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Reviews For: Yaesu FT1D

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Hand-held

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT1D
Reviews: 34MSRP: 565
Description:
The introduction of our FT1DR 12.5 kHz C4FM/FDMA 144/430MHz Dual Band
Digital Handheld Transceiver ushers in The Dawn of a New Digital
Communications Era in Amateur Radio. Yaesu has introduced the DR-1
Digital Repeater and FTM-400DR Mobile Transceiver products to work with
the FT1DR to provide efficient and large data handling capablities not
currently available on the Amateur Radio bands.
Product is in production
More Info: http://yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=25F65DA12CA1FCB444A927CD14417BFD&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00344.2
W6SAL Rating: 2020-07-10
This radio missed the bar Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Where do I begin? I have been using Yaesu radios for over a decade, and in that decade, I’ve become increasingly frustrated by the lack of evolution. System fusion dose not have the adoption that other modes have. Please allow me to count on the reasons why Yaesu and the FT1DR are now finding their way into my circular file.

The ease of use is simply not there. The navigation within the menus simply is not there. For example, scanning for cross tones or DCS is a tremendous pain; a frontal lobotomy might be more pleasant. I don’t dare attempt to tell you how painful it is to program manually; let’s just say if your life depended on it, you stand a 50/50 chance of dying.
Why on earth is the audio jack not stereo? Right because they tried to squeeze both a mic and mono headphone out into the same jack. I have two issues with this. One, I sometimes, no often like to listen using stereo audio. Why? Because two ears are better than one. By having a mic and headphone in one jack also makes it sloppy when in challenging situations to keep the external mic plugged in.
Battery life is a joke. I had to carry two 2200mha and one stock 1800mha batteries with me on any hike or outing.
Dual scan/ Transmit is a crying shame. The “A” section has full reception and transmission while the “B” channel is limited in scope. It’s like playing a board game with two different sets of rules. LAME

I think this was the nail in the coffin for my Yaesu experience sadly. I loved the durability of the FT-60 and the portability of my VX-3, but those were not intended for the use like the FT1DR, which was supposed to be my goto everyday radio.
YU2SRB Rating: 2020-04-09
My favourite HT! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It have all what I need. The feeling and sound is great. In analog mic setting I set it on "6", and get alway great reports, speaking at aboit 3-5 in.far from mic. Still holds its value. It's a keeper.
Great HT!
K4IIY Rating: 2019-02-27
very good HT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
overall, it's a fine HT. I find the memory groups a bit cumbersome to operate but other than that it is my HT of choice for any HT outing. The screen is easy to view in many light conditions and the audio is good. the 2200 mamp battery will give you a great run time. The rapid charger is a must.

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Earlier 4-star review posted by K4IIY on 2019-01-29

I purchased a FT-1XD almost 3 years ago and it has been a solid performer. Once you understand the menus its easy to use and program (i do you use programming software normally). the GPS and APRS work well. I have had good success with the DX tie to WIRES. decent battery life.
All in all a good unit
VE7VJ Rating: 2019-01-24
Good APRS/C4FM Dual band Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the radio over a year. Mine is the newer FT1XDR

Like all HTs these days the menus can be a bit daunting at first but you soon get to know the features you are most interested in. It does come with a small cheat sheet and it is not too hard to make one of your own.

Can find no major faults with it. I may have laid some of the menus out differently but that is just personal quirks. I am not a fan of every manufacturer coming up with different connectors. A speaker mike should fit any and all radios. I have five and now will need a sixth, or an adapter at least. I do not know what the complaints of draining the battery when turned off are about. I can leave mine for a week or more and it is fine. As for the volume adjustment, it can be done with one hand, there are YouTube videos on how to do it.

Programming software is supplied as well as the cable which is nice. It is not hard to use. There are a few things to remember such as downloading from the radio before you start, setting ports etc. RTFM is required.

The GPS is quick and APRS fairly straight forward although I have not used all features yet. It even has a track-back feature so if the GPS is running and you have entered your starting point it will guide you back be it trail head or parking spot.

I did replace the stock ducky with a Diamond SRH77CA dual band whip. It of course improved things but then again it is quite a bit longer. Almost too long sometimes.

I have only had a chance to use the digital voice a few times. It does sound ‘different’ but is perfectly understandable and does increase the usable range.

It has so far been a tough little radio and with its IPX5 Rating (Protects from water jets at any direction) I don’t have to worry when out in the weather. It has had a few ‘bounce tests’ and no damage done.

I know they are out of production but if looking for a solid APRS/dual-band/C4FM radio this is a good one.

I have given it a 4. Nothing wrong with the radio but 5 should be reserved for mind blowing perfection. Eham has too many “I gave it a 5 although I ordered it yesterday and it hasn’t arrived yet” reviews The default setting should have been 3. My whine and cheese for the day. And yeah, look back and I’ve tossed 5s around. Getting better though.
KF6VTA Rating: 2018-07-24
Good solid performer and reliability Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Many things have been said about this radio. In my own experience the Rig has all the points to be a winner and a radio to keep for many years. I own the European FT1XD/DE and also the FT1XD ( Japanese marketed )
Both radios have been with me for few months and I absolutely love them. Menus are clear and intuitive ( not complicated but you have to get used to it )
Rx sensitivity is really good and it receives what it has to receive. Tx is very clear and working DN ( digital mode ) is super clear with good texture. APRS works as promised by the manufacturer and the GPS unit will pick up the signals quickly and efficiently ( even in the center of the house and sourrounded by concrete and heavy walls ). All measures are accurate and precise.
Battery life is not the best but still durable for a full day of intense use. Somebody has commented that the battery drains when the radio off for few days. It may be something of true with that, however if it is... i haven’t fully noticed it.
Durable, good chasis, amazing radio.
Get one before they’re gone. Yaesu has replaced it with the FT2DR and this one is much better. Audio in the ft2 is very poor when compared to the FT1XD.
Good job on this one

