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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu VX-2R |
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Reviews: 131
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Average rating: 4.5/5
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MSRP: $229.00
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Description: The Yaesu VX-2R is a microminiature 2 meter/440 MHz handheld with extensive receive frequency coverage, providing local-area two-way amateur communications along with unmatched monitoring capability. It is the worlds smallest HT with 1.5/1 watt output on 2M/440.
Its incredible size allows you to take it anywhere. Receive range is: 500 kHz to 999 MHz (less cellular). This means you can hear the AM, shortwave and FM broadcast bands, TV audio, aircraft and public service channels. CTCSS/DCS with split tone capability is built in. Over 1300 total memories are available including 900 regular memories, 11 home channels, and 50 pairs of band edge memories. You can scan just the memories, the entire operating band or a portion of that band. The aluminum diecast chassis is very rugged.
Power output is with the supplied 1 amp hour Lithium Ion battery 1.5 watts VHF and 1 watt UHF. With the optional E-DC-21 DC adapter output jumps to 3 watts and 2 watts! The VX-2R comes with the FNB-82LI lithium ion battery and NC-85B charger, SMA flexible antenna, belt clip, plus a wrist strap.
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More info: http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/handheld.html
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KU4MY
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 7, 2007 19:30
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WOW!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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As the former owner of a VX1R, I am very impressed and pleased. I was pleasantly surprised to see this one is really a transceiver and not a receiver that tries to be a transceiver. Don't get me wrong, for what it was, the VX1R was pretty neat, great for crossbanding in and around the house, but not what you would consider practical to use for anything really. I was able to hit one 2m and two 70cm machines with some modest success with the VX1R, but the VX2R hits many more machines and is still a great little 'wireless mic' for crossbanding. My initial concerns with the slow to straighten out display on power up and the need to remove the battery after on-board recharging have fallen by the wayside now that I have seen that this is 'normal' for late model VX2Rs. I was worried that the battery would be very pricey, but as plenty of PB-60 batteries are available everywhere including eBay for as little as $8 for TWO..... shipped!!! I am no longer worried about that like I was with the 1R. In a nut shell, I love it and as this one can really perform and be useful unlike the VX1R, I will be very happy indeed.
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WB3IVW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 31, 2007 18:59
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Great for the size
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just bought another (regret selling my first) I love being able to stick this in a pocket. A dual bander for this price at this size what more can you ask for? I know the power limitations I didn't buy it to see how many repeaters I could hit but in reality it does very well. Layed out well, and pretty easy to program. Yaesu did a good job, yeah I know you don't hear SW well but the manual says you need another antenna to do so. Bottom line this radio does what it says and that's why I like it and recommend it. 73 everyone
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N2OMU
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2006 13:48
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A Superb 1.5 Watt Mini HT !!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had this radio for a couple months now, and I really like it! The radio easily fits in a shirt pocket. It fits the bill for repeater and close simplex work, and monitoring of local Public Service frequencies. The scan rate seems adequate at a little over 8 channels per second in scan, and about 11 steps per second in search. Battery life is outstanding. I get anywhere from 4 to 12+ hours per charge, depending on RF power setting and Tx/Rx duty cycle. Despite the small speaker size, the audio output is surprisingly good.
The supplied antenna does not work well at all for out of band reception, so I purchased the Maldol MH-209SMA antenna. The Maldol seems to perform as good or better than the stock antenna on the ham bands, and receives our local Public Service frequencies (VHF low & high) just fine. This is not a “Do it all” antenna at 3 inches tall, but it does RX much better than the stock antenna. Contrary to other posts, the Operating Manual does suggest using an external antenna for medium and shortwave reception.
The supplied belt clip is awful. I went to the local “buy it for a buck” store and picked up a cell phone “swivel belt clip”. Carefully pry the metal grommet from the center of the mount button and attach it to your radio with the long screw. It works great, and only cost a buck!
Get the CSC-90 Soft Case. This will help keep the legends on the buttons and the case of the radio from disappearing.
Programming by hand is time consuming. Let your PC do the work. The software is free and the programming cable can be had for under $20 on Ebay.
Extra batteries and an external charger is a must. Save some money and get your batteries (about $5 each) and charger (about $9 each) on Ebay. The charger I bought operates on 110vac, and 12vdc with the supplied 12 volt adapter. Just buy 2 and leave one in your vehicle.
The CT-44 Microphone Adapter is recommended (or build your own) if you want to use a standard 2 pin microphone, or if you want to use headphones / earbuds for private listening.
The ONLY drawbacks were the belt clip and antenna, and this can be overcome for cheap.
This is a Great Little Radio for under $150 !!!
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KD7MWR
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 11, 2006 16:32
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This radio does SO MUCH!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I replaced my VX-1R with this radio. I hated the 1R and sold it. The 2R allows me to scan through memories WITHOUT changing bands. There are enough memories to use all the receiving qualities of the radio. The 1.5 Watt output is not great, but much better than the 1R's 0.5 Watt. The stock antenna is junk for much more than short range communication. I use a 17" wire whip antenna looped to make it shorter. I extend the antenna to transmit.
