I have a VX-5R and I LOVE it. Paid $100, but they are now $400+ on ebay! Old school 1995 shit baby!

Great comparison on all the Yaesu ht radios Josh. What a great presentation. Thanks for taking the time to do it!

This video needs an update to account for new HT's and discontinued models. Please?

New to channel and looking to get into Ham. I appreciate your work. Very helpful.

I still use my VX-5. Great radio with AM military frequencies ( air band)

I wish that I'd seen this video before I impulse bought an FT-70D at the HRO booth in Dayton (Xenia) last weekend. The battery on this FT-70D is such a huge disappointment. I wish that I could return the unit to HRO, but the shipping from Canada would totally kill any refund that I'd get. (It was a pleasure to meet you in Dayton Josh.. Thanks for the brief conversation..) VA3DWL.

I have the FT60R. It’s my go to radio for the last 3 years. It was my first HT and still my favorite.

Great video Sir! (Yes it's me without the radio) Just ordered my FT-65r and thought I would look at some videos and found yours at the top of the heap. Thanks for the shout out... that was unexpected. I did seem to splash in a barrel of shit with my FT-70dr videos. One undocumented feature to the FT-70 Japanese fingertrap of programming is to forget the AC adapter all together. 35 years in the IT industry and I've seen way too many times (make sure the laptop is plugged in before upgrading). Not needed. I think Yaesu knows the battery life is SO bad they don't want it running out of juice while you're trying to program it with the software. Just turn it on, pop the battery, plug the USB cable in, hold the AMS button while you pop the battery back on and you'll get into the ADMS mode and program away. Still a Japanese fingertrap and it would make a great activity for date night because you still need another set of hands but it's a bit better. I want to love this radio and just don't. I prefer the .4xr. Something easy, cheap and does as it should. The 65 uses the same cradle and programming cable as the 4xr so that was my choice. It's not about what's best...it's about what fits you the best. Too many people are consumed with "what's best". Dockers are the best pants but if you don't buy the right size they are pretty useless... but I digress. Last thought on the 70dr... People are too quick to say "buy a spare battery". You'll need two spare batteries and the rapid charger to last an entire weekend. Now you have a $300 HT. Something that people don't consider. The 70dr is a radio I want to love and yet hate. LOL Anyway... the 65r... I made the right choice after doing a lot of research and verifying with your video. It's going to fit me perfectly. Your mileage will always vary. 73

Great video. Watched the whole thing going on round two.

Great job and thank you for making the effort!

I first found out about HRCC and ham radio via the modern rogue video. Now I have technician license, I'm a subscriber, and part of the brew crew on patreon.

Hey!! Greetings from Argentina. LU9CZM here. I have the FT 70D, 60 and the 250 (VHF). The last one, the FT 250 rocks!!! is hard as a tank and the batery life is great. Great video. 73!!!

Thank you Josh for the HT comparison. I do like the ft70 for ease of programming, c4fm and medium size. Enjoy ARRL FIELD DAY 2019. Mike N6IMY

To skip straight to the actual radio info, jump to 10:30

The FT-270R is the most rugged Yaesu I have ever seen. When you need a radio to survive just about anything, this is it. Submersible and built like a tank. Add to that you can get a AA battery pack and transmit MORE power than with the standard battery pack. This is probably the closest to perfect EMCOM radio out there. It also has the best belt clip of any HT I have ever seen. Unfortunate that people don't seem to know much about it. Also, the 8R has two models, the 8DR which you mentioned, and the 8GR which has the GPS built-in. Fancy radios with great front-ends but a pain to use and not built as well as many other Yaesu radios. I keep my 8GR around because of the fantastic receive but don't think I have actually carried it out of the house in years.

Great info for us beginners without the manufacturer's marketing twist. Thanks, I will refer to this as soon as I pass the RSGB

My father got my daughter (11) one of the FT-4XR units when she got her ticket. The unit is solid and loud. The transceiver is solid in and out. We upgraded the antenna to a BNC diamond (better receive and transmit) and also this also enables external antennas while protecting the SMA. All around a great first HT!