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KF6VTA on 2018-07-24

Many things have been said about this radio. In mu own experience the Rig has all the points to be a winner and a radio to keep for many years. I own the European FT1XD/DE and also the FT1XD ( Japanese marketed )
Both radios have been with me for few months and I absolutely love them. Menus are clear and intuitive ( not complicated but you have to get used to it )
Rx sensitivity is really good and it receives what it has to receive. Tx is very clear and working DN ( digital mode ) is super clear with good texture. APRS works as promised by the manufacturer and the GPS unit eill pick up thr signals quickly and efficiently ( even in the center of the house and sourrounded by concrete and heavy walls ). All measures are accurate and precise.
Battery life is not the best but still durable for a full day of intense use. Somebody has commented that the battery drains when the radio off for few days. It may be something of true with that, however if it is... i haven’t fully noticed it.
Durable, good chasis, summersible, well finished. Looks and feels very good when using the yaesu OEM vinyl carrying case.
When fitting it inside the case and using the 2200 maH battery you will need to carefully stretch the soft case in order to place the radio inside into position. After several times of following this procedure It will be set to go.. for a long time.
Nice that Yaesu includes the connecting cable to the computer inside the box ( the good cable.. the nice one ) not the programing one.
Compared to the FT2DR, this radio is way better. The sound out of the speaker from the FT2DR serms to be muffed and the audio is poor. Not with this one... you will have plenty of good quality audio out of this handy.
In crowded RF areas gets some intermod... but if you’re not in the middle of the city jungle... it shines like a star and receives appropiately.
Buy one before they are gone. Yaesu has replaced it with the FT2DR and the FT1XD is wayyyy better.
N0JS Rating: 2017-12-31
Great! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought the Yaesu FT1XD about a year ago when one of the dealers had a good price on them. I haven't used it a lot, but I have been rekindling my interest of late. I am looking for the best source of current repeater information for YSF repeaters. Also, I think I need to get the drop in charger. I am finding conflicting information on the charger, however. My FT1XD came with the SAD-18B. Will that work with the CD-41 or do I need a different one?

I have also read that the Standard Horizon CD15A Desk Top Rapid Rate Charger Adapter by Yaesu can be used for the FT1XD radio. Is that correct?
VE6BGM Rating: 2017-09-14
Decent handheld Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Re battery draining. I have noticed a very slow draining of the battery. But it is unlike the Wouxun that drain within a month. I last charged my FT1D around mid July and today it still registers 7.7 volts. I have not used it much since mid July, on a couple of times for about 5 minutes. I expect all rechargeable batteries to drain when not used so expect them to slowly drain. Thus I do charge it every couple of months. I found the battery that came with the radio drained fast when on. But an after market Yaesu battery does last longer. I find the volume of the received audio the best of any small hand held. Pleasantly pleased with the loud volume. Haven't used the APRS function that much but really don't have any problems with GPS sats access. I do like the sound of Fusion digital, much better than DMR and D-Star. Only A band has the digital which is not a problem with few digital repeaters but some might dislike this as cannot monitor 2 Fusion digital repeaters in A and B band. Because most of the radios I use are Yaesu, I have no problems manually programming or moving around menus. I do use RT programming as this does make it easier to copy, paste and load the 800 memories. Plus it uses most if not all of the other Yaesu accessories that I already had. I won't go so far as to say it is a perfect hand held, thus the 4/5.
N8PMG Rating: 2017-09-14
Could be much better Time Owned: more than 12 months.
All of the good features are ruined by one design flaw. The battery drains when the radio is not turned on. Unless you remove the battery or charge it every few days, you are greeted with no response when you push the power button. There is no excuse for this in a modern radio in this price range.
AH6DX Rating: 2017-07-07
Best HT ever! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
REVIEW FOR FT1XDR (Black) by KH6TA

Excellent in all respects, much improved GPS over FT1DR, otherwise similar. Very easy to program & operate, great Tx/Rx audio for an HT. I favored this one over the FT2DR because of the difficult touch screen on the FT2DR that was a pain. Great performer on C4FM/Wires-X ops! As with ANY HT, always have more than one battery!

N0ANE Rating: 2017-06-10
A great HT for many uses. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased this to go with our growing Yaesu Fusion interest. It has been an impressive little radio to use. The dual receive capability with APRS and digital voice in one little package is amazing. It's comfortable in the hand, the audio is very good and battery life decent, considering all the capability. Menus are well described and become natural after some use. With the discount price now available, it is a great buy. Build quality is very good.
Gripes: The volume! I knew this when I chose to buy it, but it's hard to get used to. Why not make volume the main use and channel selection secondary? A firmware fix would make the radio the best.
The screen is tiny and holds lots of information. My bifocals get a workout but it can be reasonably read. Considering the size, it is acceptable.
If you can work with my two gripes, you will find this radio a pleasure to use. And C4FM is a great mode.