The reason they don't make a radio with 220 is because they're not going to 
make a radio that's only good in 1 country, they want to make them to a 
minor change will make them work for other countries. To make them work on 
220 as well as 2 and 440, or either band, they have to do some fancy work 
because the components antennas, and stuff all have to be made special for 
that and they're not going to put the money in to it for just 1 country or 
so. It's easier to take the top 2 megs off 2 meters than to eliminate a band 
that's nowhere near there, and that's why they don't make mono band radios 
for 220 much anymore, it's not cost effective to make a model for 1 country 
only and sell enough to make it worth while. It wouldn't happen. A few 
people I know are going to 900 MHz. No commercially available ham gear for 
that band, but you can get commercial radios for that band cheap on ebay and 
convert them. For tome motorolas, the conversion is very easy and I even 
know a couple guys who are converting a hole ton of them to put back on ebay 
to see if they can generate activity in that band. I've tried it though 
don't have my own radio yet, it's a lot like 440. A little less range but 
not as much as you'd think because nothing much is there, and a repeater at 
a good site would probably be the same. Another downside is, you *need* the 
best coax you can get. LMR400, while good enough for 440, won't cut it very 
well in a home setup. Mobile, you do the best you can, which I always did 
anyway.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bear in SFO" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 12:22 AM
Subject: Re: advice on equipment


>I wonder why nobody makes any base/mobile that includes 220.  Thanks
> to PAVE-PAWS people are moving off 440 and the next band that makes
> sense is 220.
> At this rate I will probably end up with the TH-F6A and see if I can
> attach an external antenna to it to get more power than the standard 5W
>
> But thanks for the tips both HF and 220 - I think I will get the
> TS-2000 since I just found out the 570 has been discontinued and the
> only other KW is the 480
>
> --David
>
>
> At 08:22 PM 9/25/2007, you wrote:
>>As for 1.25 meters, or 220, I really don't know. There are only 2 current
>>mobiles on the market I know of with that band only in them and 1 is made 
>>by
>>ADI and has a mic PTT button known for breaking about every 90 presses as
>>well as a wealth of other known problems, and the other's an alinco, 
>>another
>>company I'm not fond of. I hear that's not a horrible radio but I can't 
>>say
>>for it's accessibility.  You're better off going used there I think.
>>Kenwood's THF6A HT with 2, 220 and 440 is good but I think you're looking
>>for something to setup in the house.
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:18 PM
>>Subject: Re: advice on equipment
>>
>>
>> >I have the TS-570, I've had it for, almost 8 years now and that's a good
>> > pick. The TS-2000 is too, that will probably be my next radio. A lot of
>> > people like the TS480 as well, but I don't because you can't attach the
>> > face
>> > to the radio and the antenna connectors are on pigtails which are both
>> > huge
>> > drawbacks to me. If I had a great deal I may try one, but I'd never go 
>> > out
>> > of my way to buy one. Really though the hole line of Kenwood radios is
>> > pretty accessible and good all around radios. The IC-706 you mention is
>> > not
>> > a bad radio, I have 1 of those too, but there's no direct entry keypad 
>> > on
>> > the radio and if you're new, the radio would probably have you very 
>> > lost
>> > with the menus and multi function buttons though I have mine in my go 
>> > kit
>> > and love it when I need it. I don't know that I'd want it as an every 
>> > day
>> > user though. The Kenwood line, any of them are very accessible and good
>> > quality.
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Bear in SFO" <[log in to unmask]>
>> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> > Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 10:01 PM
>> > Subject: advice on equipment
>> >
>> >
>> >> Hello all
>> >>
>> >> I apologize if you get this long email more than once because I sent
>> >> it to multiple email lists.
>> >>
>> >> I guess I am ready to have a more "permanent" setup at home and have
>> >> some questions I would like to ask before going out and procuring all
>> >> the equipment, afterall it is quite an huge investment...
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Objective:
>> >> - To have 1 or more base/mobile radio so I can use all mode on all
>> >> bands (70cm, 1.25M, 2M, 6M, 10M and below)
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Given/assumptions:
>> >> I already have a 2M/440 J-pole and I know I will be getting the
>> >> Kenwood TM-V71A to be used for 2M/440.  Other than that everything is
>> >> still open to suggestion (radio, antenna, etc.).
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Initial questions:
>> >> 1 - Is it possible to use that J-pole for multiple radios?
>> >> 2 - Can I also use that J-pole for 1.25M or do I need another one?
>> >> 3 - Are there any radio that include 1.25M or do I have to get one
>> >> "stand-alone"?  If so are there any accessible models?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Suggestion on radios:
>> >> here are a few models I am considering, could anyone comment on their
>> >> accessibility/useability, and if one is better than the others?  Easy
>> >> to use?  Voice output good and easy to understand, and give enough
>> >> info to operate the radio?  Anything I should pay attention
>> >> about?  Certain features to look for?  Caveats?
>> >>
>> >> -  Kenwood TS-570S
>> >> -  Kenwood TS-2000 (what are the difference between the different
>> >> models?)
>> >> -  ICOM IC-706MKIIG
>> >> -  ICOM IC-7000
>> >> - any suggestion on other models?
>> >>
>> >> Again the goal is to cover all modes on as many bands as possible,
>> >> and I am OK with multiple radios but not too many so they become
>> >> confusing and cumbersome.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Questions on antenna:
>> >> I have a small backyard with no trees.  The only thing about the
>> >> backyard is that my house is on a slope so it is higher than the
>> >> house in the back.  Someone suggested a windom (off-center fed
>> >> dipole?) and I think that is a good idea considering how much space I
>> >> have.
>> >>
>> >> 4 - I noticed there are a lot of companies that make Windoms, is one
>> >> better than the others as far as how it is built (material, design,
>> >> etc.), post-sales support and performance?
>> >> 5 - Can I use the windom for 6M or would I need yet another antenna?
>> >> 6 - Can I make my own easily?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Suggestion on power:
>> >> Any suggestion on how much power supply I should get?  I have also
>> >> heard about power poles and rig runners but have no idea how they are
>> >> set up or if one is better than the other.  Other people also
>> >> mentioned EmComm standard and batteries; so confusing...
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Again I apologize for the long email and the slew of questions and I
>> >> appreciate all your help and suggestion.  If I have left out anything
>> >> please do not hesitate to let me know.  Thank you very much.
>> >>
>> >> --David