A-G Update  Memo. for February 2, 2000
GETTING BETTER USE WITH YOUR HT AT HOME AND MOBILE
Here are a couple of addresses for any on you who own the Radio Shack HT’s
this is the same information in the manuals and more.

HTX-202
http://support.tandy.com/support_electronics/15563.htm

HTX-404
http://support.tandy.com/support_electronics/8841.htm

I own several of these radios and they are, in my opinion one of the better deals 
available. I know some of you wouldn’t own anything from radio 
shack but that is entirely your choice. These radios are better than some of the
“Brand Names” and I own Alinco, Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu  and some other radios too.
The reason they are better is that some of the features are options on other 
brands and thus more costly. True the HTX 202 has been discontinued but 
you can still get them if the store manager will order one for you. If you can
find a used one in good condition this would be an even better deal.
I have been well pleased with the 202 and have used one for packet for several
years. I use one now in my truck as I have not decided to mount the dual band
radio purchased for it yet. They work (as do other ht’s ) mobile if you will
connect them to the truck/car electrical system with an adapter cable and use an 
external mag mount antenna. I have found that the ht’s will do anything and in
some cases more than the mobiles will. They will work all the local repeaters 
and I use one that has the DTMF sequences programmed in to activate some 
of the functions on the 146.61 repeater. I only have to punch two keys to send 
the sequence.  I can’t do this with the mobile radios that I have. 
HT’s may be used as a base radio as well if you supply proper power and 
again use a better antenna. I use several mag mounts in the house.  Most of the HT’s 
have an extension speaker/mike available for them. These will let you operate with
more freedom. If you will clip the HT on one of the cheap metal bookends this will 
keep them stable. Also the bookend may be bent back at an angle where you can see 
the display more readily.
So if you or someone only has an HT, you can make it more versatile by following
some of these tips. And by all means use whatever brand you  wish to purchase.
I personally don’t like the very small pocket radios due to the fact that they are hard 
to see and some are more difficult to program. Some of them are limited as to power 
and you need as much from an HT as you can get to work the repeaters with a quality 
signal.  This also depends on the better power supplies and antennas that I mentioned
above.
Remember also that before purchasing your first radio, that, many of the mobiles (most 
with 50 watts available) may be purchased for less than some of the HT’s. So check
around with others and see what they recommend and get the best in your opinion
for your money and get on the air as soon as you possible can.
I do suggest that for a mobile antenna. Don’t spend your money on one of the quarter 
wave versions if you can get one of the 5/8 wave versions for a little more. I use both 
so again it’s your choice for your money.  The ¼ wave versions are good for a portable 
antenna or one to use at home of at a remote temporary set up.  I use one in the house 
during bad weather. Place them on a tool box, refrigerator, or filing cabinet and they 
should work for you. If you are using an HT the 5/8 will be better but if you have the 
higher power available with a mobile the ¼ wave will probably work for you. The lower 
power of an HT combined with a lower gain antenna and low capacity power supply 
will make it somewhat marginal. So consider all these factors first.

de Jerry / W1NRA