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write your own review of the Yaesu VX-8R.
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AA1RB
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Rating: 4/5
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May 13, 2010 12:29
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Problem with stock battery
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The only problem I've had with the radio is that the stock battery pack has developed a loose fit, causing intermittent loss of power. Watch for this problem and get it fixed before warranty expiration. The optional extended battery pack works just fine and in fact is recommended if you have added the GPS module.
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N6SKK
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 21, 2010 11:48
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Versatile, capable, complicated radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've had this radio for about a week. As background, I've been licensed for nearly 25 years, have been involved in professional radio for 30+ years (public safety user, communications department director, system manager, and designer, most recently a wide area digital trunked P25 network in Central Texas). I've owned & operated a fairly large number of amateur HTs, primarily from Kenwood and Yaesu.
This is hands-down the most capable HT I've seen or used. I was struck by the inherent capabilities in this sub-$400 (now that the VX-8DR is out) radio vs. the $5K each I've recently paid for commercial public safety radios from you-know-who. It IS complex, and you won't get far without reading the manual.
Most of the complaints I've seen about this radio on this and other boards come from the op not having read the manual.
Voice quality is good, reception is very good on 2M and 440. I've done little with 6M and 220 on the radio due to few repeaters in my area. I haven't messed much with SWL on this radio but don't expect much without use of a substantial external SW antenna. I'll say that too - have reasonable expectations for this radio, and they'll be exceeded. Expect it to pick up low power shortwave broadcasters from the other half of the world, expect every APRS message to get through when you're far from a digipeater, etc., and you'll be disappointed.
I'm very impressed with the APRS capabilities built into this unit, and have had good luck sending and receiving ***when I'm within reasonable range of a digipeater.*** This is really my first hands-on usage of APRS and I'm very impressed with what this unit can do. The only APRS upgrade that is of any real interest to me in the 8DR would be Smart Beaconing, but wasn't worth the price differential to me.
I like the relative ruggedness of the unit, and the range of accessories, though as many have mentioned, they're very pricy. I'm using it with the high cap battery, the speaker mic, the GPS unit, and the ADMS/RT software & cable (a must, in my mind.) I also picked up the AA battery case.
As with most any rubber duck antenna, performance is fairly mediocre and full of compromise. I'd like to try the highly recommended Diamond, but am currently using an MFJ-1710 with very satisfactory results.
With reasonable expectations and thorough reading of the manual, this is a great, great radio.
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VA3PRW
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Rating: 1/5
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Apr 17, 2010 08:13
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Very Disappointing
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I sold my VX6 to 'upgrade' to this radio. Unfortunately I found out too late that the output is WAY below spec and my dealer informs me that this is a product related problem as they have heard this before and have sent a number of VX8's for testing. Around 3.5W maximum on 2M Hi setting - not 5W.
APRS also suffers from this poor power output.
Not a good radio
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PD0RDK
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2010 09:32
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Amazing
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had mine now for a year and I am a very happy owner. I've bought all the accessories with it: ext mic, GPS receiver, Bluetooth module, Bluetooth headset, bigger batt., 12 V adapter, programming cable + software and for mobile use a handmade (JWX) dualband window antenna and a secondhand amplifier (20W)
1. The size!!! Unbelievable how small it is.
2. The fact the APRS capacity is build in and can
be switched on all the time.
3. The sensitivity on 2 m and 70 cm (I have not been using 6 meters so far) compared to my FT 8900R
4. The wide range of freq bands (triband! TX but many bands RX)
In summary: Yeasu, well done!
In my opinion this radio has only good points.
If I have to come up with some negative points it would be the price and the fact that you almost need to program it by computer (many settings, small buttons)
If you want to spend the money I would recommend this radio as an excellent hand-held.
Joris / PD0RDK
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KA2NCD
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Rating: 1/5
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Mar 23, 2010 09:59
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Poor radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After ownership of 4 weeks I must conclude the following: The radio was not designed for continuous use while using the automotive E-DC-5BA power charge cord. The radio shutdown for an overheat condition after 40 minutes of use. Yaesu engineers have stated the power charge cord is for limited use (E_DC- 5BA). However, the technicians at Yaesu are in disagreement. This isn't what I expected from Yaseu for the short time I've had this radio. Other HT radios I've owned and operated in this way never shut down from an over heat condition
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KI4WBJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 16, 2010 14:56
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Possible Weak Output
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My less than a week old VX-8R is on its way to Yaesu to be looked at. I was having issues were the radio didn’t seem to have the output power it had earlier in the week to hit the local repeaters. I have two radios, the VX-7R and the VX-8R. The standard antennas I use are the Diamond RH77CA and the Comet B-10NMO. Today while I was working a local repeater no one was able to hear me. They said I had a good input but they were unable to hear my voice. I could hear them 5 by 5 and I was triggering the repeater with no problems. I even turned on one of my scanners and I could hear myself keying up the repeater but no voice. I tried this both internal mic and the external mic. I repeated this entire process with the VX-7R and it works like a champ. The repeater I was using is only 20+ miles away. Again I was able to talk to them the day before with no problems and the 7R had no issues.