I watched these videos. I decided to get into ham.

I also think the FT1XD is still a solid contender as well... solid price, still has buttons, usable format, great options, APRS, and decent battery life.

We are really liking the ft-4xr. The size is super handy, especially as part of our emergency bag contents. We installed the signal stick antenna, as well as the Yaesu speaker mic.

kinda disappointed the VX7 didn't get covered, it was a really neat rig that, while pretty rare, can still be found in good condition for a competitive price.

Great review, thank you

I own 3 VX8DR’s with all the options and love them! 73 de N1AD

Very informative ,Thank you

I own the FT65 and the FT2D both great radios.

I think this is one of your best subject videos yet Josh especially for HRCC! I just purchased the Ft70 after watching your video with Billy Bob and will have to agree that it is the easiest HT to program I have ever used! I think the speaker is more than enough I usually have it on 12-15 and it goes to 31 I think way loud. I actually like the 2 handed volume, I spent 35 years as a Firefighter and nothing worse than putting that radio in our coat pocket and the volume get turned down and you can't figure out why you don't hear any radio traffic and I can actually adjust it one handed not easy and I don't usually. As far as programing with a computer have you seen the video by Chris "Digital Analogue Ham" a little better , he got it from the guy that started Repeater Book. Keep the great Videos coming and i'm still going to do a couple my self I think will be good for the new Hams on HRCC. Chuck

It's down to the wire, Anytone D878UV plus or Yaesu FT- 3DR or one for wife and one for me. The FT-3DR is sold out in many places but found one on sale until the end of the month, $349 good price I believe

VX-7R......my first HT! Still have it and love it!

VX-6 is the best. With the Mars mod you get 6M making it 4 bands. After the mod In case of an emergency you have access to talk on all the FRE/GMRS freqs. As a bonus with the right antenna CB bands are within your reach.

This comparison video was outstanding. It is very obvious Icom did there homework. They sound quality is superior over the competition, and I feel the menu system is simply easier to manage than other radios. Keep these great videos coming, as I am now buying the ID-52, based on this review.

"I hate being SEXY, but I'm a ham radio operator so I can't help it" - The picture of the guy wearing that slogan at 1:09 doesn't look like any Ham I've ever seen! LOL!!!

My FT-4XR Yaesu HT delivered yesterday from HRO is Made in Japan, marked on box and inside radio.

I wish you would do this with the newer Yaesu… I find myself watching your 3-5 year old videos

Just went to a local ham fest and got a mildly worn out VX-2r for $30, which made me go back to look this old video up. Its kind of a funny addition to my collection. The VX-8 is really cool. I'd love to see a "Josh's favorite oddball radios" a little list of interesting radios to keep an eye out for at the ham fests.

it would be important and interesting to test the modulation of the devices in the future. I bought an FT -65, which gets much worse modulation reporters than the GT3

Great Video Josh! One con you let out for both the FT2D and FT70D is that they are so thin that when a better than rubber duck antenna is affixed on them they topple over constantly...someone please make a base plates for me to set them in.

MR-Hoshnasi collab is the most anticipated crossover event of this year

The FT 70 digital will run all day on a 12 volt battery which charges the internal battery while your using it. Just get a small 12 volt lithium and or your car battery port.

Watching from Australia Brisbane

I really appreciate your time you put into your videos - they are very helpful but damn you make me spend money lol

Ah missed one of my favorite discontinued, the vx8-gr! The bridge between the vx8-dr. First one with aprs. Basically an analog ft1

Well done

What?? You were in Austin. That is just a few hours south of us in the Dallas area. We were in Europe on a river cruise back in June. Hope Texas treated you well.

