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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-2600M

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-2600M
Reviews: 102MSRP: 170
Description:
HEAVY-DUTY VHF FM TRANSCEIVER
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/ft2600m.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001024
KE4RWS Rating: 2007-07-03
Excellent Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I’ve owned two of these models for over five years now and still love the FT-2600. I purchased both brand new for a sale price of $110 each with the intention of using them for dedicated data radios. Both are used strictly as base stations and run high-power 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. One radio operates packet with a Kantronics KPC-9612+ while the other runs my APRS station using a KPC-3.

Because both FT-2600’s are used as base stations they don’t experience the fluctuating voltages found in a mobile installation, therefore, I have not had any of the memory ‘dumping’ issues others have complained about. At one time I had a third 2600 I purchased from a friend, and he complained of the memory dump problem before I purchased it from him but once it was attached to a stable power supply I never had any issues with it, so it’s reasonable to say the FT-2600 may be best suited as a base station setup.

I have used my 2600’s on voice on a few occasions and have had excellent results. The audio is clean and loud and gets good reports from those I’ve spoke with. RF power output is at printed specs with just a tad more depending on the antenna used and SWR conditions.

I originally chose the FT-2600 for data operation because of past experience with the previous model, the FT-2500, which was a highly rated model in its day. The other reason I chose the 2600 was the handy DB9 data connector on the rear of the unit. This made for easy wiring and was a good fit for use with a PC and/or TNC (I wish all mobile’s had a DB9).

The display has an 8-character alpha-numeric architecture and is well lit and illumination is adjustable in 4 stages. Display backlighting is accomplished using LED’s, which is commonplace in most if not all radio’s today. This means you can leave the display light on without worrying about how long the light will last (how many remember all those older radio’s where the incandescent bulbs blew out after a few years, and the heat those bulbs generated on their own!). LED’s generate no heat to speak of and last virtually forever (something like100,000 hours I believe, which might as well be forever in human terms).

The menu system is simple to navigate and easy to comprehend. The speaker on the 2600 is on the front facing forward, which is very convenient. I’d still recommend a good quality external speaker for mobile installations but many use it mobile with just the internal speaker with acceptable results (I’ve always preferred a good external speaker myself), although I use my 2600’s turned completely down (quiet) because I don’t want to listen to data bursts in the shack.

The controls on the radio are few and simple. I would have preferred to have a squelch control knob but being a single-band mobile radio, the electronic squelch setting is good for almost every channel I would operate (even if used for voice operation). Still, I’ve always preferred a real knob for squelch control. Button placement is logical and works well for either base or mobile operation.

The FT-2600 has a healthy heat sink but does get rather warm while using even low power (5 watts) for extended periods of time. High-power operation for more than a few minutes results in a heat sink you could grill food on. I recommend mounting a small fan to the heat sink to better dissipate the heat, or at least place a small fan so it blows across the heat sink, whether base or mobile. Even a small amount of air circulation will go a long way to keep your radio cool. Although my 2600’s operate strictly using high-power, the data bursts are so short the radios aren’t keyed long enough to even get warm so if you intend to use your 2600 for dedicated data operation a fan isn’t necessary.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using my FT-2600’s and they have served extremely well in the capacity I use them for. Again though, I must point out that I have never used them in a mobile environment so my review does not encompass that aspect, which, based on many other reviews here say the 2600 has a problem with dumping all it’s memory channels if the radio is left on when starting your vehicle (that drop in voltage that occurs when you start your car and everything either dims out or drops out completely for a moment). Obviously this potential issue would not be observed if used as a base station attached to a stable power supply.

Although no longer made (I think there have been two additional models since the 2600), the FT-2600 has been a great addition to my radio collection and I’ve had hundreds of hours of enjoyment using this fine model. I hope they continue to last because I’d hate to have to replace them (but if I did I’d likely buy a couple Kenwood TM-271’s).


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Earlier 5-star review posted by KE4RWS on 2002-05-11

This review focuses mainly on the FT-2600M's use as a data (packet) radio in a fixed-base station environment rather than voice or mobile operation. Since I haven't seen any reviews which focused on this mode for this model I thought I'd contribute my findings when used in this capacity.

