Need some 2m/70cm transceiver help

[M Rose]

My Icom IC-7100 lost its magic smoke and I’m sending it in for repair as we speak. But I need an excellent 2m/70cm transceiver that can easily connect to a TNC and can do APRS out of the box. My first choice was the Kenwood TM-710g, but it’s been discontinued for a while now. I’m not interested in the Yasue FTM-300. Because once I hook up a TNC I loose the ability for phone.
This radio needs to be 50w or greater, and can be used as a base station as well
As mobile. Also not opposed to getting several transceivers to accomplish my goals.

 

[KyleGrant]

Mike, what're your thoughts on using a dedicated APRS machine? Such as a FT1900 or 7900, etc. linked to a Mobilinkd TNC.

I run FTM400's, one of them I have setup to export APRS packets to an old Garmin Nuvi for visual representation of APRS stations on a map. But! That's about all I do with it and I agree, it's been a bit disheartening to see the lacking true TNC support of them compared to Kenwood. I can at least send text and such with the 400 as-is which frankly, is about all I do with APRS (position and text) but I do keep a Mobilinkd on-hand with a mobile interface cable in case I need true TNC support.

 

[M Rose]

Mike, what're your thoughts on using a dedicated APRS machine? Such as a FT1900 or 7900, etc. linked to a Mobilinkd TNC.

I run FTM400's, one of them I have setup to export APRS packets to an old Garmin Nuvi for visual representation of APRS stations on a map. But! That's about all I do with it and I agree, it's been a bit disheartening to see the lacking true TNC support of them compared to Kenwood. I can at least send text and such with the 400 as-is which frankly, is about all I do with APRS (position and text) but I do keep a Mobilinkd on-hand with a mobile interface cable in case I need true TNC support.

For my base station a dedicated Packet Radio is an option, and one I would rather do, and no need for APRS at the QTH. However I’m the road I’m trying to reduce radios… I still have the 7100 (I’ll be getting it back in a few months) which I would like to not have to use for packet and finding an APRS work around with it. The FTM-400XDR was my second choice, but it’s discontinued, and by the time I have the money for upgrades won’t be in stock anywhere at a reasonable price.
I just saw a blip on my radar of Yasue releasing a FTM-500XD(?) in the very new future. So I’m going to look into that. Maybe Yasue has finally listened to us and provided something similar to the Kenwood.

 

[KyleGrant]

Ah I see, maybe hiding a dedicated APRS rig under the seat would be an option if you're unable to find a mobile rig that fully supports APRS as desired. Beyond that and the rather expensive (and discontinued, as you mentioned) Kenwood option, I'm at a loss for what might be out there. True TNC support seems to be dying off as an option.

Yep, unfortunately so. I snagged one more when the announcement came and they were on sale just to have. I did see the FTM500 as well but will be interested to see what the specs look like. I'm still blown away Yaesu hasn't listened and added a proper TNC to their mobiles after all these years, perhaps in the 500 they will have finally listened but I won't hold my breath. I'm not liking the trend that appears to be smaller screens, I enjoy my 400 and I'm not sure the 500 will be worth an upgrade for me; but we'll see!

 

[M Rose]

Ah I see, maybe hiding a dedicated APRS rig under the seat would be an option if you're unable to find a mobile rig that fully supports APRS as desired. Beyond that and the rather expensive (and discontinued, as you mentioned) Kenwood option, I'm at a loss for what might be out there. True TNC support seems to be dying off as an option.

Yep, unfortunately so. I snagged one more when the announcement came and they were on sale just to have. I did see the FTM500 as well but will be interested to see what the specs look like. I'm still blown away Yaesu hasn't listened and added a proper TNC to their mobiles after all these years, perhaps in the 500 they will have finally listened but I won't hold my breath. I'm not liking the trend that appears to be smaller screens, I enjoy my 400 and I'm not sure the 500 will be worth an upgrade for me; but we'll see!

Obviously your not familiar with the seat on a Full Sized Bronco… they are fold and tumble to allow access to the rear passenger compartment. So under the seat mounting isn’t an option.
i have an APRS tranciever I built. Problem is it only works on one frequency.

I only mentioned the 500 because there isn’t much information on it yet.

 

[M Rose]

Well I have my solution… the Icom IC5200A has CAT control, as well as a Bluetooth board… so I can run APRS off of my iPad, and still use other packet operations via PC wile using phone on VFO A.