[chirp_users] inexpensive Dual Band Mobile radios?

[Mark Waggoner]

Just a heads up, there is an updated version of the Juntai radio coming out shortly. John Miklor has been beta testing and says it's worth the wait. On Nov 10, 2015 7:45 AM, John LaMartina <JohnLa at usa.net> wrote:
>
> Dave,
> Here is the review of the VV898 series.
> http://www.miklor.com/COM/Review_BF888S.php
> as well as the
> http://www.miklor.com/COM/Review_KT8900.php
> An updated version of the KT8900 is to be released in about 5 days.
> (no bugs and more features)
>
> The VV898 is CHIRP compatible.
> The KT8900 is not CHIRP compatible yet.
>
> John
>
> - http://www.miklor.com
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>  
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> Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 5:20 AM
> To: Chirp Discussion
> Subject: [chirp_users] inexpensive Dual Band Mobile radios?
>
>  
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> [This is sort of off-topic, but hinges on CHIRP support for the radio] 
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> Howdy, I'd like to get a recommendation for a dual band mobile radio for a new ham that will (probably) not use it a whole lot. But it needs to work reliably enough, even if not a lot of features. Actually less features is fine, that is just less stuff to not understand & less to forget between uses!   :-) 
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> Mounting a UV5R in a car doesn't seem like a good idea. Can anyone offer anything good or bad about any "inexpensive" mobile dual band ham radio, including the Leixen VV-898 or Jetstream JT270M (apparently the same radio). It is one of the few cheap Mobile units I see on the list of CHIRP supported radios. 
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> http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
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> Amazon reviews seem fairly ok, especially for $99.  I'm interested in a CHIRP-supported radio. This is intended for an 1997 Jeep Cherokee, and a small radio is probably a better match. It does need to be a dual bander. 
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> If the cost gets anywhere even near $200, I'd just recommend the Yaesu 7900 or Yaseu 8800. But for this situation, I'm open to hearing about cheaper alternatives that I might be able to recommend until this new ham grows into the "sport". 
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> Thanks for your helpful council. 
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> 73,
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> Dave Nathanson
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> KG6ZJO
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> PS: if you know of a better forum to ask about CHIRP compatible mobile radios, it's ok to shoot me a pm or direct email about it. 
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