This was my first time attending the Hamfest in Gainsville. I had heard mixed reviews about the show from hams around the DFW area, on various repeaters, so I didn’t exactly know what to expect when I showed up there. The show was supposed to go from 7am-1pm, but I arrived around 8:30am and left about an hour and a half later. I saw everything there was to see…twice.
The show was small, and only about half of the tables were being used. It was disappointing. However, I really can’t complain because of all the items I did see, I was able to score 3 or 4 really good deals.
I bought a used Radio Shack HTX-212 for $20. These radios sell for $60-$100 on ebay, constantly. I have one already, I bought it brand-new when Radio Shack first released them, maybe 12-15 years ago. And I used it in my truck for years. It still powers up and talks like it was new, and I have never had any work done to it. So $20 for a 45-watt mobile rig isn’t bad at all. I have some friends that are interested in getting a ham radio license, so I may offer 
this to one of them as an incentive to go ahead and take the test.
I also bought a Tonfa UV-985 dual-band HT that will transmit 8W on high power, on both 2M and 70CM. It is very similar to the Baofeng radios, but it is a bit more powerful, and has a nicer looking display, in my opinion. I’m looking forward to testing it on some repeaters around here.
I’m not sure I will go back to this show again, though. I might change my mind a few times between now and next year, but the show was very small and not really all that much to see. I am glad that I went this time because it was my first experience with the Gainsville Hamfest.
However, I did learn about the Belton Hamfest today and am now planning to attend that show, which I am told is one of the largest and best Hamfests around here.
Seems that you had a good deal there mate. I think i will go to Gainsville next year if the Hamfest will be kept once more. Who knows, maybe i will get a god deal to :).
Jape, can you tell me how the Tonfa UV-985 dual-band HT worked out? I’m thinking about buying one and I haven’t seen any thourough reviews. It looks like it is compatible with batteries etc. from the Baofeng uv 5r??
Any insights or comments would be appreciated.
HI Ron, thanks for commenting.
I’ve been meaning to write a review of the Tonfa for a while now, but just haven’t gotten around to it.
I like the radio, it does work well overall. Not sure about the price, though. I paid $60 for it at a Hamfest, and you can buy a UV-5R on Amazon for under $30. The Tonfa is supposed to do 8 watts on both bands, but I haven’t tested this (which is one reason I haven’t posted my review) but if daily usage is any test, I can’t tell a huge difference.
I removed the stock antenna and used a Nagoya NA-771, which of course improved performance greatly, but I don’t see a huge different between the Tonfa and any of my 5-watt HTs running the same Nagoya antenna.
If you find a better price on this radio than I did, I’d say it is worth it.
Jape, good feedback. I really appreciate it. Can you comment on the compatibility of software and batteries? Is this basically a clone of the UV-5R with or without more Tx power? Do you use CHIRP to program it? Does the UV-5R battery fit?
Maybe I should ask the broader question do you have a favorite HT that gives a solid 5w or more, has cheap and readily available batteries, and either comes with programing software or can use something like CHIRP?
Thanks in advance
I bought an extended battery for a UV-5R that I was hoping would fit the Tonfa, but it doesn’t. So I would venture to say that the batteries are not interchangeable, but I haven’t tried the stock battery.
I use CHIRP to program all my HT radios, except the Anytone AT-3318. The CHIRP software works great on the Tonfa.
My favorite HT is either the Anytone or the Wouxun. Both of these models run around $100. If you are looking for a less-expensive radio, like the Baofeng line, I suggest the Baofeng UV-82. It has been tx/rx, a better antenna, and is a more sturdy radio. I wrote a review of that radio on this blog.