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Reviews For: Yaesu DMU-2000

Category: Ham Shack Accessories

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Review Summary For : Yaesu DMU-2000
Reviews: 48MSRP: $999
Description:
The Yaesu DMU-2000 option provides a wide array of informative and useful displays for the FT-2000 series.
Spectrum Scope with Limited Bandwidth Sweep feature
Audio Scope/Oscilloscope Display Page
Swept-Frequency SWR Page
Memory Channel List
World Clock with GrayLine Page
Rotator Control Page
Log Book Feature
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00483.5
W6PSA Rating: 2008-10-14
I like it! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
No regrets. There is a learning curve to using the DMU-2000. Once you learn how to use the DMU, the features are great. No Two Hams are the same! The people that don't like the FT-2000, probably won't like the DMU. This is not a idiot-proof device and require you to open the manual, like the Ft-2000. I wouldn't own the FT-2000 without the DMU-2000, because they work well together. The DMU-2000 helps me fight QRM and scan the bands. It also works with Transverters!!!! If you don't work well with computers, or you don't have the cash to BURN, then don't buy it!!!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W6PSA on 2007-11-19

The DMU-2000 is a good unit, but expensive. I currently use a program called "Ham Radio Deluxe" with a serial data cable (Free program). It include the band scope and remote control. The DMU-2000 has more features and is a good product, but while your waiting to scrap up the money, look at the alternative.
NN7AA Rating: 2008-09-20
Poor Value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The DMU-2000 has low resolution and speed in displaying a spectrum. If you look at the video at

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=274545144270397657&q=dmu-2000&ei=2fCMSO_qMJzwrAKvxazNDQ&hl=en

then you will see an example of the speed and resolution that are possible.
WB6Q Rating: 2008-09-20
Almost worthless Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
A complete waste of money. Only useful feature is the ability to know the filter widths. Even the clock looses time. Probably designed by a ninth grader for a science project and he got a c-. The only thing worse are the u-tune units where signals drop by one s unit when the VRF is switched to u-tune.
K2ESE Rating: 2008-09-19
NEEDS Work to be useful Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The DMU-2000 is pretty useless in its present form. Problems are numerous and all fixable by Yaesu or a good software programmer:
1) Display doesn't fill the entire vertical portion of the screen. Seems to be designed to work with a TV set!
2) No mouse support .. DUH
3) Rotor control is not capable of entering a bearing. It is simply a graphic display of the Yaesu DXA box with 9 memories that are not computer program accessible! Keyboard entry and FH-2 function non existent
4) Log book is cumbersome and not accessible from the PC.
5)Band scope is slow and almost useless (400 MHz Celeron (1998 processor).
7) Keyboard function keys could be used to access the DMU function buttons. But they don't!! DUH
8) Sound board input, but output is not turned on in firmware!
8) Rs-232 DB-9 connector is only used for a GPS input. Am I supposed be using this thing in my car? What a waste! USB version 1.1 port (circa 1998).
Etc,etc..
If they didn't have it on a double coupon $400 discount through July,08, I would have skipped it!
Yaesu could fix most of these issues with some firmware upgrade. OR SOMEONE SHOULD HACK IT MAKE IT WORK!
KE4EX Rating: 2008-09-19
Throw it in the trash can Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had more fun in the Philippines on R&R and 50 buck’s.

If eHam reviews had a recycle bin, this box would fit nicely.
Starters, a cheap outdated Celeron processor, a mouse function would not have cost that much to install, can’t really adjust, (fine tune), the rotor. When in the band scope mode turn your VFO right signals go left, Ghezz give me a break. And the list goes on and on.
C’mon Yaesu you can do better than that, no wonder Icom is catching up to you FAST….

The only useable worthwhile function is the menu screen. What a waste of money……

Hey here is a novel idea, design a software program to run on a computer, providing all the DMU functions with point and click mouse control, etc, etc..
Why didn't I give it a fat zero ?
Cause I am a diehard Yaesu fan.
WE1X Rating: 2008-08-31
Potential Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Been playing with the DMU-2000 and the FT-2000D for about a month now. In general I can say the DMU-2000 is a nice complement to the FT2KD as it offers a number of useful applications beyond the spectrum scope. I won't list the pros and cons already identified by previous reviewers as they are all valid.

