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Reviews For: YAESU FT-4XR – VHF/UHF Dual Band FM Handheld Transceiver

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

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Review Summary For : YAESU FT-4XR – VHF/UHF Dual Band FM Handheld Transceiver
Reviews: 22MSRP: 120.00
Description:
The FT-4XR 2 meter/ 440 MHz HT has three output power
levels: 5, 2.5 or 0.5 watts transmitting from 144 to 148
MHz and from 400 to 480 MHz. Receive coverage is 65-108 (FM
broadcast band), 136-174 and 400-480 MHz. The FT-4XR is
compact and light, yet ruggedly constructed. The speaker
provides a full 1 Watt of powerful, clear audio. The
supplied 1750mAh Li-ion battery pack is capable of up to 15
hours operation (TX 5 seconds, RX 5 seconds, Standby 90
seconds). The SBH-22 3.5-hour rapid charger is included. VOX
operation is available with the optional SSM-512B earpiece
microphone. Other features include: WX Channels with
“Severe Weather” Alert, PC Programming (optional cable),
Transceiver-to-Transceiver Cloning (optional cable), Keypad
Entry, FM Broadcast Receiver, Automatic Range Transponder
System (ARTS), CTCSS/DCS Operation, Busy Channel Lockout
(BLCO), Automatic Power Off feature and Transmitter Time Out
Timer (TOT). The new FT-4XR meets demanding commercial grade
specifications. Size: 2.1 x 3.5 x 1.2 inches (less knobs and
antenna) 8.82 oz.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=E28C87590C67439440323C0FEDAC1BEB&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00224.3
G7GSF Rating: 2022-08-01
TX audio : Party like its 1899 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I like everything about this portable except the TX audio level. Just like in the early days of wax cylinders it was necessary to shout very loudly to make any impression at all, so it is necessary to shout directly into the mic to be heard at all. I tried getting the Yeasu handset mic but it sounds just the same.

The circuit shows that the mic signal path goes unamplified into the RDA1846S chip. Since it is a digital radio I guess the fault is with the RDA1846S which should be processing the audio better but if Yeasu wanted to beat the Beofeng and other radios using this chip they could have included a transistor or op-amp audio pre-amp.

As soon as the warranty expires, I'll fix it myself. If I can wait that long.

Update: I checked the programming guide for the RDA1846S and it has registers to set "Voice analog gain", "Voice digital gain" and "Voice digital gain after tx ADC down sample". This is in addition to the deviation setting. So it would appear that there are plenty of options to get the mic gain right and that the mic gain deficiency is down to the firmware in the GD32F101CBT6 MCU. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, there is no way to update the firmware on the FT-4X, assuming Yeasu would ever release new firmware to fix it.
W6GDK Rating: 2021-12-09
UHF simplex works quite well Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have found that UHF simplex works very well, particularly at 446.000. Caveat- I am lazy so I use the RT systems software to program the 100 or so channels that I use for local Red Cross communications. The radio resides in the trunk of the car in a go kit as an emergency HT. Works well but not a large financial loss if it gets lost or broken during field work.
VE6BGM Rating: 2021-12-09
Simplex can be set on 446 and adequate transceiver. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First I will reply about the previous comment on offset on UHF frequencies in the 446 range not being able to retain simplex. This is common with some radios. Just place RPT.ARS [OFF] and RPT.SFT [SIMPLX] for inputing simplex frequencies in the 446-447 range. Have set my cross band repeat frequency as 446.xxx with no problem. If want Automatic Repeat Shift after inputing simplex have to revert ARS back to ON. Had more problem ensuring proper TONE transmit and receive frequency as this is done a little differently than some radios. But a quick review of the Advanced Manual quickly corrected that. The radio is a small size similar to VX-5R. I would use AM air frequencies far more than FM broadcast. Because it is built cheaply it is much more prone to RFI, and adjacent channel interference. Volume output is adequate. As a back up transceiver it is again adequate. As I have given a 4 to previous review of 60R, this radio is not up to the standard of the 60R and thus the 3 rating.
KV4BL Rating: 2021-12-08
Nice Radio But With Fatal Flaw Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one of these as gift for a female cousin who is a ham but is inactive on the radio. I figured she could at least monitor during bad weather or other situations and if needed, call for help, perhaps even rediscover the fun of talking on the radio again.

