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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-270R

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-270R
Reviews: 33MSRP: 144.95
Description:
Yaesu FT270R

The Yaesu FT-270R is a rugged, compact, high-performance FM mono-band 2 meter handheld delivering up to 5 watts of RF power.

Receive coverage is from 136 to 174 MHz and the memory systems boasts 200 memory channels. CTCSS and DCS encode/decode are included with split tone capability. The FT-270R is ultra rugged and submersible to IPX7 specifications (3 feet for 3 minutes). It has a strong 800mW audio amp for noisy environments.

Features:
* 5 watts RF Output
* 200 Memories
* DTMF Keypad
* Keypad frequency entry
* Enhanced Paging and Code Squelch
* Submersible to IPX7 Specifications
* Backlit Keypad & LCD
* Internet Key for Access to WIRES™
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00334.4
VE6JMK Rating: 2019-12-26
Work Around? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Update: End of 2019 and I see this thread still gets some comments, which is a testament to the ruggedness of this radio. That is probably due to it using superhet rather than a DPS signal processor. Nevertheless, if you've been using this radio for more than 5 years, you should probably do a forward power test. I've done that with a few of my older radios that still seemed to be working fine, but have found they have lost up to 50% of their forward power. The older they are, the more power they seem to lose, and I've found that with both Superhet and DSP circuits, and with using new tuned antennas for the tests.

Original: I've been using the FT-270r daily with a speaker mic. I've asked the receiving parties about audio and they say it is excellent. Therefore I'm going to suggest that for those that may not want to tear down their radio, a speaker mic may be the solution.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by VE6JMK on 2009-10-12

I was curious to see if the aftermarket USB cables and FTB2070 software would work with this model so gave it a try last night using the same procedures as for the VX-170 and it seemed to work fine.
9W6KGR Rating: 2019-12-26
It is a working horse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is a single-band working horse. I had tested this model a few times when we were taking the doctors and dentists to the village people in some remote parts of Sabah, Malaysia. Reliable radio equipment, including a handy, is a MUST. We used it for communications between the 4x4 vehicles, recovery and rescue throughout the mission. The reception (and transmit) was beautiful. The only drawback is just the default antenna and its battery. Get a back-up battery or two as it's MAh is pretty low and a decent antenna and the problem will solve. In short, I would say, 90% worth the money spent.
KE0PQV Rating: 2019-03-10
Good radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Radio works as advertised. Tough as nails.

The manual takes a thorough read or two. A couple of the instructions weren't accurate (PMS scanning) and there were two instruction sets for it but that's no a big deal.
VR2ZDX Rating: 2018-06-28
Great handheld radio! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have been using Yaesu FT-270R for some time and I would say it's one of the best handheld radio I've ever had.

It's a rugged, submersible and efficient VHF radio. It's my favorite choice for event support services and ARES purpose. Its TX audio is weak but simply attach a speakermic (even the submersible Yaesu MH-73A4B speakermic) and the TX audio will become very nice. DO NOT attempt to make a hole in the membrane otherwise it will lose its important waterproofing capabilities.

