| WY7CDL |
Rating:  |
2009-10-05 | |
| WOW!! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Amazing features. Small Package. Powerful. What more can you want? I really enjoy this Radio mostly on 2m and 70cm havent gotten into 10 and 6 YET. But I have no problem hitting repeaters 100+ miles away on 35 watts on my mobile setup. I use a Diamond CR8900A quad band antenna and it works well. The crossband repeat is a great feature and I use that a lot. My mobile is in a jeep and I do a lot of outdoor stuff so I set the 8900 in x-band repeat and use my VX3r in the field. If you are looking to buy this radio DONT HESITATE DO IT! |
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| AB6PG |
Rating: |
2009-09-03 | |
| Nice rig |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| very much like the standard 5900 with some tricks. |
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| KD4WPC |
Rating: |
2009-07-23 | |
| A great gift. |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I got one of these for xmas of 08. First thing I noticed is they have used cheap plastic shaft vr's that are very lose and can cause differences when in a mobile and bouncing...IE: volume level differences. These vr's are just crap and should have not been used in this radio. This radio overall is a pretty good rig. The menu can sometimes be a bit daunting if you dont read the instructions...who needs instructions...but I suggest you read them on this rig and keep the book handy for reference. I use mine as a base and ended up doing the mic mod...remove the plastic tab...to get better audio results.
I love the fact its dual rcv. Mod was easy if you need it.
Other than the cheap knob vr's this is a pretty good rig. |
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| K7TUX |
Rating: |
2009-07-16 | |
| I love this radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I got this radio because it was a quad-bander and most of the reviews I have read were very good. I have to say that I am thoroughly pleased with it. I did the microphone mod found on several sites and the audio cleaned up considerably. I have found that I like the ease of use of the menus as well. This radio is a tad expensive, but I feel it is worth every penny. One note. Make sure to get the correct antenna(s) for this radio. It makes all the difference in the world. |
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| 2E0ZDJ |
Rating: |
2009-05-04 | |
| mh-48 mike spoils audio |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| hello i wanted everyone to no that the mh-48 spoils audio,all my audio reports using that microphone were terrible,harsh plasticky distorted not nice and rounded like it shud be,in the end i used the standard mh-42 microphone and all audio reports were perfect,i also tested it on other yaesu radio 8100 and same problem,bottom line stick to mh-42,scrap the mh-48 dtmf in the bin ware it belongs,very frustating sussing it out,73s to all,hope this helps |
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| OE5NIP |
Rating: |
2008-10-16 | |
| Fun Rigs |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Hi!
I have one in the car, one at home.
I need it for the new Repeater Projekt in our Club in Steyr.
The FT-8900 are very good and simple.
I think a class of its own.
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| KI4CRA |
Rating: |
2008-10-11 | |
| Will not give this radio up for anything!! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Well, here we are almost 13 months later and I still have my 8900R. Where some HD rigs come n go my 8900 is still working strong. I just recently took the 857D from my Sport Trac & put the 8900 back in. Seems like me and HF mobiling just aren't meant to be. So sold the 857,only have a dual band antenna on the truck, but there's a hamfest today, didn't get a chance to look today, but have to go back again tomorrow, will look for at least a tri-band antenna for the rig, would like a Daimond HV-7A quqd or a comet UHV-4 to make it right.
As I said a year ago, I like the 8900 and wind up selling it. It is a breeze to program, has tons of memories, did I mention it has tons of memories? When the storms of 04-05 hit the 8900 was a constant companion, used it for emergency nets, had lots of compliments from other folks, who were so impressed that a couple of them went on to get their license. The ability to cross band repeat is a plus also, haven't had the need to do so, and when I did have a need I didn't have my 8900, or anyradio that would cross band repeat.
Any way folks,you've read the reviews, both pro and con, For the price you get a great rig with lots of useful options. Get one you wont regret it, This is one radio that I will not give up for anything,unless its a new 8900R.
73 de Mark
AI4HO
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KI4CRA on 2007-09-18
This is an update of my Feb 04 review. I am now on my 3rd or 4th FT-8900, can't rightly remember. Anyway, the others I had were sold for one piece of equipment or another. Well, about 8 months ago I finally was able to get my hands on another one, and I don't plan on getting rid of it. In fact I'm thinking of getting another one.
