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Grex Radio Item 41: 900MHz or 1200MHz?
Entered by krokus on Wed Jun 25 19:27:14 UTC 2003:

Talking about 1200MHz in another item has caused me to think.  So after
pulling the battery out of the smoke detector, I was left with something
to decide: For the third band in my mobile, should I get 900 or 1200 MHz
installed into it?

For those of you that are already venturing into those bands:

What have your experiences been?

What would you reccommend?

Is it worth doing this with a mobile?

Should I just get a handheld with those bands, and maybe put a six meter
module in my mobile?

As a part of your experiences, could you list what type of rig you're
using, and type of antenna?  (IE: 50-watt mobile with on-glass antenna,
or 2-watt handheld, with after market whip, etc...)

6 responses total.

#1 of 6 by glenda on Wed Jun 25 20:14:48 2003:

We, the three licensed Andres and MDW, use the ICOM TI-81 quad band handheld
as our main rig.  It has 6 meters, 2 meters, 440, and 1200.  The receiver
covers much, much more than that, including broadcast AM and FM, TV, police,
fire, etc.  We generally use the ARROW 440 when out and about separately. 
When together at swaps, events, shopping, etc. we use 1294.5, except at Dayton
Hamvention where we were using 1295.8.  STeve has used the 6 meter a couple
of times, and we have used 2 meters.  STeve and I have, and prefer to use,
220 equipment.  Those rigs are out of commission at the moment, until we find
time and space to get out the soldiering iron to repair them.

Staci is using the antenna that came with the TI-81.  STeve and I bought the
Diamond Antenna quad band antenna made for this rig.  Other than its length,
we really like it.  The included antenna is a compromise for all 4 bands. 
It works marginally on them with optimization at 2 meters.  The diamond works
as a 1/4 wave for 6 meter, 1/2 wave for 2 meters, 5/8 wave for 440, and 5/8
wave colinear for 1200.  A great improvement over the supplied antenna.  We
plan on getting their quad band mobile antenna soon.

#2 of 6 by krokus on Mon Jun 30 04:50:02 2003:

Sounds like the antenna I bought for my new Radio Shack dual-band, it's
quite a bit longer than the factory antenna, but works amazingly better.

I hadn't mentioned 6 meters in my stuff, due to considering buying a
dedicated 6 meter rig.  SSB works so much better for DX.  :)

#3 of 6 by goose on Tue Jul 15 15:56:13 2003:

I think Glenda means the IC-T81A.  It looks to be discontinued...bummer.

#4 of 6 by glenda on Tue Jul 15 18:10:16 2003:

I do, it is.  A pain really.  We like it and soon it will be hard to get
accessories, parts, repairs, etc.  STeve had a real fun time finding one for
Staci.  (We try to run the same rigs so that we can have a pool of batteries
to grab from rather than having to buy many different kinds.)  If Damon ever
gets off his ass and gets licensed we may have serious problems finding the
rig for him.

#5 of 6 by krokus on Mon Jul 21 14:40:16 2003:

Or the family might have to take a technology upgrade in rigs.  Of course
that costs some bucks.

#6 of 6 by glenda on Mon Jul 21 16:34:41 2003:

Nope, probably won't upgrade.  This rig is the only quad band handheld out
there.  This is also an upgrade from the 0 series STeve was using when I got
my license.  I switched/upgraded when he won me an ICOM 24at (I bought the
3sat to go with it), then we switched to the TI81A.  STeve bought mine for
me as a graduation present when I got my first Mastery Certificate and
Associates Degree from WCC in 2001, he got his last year.  At that time we
promised Staci one when she got her license, which he managed to do.  He is
watching for more since we would like to have one on hand for Damon, if he
ever gets his license, and as spares for one of ours dying.

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