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You can
write your own review of the Yaesu FT-50R.
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WB5RPU
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 3, 2006 00:03
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Superb
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought mine used in January, 2006 for $100 with two batteries. The fellow I bought it from said it had a problem with the power button but didn't say how bad it was. After a few weeks, It would turn off, but not turn on again no matter how many times I push the power button. Yaesu wanted $80 plus parts to fix it. After perusing these reviews I ordered a new power button from Yaesu for 67 cents and the nicad warning sticker for 87 cents. My wife installed them with no electronics background and had no problems. Now it works like new. I've installed a new Pryme RD-78 antenna which has almost 3db gain which made quite a bit of difference. Anyone who needs instructions to install a new power button, let me know at WB5RPU@ARRL.NET.
Pete
WB5RPU
Kempner, TX
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WH6CYY
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Rating: 1/5
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May 21, 2006 05:06
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great waterproof case guards junk electronics
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my FT-50R in 97 and had problems from the start. The PTT jammed repeatedly, the CPU needed many resets and finally the surface mount components needed to be replaced. The SMA jack and the poor WFM were just the icing on this poor excuse of a radio. Bought Icoms since and had no problems (with aftermarket batteries). I can not recommend Yaesu or will I ever buy their products again.
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HAPA515
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 20, 2006 06:29
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a decent radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought mine used and it was well loved before me. The only problem is a squirrly menu knob...which probably came from use. I would have bought this one new if I had the chance. The only reason I can't give it a 5 is 'cause I didn't buy it new...
73
KC0VUV
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K4DV
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2006 12:37
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Good solid HT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned 2 of these HT's and have gotten great service from both of them. I ran one for 5 or 6 years while hunting and other outdoor activities while in very cold and damp conditions and it has held up great. I purchased an new one when they were going out of production and have been using it a couple of years with great results.
The only con to it is the thickness and weight compared to the new versions of dual band HT's. It is a chunk to tote around, but has good audio and reliability and if your like me, that's all that matters anyway.
If you can pick one up used, by all means do so. Who needs one of these new quad-band HT's anyway to work 6 meters and all that stuff. Stick to the basics and you won't be sorry.
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NE0P
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 27, 2006 11:24
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It was OK
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought one of these last year because I got a good deal on it. It is a nice size and seems pretty rugged. Programming is not the most straightforward, so you need to look at the manual. I was disappointed in the WFM reception-not very good. Yaesu advertises it as a feature of this HT, but it really doesn't do the job. I had one of the early models, so they may have fixed it in later models. The dual watch between VFOs is the next best thing to true dual receive. I wouldn't pay more than $120 for one of these. The VX5R is a much better performer.
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K6RMR
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Rating: 5/5
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May 15, 2005 16:42
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Great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my FT 50 used about 2 1/2 years ago.
It is the best HT I have used. The receiver
has some intermod but not anywhere as much
as other handhelds. I use the Maha 1050 Mah NMH
battery and last me a week between chargings.
Always run the HT on L3 ,2 1/2 watts.
I use the Maha MH-C777 charger with it.
Most people who get short battery life either
do not wait for the battery to be totally
discharged before charging. That can cause over
charging and dammage the batery or over heat the
battery durring charging.I have made Yaesu batterys on my FT 470's and my Yaesu 09 serries
HT's last over 10 years.
Stan
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AI4DG
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Rating: 5/5
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May 15, 2005 14:59
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My best value
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My FT-50R turned 8 this year. It's been through a lot: a few dozen public service events, a couple backpacking trips, some rainstorms, a few tropical storms and hurricanes, and some hard drops. I still remember when people would comment on how small my "cell phone" was.
It's been a scanner when I didn't own any other scanners. That huge selling point really worked out. Even as I built up a collection of scanners, it's still a decent conventional scanner. It scans fast, handles tones, and has limited alpha tags. I've used it for TV audio a hundred times, from missed beginnings of TV shows, football games, and weather reports.
