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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu FT-450 |
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Reviews: 156
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $aprox 999.00 new
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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
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More info: http://foxtango.org/FT-450/Yaesu_FT-450.htm
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G6UWK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 15, 2010 07:24
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best value for money out there!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Had her for better part of a month and no I won't be updating every month, this little radio has to be the best value for money out there, it is a feature rich radio, packed with useful features, in the UK Icom 718 is more expensive then add filters and even then it is not as good, they only radio that is near in price is Alinco DX-70TH, I still prefer the FT 450
The first time I fired her up on 20M 5,9 reports from Italy and on 40M the same from Bulgaria using a Windom, this is when we are low in the Sun spot cycle in the middle of the day.
Now I have the hang of the menu, use the DSP knob for fast tuning and I have got one of those "Nifty" guides which by the way are worth while, all in all these radios are overlooked at your peril as they are "cracking" little radios that just get on with picking the signals out of the mush and put out a good signal.
As you may have noticed I like the FT-450 please try one out when you are thinking of getting an HF radio, see what you get for your money at least you know what the bench mark should be for an out of the box radio, yes the new Icom 7200 may be all singing and dancing but at 30% more then you have to add filters are they worth it? this is what I mean about the bench mark.
overall bang for buck/Pound can't beat FT-450 spend the extra on a better antenna! generally if you can hear the signal you can contact it.
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N6MUK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 1, 2010 14:53
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A pleasant surprise how nice a rig it is!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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-I've had my little Yaesu FT-450AT for 11 months now and decided it was time to post here about it. A friend lent me his new one right out of the box. I silently scoffed at it because I'm so picky about a good and pleasant cw rig. Yaesu is not really known for this like Ten Tec and Elecraft are. So I took it home to try it out, just to be polite to my friend. After a few days of using it, I gave him the cash and just kept it; I like it that much! Yaesu has a winner for sure!
-I operate cw and several other digital modes but not SSB so if SSB is your thing, this review won't really be for you.
-Comments about the receiver being noisy, or lacking sensitivity are incorrect. I find the receiver to be excellent. It's not a $10,000 contest radio so don't expect it to receive like one.
-The AGC is just right and the IPO/ATT feature is very useful at times.
-At first, I thought the menu system might be daunting because I have never had a rig with complex layers of menus before. In reality, it just took about 20 minutes with the user manual to get the hang of it and then the features are quite intuitive. I don't seem to have trouble remembering how it all works if I don't use it for awhile. Maybe it just me, but Icom and Kenwood rigs don't seem to quite have the same user friendly menus like Yaesu and Ten Tec. I guess it's what you get used to.
-The DSP filtering is very nice. The width control, used together with the notch filter is great for cw. When a narrower filter is required, I switch in an outboard SCAF filter from New England QRP, which works great and I've never wanted more. The contour filter is super to help boost a weak signal and even the digital noise reduction works wonders at times. The DSP filters are tricky and it takes practice to learn to use them all together and effectively. I have spent more time learning to fine tune the DSPs than everything else on this rig put together. It has really paid off because proper DSP does work wonders. Really, the combo of the built in DSP filters (properly used) and the outboard SCAF filter is the best combo I've used in 20 years of cw operating. BTW, the built in keyer rocks.
-Some don't like the small knobs and I suspect they have big paws. I have smallish hands and think this rig is sized just perfectly and has a great tactual feel to it.
-Sometimes, while operating RTTY or PSK31 in VERY heavy and powerful QRM, I have wished for a more flexible filtering system like a variable bandwidth notch and a second notch/ autonotch. The fact is that there are limitations to any rig in this price class and in 11 months I've had SO MUCH FUN working 60 odd countries with the FT-450 and a vertical antenna and only wished for better filtering a few times in the big crowds. I don't contest much but if you do, this rig (like most) is suitable only for casual contesting. Get out a big dog check book if you want to get competitive!
-I disagree with those who don't like the built in antenna tuner. I think its great! Its fast and pretty quiet and matches well enough for me every time. I wouldn't consider buying the rig without that tuner! I think its about $75 extra. Where you going to get an auto tuner for under $100??
-This rig is an awful lot of Ham Radio bang for you buck. In this day and age of sobering economic reality, who really needs more than this FT-450 provides? For $600 (on sale) and a dipole or inexpensive vertical antenna, you can have tens of thousands worth of radio fun.
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G6UWK
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2009 11:42
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would recommend!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Got her about a week ago to replace my elderly FT101E (see review) I will still keep the 101 but I will use the 450 as main radio, what I like:
1) being able to set up 10 watt transmit for tuning on one button.
2) DSP, it works and works well
3) Display of SWR/output power/ALC on one display
4) Proper size microphone
What I don't like:-
1) menu a bit complicated for idiot like me!
2) frequency knob indent a bit small for my big fingers (I am thinking about getting a kranker knob)
So would I recommend her? yes most defiantly others have commented on good and bad points, I bought her without trying one first, something I would not recommend, but I have made a good decision, try one, make a couple of contacts, listen to the band and play with DSP and I bet you will end up with one!
