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You can
write your own review of the Yaesu FT-60R.
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K0BKL
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Rating: 0/5
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Oct 2, 2009 19:09
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Receive failed
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The receive was dead almost upon receipt.
A day after getting it, it failed to receive anything but the closest repeater and that was noisy.
AES has a replacement on the way to me.
I will further review it when I get a working model!
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KC9PDM
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 18, 2009 19:15
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Great Dualband HT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Its a great dual bander ht for a good price. Its very durable. Like others I bought the SRH77A and it greatly improved my range.
If you owned other yaesu radios such as the 7800 then you will be able to navigate the menu system. If this is your first yaesu radio then you might have trouble getting used to using the radio.
All in all its a great radio for a great price.
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VE3GIH
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Rating: 1/5
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Sep 10, 2009 13:30
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Not for EmComm/ARES
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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While all my other radios are Yaesu, the FT-60 is a signficant disappointment for my EmComm/ARES work.
The radio has significant problems with frequency downloads, until you discover the secret that you have to "RST ALL" before any downloads occur. It doesn't matter which software or cable/interface you use, this radio has significant problems with proven working equipment.
The second significant issue is the use of a remote microphone. I was only mildly bemused by the fact that inexpensive remote speaker/mics don't work here. I bought the 'far too expensive' Yaesu product from a recognised dealer, and it only lasted a month. It blew a 2.2K ohm resistor in the PTT circuit. I suspect that the problem is the well known connector problems.
While this radio may work well for those who don't need to program many frequencies, or if they don't need speaker/mic performance, I was signficantly disappointed by it as an ARES / EmComm unit.
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K2OMN
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 25, 2009 15:55
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Rugged Commercial Quality Super Sensitive Dual Bander
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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When it comes to HT's - Handie Talkies, Motorola has been and shall always be #1. However, a real close second when it comes to Ruggedness, Commercial Quality Transmitter and Super Sensitive Receiver (picks ups weather band transmission with no antenna) is YAESU.
First and foremost if your thoughts go to commercial ruggedness in the field then look no further. I read an incident where an FT-60R fell over forty (40) feet from a job site and after a few bounces was picked up and worked perfectly.
Another thing I like about the FT-60R is the SQUELCH KNOB. Something lacking in the newer multi-band ht's. Believe me nothing more annoying than a digital squelch knob in a noisy area.
Oh yea did I mention that it uses 6-AA NIMH Batteries so the FT-60R can be powered from a multitude of power sources but during an emergency you get a full 5 watts output using standard AA alkaline batteries.
One Thousand Memories.
The ability to be programmed by PC using the freely distributed open-source FT-60R Commander. The FT-60R also has the ability to be modded for out-of-band vhf/uhf usage should the need arise.
With accessories such as 1.5 hour Rapid Charger, 2500ma NIMH Battery Packs, Free PC Programming Software, Speaker Microphones (look at MFJ 296 Series) and a great Stubby Duck that performs flawlessly across both bands, the Maldol SMA-209, is a superior performing product that should be considered when stealthy rugged field performance is required.
The Yeasu FT-60R may not be as sexy to look at as some of its newer brothers like the Yaesu VX-7R or VX-8R radios, but the FT-60R has a very hot super sensitive receiver (in both bands way more sensitive than the VX-7/8), has a real squelch knob, a ton of options, inter-operability with FT-60R open source programming software. And of course works with AA Alkaline Batteries to deliver a full 5 watts during an emergency when power may become a problem.
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N3SQV
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 2, 2009 05:14
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Good Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Purchased to replace a broken FT-411E. Solid radio that feels like it came off vertex's commercial line. Packed with features (only missing is duel VFO, cross band repeat. The battery lasts me two days with a bit of tx.
My only complaint is the SMA connector and the design for the speaker mike. The plug does not want to stay in and the support ring that goes over the VFO knob will change the freq if not locked.
73's
N3SQV
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K5XVW
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 30, 2009 18:08
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Nearly solid
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After over a year use, I give this radio 5 stars for drop-kick durability.
Unfortunately the input (microphone, speaker, programming) jack is a terrible joke. Plugging in the Yaesu aux. mic is frustrating - push it in too far and the radio resets itself, wiggle it and the radio transmits, wiggle some more and the speaker comes on. Forget trying to use it as an APRS tracker. Why would a company design a mic jack that could cause unidentified transmission? I have to give the jack a 1 star - at best it works.
