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Reviews For: Yaesu FTM-100D

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FTM-100D
Reviews: 60MSRP: 480.00
Description:
The FTM-100DR VHF/UHF Dual Band Transceiver, an exciting new
way to enter into Yaesu's revolutionary world of System
Fusion C4FM Digital Communications. The FTM-100DR's single
receiver design provides 50 solid Watts of RF power on both
the 144 and 430 MHz amateur radio bands, while still being
host to a feature packed suite of both C4FM Digital and FM
Analog communications capabilities that fit every amateur
radio operators needs.

Designed with simplicity and convenience in mind, the FTM-
100DR's highly visible and compact 160 x 40 pixel graphical
dot-matrix display can be detached from the body of the
radio and remotely mounted providing even more installation
options. This vibrant white LED backlit display provides a
clear and crisp view of the radios current operating status,
not limited to GPS Information, SD Card status, and
Operating band name/memory channel tags (Alphanumeric).

The FTM-100DR operates in three (3) Digital modes and an (1)
Analog mode to suit your needs. This feature packed radio is
our first Digital Mobile equipped with our new Automatic
Mode Select (AMS) function that instantly detects the
received signal mode. The AMS function enables stress-free
operation and eliminates the need to manually switch between
communication modes.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=106&encProdID=3F8B6B6AF1EC22B82F01E68C1E0F0BA6&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00603.6
N3CAL Rating: 2016-04-13
Fantastic Value! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
A great little radio that is packed with many features. I actually own two of these gems. My first one is set up at my home QTH as a Digital Wires-X Node. It's running 24/7 on high power (50w) without any issues. Having a Fusion Node here in my local area has been fun since we currently have no Fusion Repeaters nearby. I'm getting about 12 miles coverage with it. The radio runs cool and the fan is not loud. Setting up a Wires-X node was too easy with this radio. Just plug in the HRI-200 to the back of the 10 pin din and your ready to go.

My second radio is mounted in my F150 Pickup. I have the optional MLS-200-M10 External Speaker and radio audio is great for mobile use! The built in GPS unit works great with fast satellite locks. APRS works great and also the Digital mode with Wires-X features are nice to have. The control head has a nice display on it and it's easy to see during the daylight hours. I only wish there was an easier way to adjust brightness rather than going into the setup menu. A night display setting would have been nice. It would have been nice to adjust the control head brightness from the microphone. The microphone PTT button is too sensitive! It's very easy to key the radio unexpectedly. I've done it several times just by having my finger resting on the button without any pressure.




FORMER_K2OOL Rating: 2016-04-13
NEATO! RADIO Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This little radio packs a punch,I have figured out so far,the APRS and the Fusion features and have programmed up to 155 memories which I can hit from my house with a GP-15 up about 10 feet on the chimney.This radio is loud and clear!It has superb wideband receive too.Anyone who rated this poorly needs to go back and try again,because you obviously didnt give it a chance.Fusion is very clear compared to DMR(which sounds like people are holding their nose while talking),and DSTAR (which sounds robotic and the most unrealistic sound on digital).Fusion wins in wideband mode hands down!!!!Sounds like a CD without the stereo..Hope more people discover this wonderful mode!I have nothing bad to say.Yaesu makes a great little mobile.
Be aware the subband only scans the HOME CHANNEL and whatever band you pick A or B and you will be fine.The one guy who says he returned it because of this probably.If you want a bangin radio for around $320 bucks,you got it right here! Icom bombed with no digital and kenwood needs to make new radios already and catch up!And alinco is now a shined up Baofeng,so what mobile do you want now?Its a no brainer! Did I mention its cool looking? K2ool=)
W9CAC Rating: 2016-04-01
Bazinga!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought this rig for my truck. Nice and compact, fits in the console and the audio is excellent. Remote head on a flex mount. Works better than I thought it would and off a mag mount antenna too. First dual band mobile radio. Fun little radio and has a great signal. Still not up to speed on programming, but reading the manual really helps. Doesn't bother me that it does not have dual receive capabilities. In fact, I like that. Definitely worthwhile buy.
Own a Yaesu ft-857d, use it in my shack, so I am somewhat familiar with Yaesu's complex radio programming already.
Just my .02
73's
AB3CN Rating: 2016-03-11
My current favorite radio! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am quite pleased with the Yaesu FTM-100D. Fine build quality IMHO. I have the squelch set just one step above open, and it works fine for where I am. I've tried it with a disconne and co-linear with great results. The display works well with my eyes, and the menu system seems logical enough. The panel and dsp firmware updates are nice even if a bit of a hassle for someone who doesn't have the patience to follow instructions, referring to me of course. I think it's an excellent product for the money, and the wide frequency coverage is fun, too. I can listen to air traffic control, our local fire folks and lots more. 5 out of 5. Also nice they include the programming cable and the mounting bracket in the bundle. Thanks Yaesu!
K9CRT Rating: 2016-02-25
Value Packed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my 2nd Fusion radio I also own the FTM-400. Plans are to install the 100 in my car. I find the menus & setting up to be even more straightforth than the 400. I also have been a D-Star user for several years Including an HT,mobile, & IC-7100. I like the audio with the C4FM Fusion over the D-Star.

