Yeah, the kenwood gets sort of hot when high power is used, that's how I run
it all the time as half a watt isn't enough to do much, low power should be
2 watts and economic at 1, but it's 5, 0.5 and .05 for the power levels. I'm
looking to get a spare battery and better antenna. I get a lot of intermod
on uhf only if I operate with the B receiver, the one that does general
coverage as well. I don't know yet how it works with packet though, as I
don't have a TNC (they seem quite expensive for some reason, at least 9600
baud ones)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 11:24 AM
Subject: HT purchase! Wahoo!


> Hi y'all,
>
> OK, so I'm finally going to get rid of this IC-T81A that I got from my
> uncle some time ago...anyone who wants to know...it's not an easy HT
> for a blind ham to operate. Finally decided it's time to stop fighting
> it and get a radio that's easier to use. My good ol' ADI AT-600
> died...so...of course, it's the usual question: Icom IC-T90A or
> TH-F6A. I looked at some reviews, and it seems the Icom may have a
> better receiver, but some reviews seem to indicate the Kenwood is
> built a bit sturdier (at least, the antenna connector is better), and
> it seems like it's easier to use and set up. Also, the accessories are
> cheaper and the battery is bigger. Couple more questions though:
>
> 1. Anyone found a better after-market rubber duckie for 2/220/440 than
> what it comes with? $45 or $50 for a rubber duckie from Kenwood seems,
> ah, a bit excessive.
>
> 2. What about the Batteries America or Maha battery? The Maha is
> bigger and $10 les than the Kenwood one; the Batteries America one is
> really cheap. Will either of them charge with the included Kenwood
> charger, or do I need to shell out extra bucks for a drop-in charger?
>
> 3. All HT's get hot when using high power. One review indicated this
> one has a lot of plastic and not much of a heat sink...does this rig
> get noticeably hotter than others in your experience?
>
> 4. What about overload/intermod/etc.? Of course, I expect some in any
> HT on a decent antenna. How does the TH-F6A compare to, say, the
> FT-530 or FT-51 Yaesu, for instance?
>
> 5. Should I reconsider and get the Icom instead?
>
> While the SW coverage and wideband receive is nice, they're sort of
> minor considerations. I don't plan to use the shortwave receiver for
> any more than very casual listening anyway. I nderstand the Icom has a
> better receiver for UHF TV...not quite enough to sway my decision,
> though, but something else might be.
>
> Oh yes. One more. Who has the best price? Gigaparts has the TH-F6A for
> $299 (including shipping, apparently); the Icom for like $249. Anyone
> got a better price? I haven't seen a better price. Found Gigaparts
> once for a sweepstakes. They have another sweepstakes now if anyone
> wants to win a TS-480SAT...course...I'm gonna win it this month...this
> is my month :)
>
> Vy 73,
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Help us bring our child home! Visit http://ouradoption.brannan.name to
> find out how.
>