There are so many.

so many options too.

meters, bands , watts ... it is confusing.

I would like to get a good entry level radio but do not want to spend too much or too little.

i was thinking of this one:


The Yaesu FT-7900R dual bander operates on 2 meters and 70 centimeters. High power output is featured with 50 watts on 2 meters and 45 watts on 430 MHz. CTCSS/DCS Encode/Decode is built in. Over 1000 memories are available. It is WIRES compatible. The FT-7900R well designed front panel provides simple, safe operation. The FT-7900R is ideal for the amateur who does not require cross-band repeat as found on the FT-8800R and FT-8900R. The FT-7900R has excellent receive range covering 108 to 520 and 700-990 MHz (less cellular). Operating this radio is very simple and straight forward, and you may program it to your operational preferences via a menu system. The FT-7900R features Yaesu's ARTSÖ Auto-Range Transponder System, important in search-and-rescue applications. ARTS provides a "hand-shake" with other ARTS equipped transceivers and displays out of range or in range. A six character CW ID is also provided for your station every ten minutes during ARTS operation. The FT-7900R is similar to the FT-7800R, but adds a Memory Only mode and provides 5 watts more on 440.

Five One Touch Hyper Memories
1000 Memories
50 Watts Output (45 Watts on 430 MHz)
DCS
Backlit DTMF Mic
Large Omni-GlowÖ Alpha Numeric LCD
CTCSS Encode/Decode
DCS Encode/Decode
Smart Search
1200/9600 bps Packet Jack
Menu customization
ARTSÖ Auto-Range Transponder System


$279.99

I decided on this possible radio because of it's good reviews.

My Primary reason for the Ham Radio is to be able to call for help if needed.

Opinions are like a certain part of the anatomy. Everyone has one... and depending on...

I have a 7900 and like it but I can live with a couple of quirks. I prefer my 7800.

Basically, dual band is one thing. Does it have a dual band display? the 7900 does not.

However, that is not a big deal for the majority of use.

My knock on the 7900 is the big band dial on the lower right on the unit. It is an easy target for incidental contact and changing frequency. That can be cured by careful selection of mounting location.

For me, the key point is do you expect to have a hand-held in addition to a hard mount unit? Or, are you going to have multiple units?

And, do you really want (or need) to monitor two frequencies at the same time?

The 7900 is duel band, but, it only displays a single band.

It is a good functional unit.

And, if you expect to have more than one radio, I recommend that you keep within the same manufacturer as each one has programming differences.

If I am correct monitoring two frequencies at the same time is useful for scanning a police frequency while still talking with friends or listening to the net. My handheld doesn't receive the police frequencies so I'm not very familiar with this, just thought I'd mention it in case you're interested.

The Ham Radio Outlet in Sunnyvale has this model plugged in and on display plus numerous others so you can touch and compare.

i am going to check this out today and compare prices

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i recently got my ticket.
just to get started, since i know no better, i picked up a used mobile unit(adi ar-147 i think)and a mag mount antenna to play with.
if i can figure out how to work it(more complicated than cb!) i plan on experimenting with antennas. i scrub thru brush alot.
radio has lots of function i don't understand- still haven't figured out how to control squelch. the manual is hard to understand.

Squelch is squelch - works the same on all radios.

Basically, you have 2 options for antennas - 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave.

The 5/8 wave is good for distance while the 1/2 wave is better where terrain is a factor.

i picked up a cheap 1/4 wave mag mount 'till i figure something better.
may have a ground plane problem unless i mount in the center of the hood. that would be lame.
i was thinking of a j-pole on a fiber mast.(?)
i think that could be 1/2 wave and no ground plane?
i need to figure out how to work this unit first.
sketchy manual that covers several models.
there is some reference to disabling the squelch knob in some modes. twisting the knob does'nt seem to do anything.
i'm down to pushing buttons to see what happens......
kidding(sorta).

Ground plane is not that hard to achieve. Basically, you need to have a clean connection to ground. What do you have for a vehicle?

Roof makes a good ground plane for a mag-mount.

You might do a google search on your radio model to see if there are any more complete descriptions of the settings.

often i read enough to get in trouble, then i run with it.
a roof could work well as a ground plane- and the center of the roof would work best- and better yet if it were electrically bonded. vertical monopole antennas.
suzi the psychic has no metal roof, but mabe an end loaded dipole antenna could be mounted anywhere?
i thought mabe a fiberglass whip with something like this attached
http://home.comcast.net/~buck0/ll_coolj.html
i'm sure i'm overthinking this a little, but i do notice the "ham geeks" driving around w/some interestng arrays.
remember - i know not that of which i speak.
i have been investigating no g/p verticals, but am not being convinced to spend $ on them.
'course i didn't spend much on the radio- mabe why i can't make it work.

You probably are over thinking it....

If you have a fiberglass roof, you can take a piece of sheet metal and glue it to the center and use that as a ground plane. Crude but effective.

Or, check out the various style of antenna mounts available from www.hro.com

You can get a mount that will fasten to the windshield and provide a good ground plane through vehicle body. Those are not mag-mount antennas.