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write your own review of the Yaesu VX-6R.
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KB0KYV
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 22, 2009 12:58
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Robust with Lots of Bells and Whistles!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been a happy VX-150 owner for many years, so when I saw the VX-6r, I was very interested. I wanted a dual or tri-bander with wide coverage recieve that had the toughness and build quality of my VX-150. The VX-6r is all that and a lot more. It's a rugged and very versatile HT that's crammed with many useful and fun features.
The build quality is excellent. For me it's also very comfortable and easy to use. The knobs have a nice smooth travel and the PTT switch has the right pressure resistance and click. I like it's style too. It's a very good looking radio.
This is a very complex little rig with lots of features. There is a substantial learning curve. But being a Ham I'm technologically inclined, so learning how to operate the rig has been fun for me. Almost all operating characteristics can be customized to the operator's preference.
I've aged a bit since I bought my VX-150 with it's tiny display, and I now need readers to focus up close. My VX-6r, with it's big brightly lit display, is perfect for my older eyes.
I've discovered that many of the complaints I've heard about the VX-6r from other hams have been due to operator error. Case in point, someone said that the rig would only show battery voltage during power on. This is wrong. The rig will display battery voltage at any time by going to set menu item #16 DC VLT.
In wide band recieve mode you need to use the correct antenna for the band. If you want to properly recieve the AM broadcast band, you need to attach a suitable AM broadcast band antenna to the rig. The supplied antenna only works well for VHF and UHF. Although I have been able to recieve very strong Shortwave stations with the rubber duck, a long wire is the way to go. The duck does work very well in the FM broadcast band.
I really like the memory bank system that I can label myself. Other really cool features are the NOAA weather alert and the CW practice mode.
Time will tell, but so far this is the best HT I've ever owned. I owned a very expensive Icom dual band HT with wide recieve and the VX-6r has a much better reciever front end. My VX-6r is much better at resisting intermod. It's built with tougher plastic than the Icom and has a metal frame. It's also water resistant! I just hope it ages well!
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K2IZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 22, 2009 11:10
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does what I need it for
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Our local club now has very active repeaters on 2, 222 and 440, I wanted a handheld that would work on all 3 of them. I also own a VX5 but that is 6, 2 and 440, I have yet to operate on 6m fm, I don't know if there is even a repeater in our area. Besides the VX6R I purchased a Diamond SRH320A antenna, the VX6R only puts out 1.5w on 222 and this antenna helps quite a bit. I did have a bit of a problem with the instructions when programming the 222 band, an e-mail to Yaesu and that problem was resolved. An external power meter would help a lot, there is no real indication that the battery is almost drained until the radio actually shuts off. The VX6R does what I need it for, I don't use most of the features that often so I have to keep referring to the manual, printing it out off the Yaesu web site is a big help.
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AI4WM
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 18, 2009 19:05
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Overall good HT, but dissappointing in some areas
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Overall this is a nice small HT with many features that are outlined elsewhere in these reviews. Yaesu did a nice job on the quality of the mechanics of the unit except for the assinine SMA connector, 4 circuit mini-phone jack microphone / earphone connector and poor choice of battery technology.
This rig will leave you down when you need it due to no warning on battery power level. The metering will tell you 7.2 volts (sometimes higher), then die, usually in the middle of TX during a QSO. Of course it will only monitor battery condition on power on, and I question the accuracy since the voltage is meaningless in the way Yaesu monitors the battery.
A better battery pack could have been designed and there could be a power level indicator that constantly monitors power level of the battery.
The 4 circuit jack is a Yaesu special so one is limited to attaching other than Yaesu products to the mic./earphone jack.
The antenna connector is an SMA instead of a BNC. No problem technically except a normal SMA connector is NOT made for the center conductor to continually be spun time and time again on mating and unmating. IF you never change your antenna this is not a problem.
The stock antenna is a nice dummy load (as most rubber ducks) Changing to the Daimond SRH320A improves performance on all bands including the extra monitor only bands.
TX power changes are stupid. It is a secondary function requiring 2 different operations to make a power change.
Frequency selector dial is too easily moved when worn on the poorly designed belt clip.
Overall when I want dependability I use my old ICOMS. The batteries last better and I can depend on being on freq. and not having a battery just die during a QSO. My power may fade, but not just die like this HT.
When I want small and the extra features I use this HT.
The issue of using external power on this HT is also a weak point. The 2 AA battery pack is not worth the money.
I'll take a good look at other brands before I buy another Yaesu.
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KC0WBA
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Rating: 5/5
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May 11, 2009 17:08
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Great- almost perfect
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I acquired the VX-6R at the Dayton Hamvention and bought some accessories. So far I have had no problems. My only thing I don't like is that the waterproof mic plug is virtually impossible to unscrew. I usually leave the mic out so it is not a big problem.
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KF8HW
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 16, 2009 12:21
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Decent value; good performer
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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If you are in the market for a small HT then this might work for you. I got one of the earlier radios and it has performed well for me. I loaned it to a friend who has sausages for fingers and he had some difficulty with the small buttons that are spaced close together. He got the FT-60R and it suits him better. Be sure you can get service and parts on a reliable basis - some companies do not stand behind their gear as they should. Caveat emptor!
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W2JVP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2009 05:28
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Super Great HT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Rx great. Tx great. Programing, piece of cake. What more can you ask for? 220 band a great PLUS. Only wish it was 5 watts also. We have to write to the manufacturers about putting out more rigs capable of 1.25 meters. (HT's, mobile, base.) The old saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it."
de W2JVP, Frank
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AJ4GY
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2008 17:04
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Great HT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This was my first radio i ever bought and i couldn't be more happy with it. Works Great on All bands. For a while i never thought i would use the 220 side but sure enough a 220 net started in my area and i was able to use it. Also i love the wide receive and the ability to open up the radio. I use it for many trouble shooting problems when i use to work for a cluster of radio stations in town. The only thing i could think to change is maybe make the power output on 220 a little bit stronger.
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N8EKT
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 14, 2008 15:17
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SIMPLY THE BEST!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The VX-6 is easily turned into a QUAD bander and it truely does it all!
You won't find ANY radio with this much performance for such a low price!
6 meters, 220, 2 meters and 440mhz.
Short wave as well as AM and FM broadcasts and NWS broadcasts.
BEST bang for the buck in a quad bander!
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WD0FIA
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 11, 2008 21:56
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2m/220/440 HT
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've bought my first Yaesu VX-6R about 11 months ago, and it's been a great performer. I bought a second one two months ago, and put the first one in my GO kit. I always get excellent audio and signal reports.
I also use the CMP460A waterproof speaker mic. The only issue I've had with it is the mic is a bit more sensitive than the built-in mic. You have to watch the distance to the mic.
I've gotten the mic and radio wet and noticed no problems.
I have a spare FNB-80LI batter and the CD-15A rapid charger. You can get a full charge in just a couple of hours, which is less time than it takes to drain a battery with normal talk times. I bought the AA holder as well, but power output is greatly reduced. The dc cords are inexpensive, and will work for charging the radio from any 12 volt source.
I do find programming this little radio to be quite a chore, but what can you expect with such a small package. The ADMS-VX6 software gets the job done. I recommend this as a good complement to your VX-6R. A short cheat sheet, and several manuals are available for free at www.kb2ljj.com .
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