| K3PRN |
Rating:      |
2012-11-02 | |
| Excellent Value |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I must strongly disagree with the majority of comments by "Lumpy" in the previous review. I selected the FT-2900R because of it different power levels, 5, 10, 30, and 70 watts, the large screen, the large Vol, SQL, and Tuning knobs. The five push buttons are small on the bottom the rig but I program the rig on my bench and not being a large person, had no problems with their size. I found programing to be very easy and 200 memories more than enough. As far as not being intuitive to setup, that's what manuals are for. The complaint of the top of the rig getting getting very hot is due to the fact its the RF finals heat sink! I also can not place my hand on top of my kitchen toaster oven!
I totally agree with "Lumpy" about the microphone. It feels cheap and the DTMP buttons are hard to hit. I use a finger sideways to use them and this really is an example of poor design. I do not use the clip for holding the mike but lay it down on the shack desk. In short it works but I do have to wonder for how long?
I would give the rig 4.5 dues to the mike issues, as even numbers are the only rating I selected five. Yesterday I ordered a second FT-2900R and feel they are an excellent bang for the buck. As mentioned shop around, I paid $135 for the one and prices vary up to $50. |
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| N0EQ |
Rating:  |
2012-10-23 | |
| Silly Little Microphone |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I see only TWO pro's -
- 75w output
- Sturdy cast aluminum brick
Other than that, everything about this radio is a con, IMO. EXTREMELY non intuitive controls. Example, the switch from MEMORY to VFO is on a button labeled "MW D/MR". What in that label suggests choosing memory or VFO? The other menu choices are equally as confusing and all of them are of that typical "Push momentarily for one function, hold down for 1/2 to 2 seconds for another, hold down longer than 2 seconds for a third choice". That's hardly good engineering, particularly for a mobile rig. If you hit a menu choice button and want to get out of it, there's no clear way how to "back out". Sometimes you have to recycle the power.
But the absolutely most ridiculous "feature" of this radio is the stupid microphone. Weight of the mic is about 3 oz. Doesn't want to stay in any mic clip unless the clip is set up with a LOT of tension. When it does sit in a clip, the slightest movement of the vehicle or the mic cord wants to either push the mic out of the holder or rotate it around on it's clip button. PTT switch is very large and takes almost NOT pressure to activate. That, combined with the tiny size of the mic, means that every time you try and pick up the mic, it's likely you're activating the PTT. Sitting on my desk in the shack, I can simply brush the mic cable aside and it will rotate the mic onto it's PTT and key up the radio. DTMF buttons on the front of the mic are a joke. Each button is about the size of the positive terminal nib on a AAA battery. The labels on the button are, of course, smaller than that. Difficult to read in a well lighted shack, much less in a vehicle while moving. And the buttons are recessed with some kind of plastic ridge/guard thing around them which means about the only way to activate the DTMF buttons is to use some kind of stylus like a ball point pen to push them. No way in heck will my thumb or fingers fit into the recess to reach the buttons. The mic to radio connector is an RJ style modular, which all the manufacturers seem to think is appropriate. To remove the mic's RJ connector from the radio front panel requires some kind of tiny screwdriver or other tool. Fingers cannot grab the release tab on the RJ because it is shielded/shrouded on the front panel.
High power radio, looks like a huge, strong heat sink. Otherwise a pretty stupidly designed radio with no logical or intuitive use in real use.
Craig 'Lumpy' Lemke
www.n0eq.com
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| KF7MGT |
Rating:      |
2012-09-17 | |
| Best of the 2m rigs |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Had this since Christmas of 2010, it is my first base/mobile rig, love the heat sinks, as well as the 75 watt output, although I usually stay on 5 watts, its nice to be able to have the 75 watt capability, good for the price, buy it at HRO. Great once again, has served me well, and hope for it to do so for much longer! 3 watts of audio is defiantly nice for sure! |
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| KK4JUG |
Rating:     |
2012-08-08 | |
| Good radio; excellent buy |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| An excellent unit. There's nothing fancy but it seems to be a well-built piece of equipment. It's each to program. Software is available and I purchased it only because I spend a lot of time on the road in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan and I wanted to put in a lot of info. And, because I travel, I also like the weather features. If single band 2m is what you want, this is probably the radio. |
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| KT4GN |
Rating:  |
2012-04-02 | |
| Great Rig (BUT) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The 2900 is a fantastic rig, but when it fails, and time to be repaired, Yaesu wants your money ,to have it tested. I understand that, but how much for repairs, bench fee
and shipping? One can buy a new rig. Go figure.. |
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| KI4GTJ |
Rating:      |
2012-01-15 | |
| It's a lot of radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Great radio easy to use low2 I can hit repeaters that I could not hit befor with an ht and antenna out side. I have it hook to slim Jim. 2M/440MHz antenna hanging out side can put a full 75w and SWR of a 1:4.1 |
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| KA2ANT |
Rating:      |
2012-01-08 | |
| Excellent Rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| After using the Icom version of the 75 watter (ICV-8000) for years, I chose this model after reading the reviews, and past performance of my FT-897D. The rig is solid, easy to program, and appears to be working very well. Sure the unit heats up during full power, but it's easily tackled with a little muffin fan. Overall very pleased. Great rig. |
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| KK4AXX |
Rating:      |
2011-12-18 | |
| A Brilliant Radio |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
This was my 1st new radio. Still sits as my base 2 Meter unit. From day one I have never required the full 75 Watts for any contact/repeater from Pensacola, FL to New Orleans, LA. I live just west of Mobile, AL. It isn't all in my antenna system either... I use a home-brewed copper pipe J-pole at a top elevation of 18 feet connected with 213.
The units scan capabilities, and the knowledge that the power is there if needed have been a great boon. To date, every single audio report has been outstanding. On top of it all this is one tough beast! Yep, gets hot with long use, but that is exactly why those heavy fins are there.
Need a 2 Meter? Buy this one! |
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| KC9TCM |
Rating:      |
2011-12-18 | |
| Good Rig!!! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Hello my name is Sean and Im going to tell you about the Yaesu ft-2900. My experience with this rig is GREAT!. I mean the 75 watts is really quite a bit of power and it will be all you need to hit distant repeaters. Here's a list of pro's and con's.
Pros: Very durable and when i say durable I mean its a aluminum brick! I accidentally dropped the rig on the concrete road but it didn't fall very hard on the ground but it literally sounded like a BRICK THAT HIT THE GROUND!!!
GOOD receive audio.
Good transmit audio nice and crisp get good reports.
The 75 watts
And all the nice features it has.
THE CON'S:
Gets hot! even on 5 watts! and yes I checked the standing wave and it was a 1.1 and on high power it was just below 1.5. Definitely would recommend getting a computer fans or something that would be noiseless.
Microphone can easily be keyed cause of PTT button! Ive accidentally keyed on someone because of how easily you can press the button.
Lighting even when you turn the back lighting all the way off with the dimmer function it is still faintly their. but really isn't a problem just thought I could mention it.
All in all it's a very good rig and hasn't let me down yet and the way i talk i got a lot of time on that rigs finals but still holding up to my challenges!!! Would recommend this radio to anyone if you want something that is basic and a reliable rig.
73's to everyone.
Sean |
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| VE1FG |
Rating:     |
2011-12-03 | |
| good radio so far...... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| works good so far bought it about 2 years ago here in canada and havent had any issues with it as of yet but.....i have a 2800 and i find when running it on high power with 65 watts out with flat swr it gets hot and just shuts down the tx and puts it on the weather band ????weird but on med power it works fine just a cooling problem i think ???the 2900 so far works fine here,s hopeing.73 ve1-fg |
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