Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Yaesu VX-150

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Yaesu VX-150
Reviews: 245MSRP: 170
Description:
2m Vertex / Yaesu 5W handheld.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
002454.7
KE4RWS Rating: 2004-02-08
Still Top Notch Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My newest VX-150 has been great for over a year now. Very good design and performance. However, I have to say that if it didn't work properly I would NOT resort to cooking it in the MICROWAVE OVEN (still trying to figure that method of thinking out). Also, I've never seen or used an amateur radio that defaulted all settings back to a specific state. Everything I've ever used remains in the state the user last left it. I guess you could just cook your radio if you don't like it . . .

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KE4RWS on 2003-01-22

From time to time every radio manufacturer is fortunate enough to produce a truly successful product. The Yaesu/Vertex VX-150 appears to be such a product. I've owned two of these models over recent years, and both are solid performers in nearly all aspects of operation.

The VX-150 has a solid feel to it. Although very small it incorporates truly useful features any amateur may use at any time. The PTT button has a solid feel, the backlighting is very good, the supplied rubber duck antenna provides very good performance, and the radio has very useful features that were very expensive options only a few years ago.

I've been able to make good use of the DCS feature all currently produced Yaesu/Vertex products have. I use it mainly for cross banding purposes while using my mobile or base station Yaesu FT-8900R quad band system. This feature has proved most useful, as it provides a better level of cross band security, which ensures little or no chance of transmitter falsing and/or interference sometimes realized with traditional CTCSS operation. I use DCS when feasible to provide the best possible remote cross banding access, and this is something Yaesu has incorporated into all their amateur models.

Other useful features include traditional CTCSS operation, lots of memory channels, good ergonomics, excellent audio (both transmitted and received), and solid 5-watts output with the supplied 7.2 volt battery. Unfortunately, Yaesu still supplies the VX-150 with a NiCD battery. Although this is an older technology Yaesu is still holding on to this aging battery. A radio of this cailber should be supplied with a Lithium-Ion type battery, but that's only my opinion.

All in all I believe the VX-150 has the build & features I wish were present in all amateur radio models. I could go on about this model, however, many others have already covered this fine radio, and it's overall score and popularity speaks for itself. I personally recommend the VX-150 for those wanting a well made, well thought out 2-meter portable amateur radio. And of course, the current low price of this model makes it an excellent buy! I purchased my recent VX-150 during the December 2002 sale at only $89. This makes the VX-150 among the best deals on the market!!
AB7JK Rating: 2004-02-08
microwavable!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Soon after receiving this radio from Gigaparts I remembered why I went QRT two years ago. After programming a few frequencies I was unable to get audio out of the speaker. After messing with it for a hour - getting an RMA number from Gigaparts, and taking it to the UPS store I realized that tone squelch has to be programmed or removed for each frequency (it does not default to No Tone Squelch when you program a new frequency). After I retrieved it from UPS, I was unable to use the medium power setting. Also the Auto Search option did not function as it should (programmed frequencies could not be recalled, nor stored in regular memories. After several hours of bleeping around with this radio, I stuck it in the microwave (try this at home). The LCD display popped out in about 10 seconds with no harm to the microwave. This radio was not worth any extra aggravation so I was willing to sacrafice the $119 to relieve such aggravation. This was the last piece of overdesigned, non user friendly ham radio junk I ever own.
KI4DJE Rating: 2004-02-05
best by comparison Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
While trying to figure out which ht should be my very first one, I was a bit overwhelmed by the selection. I went through the capabilities of every 2m ht listed at gigaparts and created a speadsheet. Afterward I came to eham to see which one had the highest review. The VX-150 far exceeded all the others in customer satisfaction and the total lack of inherent problems. I would just like to thank you all for your very informative views as I am very satisfied with this product. Thanks Again
KB4TPP Rating: 2004-01-31
A top notch HT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an example of what a portable should be: rugged design, a real speaker you can actually hear, a display you can actually read, and a keypad you can work without a 500 page manual. I have owned three of these since they came out in 2000 and this is one of the best HT's anyone has ever built, rivals the old Icoms without the size and weight. Battery life is incredible with the RX saver, even with the stock battery. The accessories are reasonably priced as well. RX performance is excellent, TX audio great, and it is built to survive rough use. You can't beat it for the money (I have paid anywhere from 79.99 at AES last year about this time and as much as 159 when they first appeared at HRO in early 2000).

I wish they made a 440 version, hopefully the replacement for the FT-50 will be built on this chassis.
KC0NVI Rating: 2004-01-27
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
HT was first purchase after getting my license. I use it for Mobile/Base/Portable and for portable packet and ARES ops. Anyone looking for a solid radio, should really consider giving this little package a hard look. You will not be disappointed with it's performance and overall quality.
I would purchase this same rig again wihtout a second thought. Purchased from HRO new for $120 - Worth every bit as much.
W0VET Rating: 2004-01-27
With me everywhere Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I purchased a VX 150 more than two years ago, I had no idea how much fun I would have with this little rig. It is built tough. It has hit the pavement from 4 to 5 feet more than once. It gets a shaking when strapped to my bike handlebar. It performs well when I'm doing field work. And when in c o l d North Dakota weather, it operates better than my 2m mobile (Yaesu 300M). I do use a variety of antenna options to meet differing operating needs. With moderate use, the battery needs recharging only once a week. I can't believe it still works well after the punishment it gets.

In retrospect, the value of this radio to me was well worth the pocket change I spent on it.
KD8NX Rating: 2004-01-20
No need to look any further Time Owned: more than 12 months.
As close to perfection as a basic, single band HT can get. Built like a tank (someday when I'm bored, I might try driving my car over it), surprising battery life for just a 700mah ni-cad, EXCELLENT audio, and fairly intuitive programming and control functions all add up to a winner. Throw in the fact that I got it last winter for $79, and I'm sorry I didn't buy two...
KI4DDZ Rating: 2004-01-12
Great Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had my VX-150 a couple days and already I think it is a great radio for the beginner or the novice. It has nice features, easy to program,great audio. I have been able to hit my local repeater about 15 miles on low power. The 3 power settings is a plus. I picked mine up at GigaParts 119.95...you can't go wrong here!
KB3FZN Rating: 2004-01-12
Great Starter Ht Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this radio for a few weeks now and I cannot complain at all. I live in a valley and I can hit my local repeater about 7 miles away and 2 other repeaters that are at least 15 to 20 miles away.

Very easy to use and almost idiot proof trust me!

Highly reccomended!!!
$119 at HRO plus free shipping!!
WA1USV Rating: 2003-12-21
Very pleased! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
About a year ago I upgraded from a FT-411 to the VX-150. I look for three things in an HT: Durability, performance, and battery life. In those three repects, the thing does quite well. I use the HT exclusively for mountain-topping. TX audio is so good, your contacts won't know you're using an HT! I never upgraded the supplied antenna because this HT performs BETTER than my old FT-411 with its 1/2 wave add-on antenna that I formerly used! The thing is built like a rock and although I've never dropped it, I would not fear doing so. I would prefer something like a dual, stacked lith-ion configuration rather than the supplied 6-cell configuration. The 2 lith batts could easily yeild 2,000 to 2,200 MAh and would weigh less. Also, as noted elsewhere, a CPU controlled battery-life meter would be a nice addition over the conventional battery volt meter. Aside from my little preferences, this HT is a delight to use and I would highly recommend it, especially for the remarkably low price they have been selling for.