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Friends, Ok, I'll go ahead and open the ol' can-o-worms: The radio I'm buying happens to be a Yaesu FT1DR. The main reason for the purchase is that I want a new V/U dual-band HT that will be rugged enough for EMCOMM work, as well as the off-roading, backcountry backpacking, and mountaineering I do. I was considering the VX-6R and VX-8R before I found the FT1DR. The main reasons I chose the latter over the others are the facts that it has a built-in GPS, does APRS natively, and has a built-in TNC for data (if I ever decide to wander down that trail). In other words, I'd buy this radio even if it didn't operate C4FM (digital voice). In the interest of disclosure, I do tend to be a Yaesu guy, but I'm never a blind ambassador to any brand name. I also count an Icom, an Alinco, and several Baofengs among my gear, and I recommended a Kenwood TH-F6A to a friend recently. Now, here comes the VHS v. Beta part: 1) What's the general feeling out there with regard to the digital voice modes like D-Star and System Fusion (love / hate / too early / never be standardized / all stink / etc)? 2) With regard to System Fusion, how many of you actually have the capability, or plan to at some point? 3) Does anyone know whether / how many System Fusion repeaters there are currently in the greater Houston area? Or of any plans to deploy? I'm just trying to get a general feel for how useful that particular feature is likely to be. And to stir up a hornet's nest, of course. ;-) All opinions / rants / flames welcome. 73, KF5YHP --
Ravi
P. Ratnala Index
Solutions, Inc. |
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