Programming is tedious, but I don't care about that and knew that going in.
Transmit audio is OK. I replaced the duck antenna so that I could use a mag-mount on the vehicle - wish they would haven't used an SMA connector. The battery is too weak, but that's easy to fix. The radio gets hot plugged into DC and transmitting.
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KG6NID
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 26, 2009 15:39
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Great radio !!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought 3 of these radios 3 years ago. 1 for myself and 1 for each of my kids that passed their test. We use these radios on a daily basis and they are great.We take them camping and dirt bike riding out in the Mojave desert all the time and they never fail. Built like a tank!!
73s, kg6nid
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KJ4KKI
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 17, 2009 23:01
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Great performing radio for money.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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As I've noted in other reviews, I'm only giving it a 4 as I haven't had it for very long. Being my first HT, I'm in the learning curve. As such, I'll write beginner's thoughts on it. Having used very expensive radios in public safety work, I am very impressed with the quality of the audio. The case is rock solid. I am having some problems with the cord mic pulling out just enough to cancel the speaker in the mic. There's a clip for the cord that fastens over the VFO knob to keep it steady. I've misplaced it somewhere in my truck. Getting back to the radio. It performs great. I replaced the duck with a Diamond SRH77CA, and got the MR77SMA for a roof mount. Today, I hit a repeater about 30-35 miles away on 1 watt. I couldn't believe that it did so well. I was also listening to airport traffic from Nashville, 70+ miles away. One problem is that turning the volume/on/off knob is cumbersome because it's caught between the antenna and VFO knob. You sort of have to grip it from the side with your fingernail. I might have reversed the two and put the volume on the outside. I am using the software to put in frequencies and I honestly cannot see why some people complain. It works great, is easy to install and use, and takes very little time to put frequencies and alpha tags in the radio. It can even link frequencies to different channels with a check box format. My only major problem is that it does a lot more than I know how to do, or what to do set-up wise. I think I'm going along well, and then accidentally hit a button and spend the next little bit trying to figure out what I did wrong. Once you get it set up the way you want it, I think it's wise to lock out the VFO and keypad. It's a one-button operation. You can't screw it up and you have your radio unlocked in just a couple of seconds by hitting the button again. Anyway, I get frustrated a lot trying to figure out the learning curve. With each button doing 3 things, and having multiple factors to contend with, it's easy for a newcomer like me to get very frustrated. However, once I am comfortable with the features, I think it's going to be one kick-butt radio. I'm not limited by it...rather I think it's limited by me! I'm extremely happy I bought it. I plan to get a mobile fairly soon and try to use the VHF/UHF capability to try sats. I have a 3-pole mast by my house, and with an antenna up there, I think I can get very decent range with it as a "make-shift base station." I might even add an external amp to it. My advice to anybody considering this radio is to buy it. I know I'm extremely glad I did.
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N1KDO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2009 07:51
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rugged and loud!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had my FT-60 over four years now. Finally had to replace the battery pack.
This radio is very rugged, with a real belt clip, like you might find on a commercial Vertex rig. The receive audio will get quite loud, transmit audio is good, and the DTMF pad has the *,0,# keys in the right place, not that screwed up arrangement my VX-5 has. The battery lasts a long time.
I do miss the true dual-band features that my FT-530 has, that is a super nice feature to be able to monitor VHF and UHF at the same time. But that is the only thing I find missing.
I use the fabulous KC8UNJ FT-60 Commander software to program this radio, I think it is much, much better than the ADMS software, which was an enormous PITA to use.
I have recommended the FT-60R to a bunch of old hands and new hams, and everybody seems to like it. So I rate it a 5 without hesitation.
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NC2F
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 3, 2009 19:14
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Superb Dual Band 2M/70CM HT!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned alot of HT's over the years, mainly because I am gadget hound and love to try out various gear offerings. After owning many iComs and a few Kenwoods along the way, my HT's of choice are by Yaesu. My last 2M-only HT was the VX-150 which I would recommend if you only needed 2M (or the newer VX-170 if you're willing to spend a bit more). But if you need to access 440 repeaters, go for the FT-60R. Aside from the bang for buck, the FT-60R just works so darn well. And it's size is perfect for all-around use. It's so good, I am going to put my VX-3 up for sale because I really need nothing else besides the FT-60R for HT use.
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