|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
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
|
| Reviews Summary for Yaesu FT-450 |
|
Reviews: 96
|
Average rating: 4.7/5
|
MSRP: $aprox 999.00 new
|
Description: The FT-450 is a rugged, innovative multi-band, multimode portable transceiver for the amateur radio HF & 6M bands. Providing coverage of the 160-10 meter bands plus the 6 m, the FT-450 includes operation on the SSB, CW, AM, FM, and Digital modes, yielding the most comprehensive performance package available for field operation.
Designed for use from an external DC power source, the FT-450 provides 100 watts of power output from a 13.8-Volt external power supply, 160 - 6 meter coverage
|
|
More info: http://foxtango.org/FT-450/Yaesu_FT-450.htm
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Yaesu FT-450.
|
VE9AA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 19, 2008 19:15
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
wish it had narrow filters
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I would give it a 4.25 or 4.5, but given the choice of 4 or 5, I would have to say "5"
I wish it had more narrow filters (200-300Hz CW filter, whether DSP or an extra plug-in type would make this a near perfect rig)
Don't particularly care for the teeny tuning knob, but no surprise either. . . I knew about it going in.
Mine seems to be an older version (bought it used) and I have the ability to change the screen color to just about any shade of the rainbow and LOVE this feature. (would make older rigs more valuable than new, IMO)
Menu is certainly easier than a Ic-706 or Ft-100D as far as that goes.
All said and done not a bad rig, ESPECIALLY for the money. Ten years ago this would've have been a mid priced rig. . ..FFD to 2008 and it's still seems like mid priced rig at entry level (or below!) pricing.
Hard to complain.
. . . .but I still would like the narrow filters !
|
|
KK8ZZ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 19, 2008 15:21
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great investment
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I recently downgraded my station and repurchased one of these little guys. I know, the screed color can't be changed on the newest ones (mine, unfortunately) and it doesn't have a tilt-up bail, but the audio is great, and I really like the larger display. I checked into a couple of HF nets with good signal reports, and for $550 used, this is a great radio. Compare it to the Icom 718, which needs filters, or any of the older Kenwoods besides the wonderful 480SAT, and you'll find this stands far above their capabilities. Join the Yahoo FT-450 group for tips, tricks and a constant flow of information, and you'll end up with this rig for a long time to come.
de KK8ZZ
|
|
KE5SFK
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 11, 2008 18:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
No buyers remorse!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
Proud of making the choice to buy an FT-450 every time I turn it on. Many compliments have been received on air and I really think people would believe me if I told them I was running a much higher end radio.
The fact is this radio does everything the basic ham would want for a small price.
Good quality and logical menu.
Stock mike sounds good and feels substantial in your hand.
This radio still makes me smile after 9 months.
|
|
KE7VZW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 11, 2008 16:55
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Highest ROI on HF
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I did tireless research and visiting other shacks before choosing an HF transceiver. It is my (and many others') opinion that the FT-450 is the absolute highest Return On Investment that you can get currently for your HF dollar. So far, the radio has performed flawlessly. I wish the tuner knob were a bit bigger, but it's still weighted very well and feels robust, and it basically does not detract at all from the radio. I just can't think of anything else to pick at because I haven't encountered any negatives yet. The dollar to feature ratio is unbeatable. The ears on this thing are wonderful; the OS intuitive and the build quality excellent. I haven't found a negative yet.
BUY THIS RADIO!
|
|
KV4AN
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Nov 11, 2008 12:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
PLENTY OF CONTROLS
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
Overall, radio performs very well and has plenty of controls and displays to keep the gadget-oriented kind of ham busy and happy. The receiver is very good. I use the radio on CW, FM, and digital mostly. The rig does FSK RTTY, which was a surprise.
The total DSP system (contour / notch / DNR / width) is effective, but the DNR is not as good as my old Icom IC-746. The manual hints that it is 11 different algorithms, but the effect linear and progressive. The NB works super.
The tuner works great with my G5RV and I use an MFJ auto-tuner extender to help it out.
Transmit Hum/Buzz Problem: I isolated the problem to the "F" METER/DIM buttons. Set the display dimmer to anything except 4 (brightest) or 0 (off) and you get the hum. I'm getting ready to send it back to Yaesu for warranty repair. They know what the problem is and can fix it.
|
|
KE7TMA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 3, 2008 20:38
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Update on review from 9/1/08
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
Somebody said the FT-450 is like a baby FT-950, which is basically a baby FT-2000, which is basically a baby FT-9000. I don't know if I entirely agree that, but there is some truth to the statement nonetheless.
The FT-450 is double conversion, and the rest are triple. Other than that, and the lack of a sub-receiver and Fully Automatic Micro Tuning Ultra Sharp Preselectors and I suppose a boatload of other stuff, at the heart of it it's really a cheaper version of the FT-950 and above, in a nice compact box, with all the stuff you really need and quite a few features that trickled down from the higher end models. Sure, it's not as awe-inspiring as some radios, and doesn't have a knob dedicated to every function, no Flywheel Effect High Quality Main Tuning Dial, adjustable drag, but it's quite user friendly and sounds really nice especially with a quality external speaker.
You can throw this in a box, haul it out, and use it easily. Not something you'd likely do with a FT-9000 (or even 950!).
|
|
W8RPE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 24, 2008 16:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
A keeper!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
I really like this radio. I did my research on the radio BEFORE I bought it. A novel idea, eh? The 450 has performed flawlessly for me. It has an excellent receiver and is easy on the ears. The DSP is very effective if you spend time to learn how to use it properly. Audio reports with a Heil GM4 have been great. I didn't opt for the built in tuner. When given a choice for the on board auto-tuner at an additional $100 or not, you're better off buying an LDG or MFJ auto-tuner. I’ve owned a few of the high end radios out there and the 450 is closer to high end performance than to an “entry level” transceiver…which to me would be a used rig from the 70’s or 80’s. If you’re trying to decide between the IC-718 and FT-450 and choose the 718, then you haven’t done your homework. I used both side by side and it’s not even an apples to apples comparison. This rig has features that many high end radios of (recent) years past and costing three or four times as much didn’t have! For the price, features and quality, the 450 can’t be beat. It’s in a class all its own.
|
|
KA1VF
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 17, 2008 13:32
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
fantastic $$$ value
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I traded my FT-757GXII on 02/28/08 for FT-450AT
at HRO and I'm still a "happy camper". This rig
is absolutely fantastic, and it got me back on
CW after an eleven year hiatus. I've mostly used
it just for CW, but also it got me on 6 meter
SSB which is a new band for me. I've already had
four firmware upgrades since buying this new rig.
Hopefully, I'll get it connected to my IBM laptop
for Digital mode usage.
|
|
NJ2H
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 17, 2008 12:46
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Still works great
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
|
I reviewed my FT-450AT some months ago and just wanted to give an update after a few months of use. I am absolutely 100% satisfied with it. I got used to twirling the small dial and that is no longer an issue (the detent in the knob is useless). The AT tunes my AV-640 very well and gives it better broadband performance. In short, this radio is an amazing value.
|
|
VK5SW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 14, 2008 02:25
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great little Radio...
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I have owned my FT-450 for 6 months or so now and have just finished operating it in the 2008 Oceania DX CW Contest... I must say that the Intermodulation Distortion characteristics of this radio are very good... It operates very well on 40Mx CW in this respect and is able to copy very weak signals well... The narrow filter position for CW is very adequate and once you get to know the menu system, it's straight forward to operate with good positioning of the various knobs and buttons... I particularly like the scanning functions too... In summary, a great little radio and excellent value for money... You can see my station at www.VK5SW.com
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
