|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Yaesu FT-530.
|
WW4CC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 17, 2012 12:27
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
The best hand held I have ever owned!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I was first licensed in 1990 as KC4TCG. I purchased an Icom IC2-SAT used from a friend and it was ok, but I wanted a brand new ht. I bought this one from HRO in Atlanta in 1994. It cost a lot of 1994 dollars, but it was the best money I ever spent. I used it for years, but decided one day that it was getting "long in the tooth" as it were, and a new ht was in order, so I sold the 530 and I bought a vx-5r. That was the first in a long line of mistakes. The VX-5 was ok, but I wasn't happy. It was nowhere near the radio that my old 530 was. Over the next few years I went thru every HT Yaesu (and some of the others) could come up with, but nothing was ever quite the same with the "New" technology, so I sold every HT that I had and went back to the 530, and unless they just die and I can't find a replacement, that will be all I'll ever use from now on. It just can't be beat. It certainly gets my vote for the best handheld ever made!
|
|
VE3PWR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 27, 2010 14:46
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
It Was Well Worth The Money Back in 1994..
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I Have NOTHING bad to say about my experience
with my Yaesu FT 530... ( FIVE STARS ***** )
I purchased it new back in 1994... I also purchased the NC-50 Desk Rapid Charger and soft cover case for the radio and It came out to
$ 570.00 (CDN. with taxes). I thought back then.. What the heck am I doing spending soo much money on my first handheld... WELL... Let me tell you... It was the BEST $ 570.00 I have ever spent...
I still have and use the handheld to this day...
I will never sell it....
Everything still works on it.. ( even the rapid charger works and chargers all the battery packs I have had to replace over the years ) .. That's it.. I've just had to purchase new battery packs every sooo many years .. The Handheld keeps going and going..and going.. Problem Free !!!!!
It actually still looks like new.. The soft cover case I purchased back then is still used on the handheld and has kept it looking like new... It's Great to have a True Dual Band Receive VHF/UHF at once with the dual volume and squelch controls...
I haven't been impressed with any other handheld Yaesu has brought out since this BABY...
They sure don't make them like this anymore...
I've recently purchased a new Handheld from a company in Hong Kong on Ebay for alot less money then I spent in 1994 .. But when you hold the FT-530 in your hand.. then hold the handheld from Hong Kong.. You can even feel the difference without having to turn them on...
If you get a chance to buy one at a Flea Market or on Ebay that has been well looked after Grab It ...
You may have to buy a new battery ( which are available also on Ebay or Batteries America )
and you won't be dissappointed...
It's a True Work Horse !!!!
73 Martin VE3PWR
|
|
N4SRQ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 18, 2010 11:13
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Awesome HT
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I was looking for a true full duplex mobile for satellite work and read about the FT-530 as being a good candidate. Hopped onto ebay and picked one up with the LCD remote mike. WoW. Nice audio, good xmit, easy to figure out without a manual. This radio can cross band repeat quite easily. I cannot understand why they don't make them like this anymore. They are great in their simplicity and provide good performance. I recently picked up a second one on ebay for a song - seems like everyone prefers those VX models and got this last one on the opening bid - lucky for me. You can get good 12V batteries online for less than $30. If you can get one, do it. You wont be disappointed. It is great for SAT work - nice to hear yourself on the downlink while transmitting. Most modern HT's can't.
|
|
KJ4PKO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 11, 2009 21:26
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
One great radio!!!!!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I was given one recently and love it. I use both vhf and uhf; I live in a rural area and thought I would not be able to reach a repeater, but with two watts I can talk to any repeater within thirty miles. I have also been complemented on the sound quality of the radio. I am using a 7.2 volt battery from Batteries America battery. I also love the backlight for using in night applications. I would recommend this radio to anyone.
KJ4PKO
|
|
KX5F
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 22, 2008 09:46
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Don't make stuff as good as this anymore
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Best h.t. yaesu has ever made, IMHO, Had 2, sold one at a hamfest a couple of years ago, it sat on the table abt 1 min. Both were purchased in 1995. Its too bad Yaesu does not make really good stuff anymore, all the china made radio's are junk. this radio is the best designed ht made. agn IMHO, 73 Patrick
|
|
KO4MI
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 18, 2008 13:38
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Another happy ham
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
It is worth noting that the lithium battery used to sustain memory when the main battery is dead or disconnected (the same sort of battery used on most electronic equipment for that function) is easily accessible without taking the radio apart. This is a thoughtful and appreciated design characteristic, especially for a radio that is so good that it will be kept through several battery changes.
I bought mine in the early 90s, shortly after they came out.
|
|
CX6AV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 24, 2007 19:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best HT for ever!!!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Soy muy inquieto y vivo cambiando de equipos por curiosidad...pero habiendo tenido desde mi adolescencia mas de 30 modelos de Handies en diferentes marcas y años hasta la fecha jamás ninguno se ha comparado a éste por lo que resolví quedarmelo para siempre.Ninguno es tan fuerte,completo, amigable,sensible,ancha cobertura dual y sobre todo excelente recepcion fuera de banda ,aún en banda aerea AM.Creo sin dudas que jamás se volverá a fabricarun handy que junte las prestaciones y fortaleza de éste...el mejor.
|
|
N3WVH
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 16, 2007 10:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
I have never considered parting from my FT-503
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
As a teenager in the late 70's, I always dreamed of owning the perfect HT. I remember being fascinated with the old DIGICOM (which eventually changed to ICOM). There was no digital readout, just thumbwheel tuning. Yaesu came out with the FT-203 series, which I thought was a technilogical breakthrough...all were fascinating, but until this day, no ht compares to the FT-503. In fact, I wonder how much you would pay for a new HT with all of these features in the present tense...I believe that protibility may outweigh features and rf power. Speaking of portability, the FT-203 really isn't as large as many skeptics think. Without any battery attached, the "radio" fits within the palm of your hand. If you have a dc power cable/chargeer, this unit is perfect in the mobile, without the need for the bulk of the battery. If you know anything about ht's within the past 25 years, you can admit that the FT-503 is relatively small in size. I personally like the idea of versatility in battery strength...more power, larger battery pack. These newer units can't come close. I have researched other ht's as I am in the mood to pruchase a mate for my FT-503. I am convinced that I will buy another one for the collection. I am just overwhelmed at the thought of this radio continues to receive such great reviews 13 years later, and still favored by smart HT enthusiasts. The FT-503 is beyond the rank of "Classic"...as coined in a recent Will Smith sci-fi film,"I AM LEGEND" is a true dipiction of one of the greatest HT's ever built!
73,
N3WVH
|
|
KB0PTV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 22, 2007 01:07
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best HT ever made!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I have owned 2 of the Yaesu FT-530's for 12 years. Bought them both new. They both work like the day they were purchased, excellent performance on every level. I only wish they were never discontinued!
|
|
KD7YHF
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 30, 2007 09:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
A Gem Indeed.
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
This is one great radio. I used it for an alarm clock in the morning. I have owned many dual-banders and this is the tops. Reception is great. Itis easy to use. Get the Mic that goes with this radio along with the AA battery pack. These are hard to find, you will have to look for months possibly. Yaesu did a great job with this radio. I can't compare the VX-5R with it other than I think that the FT-530 has better reception in band and with police and fire frequencies. Get a FT-530 while you can, and keep it, don't sell it. You will regret it.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
