They all blew up in a short time. He has 1 wouxun 980 that outlasted them all. Usually audio problems. TX audio goes out, RX audio goes out. One sided radio. I like the retro look of that icom.
I still have my original TH9800 but I am aware of some of them having issues
I have a TYT 9800, and it's a really great radio. Hard to go wrong with that radio if you get a good one.
Question?? Which Ham Radio do I need to listen to sky messaging/ Emergency Action Messages. Thank you we are really learning what we need in a radio.
I have both the ID-5100 and the ft500. I still find myself going back to the 5100 simply because of the memory banks. Silly that yaesu hasn't allowed memory banks since before the 400 was made. As far as APRS, I miss it dearly on the 5100, but get by using my phone and aprsdroid app. If icom would make a 5100 with a nice big color screen and maybe aprs, it would be a winner on all counts. Better yet, if yaesu made a radio like the 400 but with memory banks, it would be the clear winner.
Plus the ID-5100 has the edit memory feature where you can program a memory or edit it from one spot in the menu
@@jneale5204
And if you don’t like that spot, its easy to move it to another
I love my 5100 because of its memory banks, selectable band group scanning and general ui. Best dual bander I've owned and with GPS and the way it knows repeater configs and distance etc. Cool bit of kit
I run the AnyTone AT-778UV and I think the IC-705 should be considered for the higher end
I'm really happy with my FTM300 - full duplex + SD card recording makes it great for satellite work
no CAT
I've had 2 TYT TH-9800s and the finals on both went out after a couple of years. My FT-8900 meanwhile is still going string. So is my ICOM 2720 which is using the same antenna as the TYTs did.
I purchased a tyt 9800 as my 1st mobile radio. It burnt out within 6 months. I attempted 3 X's to contact tyt for repair or replacement with zero response. I now use anytone dual and triband mobile radios. Same price and higher quality
Jason, I bougth the FTM 400 just before the dicontinuation I didn't like the 500 much
Awesome APRS on the 400 Pete VK3TQ
I'm doing overlanding and am looking for a simple radio with detachable face that will get me a signal in remote locations if needed and able to talk to vehicles in a group. What radio would you recommend for that? This would be used just while doing off road use and not necessarily for taking to someone on the other side of the world.
This list of radios fits that description. Some have removable faces and some do not, so go through this list and pick the one that is in your price point.
How is the quality of the programming software for Alinco?
Jason, thanks for the Great review! In my opinion, the Icom 2730A is the best bang for your buck. Your reviews on Ham radio are outstanding. Keep them coming.
I'm getting my feet wet on the FTM-500. Loving the radio. Can't wait to actually transmit on it.
Good call on the 2730a
Best bang for your buck you can get.
I’d put the 5100 as the best radio…at least for me.
Biggest screen, easiest programming, really scan banks, D-Star, D-Rats, RS-MS1, SD card programming, auto repeater lookup, x-band repeat, full 50w on both bands.
The only thing against it is DPRS instead of APRS. And I do APRS on my phone, so no real loss there.
The Yaesu 500 COULD have been a much better radio, but they cheaped out on the screen size and filled it in with a huge VFO….stupid. That, the menus, and lack of scan banks kills it for me.
That the 5100 costs less is icing on the cake.
agreed, The no scan/ memory banks is a deal breaker.
What antenna would you recommend for the Yaesu 891 and what antenna for the Anytone 578UV3 plus for non-mobile ops?
I am starting to love my ftm 500 especially since I got it for $500 with the last gigaparts rebate. I will say the menu system is clunky compared to the ftm400. It replaced my 400 for mobile use but the 400 will be used as a base station now.
One thing missing from your review. Does the rig have a data port for Packet and WinLink.
Almost none of them do
Thats what the digirig mobile is for 😉
@@johnarcher9480 No data port means no high speed modes. You are limited to the bandwidth you can get through the mic port.
