Should you buy an all band radio with HF and VHF/UHF?

Should you buy an all band radio with HF and VHF/UHF?
#hamradio #FCC #RadioMas
We explore the pros and cons of all band "DC to daylight" radios.
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[@devinhedge]

Appreciate the succinct video. Great points!

[@walteredwards544]

Thank you once again. I think you're reading my mind because every video you produce is just what I need at the time. I'm in the process of trying to decide which radio I'm going to purchase. The FTDX 10 or the 9700. I wanted a radio that was All Band because I wanted more power when I'm participating on nets that are a great distance away but I also wanted the best compact HF radio that I can afford. That's my dilemma. Your video gives me more information/data to consider and help me make a more informed decision. Once again thank you.

[@timmack2415]

Very well stated! I hope you guys have a great weekend!

[@jneale5204]

I have a Yaesu FT-857D as one of my HF radios. Even though I have it I still use a FTM-400XDR as my VHF/UHF radio because I like to listen to the repeaters when I am on HF. I do have a Drake TR4C. One other advantage is SSB on 2 meters and 70cm. What I wish that the major manufacturers would do is add the 220 band to the all band radios. Ria 2 topics I am suggesting are 2m SSB and the 220 band. KM4NHN

[@HamRT]

Very good info for new hams, this is one that many will wonder about at the beginning of their journey.

[@Al-sk4nz]

Wow. Great mix of hardware and UX pros / cons overview. I subscribe and look forward for more similar content.

[@chiphungerford]

Ria, great video, my first radio was a Yaesu FT3DR handheld and then a FT-991 A for my Base station. I do miss not being able to monitor local repeaters while working HF but the 991a is a great radio. I think by going this route I saved some space and money.

[@mgkaragas]

I've had my FT-991A for 2 years now. I also have another couple of HF only radios I can use for portable operation and a couple of HTs. I don't have a need for a mobile VHF/UHF as I don't drive much out of town and we don't have much activity on the local repeaters. My HTs are good for local activities right now. I use my FT-991A for APRS activity and some C4FM simplex currently. I do like the options I have with SSB and digital modes on VHF/UHF. I look forward to increased solar activity so I can try out these modes on 2m and 70cm. The waterfall and spectrum scope are added benefits too.

[@phildurall7466]

Nice coverage Ria! Space has been the driving factor for me through the years. FT-100, FT-857d, Icom 7100. 73 - KF6IF

[@jasmuz]

Dear Ria, thanks for your input with some sound advice, I asked myself this same question and luckily you posted your view. 73's de HI8MSB

[@BryanWicks]

I currently own a Yaesu FT-857D, and am intent on purchasing the FT-991A as soon as I am able to find one. Having poured over a lot of research, I believe that the 991A is a great choice for both mobility and base station ops. If funds were more liberally available, I would procure a FT-DX10 and an Icom IC-9700 together for the ham shack. As it stands now, the priority is to get the radio I can readily afford, get the shack built, and then upgrade as funds allow.

[@DavidS-iw4ei]

Great Video. I have the Yaesu line of Ft-8x7(nd&d) models.

[@radiotec76]

Everything you’ve said is sound. I would add to that with the supply chain issues that if the radio breaks and you need a replacement board you may be out of luck. I have multiple HF radios, mostly kit built radios form the 90s, some home brew, legacy Drake 2-C receiver and 3 all tube 80 - 10 Meter transmitters. If one goes bad no worries. I also don’t have deal with parts shortages as most of the parts are easily replaceable like electrolytic capacitors and, believe it or not, vacuum tubes.

[@daveengstrom9250]

I like the space saving of having just one radio on my desk.

[@yz250ftony]

I bought an 857d as a base station rig, pretty happy with it and I don't see parting ways. All band all mode. Added a 2m amp, Collins 2.7khz SSB filter, upgraded mic, external speaker. Good starter "shack in a box"

[@thibeault]

I've been using a with a gently-used ft-897d as my starter radio. I really like the versatility and low power draw, but it's a trade-off with newer features.

[@85rockhound]

@@thibeault My first HF rig was the 897D also. Still have it. I added a Kenwood TS-450S-AT, but I will upgrade to the Kenwood 590SG, and keep them both.

[@ynot6473]

like many things, the answer is dependant on many variables. read lots, watch lots (there are many you tube amateur radio channels) and experiment.