Lets be honest is a FT450 the best thing sliced bread? no but at the money that you will have to pay for one it certainly is excellent value, if you can afford similar spec Kenwood or Icom I bet you would kick yourself because it does everything it says it does and more.
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W7NYG
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 27, 2009 20:58
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not a real bargain
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I was surprised to find out my old Yaesu FT 840
has a more sensitive receiver.
The FT 840 has several problems. One is the push buttons that are not back lighted. Very difficult to use in dimly lighted rooms.
Tuning FT 840 with an external antenna tuner is not exactly easy.
If you need to change modes that is another procedure that requires pushing hard to read buttons.
Some adjustments are only accessible using the transceivers menu. That requires pushing dual function buttons and turning knobs.
The best way of making adjustments easy is downloading a copy of HRD ham radio deluxe software.
You will need a RS 232 serial cable with a DB 9 connector. That cable has to be a straight through pin to pin cable. Some cables are for modems or loop back systems. They have pins 2/3 reversed. So be extra careful which cable you pick.
The HRD software will make the FT 450 adjustment without pushing a single button or turning a knob.
The HRD software is best customized to meet each operators requirements.
The FT 840 looks like it has a exotic DSP circuit. I found that the DSP works best with CW, digital or RTTY modes.
The FT 450 is not user friendly and must be designed after the older FT 579 transceiver.
The IPO does provide some noise relief.
Like any new transceiver a day spent reading and understanding how to operate it will be necessary to get most out of your investment,
I experienced a main tuning shaft encoder failure after a months use. Yaesu made a seriously fast turn around. It must have been on it's way back within a hour after the encoder was replaced. I had the transceiver back the next day via UPS.
My opinion is stick with a FT 950 or some older transceiver.
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KJ4MSM
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2009 17:18
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Nice
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I must say Im impressed thus far even though the bands are pretty much dead. Bought the 450at version for $799 at gigaparts. The receiver is very quiet. I was tetering between the 450 and the IC-7200. I havent played with the 7200, but I hear its amazing. I hope I made the right choice!
Paul, KJ4MSM
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WP4CW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 18, 2009 11:29
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Worth every penny
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I had a FT-450AT for 7 months. I've owned radios like the OMNI VII, FT-1k MKV, and the K3. I was pleased with this one. At the time of purchase, the $200 dollar discount coupon made the difference. I rate this radio 5 of 5. Ted
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KJ4DKT
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 17, 2009 10:00
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BIG RIG PERFORMANCE
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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i currently have a ts-50, two ic-756 pros, and a late model ft-450. the ft-450 is as good in every respect as the icoms. it is far superior to the ts-50. i would sell the icoms and kwood before i would sell the yaesu. the size, functions, specs, and cost (value) are with the yaesu. fortunately, all are paid for and i can keep them in my shack and car. if you shopped around, you can find a ft-450AT for $400.00. the best money i ever spent on a hf radio. kj4dkt
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WQ0A
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2009 12:31
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Great DSP rig for the money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have used an FT-920, FT-897D, FT-857D, Kenwood TS-570SG, Kenwood TS-140 and more. After buying this FT-450 I ran it side by side with the TS-570SG with the intention of keeping the best rig. Both are good but the 450 won. I don't miss my FT-920 either.
The DSP really works. It still brings a smile whenever the DSP tools make a marginal signal become pleasant copy. The contour raises signals over the noise level. An actual RF notch is just great for local birdies and other carriers. Selectable bandwidth at this price is such a great bonus. This receive audio with any decent speaker is simply pleasing to my ears. I am always getting good reports on transmit audio with the stock mic.
Gripes: CW narrow needs to be more narrow, digital modes should offer narrow IF bandwidth.
At this price I am happy to accept the shortcomings. How much more radio can we get for the money? All this at twice the price of my Heathkit HW101 bought in 1973. We have it good!
Mike, WQ0A
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KC0KJF
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Rating: 0/5
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Dec 7, 2009 11:14
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Junk take to salvage yard
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This was the biggest disappointment to date, the radio was junk right out of the box , rec was terrible. trans was less than desirable i have a galaxy for ten meters that outperformed this radio.
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K4SPS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 3, 2009 15:24
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Modern meets Old - East meets West
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This FT-450 transceiver was easily set up to drive my old Yaesu FL-2100B amplifier. All that was required was a simple 12 volt switching relay (which was scavenged out of a motorized skate board). This relay/cable was then plugged into the FT-450's tuner 8 pin mini-din socket which was then connected to the relay and ground connections on the back of this 70's vintage amp.
This combination works perfectly and I daily receive good signal reports. I couldn't be more pleased with the great Yaesu technology that has persisted through the years! 600 to 700 watts via the superlative Svetlana tubes which upgraded this amplifier - always seems to get the job done! K4SPS
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