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Reviews For: Yaesu VX-150

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

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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
KC9AYN Rating: 2003-12-03
A STRONG 5.0 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ALREADY OWN A KENWOOD TH-F6 AND IT HAS A LOT OF GREAT FEATURES, THATS WHY I BOUGHT IT. THE VX-150 GIVES ME THE LITTLE BIT EXTRA ON TWO METERS THAT THE F6 DOESN'T QUITE HAVE. lOUD AUDIO, EASY PROGRAMMING, AND BETTER POWER OUTPUT SETTINGS.

I TAKE IT WITH ME WHEN I DRIVE TRUCK AND GET GREAT REPORTS FROM EVERYONE. TOO BAD IT DOESN'T HAVE A LITHIUM BATTERY BUT I AM VERY HAPPY OVERALL WITH THE PERFORMANCE AND EASE OF OPERATION
GREAT JOB YEASU
KC8YKQ Rating: 2003-11-29
Great Value! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Vertex VX-150 is my first 2-meter handheld, and because it is such a great performer it will likely be my last. It has been an excellent unit so far, and I've been able to hit all of the local repeaters (8-15 miles) using the 2 watt setting. In fact, I've never used it at its maximum 5 watts. The receiver is quite sensitive and I've experienced no intermod whatsoever. It also makes a fine scanner in the 151-174 public service band.

Today, the radio took a fall (or more accurately, it was thrown!) I was talking to my wife as I grabbed the radio from a kitchen counter without looking. The antenna caught on a low cabinet, and the radio flew from my hand. It bounced across the vinyl floor and stopped after rebounding off the wall. I feared the worst - but the radio worked as good as new. In fact, it didn't even scratch the paint! I guess the MIL STD 810C/D rating for shock and vibration is for real.

Another plus - the VX-150 doesn't cost a lot! I bought mine new from Texas Towers (http://www.texastowers.com ) for a $109 sale price which included free shipping. I think their regular price is $119, so the VX-150 is easy on the wallet.
N6ILS Rating: 2003-11-06
Antenna For the 150 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Comet SMA-24 and the Pryme RD-98 are great aftermarket antennas that really boost the performance of the VX-150.
I bought the RD-98 for mine and compared it with the stock job during QSO's. All agreed, they could tell a noticable difference, and I could tell a big improvement on RX.
The 17" length may not be perfect for all occasions but fits most. Its super flexiable design worked great on a recent backpacking trip.
Give your VX-150 a present and buy one of these antennas.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N6ILS on 2003-10-23

I just bought this radio for $109! It's hard to believe that I paid so little for it. It's packed with very useful features and is as rugged as it gets. Very user friendly and really performs well. The audio is very clear and the power to size ratio is very accomodating for those long treks into the bush! Forget dual band, I have a 440 radio and never use it. Most the repeaters around here are closed on 70cm. I'll stick with 2 meters and the VX-150. Great job Yaseu!!!
N3NDW Rating: 2003-11-03
A new replacement for the HTX 202 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this radio for about a month now and love it. I hook it to a 1/4 wave mag mount and drive through downtown Pittsburgh and get no intermod. The first thing I bought for my radio was a 1600mah battery. Now I am ready to go for any emergency. The full 5 watts out makes a difference, and the audio output is as good as any commercial radio. I feel sorry for old Frank, if he had a problem with his radio. He can call the dealer where he got it and get a copy of the receipt and send it to Yeasu for repairs. The turn around time there is very short. This radio is the perfect replacement for the HTX 202's. This is a much better radio than those, I just bought mine at AES for $109.00 Just a great radio.
KR2J Rating: 2003-11-03
Rock Solid Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought a VX-150 last Xfmas and was $79!. There is no fancy stuffs but everything is straight forward and easy to use. I will buy one more if I find $79 or less at this Xfmas sale. Great HT.!

VE6BGM Rating: 2003-11-01
Great VHF HH Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Granted, only have had for a month. When brand new, placed a speaker mic on it while traveling. Did look at it for over an hour. Stopped to replace a mag. antenna [cell phone] that was blown over traveling at 100 kms into a 90 km chinook wind. Looked at the VX-150 and noticed transmission light on. Boy, was the radio ever hot. May have been transmitting for at least an hour while charging [thus didn't charge much]. Finally decided to look at menus to find a TX time out and put it at 5 minutes. Next day was in a building at least 60 kms. from repeater and checked into net. Very impressed with quality of construction, feel, just the right size, supplied rubber ducky [or the radio] is just great as it "hears" much better than some of my other HTs that have after market antennas. Price in Canada has come down making this an affordable VHF radio. Can't say enough about it. As others have said, would like to see a UHF version, or a dual band version with the same high quality construction. Overall, extremely pleased. Wished I had bought another one, but might wait till Christmas to see if the price drops further. Hopefully, with the Canadian dollar on a little slope upward, the cost may even come down more.

73
Bob, ve6bgm
FRANKM12 Rating: 2003-11-01
horrible Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

I understand KG6QPS's disgust with this product. I bought one and tried to get it to transmit and it certainly didn't want to do it. Only once did it transmit. I have no idea of what was wrong with the device. I am a disabled vet as well, so maybe they hate us. hahahaha.

I sent it back. It was my first unit and I have not bought another HT as yet. I am now in the market for one, however.

I would not buy another one.
frank
N8ZUX Rating: 2003-10-25
Best HT I ever owned Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had bought mine at a dealer at a hamfest being my old used Ht was 10 channel unit I read reviews and decided on the VX-150, I found alot of thing like tone scan, CTCSS built in, good sized Belt clip and was in my opinion one of the best deals for a single band HT and was priced at $99.00 at the hamfest. has auto low power or set it for lowest setting to conserve power, I was told once to buy a ADI for same near price, But I decided the VX-150 has given me my moneys worth. Yes Yeasu you have done it again !
KD7LAX Rating: 2003-10-21
Great Prouduct! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well I have had this radio for about 3 years and it has been great! No Problems what so ever!

Although If I were to buy another radio I would defanetly get a dual bander, but when I bought this radio all of the dual banders were really exspensive and they have gone way down in price.

I payed $150 for this when I bought it and that was a pretty good price for a single band, but now dual banders are about that and single banders are down to a $100.

I think it retals for about $110 right now.

I love this radio, verry durable, Great for a Hiker or camper.

KD7PNY Rating: 2003-10-08
Two years, and still kicking Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I felt that I should write another review after using my VX-150 for almost two years. The only compliment I have made to the radio is a 1/4 wave whip antenna from comet. This addition has added new punch to my transmit and added an easy S-unit to my receive. There has been nothing but flawless performance from my radio, rain or shine!!! The ease of operation is still one of the radio's major selling points in my mind. The durable construction is another immediate bonus, as this radio has taken a beating alongside my VX-400 which I wear for public safety use. The ergonomics and small size make for a convenient front pocket ride. (wearing it on my belt causes problems with the seat belts) This radio features another hidden bonus to some...it's a visor rider. I had the opportunity to pick my 150 up on sale for under $100, I just wish the industry wouldn't keep jackin' the price around, I might buy one for a backup. I'd love to see one of this design in a dual band. hint hint
73's all, from the left coast
kd7pny