🤜👍🤛♡♡♡ Also: I absolutely agree with Andie Miller about Ruby's!! ♡♡♡

I have an FT-65E (the European variant), it's very basic but it does the job. The trigger style PTT is nice looking but I find it to be too stiff for my taste and after a while my finger is bit sore so I have to switch hands. Also, I don't like that it doesn't have a AA battery case, which I find it handy in emergency situations.

Excellent video, could you please do a 2020 update?

The guy talking about the FT-65r secret menu is actually in the service menu and there are things in there you want to be very careful about changing!

I don't know why, but I dig watching this. #TeamReplay for the 8th time.

The FT 270D looks like the Baofeng UV 9R; which is also waterproof.

When I got started in ham radio, World War 2 and Korean War surplus was available at reasonable prices. Now, as it was back then, the price of commercial equipment is enough to discourage people. There is no longer military surplus generally available. The requirement to demilitarize (destroy) surplus material along with the lack of radio receivers with wired in discrete components that could be disassembled and reassembled into transmitters and receivers has changed the hobby. Amateur radio operators used the innovators, now, they are

My first radio, before I became a ham and I didn't even know what 2 metere was, but I was prepping for Y2K, was the Yaesu FT 50R. The elmer in my prepper group, programed the police channels so it was basecally a scannner. Later I got licensed and used it for some nets.o Then came a string of baeofengs. Then I upgraded to the Yaesu FT65. I carried it everywhere and after something came loose while bouncing on my pickup seat. So I am dissapointed itn te FT 65. The next and most recent arrival is the Yaesu FT-4X. and so far so good. I am waiting for the programming cable to arriive so I can set up all the repeaters in my area.. I am your neighbour to the north, KK6OCU

FT65R should come standard with every ARRL examination package, that is a good little HT. Totally frustration free.

At my local ham radio store, the ft-60, ft-70, and vx-6r, are all the same price. So i went with the vx-6r. I think for the equal price of the other 2 it is the better radio. I also have no digital activity near me.

The FT-65 is a single conversion radio, but the FT-60 is far better with a dual- conversion receiver.

the FT-60 is able to watch two channels at the same time using the WX function.

If you had to choose one digital radio, would you choose the FT3DR or the Anytone AT-D878UV Plus?

Since I use the very basic of a radio's functions, The FT-65 r is ideal for me.

I was so stoked about the ft-70dr, but that battery.... maybe a better one will be out soon.

How about the VX-5R ? Thanks for the video.

So when do you do your live show? How do you get into them?

The ft 60 is definitely dual watch i got 3 of them . Use feature a lot

NOTE: The FT-60 will also receive signals on 220 Mhz!

Why on earth did they do away with the vx-8r? That is EXACTLY the type HT I have been searching for.

Love my vx8...did a review of it. It really is the Swiss army radio.. One thing I dont like is that the tuning knob on mine is very stiff.

Solid

@52min. ...Has Anyone Else heard of this?!?!? Very cool. 🤜👍🤛♡♡♡

as a super new HAM the FT-70d looks very appealing to me, but the battery issue is keeping me from picking one up. I will hate to deal with a couple batteries for one HT.

Great video Josh! I really like my ft-65 it seemed a little more durable than the 70 I have. The speaker on the 70 is pretty bad IMO. I do ARES, and we worked a marathon, I couldn't hear the 70 on my hip at all. A hand Mic would definitely improve it. I have yaesu hts, and mobiles, I'm not sure how other radio brands are with programming cables, but to me, it's annoying as f#ck that you need different cables, and software for each radio. I love ham radio, but it seems every time I turn around someone's trying to get in my pocket 😑

No manufacturer has yet given us a waterproof Hf manpack

Left Hand Nitro beers are great!

Very good video.... I don't suppose you or anyone know if the Yaesu FT2DR and the FT2DE are actually the same radio? It appears it's only the FT2DE thays for sale here in the UK.