[@jfrphoto01]

Also, ask questions/get advice from local hams but always remember that it is you who is going to have to choose the gear. No one else can (or should) make that decision for you! Also, many hams are very loyal to "their" favorite brand(s), so take that into consideration when making your decision. I am partial to Yaesu and Kenwood myself but also own some Icom equipment.

[@joohop]

Cool Video Bless Up Sister

[@ataboyboyboy8895]

It depends on your end goal really. I am a new hobbyist, for me a VHF/UHF is adequate (car radio) easy to transport and power, a mobile vhf/hf and a mobile CB. I also have a mobile HF 160-10m My last purchase will cover 6m, that's it, must be mobile and no more than 10w. They fulfil my needs for hiking/camping.

[@brentchristians9888]

I have experienced that an older handheld with an external antenna can make an excellent compact vhf or uhf base radio to work local repeaters and simplex. The quality of the radio is very important in this set up. An older analog radio with independent squelch knob is important. 1 watt or 500mw with an external antenna can easily work a repeater within a flat 5 mile radius and will stay relatively cool. This applies only to a shack. However if you use this set up have a different hand held you can use as a portable or everyday carry radio.

[@davidrichardson7481]

I have a few..Kenwood TS-2000, FT-857, FT-891

[@N4EJM]

I have a 991a and I love it. However you’re right. If anything goes wrong with it I lose everything. I’ll be getting an FTM-300 at some point to have a solid VHF/UHF radio in the shack but I would get another 991a in a heartbeat if it was to die. Good thing Yaesu warranties these for 3 years.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I was considering a getting a used ICOMM iC-705 as I study for my general since I want to get portable, to play with SOTA, POTA, USB, SSB, CW, Winlink and a couple chinese mobile VHF/UHF Transceivers for vehicle 73, KQ4HCU

[@homersaypian3798]

My primary radio is an FTdx-10, but I did consider the 991a. I have plenty of handheld to cover FM and digital on vhf/uhf. What I do wish is that companies would offer an affordable option radio with SSB on vhf. Maybe something directed at a tech, like a 10m/6m/2m/1.25m/70cm all mode. There doesn’t seem to be anything in this middle ground and I feel like it would be a good seller.

[@therealwolfspidertoo]

As of now I have the Yeasu FT-891 160-6m and two dual band 2m 70cm radios, one is also a D-Star radio.

[@paulhastings3109]

Great information, have to keep HF & VHF-UHF separate. For sthf

[@johnarcher9480]

Why?

[@barrykery1175]

Great informative video. Well done. Barry G. Kery, KU3X

[@vu3mes]

I have separate rigs for HF and VHF UHF. It's always good in my experience, shack in a box is compromised solution. 73

[@rayh592]

I have both an all in one and an HF only and multiple VHF/UHF. I find myself using the separate HF and VHF/UHF far more often. Even when using the all-in-one I generally only use it in HF. It's hwta works for me. YMMV

[@JohnMelfiW2HCB]

RAI Thank you well done yes portables should not be your main radio great job

[@charleswoods2996]

After much thought, several years ago, I decided having different radios for HF then U/Vhf so that if one rig should shut down on you, you still have the other transceivers to work with.

[@daleneurauter2810]

Yep, that's why I have over a dozen radios in the house. You just never know.

[@kc0itf]

Sounds like the question really is, what do you plan to use the radio to do?

[@wwtf7180]

Lots of good points. Yes if you want to monitor the local repeaters while working a rare one from a tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea would be impossible if you only had one all band radio but if you look at the Icom 7300 vs. the Yaesu ft 857d then you know that Icom could of easily made the 7300 an all band radio based on the physical size of it. I believe they didn’t due to marketing reasons. Now they can sell you a separate radio that looks just like it that covers the vhf uhf bands. I do like the idea of the “Shack in the box” by having a radio that does it all if you are on a budget or cramped for shack space. 73

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks Ria great job 73 from kb2uew

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

I'm still trying to decide on my first real modern rig. They say there is something for everyone in this hobby, and for me, I don't really care to have a mobile setup in the truck at the moment, and I'm not really interested in an HT. That may change in the future, but for now I just want to set up a station in the home. I'm wanting separate rigs for HF and VHF/UHF. I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the IC-7300, but I'm wondering why Icom left 1.25M, 33cm, and a small portion of 70cm on the table with the IC-9700, considering the price point. I know comparing an HF rig to a VHF/UHF rig is like comparing apples to oranges, but come on- the IC-7300 gives you full band use of everything from 160-6 meters (that's 11 bands), while the IC-9700 gives you "almost" three bands at a slightly higher price point. I'm not sure what all I'd miss not having 1.25M and 33cm (or the 420-429MHz portion of 70cm), but as we've heard a million times, "if you don't use it, you could lose it."

