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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-450

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-450
Reviews: 219MSRP: aprox 999.00 new
Description:
The FT-450 is a rugged, innovative multi-band, multimode portable transceiver for the amateur radio HF & 6M bands. Providing coverage of the 160-10 meter bands plus the 6 m, the FT-450 includes operation on the SSB, CW, AM, FM, and Digital modes, yielding the most comprehensive performance package available for field operation.


Designed for use from an external DC power source, the FT-450 provides 100 watts of power output from a 13.8-Volt external power supply, 160 - 6 meter coverage
Product is in production
More Info: http://foxtango.org/FT-450/Yaesu_FT-450.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
152194.6
WB5PDD Rating: 2009-02-20
So far it's a keeper Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
First off, WA3SEE mentioned the using the data jack and connection to a PC sound card for SSB digital modes. I've been running PSK63 using DigiPan thru the data jack directly to the PC sound card with no problems.

Just do it ... the data-out pin-5 is plain old line level audio and goes to the line (or mic)in on the PC card. The data-in pin-1 is mic audio (line level I believe) and drives nicely from the PC audio out. Pin-2 is ground. If you do overdrive the audio to the data-in pin on the radio, you may have to pad it about 10:1 with a couple of resistors as a divider, but it's not really cranky. I've done it both ways, but without the resistor padding, the adjustment is a little twitchy. I didn't monkey with the PTT line, I just use the VOX factory default setting and it works like a champ.

I do have a Signalink USB ordered and after about a three week backorder, it should be delivered this coming Monday. That way I don't have to share the PC sound card and keep hosing up my audio level adjustments for other stuff.

I had been considering the 706 for months, but it was a little more menu intensive than I wanted for a dual purpose radio for mobile use, and to me was short on knobs. I found after my first 1000 mile road trip that for mobile use I can pretty much do what I want by feel because of the buttons and knobs, and a glance down at the large bright blue display tells me what I need to know day or night. I have it fastened to an anchored adjustable 45 degree platform on the floor between the seats in my minivan with a nylon strap and buckle. With my arm on the right armrest my index finger works the "little" tuning knob for long periods just fine. The rig never spends the night in the car, so separating the control head and radio was never an issue for me.

For antennas (75-40-20) I have three MFJ "Hamstick style", as well as a Webster Bandspanner that I've had for 35 years, and the internal coupler (tuner) is content with all of them.

As for the receive features I'm not the person to give a useful critique'. I have found that the noise blanker for mobile or fixed doesn't seem to help very often. The other features, other than Shift, I don't use for mobile because of the distraction. I play with them at home, but the presense or absence of the features alone wouldn't be a deciding factor for me to buy a radio. I find myself running the Width wide open, the DNR halfway, and I'll play with the Shift but leave it in the middle most of the time. I rarely use the Notch and Contour.

So far, I'm delighted with this rig; a lot of bang for the buck in my opinion. My previous two radios were an Icom 721A and a Kenwood TS-520, so that might tell you where I'm coming from.

Rick WB5PDD
SP4NKQ Rating: 2009-02-01
excellent radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is easy to operate. The reciver is very good: it issensitive and the IF DSP works well to dig signals out of noise. I use radio on CW mostly, so I wish it had more narrow filters (200-300 Hz). For lack of narrow filters I use my FT-450 with the old W9GR DSP III filter. No folding desk stand,small vfo knob, no big deal for me. Very pleased with radio.
WA3SEE Rating: 2009-02-01
Love It ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had my FT-450 for 2 months and overall I am really impressed with this rig. Most of my experience has been operating CW. I find the DSP filters very satisfactory. I am impressed with the receiver sensitivity - a 10 watt 6 meter beacon 15 miles from my QTH is S-5 with only a 12 inch wire connected to the Antenna jack. Transmit Power can be programmed from 5 to 100 Watts - in 1 W. steps - so configuration for QRP is easy.

One feature I am wearing out is the small knob that is used to select/adjust the various DSP settings becomes a 2.5kHz Step tuning knob - after DSP selections are made - and I find it great for tuning across a band in ‘big steps’ looking for sigs. (In AM mode this is 5 kHz steps - great for tuning across International Broadcast bands.)

Some other reviewers have mentioned the small size of the Main Tuning knob - I find I can just rest my index finger on the outside edge of the knob and spin it fine. (The little dimple for your finger tip in the face of the knob is too small through).

There is one odd quirk that I have noticed - the rig comes pre-programmed with the five channelized “60 Meter Band” frequencies stored in Memory - but as you switch from one channel to another - in Receive - the rig briefly switches into “TX” mode for a second.

I had hoped that a rig built with a dedicated DATA jack would be easy to connect to PC sound card for digital modes - but the manual shows the DATA jack connected to either a TNC for Packet - or a TU for RTTY or some other interface box for SSB based digital modes.

