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Reviews For: Yaesu FTM-300DR

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FTM-300DR
Reviews: 18MSRP: 469.00
Description:
50W C4FM/FM 144/430MHz Dual Band Digital Mobile Transceiver – FTM-300DR. The new FTM-300DR provides stable and reliable 50W RF power output. As in recent YAESU mobile transceivers, the FTM-300DR is also equipped with a heavy-duty heat sink that includes our exclusive FACC (Funnel Air-Convection Conductor – Wind Tunnel). Real Dual Band Operation (V+V, U+U, V+U, U+V) is available with two independent receivers, and the FTM-300DR supports simultaneous C4FM digital monitoring for both the A and B bands. 2-inch High-Resolution QVGA Full-Color TFT Display clearly highlights the frequency and operation bands. With the Band Scope Function, users can monitor up to 63 channels centered around the current VFO frequency in real time. (21 channels in memory channel mode) Memory Channel Band Auto Grouping (MBAG) is one of the advanced features of the FTM-300DR. Memory channels are automatically categorized in each band, and memory channels can be easily and quickly recalled by 4 Band Groups - Airband(M-AIR), VHF(M-VHF), UHF(M-UHF) and 174-400MHz/ 480-999.99MHz (M-GEN). 3W audio power speaker ensures a clear and crisp audio – that has been specifically tuned for quality audio. Two individual external speaker jacks are provided. Users can output the VFO A and B band Receiver to separate speakers or mix A and B signals when a single external speaker is used. Built-in Bluetooth unit is installed in the FTM-300DR. This enables the hands-free operation with the YAESU SSMBT10 or a commercially available product. The SSM-BT10 is equipped with a PTT button and also supports VOX operation. Using the new USB charger cable – SCU-41 with the controller of the FTM-300DR, the SSM-BT10 can be easily charged. The SSM-BT10 works for approximately 20 hours on single charge. The FTM-300DR supports both the WiRES-X Portable Digital Node function and Fixed Node function with the HRI-200. Since simultaneous C4FM monitoring on both VFO A and VFO B is possible, users can enjoy both WiRES-X communications on one channel while monitoring another local channel at the same time. Other advanced features of the new FTM-300DR include; DG-ID (Digital ID); Group Monitor; positional awareness from the built-in 66ch High Sensitivity GPS receiver enabling Real Time Navigation; Backtrack feature; a GPS Terminal for an external GPS receiver; 1200/ 9600 APRS data modem for APRS mode; Voice Recording of both Received and Transmitted audio; save and load data including configuration and memory channel information to a micro SD card; Snapshot function using the optional MH-85A11U camera microphone.
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=249&encProdID=309B798AD35CA03C88C102835725005C&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
22.5183.7
WC2F Rating: 2021-03-19
Great dual band mobile with aprs radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
love this radio so many features on APRS, WIRES X dual band cross band repeat etc.
i only wish it was touch screen like the ft-3dr ht which i also own
K9WG Rating: 2021-01-07
FTM300DR - The Good, The bad, and The Ugly Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Introduction
Due to the purchase of a new vehicle I found the need to get a transceiver with a removable front. The installation will consist of the main unit mounted under the seat and the remote “head” unit on the center console. Doing my research I decided to purchase a rig with digital capabilities. This limited me to three systems, WIRES-X (Yaesu), D-STAR (ICOM), and DMR. While each system is good I decided to go with the Yaesu Fusion/WIRES-X. The FTM300DR was the model chosen and will compliment my Kenwood TM-V71A.

First Impressions

Unpacking the main unit it feels heavy and solid. The mounting bracket (yes, Yaesu supplies the mounting hardware. Are you listening ICOM???) is heavy and solid. The control head is thinner and smaller than I expected even though I measured it before ordering. The microphone is large with the buttons well spaced.

Assembly and First Contact

The transceiver is pretty much plug and play with very little assembly. Just plug the microphone and control head into the main unit, connect to your power supply and antenna and you are ready to go. Upon powering the transceiver for the first time you are prompted to enter your call sign. Entering a VFO frequency is accomplished using the microphone and setting a tone is easy using the “Function” menu. From the time I unpacked the rig to making first contact on the local repeater was no more than twenty minutes.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The following are my impressions and opinions. As a baseline, I have been using a Kenwood TM-V71A for the last six years. Also I am looking at the digital/WIRES-X as a new user.

