[amsat-bb] FT-8800 as FM satellite radio?

[Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)]

Hi!

Has anyone used a Yaesu FT-8800 2m/70cm FM mobile radio to work the FM 
satellites?  It appears to have everything an operator would want for 
those birds - separate VFO knobs, the ability to function as a cross-
band repeater, various power levels (for 2m, 5/10/20/50W), and the 
control head can be permanently connected to the rest of the radio.  
The power requirements, according to the manual (maximum 8.5A on 2m), 
would work well with the "jumpstart" battery packs (mine are 12V/20Ah
gel-cell packs) I use to power my gear in the field.  From a quick 
reading of the instruction manual PDF, it seems like it could be a good 
radio for this.  

I'm looking at an alternative to my IC-2720H mobile radio I typically 
use for my portable operating, which is in current production and has
a control head that was designed to mount on the radio.  The TM-D710's 
control head does not hook up to the radio, and radios like the TM-V71 
and DR-635 only have one VFO knob.  I'd like to be able to directly 
control each VFO, without having to change bands in order to do this.  
The IC-2820H could meet my requirements, but its retail price is too 
much for me.  The FT-8900 could also work for this, but I really don't 
need another radio for 6m and 10m FM.  I would pair this radio with an 
Elk Antennas 2m/70cm log periodic and a homebrew PVC handle for the 
antenna, so I don't have to deal with a duplexer/diplexer for a 
satellite station I can pack into a small bag for travel.  

Thanks in advance, and 73!




Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/