Looking for suggestions for inexpensive budget minded mobile dual band (2M/70CM). My budget is kinda limited, plus I want one that I wont cry over if its stolen.
Found a decent mobile, a QYT-9800. No frills, decent interface, and works well. But quality is hit or miss. The one in my shack I use as a base is good enough, but I had to return the first because it blew the fuse and wouldnt power back up after replacing it only after about 15 minutes of runtime. (just long enough to use CHIRP to program it)
Thought I would get one for my car so I bought a TYT 7900. After an hour trying to figure it out, I gave up and sent it back. Its operation style was overly complex and I didnt feel like trying to force myself into figuring out how to operate it. So I bought another QYT. This one arrived with a weak transmitter and dead mic. (worked halfway for the first 3 tx's of a net, then would only transmit a carrier) So it goes back and Im on the search for a replacement.
Found a promising one. An Anytone At-778UV. But its not CHIRP compatible, and after downloading their app, the database fields are totally different and not something I could easily exchange lists between it and CHIRP. I REALLY like being able to have the same channel setups across all my radios and the ability to make changes just by cutting and pasting the frequency list between configs.
So does anyone have any suggestions for a budget mobile? Trying to keep it under $150. I'd love a Kenwood, Yaesu, etc but those $300-$500+ radios just arent in my budget.
-25 or 50 watts; Just need to be able to reach repeaters reliably some are up to 40 miles away.
-CHIRP compatible
-Dual display dual watch (NO quad display, because its not easy enough to read)
-Would like the reverse key but thats not a deal breaker. (flips the transmit/receive repeater frequencies)
Found a decent mobile, a QYT-9800. No frills, decent interface, and works well. But quality is hit or miss. The one in my shack I use as a base is good enough, but I had to return the first because it blew the fuse and wouldnt power back up after replacing it only after about 15 minutes of runtime. (just long enough to use CHIRP to program it)
Thought I would get one for my car so I bought a TYT 7900. After an hour trying to figure it out, I gave up and sent it back. Its operation style was overly complex and I didnt feel like trying to force myself into figuring out how to operate it. So I bought another QYT. This one arrived with a weak transmitter and dead mic. (worked halfway for the first 3 tx's of a net, then would only transmit a carrier) So it goes back and Im on the search for a replacement.
Found a promising one. An Anytone At-778UV. But its not CHIRP compatible, and after downloading their app, the database fields are totally different and not something I could easily exchange lists between it and CHIRP. I REALLY like being able to have the same channel setups across all my radios and the ability to make changes just by cutting and pasting the frequency list between configs.
So does anyone have any suggestions for a budget mobile? Trying to keep it under $150. I'd love a Kenwood, Yaesu, etc but those $300-$500+ radios just arent in my budget.
-25 or 50 watts; Just need to be able to reach repeaters reliably some are up to 40 miles away.
-CHIRP compatible
-Dual display dual watch (NO quad display, because its not easy enough to read)
-Would like the reverse key but thats not a deal breaker. (flips the transmit/receive repeater frequencies)