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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-902DM

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-902DM
Reviews: 25MSRP: Yaesu FT-902DM
Description:
http://www.qsl.net/sm7vhs/radio/yaesu/ft902dm/specs.htm
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.qsl.net/sm7vhs/radio/yaesu/ft902dm/ft902dm.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15254.9
WU6Q Rating: 2001-10-02
A Solid Performer !! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The 902DM is a good solid radio, built to last. Having the WARC bands, offering split operation and AM/FM, make it a very versatile radio. It's through whole technology, pretty easy to work on, however, alignment is critical. The manual I have which identifies the respective coils and caps to adjust for the transmitter and receiver is in error. Once I figured it out, the radio is working great. One strong feature is the built in 120VAC supply, no external power supply needed. I have another plug to operate from a battery 12VDC supply if needed. Also remember the USB and LSB are 3 kHz apart, so when you flip over to the other side-band you'll need to retune 3 kHz unlike the newer equipment. The "tune" button is a much better idea than the Kenwood tune mode of having to rotate a knob through all the different modes, with the 902 you can just push the button to tune and it kicks off by itself thus helping save your finals. It's a lot of radio and ergonomically laid out well. 73.......tom
JK Rating: 2001-07-10
This is a good receiver (and hopefully a good transmitter) Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
hi
i never knew until today when i saw this webpage, how briliant this transceiver really is.
i saw mine for sale at a radio rally for £145 and i did have second thoughts about buying it (which i should not of had),but the price was right so i bought it. I have tried it out on receive and seems a good receiver, i am still waiting ( un-patiently) to try it out on transmit mode, but i need a good antenna so i hope the transceiver is briliant at transmitting and wont let me down....
its solidly built and has a good range of frequenceys but as someone pointed out before it does not cover the full band of frequenceys(0-30 Mhz) so this is a bit disapointing. but im planning to buy another transceiver to do this for me.
its dual display makes it easier to tune compared to older setups which just have a analogue display, Its got a good selection of modes for each band (god knows what FSK stands for!).
i never knew that it had a built in keyer so this makes my expectations of it a little higher than before.
im hoping to get a good selection of QSL's from all over the world.

73's for now

JK

P.S if anyone has any Antenna suggestions for me please email me at JK@netking.20m.com
N5JNX Rating: 2000-10-31
Excellent Transceiver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Howdy to ALL,

This is just my opinion. As you know, we all view an empty glass differently. I will start with the cons first and then the pros. I know, most would like to hear the pros first.

The CONS:

Try finding the extender boards (hee hee). Although not necessary, they make it a breeze for aligning, repairing, and troubleshooting.

Misprints in the operations manual. Be very careful, because you could really mess things up. The operations manual does not appear to provide any instructions on how to align the WARC bands. Eventually, I will develope a procedure and post it on one of the newsgroups.

There was never a service manual that I know of that was created for the FT-902DM.

Hybrid transceiver-meaning you are required to peak the preselector, dip the plate, and then increase the loading. This will result in the transmitter/receiver section being resonant and providing maximum power on transmit and receive, provided your stages are aligned correctly. One way to peak the preselector is to use the marker on the front panel of the transceiver.

No general coverage receiver. Perhaps the deciding factor between a true SWLer and a Ham?



The PROS:

If you can find one, this is the one to buy. I recently sold my TS-940S/AT for the FT-902DM. I perfer the FT-902DM.

I like the quality of the audio (some say the receive audio appears basey).

When working CW, the audio peak filter is excellent. For me, I don't need an additional filter; however, some folks like FoxTango Filters and Yaesu may disagree.

The width/reject controls are pretty neat for getting rid of adjacent frequency interference. I would like to eventually try a filter for this to see what sort of difference it makes. So I may be knocking on FoxTango's or Yaesu's door pretty soon.

Single channel VFO, try getting this feature on a TS520, TS530, TS820, or TS830. I don't think you will find it built in as with the FT-902/901 DM series radio. No fixed crystals required. You will be able to operate 10 meter FM repeaters and split operation on all bands; however, it does not appear to work crossband.

Built in CW keyer. Need I say more for those that believe in the power of dits and dots.

AM is clean on transmit as well as receive. Don't have the power to compete with the big guns on 10 or 80. But when the opportunity presented itself on 10, guys thought I was running some old Globe King job.

Well, that ends my review of the FT-902 DM. Now for the fun stuff-The Accesories.

Using the transverter (FTV-901R) is a pleasure. The only thing I have to do now is go into the FT-902DM and connect my tone board. Once this is done, I will sell my little all mode 2 meter radio.

The only thing left for me to do, is locate a FV-901DM- The VFO. These things are pretty neat, because they allow you to store 40 channels. This is ideal for use with the transverter.

Count the number of times you have seen 520s, 530s, and 830s for sale. Then count the number of times you have seen FT-902s for sale. I think there is a reason for it.

If you are looking for a hybrid to give you that old Ham feel, then get a FT-902DM. You will not be disappointed.

73 and take care.

N5JNX-(RFII)
KC2GBS Rating: 2000-10-24
Fantastic Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this radio for a relatively short time. My first impression is that its VERY well made. I am able to pull in some distant stations even with a not-so-hot antenna setup. I am a big Yaesu fan and that is one of the reasons I decided to go with this one. I also picked up some of the accessories for it (hard to find,)including the transverter and antenna tuner. Overall I am very satisfied with it. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a high quality older radio.
KJ1R Rating: 2000-07-09
A GREAT WORKHORSE!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
What an impressive radio to operate. I have owned three 902dm's in my ham years, and all three of them performed like a charm. Very easy to operate, and includes all the bells and whistles you need to get on the air. Excellent design, and easy to work on (if needed). I was fortunate enough to find one in prestine condition, along with FC-902 tuner. If you find one out there for sale, don't think twice - it's a keeper!!