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You can
write your own review of the Yaesu FT-8900R.
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2E0ZDJ
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Rating: 4/5
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May 4, 2009 14:07
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mh-48 mike spoils audio
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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hello i wanted everyone to no that the mh-48 spoils audio,all my audio reports using that microphone were terrible,harsh plasticky distorted not nice and rounded like it shud be,in the end i used the standard mh-42 microphone and all audio reports were perfect,i also tested it on other yaesu radio 8100 and same problem,bottom line stick to mh-42,scrap the mh-48 dtmf in the bin ware it belongs,very frustating sussing it out,73s to all,hope this helps
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OE5NIP
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 16, 2008 13:40
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Fun Rigs
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hi!
I have one in the car, one at home.
I need it for the new Repeater Projekt in our Club in Steyr.
The FT-8900 are very good and simple.
I think a class of its own.
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KI4CRA
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 11, 2008 14:19
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Will not give this radio up for anything!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Well, here we are almost 13 months later and I still have my 8900R. Where some HD rigs come n go my 8900 is still working strong. I just recently took the 857D from my Sport Trac & put the 8900 back in. Seems like me and HF mobiling just aren't meant to be. So sold the 857,only have a dual band antenna on the truck, but there's a hamfest today, didn't get a chance to look today, but have to go back again tomorrow, will look for at least a tri-band antenna for the rig, would like a Daimond HV-7A quqd or a comet UHV-4 to make it right.
As I said a year ago, I like the 8900 and wind up selling it. It is a breeze to program, has tons of memories, did I mention it has tons of memories? When the storms of 04-05 hit the 8900 was a constant companion, used it for emergency nets, had lots of compliments from other folks, who were so impressed that a couple of them went on to get their license. The ability to cross band repeat is a plus also, haven't had the need to do so, and when I did have a need I didn't have my 8900, or anyradio that would cross band repeat.
Any way folks,you've read the reviews, both pro and con, For the price you get a great rig with lots of useful options. Get one you wont regret it, This is one radio that I will not give up for anything,unless its a new 8900R.
73 de Mark
AI4HO
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K6USN
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 29, 2008 21:35
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A long time favorite
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This radio has been around a long time and is still being made. This says something. I carefully read all the reviews and attribute most of the (few) negative comments to programming glitches. Okay and the occasional component failure. Happens to all of us.
I got this radio to dabble in 10M FM again. It is the only radio I can find on the market that provides 10M FM (and 6M FM) along with the VHF/UHF package in a small footprint. I added a Larson LMO trunk lip mount and separate antennas for 2M, 6M and 10M which stow nicely in the trunk. There are valid comments about the FM deviation being set lower than desirable. This may be noticable on repeaters but on simplex it works fine and I get a lot of great audio reports.
Radio is not that hard to program (I am a 65 year old retiree with a non technical background). I did it in under three hours.
The radio is small and I remote mounted the control head to the vent on my dashboard. Radio fits nicely under the passenger seat with room to spare. A lot smaller than the FT 857 that I was considering.
Bottom line - it works well, gives me great diversity in my mobile hamming, and has a very small footprint. My FT8900R was built in April 08, and they appear to have corrected some of the shorcomings noted in postings from several years back.
I am happy with my purchase.
Allen K6USN (E51USN)
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WD5CCW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 16, 2008 16:57
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Fun Rig
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this rig with the purpose of extending my HT range while driving out in the county.
When my antenna came in, I scurried to put it up and start programming the frequencies into the 8900r. Since I have the Yaesu VX7R, I did note some similarities when programming, but of course I didn't have the 8900r hooked up to a computer for easier programming. But the instructions were pretty easy!
And for $350, I got a good deal and well pleased!
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N4CQR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2008 07:13
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Need A 4-Band FM Rig? This Is It
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Bought one of these used, out of curiosity, more than anything else. I was looking for a 2M mobile and figured what the heck, go for 10 and 6m too. After I got it installed and paired up with a Comet SB15, (I don't need 10M FM) I could not be more happy. As mentioned below, memory management is awkward but considering the radio's amenities I can deal with it. Performance has been excellent. Expecially cross-band repeat - makes life around the office a bit more pleasant...