I've got 2 FT-270Rs now. I would highly recommend this radio to everyone.
F4EPP Rating: 2018-02-01
Audio modulation fixed easily Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used this HT for several years and I like the sensitivity of this monoband. It's like a base rig in the palm of a hand. The squelch is very sensitive as well, however the rig is easily bothered by high rf environment like computer screens and led light bulbs compared to others I owned. On the other hand it works extremly well in an non polluted environment.
I fixed the poor genuine audio first with a hidden menu that gave an average result and that is cancelled if you reset the radio. My last fix was to make a tiny hole with a needle in the front mic. You feel when the membrane is pierced and that's it. No need to open it, the result is immediatly heard. Audio modulation 5 times better. I love this radio but I would have preferred it to be dual band (at least).
DV2AWN Rating: 2017-05-10
Great radio, great buy! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After owning a bunch of china HT, i finally decided to buy a 'branded' HT and got this Yaesu FT270R/E. The price was very attractive and the built quality is very professional... sort of what one can expect from this reputable brand. It feels good on my hand, the ergonomics is just right, not too small nor too big. The weight is also just right. When you hold it you know that you have a quality radio on your hand. The only gripes i have about it (hence only 4 on my rating) is the belt clip. I wish Yaesu could have installed a better quality belt clip than this clip type belt clip on the FT270. Also, my radio did not come with a desktop cradle/charger so i am now looking for one online. Overall, i would recommend this radio in a heartbeat.
AA7LX Rating: 2016-10-29
Great Deal HT deal from DX Engineering ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Brought FT-270R from DX Engineering. For 139.95 what a deal! Includes: Duck Antenna, AC Charging Cradle, AC Charger Adapter, Belt Clip, Battery. I added for an additional cost: Diamond RH-77CA 15" Whip, Speaker/Microphone MH-57, Diamond C104SMA antenna adapter cable for connecting to a 2m base Antenna, YSU-CN-3 BNC to SMA connect for BNC HT Antenna, and YSU-E-DC-6 DC Cable with plug for charging Battery from any DC12v Supply. Radio has SMS Female--I recommend adding the YSU-CN-3 it's solid connection for (any) BNC HT Antenna.
OK-- I tested the Speaker vs. the Hand Speaker/Microphone for volume and voice distance: No Problems! Perhaps Yaesu has fixed these issues other reviewers had reported. Yes, the DTMF Decoder instructions are incorrect however, as noted otherwise here in the Reviews, the opposite page is correct: just correct the page instructions! Don't know about the Enhanced Sub-Tone Paging, didn't try that--probably never need it! From my experiences with the FT-270--I don't recommend doing the mod for the HT Speaker. Everybody heard me fine--HT Speaker vs. the Speaker/Microphone; Volume real loud and understandable! Good reports with the duck vs. the 15" Diamond whip. I did my Homework before purchasing this Unit! Two issues I found possibly could be a problem in the future: 1) The Clip that holds the Battery in place on the HT. It's made out of Plastic(?). and, 2) if, you add on the YSU-MH-57A4B Speaker/Microphone it should be attached somewhere on the FT-270 otherwise it falls and hangs by the coiled cord. I attached mine to the Belt clip and all was fine(if, you don't use the belt clip!). Recommend purchasing a CT-91 Adapter Cord if you add headset--make sure you order the Headset for ICOM--which has two pin males for the Yaesu CT-91 adapter cord. Otherwise, no problems with making plug/cable connections. Previously owned a Yeasu FT-411E so I found the book understandable, otherwise, it was easy to program--you must read the Manual! Recommend this HT for starting out as Technician -or- if you need a 2m Unit.

KH6TA Rating: 2016-10-07
Great Performer! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My ONLY negative is the muffled & weak Tx audio right out of the box due to the waterproofing membrane, however the issue was fixable and once "fixed" it has very nice TX audio! There are 3 choices: 1) take the case apart and remove membrane from mic element. 2) Access "Hidden" Tech Menu and adjust? (Didn't work for me). 3) Make hole in mic membrane from outside of case, lightly rubbing membrane openDO NOT POKE A HOLE! Once the membrane is ruptured, the radio is no longer submersible.

The receiver on this HT is just awesome and there are many advanced features usually found on more expensive models.

I may buy a 2nd one.....
KM4LKN Rating: 2015-08-16
Great HT Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
A sturdy good quality HT just for the 2m band. I purchased the SW with cable, the 17in HT antenna and now also have a $34 Ed Fong (in the pipe) J-pole (DBJ-1) in the attic, which improves reach for transmitting on 5W, the Ed Fong works super.

Microphone Gain. Do not take this HT apart or puncture the membrane of the mic! There is a hidden service menu to set the gain, which in my case the setting wasn't very high. Search for it on Google...
(I believe this is also mentioned here in the FT-270r reviews somewhere)

KC2OHP Rating: 2013-06-04
pretty perfect Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I won't list all the reasons why I personally love it, just know that it's the only purchase I can remember making that I never once had any regret with. There is nothing I can imagine I would change about it(other than the stupid "quick-draw" belt clip) and never had any problem with it whatsoever. I've had it for about 5 years. I must add that I'm particularly impressed with the NI-MH battery pack that seems to hold a charge forever. I can not use it for a month, then turn it on and use it for a couple days before charging it. I also don't see why some people are complaining about the mic. Mine sounds totally legible and of a normal volume level for an HT. I know there are talkies with louder RX audio out there but the FT-270R's is perfectly fine. Are these people talking three feet away from the thing like it's a desk mic??

Anyway, if you're looking for an inexpensive, quality 2 meter HT, this is the one.