New (and first) Radio!

[DaveK]

Well, I ended up keeping the 8800. The faceplate not disconnecting was, as I figured, operator error. It slides off sideways not straight out as I was trying to do (thankfully with not TO much force). Funny it's not mentioned anywhere in the manual. The guy at HRO says 80% of purchasers have the same problem so I didn't feel too ridiculous.

I replaced the dual DIN stock radio with a single DIN one. The 8800s face fits relatively nicely, with some trimming to the mount, in the remaining space below the stereo. It's not ready to use yet, but we're getting there.

Cammo:

You will be well served by the 8800. It is rugged, well built, and will withstand a great deal of off-road use. And, there are plenty of members here who have this radio who can help with any questions or operating tips.

So, now you can join the nets!

Good luck.

[hmfigueroa]

We need pictures of your install.

congratulations on the radio!

[Willie H]

8800 is my first mob radio too. Just got mine about a month ago, and so far I like it a lot. Pretty easy to use, and very tough.

[Cammo]

So far, so good, nice little radio. I'll post a pic of the install as soon as I figure out how to...

I haven't keyed a mic yet, just kinda getting the feel for it. One of the first things I ran into when scanning was W6NUT repeater (appropriately named I must say). I listened for a while and the language was, and is, atrocious. Not many IDs being xmitted either. I thought Wow, I thought I was getting away from the CB mentality...is it like this everywhere, I wondered. Anyway, I googled the call sign and came up with this from RadioReference, a great scanner site I frequent:

http://forums.radioreference.com/rants/ ... eater.html

Interesting, but no excuse. These guys think they're Gods gift to something.

Anyway, back to my radio, I have a question on scanning...I'm trying to limit the scan range using L1, U1 etc memory locations. On page 42 of the user manual step 2 says "Using the techniques learned earlier, store x into L1..."

I can't for the life of me find out where those "techniques learned earlier" instructions are! Can anyone help me?

[cruiserlarry]

One of the first things I ran into when scanning was W6NUT repeater (appropriately named I must say). I listened for a while and the language was, and is, atrocious. Not many IDs being xmitted either. I thought Wow, I thought I was getting away from the CB mentality...is it like this everywhere, I wondered. Anyway, I googled the call sign and came up with this from RadioReference, a great scanner site I frequent:

http://forums.radioreference.com/rants/ ... eater.html

Interesting, but no excuse. These guys think they're Gods gift to something.

While the W6NUT repeater is a bit over the edge, from an etiquette and regulations point of view, it has a long and storied history that should be understood before laying judgment. While the technique is awful, and the language violates everything we've been told to avoid saying on the air, the users are a fiercely loyal group who are, socially, much more mellow than their on-air personae would suggest. It is, for the most part, an on-air act. They do a lot of charitable work, and I think the FCC gives them a "pass" because it keeps the loonies all in one place. Very entertaining at times, and very informative at times, too - many of the goofballs there are very educated in electronics and amateur radio. I listen regularly, and have, despite the language and personal attacks (part of the user group "shtick"), have come away with very useful info. A former owner, Roy Tucker, was an encyclopedia of knowledge, and a brilliant man in other fields as well. A strange intro to ham radio, to be sure, but a repeater to keep in your memory for many reasons, IMO...

[Cammo]

Well, I've learned a lot about this radio. I've only had a couple of Sunday eves a month or so apart to RTFM. I finally stumbled across the way to limit my scans to the bands I wanted to hear. That was cool. So I figured the programming cable & software would help and wow, what a difference. It "turned on the light" to most aspects of how the memory mode works. I found a good list of repeaters at
http://rptrlist.w6jpl.ampr.org/
and was able to cut & paste the text into word then import it into the programming software. It's a lot of work cause I still have to manually enter the CTCSS tones and such and I'm only 1/5th of the way done...does anyone have a compatible spreadsheet with them entered already?

Edit: After looking at the cable makers website I think I can import more fields than I had tried before, they're just comma delimited stuff. Any links to other files would be appreciated though.

[WA4DQS]

I know what you mean about the faceplate... been there. I like the 8800, and have one also. Get a nice dual band hand held and you've got a very powerful combo, thanks to the 8800's repeater function that will re-broadcast the hand-held's signal far and wide. Read up on that. Nice feature to have when off-road and hiking away from the vehicle.

[WA4DQS]

While the W6NUT repeater is a bit over the edge, from an etiquette and regulations point of view, it has a long and storied history....

Yeah, I hear you. It's a mixed bag. Half the time their conversations are what I wish most QSO's are on the HF bands were-- lively, fun, witty with a great sense of humor. I mean, how many times can we talk about signal reports and our radios and find it interesting???

As an HRO salesman once told me:

"The definition of a ham operator is somebody who talks a lot. The definition of a really good ham operator is somebody who talks a lot about nothing."

[Cammo]

I know what you mean about the faceplate... been there. I like the 8800, and have one also. Get a nice dual band hand held and you've got a very powerful combo, thanks to the 8800's repeater function that will re-broadcast the hand-held's signal far and wide. Read up on that. Nice feature to have when off-road and hiking away from the vehicle.

Well, I got a HT, I don't know if I'd call it "nice" as no one has probably heard of it...it's a Quansheng Dual bander. It's an el cheapo ($96.00 delivered). I don't have anything to compare it to so don't know how it rates. The manual is an interesting read to say the least...

[OLLIE]

Well, I got a HT, I don't know if I'd call it "nice" as no one has probably heard of it...it's a Quansheng Dual bander. It's an el cheapo ($96.00 delivered). I don't have anything to compare it to so don't know how it rates. The manual is an interesting read to say the least...

You need to bring this to BorregoFest. I want to check it out. eHam.net rates it a 4 out of 5. The primary reason for the 4 rating is due to no DTMF function. As for a basic simplex and repeater radio users claim it to be competition for some of the best radios on the market. I have a hunch based on the specs. Do me a favor and dial your radio to frequency 155.085 and see if it transmits or gives you an error message or tone.

Go here for reviews... http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8931