The Good

• The receiver sounds good. Plenty of audio with the internal speaker.
• The transmitted audio is good as reported by those talked to.
• WIRES-X works well and sounds nice.
• The display although small is bright and very readable.
• The control head is small and thin. Mounting the control head is accomplished using a single screw and does not require a special mount.
• The fan is quiet and only runs when needed. (The TM-V71A fan is obnoxiously loud and starts the second you press the mic button. I replaced it with a low noise high end computer fan.)
• The GPS works well and has good reception even inside the shack.
• The ability to record conversations to the optional SD card. You can also play back the recording on the transceiver or on a PC.
• The ability to back-up and restore the entire system to the optional SD card.
• The remote head cable is provided.
• The extended receive covers all frequencies from 108.00MHz to 999.99MHz AM/FM continuously (cell blocked)
• ALL THE MOUNTING HARDWARE IS INCLUDED!

The Bad (OK, not really bad but could be better).

• Mounting is done with a proprietary slide mount. While the concept of the slide mount is nice, adding mounting holes in the side would have been a plus. I plan on mounting the rig in both the shack and vehicle.
• No separate control for squelch. Adjusting squelch is a two part operation.
• No front panel control for the squelch tone type / frequency / code. It would have been nice to be able to cycle the tone squelch with a front panel button.
• Some of the configuration menus are difficult to use.
• The display shows the tag in small characters and the frequency on large numbers. Being able to select between the tag and frequency as the dominate display would be nice.
• Saving to the memory requires a two step approach. First you save the frequency than you have to go back to edit the tag. It would have been nice to be able to edit the tag while saving to memory.
• The RS232 and audio data require A 10-pin mini-DIN connector.
• Only one “group” of memory channels can be defined (M-GRP) for limited scanning or tuning. It would have been a plus to have more than one.
• The display brightness only has three settings. Max, Mid, and Min.
• Remote microphone extension cable not included.

And now, The Ugly

• The manual. The manual is not easy to read and confusing. Only the Owners manual is supplied with the transceiver, the others must be downloaded.
• The downloadable programming software will only run on MS Windows 8.1 or 10 operating system with .NET framework. This also applies to the firmware update program. I purged myself of Windows several years back. It would be nice if the supplied software could be run on LINUX. I ended up having to “build” a Windows system just to use the programming software.
• The microphone cable is an integral part of the microphone and is terminated with a 6 pin modular plug. Most modern transceivers utilize a detachable/replaceable cord using the standard RJ45 plug.

Other thoughts

I noticed the audio out to external speakers seem to be on the low side. I had to turn the volume up as compared to the internal speaker. (This was also confirmed by another FTM300DR user) The “band scope” is a nice feature although I see limited use for it (one of those WOW features when you have guests in the shack).

Conclusion

Overall the Yaesu FTM300DR is a nice transceiver and fits my purpose. The audio sounds good and my signal reports have all been positive. It appears to be a solid rig and has a “good feel” about it. While it looks like I have more negative comments that positive, I do like the rig and enjoy using it. There is a bit of a learning curve especially with all the options like WIRES-X and APRS.

My number one criticism is the inability to use the programming and configuration software on anything other than MS Windows 8.1 or 10 with .NET framework. I have not used MS Windows since 2015. LINUX is my OS of choice. The lack of a detachable (and RJ45 plug) microphone cable also rates high on my negative list.

The FTM300DR is a nice rig and will serve me well. I would recommend it for those wanting a solid dual band with Fusion/WIRES-X capabilities.
F4FAP Rating: 2020-12-29
A very good one Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Definitely, you need to read the user manual before operating FTM300 for the first time despite it is not that complicated.

I like :
- Color screen. Big enough for 2 VFO + time or GPS or APRS.
- Low noise and efficient cooling, not lasting for dozens of min.
- New designed microphone.
- Better general access to APRS menus.
- Fast scanning.
- Cross band : freq or memory may be changed on the spot.
- Bracket : clever and useful. Can be used up or down side.
- Audio is very nice (no need for an external spkr).
- APRS design of stations tracking.
- USB PC connection.
- SD card.
- Front panel may be connected to the main body or not. Cable provided.
- Microphone cable can be installed left or right.
- Not that expensive. Think of prices of new Kenwood TMV7 or Yaesu FT-8800 in there time. Yes, Chinese rigs are cheaper, so buy Chineese...

