Best radio for spectator

[jsallenbach]

Looking at getting a radio for my truck. I heard the Icom 2200 is pretty good, but i have heard you need to modify them to transmit message's. Any other opinions or other brands that you would recommend Kind of on a budget 200$. Thanks

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[TreyP]

Yeasu 2800M about <$150 or so and is a great radio. HRO has them and the mod is real easy. Easy to program and disconnecting the mike is real simple(suggest you do it). You can get the whole set up for less then $200 ie radio/antenna.

[wrightracing.net]

If you are a spectator the best way to go is a scanner not a radio that transmits. Cheap radio's and spectators tend to endanger racers.

Go to ebay and get a scanner.



BC92XLT - New Uniden 800 MHz Racing Scanner BC 92XLT



This will cover the race freq's 150Mhz to 160Mhz

[jsallenbach]

We help letner racing and lawrence equipment racing so i need a radio for that, not a scanner just in case something happens or even a handheld race radio like the icom f11 from pci how does that work.

[wrightracing.net]

We help letner racing and lawrence equipment racing so i need a radio for that, not a scanner just in case something happens or even a handheld race radio like the icom f11 from pci how does that work.

Ok then you are not just a spectator. The handhelds don't work woth beans for distance. For car to car communications or as the car comes in to the pits the handhelds work ok. But if you need to get out past 7-10 miles you need a regular incar mounted radio. The best way to go is the Icom F121 Chase Package from PCI. Good durable package but a little high on price at $400 for a complete package.

If that price is out of your range you can look for used radio's on Race desert or Ebay.

I started out with a Icom converted ham radio but soon saw the light on the quality difference between a real radio that was designed for the frequencies we run on over that of a HAM radio conversion. Stay away from the conversion radios if you plan on talking race day.

Now I run with the big boys and run Kenwood 110watt race radios in all my vehicals, makes a big difference but at $1200 or more for a full setup it is not the cheap way to go.

PM me if you want more info on a used cheaper race radio, I might be able to help.

[jsallenbach]

What if you put a magnetic mount antena that hooks up to the handheld radio would that work at the races

[joe1369]

The issue for the hand helds are the amount of power that they put out. Hand helds are 5 watts, Icom f121 is $400.00 and it puts out 50 watts and the kenwoods, $1100.00 are 110 watts. Aren't hand helds in the $225.-- to $300.00 range. Look for a used Icom or something that will put out at least 50 watts.

[OR2BAJA]

I disagree about ham radios! I was told about the Kenwood TM-271a it is an offroad water resisitant, purpose built ham radio that is very very stout! It is a 60watt radio and it comes in a very small package. I bought through a dealer in indiana and he was top notch! He even cut my antenna to the correct frequencies. I did take the time to have it professionally updated with all of the Freq's from PCI. Great buy! Here are a couple of links!

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3684

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communicat...obiles/TM-271A

[wrightracing.net]

Opinions are like farts sometimes the stink and sometimes they don't.

As for my opinion some may think it stinks.

But the opinion that I formed about the whole ham radio conversion not being a good way to go is based on using a converted Icom V8000 (which is a radio I did like until I was half way down the Baja 1000 course and the v8000 could just barely make it to the BFG relay. The Icom is a 75watt radio. just next to me was a Kenwood race radio that was only 45watts and worked a 100% better and did not have any issue talking with BFG relay. At first I thought the radio might have problem, but after testing the Icom was working to OEM specs.

Last year I started using Kenwood 110watt radios oh watt a difference cleaner and clearer. Even a 45watt race radio is safer and cleaner than converted radios.

That is just my 2 cents, I earned on the race course.

[CaptinCrash]

What about Motorola radios