I use my FT-2600M strictly as a data radio in the shack attached to a 23 amp swithing power supply operating 24/7. The difference here is my radio is always attached to a constant, stable 13.8 volts, never gets turned off, and never runs voice. In fact, the microphone is completely unplugged and is in the box. This could be the reason I haven't experienced any of the "issues" others have complained about.

The FT-2600M operates 1200 baud with no problem, but I have noticed some minor issues when operating 9600 baud. The bit error rate (BER) does climb somewhat, but this can be corrected for the most part by fine-tuning the TNC it's attached to. Once I did this the errors have been minimal for the most part. Until I've had further use and experience with this baud rate (9600) I can only say it performs reasonably well. But again, at 9600 baud it is imperative to make adjustments to your TNC for it to operate adequately. I'm still in the testing phases of 9600 baud operation so it's still a "Work-in-Process" kind of thing!

I did operate the radio on voice for about one week when I purchased it. The rig is only about two months old and was purchased new. After using it on voice for about a week (in the shack only), it was employed on packet running 1200 & 9600 baud which was it's main intended purpose to begin with. The thing that makes the FT-2600M really great is the fact that it can operate 1200 & 9600 baud at the same time without having to "assign" what baud rate to operate at. The radio is attached to a Kantronics KPC-9612 Plus TNC and the cable is looped from the TNC's 1200 baud port over to the 9600 baud port, then to the FT-2600M. In this configuration the radio is capable of operating both baud rates on the same frequency. This is something other radio's aren't capable of (at least to my knowledge) because other models must be told, usually via menu, which baud rate will be utilized.

Unfortunately, my experiences with the FT-2600M are quite different than those who use it for voice purposes or while mobile. This would defintely expose the radio to more variables than what I subject it to.

In summary, the FT-2600M appears to be an excellent data radio, and the addition of the DB-9 connector on the rear makes it even nicer. I can really only speak for the radio in the sense of data operation. However, I can say that it performs perfectly in this capacity, and I highly recommend it for this purpose.
G0YAP Rating: 2007-07-02
Built Like A Tank Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had 2 of these, one has been my main station 2 mtr rig for the passed 6 years and it has never let me down. My wife uses the base alot to talk to me whilst I,m at work and by god.. she can talk!! The 60w pa stands up to her verbal assault and the radio does heat up, but nothing to worry about. I have noticed these radios are favoured by the Raynet and 4 x 4 rescue lot and I,m not surprized. They are a good, well built and reliable radio. Shame Yaesu stopped making them. If you see one for sale... BUY IT or tell me about it and I,ll buy it!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by G0YAP on 2007-05-19

Owned one as my main base station transceiver for years and it is used everyday on 60 watt. It is like the duracel... It keeps going... and going and going..... A good basic, reliable radio.
N5NPO Rating: 2006-09-23
Wish they still made 'em! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got mine used from e-bay. Being a two way radio tech I was not overly concerned about any problems that might crop up with a used rig. Despite not being packed well for shipping, I recieved the radio in very good condition. It was missing the mounting bracket and one screw from the face plate. I found a mounting bracket for it (from a Kenwood TK-7160 land mobile rig) and put it in my service van. It has a fron firing speaker, best idea yet on a 2m mobile rig. It is 90% heatsink. It will get very warm, but rest assured it is dissipating the heat. I have the programming software and it makes entering memories a BREEZE! If you want a 2m mobile rig with guts and features, this is the one! You can get them used sometimes for under $120. With the built in PL encode decode and DPL (DCS) encode/decode, the radio will not be obsolete for many years to come! 73 de N5NPO
former_WN5T Rating: 2004-12-15
Good Rig, but... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have now had my 2600M for over a year. It transmits full rated output of 65W. The audio reports have been outstanding. The receive audio is good. The internal speaker isn't great, but it is a front-firing speaker. That feature I really like, though I usually run an external speaker. This a great rig which I have run both in the truck and in the shack.

I do wish it had the DTMF control functions like those on the FT-1500.

Now, the reason I gave it a "3"... Whoever at Yaesu decided to use 6-wire modular (a.k.a. three line telephone) plugs on the microphones should have stayed home that day. If there is ANY tension on the mic cable, my transmitted audio crackles. This one will probably get opened up and the mic cable hard-wired into the radio. The trend of using RJ series connectors doesn't find it's only home at Yaesu. It is a lamentable trend. At least ICOM uses the RJ-45 on the IC706 series of radios which seems to be a more mechanically sound connection.