[@johnarcher9480]

I see uses for both “all band” radios, and separate VHF/UHF and HF radios. For a go kit, an all band radio is tops. One radio for all the bands I want. Easy to carry, easy to move. At home, I like a bigger HF radio in the shack so I have instant access to all the options I want. Something not really needed on repeaters or FM in general. I keep a VHF/UHF radio in the living room, and if i want to listen to repeaters while on HF, ill grab an HT. This is very rare though. If im on HF, im working HF. Not looking to yap on repeaters. The contingency arguement always bothered me. “If one dies, then you are off the air” OK, buy 2 all band radios. Now if one dies, you still can be on all the bands you want.

[@Steviegtr52]

Thank you for a great video. However it did not answer what i really want to know. I have already secured my foundation licence because i took the RAE City & Guilds exam back in 1989. Licence on it's way from Ofcom. I have sat a few mock intermediate tests online & passed them all. My aim is the Full licence eventually. I do not have a lot of room in my small workshop / shack. Question is. Can a buy a all frequency all mode tranceiver. Is there such an item & if so what is the make & model. Kind regards. Steve.

[@HokeyBugle]

I have been researching for my first "real" radio so I can start transmitting after a couple years of toying around with SDR dongles. It's quite difficult to pick just one "jack of all trades" after being used to picking up everything (antenna permitting) on a single device. Since I'm looking for something mobile, the icom 7100 looks pretty interesting but it doesn't seem to be able to do APRS. Would you have any recommendations for my case?

[@eng4st4]

Thanks for the Info ..You so good and know your stuff !! Keep up the good work !!!

[@metroatlantahamradio334]

I 100% love All Band All mode Radios!! Especially if they can Be Modded!

[@Siskiyous6]

The IC-7100 should not be overlooked. I am extremely happy with this radio, I wish I had two more of them. As with all of radio they are a compromise, but not much of one. No station will have only one radio for very long.

[@n2rj]

You know, after I exported the video I realized it should have been in there. Good pointz

[@CharlesHuse]

I have read that SSB can often go further than FM on a given power setting, and the only way to get 2m SSB is to get an all band radio, and there are only a small handful of those available.

[@devilsatan2973]

There are all MODE dual band rigs out there! Don't need an all BAND radio for that. Theres not as many options for this, but they ARE around! Mostly aimed at contesters, they offer all modes on 2m and 70cm.

[@homersaypian3798]

@@devilsatan2973that’s exactly what I’m looking for at the moment. However, they seem to be nowhere to be found. Please list a few that I can research.

[@tsp2jxd]

New HAM here. Do I get a Kenwood TM-V7A from the local club or do I get something newer? Then get the separate HF rig.

[@Zayne_24]

So I’m thinking about getting the Icom Ic 7851 base station.. it’s hf but I want to get vhf uhf added to it. Would that be a good idea to do so?

[@Quoodle1]

It’s also important to decide what you want to do. I think there’s a tendency for a hobbyist you want to do everything. But vhf/uhf has limited range and you might want a more portable for mountaintops, or one that can track doppler shift for satellites without lugging along all all the HF baggage.

[@N2YTA]

The all band radios include all mode VHF & UHF, not just FM and possibly a digital mode.

[@chesterjohnson4504]

Have your checked the IC-R8600? Your thoughts, receive only.

[@Hindukushsailing]

Hi, I am very new to HAM. I just picked up an old Icom m700 pro. I called Icom and based on SN it is a late 1999 most likely a 2000 model. I am restoring a Sailboat and picked this particular radio for it's SSB capabilities. I think my unit was unlocked and it does HAM as well. I think need a tuner for it and will use the backstay on the sailboat for the antenna wire and I think Insulators. Not really sure. My question is what do you think the all around abilities are with this type of a radio? Thank you again.

[@Hindukushsailing]

I will most likely also have a second VHF radio.

[@g7npl]

Get wats make's you happy and enyoy the hobby

[@kurtschulmeyer1041]

Cost and space are prime reason for hf/vhf/unfortunately. Also,ease of use portable. I agree with having a separate fm rig(which I do). Great video. Stay safe.

