Looking for an affordable Amateur Ham Radio comparable to the YAESU FTM-6000
The FTM-6000 was a dual band 50 watt, analog radio. If you only desire an analog radio without digital, you may want to consider the Icom IC-2730A. This fine radio is tried and proven and one of our best sellers. It is easy to use and packed with a myriad of great features.
https://www.gigaparts.com/icom-ic-2730a-dual-band-mobile-radio.html
Should you wish to stay with Yaesu, the FTM-150R is 55 watts with modern features.
https://www.gigaparts.com/yaesu-ftm-150r-55w-fm-dual-band-mobile-transceiver-with-super-dx.html
Both radios are the same price, in stock and ready to ship.
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Thank you Harry,
I went with the 150R.
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You will be well pleased with your selection! Thanks for shopping GigaParts!
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Hello Harry, I am installing this on a jeep wrangler and was looking to do a front fender bracket. What coaxial cable can I use and also just looking for a 24” antenna. Can you suggest some for me?
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Well RG-213 has lower loss on vhf/uhf and is generally used on runs longer than 50 feet. However, for the run you are talking about you will probably use less than 20 feet, so I recommend RG8x cable which is more flexible and any loss is negligible. I also recommend that you may need one or two of these “barrel connectors” so-239 to so-239
https://www.gigaparts.com/uhf-female-so-239-to-uhf-female-so-239-adapter-dnn.html
Remember vhf/uhf antennas come in either an NMO style base or a UHF style base and that must match the mount (either NMO or UHF).
For a 24” antenna (we don’t have any exactly 24”) I recommend the Comet 27”
Comet Antennas 27in Mobile Antenna 2m/70cm NMO - SS-680SBNMO
https://www.gigaparts.com/comet-antennas-ss-680sbnmo.html
This antenna is 27 inches, has the NMO base, and has a spring base to provide flexibility if you use your Jeep on other than paved roads. It can handle 80 watts and gives good gain.
There are others with UHF base, but the spring and the power rating lead me to this one.
Hope that helps.
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Awesome! Thank you Harry I will get those ordered up today.
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Hello Harry,
So I need so help. The RG8x cable, ABR 25ft RG8X Coax Jumper w/PL259 Ends - 218XATC-PL-25 is a PL259 end and the Comet Antennas 27in Mobile Antenna is a PL259 end also. What do I need the SO-239 adapter for? Are these the right cable and antenna for my Radio?
Also what do I need at the fender bracket to attach the cable to the antenna? Is that where I need the adapter but instead of a SO-239 I need a pl259?
Thank you for all your help.
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You are correct! For a direct connection from the 25 foot coax to the radio, or the antenna to the radio is a direct connection….PL-259 from the coax to the SO-239 of the radio. The double SO-239 adapter is if the cable from the antenna is not long enough and you need to add an additional jumper between the antenna coax end and the radio. Or, sometimes you have 50 feet of coax, but you need 5 more feet to reach your radio…you can add a 5 foot jumper and use the SO-239 to SO-239 adapter.
Well you didn’t specify your fender bracket, but if only a bracket, it needs the NMO antenna mount such as the Diamond C213SNMO
https://www.gigaparts.com/diamond-antenna-c213snmo.html
This mount, and similar ones, comes with 13.5 feet of coax terminating in a PL-259 which screws into the back of your radio. However, if you need, say, 18 feet of coax, you need to add some. That is where the “barrel connector” comes in handy. But it is just a suggestion to keep in mind of you need a little more coax to reach your radio.
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Got it. Is see 239 “female” and 259 “male”. Here is what I was thinking of ordering.
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Looks perfect! Both in stock and ready to ship!
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I just ordered them. Unfortunately looks like the Radio is out of stock and I will be waiting a month or so.
Thank you for your help.
You will be pleased with this radio and you can get the antenna and power installed so you will be ready to operate once it arrives.
Thanks for shopping GigaParts!