Compared to a lot of other rigs, it's been incredibly flexible on it's power requirements. Fellow hams have cringed a few times as I've used it as a limited range voltmeter. I've almost always used it with either external 12v / 13.8v or with rechargables in the AA pack.
The voice recorder was so handy at times I wish all my rigs had one. Dual-watch almost made up for not having an actual 2-receiver dual-band.
Almost every external part has been replaced (total cost about $40): the antenna, PTT cover, power button, power and ear mic covers, and even the whole plastic shell.
The only persistant complaint I have after all this time is that wide FM wasn't wide enough. The multifunction knob has gone flakey on me but it still turns in the right direction about 75% of the time. The somewhat awkward shape never bothered me.
There are obviously a lot of great HTs that have come out since the FT-50R, but I've never regretted buying mine. Even if I traded it for the latest HT, I'm sure I'd find a reason to miss it. I still recommend it as a "first radio" to new hams.
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KG6PSM
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 29, 2004 17:14
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Best one of all my HT's. 4.75 rating.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Lot's of the same stuff has been written elsewhere, so I am not going to repeat. However, I have owned this radio for several years, bought prior to being licensed, paid well over 300 for it.
Due to injuries to the hands (and body) I have dropped this radio so many times when my hands spasm. The worst that has happened were the battery contact pins all came off. So I modded them. As I only use the dry cell battery pack, I only replaced the outside pins and not the middle.
One item that positivly shines is the battery time. I run 4 AA NiMH batteries that are 1800 milli Amp hours. I can get about 24 to 36 hours of continous use before the voltage goes down to 3.6v. I have made numerous simplex contacts before using a replacement rubber duck antenna with a whip antenna. The standard rubber duckie is acutally not too bad, especially in rough use conditions.
I did have to replace the display, again, due to me dropping it. $100 bucks from Yaesu VS under $10 with factory parts and me fixing it.
The wide DC external input voltage is a big plus, besides having 4 power settings.
I don't like the audio cut out when searching for the PL's until you find the right one.
The power button does not work to shut off/on. I have superglued the PTT and the antenna area also.
If only the back light was a little brighter for daytime use and the offset selection was easier to program when non standard offsets are used.
Other than that, using 4 AA NiMH batteries and external power has really breathed new life into this radio.
If only the newer radios and my other HT's had the same battery life.
On closing, interesting note, this radio held it's lowest selling amount of $209.95 @ HRO close out while the newer replacement FT 60r is selling for $10 less @ $199.95 and the triband VX 7r is going for $219.95. Think that says something about this radio? I do.
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KC5KAW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 21, 2004 21:29
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Love it!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first dual band HT and it's worked like a champ. I've had it for a number of years now. I bought it shortly after it came out. My only issue has been with the power and PTT buttons. The PTT button tears a little easily, although I've only had to replace it once. My newest issue has been with the power button not always operating the switch. And then there's the wide band FM recieve (don't buy it for this!). Complaints over, it's a very rugged little radio with a lot of features and easy programming once you get the hang of it. The speaker produces great audio that can be made loud enough for mobile use, although the optional MH-34 speaker mic helps (I clip mine on the seatbelt at shoulder level.) The mod for CAP is a pain as it requires desoldering a couple of jumpers, fortunately I knew someone with a desoldering tool and he didn't have too much trouble with it. Well protected and very durable I'd buy it again.
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G6OCD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 7, 2004 20:56
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Superb
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have owned this FT50R for 6 months with no problems at all, the Battery lasts all day and TX & RX is ok, i use Three Battery Packs with mine, 2 X FNB-40 6.0 Volt @ 650Mah and 1 X FBA-15 which i fill with High Capacity Ni-Mh Batteries (even though these are not recommended by yaesu) , with perfect results, i also own a FT530R which i have had 10 years again with no problems at all. 10 out of 10 for me.
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