[@JReed305]

The Shack in a box is good if you are wanting to do VHF/UHF SSB or CW with out messing around with transverters (witch is why I want a 7100), but most operators aren't interested in those modes on VHF/UHF. Evident by the fact that 2m,70cm rigs that do SSB are almost non-existent. Repeaters kind of killed those modes on those bands.

[@napomania]

ok bud. but some sayin that nobody using repeaters anymore. except for digital mode. in Uhf i m not hearing voice tx anymore

[@n2rj]

@napomania depends on where, in some areas repeaters are very much alive.

[@baddboo]

Which is better GMRS, VHF or UHF? They are all over Facebook marketplace . Just curious

[@devilsatan2973]

Depends on what you want to do. GMRS is on UHF freqs.

[@mickgatz214]

would you not require an antenna switch operating all band? :)

[@devilsatan2973]

An HF rig doesn't use an antenna switch unless your using multiple antennas. If it has V/UHF built in as well, most will have a separate antenna connection for those bands.

[@ciaranmcmanus3840]

Coming from CB Radio I think Ham Radio is a progression

[@toml.8210]

What do "races" have to do with listening to VF or UHF frequencies?

[@n2rj]

Races? Or RACES? Helpful if you included a time stamp

[@rakeshsp2]

Could you make a vedio on home brewing a vhf transceiver?

[@killerbites3963]

Yeah I wish the icom 9700 was all mode :(

[@n2rj]

Isn’t it though?

[@jfrphoto01]

Nice video Ria! Lot's of good information. I own 2 "shack in a box" rigs, both are Yaesu FT-817ND's. My VHF/UHF is FM only (Yaesu FT-8900R and several single and dual band HT's) and my HF rigs are either 160-10, or in the case of my FT-891, 160-6 meters. I also have a Kenwood TS-520 that I have been restoring for the past 2 years. I just have to put the new driver and final tubes in and neutralize them and then get the it on the air. The IC-9700 is an all mode radio. This is from the spec sheet on the IC-9700: * All modes including FM, SSB, AM, CW, RTTY, Digital, D-Star Digital Voice and Digital Data 73, de John, N1WOM

[@killerbites3963]

@@n2rj HF would have been nice

[@ferdinandfrozenstein]

When I was first thinking about this question, I finally went for an allbander, simply because although there are quite lots of HF radios, there are not many choices for VHF/UHF allmode RIGs, so you might end-up with an allbander for that reason too.

[@JasonCooper-em4gt]

Home bew😢

[@whoaedgy7345]

To get started, try to find the radio with the most bands, decide wether or not you need a band scope, and do yourself a huge favor, and find the one that can test swr of your antenna on the bands it can cover, over wattage. Wattage will be the feature that requires a major power supply, a flawless antenna, and the feedpoint as far away as possible thru pricey coax, that can be a major danger during lightening or high winds. A low output, or a down to qrp level radio is less of a hassle in all these ways, and making contacts is more rewarding, and challenging, with a mag loop or efhw antenna, that are cheap to buy or make, and the swr feature will help you calibrate it for most efficient coms.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"Should you buy an all band radio with HF and VHF/UHF?" There is no *should* -- do it if you want, otherwise not. If you monitor a repeater more or less continuously, then that will prevent you from using the HF portion of the radio (and vice versa). But if you are only occasionally a radio operator its a good idea.

[@danielwietchy1037]

A complex subject… Worth thinking about - If you desire to work Linear Satellites (now or future), you will need a VHF/UHF radio that can operate Sideband (USB/LSB). I don’t recall many 2m meter or 440 radios that have that capability. Additionally, the “HF only” radio does not possess the 2m /440 capability. To keep your future flexible, a HF radio with 2m / 440 capability is a good choice. Adding / purchasing a separate 2m / 440 (or VHF/UHF/10m/6m) system gives you the added ability to monitor both VHF/UHF/10/6 while your HF/VHF/UHF radio gives you capability to monitor all HF bands as well as work linear satellites.

[@markr.1984]

No such thing as an "all band" radio in the USA. Simply because none of them (that I know of) include 220. And how many would have 160 meters or 23 or 33 centimeters? I mean to me all band would literally all of the possible bands. I'm a very literal person.

[@n2rj]

Thanks for the pedantry.

[@mr.stonerUDX714]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jayommk6950]

क्या ही अच्छा होता अगर यह प्रोग्राम में हिंदी में देख रहा होता क्या ऐसा प्रोग्राम हिंदी में दे सकते हैं

[@n2rj]

There is subtitle auto translate