For me the 8900 can't be beat, it has great xmit and receive, you've got the cross band capabilities, this little rig has it all. Yea I've heard how its supposed to be a nightmare to program, never ran into that problem. Currently I have my 8900 in my (yes I still have it) Sport Trac, with the remote mount and a Comet UHV4 quad band antenna. Didn't really care for the last one I had, but thought I'd give it another chance, other than having to check the set screws 1 x month the antenna is a good performer for the 8900.
I have several friends who have the 8900, and they use theirs both mobile and as a base. I am defintely thinking of getting another one to go in my go kit. Just my thoughts guys. Hope to catch you on the air.
73 de Mark
AI4HO
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KI4CRA on 2004-02-13
I had an FT8900R up until a month ago. Traded it and some cash to a guy in SC for a 706MKIIG, put it in my Explorer Sport Trac, But only used it for 6/2/440. I have another MKIIG which I have for a base. But I digress, I sold the MKIIG in my Sport Trac to a friend of mine the other day, and today I ordered another 8900. Fantastic little radio, I think I have or will have 2 of each of the Big 3 KNWD, Icom, and Yaesu. I plan on getting the HV7A antenna for the 8900 this time. Seems like the Comet UHV4 just didn't do the job for me, had the antenna about 2 months and lost the 10m loading coil for it, it still worked for 6/2/440 but was a little scratchy. Currently have the Maldol 510 tri-bander which works extremely well, but I have my heart set on the HV7A.
As I said before and I'l say it again, this is one great little radio. BRAVO Yaesu!! 73 Mark KI4CRA |
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| K6USN |
Rating: |
2008-08-29 | |
| A long time favorite |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This radio has been around a long time and is still being made. This says something. I carefully read all the reviews and attribute most of the (few) negative comments to programming glitches. Okay and the occasional component failure. Happens to all of us.
I got this radio to dabble in 10M FM again. It is the only radio I can find on the market that provides 10M FM (and 6M FM) along with the VHF/UHF package in a small footprint. I added a Larson LMO trunk lip mount and separate antennas for 2M, 6M and 10M which stow nicely in the trunk. There are valid comments about the FM deviation being set lower than desirable. This may be noticable on repeaters but on simplex it works fine and I get a lot of great audio reports.
Radio is not that hard to program (I am a 65 year old retiree with a non technical background). I did it in under three hours.
The radio is small and I remote mounted the control head to the vent on my dashboard. Radio fits nicely under the passenger seat with room to spare. A lot smaller than the FT 857 that I was considering.
Bottom line - it works well, gives me great diversity in my mobile hamming, and has a very small footprint. My FT8900R was built in April 08, and they appear to have corrected some of the shorcomings noted in postings from several years back.
I am happy with my purchase.
Allen K6USN (E51USN)
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K6USN on 2003-03-24
My mobile requirements are modest. I am mainly an HF DX'er and the rig in the car is to keep me company on the road, not push the frontiers of VHF technology. I listen to the local repeaters, monitor the aero and public service bands and slap on the Larsen Mag Mount for 10M FM. This hardly taps the capabilities of this little radio.
The optional remote mounting bracket allows for custom and unobtrusive fitting into a very cramped front seat compartment, with the radio mounted in the trunk and away from prying eyes and sticky fingers.
My only complaint is that the xmit audio on 10FM is weak. Yaesu, in it's sometimes oblique wisdom, decided on narrow FM with no switching option. This results in weak audio output on 10M. It works - but I am used to better 10FM reports (from my IC 706 or FT 1000MP).
I'd give it a '4' based on this flaw, but don't want to skewer the reviews for an otherwise excellent little radio.
(If anyone has a suggestion on boosting the audio
output I'd be very interested.)
The 8900R is a keeper.
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|
| WD5CCW |
Rating: |
2008-08-16 | |
| Fun Rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought this rig with the purpose of extending my HT range while driving out in the county.
When my antenna came in, I scurried to put it up and start programming the frequencies into the 8900r. Since I have the Yaesu VX7R, I did note some similarities when programming, but of course I didn't have the 8900r hooked up to a computer for easier programming. But the instructions were pretty easy!
And for $350, I got a good deal and well pleased!
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|
| N4CQR |
Rating: |
2008-07-02 | |
| Need A 4-Band FM Rig? This Is It |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| Bought one of these used, out of curiosity, more than anything else. I was looking for a 2M mobile and figured what the heck, go for 10 and 6m too. After I got it installed and paired up with a Comet SB15, (I don't need 10M FM) I could not be more happy. As mentioned below, memory management is awkward but considering the radio's amenities I can deal with it. Performance has been excellent. Expecially cross-band repeat - makes life around the office a bit more pleasant... |
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