Icom Radio Question

[.WiRED]

Hey guys..
Looking at getting an Icom D-Star radio.

I'm a little confused, because people say the 2820H is better then the 800H, but the 800H is "(Analogue and D-STAR Compatible)", and the 2820H is "(Analogue / D-STAR Upgradeable)".

Is the 2820H newer, and still able to utilize D-Star without any modifications?


Cheers,

[.WiRED]

I have to double post, since you can't edit your own posts.
_______

I just realized something. Does "upgradeable" mean you need to buy the GPS/D-Star chip & place it in the radio?
If so, that's easy enough.


Cheers,

[N5MIJ]

Yep - the ID-800 comes with the adapter installed, and the IC-2820 does not.

The other significant difference (other than price) is that the ID-800 is one band at a time, either VHF or UHF.  The IC-2820 can listen to two different channels at the same time.  Note that it only has one antenna, though, for transmission.  The second antenna is used ONLY for diversity receive, if you choose to use that mode.

73,
Jim
N5MIJ

[n5ebw]

I have to double post, since you can't edit your own posts.

Sorry about that.  You should be able to now.

[.WiRED]

Hehe thanks Jim.

So, for the 2820, if you're receiving, you can't transmit. It's either one mode or the other at a time?
Fair enough, thanks for the heads.

Here's a question, what's the point of listening to two channels at the same time? How can you listen to two people speak at the same time?

EDIT: I just remembered a question I had before. If I install a roof antenna, can I plug the coax cable into the antenna jack on the radio for good signal quality & use that for home operation?


Cheers,

[n5ebw]

So, for the 2820, if you're receiving, you can't transmit. It's either one mode or the other at a time?

Yes you can, as long as they both are not D-Star and they both aren't on the same band.

Here's a question, what's the point of listening to two channels at the same time? How can you listen to two people speak at the same time?

It's actually very beneficial for monitoring two repeaters.  When you are in QSO, or they are both receiving something at the same time, the 2820 has separate volume controls, so you could turn one side down.

EDIT: I just remembered a question I had before. If I install a roof antenna, can I plug the coax cable into the antenna jack on the radio for good signal quality & use that for home operation?

Define "roof antenna".  If its engineered for the bands the radio uses, then yes.

[.WiRED]

Define "roof antenna".  If its engineered for the bands the radio uses, then yes.

Perhaps
http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=203&products_id=709

[n5ebw]

Nope.  That's a receive only antenna.  You wouldn't be able to transmit out of it.

Edit: whoops....it would work. Sorry, too late.

Just out of curiosity, are you an amateur radio operator?

[.WiRED]

Hehe no, not yet anyway.

I don't even have a transceiver yet. I'm planning to get a lump sum sometime this year, going to spend about $1000 on radio equipment.
I'm just PRE-planning for the future, it's always better to be planned.

I'm a little stuck, as you need a standard license to operate D-Star, but it looks quite hard . I wish foundation licenses allowed you to operate D-Star.


Cheers,