What do you use to run your live streams? I like the layout

Two things Yaesu FT-60 does have a small issue with speaker mic popping out and freezing the Frequency and VX-85 did you mean VX-8R so thats something to thinking about

I'm looking at tf-70dr or anytone 868 only have analog Ham around me. I scan police traffic digital and can't decide to get. Any thoughts?

Hey Hosh 👋

MARS mod the VX-6 for a quad-band HT, 6m, 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm. 😎

Hi, I'm looking to buy a pair of the best HT's available but I don't know what to buy. (Whatever brand has the best, I heard Ailunce HD1's are very powerful as a example.) I'm not going to be buying radio after radio or I'll end up spending way to much money. My most important factors is something that's probably duel band and DMR/Analog and something that has the most power and range compared to settings and features. Something that has the most wattage as well as other things that make the range and power over all very good. Thank u!

Josh, the VX8/VX8DR put out 5w on 6m FM *and* 1w AM. How many HTs do you know of that transmit on 6m AM??? I love my VX8DR enough that when I heard they were being discontinued I bought 3 spares 😁

The FT-60 has dual watch. fw then v/m to start dual watch.

I just got home from field day here in Surrey.

Please advise. I've found a Yaesu FT-416 for sale $50 Canadian. But can't find much in the web about this model so I'm expecting it to be oldish and not that popular. Not many vids on KZfaq and none in English. Seem they have an internal battery to hold programming and may need changing but they are soldered in place and difficult to find a replacement that cross references to the original. So ?1 Should I buy it. ?2 if so how much is a realistic price if it's an obsolete model. Thank you

Considering that the thing everyone says is wrong with the 70 is the battery why haven't Yaesu just released a better battery?

Are you planning to do videos like this for the other major HT brands?

Side question. What is a radio to use during a family cruise will need 4-5. I want to make sure we can all reach each other anywhere on the boat. What would you recommend

I went all in on HAM I do that! Living breathing eating HAM the last two months. I have 2 FT60r’s and now I want the FT3 just because. Is there a significant difference with this radio over the 2 I have now?

What do you think of the VX-7R?

Please do an update HRCC!

So which one is best?

What do you think of the Ailunce HD 1 GPS DMR? It's cheaper .

A question regarding the FT-70. I noticed the price shows is $159, and some are saying $120 on sale through HRO. However, I have been looking for about a month and $175 seems to be the new sale price. Should I wait or will $175 the new low? I'm not in a hurry. TY!

one thing i always hated was the fancy ham radios from any brand have smaller speakers then the mono band or less fancy models. I had a VX7R and while it was fancy I preferrred the VX150 then VX170. I use my radios when i watch trains so i need loud audio. I'm a ham and a railfan. I did have the FT60R at one point but got rid of it because it would lock up on white noise everywhere and my VX170 wouldn't. Everyone on YT is talking how good it is so I don't know if i had a faulty radio. Does anyone else have their FT60R's lock up on white noise interference everywhere they go? I want to get a newer radio since my VX170 has a cracked case and the battery is old. My VX170 has better sensitivity according to the specs then these newer Yeasu HTs.

Out of all these radios covered here, is there one that might stand out as a good emergency go bag HT? We have three go bags, and Im thinking 4xr may make sense for lower cost, smaller size, and reasonably simple in function. FT-2DR is running $350ish pretty consistently now. Seems pretty high

24:21 HE sates you can see where all your radios are at, I assume by GPS. I was told there is no way to get the GPS data out of the radio unless you run APRS, Is there software for GM that I can plot the radios on a map during a search and rescue? This is why we went DStar for EmComms... Has something changed? What is the software you can use to do it

You can only really use two radios at a time? What about your Baofeng bandolier?

I thought the ft60 did have dual watch ?

“I’m not an expert in anyway.” That’s like Einstein saying “I’m not that smart. It’s all relative.”

Trick menu on FT-65r for satellite work is there more info for that?

2 and 5

The bridge on giveaway link doesn't work.. ☹️

I know I’m a little late here, but great video. KD9DRP