Pros
1- I like that the 100 control head can attach to the radio body or detached with the included cable.
2- In many ways I find the simpler monochrome display to my liking.
3- The GPS in the 100 is hands down superior even working in my basement hamshack where as the 400 can't get a reading !
4- I find the receive audio to be even louder & cleaner in the 100. However my 400 is the 1st gen & supposedly the new gen is improved including the GPS.

In summary I highly recommend the FTM-100 for either a 1st timer to Fusion or like myself an experienced user, you won't be disappointed. This radio is so feature packed for $319.95 as others have said " it's the best value in today's crowded FM & digital dual band market".

KF0X Rating: 2016-02-22
Best value out there right now Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, I am switching from an Icom ID-5100 which has a simply awful display. It was so refreshing to get a radio with a bright (adjustable), clean and clear display. The contrast is outstanding and can easily be read in any light condition. The audio (according to numerous reports) is excellent. I use an external speaker and the radio drives the speaker with lots of room to spare. I purchased the RT Systems programming software which makes programming a breeze. Yaesu System Fusion's digital audio quality is far superior to D-Star and there are now a LOT of Fusion repeaters out there thanks to the aggressive effort on Yaesu's part to make System Fusion a viable alternative to D-Star which had a ten year plus head start.

The APRS is simple to set up and it works perfectly. The receiver on this rig is sensitive and I have not had intermod problems at all to date. This is an incredibly solid radio, easy to use and at a price point which is far more reasonable than competitors offerings in this class.

I love the fact the mic plugs into the main unit because it is so easy to mount under my drivers seat. The mic has plenty of cord to comfortly use.

All I can recommend is to READ THE MANUAL. Some of the low-rated posts previously seemed to just be people that expected plug-and-play for some reason. Obtaining the Nifty Manual is a bargain at only $20 or so will make this already easy radio all the more user-friendly?

Well done Yaesu!
K9EQ Rating: 2015-12-22
Solid Radio with Good Value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased this radio as a "spare" for my FTM-400s. Well, it didn't stay a "spare" for long.

It shares many of the same traits as the FTM-400, such as the best receiver I've ever had the pleasure of using in a V/UHF made-for-Ham radio. (See my FTM-400 review for why I like the Rx.)

The big plus for me was that it was less expensive than the 400 and the front panel could be attached, which made it much easier to move from house to car to house. So this was my radio of choice for multi-day motor trips.

Well, that didn't last long. A friend borrowed it to get a simplex WiRES-X node up and running. He ran it on two meters and I was horrified since it seemed to be transmitting almost all the time. When it was returned, I ended up using as a UHF WiRES-X node for our 444.525 (W0MDT) repeater. It has been doing that 24/7 for over two months now.

The radio runs cool. It's Tx takes less power than almost every other radio I have owned. Audio is great. GPS is outstanding. Considering the small delta in cost from the FT-7900 or similar radios, it seems like a "no brainer".

I've had zero problems with the radio and it continues to perform just fine.

BTW, even though the radio is not at a repeater site, it's sitting right next to an EchoIRLP link radio, another UHF repeater in my garage, as well as me blabbering on various V/UHF channels from 5 to 50 watts. All through this the link, although not strong, to the repeater works fine.

If you do APRS (I don't), be aware that this radio only has one Rx. That really means you can't use the radio for talking and APRSing at the same time. To do that, you'll need the FTM-400.

If you do get this radio, I hope that you enjoy it as I have enjoyed mine. And do make a point of using Fusion. It's a lot of fun! In my part of the country there are a lot of people with Fusion radios and I think most agree that they prefer it to running FM. So here's a radio that's a good value, even if you don't use Fusion. So yes, I'm pumped.

Disclaimer: I was in the Yaesu DR-1 beta program, which has expired. I voluntarily advise Yaesu on issues and suggested features, but receive no payment at all. In fact, I pay them. I've bought two repeaters, an FT1DR, and FT2DR, two FTM-400s, and an FTM-100, so I do have a significant investment in this technology. But I wouldn't have spent this much money if I didn't really believe in it. The digital future will be amazing.

73,
Chris, K9EQ
W5XJ Rating: 2015-11-30
Too early to tell Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got it Friday and it had the version 1.0 S/W in it which was buggy and had to be updated. That went fine but was an added hassle.

Similar to the FT-7800 in terms of size that it is replacing. Mic is touchy and keys with little touch at all. The C4FM part is great and it is really nice to use all the Fusion repeaters in my area in digital mode. Display is very nice - not orange but white.

Once I've had it a while I will add a follow on review.

73
2E1VAR Rating: 2015-11-16
Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Owned for a couple of months and used both in the shack and mobile, great Rx and great reports on Tx. No issues with GPS. APRS works nicely. AM Airband Rx sounds sweet which of particular interest to me. Can't fault it.
M0EDY Rating: 2015-11-12
RETURNED AFTER 3DAYS NOW HAVE FTM400D Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
RETURNED AFTER 3DAYS DID NOT SHOW SUB BAND ON
SCREEN ONLY A FEW LINES RETURNED
NOW HAVE A FTM400M