I wish I could tell you to go to Yaesu.com website for detailed information about all this rigs features. But website still lists most of the features as …“Feature description will follow soon”. Come on folks -this model was introduced at Dayton in 2007 - so why over a year later - still no description for majority of the features that make the FT-450 so nice? (Sure hope this isn’t an example of Motorola‘s influence on the Yaesu Brand.)
CHARLA Rating: 2009-01-27
Not bad at all Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have had the unit for about one month. It really receives well I have had many Transceivers over the past year "didn't win the UK lottery" it is really not bad at all. Pulls out weak signals with no problem. Tx audio complimented on. Menus not a problem. I wonder where G6BJM is as I can't find him listed anywhere!
DH4SC Rating: 2009-01-25
Should be better!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I´ve had this FT-450AT for only some months. I got 2 of it, the first one was given back to the store after a few weeks due to a crashed eprom inside. The second one was OK. But the receiver is not as good as a modern DSP receiver should be. It is noisy, the DSP settings never improved the received signals. On this rig you have to set too many functions via menu what i dislike. I want a knob or button for every function. The mic-equalizer is a very good feature, the audio quality is really good with the original mic even with the MD-100 desktop mic. Another good gimmick is the speech recorder wich is very helpful in contests and pile-ups.
The FT-450 works quite well and you can work your daily stations and even DX. But I personally do expect more from a modern radio with DSP...and using all the features of the radio could be much easier without this menus!!!!
NL7FK Rating: 2008-12-17
Big Bank, Little Bucks Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This little is one package that is full of big features. From the receiver to the transmit there are so many bells and whistles that will surely make any operator happy.

Those of us that no longer have young eyes will appreciate the large display. Those of us with big fingers will have to take some time to get used to the small tuning dial but that is a minor issue.

One thing to remember is long gone are the days where one can un-box a radio hook up an antenna and power and go at it. We now live in a day and age where operators have to go against the grain and actually read the manual. Trust me. It is easy to make this rig perform sub par big time if you do not take the time to read the manual.

When one reads the manual and gets through the learning curve get ready for an experience of a lifetime. The receiver holds its own against many, and I do mean many higher priced rigs. The built in features eaisly handles QRN, QRM, and that annoying 2kc away IMD surprisingly well.

Transmit audio can be taylor made for almost anyone for any situation with just minor adjustments. I highly reccomend that while adjusting your audio listen through headphones on a separate receiver. I have yet to find a monitor system on any radio that actually reproduces what one actually sounds like on the air.

If you want to use an amplifier be sure to purchase the little 10 pin din plug to build your own keying cable or purchase the optional cable with the plug from the dealer. The little pin for keying the amp will probably not be found in your junk box.

CW operation is a breeze with this little gem. The built in keyer holds it own and the filtering is pretty good. It would be nice to have a narrower filter option but all in all life is good with this rig.

From the novice to expert operator this rig deserves a place in everyones shack either as a main, backup, or field day rig. For the money one will have to look high and low to find a comprable rig.

KH6AQ Rating: 2008-12-14
A joy to operate Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a fun rig and easy to use. The left hand controls everything intuitively and quickly while the right hand works the key and logs contacts. I use my FT-450 for ragchewing, low band DXing and serious contesting on 160-6 meters. The DSP is wonderful on CW. I have not operated the radio on SSB. I can copy CW stations Q5 that are not copied without DSP. Without the autotuner invoked it outputs full power into a 2:1 SWR. The autotuner works very well too.

It would be nice to have a narrower filter than the 500 Hz CW. Yaesu: how about a software upgrade to give us a 250 Hz CW filter? In spite of this it performs well even on 160 meters with 50 dB over S-9 signals. The receiver is not crunched by these.

Bottom line: This radio is a pleasure to use and the thought that it cost only $739 new with the autotuner makes that thought even sweeter.

Buy it and you will be glad you did.
W8WLC Rating: 2008-12-04
excellant radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
What more can I add. This radio is great. I used to own a IC-718 for 4 years before going back to Yaesu gear. I find the noise floor a big improvement over the 718, I also find the noise blanker circuit in the 450 works where as the 718 usually would not do much. Transmit audio is excellant and the ability to do flash upgrades is a big plus. The ATU-450 built in tuner is also great, again we have some people who fail to read the specs on the unit, this tuner is designed for tuning antennas with 3-1 or under vswr. Buy one of these you won't be sorry
KM6SA Rating: 2008-12-03
Best in price for performance! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned the FT-450 for 3 months now. I purchased it new as a back up to my FT-1000MP Mark V. I had very low expectations of an inexpensive entry level rig. Now that I have operated it for a few months I have to say I am impressed. This is the best entry level rig I have ever used. The 450 is well suited for the casual operator. I would not recommend it as a contest rig, like any entry level rig you could contest with it but you would be better with a higher end rig.

The things that have impressed me most are the sensitivity of the receiver, the contour filter, digital noise reduction and the dsp filters that you do not have to spend extra for! Properly using the features in this radio I have been able to pull signals clearly out of s9 noise level on 160m. It clearly out performs my Mark V in that ability. The contour filter on my Mark V seemed like such a waste that I did not expect much from the 450. If you think the contour filter on the 450 does not work, read the manual and learn how to use it!

The menu system is easy enough to work with and that is a good thing, you will be using it. I prefer to use HRD to control the rig, most features are easily controlled with out the use of the menu. I have to admit this has to be the ugliest radio I have ever seen. The small vfo knob is poorly thought out. I have set the rig up on a shelf above my Mark V and left the front of the rig out enough in front of the shelf the vfo is easily accessed and that does help in using it. Again, HRD makes tuning very easy.

I read the reviews here at eham before I purchased this rig. One reviewer stated it was a baby FT 2000, it is not! It is a very capable rig that has some very nice features, many I will never use. It is not a competition class rig and is not priced like one! It will never replace my Mark V, but it will fill in nicely when needed. For the money it would be hard to find a rig new or used that will match its abilities. As with any of the newer menu driven rigs RTFM!
M0EDY Rating: 2008-12-03
awful Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
used for about two weeks next to my icom
and its back to icom for me and the 450 back its owner he now has sold it and is buying a icom