| K1UC |
Rating:      |
2003-10-26 | |
| Excellent implementation |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I had a VX-1R for a while and hated it; it was too hard to use without a keypad. When the price on the VX-2R dropped last month, I couldn't resist getting one. This unit is much better than the VX-1R, and I don't miss the numeric pad for frequency entry.
The scanning versatility with the 20 banks, band vs. all band limits, PMS scanning, etc. makes using the 1000 memory channels easy. I've been able to quickly sort out the capabilities and the radio gives me what I want readily.
The audio's limited because of the rig's size, but it's fine in most environments.
If you are thinking about this rig, please download the free VX-2R Commander software for it . It makes it so easy to set the rig up, it would be a shame not to have it on your PC.
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| G1SYS |
Rating:      |
2003-10-16 | |
| Small rig , Big performance. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought my VX-2 at the Leicester show, 19th of September 2003.
I was very pleased with my previous rig :- the VX-1 but I am even more pleased now that I have traded it in for the VX-2. I tend to use 70cms and IRLP making full use of the CTCSS and the auto DTMF dialing and this rig has brought even more pleasure to the hobby.
The Audio is clearer from the internal speaker and the display is easier to see. With that extra little bit of power what a difference it makes accessing the local repeaters. As for memories, there are more than enough to satisfy all users. The scanning of frequencies/memories is also far superior compared to the VX-1 band scan only even if you had the 'template modifier'
SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATION
Has anyone used the VX-2 Commander software? This really does put the VX-2 in a league of its own compared to the VX-1. The programme gives access to all 1000 memories and all requirements to process data/frequencies to your own specifications.
SPARE BATTERY TIP
I have enquired about a spare battery from a Yaesu dealer and they wanted £45. BUT, try this. Go to a good camera shop and ask for a Kodak ' Easy Share' Klic 5000 battery. It is 1050mAh and an exact fit. The only difference is that the Kodak writing is on the other side compared to the Yaesu one ! I bought one from Jessops for £17 and I'm sure that if I was to search on the web that I could find one even cheaper. Also, The Kodak Easy Share system has a Lithium Battery charger which would enable us to charge batteries outside of the rig, leaving the rig to be used and not out of action charging ( I have not tracked one down yet although I have seen pictures on the net)
73. G1SYS Alan |
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| AD5X |
Rating:      |
2003-10-07 | |
| Tough to beat at this price |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I bought two of these - one for myself and one for my XYL. When you consider the price and performance (let's face it - everything is a trade-off), I don't see how you could fault this great little radio. It does everything we need for a dual-band talkie to do - plus it is very compact. It works as advertised, and is easy to use once you've gone through the book once. I like the easy access to the weather channels, and the ability to transmit at 1-watt with such a small talkie. I have not experienced any intermod problems here in the Dallas area.
If you want more power, TT pad, dual receiver, etc and don't mind paying a lot more money, then get a higher featured radio. But at the current price ($179 - $50 rebate), the VX-2R sure meets our requirements.
Phil - AD5X |
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| G0DBI |
Rating:     |
2003-10-03 | |
| Small, but a compromise |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
On the one hand you won't hear anything on a radio you left at home because it's too big and heavy to carry around, but on the other hand a rig that covers all these frequencies and which has such a small antenna is not going to excel in every part of the spectrum.
It seems completely deaf on medium wave, but I was surprised to hear a number of shortwave broadcast stations, especially on the lower bands after dark. It seems a little bit deaf on the FM broadcast band, airband AM isn't too bad, and on 2 metres it's about what you would expect with a tiny antenna. 70 is OK, but I don't have anything to compare it with.
Battery life is pretty good, and utterly amazing compared with the last NiCd powered handheld that I owned.
The bottom line is that this isn't the best radio in the world, but it's relatively cheap and so portable that you will take it places where you wouldn't bother with other radios. |
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| WB7TFD |
Rating:      |
2003-09-25 | |
| VX-2R vs VX-1R |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Being a VX-1R owner, the "2" is terrific. The receive audio is much better (louder) and the split volume/dial is a welcome addition. Transmit audio is better too. Get good reports. Receive sensitivity is better on most bands. It is worse on aircraft frequencies (.5 vs 1.5uv). Much better on AM broadcast, 170-220, 470-999.
The tons of added memories are super - including the 900 regular memories, 100 skip, 50 sets of band-edge, 11 home channels, 10 wx, 280 marine, 89 sw and 20 memory banks. Ya got memories coming out of yer ears. I have separate banks for am, fm, aircraft, ares, frs, 6m, 2m, 220, 440, tv, 800 trunk, etc.
It would be handy if you could scan within the bank memories. As it is you must use tuning dial - but you only access the frequencies for that bank. With 20 banks you can subdivide your memory frequencies into convenient groupings.
The preferential memory feature permits you to scan only your favorite frequencies. You can scan the pref mems only - a great feature. You are not limited to "in-band" scanning. Way to go Yaesu.
Along those lines the memory skip tag makes it easy to eliminate unwanted or noisy channels.
