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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
KB1HOL Rating: 2004-02-26
Good, Solid VHF mobile rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had a FT-1500M for about 2 years now. I selected it intially because of favourable reviews here, but because of its size. Its my mobile rig installed in a 1991 Tercel, which does *not* have alot of room near the driver! I installed it in a strategic location to the right of my left knee so I could see the display through one of the steering wheel holes. :) Yes.. Tercels are small cars. I've also got powered directly to the car's battery with a RIGRunner 4005. The radio has been my main mobile rig.

I thought I should give my long-term opinions on this fine radio. Its not a "perfect" rig, but precious few are "perfect".

Likes:

1. Cost. Its very inexpensive.

2. Extremely rugged. The chassis feels like a solid aluminum brick. I actually don't doubt the picture of a truck tire rolling over it is factual, as I think it'd easily survive such an insult.

3. Buttons are large enough to operate with medium cold weather gloves on. Dials are more rugged than other radios in its peer class. Buttons are also "moisture" resistant, at least, the snowflakes on my gloves that have gotten on them and melted haven't affected it.

4. Size. Can easily be mounted somewhere on the dash in even the smallest cars.

5. Performance: I have no real complaints. Intermod resistance is on par with other 2-meter radios. Though there isn't a squelch knob, the SQL menu is easily accessed by pushing the "*" button on the mic. Small speaker and maybe be compromised in noisy environemnts, but generally its very good.

6. Features. NOAA weather receive banks, smart searching are all welcomed and used. It has everything a modern 2-meter rig should have.

Cons:

1. On 50-watts with a lengthy QSO, the chassis DOES get hot. Heat sinking is really inadequate on high power. The chassis acts as a heat sink. Though 95% of my QSOs are on 25 watts or less and it seems to handle that just fine. In the summer, I aim one of my AC vents at the rig to help out. :)

2. Display is hard to see unless viewed above and down.

3. No DCS squelching..but is that used often on repeaters???

That's it!

That said, after 2+ years of mobile ownership, I'm very happy I bought the 1500M. Its a good rig for the money and packaged together in one tough chassis. I have no doubt it'll be part of my inventory for many years to come.
K9SQG Rating: 2004-02-13
Performance ok, usability terrible Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The first production run had the transmit audio problem that was subsequently corrected. Radio functions as advertised, gets extremely hot at 50 watts, and is very difficult to program and use.

Accidently pressing a "rubbery" button on the chassis, or pressing a wrong mic button when you pick it up, can get the radio into a mode you may not recognize; there is no "back" button so you have to power down and restart. Using the "lock" feature can help, but then you have to unlock to use various features. Be prepared to spend a lot of time programming many of the features due to laborous, counter-intuitive menus.

The mic connector should have been toward the left, on the front or side, to reduce connector/cable strain for most mobile installations.

Don't attempt to use this radio in traffic until you have fully mastered the functions you'll need.

Bottom line: a prime example of a radio with poor usability. Adding features to compensate for poor usability is today's marketing philosophy.
KC0OFZ Rating: 2004-01-18
Great Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
One of the best rigs on the market to start out with for the money. At a price of around $130.00 this is a rig to have for both young and old alike. A solid radio that works in the summer heat as well as the South Dakota winters, it has survived sub-zero temps with no problems at all. This radio has not once let me down in the last year of hard mobile operation. From summer thunderstorm spotting, to raging blizzards and cold, it keeps on going. Easy to program and performs great. Get one while you can!!
WD0M Rating: 2004-01-08
It Rocks! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This little rig rocks. Not much more to be said. Amazingly small, fits anywhere, great audio, sufficient power to hit repeaters here in the mountains within about 50 miles, and very easy to use. Buy one while you can.

73,
Joe
WD0M
W2FPG Rating: 2004-01-08
Bulletproof Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this radio as my first 2 meter mobile
and then sold it and bought a dualbander of another brand.I missed that little radio so much I bought another a year and a half ago and I want to buy another for packet use or the other
car for the price they are great.It will get hot and u have to mount it on the bracket it comes with because the whole sace is a heat sink but have no fear if it gets too hot it will knock itself down to low power due to thermal protection
get em ehile they are still cheap and available. 73sFrank w2fpg
K4IQT Rating: 2004-01-08
It works well and it fits well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had it about a month and it is a perfect fit for the console compartment of an Audi TT. And it is about as good a performer as I've seen in a long time on 2M FM. My only very minor gripes are the bassy electret mike (for which there is a mod) and the lack of volume control at the mike. Neither issue is serious enough to drop the rating of this great little rig down from a 5. Too bad it's discontinued.
VA2DV Rating: 2004-01-08
Small size and fair price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got my Ft-1500 as a Xmas gift from my wife.
I must says that i am very pleased with the performance of the radio.I am not a big 2m fan but i was looking for something to check-in from time to time.Audio is good for the size and i dont have any intermod problems yet.
This little radio is built like a tank.At the actual street price (it's discontinued),it's a better deal than many used mobile radios.
KI6LO Rating: 2004-01-06
Great for APRS and packet Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am using two of these rigs for APRS work and they perform great. Small compact and easily configured, the FT-1500M is a dream APRS and packet 2M radio. Featuring a dedicated data port using a standard 6 pin DIN socket, it is easily interfaced to any TNC for APRS/packet work. In fact I built an interface cable for the FT-1500M to a Kantronics KAM in less than 10 minutes (had to wait for the soldering iron to warm up). 50W is more than enough for most applications. With the price low due to discontinued status, act soon or you'll miss out. I'm thinking about a spare one.

73

Gene KI6LO
NH6CF Rating: 2004-01-01
Excellent Performer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have been using the FT-1500M since January 2003 and have not encountered any problems. Its a solid radio that consistently performs to specifications. I had a IC-2100H with a recurring TX problem and got rid of it for another FT-1500 (my second). For those of you considering using the car power adapter as the power source for this radio, may I recommend the 12VPK. This is a kit that combines the 12VRC (1-1/8" receptacle) and 12VPG (10 amp fused plug). These items are used in maritime applications and can be found by searching the web for any of the part numbers previously listed. The plug and receptacle (12VPK) are specifically designed for each other and form a moisture and dust seal plug connection that "locks". By the way, these items are reverse compatible with traditional cigar power plugs. This setup allows me to relocate the radio effortlessly and I have not experienced any problems.
SM4MI Rating: 2003-12-28
Will stay for long time Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using FT-1500M dayly since August
2003.Even if radio becoms hot it have never
had any faliure. Extremley good mecanical work
as the receiver as well. I can recommend this
small unit.