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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu VX-170 |
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Reviews: 112
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $139.95
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Description: Same chassis as the VX-150. WaterPROOF. 1,000 memories. 1400mAH NiMH batt pack.
Preliminary specs indicated "1,000 conventional memories." In reality, the VX-170 sports 200 conventional memories (plus a Home channel, band edges, WX channels).
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Yaesu VX-170.
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KM6X
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 15, 2008 08:14
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One great HT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned the 170 for about two years I can declare this is one solid HT. It's not the do all, excel at little like my 7R. Quality and ruggedness are up to commercial standards. I liked the quality and features so much that I added the 440 twin and the similar marine VHF with 40 LMR programmable channels to the line up at my QTH. They all share the same battery packs, speaker mics, and chargers. Adding the speaker mic corrects the low audio problem and allows positioning of the antenna for best performance, like up high or close to a window.
The good:
IPX7 rated
Commercial quality
High performance (never hear intermods)
High power and long lasting battery
Accessories interchangeable with many Yaesu HTs
Easy to program without carrying manual or pocket guide
The bad:
SMA, get the Diamond SMA/BNC adapter
Duck is junk, toss and get Diamond RH77CA
Membrane over mic causes low audio, get MH57 spk/mic
Zero button accidently brings up WIRES, lock keyboard.
Do the mods to correct the bad and you will have one high performance, submersible HT you can take anywhere. I have taken mine everywhere: flying, biking, boating, hiking, railroad......
-James
KM6X
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KJ4EOZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 17, 2008 11:32
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not too bad
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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i got this radio about two weeks ago and it works great . looking to sell it . i want a 2 meter / 440 rig . but this radio was used one time . Im selling it for $100.00 if someone wants it .
my email is on QRZ
KJ4EOZ
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KE5VRW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 11, 2008 14:20
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Great two meter HT!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently purchased the Yaesu VX-170 and it is a great HT. I have no trouble accessing the four local repeaters in my area. It is clear and easy to program. Don't care for the belt clip though.
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KL3NP
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 2, 2008 15:11
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Great HT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have three of these VX-170's. I also have four of the VX-150 predecessors. (4 Hams in my family) They are rugged and user friendly. I bought a Yaesu desk mounted charger off ebay made for the VX-150 that I modified by cutting out the two front vertical plastic bosses so that the 170 will drop right in (its tight) and now my battery will charge either attached to the radio or battery alone. This one charge will do my 150's, and my 170's now. Since I have several extra batteries, I always have one or two hot and ready to go. The belt clip is junk. I modded all of mine so the clip is solidly attached to the back of the radio, getting rid of the swivel system. Works great. Not needing or caring about water submersibility, I split the cases on each of mine and removed the white mic membrane cover, so now each of my units modulate 100% better. Any of you with soft voices may want to consider this modification. It makes a HUGE difference in your transmit quality.
The only thing I wish Yaesu would do to the radio is make the WIRES function a menu item able to turn off or on. It is far to easy to bump the "0" button and turn it on. I would like to disable it permanently.
Other than that, built like a brick, and is my handheld of choice when I go outdoors, regardless of weather. I live in rural Arctic Alaska. There could not be a more hostile environment for a radio to live, and live it does, in spades.
For $119, its a steal. So good, I bought two more and put them away in case they quit making them. I can't imagine a better rig to replace them.
Great radio, Yaesu.
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KC2TIR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 26, 2008 16:11
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Outstanding 5/5
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Being a newly licenced Tech, I have read many reviews here on most all of the HT's. The VX-170 is more than I thought it would be. Here in New York, I live in the Finger Lakes region upstate. While at the northern most end of Cayuga lake I was able to trip the local repeater I use when at home. Straight line miles it is over 55 miles to the 146.970 repeater. Between the transmit point and the repeater there are many hills. With a radio right out of the box with the stock duck antenna from the dealer I feel I made the best choice for what I will be using this awesome HT for. Programing is a challenge for an old dog like me, but with the help of the local club when the time comes it should be a breeze.
Thanks Yaesu 73's Ted
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KF6OCI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 17, 2008 16:28
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Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Excellent
If you don't like the clip take it off.
The clip and that which it attaches to come off.
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KJ4EOZ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 17, 2008 09:12
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not too bad
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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its not to bad . works great but dont like the clip on the back of it .
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KB3RMX
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Rating: 2/5
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Jul 17, 2008 06:26
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Not what I expected!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just received this ht last week. Needless to say I was anxious to get this together and get it going. I was very surprised at the size and wieght of this thing. After assembling the ht, I looked at it and was not happy with what I had purchased. The thing was big and bulky. You have to unscrew a cap on the top to use a speaker mic, oh by the way it uses a special speaker mic. You will not be able to use any other standard yaesu mics on this. I have two other yaesu hts a FT-470 and a vx-150, both are compatible with each other as far as chargers and accessories. Had to poke a hole in the mic membrane to get my audio quality up. (Be careful when you do this, so you don't pierce the mic if yo buy one of these)
I do not like the clip on the back, its very cheaply made and it reminds me of those cheap cell phone clips you get at the Dollar Store.
Radio is very different setup and programming from other yaesu hts that I've owned. There's a rubber retainer of sorts on the top for the antenna and speaker cap which I thought was unneccessary.
All in all I I didn't expect yaesu to put out an ht like this, very poor on their usual standards. This is not a good ht for backpacking, like I said big and bulky.
OK enough of the downside, I did like the 1400 mah battery its a metal halide , so its gonna last a bit longer than usual. Very nice large display. A charging led that shuts off when fully charged. Charges up in 10 hours. Can be used on external power supply. Very nice extra features that other ht's do not have.
I will keep this as a back-up ht, but I do like my vx-150 the best. If your looking for a moderate size ht, don't get the vx-170, the vx-150 is a better suited ht.
On another note, why don't they include digital clocks on ht's?? Good luck!
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KD0BEP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 14, 2008 21:24
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Put to the test
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This Brick is very hard to kill. I have tested the radio both on purpose and also on accident. I do a lot of biking and geocaching and wanted a very durable radio so i figured i would try this one. the reciever is amazing on a duck and many people are confused how to use the belt clip. well you just turn it 180 degrees and it pops off. its a clever design and works well. now on to the radio. IPX-7 you better belive it! i have tested it numerous times. i have dropped it into a swiming pool and also demonstrate its durability at the drinking fountain at school. then i also test it in bowls of water to show people its durability. and how well it handles shock. well, i do a lot of biking so on a few ocasions it has fallen from my hand. the plastic does scratch a little but it works everytime i drop it. I bike about 15 mph and the raio in my hand is most likely 4-5 ft off the ground. so you know it can be dropped. i also have tossed it in the snow bank many times as an display of its durability. I have seen one flaw. and that is ocasionally your speaker will cut out a bit because it is what i have heard, made of poly however this only happens when it is under 10 degrees farenhieght so no problem. i have submersion pics on my facebook. TRUST ME IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET FOR A SINGLE BAND HT, GET A VX-170!!!
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KC9LCS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 18, 2008 19:59
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GREAT 2M RADIO!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is a great radio!!! The stock antenna is weak but thats easy to correct. Load audio, and good audio reports!!!! EASY TO PROGRAM!!!! Very durable!!! I LOVE THIS RADIO!!!!
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