Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Yaesu VX-7R

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Yaesu VX-7R
Reviews: 290MSRP: 369.00
Description:
Quad band Hand held Xcvr
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
002904
K9MGY Rating: 2007-04-22
Excellent!!! BUT not for a beginner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I really love my radio, I use all the bands, and use the DTMF for IRLP. The radio is difficult to program, but with the manual I figured it out and now I have no issues. The stock antenna is ok, I really like to use a Diamond SRH 320A. The instruction book is easy to follow, but you have to read the instructions 2-3 times in order to understand the programing.
WD5CCW Rating: 2007-02-25
Lot of radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is time I wrote a review! I've had the radio for over 2 years and it worked as well as expected during Hurricane Katrina. I gave it a 4 because it is one of the early radios where the microphone doesn't pick up well. My work-a-round was buying the MFJ295y speaker microphone for it, so I wouldn't have to take it off my belt. Now they can hear me, and I can talk to them!
I also have to revert back to the manual for checking out something that I don't use much! I'm going to have to invest in a mini-manual for this thing! So the menus can be kind of vague if you are not used to using something!
KC8YWO Rating: 2007-01-27
A lot of....."Stuff" Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned my VX-7RB for about a year and a half now. I purchased it brand new. This HT replaced my Kenwood TH-G71A. I really miss that radio!

The casing Yaesu is top notch, it's the only metal HT that I know of. The fact it is water proof is another great idea by Yaesu. I have received good reports from the radio. It seems to hit the repeaters well. The display is nice and bright. The radio feels well in your hand. I am not afraid to drop it or get it wet.

I am not that crazy about the size of the radio though. In my opinion it is too small. The buttons are close together and the radio can't stand on it's own very well. The menu system is a bear to get used to. I have to have my manual handy when I want to program a frequency. I also purchased the rapid charger, which in my opinion is a must. Regular charging takes too long. The swivel belt clip just plain sucks. I want a clip that slides down onto your belt and stays in one place, like Icom's radios or some of the old Kenwoods.

I purchased the barometer chip which is totally useless. It has never worked correctly. Also the time and date are always wrong. I gave up on always resetting it.

If you have an old school HT, keep it. The VX-7R is too complex for being an HT.
KE5KDA Rating: 2006-12-01
Good all around radio... Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Most things about this radio I really like, bu there are a few things that really bother me. The battery stinks...takes for ever to charge...runs down in about 8 hours when just listening with no TX and much faster with alot of TX. Other than than, there are a few quirky programing things about it, but it is a good radio. I think you get the most bang out of your buck with this one and I have had absolutely no problems with it. RX/TX is great. You will need to keep the owner's manual handy for quite a while until you learn how to program memories and such. Let me put it this way...no radio is perfect. I've considered many others, but still think this is the best on the market.

73's and God bless...

Ray
KE5KDA
KI4SDV Rating: 2006-11-29
Quality Control? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My VX-7Rb arrived yesterday afternoon, serial number indicated it was built in June 06, charged it up for 7 hours, turned it on, and....nothing.

Stobe came on, display glowed orange for about 5 seconds, then nothing. After that would not power up, even while connected to charger. So drove 2 hours (each way) to exchange it. Bad luck I guess...

Recieved a newer one built in aug 06, and it had the stronger 1500ma battery. Charging it now, will update review after some use.
W1KJL Rating: 2006-11-28
Newer production model is solid. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just picked up a black VX-7R from HRO with a serial number which states it was built in August 2006. I will say that all the early model issues have been addressed and I have yet to find a problem. There is no muffled audio and I get great transmit reports when I use the Diamond SRH-320A antenna. The 'rubber duck' is awful and people have told me so when I use it :) I need to find another antenna so that I can try the 6 meter band.

I also have a Kenwood TH-F6A which I love as well and only bought this unit because I wanted a more durable (weather proof) HT and the 6 meter band. If you have been holding off buying one of these because of the earlier problems with these units, rest assured that these new models have been fixed.

There are 2 minor things that bug me. The first is that you can't really fine tune the volume like on the Kenwood with it's smooth turning dial. With Yaesu's click dial it can sometimes either be too soft or too loud. Unfortunately there is no in-between. The other issue is that the menus are not alphabetical and take some getting used to. Finally, when making menu changes you have to use the Main and Sub keys to scoll through the options instead of using the dial like on the Kenwood. This slows me down a bit as you have to either click or hold down the button. I'll update my review as I use it a bit more.

All in all a great buy!
KD5ZZK Rating: 2006-11-15
Muffled audio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
As stated in other reviews, the audio output is sick. You have to loosen the battery pack and resecure it to relieve the air pressure inside the case. This seems to be due to the waterproof membrane over the speaker and sealed case. After you do this, the audio sounds normal for an HT this small. Operating menu seems intimidating at first, but becomes second nature after you learn it. I prefer the FT-60R for durability and simplicity to use. The strobe light feature is unique. I used it on one occasion to to mark our campsite and guide in another camper at night. The only reason I haven't sold it is because it's cool to have an HT with 5 watt 6 meter FM capability. Extended RX is awsome! Goes down to short wave.
OE3SGU Rating: 2006-10-01
Good but could be better Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I like my VX7-R, its so rugged and it really works fine. But I hate the stupid and not well thought of menu-system. I always carry one of the nifty-manuals with me, just in case...
G7UFJ Rating: 2006-09-28
Good, but not excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After being off air for about 6 years, I thought I would have another dabble. Looking around for a handheld so as not to be restricted where I can use it, and the added bonus of 6m which I had not used before, the VX-7 looked ideal. Not used Yaesu before, only Kenwood & Icom so menu methods were new to me. I say menu 'methods' in the very loosest sense as there is not much logic to it, but after some use I found it easier but not quick to find what I want. I still have not, and probably never will get my head round the various memory options, although basic storage and high/low scan ranges are easy enough. No problems with TX & RX audio or signals (although I have yet to hear anything on 6m, waiting for a aerial for the car which should help on all bands). I would imagine it can be a pain to swap the aerial tips depending on operating bands, but as theres no 6m action here not a problem for me. Would recommend as a HT but cannot compare to anyhing else current.
KC0WEO Rating: 2006-09-20
Impressed Time Owned: more than 12 months.
As a new ham, I did use this HT for monitoring local public safety almost 16 months. For the last 8 months I have been using it non stop with out failure. It has been used in extreme heat 103 degrees and heavy rain during ARES and SkyWarn operations and has not let me down. Used mainly on 2m with an adjustable (included) rubber duck and 1/4 wave mag mount antenna. It is programmed easily on the go, I now programm all my Yaesu radios with the RT systems software. I am still impressed with its rugged reliability. I have dropped the HT from about 3 feet on concrete resulting in a hairline crack on the screen trim which did not affect it's function. It was easily repaired at home.

If you need a good solid all around HT the VX7R is my choice. A great 1st, 2nd and 3rd radio for HT, mobile or mobile use. It does it all....even gets wet!