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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-5100/5200

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-5100/5200
Reviews: 28MSRP: Discontinued - Typical used pric
Description:
2M/440 dual band mobile transceiver. 50 watt VHF and 35 watt UHF.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00283.7
VA3MCT Rating: 2007-02-08
ideal simple dual bander Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I wasn't looking for this rig, but had considered new rigs at over 3 x the price of this one used.
This already had the features I was looking for, dual band / dual watch, good power output on both bands, data connector for 1200 baud (ideal for APRS), small size, CTCSS Encode, simple to use mobile.
Would however have preferred, the two separate vol/SQL controls on the newer rigs, but the system on the 5100 works fine.
K4SAR Rating: 2006-12-22
nice features, terrible execution and support Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The radio itself was great when working, aside from intermod susceptibility. But my FT-5200 went back to Yaesu four different times for repairs of various sorts, including (if memory serves) a bad switch, a CPU problem, a cooling fan failure, and a bad final output transistor. On the fourth trip back, for the failed final, after several weeks they contacted me with the repair estimate: $250. For a single final output transistor. I laughed, and told them to send it back as it was. (I then bought a new Alinco dual-bander for around $300). What annoyed me most, though, was Yaesu's snail's pace service (on one occasion they had the radio for over two months), poor attitude of the technical support phone staff, and thin customer communications. Contrast this with ICOM, to whom I recently sent a dual-band mobile for repair and actually got it back *four days* later with a bill for $40. I see no reason to buy another Yaesu product.

K5THR Rating: 2006-11-02
Nice Rig, But Hot Running Temp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Awesome Sounding and Running rig, my only issue was when I would run on either power level, this rig would get so hott that you could literally cook eggs on it. Other than that, I had no issues, It worked great.
KE7IOD Rating: 2006-07-27
Great radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The radio is fairly similar to the FT530, so its fairly easy for me to operate.
The bulbs burned up, and I haven't tried to fix them, probably never will.
The only problem I have had with it is the mic died ... probably from abuse. I replaced it and its running like a champ
KC2CT Rating: 2006-04-14
Just runs Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned the FT-5100 since new in 1994. The only issue I had was with the pilot lamps which burned out in 6 months. I replaced them (What a pain to do so!). Now I run the brightness down at its lowest level. I've used the radio with good results both in the car and home. The optical encoder for tuning is getting a bit sloppy now but a quick turn backward and then forward and all is ok. Transceiver is on 24 x 7. It does get hot. Works great for crossband repeat, just keep the power down low. They are cheap now at hamfests. If I see another one around, I'll grab it.
WA0ZZG Rating: 2006-04-14
Very good, after changes Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had a '5100 since 1995. It cost me a 2m PA module to find that they were not mounted or cooled properly. Two things need to be done to keep the PA modules from cooking. 1. Remount them with less heatsink compound and polish mating surfaces. 2. Modify fan control so that it runs slowly all the time. The display illumination is three standard mini lamps soldered to the display board. They are nearly impossible to replace but if you turn the brightness down, they last the life of the radio. There are two complete receivers plus a up/down converter to allow both receivers to be used on the same band. The scanner has provision to detect when a signal is off frequency and not stop. Forget about using the internal speaker. Power out will drift because the pots for PA control are too sensitive to the heat until the fan is left running. Don't change a PA module until alignment is checked.
It does do a good job as a cross-band repeater, but turn the power down for this service and unplug the mic. It's a shame Yaesu didn't catch the bugs. It had the potential to be a very good radio. Dave...
AI4EP Rating: 2006-04-13
ezy 2 use --fun 2 own Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had one of these around the mid 1990 s when they first came out...sold it and regretted it ever since. Now I got one used and like it. it is not used in the mobile, but in the shack. Very easy to program, and, unlike most of the newer model dual banders sold these days, it can recieve 2 2 meter frequencies, or 2 440 frequencies, or one of each, or just one and leave the right side display blank.

PRO ---
easy to program
dual display ( described in previous paragraph )

CON ---
vol - squelch - balance knobs ARE too small
pig tail antenna connector ( should be mounted to rear of unit )

but I DO like it...would buy another if price is right or trade/swap .

AI4EP (Robert)
KC8RAF Rating: 2005-05-23
bad output audio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had a ft 5100 and it lost almost all output audio then I purchased a ft 5200 since I liked my 5100 so much and it did the same thing a week after I bought it. I wish I had read about the problems before my purchases I would have never bought them and it would cost more to send it back for repair than it would cost to buy another radio.
W8TOL Rating: 2005-03-03
thanks Bob Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got mine from ebay and thanks to the seller,i got mine in excellent condition.I love the fully controllable crossband repeat function with the "hot" mic.higly recommend it for crossbanding on low power output.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W8TOL on 2005-02-15

got mine used for decent price,and works like a "cherry"!mine came with mars/cap modified but i don't mind it.i wish yaesu would of put medium ~25w setting for power output.other than that not bad for an "oldie" yaesu! defenetly give it a 5.
N5EG Rating: 2003-01-08
Excellent radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
A good radio, lots of features. The display bulbs burned out - replacements from Yaesu service were not expensive. Took about 2-3 hours to resolder them in. The display brightness can be adjusted - and no burned out lamps since reducing that.

The 'DATA' jack is not too useful. The frequency response is poor, so that the 2200 hz tone is way down from the 1200 tone. This makes my 5100 work poorly at all data rates 300-9600 baud. Looking at the schematic, it's not easy to fix. For 1200 baud AFSK, you could run the DATA received audio through an equalizer and probably help it a lot, 9600 FSK appears to be a lost cause.

For FM use, it's a real good radio.