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VE6BGM
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 16, 2008 12:56
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Memories
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I think the scanning function has a lot of options. One that I like in particular, is on One Bank Side of the memories, you can set the system to scan ALL frequencies. On the other side I can set it to scan only Preferential Scan. Thus, when it the city, if I do not want to scan out of town repeaters, I can set them up as non Preferential Scan. Then in the Menu, I can set either the left or right side to scan every memory frequency, or either side to scan only Preferential Scan or one side to scan all and the other just Preferential Scan. When I go out on a trip, then, again, I can set this up the same way if desired. Yes if you SKIP a frequency, it SKIPs it on both sides. I would like to see something like the old FT-90R where pushing skip quickly only would skip it until radio turned off. Generally, if I want to set the SKIP memory channel, I WANT it removed from both sides anyhow. If the interference or problem with the memory clears, I can go back to ALL SCAN or PREFERANCE SCAN. I do have radios with Band Scan but never use them anyhow. I find thes Preferential memory system on the FT-8900R just excellent. Programming with a program is required based on the large number of memories. Programming or changing information on a Memory is very easy as well. Have had this radio for 5 years and it is very flexable for my, and probably, most people's use. With lots of memory space, can set up a number of frequencies with, for example different PL, and using Preferential Memory can scan them all the time or only when required. I see no reason to give it a 2 based slowly on memory, as I think the memory system is great!
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K9KJM
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 16, 2008 02:42
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POOR Memory management
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The Yaesu FT-8900 functions well as far as it's radio features go....... Works about the same as the fine FT-8800 dual band. (Transmitter, Receiver, Intermod rejection, etc. All MUCH better than the (crummy) Icom 2720H radio.
But the 8900's memory channel management is a disaster!
Whatever you program into a memory channel on the left side of the radio also goes into the same memory channel on the right side of the radio. And vice-versa.
IF you try to then "skip" a channel for memory channel scanning on one side of the radio, That same data ALSO goes to the other side of the radio!
The 8800 does not program like this at all. The 8800 allows you to program whatever you want to the left side of the radio, AND whatever you want to the right side of the radio.
You can "sort of" get the 8900 to function as a true dual memory channel radio by using the "preferental memory" modes, But that is a far cry from actually being a true dual band radio that allows each side to operate on its own settings.
Unless you really NEED 6 or 10 meter FM, Avoid this radio and get the FT-8800!
(BTW, I have asked other owners of the 8900 how to get it to program like the 8800, And so far no one has been able to answer this question.
I also asked Yaesu tech support, And never did receive a reply from them.)
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KC9KOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 1, 2008 20:54
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Awesome Radio!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is an update from when I first got the radio. Turns out that the problem was not user error, but something of a factory defect. Radio was sent back in great working order and has performed like a champ since!
I use this as a base station with a Comet GP-15 Tri-Band Vertical. I Have worked two FM contests with this rig, as well as constant use on both simplex and repeaters.
Always get great reports with the 8900-R for audio, and delivered power. One drawback is when using the crossband repeat function, you need to turn the unit off and then back on again or else your audio on transmit will be nothing but white noise.
Cross-Band repeat is 100% duty cycle on the 8900-R, so be sure to use it on low power per the manual suggestion. I have worked repeaters as far away as Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Plymouth, Indiana, and Kankakee, Illinois.
No problems with performance quality on IRLP or Echolink. No problems anywhere have I had. Great, solid radio that I will never sell!
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N1UVW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 1, 2008 01:12
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Very easy to program
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased my FT-8900r 2 months ago. I've had time to learn the programming of this radio. I think its very easy to program , I also purchased the Icom V8000 for 2 Meter 2 months before the Yaesu, and still can't figure it out!, don't get me wrong I love my Icom, but comparing the Quad band Yaesu for programming ease,theres no comparison. Ive learned the FT-8900r in no time.
Also, Theres a feature called "Smart Search", which when you're in a new area and not sure of local repeater or frequency's, it will search the band that you choose for frequency's, PL's , and offsets. I'll let you know if I learn of any glitches that I come across . For now I'll give it 5/5.
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