What I will say is the DMU-2000 has so much potential that it would be nice if Yaesu made a commitment to make a number of relatively minor improvements via firmware. Whether Yaesu will do so is open to question (others have not seen any indication Yaesu will do so even upon repeated requests). Areas for improvement I envision include: (a) better rf scope refresh rate (this may be more of a processor issue that firmware alone), (b) improved user interface, (c) better screen resolution, (d) full use of keyboard functions including keyboard function keys instead of depending upon the FT2K's keys on the front panel, and (e) use of the FH-2 remote keypad to control DMU functions.

In brief I can say that the current DMU applications are useful and make the FT2K more enjoyable to use. With some refinement the DMU-2000 could be an outstanding accessory. However, in its current state and price of $850 - $950 I'm not sure I would purchase it again.

Harry WE1X
W4MAA Rating: 2008-08-24
Great compliment to the FT-950 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The DMU-2000 is a great addition for my FT-950. I have had it for over a year now after getting the FT-950. Its great for showing time zones all over the world. Band scope is great for fish finding in contests being able to track down the signals. The audio scope seems to work also with the ability to see incoming signals likewise. I do not really even look at the radio anymore to know where all settings are and having a 19 inch wide screen TFT monitor shows all freqs on VFO 1 and VFO 2 also bandwidth local times and so on. You can edit change memory channels with the keyboard but logging with it is somewhat not used and less desirable. If the rig ever develope problems or you reset you rigs memory you can use the flash card to keep all your previous setting information!! SWR feature not used or the rotator functions. Hope to see some other features with firmware for the other plug in controls in the near future such as bi directional information protocol maybe for digital modes.
N2QQF Rating: 2008-08-15
Just OK - Good Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
My review is somewhere between a 3-4. I like the unit and think it has a few nice features but that is about it. I hate to admit that something i thought "I needed" wasn't quite what it was cracked up to be.

I like the pan adapter feature but it isn't quite on the money, but not bad. I like the map and the time zones and the audio analyzer but some of the other features are not exactly there. it is very difficult to use on the occasion until you get the handg of it but that not much different than the radio either.

I don't really care for the log book feature. The idea is really good but the final product isn't very good. It doesn't work to well and it isn't easy to use which gives it IMHO negative score.

I don't have the Yaesu rotor yet but plan to get one so I can not comment on this feature as of yet. I like the concept but for what they charge and what you get I feel a little bit cheated. Hopefully sometime in the near future they add some updates or features.
KD4NUE Rating: 2008-06-15
Quantum Stumble Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I will give it a 3 because I own it, and the Menu Management adds a way to more easily access the (currently)147 menu item setups by operation desired. No need to punish myself further by rating it lower.

The DMU-2000 Runs Vine Linux v2.6r4.
The internal CF Card OS for mine indicates:
vxstd-app-version V504
vxstd-sys-version V007
vxstd-release - Release Build 2005.07.24

It runs a one board computer from PFU Ltd of Japan, with 640K RAM and 256M additional memory.

It uses Realtek AC97 sound resources, USB V1.1, Ethernet LAN capabilities, and is somewhat expandable.

The internal PC is setup to run from Windows 98, Windows 2000 or "other" - (apparently someone was having severe flashbacks)

It has onboard IDE contoller, and is capable of sending high resolution video (800X600 x 16 colors) to the VGA Connector on the rear. The Phoenix BIOS allows boot options, enabling USB, Network Booting, and normal options for a 2006 PC running a 1998 OS.

It is possible to boot from another OS, use the sound card, network, all ports on the DMU.

It is my wish that Yaesu will offer an Optional CF Card for the internal card slot to give the other than casual disinterested owner a chance to use it in a real world and current application based environment.

FWIW, I am running an external Hard Drive, and can use mine for a Dedicated PC to run Linux apps and go online. There were cheaper ways of doing this. I have a either/or boot option to do both from the same PC.
W5KG Rating: 2008-06-11
VERY NICE Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I think a 4.7 would be a better number for the review.
Having said that, I have found the DMU to be a very nice addition to my FT-950 set-up.

Being able to change the menu settings for SSB and save them and then set-up for digital, save them, then you can make all changes with ease.
Audio scope is very nice. Makes setting notch much easier.

Band scope is also nice but a little slow, but ok when I set it to 50kHz.

Give you a nice visiual on filter width.

SWR plotting is great also. Lets you see, at a glance, how far you can go without retuning the antenna.

Price has come down sence I bought mine for $750. Now I see $699USD and if you buy with FT2000, about $500USD.
Still a little pricy but better.

The more I use the DMU, the more I like it.

Don, W5KG