Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Yaesu FT-8100R

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non 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 FT-8100R
Reviews: 88MSRP: 699.00
Description:
Dual Band 2 meter/440 Remote capable 1200/9600 data interface
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/ft8100.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00883.1
N4VBV Rating: 2004-08-24
Very Poor Yaesu customer service! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought this rig in 2001, it died in 2003. Had all the features I wanted, including military VHF airband receive and great scanning.

Radio worked fine until late 2003, when the VHF (left) side stopped transmitting (UHF/440 side still worked great). Called Yaesu tech support, and the guys there were super (bad part comes later, and is NOT tech support!). They asked what happened and what I had already tried (power cycles, resets, etc.). Walked through the reset procedure again with the tech folks, and still no luck, so they said I'd have to send it back for service.

Sent the radio in and got a very quick reply from tech support that the main board and the VHF board were fried. Would cost almost $500 to repair, and I only paid a little over $300 for the radio brand new. I must mention that during all this process the tech support folks usually responded to emails within a day, and even phoned to confirm details. Hats off to the tech folks, they did all they could.

The bad part was dealing with customer service. Tech support said I would have to work through customer service (THAT term is a joke!) to work a return/exchange. When I emailed customer service, they said they knew of the problem, and had been working a rebate program, but "unfortunately it had been discontinued only a month prior to my radio being returned". I'll be glad to forward the email to anyone interested. When I asked why I wasn't notified ( I sent the warranty registration when I initially bought the radio), she replied that dealers were not notified, the rebate program was only worked on an as-needed basis. When I replied that I had sent in my warranty card and still had heard nothing, she basically said the rebate program was over and they could accept no more radios.

So much for Yaesu customer service - they knew about the problem, but only worked a rebate if someone complained. I will be forwarding their emails to the Better Business Bureau so at least they'll have a record of how Yaesu does business. I won't get any help on my radio, but can hopefully keep anyone else from making the same mistake.

I did consider the FT-8800R, but after dealing with Yaesu once, I think I'll avoid any more of their products!

Let the buyer beware!

The interesting part is that the radio will resume working on VHF if it stays powered on for 15-20 minutes. I have read the fixes on this site, and will be trying some. Since I only have a UHF radio right now, and not that much UHF activity around here, don't have much to lose.

The ad is correct - "Yaesu did it again!"
KC4IUP Rating: 2004-07-28
The Energizer Bunny! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this radio and its accompanying remote head hardware new back in 1997/1998. I had owned two FT-5200s with remote heads for several years and had not had any problems with them and wanted to try some new gear. Well, the FT-8100R worked fine then and continues to do so.

When I first got the radio, I installed it in my car with the remote head and used it for about 2 years. Then I sold the car and put the radio on the shelf, not installing it again until just a few months ago in a replacement vehicle. When I powered up the radio, it worked just fine with all the memories in place, just like the day I removed it from my first car. And, like then, the radio does a great job and gets great reports using the roof mounted Radial/Larsen NMO270B antenna.

The only quirky thing I've noticed about this radio is the loose fit the head has in its remote mount. Yaesu solved the problem by including a few extra washers in the remote kit that you are instructed to install behind the screws that secure the cable connector in place behind the head. This tightens the connection.

Other than this, no problems.
N8ZHN Rating: 2004-05-10
I love This Rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hello, in this radio's defense, i must say that in the 5 years that i've had this radio the only problem ive had was the pigtail for the coax was pulled out, thought it was unhooked but it wasnt. Like i said it was MY fault. Love the Cross band Repeat and Ease of use. I've had many vhf radio's in my time as a Ham but this is one of the Best. Thanks for listening
N4SQH Rating: 2004-04-17
Never another Yeasu Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This radio has visited the repair shop three times. It was gone so long I bought an IC-208 (reliable but poor receiver) to use while it was out. It had numerous problems with audio level, internal feedback (microphonics?), and with power output (it would overheat and stop transmitting (permanently). On the last trip to the factory they replaced the VHF board. That temporarily fixed the transmit shutdown problem, but it still overheats and shuts down if used with anything but a perfect antenna match (if I change frequency, I have to retune my Diamond 770). I used an external speaker to fix the microphonics. It still routinely locks up and scrambles the display (sometimes with xmit on). The only good thing about it is that the receiver is pretty intermod bulletproof. If I use the IC208 to transmit and the Yeasu to receive, I have one functioning radio.
K4CDK Rating: 2004-03-15
Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had some problems with it in the past cutting off on the 2 meter side. Kept reading updates and modification sites. Finally resordered the pll chip and placed a small piece of foam on the bottom of the speaker to keep a downward pressure on the PLL chip -- has not missed a beat in 4 months now. If you are having trouble with it cuting off, check the solder on the PLL chip. Works fine now....didn't give up on it now it is working good. K4CDK

