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Reviews For: Yaesu FT5DR

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT5DR
Reviews: 23MSRP: $479.00
Description:
The Yaesu FT5DR is an 5W C4FM/FM 144/430MHz Dual Band Digital Transceiver. It is a stated FT3DR follow-on product meant to continue production due to global chipset shortages. From the Yaesu web site; The new FT5DR is a full-featured C4FM handheld transceiver with superior operability and new sophisticated functions. Even in a compact body (W2.44” x D1.34” x H3.94”), the FT5DR provides reliable 5W RF power output and achieves loud 1W audio power that has been tuned for quality audio. Real Dual Band Operations (V+V, U+U, V+U, U+V) are available with two independent receivers. Large individual LED indicators for A band and B band present the status and communication modes (C4FM or Analog) of each band instantly. The new FT5DR supports simultaneous C4FM digital (C4FM/C4FM standby). With rubber protection on the corner of the main body, the FT5DR has rugged and shock-resistant construction. The waterproof rating is IPX7. The comfortable size and form of the full-flat back body provides excellent grasp for the radio operator. A high-resolution display highlights the frequency of the operational band. The color of the operating band frequency can be selected from white, blue or red. Three (3) touch panel keys and seven (7) operation keys below the display offer intuitive operability.
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=8FA58F426C671235EA5791EE6814FF48&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
83.5233.3
K4GTE Rating: 2021-09-22
Not Impressed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Not a noticeable improvement over the FT3D for the added expense. A bomb.
W1KJL Rating: 2021-09-20
Horrible Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This radio is not ready for release. It's buggy with a lot of quirks and had a horrible receiver compared to my $89 FT-65R. I've worked with Yaesu over the last week, and although they were responsive and even called me to work over the phone, they were unable to resolve my issues. I even sent them videos to see and listen to what I was experiencing. I was told they would forward to engineering for review. As of now, I have returned my radio for a refund.
WA8QQU Rating: 2021-09-13
FT3DR incremental follow-on,with crippled scan functions. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The FT5DR is an incremental follow-on to the very successful FT3DR that utilizes a different chipset due to the current global chip shortage. With several pleasing differences, this HT is offered initially with crippled scan functions in comparison to the FT3DR. Visual scanning has been replaced with an unpublicized and unexpected MEM SCAN and VFO SCAN static messages while scanning memories or VFO ranges for busy signals. However, this unique trait of the FT5DR breaks with expected, common standard of amateur radio functionality, resulting in complete inability to visually stop a scan at-or-near an intended memory within large memory groups, or specific VFO frequency within a band. As of this writing within two weeks of global availability, it is hoped that Yaesu will make available an immediate firmware fix of this monumental design flaw oversight to include a very necessary "Visual Scan" menu option. Without said change, the FT5DR is less than a fully-featured HT product that any amateur should expect and demand in the field. Further, the FT5DR includes lit front panel buttons that a user cannot turn off the illumination in order to save battery power, and may explain slightly higher current draw than the FT3DR. Otherwise, the FT5DR contains thoughtfully improved additions to the FT3DR that precedes it, and would warrant instant five-star review. An indication this product was rushed to distribution is the lack of the simultaneous release of an accompanying Yaesu ADMS programming software package. Time will tell for the Yaesu FT5DR, as well as for future Yaesu design logic and timely product release efforts.