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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
KC0FKS Rating: 2002-03-21
Great Commerical Quality Radio for Hams. . . revisited Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I know that I wrote my review saying that this radio was the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I HAD MEMORY FAILURE THIS MORNING.... Bad news for me? Not really because I have the PC programming kit. I really like this radio a lot. You must make sure that you turn your radio off before starting your vechicle. That is the only catch. I was back up and running in about 10 mintues thanks to the PC Software. GET IT. Don't get me wrong... Yaesu NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, but it is still a great radio. I love it and would buy another. This is not a perfect world, so I wouldn't expect to buy a "perfect" Radio :-) 73's

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KC0FKS on 2002-03-14

First of all, I want to deal with the memory issue. . . it has been fixed as far as I can tell on the newer versions. I just bought mine (March 1, 2002) I performed a few tests to see if I was going to keep it or send it back. With it directly ran to the battery, the radio on and scanning, I started my truck and no memory problems. Also to take this test further, I hooked it up to a 12 volt latern battery (for PC programming purposes) and them keyed up. As you know, although I lost power because of the load on the battery, the radio came right back up and was still programmed. I have used the radio without the truck running as well, still no memory loss. I would buy another if I could afford it. Now on to more important things. This is by far the best mobile I have owned. My last mobile was the Icom 2100H - Great radio for the money, but I wanted DCS and more power to work the other towns repeaters around me the 2600 has all of that and more. It has great range with 60 watts (4 power levels) to work even the furthest repeaters. 170 memories, 8 character alpha/numeric display, DCS and CTCSS, and lots of audio with its Front Firing speaker, although I use an external mounted speaker. Get the programming software, you'll thank youself for it later. It is also really easy to MARS/CAP mod. Besides being a great ham radio, this would make a great personal radio for Fire Fighters, EMS, Police, or Storm Spotters. What can I say. Buy one and let it speak for itself.
KC7TYE Rating: 2002-03-02
Not to shabby... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have enjoyed this radio very much. I am pleased with the signal reports I have received and the repeaters I am able to hit that I couldn't before. As for the memory loss problem I have not had it. I always make sure to shut the radio off before starting the truck and the memories are always there when I fire it back up.
A good radio for the money, lots of features, a good radio for the new ham.
N2YQT Rating: 2002-02-27
Very Happy Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Great Radio!

It's been powered up since I bought it about six months ago. I use it for both APRS and voice. I havn't had a chance to try it mobile yet.

The only problem I had was when I first put it on the air. It said "packet" on the display when transmittng. I was testing it with an HT antenna on the antenna connector. When I conencted it to the external antenna there wasn't any trouble at all.

Looking to get one for the the truck some time in the near future. I have heard of some trouble with leaving the radio on while starting the vehicle. Ever notice how your vehicles radios and electronics shutdown when the starter runs? It's designed that way for a reason! So wouldn't you shut off the 2600 when u start the vehicle?
KOESSLER Rating: 2001-12-12
THE 2m mobile Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
what can i say , its a dream , even better than te FT-2500m , its a lovely riggg . if u are looking forward to buy one , ... BUY IT NOWWW!!!!!! , its great

EDWIN NICOLAS KOESSLER
ARGENTINIAN PATAGONIA HAM

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KOESSLER on 2001-09-02

ITS A VERY GOOD RIG BUT ONLY WITH THE DTMF MICROPHONE . THE SQUELCH IS A PROBLEM BUT NOT IF YOU PROGRAM ONE OF THE PROGRAMMABLE KEYS TO EASY ENTRY . THE PROBLEM WITH THE MEMORIES IS PRESENT ONLY WHEN YOU CUT THE ALIMENTATION WITHOUT TURNING IT OFF OR , IF YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR CAR , TURNING IT OFF AFTER TURN THE CAR ON !!!!!!!
VERY NICE RIG BUT LIKE WITH EVERYONE YOU HAVE TO TAKE SOMES CARES OF IT . BEST 73 AND DX FROM ARGENTINA
KF6REU Rating: 2001-10-16
Very reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've operated mine mobile for well over a year now with no problem. It's connected directly to the battery and I'm very careful to have it off when I start my engine. I receive very good audio reports.
WA5ETK Rating: 2001-10-15
Liked it and still do... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Yes, the units seem to have a memory-loss problem (but only when mobile in my case)-- I strongly suggest getting the software and keeping your memory files on a floppy or your hard drive.
I just bought my second one when I saw the latest price drop-- so now I have one for base and one for mobile!
Could the "hot" problem partly be due to the black case soaking up all various rays of the sun? When mobile, I usually set a light folder or something over mine.
I like the power choices especially. One small bother has been the BIG tuning knob.. if you set the unit in a car seat and it moves for some reason, sometimes the seat surface will change your frequency!
Perhaps some units were just worse than others? I like both of my 2600Ms very much!
KB1EWU Rating: 2001-10-12
good radio??? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Continuing >> Like sending it back for a repair free-bee !! If it wasn't for the glitches I would say this is a pretty good rig But if Yaesu doesn't make this right I say two thumbs down on the 2600

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Earlier 2-star review posted by KB1EWU on 2001-10-12

I bought the FT2600M new about a year and half ago and after reading the reviews I can relate to the memory loss problems even after hooking it up directly to the battery . I loss count how many times I had forgot and left the radio on, shutting off and starting the vehicle I can't believe Yaesu put a mobile rig into production that is so sensitive to low voltage . They should have labeled this rig for power supply use only !! Did anyone at Yaesu try this radio before they put it on the market ??? I can live with having to re-program the memories once in a while . The other day during a QSO while I was transmitting the display began to shift from showing the transmit freq to showing packet on the display . The station I was talking to came back and said my audio was cutting out during this . Luckily this didn't happen again when I keyed up the mike to finish the QSO . When I got home I fired off an E-Mail to Yaesu explaining what had happen . Hopfully they will have something positive to say !! Like
KB9OUC Rating: 2001-10-12
Nice Heavy-Duty Radio, Good Features Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased this radio in April 2001, and it has worked very well for me. I mainly use it at home, but I have used the radio at a few public service events. The mic is easy to use and has good transmit audio. I also like the different power levels better than just having Low or High power. The only complaint that I have is I think the audio from the internal speaker is poor. It is fairly clear if the volume is up high, but gets distorted if it is turned down to a low level.
KC0EOL Rating: 2001-10-11
Good radio for the money. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got this radio a few days ago and have had no problems with it so far, even though I'm running it through the cigarette lighter. These other people who are having problems need to try attaching it directly to the battery or something before they send it back. No memory wipes for me, everything is solid. I will have to put some foam in the PTT chamber, though, because it is VERY sensitive. Other that that, great rig! The first time I tested it on the air, a ham came back and said my signal was "loud and clear." Nobody's every done that for me before! This radio obviously made an impression. I owned the FT-11R HT for a while and this rig cements my faith in Yaesu and their products. For $165, you can't beat the price.
KC8RQH Rating: 2001-08-16
I like it alot Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I think this radio is a very good radio. I have only had 1 time were the memory got lost, that was my own fault, because I had the radio hooked up to the fuse box and started my car, then the memory went blank. So I hooked it up direct to the battery. So after I hooked it up right I have had no problem. I would recomend this radio to anyone.

Thanks
KC8RQH