Overall, the receive qualities of this radio makes it indespensible.
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KE7IYG
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2006 09:04
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Ultraminiature FUN!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have owned a vx-2r for about 3 months and i love it! Its so cool.You have to buy the programming cable or else have lots of aspirin handy.The programming software is free, just need to buy the cable, it is cheap in price.I like the way it looks and works, but the audio is not the best, as in loudness.I think Yaesu needs to crank her up a bit.I use a speaker mic, and it seems to help out ALOT.I would reccomend this tiny marvel to anyone who wants to keep in touch, without carrying a brick in their jacket.It is real light, and works better than i ever imagined.I use a Mirage amp(45watt) in the car, and it hits most repeaters with clear audio.Iam glad i bought it, its a real conversation starter.It has lots of neat features, and is fairly easy to set up.I would never buy another ht that is bigger than this one.Its a full meal scanner too!! I'm spoiled in technology.Go get one! What are you waiting for?
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KB1MGF
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 16, 2006 15:58
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Great micro HT, Love it.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Great radio to take hiking in the White or Green mountains of New England.
Works well with a Mirage brick in the XYL's car. If you are going to use it in the car spend the money on the Yaseu adapter, don't go for the cheaper Radio Shack model it will fry your radio.
Comet SMA-24 antenna is a great addition.
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VA1CYR
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 8, 2006 12:50
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Great Little Rig
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I picked this up 8 months before I got my license. So I spent a lot of time doing Rx and entering repeaters into memory, setting up the memory banks for scanning based on region, etc...
It's pretty much as the other reviews here, the stock antenna is ok, but once you slap on another one (diamond rh-519, or homebrew 2m j-pole) Rx &Txwill be much more impressive.
I've been focusing on 2m and found that with the rubber duckie, Tx is good in my location IF the repeater was in ~2-4km radius. Now, if you are doing some hilltop operation, expect the 1.5W to carry your signal much further. So pick your spots to get heard, if the repeater is not close. Attach this to a portable antenna with a 20 foot pole and you can get even better performance.
The battery is available at your electonics store, or ebay (NP-60) and get easily get a full day of scanning and maybe 20 min of Tx. A spare is recommended.
The speaker/mic accessory is also nice to have.
This is the unit to get if you want something that will fit in your pocket and can hook up to an antenna for some fun and/or backup rig.
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RPARKER
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 19, 2006 06:42
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Great Tiny Transceiver
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This was my first ham radio transceiver. I got my license just a few weeks ago so I'm far from an expert. I bought it after reading reviews here and found it to be as described. I was looking for a very versatile handheld radio that could become a backup to a mobile radio in my truck. I was shocked when I opened the box and saw how small it was. I hadn't really paid attention to the size specifications so I was expecting a radio that was much larger. It is about the same size as my cellphone!
The VX2R has worked great just sitting in the console of my truck with the stock antenna on 2 meter and 70 cm. I've been hitting our local repeater from well over 30 miles away with it while driving down the road. Signal reports have been very good. Terrain here is very flat with lots of large oak trees. The main repeater I use is at about 450' AGL. I don't have experience using the VX2R in simplex yet.
I work in the IT field so programming things isn't foreign to me. This radio does have a lot of settings and buttons to deal with and I've accidentally set things the wrong way more than once. The programming software just arrived yesterday so I haven't had a chance to try it out. The manual is pretty good but a little too brief in some areas. My best advice is to just play with the various settings to see how they work.
All in all, this is a very handy radio with all kinds of features for all kinds of situations. I'm now looking for its big brother with the same features and more power.
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KC9CJE
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 13, 2006 18:58
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USB to Serial Problem
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Radio is a still a 4.
Found my Birdie problem:
IOGEAR USB to serial adapter sometimes fubar's reading the radio with Commander
FYI -- Writing to the radio through the usb adapter is A-OK with Commander.
When reading the radio, through the usb adapter, some VHF freq's loose one of the first 3 digit...dropping their frequency to 14.xxx or 15.xxx mhz!
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N1DEC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2006 14:15
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Great little handheld
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hi
I just got my own VX-2R. So far its
been doing a good job. 2m/440 work great.
Really really small. I remember when I got my new
Kenwood TH-21. At that time IT was the smallest handheld around! <--- still works great.
Only need 100mw setting here for local repeaters.
My only problem has been receiving the AM broadcast and shortwave bands. Can't hear anything with the stock antenna. I think they should point that out in the manual that you MUST get a different antenna for these bands. Would just a sma connector with a length of wire attached to the center conductor be all I would need?
Also, I see from reading these posts that I was
supposed to get a carry strap. Well, mine did not come with any. I'll have to steal the one off the
Kenwood!
Fred
N1DEC
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