I currently have the AnyTone 878UVII PLUS and I absolutely love it but it is a little small for my truck. I am in search of a mobile radio that offers dual band or higher; DMR and has a removable face. Is there such a radio out there?
I bought the FTM-500 sub $500 back during the black friday sale on HRO. Glad I didnt pay anywhere near full price for it. Not a big fan if I'm honest. The PMG feature is neat but it wont beacon when in use. The scanning is pretty slow compared to other radios I have. Yaesu menus are what they are. Theres enough little things that annoy me that I end up just not using it very often. I will say, the speaker in the head is a phenomenal addition that all manufacturers should be doing. I mounted the body under the passenger seat and basically cant hear it... but with the head facing me, everything is clear even when I'm doing 90. The other 2 radios you have on your top 3 are intriguing to me though. May have to give them more thought.
If Kenwood world bring back the TMD 710 I’d buy 2 Now
Agreed
Great information and radio choices! Enjoyed the stream
Good job on these type of videos, tons of great info. Thanks (Really like my Alinco 735)
Does the ICOM 2380A receive Air Band (108-136 MHz)?
Was hoping to hear about he FTM-500 @ 14:20 you mention you were going to talk about it but I never heard another word. Thanks for the content.
I have 2 long videos specifically about that radio
I would have given the Yaesu FTM-6000 an Honorable Mention.
I'm glad to see you had the Alinco in there. I agree they NEVER get enough love! They have such great rigs. My first HF rig was a used DX-70, the 100 watt version, that I first got to work 6 meter weak signal and listen to EVERYTHING I could, but I may have traded it before upgrading so I can't remember about HF or not but it was excellent for 6 meter and HF/SWL listening. I've still got some much treasured SWL QSL cards from those days obtained via that rig. Just different times I suppose... I loved that thing, would love to have another in good shape.
And I always wanted a "stack" of the Alinco mono-band rigs! They were/are awesome! I wish they still made them all. I just couldn't afford them back in the day. You know how it is just starting out in life and just trying to play radio and still eat... So every now and then you have to choose food and rent over radio gear.
And I started as a "No Coder" back in the 90's and loved squeezing every drop out of my privileges and Alinco just made such great gear, and the mobiles were very attractive too. I did manage to get a Alinco DR-M06 20/25 watt 6 mtr mobile that they upgraded to 50 watts in 2007, but I loved mine and worked FM all the the lower 48 when D Layer skip was in, and once in a while a repeater or two in the area. Even though there was a few repeaters for 6 there just wasn't any activity back then but when conditions were right people were on FM and believe it or not actually 6 meter AM would come alive. Man that was fun to work 6 AM once I got the DX-70!!! I would be very very surprised if anyone would ever be on 6 mtr AM these days. Back then it was mostly all old timers and I'm sure very sadly are mostly SK by now... I even ran into one particular WWII Vet on 6 AM whom I spoke to regularly when conditions were good. I proudly have his QSL card with a picture of the plane he flew in the war on it.
Anyway, how great it would have been to stack all the Alinco mobile rigs in some kinda home made rack in "The Shack" i.e. the bedroom, when my antenna farm was a line of mobile mag-mount whip antennas on a piece of sheet that I screwed onto the roof gutter above the bedroom window, and a MFJ SWL Active Antenna vertical I had up on a 30' pole next to said bedroom window once I got the DX-70.
Damn, those were the days! I first got a Radio Shack HTX-202 HT, and the the HTX-404, and then an Alinco FJ-190 2meter HT on clearance (no keypad - no rechargeable battery - just as plain as it gets) and put the 202 in the car and the Alinco in the house. I threw a speaker mic and rigged up a DC power cord to the Radio Shack 3 amp power supply that we all had in those days, screwed in the coax from the 5/8 wave mag mount out on the gutter and talked on that thing for HOURS almost every night. Sometimes it would get so hot you literally couldn't touch the body of the HT but it NEVER EVER even hiccuped!!! That's been at least 25 years ago and I found it at my mother's home about a year ago and it still powers up and works GREAT! As Tony the Tiger would say.
