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Reviews For: Yaesu VX-5R

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu VX-5R
Reviews: 257MSRP: 249 (AES and HRO)
Description:
The VX-5R is a miniature tri band FM transceiver
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=111&encProdID=nFLhjiVz8z8%3D&DivisionID=65&isArchived=1
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
002574.2
KD4ZYP Rating: 2003-02-23
Great little radios Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bought one several months ago and really did not like the lay out of controls. Just too confusing. Decided to sell it on eBay and buy something simpler.

Then I says to my ownself, "Self! Learn to use the thing, spend some time with it, get to know it, make friends'n stuff!"

So I did. Now I've got two! One black and one silver so I can tell'em apart (I like the finish on the silver best because it seems a little rougher, like sandblasted).

Seriously, though, getting the Yaseau's software for programming the thing really helped me enjoy it much more. It's definitely worth the extra buck$.

I gave it a 4 because they should have given it 220 instead of 6m.

The price is down now just above $200. You can't beat it.
KR2J Rating: 2003-02-12
Well balanced radio Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have FT-50R, VX-150 and VX-5R. VX-5R is,
* Very small footprint and easy to hold. FT-50R feels like holding a ball(fat).
* RX sensitivity: VX-5R is the best. But the level of intermod seems high cf. to other 2 radios.
* I never use 6m. Prefer to have 220M instead.
* TX power(4.5W) is lower than that of VX-150(5W).(when battery drive).
* Very good battery life.
In all, price is little bit high but better buy than FT-50R. Function rich and well balanced specs. VX-150 was $79. Therefore it is also good value.
KE0VH Rating: 2003-02-10
Waiting for a long time! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just bought my VX5-RS 4 days ago and am really excited about the purchase. The money off with the manufacturers coupon put it in the range of which I could afford. Programming is easy and I will be using it for everything from monitoring and communicating on my Rocky Mountain Ham Group repeater to scanning the local police frequencies and LEO satellite work. I am very satisfied with the battery and other functions the radio presents. I have waited for a radio like this for a long time, and even like it better than the Alinco DJ 580 I have had for a long time and love! With the problems that some have had with earlier generations, I think the time was right. I am recommending the radio to all my friends too! Economical and a wonderful radio!
KC2KSG Rating: 2003-02-08
Great radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great radio it is the first one that i have owned and I have had no problems with it. Although it has many features it is fairly simple to work.
KB1JIJ Rating: 2003-02-07
A Great HT!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This radio is my first radio. I get great reports localy, and can hit staion up to 40 miles away, with just the 'rubber duck' antenna. I would definetly rcommend this radio to anyone!
KG4AUQ Rating: 2003-01-16
Still love it Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is my second VX-5R, I sold my first one a couple years ago to fund a mobile rig purchase. According to the serial number this is a 3rd generation model and apparently they've made some changes. Tone search works much better now, the battery lasts longer and the rig is much cooler. I find no intermod problems- even when connected to my Arrowantennas J146/440. Like my first one, it's been rock solid dependable.
KB3HDC Rating: 2002-12-22
nice radio!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This was my first radio and still my only one. I got it over a year ago and I've had no problems at all with it. It has more features than I'll probably ever know what to do with! The only reason I'd give it a 4/5 instead of a 5/5 is because it can be a little confusing to operate.
KC4SBD Rating: 2002-12-19
Awesome Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought my vx-5 a few months ago and have had a great time with it there are so many good features it takes some time to learn the programming techs. I replaced the factory belt clip with a radio shack belt clip swivel holder # 17-543. I also have the kenwood th-g71a and radio shack htx-420 on a scale of 1-10 the yaesu is a (9.5), kenwood (8.5), htx-420 (6)
KB0JCN Rating: 2002-12-17
Even Better than expected Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I wasn't active for about 10 years, a lot had changed in that time. When I became active again (I convinced my Wife to get her ticket) I bought 2 VX-5Rs, a black and a silver.

The radios have worked flawlessly, I have used them for skywarn, MS Bike tour comunications, Checking into nets, and local rag chewing. I have even spent some time bicycle mobile with it. I have hook them up to a mag mount antenna and they work great in the car. The durability is very good, but I was skinning mine up a lot (working in a shop) so I bought the leather case, that quickly solved that problem.

I have used mine primarily on 2m, and as a scanner. They are small enough to carry with you anywhere. And the battery life is surprising. When not chatting a lot (mostly monitoring when driving around in the car) I charge it every couple of weeks, when doing nets, it will last all day.

I have bought many accessories, including the leather case, MFJ-1720 antenna (nice, but HUGE), the MFJ headset (nice, but the mic could be more sensitive), and the mobile power adapter.

One of the radios has had the antenna connector come a little loose so it wiggles, but there is a fairly simple mod to fix that.

I think this is an excellent first radio for someone who wants a few bands to play with, a full range recieve, and some real portibility.
KB3IRK Rating: 2002-12-15
VX-5RS Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This radio has been absolutely wonderful, i've found so many uses for it. The ONLY problem i've had with this radio, is that the writing on the buttons rubs off over time. I highly reccomend getting the soft case, its really worth it if this type of thing bothers you. Otherwise, the radio works great. I put just about everything i own through hell and back (Im a firefighter / EMT) and this still comes back for more. Highly reccomended.

73
- Matthew (KB3IRK)