The September QST carried my review of the 92AD, which was in large part a comparison of the differences between the 91 and 92. In summary, it's a bunch of small improvements, with no one deal maker/breaker. All together, they've added up to enough for many people to get the 92. I have a 91, but after I sent the ARRL's demo unit back, I decided to buy one myself (no, we don't get to keep them).
The differences I caught are: Volume control: 91-loose knob. 92-detent knob, and can swap with other control on the shaft. 92 - GPS speaker-mic: $375!!. Note that GPS-A mode prevents your position from being displayed on other D-STAR radios. GPS Display: 91-coordinates. 92-compass rose, showing direction and distance to another station sending GPS (but NOT GPS-A) data. For this to work, you need to feed a GPS signal to the radio. The GPS mic does this, of course. To feed in another external GPS, you need to find that connector or use the adaptor. 92 - Submersible, 1 meter, 30 min. 92 - slightly larger battery, somewhat lower current drain specs. Battery, drop-in charger not compatible with 91. Power output: 91-half watt, 5 watts. 92-100 mW, half watt, 2.5 watts, 5 watts. The 5 watt level of both radios will fry your fingers. The 92's 2.5 watt level will get very warm, but it takes a while, and draws 25% less current. Mic connector: 91-"standard" ICOM 2-pin, compatible with many other ICOM HTs. 92-hard (impossible?) to find round multi-pin, but adapter is available. Rubber port covers: 91-thin and flimsy. 92-thick and substantial. Belt clip: 91-single piece of spring steel. 92-lever with hook. Did someone say you could buy the 92's clip and use it on the 91? Transmit audio: 91-loud (a little too loud on some units), good fidelity. 92-"normal" (loud enough) and somewhat restricted fidelity, right in the middle. Break-in and Emergency Modes: 91-access from keyboard. 92-access from menus. 73, Gary KN4AQ > > On Oct 11, 2008, at 8:29, "Michael A. Waldron" > <<mailto:lists%40mikew.org>[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > <mailto:lists%40mikew.org>> wrote: > > > > > I'm trying to decided if the 92 is worth the extra cost for my > > > situation, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a feature > > > comparison chart with the two radios. This is not going to be my EDC > > > HT. It's going to spend most of it's life in my shack monitoring the > > > local repeater and will get some use during events and trips. > > > > > > All I have been able to determine as differences are that the 92 is: > > > Submersible, Bigger buttons, More power output settings, a $400 > > > speakermic, and decedents on the volume control. > > > > > > Is there anything else I should know about before making my choice? > > > For instance I'm concerned that since the 92 is a newer design it > > > may have software/hardware "bug fixes" that older designs do not > > > have, especially with regards to the D-Star system since it was an > > > "add-on" to begin with. I don't know if there are any of these bugs, > > > but that is still a fairly important concern. My area is just > > > getting into D-Star and working around bugs when you're not yet > > > familiar with how things are supposed to work is not my idea of a > > > great time. > > > > > > Thanks for any pointers you can offer! > > > > > > 73's de Mike > > > > > > -- > > > Michael A. Waldron, AE0MW ARVN: Amateur Radio//Video News Gary Pearce KN4AQ 508 Spencer Crest Ct. Cary, NC 27513 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] 919-380-9944 www.ARVideoNews.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
