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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-1500M

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-1500M
Reviews: 185MSRP: 229
Description:
This is the new Yaesu FT-1500M Mono-band 2 Meter mobile radio. 50 watts out, MH-48 mic, CTCSS encode + decode, DTMF encode + decode, 130 memories, 1200-9300 Packet ready (connector on back), Backlit display, and most other bells and whistles you would come to expect from Yaesu (including SmartSearch, Clock Shift, ect.).
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/ft1500m.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001854.6
KF6UME Rating: 2009-11-01
Bullet proof, solid radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used this model for about 7 years mobile. It's never failed, never lost memory, never over heated and never needed repair. The buttons aren't backlit, but I never needed to program the radio at night. The fully functional MH-48 microphone IS backlit and interfaces well with the radio. I just upgraded to a 7800R in my Jeep, so this was uninstalled. I'll never sell it though, since it is such a great performer.
KG4OXA Rating: 2009-08-19
Good Radio, not so Durable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The radio part is solid. Despite no fan, it never gets even uncomfortably warm using my non-tuned through-the-glass mobile antenna and long full power rag-chew. My audio quality is good, and all the reports I have received are excellent. The display is minimalist, but simple and clear. No complaints there. Kudos for alphanumeric. The black look is sleek and nice.

The main problem is that after a few years, my microphone cable disintegrated, as in, it's just literally rotting and falling apart, and the replacement is $$$. My friend who bought the same unit had his microphone cable fail within a few years as well. Also, while the case seems like you could drive a truck over it, the tuning and volume knobs are on flimsy plastic rods, and the first to go -- as also happened to my friend, and mine are wobbly too. The buttons on the unit are not backlit, so unless you remember what they are you're stuck in a dark vehicle.

Finally, as usual in this kind of gear, you'll need the manual handy to decipher what button to press or hold for how long in what mode to make things happen. Programming is a PITA without the optional cable and software. That being said, it has all the functions one might want.
N4MJG Rating: 2009-05-12
awsome rig ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
when i first got into ham radio in Aug 2001, i wish i kept it i knew nothing about aprs the more i learn about aprs now i wish i have had kept the rig. i plan on find at hamfest and use it for aprs.these rig where AWSOME !!!!
N5ZTPN5ZTP Rating: 2009-05-11
love it Time Owned: more than 12 months.
i just bought my 2nd one. had one a few years back and thought i could do better, WRONG.i have had many 2 meter radios since 92 and this is the best.
N0VKG Rating: 2009-04-23
Built as a tank, very tough radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my FT-1500M since about 2001. It is built like a tank. It is so tough. Wow, yeasu, you made a tough radio for hamradio. Most of them like ALINCO, ICOM, KENWOOD and YAESU build mobile radios that are full of features, but do not have the toughness to handle extreme mobile situations. This radio reminds me of the tough radios used by the military and public safety agencies. Most hamgear is feature rich, but usually clumsy and built of plastic and can usually break in an instant if dropped or subjected to shock or other real world conditions. I am shocked that Yaesu stopped production of this very well built tank of a radio. I love using the programming software with it. The radio's built-in menu programming system is primitive and alittle bit of a hassle if you are going to fill every programmable memory position using the included Speaker/Mic keypad. The programming software is the best way to do it. The software is not perfect, but does get the job done. I would never think about putting my FT-1500M on ebay or on sale at any hamfest. It is among the best radios I have ever owned. Its tough shell ensures that if I ever accidentally subject it to serious stress, it should come thru fine. I wish all hamgear was built as tough as the FT-1500M was. Shame on Yaesu for discontinuing this 2m TANK radio.
9M6WST Rating: 2009-01-11
Good Small Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a fantastic small rig I owned for 7 years. Still performs well with 50 Watt RF power. Install in car for mobile. Heats up easily when use but cools very fast too.
K2CD Rating: 2008-04-29
6 yrs of mobile service and still going strong! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This fantastic little radio is still working perfectly after being in the mobile through 6 years (175,000+ miles on the odometer) of NE Pennsylvania summers and winters. Removed it yesterday in preparation of a change of vehicles. It cleaned up beautifully with nary a mark or blemish on it anywhere. Put it on the watt meter and RF power output is dead on at all levels. I expect this radio will easily last another 6 years. If you can find one in good condition, I highly recommend it. Hard to beat for reliability.
W5AJ Rating: 2007-10-01
fine two meter mobile Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have several. Used mobile and one was setup in house. Never a problem. Bought the PC programming cable / software.
Just a powerful SMALL unit.
Why would Yaesu quit making such a fine unit?
N4TSV Rating: 2007-08-14
Solid performance BUT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The radio itself is a solid performer. I bought these because of their small size and they fit my trucks great. But the two I have and several others that friends have all have the same problem. The black rubberized microphone cord disintegrates into small pieces.
Yaesu is happy to sell me a new cord /microphone but I have no interest in having this happen again in 6 months. I'd be interested in hearing from any one else with similar experience.

KY4Z Rating: 2007-06-14
Time proven winner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my FT-1500M new in 2000 and it has given nothing but superb service mounted mobile in my SUV. The body of the rig is heatsink, and the key to longevity is mounting it in the clear. I have mine out in the open on the dash. It gets warm on high power, but that's by design. I too was concerned about the side-mounted mic connector, since it exits the radio facing the passenger side rather than the driver's side. But in seven years of constant use, I've not had a failure yet with the mic connection. Some have complained about the comlexity of the menus, but they're mild by today's standards (I don't recommend trying to mess with the menus while driving!). I liked the rig so much I bought two more. If you want to guage this rig's popularity, you will find that used FT-1500Ms routinely sell for more than the original retail price! There are a lot of devoted FT-1500M fans out there, and I'm one of them.