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Reviews For: Yaesu VX-170

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Hand-held

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Review Summary For : Yaesu VX-170
Reviews: 115MSRP: 139.95
Description:
Same chassis as the VX-150. WaterPROOF. 1,000 memories. 1400mAH NiMH batt pack.

Preliminary specs indicated "1,000 conventional memories." In reality, the VX-170 sports 200 conventional memories (plus a Home channel, band edges, WX channels).
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151154.6
WB3IVW Rating: 2005-12-31
Not as expected Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Was a lot bigger than it appeared in the Yaesu ad. I expected the audio to be better (not that impressed) volume has to be more than halfway up to hear in vehicle and radio is too heavy and bulky. Seems to be well constructed but as I said it's too heavy for todays technology. Guess I am spoiled with the lighter weight HT's being sold today. If you don't mind carrying a brick on your belt this one is OK otherwise, buy one of the lighter smaller HT's. Pricing makes this radio affordable for a lot of people. I will probably sell mine and buy a lighter weight dual bander. Overall dissapointed with this purchase.
HR2PAC Rating: 2005-12-31
Good overall Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A major improvement over the VX-150, I sold my 150 to a local Red Cross volunteer and so I needed to purchase a new HT. Since I "married" Yaesu the VX-170 was the next upgrade, I like the fact that they now provide a 1400mAH battery, 700mw AF, password, waterproof, etc. The only thing I did not like was the belt clip and the fact the Yaesu did no supply a circuit diagram for the unit, well I guess you can´t beat it for $140, bottom line if you are looking for a low priced 2 meter only HT this is the best "bang for the buck". 73´s to one and all from HR land.
KI4MIU Rating: 2005-12-24
Great To start with Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I love this Radio and I always will the only thing is that it does not com programed so you can recive you have to programe it to recive but I love this radio and I will also be writing a review for that.
N4UED Rating: 2005-12-08
Easy to program HT Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned this HT for 3 months now. I can say that its the best yaesu yet that I have owned. I like that it is easy to program. You dont need to invest in the software unless you just enjoy PC programing. I find that the stock antenna does a good job. I have tryed the Comet sma-24 and well thats the only antenna that out performs the stock duck. Ihave owned a FT-50,VX-1R and a FT-60. I like this radio best. The only item that I wish was different would be the belt clip. The one on the FT-50 and the FT-60 to me seems better. The battery pack works well and has good life for a heavy talker like me. I have not used the supplied charger.I use the MAHA universal charger. The radios audio is excellent. I used it at a Hamfest in November. I was able to leave it on my belt without having to hold the radio to my ear to hear simplex activity. When I use the radio at my PC I have to turn the squelch up to the highest level. The Kenwood TH-G71A is the best for use around a PC. If you want a secure way of carrying the radio on your belt choose The Pouch. They can make case that will fit the radio.
KE5CUY Rating: 2005-12-03
Good Little Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My 150 went kaput on me so I thought I's upgrade and got the 170.

What I didn't like:
- It's taller and fatter therefore doesn't fit into my 150 charger. Though I can charge the batteries on it if I take them off the radio and put them in the charger.
- Different connector (from the 150) for external mic/speaker. Means I have to get another adapter.
- Software squelch
- Hard to unscrew antenna to change to another type.

What I like:
- Rugged and rugged-looking
- Bigger LCD characters.
- More weather-proof (Submersible up to a point)
- A bit more common sense to program than the 150.
- I like the belt clip better than the 150

Overall: So far a good and reliable 2 meter communicator.
KC2NFF Rating: 2005-12-02
Very Nice! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This little baby is very confortable in my hand and super easy to program. The battery life during tx/rx is more than I expected. I live in the North Country (Watertown,NY) and it has worked nicely in the cold weather. The only drawback is the swivel clip. Don't get me wrong, the clip is strong but you have to rotate the radio upside down to take it off the clip. YAESU could of done much better with the clip. Overall the radio is well worth it, don't let the clip discourage you.
- 73's and Happy Holidays! -
KB4TPP Rating: 2005-11-25
EXCELLENT PORTABLE. Feel and form of an LMR radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If you like LMR grade portables for you ham use, you'll love the VX-170. Hands down a winner. Super LOUD rx audio, incredible battery life with the included NiMH battery, very easy to navigate user interface (if you've used the FT-60, FT-7800 or any recent Yaesu/Vertex radio you'll never crack the book on this one), and incredibly solid construction. This one's a winner. It's submersible too. RF wise the RX is superb, very good quieting, no intermod. It can hear things with 12db of quieting that don't break squelch on my Motorola HT1250. Another winner from Vertex Standard indeed. I would love to see a 440MHz version of this radio. You won't be disappointed. Hard to beat at less than 150 bucks. It's a keeper.
N1GXC Rating: 2005-11-23
Bulletproof Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Rugged, waterproof and easy to use, the VX-170 was my choice for a 2m only field HT. This is one tough little brick. The 1400mah NMH battery seems to last long enough but there is a 2000mah aftermarket battery available. I like the way the speaker/mic screws into the top with one 1/8" O-ring sealed connection. The squelch is adjusted by two different menu functions in seconds. Nice feature! The radio has every option and function you will ever need. The menu system is fast and super easy. I would buy this HT again in a heartbeat. At $150.00 it's a steal.

73, Dan
KD8CHM Rating: 2005-11-22
Its a good one! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great HT! Sounds great, works great and its easy to use.
W4TNJ Rating: 2005-11-22
Great HT Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great HT simple to use and the readout is large enough not to use my glasses. Have recived nothing but good reports on the audio on the local repeaters. If you are looking for an easy to use 2 meter HT take a look at the VX-170.