In my opinion Alinco has always made great stuff and in those days they were often looked down on as "cheap" junk because they weren't part of the big three, but I've always had good luck and loved their stuff. Plus they're not afraid to come out with some freaky stuff sometimes. Trailblazers. I guess with the recent Chinese market they aren't looked down on as badly as they once were but they'll always be the red headed stepchild of the Japanese market.
Welp, didn't mean to go into all of that but I do tend to get long winded sometimes. Anyway glad to see you giving the Alinco some love and you asked so I'll put in a plug for the Yaesu FTM-6000. I hope Yaesu doesn't drop that radio before I can save up enough pennies to snag one!
Thanks for the vid and info. I've thought for sometime that you have the very BEST Ham channel on YT and are just a class act Jason!
73,
KF4PCT, Bill
So out of curiosity what's a great mobile radio I can use since I'm a truck driver. I don't like regular CBs
VHF? Or HF?
The 2730a is a really nice Radio but the Cost goes back up if you want the bracket to attach the face and the other braket to mount the Radio
True
What do you recommend for a cross country trucker trying to get in on ham?
Thanks
I’m a trucker and newly licensed ham. I’m looking hard at both Icoms: 2730a and the 5100. I’m thinking 2730a would be better in the truck. Slightly smaller face (in case of space issues) but still has larger fonts, no touchscreen to glitch out, and the mic plugs into the faceplate or the body of the radio.
Great summary thank you. Does the FTM-500 do GPS? Also, is it full duplex?
Yes it has GPS and I am pretty sure it is full duplex.
@@HamRadio2Thanks mate..!
What antennas would you recommend pairing up with mobile Ham radios?
This - ua-cam.com/video/oLGHB0UK6kY/v-deo.html
@@HamRadio2 Dude, thanks!
Another excellent video! Question, I have had a Yaesu FTM-400 for some time now and love it to pieces. How would you compare / contrast that with the newer 500?
I never had a 400 due to all the problems with the first run of that radio. Those issues were all resolved with the XDR models but I never bought one. Most people think that the 400 is better for APRS stuff overall.
@@HamRadio2 Great point! Mine is an FTM-400XD to be specific. Just ran out to the jeep to be certain.
Which of these two radios is better? Radioddity DB25-D Dual Band DMR or the TYT MD-9600 Mobile Dual Band GPS DMR. - 73
9600 is higher power and holds more channels, etc.
Does the 500DR come programmed so a technician cannot use the disallowed frequencies?
There's no frequencies that this radio will do in the ham bands that a technician cannot use
I have the FTM-500DR, and I don’t miss my FTM-400DR at all. Quite an upgrade.
Question: what do you do for antennas on the quad band radios?
I mean my TRAM 1181 works fine for 2M/70cm. What happens with a quad that covers those two frequencies but also needs to cover 6M/10M?
Comet makes one that is OK... I normally ran just a dual band, though. I didn't do much on the other 2 bands, when I had that radio in the truck
thanks for the vids.
heard nothing said about programming the radios?
Chirp or separate - expensive, like the
RT Systems WCS-2730 Programming Software
for the Icom 2730a at $48?
if not mentioned, means manual programming?
Programming software wasn't the focus of this video, but...
Most every radio has some software of some sort. RT Systems is expensive, yes. I don't use it. CHIRP is great, but only covers some more popular models. I'm not sure what Icom software you are referring to for $48 though. Yaesu has free software for their radios.
@@HamRadio2
I find your vids very useful and informative.
some of the best online in fact. thank you.
RT Systems WCS-2730 Programming Software
USB Kit with Version 4* Software and USB Cable
$47.99
But as newbie, I need to know which
if any software comes with or is needed for the model.
also, 12volt DC or 120v AC? both?
will the unit work off a 1000 watt inverter?
1500 watt inverter?
I'm leaning towards the ICOM 2730A
despite the addon expenses.
what antenna should I use?
