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write your own review of the Yaesu FT-8900R.
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N7USC
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 7, 2012 08:42
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Clunky
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After using and getting use to the 7900...the 8800 is a clunk to operate. But I'm sure I will get used to it. I bought it for dual band capability (i.e., monitoring two at once).
Now it works fine....clear reception. Got it programmed in minutes since I have a 7900. The manual is the usual Yaesu crap. But that's ok ... i can figure it out.
But the thing that makes me mad (and I blame myself for not reading the reviews closely) is the LACK OF BACKLIT BUTTONS. You have to memorize (bad for an old fart) the buttons and functions. Got spoiled for the great 7900 backlit buttons.
4 out of 5 is the BEST i could give it right now...maybe better as time goes on.
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KJ6EPE
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 7, 2011 11:13
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Fine radio with Cross Band Repeat issues
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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If your radio has locked up into transmit or just transmits noise following a cross banding session, check out this youtube video. The problems are demonstrated as well as the solutions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDrj50xcgvc
It is a great radio with correct proceedure.
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W3LZK
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 28, 2011 18:37
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Now mobile with my FT-8900
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Well, almost a year ago I made my review, and had to do a little update. I must say that my FT-8900 is probably close to 6 years old now, and still would not get rid of this rig for anything.
I recently upgraded my vehicle..from a 2009 Ford Ranger nice truck..not much room. To a 2011 Toyota Tundra double cab, 4X4, with lots of room for rigs, speakers, etc. So..what to mount? First off with the help of friends in our local radio club, we first installed my Kenwood TS-480HX, with the Turbo Tuner, and my GAP Hear It speaker. So much for HF, I needed something for VHF/UHF, didn't have a dual band rig..having traded my last one for a 9 mm pistol.
I still have a couple of 2 meter rigs..with out remote capabilities. How about my FT-8900...yea would be doubling up on 10/6 meters, but the TS-480 does both, but my Tar Heel antenna is only capable to 10 meters, no 6 meters unless I go for a shorter whip..but then would sacrifice performance on the lower bands. So the FT-8900 wins, have the remote kit, the Diamond HV-7A antenna, which covers 10-70cms. Had bit of difficulty finding a spot to mount the control head, but finally figured out the best position and we got the rig mounted.
True, the control head could be laid out a bit differently, maybe widen the entire radio, give it a bit more body to the rig so to speak. My only nit if I had to pick would be to have the buttons back lit, that would be a nice feature. Other wise, I have had no issues in turning the knobs, pushing the buttons,etc. I do like the cross band feature, especially during the hurricanes we had roll through our area causing wide spread destruction. I could set the FT-8900 up with my HT and I could talk with our EOC while in a meeting with the shelter manager and staff of the shelter, or hospital administrators.
I am eventually going to get another dual band to install in my Tundra, I like the fact that I do have it all, its fun to work the local 6 meter repeater, the 10 meter repeaters when 10 is open is a blast, but I can use the TS-480's features for 10 meters..I'll just have to do with out 6 meters for the time being. I use the FT-8900 for our local ARES group, so I really need my 8900 back as base. For the time being I'm having a ball with my FT-8900 mobile again.
73 de Mark
W3LZK
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N6CAV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2011 17:23
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I own two of these...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Almost a 4...wish I could do a 4.5
Great:
1 - Very low power on squelched receive...which is important for those of us who xband with the rig and leave it on for extended periods.
2 - Reliable...does not get too warm like some other rigs when it isn't in use. I've had bullet proof performance out of both for 3+ years. I've had other rigs that you could fry an egg on just sitting there in squelched receive mode pulling over 12W. What's up with that??
3 - IN LOVE (I mean really impressed) with the hyper memory buttons. When you're mobile, you're not trying to switch between several hundred memory locations...six hyper memory settings are way more than enough...and you don't need backlit buttons to find them.
4 - Xband repeat...I use this feature ALL the time. I drive to work...hit the hypermemory for my xband setting...hit the menu button and the VFO button and I'm good to go. I take my tiny 440 HT to the desk in the office and now I can hit my 2M repeater 20 miles away using this rig in the car.
