| NB2A |
Rating:   |
2007-12-03 | |
| Vox is pretty bad |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Well first off I need to point out the radio looks durable and well made. It has great audio with its matching speaker. It also interfaces with an ipod or other audio device quite easily.That is a 2 in my view it goes down from there.
The big down side is that the radio was designed for ATV and motorcycle use. Therefore a noisy environment obviously should be expected. It does not work acceptable at all. The VOX know matter where set using a BH1 compatable heasdset kerchunks away while riding a Yamaha motorcycle with stock pipes!Maybe an aftermarket headset would be better but still no excuse for this design flaw.
Have not ever heard a peep on the AM side even in NY with all the strong local stations to choose from.FM signals seems fine.
The head looks a little fragile and I wonder how waterproof it actually is. only time will tell on my motorcycle. I also am not fond of the fact the head does not have a quick release connector to be able to take it with me when not in use.
It may have a software fix but without software who knows! The radio needs software not only for ease of programming and saving time while idling a motorcycle but for diagnostics and settings as well.
Finally the manual is terrible with much info not translated I guess. The microphone has really not much mention at all but from what others say on the lists they found more hidden features with it such as frequency entry?
Radio not worth the price in my view.
Yaesu seems to be dropping in quality since I bought my last one a Ft 1000 MP MKV
73s
NB2A
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|
| N7RPA |
Rating:      |
2007-12-02 | |
| Mic not so bad after all |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I need to revise my earlier complaints about the FTM-10R's microphone. It turns out that it DOES control most features of the rig and it IS possible to enter frequencies directly. It took me a little while to figure out, but the A, B, C, and D keys correspond to the radio's up, right, down and set keys on the control head. This includes both the momentary pressing of the button and the 1/2 second press. So you may want to consider getting the mic after all. |
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| W4ABW |
Rating:   |
2007-11-25 | |
| Dissapointed that the rig is a 4.2 |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I just checked e-ham reviews and the FTM-10R is rated at 4.2 out of 5 overall. This has to be dissapointing but is in the same category as the FT-2000 HF rig.
Mine looks good and guys say it sounds FB on 2m. I do not get any AM broadcast signals. Maybe a better antenna is required. I use a MFJ through-the-glass whip for 2m. Other bands seem fine.
My VOX is too erractic to work at all in a mobile envioronment. No setting of the VOX gain seems to work and the TX audio is either clipped off or mobile noise, motor noise, movement in the SUV while in motion will set off the VOX. I just ordered a real mic and will not try VOX again.
I asked some questions on these anomalies of Yaesu via e-mail but of course no answers from them which is another thing that grates on me.
I have been very satisifed with ICOM 2m rigs and my Yaesu VX5R is sweet.
I would not purchase another Yaesu VHF mobile.
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|
| AI4QV |
Rating:     |
2007-11-17 | |
| Bluetooth |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I just purchased the Bluetooth Kit (BU-1, BH-1, CAB-1) and put it thru it's paces. I do a lot of work in front of a computer so I have the radio remote head located above my monitor. I mounted the BU-1 in the remote head. All parts are easy to install. The headset is a snug yet comfortable fit but a little awkward to put on since the ear 'hook' only pivots outward from the unit and is not adjustable other than that. You can change the headset for either right or left ear operation. The headset has up-down volume controls (plus power and PTT) but the volume control on the radio basically adjusts the total volume available to the headset. The unit works fine except that the BH-1 headset using vox continually drops in and out every few words and the max. volume at the earpiece is low. Too low I think for ever using on an ATV or motorcyle while moving. I tried many combinations/variations of the Blu-Vox and Vox sensitivity but could find no combination that would prevent the 'dropping' out problem. There is no Vox delay adjustment for this radio. The automatic audio delay for vox as advertised does work with minimal or no clipping of the beginning of a transmission. The setup routine for bluetooth does allow for other devices such as the cellphone headsets to be 'paired' with the unit. I 'paired' the radio today for use with a Jawbone (cellphone) headset and it works much much better than the BH-1 but I must set the Blu-Vox for high gain which will pick up some ambient noise. The 'drop outs' with this headset are minimal and make the unit useable. |
|
| W1HRD |
Rating:   |
2007-10-30 | |
| Confusing |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Maybe it's a language-thing, but coming from an ICOM/Kenwood background I found the programming instructions to be Greek to me. Very difficult to understand -- not intuitive at all. The manual wording is a joke -- not quite as bad as the Japanese car owners manuals used to be, but not far off. Example: "You may assign/eliminate the memory channel to/from the Group Memory Bank. The eliminated memory channel is only recalled by recalling the memory channel, which is stored in the same operating band." Say what? I still haven't figured out the function of the Group anyway, since every programmed channel is automatically added to the Group!
The fact that there is no programming software is ludicrous, since as one poster mentioned, everything, including scanners, has a way of programming by computer. Enter 500 memories manually? I don't THINK so! Especially since it takes many, many keystrokes to store each one.
Instead we get 4 external sound effects, including a bouy gong, and ambulance siren (legal??) and an alien space ship. Great priorities. Maybe they'll get it right the next time.
And one thing nobody else mentioned: I was shocked at how heavy the unit is! They got away from needing a fan by building the unit into a heat sink. But did they have to make it out of lead???