I repeated this process again on a repeater on a few miles away and this time I was able to hear myself. It seems like I have to be right up on a repeater to get the 8R to work. Nothing has changed since the previous day. This morning on my way to work I decided to use the Comet B-10NMO on my truck and key up on a few repeaters. There are two that are about 15 to 20 miles away. I keyed up on them and I had full signal strength on my transmission and I received the repeater ID with max signal. Again with my scanner on, I tried a test transmission and I didn’t hear myself except for me keying the radio. Even with the problems I like the VX-8R when I wasn’t having issues. I did the mars/cap mod so I can’t send it back.
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F4EPP
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Rating: 0/5
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Jan 14, 2010 14:18
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AUDIO PROBLEM
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Mine worked 2 days only...
(I'm a VX-3,6,7,177 owner)
Suddenly the sound level was very low and completly distorted in the internal HP. The earphone jack didn't work at all. No way to use it.
I searched on the internet and found tons of websites talking about this audio problem...
This is the first time one of my Yaesu HT doesn't work.
Not to mention my problem, I advise people against buying this HT in a high RF zone. The double reception mode is as sensitive as the VX-7 and the AM/FM broadcast mode is deaf.
I sent it back for full refund...
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DO5TMX
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Rating: 2/5
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Jan 6, 2010 17:11
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Poor APRS-Performance
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The Good:
* Very light-weight and slim with the stock battery installed
* Compared to an IC-92 modulation rapports are always better
* 5 watts HF-output (more than the even smaller HTs …)
* real dual VFO RX
* standard 3.5 mm headphone jack
The Bad:
* Speaker sounds cheap
* Compared to a GP380 (Euro HT1250) modulation rapports are awful ;-)
* wouldn't want to drop it - just too much plastic and no rugged feeling
* stock rubber-ducky antenna can go right into the junk drawer
The Ugly:
* The speaker in my unit suddenly stopped working altogether, had to send it in for repair - a friend reported the same issue
The APRS-Disappointment:
* transmits Mic-E packets only (fine for QRP but …)
* No CTCSS operation while APRS-Modem active -> no VoiceAlert
* only fixed beacon intervals, no smart beaconing
* no proportional pathing
* If the channel is busy while an auto-beacon is scheduled the packet is not deferred but dropped entirely
* un-ack'd text-messages are re-transmitted once every minute, no decay here either
* no Automatic Frequency Reporting System, no Auto Tune
Conclusion:
If you want a compact, light-weight radio for FM voice that got all the bells and whistles the VX-8 is for you.
If you want APRS in your pocket hold your horses or build your own.
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W1WOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 26, 2009 10:38
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A very fun radio...keeps you entertained for hours!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The Yaesu VX-8R is a wonderful little "do-it-all" radio. If you are looking for a radio that will keep you entertained for hours and always leave you something to "try-out," the Yaesu VX-8R does a great job. The VHF/UHF bands aren't the most interesting to me but with the ARPS modifications its made them a little more interesting. I even love listening to broadcast radio while scanning to other banks of frequencies! Just pretty cool. It's a cool radio which makes it fun. When I decided to get a VHF/UHF radio, I wanted be fun and not leave me short of features. Heck its even submersible - great for the whaler's open cockpit. I will eventually purchase the GPS module and play with that some. APRS messaging is a fun thing to do when you just want to play with the radio.
All in all a great FUN radio that keeps you entertained. You may want to investigate a belt clip option which is a great improvement over the stock belt clip at: www.HamClips.com.
It's an exciting, rugged, feature packed HT - that's why the 5 rating.
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N6YNV
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 25, 2009 11:57
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A good little radio!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Nothing really new to report over the other reviews. I like the radio, but not really sure if I needed all the "bells and whistles" it provides. If you are not into APRS, GPS and some of the other emergency/survival features I would suggest the VX-7R. Less expensive to buy, cheaper batteries and similar radio features/bands.
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