Hi Bob, The new Alinco is the only current-production HT that will operate full duplex; but like others, I hear rumblings about a TH-D7 replacement from Kenwood later this year. The D7 was full duplex.
Posters here an elsewhere haven't given the Alinco high marks for its abilities to work the FM satellites. I haven't tried it, so I hope those who have some experience with it will respond to you. All of that being said, I would recommend the Kenwood TH-F6A from the group of currently available non-full-duplex radios for one major reason - its general coverage receiver is all mode. I borrowed one from a ham friend several months ago and, over the course of a weekend, use it as my receive radio with a FT-817ND as my transmit radio to make multiple contacts on all of the then-active linear satellites (AO-7 Mode B, FO-29 and VO-52). It performed very well as I worked all passes without a receive preamp for either VHF or UHF. It will work the FM satellites, while providing the bonus of giving newcomers a chance to copy AO-7, FO-29, HO-68 in linear mode and VO-52. I suspect that when they've heard a few passes of the linear satellites, they will be interested in trying to get on them. I hope this is helpful. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 2:10 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] current handheld I have been asked- "what is the best current handheld for FM sats"? What are we using? I have an old IC-w32a, no longer in production. 73 Bob W7LRD _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