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K4CDK on 2002-12-21

Bought it brand new. not a problem for year and half. Then the 2 meter side would drop out when it got hot. 440 worked ok. Called Yaseu, said send it in, that it was a recurring problem, could be easily fixed for free. Not so they wanted $175 to fix. Got it home not fixed, got on Mods.dk read mods and problems, local tech took two days worked out the bugs and it is working better than when new.
M1DQI Rating: 2004-03-09
common issues aside a very good RIG ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased the FT8100 about 2 Years ago second hand, and had the fault of a lose pcb socket/plug for the UHF Vfo Knob soon after; this was fixed by Yaesu for £50, as is quite a delicate job to do yourself.

since then it has worked brilliantly, no problems,

TX and RX audio very good
Features are impressive
the vari-glo display is especially useful for night time use in a vehicle


Does get a bit too warm when opertating High power on VHF with long Transmissions though, but fine on all other power settings.

only reason it doesnt get 5 is because there are issues that arise, but with a correctly tuned antenna and suitable supply and care it will provide any user with some reliable operation!

certainly going on features this would be my choice over its replacement the FT7100
VE6VRK Rating: 2004-02-29
Bad radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned Yaesu equipment with no problem untill my FT8100R has finally showed the problems that I have read in previous reviews. Its a shame that buying equipment these days is like rolling the dice. I dont care what the cost is as long as it works. I will replace this garbage radio with an HF radio with VHF and UHF most likely a 706MKIIG which is proven it self. I think new HAMS should not be fooled by new and improved but should go with tried and true. lesson learned.
KB2QDA Rating: 2004-01-18
Radio SUX Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Giberish display problem. Tx cuts out. Sounds like it is 5 Kc off frequency. Has it in for repairs twice. No problem identified. Very intermittant and annoying. So far I have $120 spent in repair bills with no fix.
KF4LFG Rating: 2003-12-04
Few problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This has been my only mobile and it's been everywhere, from sitting in a box for a year to running APRS on a nice big power supply to daily mobile use in my van to jury-rigged at a dozen public-service events. I smoked it once hooking it up backwards to a public-service truck (I guess never assume red is positive and black is negative). Yaesu support started walking me through replacing the dead diode, but since it was mounted vertically, taking all the boards apart was too much of a challenge, so I let them do it for $70.

At the same time, they also made an attempt to fix the common problem with the volume/squelch controls coming loose from the circuit boards, but in the end I wound up resoldering them myself.

I've also had to replace the antenna pigtail after the shield flexed itself apart. That made me a big fan of non-pigtailed antenna connectors. At least that's a cheap part and easy do-it-yourself job.

My biggest complaint about it is how hot it runs. On transmit, it's ok if you keep the duty cycle down, but still, the heat sink is far too small. But my problem is that when it's on more like 90% receive and no transmit, it overheats to blistering since the automatic fan (to compensate for the undersized heat sink) never kicks on.

Would I buy another one? Sure, since I know what I'm getting. But I wouldn't recommend it for most users. Get something a bit more robust.
KF4QZJ Rating: 2003-12-03
GREAT radio with known issues. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got one off of ebay for less than $200. VHF control not working. Yup bad solder joints. Hardwired after I ripped the traces, my fault.
Did all other "mods", did not find any cold solder joints. Installed in my truck with remote (I LOVE THAT) head. Unit has been just great so far. UHF is not at the 35watts on high, only getting about 25watts.
I would take another if the price was right. I LOVE the ease of use, big display.
I am a happy ham'r with this rig.