Jpole or ??? I'm in a Mobile Cabin.
(motor home to you fellows).
how about "Here's the moblie unit I would buy today
for my first entry/first purchase,
I would use this antenna and this software,
and here's what I look for?" and why.
You need this cable, these connections, etc. available here.
A complet bundle I guess.
Heck, I'm the newbie. and not so proud to admit it.
don't want to buy some
"stuff" that doesn't work,
that will be returned and lotsa stuff to know and
KISS doesn't seem to work in this "hobby,"
but Murphy sure does.
lol
hard to find a true live personal Elmer
these days willing to do just that.
you guys are as close as some of us get to an "Elmer."
KI7IJS
The 2730 does cross band repeat. And having dual receive is nice. I eas doing Wreaths Across America Houston in Dec. And I could listen to both frequencies for the event at the same time.
I have the FTM-6000 as a base radio but my mobile is the ANYSECU WEP-9900 with a color screen on the mic. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it does the job for me.
the tyt 9800 is a great radio. had mine years and i get the same reports when i am in my landrover :D i have to pull over for a qso lol
I just found this out the hard way but the AT-578uv III plus is not part 90 certified. The previous pro version is and thus the plus model does not have the professional mode. My solution was to buy both and use the plus as a home base station 🤣
I have the yaesu ftm500d and it’s a great radio. I have yet to explore all of its features
So which is more bang for your buck the icon 5100 or theFTM 500?
The 500
Hopefully, someone here can assist me. Upon learning about the GPS features of the Icom 5100A, I became interested in obtaining a radio with similar capabilities. As I frequently travel around the country and will soon embark on a coast-to-coast journey, having GPS functionality is crucial. While I am newly licensed and have relied on a CB radio during past trips, I now feel the need for a more sophisticated radio than just a UV5R. Is the Icom 5100A the only radio in that price range with GPS that can locate nearby repeaters?
Part 90 includes a lot of emergency services frequencies.
Hey guys. I'm about to take my general, I've only used the baofeng ht's. Never had a mobile, I travel a lot in my truck and I was wondering if I could get a mobile rig that can easily disconnect from the antenna and power supply and be brought into my house to use as a base station. Seems like a good idea to get into HF. Thanks.
Mobile VHF/UHF or Mobile HF Radio?
Most people that try this eventually realize it is too much of a pain and they end up buying 2 radios. You can do this with any radio, but there aren't any radios that are actually designed for quick disconnect and moving from car to home.
You have a lot of good picks in your line-up. I have the Yaesu FTM-300 and the FTM-400. It looks like they discontinued the 400, which is unfortunate as it’s much more intuitive to use with its touch screen. I also have the Anytone 578, but I wish they made it with a removable head.
Love my 5100. And ftm400. 😁
I'd like to see other brands on the list from the likes of Harris and others that aren't "popular" foreign brands. Are all of them, Motorola, etc out of reach price wise? No longer made? Problematic? Are there European models that are any good? Which ones?
Not out of reach or priced too high, imo. But they aren't HAM Radios. So they don't belong in this list.
What about the kenwood 710g ? It does many of the features you talked about. The transmission of the kenwood is very crisp and clean.
It's no longer in production
@@HamRadio2 you’re right, I forgot they were getting out….. too bad , it’s a good radio
Hi, are you still using the icom 5100? Im planning to buy it too. Torn between 2730 and 5100.
Yep, had it in the truck for a few years now
@@HamRadio2 thanks will get one
Looks like a great mobile the new vehicle's need to make room for them, tnx man!
which is the best one for an unlicensed operator and how many fars will it get.
Anything that has "GMRS" stamped on it
@@HamRadio2
@@HamRadio2 Hmmm thought those required a license as well. oh well catch me if you can.
A 50 W all mode 2M rig. AM, SSB, FM, and a USB C port for figi and WinLink!
If that existed...
IC9700 is close?
For a home base station, sure. Not for mobile.