I programmed a bunch of local and regional area repeaters into it. Receive audio was great and I got good signal and audio reports on repeaters in a thirty or so mile radius of my home. I programmed in 2M Simplex channels with no problem. I went to program in 446.0 (Nationwide Simplex Call Freq) and that is where the problems began. The radio would not allow me to program a Simplex on UHF, at all. VHF, no problem. UHF, no can do. If I programmed 446.0, or any other UHF Simplex frequency, once it was stored in memory, all looked well. If I switched up or down a channel and back, the memory now had a -5.0 MHz offset. I would necessarily Xmit 5.0 MHz lower than the programmed frequency. Yes, I tried everything to fix this. Tried setting to Simplex in menu, setting offset to 0.0, monkeying with +/- settings but could not get the radio to work on UHF Simplex.

I contacted Yaesu customer service and they repeated the problem with a sample radio they had in their shop, but still no solution. To some, this may seem a small thing, but in the event of a disaster where Simplex on UHF might be necessary, or perhaps cross banding, this makes for a deal killer. If you are sure you will have no need for UHF Simplex, this might be a decent radio. Otherwise, I would avoid this one. It may be that not every one of these radios has this problem but I have verified that quite a few do, including the one in Yaesu Customer Service.
KA7UCI Rating: 2021-11-11
Get's the basics right. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I give it 5 stars because it does what it needs to do for $90. It's better quality than a Baofeng from a manufacturer that will support the radio if I have any problems. It's easy to program on the fly once you have the routine down. Definitely download the advanced manual!

Received audio is good and you can turn the volume up pretty far without it getting distorted. I use mine with the ssm-17b speaker mic and the audio on that is really good as well. Signal reports on local repeaters have also been positive.

There aren't a lot of fancy features, but if what you need is a basic dual bander that is solidly made and won't break the bank this is a good option. Also, while I read that this model was made in china, my radio is marked made in Japan. The battery and charger are made in China however.
VK3LZ Rating: 2021-09-11
Good value for money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this because I wanted a second hand held radio to carry with me when I'm out and about, something I didn't have to be too carfeul with. I only wanted the basics.

The battery lasts all day, the antenna radiates well, the menu system is simple so the radio can be programmed from the front panel and it's light and compact.

I didn't give it a 5 because the audio sounds just 'ok' on transmit (side by side people tell me that my FT-70DR has nicer audio) and because the receiver picks up more interference tha my FT-70DR (that isn't perfect but it's better than the FT-4XR).

However there is a big difference in price and for the cost this radio is good value for money.

Recommended at it's price point (and I'd have given it 4 and a half stars if I could).
WK3P Rating: 2021-09-10
Yaesu FT-4X Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First let me say I am an Icom person. This radio was on sale, so I thought would give it a try. I love the feel and the size of the radio, very easy to carry. My only complaint would be you have to read the manual to program repeaters. The default to select the tone is not intuitive you have to hit the V/M button for it to go to tone which makes no sense. But I am hitting repeaters 18 miles away. Battery seems to last forever, I am impressed.
W4GRT Rating: 2020-10-30
Nice Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this fine little radio for $74.00 from HRO to replace my aging Yaesu FT 50. The FT 50 still functions, but many buttons are a chore to make work. Oddly the most used button,the PTT, still functions fine! The FT-4XR is easy to program, (Download the advanced manual), has great TX RX audio, good sensitivity, no intermod observed and it has a nice feel to all the controls plus good looks. Like the FT 50, TX can be expanded by entering button codes vs taking the radio apart. Certainly not all features or the many bands of the FT 50 but it seems to be a nice solid radio. I expect as many years of service out of this radio.
N6JPA Rating: 2020-10-20
A Very Good Deal Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using this radio for over a year and it is a solid radio. I don't ever suffer inter-modulation and the reception is great. With a Good comet HT antenna I can talk on repeaters up to 20 miles away while pedestrian mobile. This is a great deal for a good radio. 73, Keith N6JPA
KB4RRC Rating: 2019-06-22
Comprhensive Eval ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received a FT-4XR as a gift for some radio installation work from a friend. I actually picked the unit out despite it being called a Baofeng. I was tired of the 13 year old FT-60 and i was willing to "downgrade" as long as it worked. no fusion here in our area and the thought of the FT-70s horrid one knob does all turned me off.

