| N1MG |
Rating:  |
2002-09-10 | |
| Not so hot |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I don't know what you're all raving about with this rig. Give me a rig that has a few more controls so things aren't a couple menus deep. The PL decode scan function can takes too long.
Yes the price is right, but the speaker quality is only mediocre. And it does get hot on high power. I'm scoring it at "2" because the 4.9 average this rig has on this list is like grade inflation in school. In my opinion, it probably deserves a score more like "3.5" or 4 at best.
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| N8VGY |
Rating: |
2002-09-10 | |
| Excellent Base Packet/APRS radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
As I was getting back into Amateur radio this summer, I tried to use my trusty HTX-202 and a KPC-3+ for packet. My current situation warrents that I use indoor antennas. With only 5 Watts, I could not reliably connect to a DX Cluster station with a 5/8 wave mag-mount antenna in my apartment.
Enter the FT-1500M. I picked this up at AES along with a packet cable (CT-39) to connect it to the TNC. With it sitting at 5 watts and the antenna in the EXACT same place, I was able to connect to the DX Cluster. Couple weeks later, I used it on APRS with no problem.
This radio is rugged and, so far, very dependable. I've used it to check into nets and rag chew with excellent results. And it's tiny...for a mobile. Do yourself a favor and pick one up for CHEAP! |
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| KB9VKY |
Rating: |
2002-09-10 | |
| Great radio |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I had a Rat Shack HTX-242... bought it just as soon as I got my ticket... that radio was junk.
About 6 months ago, AES had the FT-1500 @ $140 or so. I bought one and never looked back. The only shortfalls I can see are the internal speaker (use an external, problem solved), and the volume knob could use some improvement.
I like it so good, I'm going to buy another one for a base unit and run packet with it next month. |
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| KD5QEF |
Rating: |
2002-08-27 | |
| sturdy, excellent value |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| Owned the 1500M some 8-10 months. Excellent value for the current price range of $120-$150. I've got the rig mounted to the factory mounting bracket which is attached to an L-bracket with clamps on the 4WD transfer case lever (I can shift to 4WD with the lever though the radio moves with it, both positions are fine). This freestanding mounting gives the rig room to breathe and works well as the radio get pretty warm when at "HIGH" TX on 50 watts. Be sure to mount it with clearance all around the rig to allow proper heat dissipation. After driving dirt roads daily (radio gets shaken/vibrated alot) the radio performs as new, a very sturdy radio, well built, durable aluminum housing. I performed the Microphone mod mentioned here without noticing a difference in reduced base response. The audio is good, sensitivity (use a good 5/8 wave mag-mount whip), selectivity are good. I rarely hear front-end overload/intermod, only when I drive right next to a tower, so it's good that way. The radio continues to perform reliably after months of daily use on local repeaters (10-60+ miles distant here in the Southwest) and on simplex. I use an AES PCL-1 external speaker (a must, for the internal speaker is mediocre). For a starter radio for the new ham, this 2 meter only rig is the one. The absence of a volume detent, knob marker and reference "ticks" is mildly annoying but you can open squelch and adjust volume. You can't go wrong with this radio, I just bought another one for my wife and after a week of use I deem it the same, so this is based on experience with two 1500M's. |
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| VE6RJZ |
Rating: |
2002-08-27 | |
| Excellent IRLP Node Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The FT-1500M is probably the best radio for a simplex IRLP node. This rig fully supports CTCSS through the data port and works well with my Plug and Play solution. Visit http://www.irlp.net/16-requests/pnpsolution.html for more info.
Best "Bang for the Buck" for IRLP!
73,
Randy |
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| KX5F |
Rating: |
2002-08-26 | |
| well worth the money |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Have had this radio for a little over 2 years now and have no problems, works good in new small autos, and also works fine with a cig lighter plug. Only thing I would like changed is a manual squelch knob. otherwise you can't go wrong for the money |
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| AB0UK |
Rating: |
2002-08-25 | |
| Outstanding Radio! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This is an outstanding radio. First, it was in my shack for 3 months and now has been in my truck for 3 months. When it went into the truck I purchased a ICOM IC-2100M for the shack. The Yeasu is by far the better of the two. The IC-2100 looks dated, the tuning knob drags, uses about 50% more power to produce the same RF power out, does not have a 25 watt setting and now it will not work repeaters. The Yeasu speaker is directed up so sound does not get lost in the floor carpeting. It's mounting bracket is an innovative design making it part of the heatsink. It's IMD rejection is far better than the Icom. And, the FT-1500M is cheaper than the IC-2100H. A good quality radio at a good price. |
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| KC2HIX |
Rating: |
2002-08-24 | |
| No need to look any further. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have three of these units, base, and 2 vehicles, we enjoy them 1000%. Best 2 meter radio I have ever own. Has all the bells and whistle and works great. I would not consider another single band radio.. |
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| W8BYH |
Rating: |
2002-06-24 | |
| Great Design, Great Performance |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
The Yeasu FT-1500 is a great example of niche engineering. It's physically small, the front panel displays all necessary info clearly, all key functions can be set/controlled via the mic (except volume and on/off) and it's built to take a beating. It also has a very unique, minimalist mounting bracket that other manufacturers might want to study. I've been running it mobile for about 6 months, powering it via the cigarette lighter. Great audio reports, minimal IMD, even while traveling Atlanta's 'intermod alley' (the 75/85 connector through downtown) and I can hit most Atlanta area repeaters using just 10 watts to a 5/8 mag mount.
Issues?
1. It gets hot. In a hot car, while doing a lot of TX, this baby gets HOT (remember, it has no cooling fan). Because of this I would restrict installing it only in spaces that had full air flow around the case. This is critical!
2. Mic PPT switch is too easy to trigger. In fact, just shaking the mic is enough to trigger the TX (others have commented on this too). Other than that, it is easily the best designed mic available from the 'big three'.
So, if you are looking for a small, powerful and well featured mobile and are willing to exercise care where you mount it, you will not go wrong with this Yeasu! |
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| KG4IHJ |
Rating: |
2002-06-24 | |
| Great Little Rig! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I was in the mood for a new 2 meter mobile (440 seems to be very scarce in terms of use no matter where in the country I go, minus very large cities). I considered all brands, and being a Kenwood man, I looked there first. I liked the looks of it, but it looked cheaply made. I then looked at Icom, and Radio Shack, and those seemed overpriced and under-featured respectively. On paper the Yeasu looked to be the best, so I went with it. It has turned out to be the best choice I could have made. The speaker is loud and tinny sounding, and also makes the faceplate vibrate when turned up loud, but is still clear and all sounds are clear enough to be audible, even with the speaker mounted under my AM/FM CD player. The radio puts out right around 50 watts (sometimes 48 sometimes 52, just depends on outside conditions) and does warm up rather quickly. That is to be expected. The microphone and it's subsequent controls are excellent, allowing you to control every feature except volume (find a way to put this on the mic without making another Mr. Potato Head ala FT-7200, Yeasu!!). I would buy another one in a heartbeat, and highly recommend it to anyone. |
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