I don't understand all the popularity with the FTM-500. Every time I saw something new on it, including the promotional videos, I would want it less. Plus it has the Yaesu menu setup. I own the FTM-400 but I am not getting a 500. I also own a Icom ID-5100 and love it. That is my favorite overall VHF/UHF mobile radio.
I don't think the FTM-500s screen is larger. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Larger than the 300, yes it is
Hi Jason, I have noticed that when I have APRS enabled on the Sub band and I am in scan mode on the Main band occasionally the Sub band frequency changes. Have you ever experienced this?
No I haven't seen that, but I don't use scan that much either.
My TYT 9800, or, was it 9500?.. I used for less than a year. It is just a police scanner now. It got so there was almost NO audio in the TX signal. And of course, no one fixes them..
... Same thing happened with my WouxunKG-U950P. It too is just a scanner now.
I returned the TYT 7800 which has the same screen, ifound the screens menu hard to read the led. could not tell what the letters were and could not program the radio with there software as it would stop part of the way, no help from the company ended up with the Anytone 778.
What does it mean by FM only on the wouxun kg-uv980P? Im about to take my test and just doing some research. I know the 6 and 10M portuon are for general as well. But ive heard this 'FM only' phrase elswhere.
FM is a mode. You will learn about modes in the test questions. 6-meters is a band that Techs can use, but 10M FM portion is only for General and higher.
The Yaesu mobiles don't have memory banks. This is a deal breaker for some. On the FTM-500 there is no effective way to scan two different sets of memories (like one set on the A band and the other set on the B band). The radio is also missing a feature that is standard on many other radios where after a signal drops, you can pause for a variable length of time before resuming a scan. Yaesu's cheapest handhelds have both of these features. Yet they have left them out on their mobile lineup. This is why my two FTM-500s are sitting in their boxes... and I'm using my ICOM radios instead.
Can't say that it makes that much difference to me
@@HamRadio2 yep. I would expect that is true for most. I do a lot of scanning of very busy systems. It's super frustrating to have the scan resume immediately after someone unkeys. You never get to hear the other person's response. At least that is my use case. All other radios I own have this feature (to pause before resuming)... except the Yaesu mobiles. Same thing is true of memory banks.
How is the screen brightness at night on the Icoms? I really wish you could reverse the monochrome display with a button.
Too bright. I always turn it down when driving at night
@@HamRadio2 I picked up an ICOM 5100 this week. When brightness is turned down it is fine at night. At least it has the "night time" setting so you don't have to manually keep switching it. Can you imagine if and when the 5100 gets a color screen??! Come on, ICOM!
I used to drive truck and the brightness of the ic2730a was so annoying at night to the point of just turning it off if I was driving past 8 or 9 pm that's my biggest problem with the radio
I have the AT5888UVIII, just got my tech license on the 13th. I need to fire that radio up and push the button. KJ5EKA
Thanks, I didn't know about that Anytone triband at R&L. I'll need to keep an eye out for that.
Go get it
@@HamRadio2I believe the reason for not permitting amateur radios on GMRS or LMR for that matter is because of the VFO. I guess they don’t trust us hams to lock the frequency to the center of the “channel”.
But maybe they forgot about permitting us to use 60 meters…. Bureaucracy, go figure!
I was talking about Part 90 radios being used on GMRS, not Ham Radios, but maybe the same thing could apply. It's a dumb rule, either way
@@HamRadio2 I whole heartedly agree. Instead of making rules that serve no real purpose or benefit us in any meaningful way, why don’t they use OUR TAX DOLLARS to enforce legitimate rules that are being violated daily on certain frequencies?!? We hams, would be far better SERVED!
By the way, the anytone triband rig is fantastic!!! Probably the best bang for the buck. Though my FTM 500 gets far more use, I’m glad I have the 578. If for nothing else, you “can” encrypt end-to-end with that line up (578) and the equivalent anytone HT’s. Not technically legal (unless you have an LMR license) but the point remains.