Could be better :
- Software updating is not an easy way.
- P1 push button on microphone is GM fixed.
- Cross band C4 to C4 unavailable;
- Cross band : need special hand training to get it ON or OFF (push 4 buttons at the same time).
- Need to navigate in some menu layers to obtain a simple and banal display such as time, GPS...
- Squelch check : did not find sound level checking in a simple way. Need to pusch SQL and turn to open.
- Still need a long cable (not provided) to connect microphone in case the main body is away from front panel.
- Made in China (Ok, it is Japan designed - hope the quality is as high and long lasting as the designers specifications...).

Like many other rigs, there is a need to a personnal quick reference list to find tricky specialities a year later...

73.
VE3EY Rating: 2020-12-11
A promising radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
FTM-300DR replaced my previous FTM-100 which I had for two years and it was trouble free. Feature wise FTM-300DR is a significant improvement over its predecessor. The main advantage is two receivers which allows for number of different scenarios. e.g. near simultaneous radio use on one RX and APRS modem on the other etc. New mounting bracket is also a nice improvement as the radio now slides in and out of the mounting bracket without having to remove bunch of screws. Color display is nice and layout of various parameters is good. The audio is good and C4FM stuff works OK.

There are some negatives though:
- My radio has experienced a screen blanking issue. I replaced it for another one and it still had same issue. Screen goes blank after some time and the only way to recover from it is to power cycle the radio. I applied July 2020 firmware and did not experience the issue since.
- Firmware update process is very convoluted. Firmware comes with two parts, Main and DSP and each code has a different , Windows XP era type driver.
-Street price (IMO) is too high for this class. Likely it belongs in the neighborhood of ~ $350.

Overall I like it and I recommend the radio.

W1KGK Rating: 2020-11-04
Software or firmware glitches Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have had about 2 weeks. unite will reboot by its self and the WireX seems to not working correctly, Will not scan some times...get no data most of the time. Will just reboot when WiresX is doing a search or trying to connect.
When WiresX is doing a search, it will go to the first page and then send No Data after that so you can get any more info.
I think i will send unite back...defective to HRO

I wouldn't purchase this radio again.
W3LX Rating: 2020-08-03
Good so far, but Bluetooth is limited Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So far so good, but be cautious if you are going to rely upon Bluetooth audio as in tests with three different BT headset devices, pairing was:
- Bose A20. Pairing was difficult, but in the end it seems to work okay.
- Lightspeed Zulu 3. Pairing was difficult, and the connection would always drop a few seconds after pairing. Unusable.
- Airpod Pro. Pairing was impossible since device does not come up when scanning. Others report difficulties with other Yaesu devices and ApP.

The independent two radios is handy, but sometimes has quirks that cause the radio to be confused and not allow transmission on a 2m frequency if the other radio is on airband. For the most part, though, it works well.

If you rely upon programming software such as that from RT Systems, know that you can only use the narrow font characters.

GPS seems to do a good job picking up satellites -- no issues found.

Output power is spot on per power meter.

As others have mentioned, the new menu interface is much better than some other Yaesu offerings, but it's still a bit clunky as to what has been put where, and how it's named. Still, after using it a bit that'll become a non-issue.

No plans on using the digital modes, so I cannot comment on their functionality.
VK3MJA Rating: 2020-07-31
*** Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have two FTM-400XDR, I had the FTM-300DR for 2 weeks now. Not much diff between the two, to be honest I prefer the FTM-400XDR.

The price of this radio is over the top, this radio should be cheaper due to it has a smaller screen and it is not touch screen. The button/pads feels cheap Overall I'll give this radio 3 star.



VK3MJA

73...
W4UO Rating: 2020-06-22
Love It So Far Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ive had it installed a short time. Is even more simplified to operate as compared to other Yaesu's I own. I think most Yaesu owners will really enjoy this radio. True dual receivers work very well , the transmit audio is excellent, the receive audio is great as well and power output of the audio is great. No issues hearing this radio at all with internal speaker. Power output is spot on 50w vhf/uhf.

Installed in a 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn.

Will update when I have had more time with the rig.