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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-227RA Memorizer

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-227RA Memorizer
Reviews: 30MSRP: ± 50.00 to 90.00$
Description:
Yaesu two-meter synthesized transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00304.7
W8EZI Rating: 2009-03-08
The best 2 meter rig of its time period. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this rig new in 1978. It has been a winner. I have had to replace 3 crystals that aged out of spec.

I really like the sound of the received audio from this radio. I am about to install a ctcss board. I realize that this radio is technologically old, but it was the best of its time. I still prefer this radio over anything with a menu. I just like knobs and buttons that do the job.

The pcb layout is very clean. It is easily repaired. The manual that came with it is extraordinarily clear and easy to follow. I only wish I could personally thank the engineer that designed this rig that give me 30 years of great service.
2E0VAD Rating: 2008-12-08
fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
the audio is the best i've heard on fm by a mile! its just for simlex in my shack. if you can find one, get it!!!
W8AAZ Rating: 2005-09-26
Good second backup Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned several of these-the first one in 1979. Now have a clean one, got in a trade for next to nothing. I was impressed as heck with it in 79. No more crystals! The memory feature is kinda worthless as it dumps when power is removed. Too bad you can't change the IC's to MOS equivalents and add a backup battery. Or who would make the effort? Nice BIG display for old eyes. Solid construction. Nice feel. No big intermod problems as it does not have the broadband front end, that newer rigs have, that let in all the garbage. You can add a tone board but some of the newer boards don't have sufficient output for the audio insertion point-best injected into mike circuit. I added a 100hz tone board to mine. I have the tech data so it works like it should and I aligned the thing. The big fat Yaesu TT mike TT feature failed. So I wired in a Yaesu MH-1B8 plain mike and it works fine, has a switch on the back for selecting audio response. Hamfest special cheapo. This is a good rig for monitoring the local repeater or emergency backup. Or a loaner to a new ham that does not need to figure out 40 multifunction keys to get on the air easy. Fun classic. IF you can get a clean, working one for 25-40$!
AC6AN Rating: 2005-09-04
Nice rig - for its time... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is hard to comprehend so many people rating the FT-227R as 5/5. Let's get real here!
This radio is very basic, bulky and... basic...
Lack of any decent memory facilities is a far cry for a rig nicknamed "Memorizer". PL tones can be added if you don't have that option, but the comercial boards are more expensive than the used rig itself. I took a look at the schematics and noticed an easy way to modify the burst-tone circuit to a PL tone generator. Unfortunately, my rig has a problem with the burst-tone buffer and fixing that would take more time than I wished to invest in this rig.
There is a published method for changing the "start-up" frequency. This can be useful for APRS or Packet to avoid issues if power is inadvertantly switched off. Also, with the PL installed and this mod done, a single repeater may be monitored without any hassle even in a mobile installation.
Bottom line: the FT-227R is useful - within its limitations!
M0PME Rating: 2005-08-29
best rig i ever had Time Owned: more than 12 months.
i have two of these, they have the best rx for the two meter band.
N6AJR Rating: 2005-05-18
In 1978 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had one of these in 1978 as my first VHF rig and it was state of the art..... then

Then you had 2 local repeaters with 100 hams on each repeater, no ctcss codes and a ringo ranger was the Best antenna in the world.

Now we have 2 hams each on 100 repeaters, and you must have ctcss tones, , directional antennas, and more than 10 memories minimum for the multiple repeaters you hit on the commute to work.

It was good back then but now a days a 10 watt, no ctcss machine is just another old radio..

YMMV
PU3AKZ Rating: 2005-05-18
The best !! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have this rig since new and never fails to me. The best 2M rig ever had. I use it all day and when more power is needed I attach a small linear Amplifier that gives me 50 Watts, more than enough to make my contacts. My model is the 227RB which comes with more memory. I have an Icom IC27H, but I prefer to use my old 227 instead.
AA2T Rating: 2005-01-30
Never give it up Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good solid radio, bounced around in mobiles for years without a lick of trouble. Can't say that about the follow on rigs ! Now still in use with add on PL encoder.
W2RS Rating: 2004-11-18
Great 2m FM radio, despite lack of PL Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two FT-227Rs, one in my shack and one in my dad's (KB2VWZ), both bought used at hamfests. I've used them on both voice and packet, with excellent results. They're as indestructible as any ham equipment I've ever had, and do everything they're supposed to do. As other reviewers have mentioned, they do not have PL generators, so if the repeaters you want to use have PL, you'll have to add that. A socket on the rear panel provides an easy way to do that using an outboard tone generator, if you're so inclined. No bells and whistles, just one memory on the FT-227R (more on the RA and RB), but how many do you really need? It's easy to program non-standard splits.

The lack of a PL tone generator is my only reason for the 4 rating. If you don't need PL, it's a solid 5/5.

73, Ray
LW8DJI Rating: 2004-11-18
goog!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
in spite of the years that it has is a good equipment with a receiver of very good quality and one been accustomed to construction, today in day,no is obtained to very low price can be compared with the equipment of today in very unjust serious day but it is a good radius to begin