Buy the rig. It's great...just be ready for "you've got mic cord problems" to be heard from the speaker.

73 es gud DX,
Michael
WN5T

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Earlier 4-star review posted by WN5T on 2003-03-11

I use the FT-2600M in the shack. I have unplugged the p/s several times and I have not experienced any memory problems. I have run the rig mobile,too, with great success. Mine put out 65W without adjustment. I did have the deviation turned up a bit.

The only beef I have with this rig is that the control buttons on the microphone (A thru D) are not active like they are on my FT-1500M. That's the only thing I'd change.

For me it's been a great rig.

Michael
WN5T
WX4MET Rating: 2004-07-09
Great radio, but gets pretty warm Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my FT-2600M for about a year and a half now, and have had no problems with it! I do have mine in a base setup in my home. Something I have observed probably not more than three times was that after turning on my power supply the radio would not come on. I had to completely unplug the power supply from my wall outlet and put it back in before the radio would come on. After that it was back to normal! I think this was due to the power supply however, and not something with the radio.
The only other thing about this radio is that it heats up very quickly. Even transmitting on five watts will cause it to get very warm, if you place your hand on the bottom of the radio. Transmit on sixty and it's too hot to leave your hand on for very long! Be certain to make sure the radio has good ventilation, no matter where its operating environment is. This is a great radio, and I will continue to recommend it to anyone!
K7TYE Rating: 2004-03-05
Not a bad radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like this radio. I had it mounted in my truck for about two years. It never let me down. I only lost the memories once in the entire time I've had it. Radio has good receive and transmit. I always got great comments on transmit. It scans fairly fast which is nice when listening to multiple frequencies. The 8 character alphanumeric display is very nice. The menu system was easy to learn. Having the front facing speaker is a plus but I would still reccomend an external one for even better audio. I would definetely buy another one of these if I ever needed a 2m again.
VE7REN Rating: 2003-12-19
good performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
ive had mine for 2 years now and have not had any problems withanything.ran 60watts for hours at a time and yah it got warm but they all do.memory problems?i havent.speaker works excellent,scan is super fast,display is easy to read,etc etc.take it for what its worth,this is a very good radio and i wouldnt hesitate to buy another one or do it again.
REMOVED_KB8UYZ Rating: 2003-10-30
Very nice radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have been using primarily Yaesu equipment lately, and have great success with the rigs. I purchased a 2600M in late 2002 and use it as my primary FM base radio. I have it stacked on an FT-100D and both are using a Yaesu 25 amp switching power supply. I primarily use the radio on simplex, using a Diamond V-2000 tri-band base antenna at 40 feet fed with 5/8" hardline. The setup works perfectly. As for the heat issues, I have a small 3" fan mounted directly behind the radio and it comes on automatically as the radio warms up. After long rag-chew sessions on simplex, the radio is still cool to the touch at 25-watts or 60-watts.
WA9AFM Rating: 2003-10-30
Outstanding! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was looking for a radio for mobile APRS. The FT-1500M was at the top of the list till I was offered the 2600M by a local ham who got it on sale from HRO for a price he just couldn't pass up. It had been fired up once to test and sat on the shelf for several months. I liked the 2600M's four power settings vs the usual three or two on most rigs. The DB-9 data connector was also a big plus. The 2600M is built like a tank! I put it on the bench and tried it on the air; audio reports were excellent. I had fleeting thoughts of making it a base rig as the front facing speaker is feature you don't see anymore. Anyway....I hooked it to a TinyTrakIII, ran the power cables, stuffed it under the front passenger seat, and connected it to a 1/4 wave 'chocolate chip' magmount. It's been cooking away for several months now without a problem. If you want a solid, simple data radio, pickup a 2600M and enjoy!
M1PAC Rating: 2003-10-09
Brill Radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I got this radio so I could get back on the air On 2 Mtrs around my local community.It is one of the best 2 mtr radios I have owned so far .
There have been ones that I wished I could own But the 2600 has all I need in a 2 Mtr Radio.

That front end is just amazing and the 60W of output power used to shut my little 10a regulated power supply down,but I went 10a Switched mode and that seemed to cure it .
The data socket on the back means that I can use UI-VIEW (aprs) or Packet radio.
I can see me having this radio for quite a while yet. Thanks go to Alan (G8WXR) for selling me the radio.

M1PAC