Charles- great note and insight, thanks for sharing with group. You added another vote for me for the K3.
73 Paul

I got this very nice email today from Mikio Maruya at Yaesu. so let's keep our fingers crossed, they're trying.

4/2/12
 
Hi Paul, KC2NYU
We apologize that we were not able to release update software for the FT-450/FT-450AT at the same time as the FT-450D. It is not a simple procedure to change the programming and there are differences in the software between the original FT-450/FT-450AT and the FT-450D programming. The plan is to have the software ready this summer.
 
Thank you for your patience and comments. We appreciate your support of our products. I hope you will continue to enjoy using your FT-450.
 
Best regards,
Mikio Maruya

The following is an excerpt from a note that was posted on the Yaesu web site yesterday. Look in the  FT 450D files section, last topic down. I left out the verbiage describing the FCC changes on 60M. Hopefully the discussion in this forum and others helped in some small way.

73 Paul KC2NYU

3/30/12
The FCC has authorized a new frequency and additional modes for Amateur operation in the US 60 meter bands. The effective date was 3/5/2012. We expect to announce 60 meter update software for the FT-450 and FT-450AT in the summer of 2012.
NOTE:
Do not install any FT-450D firmware to your FT-450 or FT-450AT. The software is not compatible and will not operate at all.

Thank you for choosing Yaesu radios. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Yaesu, Amateur Tech Support amateurtech@yaesu.com.
Sincerely,
Mikio Maruya, WA6F
Executive Vice President
Engineering & Customer Service
Yaesu USA
Yaesu USA | 6125 Phyllis Drive | Cypress, CA 90630 | 714.827-7600 | FAX: 714.827-8100

I did speak to Alex and he figured out I had the wrong serial port speed selected in the setup. If anyone needs help on this, email me direct.

73
Paul

I did speak to Alex and he figured out I had the wrong serial port speed selected in the setup. If anyone needs help on this, email me direct.

73
Paul

Just more fuel to Yaesu fire. Couple of days ago I posted in the FT   7800 ( I own a 7800) Yahoo Group,regarding the Yaesu action on the 450. The one and only reply on the subject was this and as you read it , think back to when we had freedom of speech in this country:

"For anyone who's thinking of replying to this comment with a rant: please consider your words carefully and keep it on topic. I won't let this thread turn in to flame war".

Paul
kc2nyu

Steve- good to hear abt your exp with K3. I too have worked past the flex option and am going with the K3.

Paul
kc2nty

Anyone successfully using Omni-Rig by Alex  VE3NEA and Afreet software ?
If so I like to share notes about your setup. I can't seem to get it to work with my FT-450.

73
Paul
KC2NYU

Anyone successfully using Omni-Rig by Alex  VE3NEA and Afreet software ?
If so I like to share notes about your setup. I can't seem to get it to work with my FT-450.

73
Paul
KC2NYU

Two days ago, I posted a link to this thread on the FT-450 Yahoo Group, the Group that the "owner" twice ended the discussion on the subject of Yaesu bailing on the FT450.
Guess what, he never allowed my link to this eHam thread to be posted nor a 2nd post where I asked if he was censoring the subject. So don't know about all the Yahoo Yaseu forums, but the FT-450 Group is definitely protecting Mother Yaesu!!

73
Paul
KC2NYU

I am certainly for that and any other way we can spread the word on this and not let it go away. I would guess Yaesu might have expected an initial small up-roar and then expected it would go away and no one  would care. I say, lets keep it alive until they fix the problem. any other Forums we can spread the word in??

73 Paul
KC2NYU

I believe the FT-450D came out in early 2011, a tad over a year ago!

73
Paul

I have already decided to go to Elecraft. I will never utter a good word about Yaesu again. I too was told the software updates were coming, and then this. The Yaesu US guys say, don't shoot arrows at us, it is those guys in Japan making the decisions. One of them recommend that the fix is to go in and mod the radio yourself, so you can use the new 60M freqs.
So, I am now a  buy American guy. I belong to the Yahoo FT-450 list and when this subject came up on the list, the "owner" shut it down after one day. Guess, he is a Yaesu company "guy"

73
Paul

Have you heard of Yaesu's recent decision to abandon the owners of FT-450s and FT-450AT. Yaesu will provide  software updates to provide the FCC 60M digital frequency mods for the FT-450D but not the FT-450 and FT-450AT. But to make matters even worse, is that Yaesu removed all previous software updates for the 450 and 450AT radios from the Yaesu website.  It is all about a consumer buying a product and not getting appropriate 'customer service' in return. The 450 is a relatively new radio - a consumer has an expectation of support for a reasonable amount of time. This is tantamount to Microsoft no longer supporting Vista or XP after releasing Windows 7. It shows a complete lack of respect and us FT450 owners leaves feeling screwed by Yaesu.

Paul
kc2nyu

I was able to contact Alex,VE3NEA, the author of software. The Yahoo group is only for him posting announcements regarding the software, not for user posting. So  support questions get answered by him direct. The problem I was having with DX Atlas is, it is not yet win 7 compatible.

73
Paul
KC2NYU