The memory offset tuning feature permits you to temporarily vfo tune from the current frequency - great for net operations where you want to move to another frequency and then return to the original frequency.
Note that the Home Channel is not included in scan or regular memory dial mode. Also, you can instant QSY to the Home channel for the band associated with the current frequency in use and return to the original frequency.
Dual watch is slower than the VX1. 5 seconds for vx2 vs 2.5 secs for VX1 - may be a problem for some. This timer is not adjustable.
You can turn the weather channel scan on and off from the set menu. With wx scan enabled the VX-2R checks the WX channel every few seconds during a regular scan.
I use a "skinny" antenna to replace the stock antenna and performance is very good. The stock antenna works ok within 20 miles of repeaters. With a 1/2 wave vertical inside the house I can work repeaters 60 miles away.
Battery life seems adequate. Had a 45 minute QSO with mimimal drain on the battery. Runs all day+ on a charge. 2.5 hour recharge.
The red backlight is much better than the VX1 and brightness is adjustable. Also the xmit button is tons more thumb-friendly than the VX1.
The repeater reverse works super. Press once to reverse xmit/rcv freqs and press again to return. The offset indicator blinks when you are in reverse mode.
The Set mode features are arranged in alphabetical order - this makes it easier to find the item you need. Good job.
The 10db Attenuator improves FM Broadcast performance and most intermod problems with a gain antenna (or car antenna in the city). Welcome addition. No brack brack sounds with the attenuator on.
Programming is no more difficult than the VX1. Wish there was a 1mhz step to make it easier to get to widely disparate frequencies. The 100KHz is ok.
As soon as my wife gets her license upgrade I will get her one too. Fits well in her purse and is easy to use. The redesigned case is more stable and supports the tall skinny antenna without falling over - lower center of gravity.
The size, weight, performance and features make this a good buy IMHO. With the current $50 rebate, the $140 price tag is hard to beat for such a flexible and capable little HT.
Only con is the inability to scan within a memory bank. Maybe in the VX3? Also, hope the lettering on the buttons lasts longer than the vx1. Time will tell. |
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| KG4PLK |
Rating:      |
2003-09-17 | |
| Great Radio, |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This radio is great! It has features like wx-alert,Higher power then vx-1r and Recieves HF!
Does Anyone Know How to enable Wx alert on vx-2r IPf you know e-mail kg4plk22@hotmail.com
73,Robby KG4PLK |
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| G4WIE |
Rating:     |
2003-09-11 | |
| Action Bands |
Time Owned: N.A. |
Hello all.
Just received my unit in the uk. Nice, works fine. BUT I do wish
Yaesu or whatever they call themselves these days would stop stating
that the units receive certain frequencies ie Action Band (1) 222-
420 mhz which they don't.And the reception of tv sound 470-800mhz
which is practically non existant. Similar probs to the VX7 VX5 VX1.
There is nothing is receivable in the UK on that band on these uk
version HTS, yet there is plenty actually going on.I know I should
get a dedicated scanner but I always imagined that anyone claiming
that a product actually does something should ensure it does.
Any comments?
Regards
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| AC5PS |
Rating:      |
2003-07-18 | |
| Just what I needed |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have had the rig for over a month now and the VX-2 is just what I needed. My UHF repeater is close to my house, so the VX-2 is perfect for walking, working or when I ride my cycle. I can even " get into " a friends repeater 10+ miles away in Austin. If I need to use DTMF I use the mobile or an HTX-404, but that's not to often. I have real brick HT's with high performace antennas for emergency use. My PTT is little hard to push, but this is a small transceiver! I think what we are doing wrong is not pushing straight in on the PTT. The scan mode uses the battery up in 3 or 4 hours, monitering one freq will last about two days. |
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| WA2N |
Rating:     |
2003-07-18 | |
| Nice little radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| So far I haven't had much time to experiment as it was purchased yesterday (7/17), but I like what I see. I did want to comment that the PTT and side switches are not hard to press. They must have fixed the problem on later units. |
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| VR2VJJ |
Rating:     |
2003-07-14 | |
| Good backup Radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Comment on my newly bought VX-2R. I agreed that it is not a good primary radio, but if size does matter to you, it is a good pocket radio for your shirt.
Pros
- Good Fit in my hand very well, I like its compact size.
- PTT is stiff as heard, but it is still okay for me.
- The Frequency Counter is something like 7R, but more easy to be used.Nice feature!
- Mic is good with good gain, nice.. sometimes too large gain i suppose.
- My Nokia 6510 Battery are able to use with 2R without any modification. Seems i didn't hear that about from anywhere.
- Volume is good enough, and better than VX-1R already
Cons
- The given antenna is just so-so. I can't pick some weak signal very well. I tried to receive my local TV Boardcast (6xx-7xxMHz) and at a location that see the TV Tower, got S1 with that duckie and have S2-3 fading using Diamond RH701S and S9 if i put my 2R vertically.
- Subtone is heard when using TSQ mode. Seems the same problem with 7R but it is absent for my VX-150.
Compare with VX-1R, it got lots of improvements such as larger volume and more TX power. However, I need to change to a better antenna if i really want a better receive signals. |
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