The Bluetooth unit has received FCC approval and the photos are out. Too big to wear under a helmet. Great. For a radio designed for use on a motorcycle. Thought that one out too, didn't you Yaesu?
I would not do this over again. |
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| N7WR |
Rating:     |
2007-10-02 | |
| Nice |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've owned this radio for a very short time but am impressed by its compact size, the number of mounting options that come with it, its ergonomics, and its performance. Good sounding audio and the ability to taylor the received audio to suit specific conditions of use as well as the users "ear".
Having said that I did not give it a 5 because there is no programming software available nor will there be. This radio can be cloned by RF(only) from another FTM-10R but the initial programming must be done manually. If you are loading a lot of frequencies, with PL tones, with Alpha numerics and particularly if some of them are odd split it can take a LONG time. Other than that it is a winner |
|
| G6YWL |
Rating:      |
2007-09-28 | |
| Best ever... |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have the UK version the FTM-10R/E...
I have it installed in a panel van...a Ford Transit Diesel...not a particularly quiet van inside...
There are no complaints from anyone that I have spoken to...at 70mph with the front panel mic (around two and a half feet away) I can be heard clearly...which on the whole isn't that bad as at that speed i can't hear myself think hi hi...no mic wrapping around the steering wheel as you negotiate corners...or dropping it to the floor!!!...
There are no optional extras available here in the UK at the moment so I can't comment on anything else...I will purchase some of them as and when they arrive...
Menu is easy to access and use...manual is clearly written out...memories are easy to set up and access...memories are also easy to move around/re number...
I've been licensed for 23 years...best VHF/UHF mobile I have ever used... |
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| AH6EZ |
Rating:   |
2007-08-25 | |
| VOX does not operate right |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This radio is really great EXCEPT for one major flaw that makes it useless on a motorcycle. If you ride with a full face helmet, you can't use a handheld microphone, you must use an in-helmet headset. You could use a PTT but VOX is MUCH better and safer because you can transmit whenever you need to regardless of motorcycle operation. The problem is that when you are in the AF Dual on mode, the VOX does not operate at all. You need to receive a call and respond within about 6 seconds, or you need to momentarily press the PTT switch on top of the control head. I have both front and rear speakers turned off and the stereo audio still plays into the headset just fine. There is not a reason to disallow VOX in this mode unless you assume that you are not wearing a helmet and just using a hand microphone. I have called Yaesu and sent them an email with no success. I bought this radio at Dayton and have yet to install it on my motorcycle. It took this long for them to simply ship the CT-M11 external headset cable for me to learn of this serious flaw. It would also be nice if you could turn on a sidetone audio when you transmit to soat you could verify VOX operation without looking down at the radio. Another safety issue. |
|
| W5EI |
Rating:      |
2007-07-23 | |
| Impressive! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| This is a first-impression review, because I have had the radio for only two weeks. I bought it at AES in Las Vegas. None of the guys in the store had any experience with the transceiver, nor did they know anyone else who did. That kinda left me as a guinea pig, but the FT-10R looked interesting enough for me to give it a try. So far, it has been a fine performer. The control head is quite small, so it's easy to find a place for it on a crowded dashboard. I use the magnet supplied with the head, and it is strong enough to keep the controller from moving around. Receive audio with the 2" speaker in the transceiver is adequate. I have the transceiver mounted under the drivers seat, so I usually run the small speaker in the control head in conjuction with the speaker in the radio. With both speakers on, I can hear everything just fine, even in my diesel pickup. The audio amp puts out 8 watts, so with the optional external speaker, I suspect you could hear the receiver in just about any mobile environment. Menus in this radio take a little getting used to, but Yaesu included a summary of menu functions on a card of stiff paper. I had it laminated and keep it close by as a handy reference. It is still a good idea to keep a copy of the manual in the glovebox, etc., because some of the menu items require a full discussion, at least for me. Transmit audio is very good. The control head itself doubles as a microphone, so you don't need the optional microphone for basic operation. This is the third Yaesu duo bander I have owned. My FT-5100 was a good one; the FT-8100 was an exercise in frustration. I am hopeful the FT-10R will be a keeper, and so far, so good. |
|
| N3TVV |
Rating:    |
2007-07-23 | |
| Too complex for mobiling |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This is a nice looking radio,with all kinds of
cool features in it,like being able to receive
Fm broadcast,Am Broadcast,Air band,etc...
Fm broadcast received about 50 khz off,in order
to get our local classic rock station 99.9,I had
to tune to 99.9850 and the receiver wasn't all
that wonderful on that band,which is to be
expected..
It's a bit too complex to operate while
driving.Having to push a button every time I
wanna turn down the volume gets old and is very
distracting.The audio difference between 2m and
the rest of the bands is pretty major,had the
volume all the way up to 31 and it's hardly
audible,no matter which menu setting was
changed.The menus are slightly irritating to work
through,just to change one setting.
Now that I spoiled the fun,here are some of the
good features
Able to Rcv Fm,Am,Air Band,and has an expandable
receive in it.
Dual receive Fm,or Am,2m,440,or line in,mic
switch can be set for momentary or toggle(that
keeps the radio in transmit)
Line level inputs,handy for an Ipod or Cd player
Radio,will fit just about anywhere.
There are more,which I probably havn't found,
check it out on the Yaesu website.
I do ALOT of driving and despite all of the neat
features in this radio,it's too much for my needs
,going back to something simpler.
Hope this helps.
73's
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