5 - Simple remote head install. I made (yes MADE...an RJ11 cable to simply remote the transceiver). The control head is actually in my hinged overhead sunglass visor. Very impressive for folks to see that hinge down over head. The rig is under the seat...and the mic is remoted to another connector on my center console. Slick install with homemade cables.
Not so great
1 - The rig has to be power cycled to get it out of xband repeat mode (this was corrected in firmware about a year after my first purchase).
2 - Lack of backlit buttons...hey...I know my rig well enough not to require that...but not having these illuminated isn't bad enough to seriously ding it like others have. If you've read the reviews you'll see that it is really important for others. Less so for me.
3 - Fan comes on in xband with the first xmission...and doesn't turn off. Very little impact on battery drain...but it affects my engineering sensibilities to have it running when not necessary.
So...very easy to operate...bullet proof performance...four bands to work with...easy install...I realy like this rig. One of the reasons I got the Yaesu FT-897D for my base station...and I love that too (but that is another story).
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IZ5RAQ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 16, 2011 23:47
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Great radio!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is a fantastic radio easy to use, easy to install in my car.
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G3GJW
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 15, 2011 08:22
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No problems!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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We use several FT-8900R rigs for 'RAYNET' = UK version of ARES without any problems, either in the field or in base stations. Many of us in Kent RAYNET Groups use two of them, including in our Mobile Control Unit. We use more of them than any other rig on the market.
Smudge, G3GJW
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N1TX
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 10, 2011 14:48
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Solid radio but unfriendly
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned two FT-8900s for about five years. One is used for mobile, the other at home base. The rig is absolutely packed with many nice features with plenty of flexibility for any application, whether mobiling to and from work, emergency operations, or packet. That's exactly the functionality I needed in my V/UHF radios. For changing configurations quickly, the "Hypermemory" buttons come in handy.
The big ding comes from the user-unfriendly design. As others have pointed out, buttons are tiny and hard to see. Backlights would have gone a long way to ease the burden. The user interface is far from intuitive, so keep the manual close at hand. The ADMS-2H programming software from RT Systems is a must-have, because it makes setup infinitely easier than manual menu navigation and data entry.
Would I buy another? You bet, and probably at a good price from someone a lot more frustrated than I am. The FT-8900R works for me, but it's not for everyone.
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KF7IIQ
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 12, 2011 16:45
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Good radio, poor panel design
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've had this radio for almost a year and I use it mobile. The radio works well on all four bands, but the front panel is difficult to use. The knobs are too small and too close together. It might be great for a lady with small hands but my lunch hooks are too big. The crossband repeater does work well and I use it in emergency operations quite effectively. The computer port uses the 6 pin DIN plug which is difficult to insert properly. Do not mount in a tight location! It really helps to see the port. A more robust connector would be appreciated.
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ON7WP
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Rating: 1/5
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Dec 25, 2010 12:00
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Noit without a PC
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This radio is a total disaster to operate....
Outside the ARS ranges (where we are here in europe) you have to re-input every shift/split/tone for every time you move the VFO button dial.
Right part of the radio does not suppport Wide/narrow so useless in Europe's 12,5 kHz raster...
Will sell the radio after I have played a bit with the PC cable USB interface in order to get at least some frequencies inside...
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PE1RLN
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 19, 2010 08:23
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Good radio, worthless design
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This radio is a pain to operate. The labels of the buttons are impossible to read, even in bright light. The volume- and channelselectknobs are very small. And worst of all: the buttons aren't lit so in darkness you have to guess...
This radio has great reception, the four bands are really nice. I used the crossband repeater to use surplus equipment on regular VHF and UHF frequencies.
I give this radio only 3 out of 5 because of the really stupid design of the frontpanel. That's why I sold it, will never buy it again.
Yaesu, when do you learn from your brother Kenwood? They know how to design a radio without the need of a universal degree to understand the manual.
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