Ok Enough Intro

The unit is probably 65% Yaesu ,30% Baofeng and 5% Motorola. For a less than 100 dollar radio It works extremely well.
MODULATION.. The Unit modulates at 5.2 khz on voice peaks which is about right for some of these Ham radios and sounds great.

RECEIVER SENSITIVITY I actually only measured the squelch levels 1 thru 8 on VHF
(1) .21uv (2) .24uv (3) .27uv (4) .31uv (5) .35uv (6) .39uv (7) .43uv (8) .48uv
Good readable signals at all settings.
To tighten squelch more you need to use the RF squelch ..I did not test !

POWER OUTPUT Hi 5.35 Med 2.63 and Low was .44 watts.

Unit radiates great as I have trouble getting out of the terrian hole I live in. This radio seems to put out and overcome it ..The antenna seems to be an efficient radiator. The antenna is the first dual band antenna to look like a VHF antenna. It looks just like a Kenwood KRH-26 antenna..

OPERATION Again mostly Yaesu but some Baofeng artifacts along with a Motorola Appendage! Easy to Menu program even though its a tad different than older Yaesus. Easy to learn and program by hand ! But the Tiny Buttons are kindy cheesey!

2 programmable buttons. in my case P1 SKIP and P2 POWER LEVEL.. more buttons would be nice but...

I have not mastered the exit function after programming.. Some things exit with the function button and some with the PTT .. I need to study this more....


PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE Since its so New CHIRP still has issues no 150MHZ or 450MHZ or higher channels can be added regardless of the Part 90 Hack. So i used both Chirp and the Factory Software. If the factory software would let you reorder the channels you would not need chirp. BTW the software has an Anytone D868 software look.

MANUALS Kinda dumb to have two. The entire manual should be sent with the radio instead of part 1 of a 2 part set !!!

EXTERNAL MIKES and PROGRAMMING CABLE. Well folks as you may or may not know Motorola Solutions bought Vertex Standard and it appears the legacy two pin speaker and mike jacks were left over and needed to be used somewhere so why not give them to stepchild YAESU! Actually The SCU-35 programming cable might work in a BPR-40 Motorola Radio. Also a Motorola Speaker Mic for a GP300 or any of the 2 pin Motorola units works perfectly. Also an Icom Mic will work if you only use the small mic plug and whack off the speaker plug (cut it off and put you own 2.5 mm plug. THIS IS A PLUS FEATURE of this new jack. I did not like the 4 pin jack and this is an improvement big time.

Operation is easy and can be used on the fly. Menus seem more Yaesu than Baofeng, The radio has the same direct receive chip as the baofeng but that does not make it a baofeng, As time progresses the Superhet may be obsoleted by chips like this ....

So why the 4 versus a 5 !

Three Words - SELECTIVITY and NOISE OVERLOAD. Computers and other RF emitting gadgets will make this radio cough or burp constantly on certain frequencies. On a superhet receiver the noise was still there but not to the point of making the radio burp. PL or DPL on receive will mask it but it will no allow the signal to be received if its strong enough.

Summary- for the Average Ham its a great, small pocket,"concealed carry" radio and will serve most Hams well for Primary use. I Like it and I'm not trashing its operation. its adequate for most needs and the battery does last all day! So was 80 dollars wasted ? Not at all ! But its not a 200-300 dollar walkie talkie either and is better than a "20 to 30" dollar one with the manual written in Chinglis !

HOPE THIS HELPS !!!