Found at groups.io/g/Yaesu-FT-60/topic/charger_problem/21342403?p "For reference.... FT-60R's manufactured before early 2013 came with a wall wart that can be plugged into the DC jack to charge the battery. FT-60R's manufactured after that can not be charged by plugging a wall wart (or a cigarette lighter adapter) directly into the radio. The charging scheme was modified to comply with a California law requiring charging devices to automatically shut-off if the charge voltage is over 5v. Apparently, Yaesu removed the connection from the DC jack to the battery to accomplish this. These units are supplied with a drop-in charging cradle (with auto shut-off) that is powered by a wall wart. 73, Jim K5JG"

Still my all-time favorite radio.

Thank You for the review of the FT-60. I know you wanted to keep opinions to a minimum, but go ahead and Gush on it. It deserves no less. In my opinion, it's one of the best analog 2M/70cm radios on the market. It has the best front end you will find. It's the first choice when working in high RF areas. It's tried and true. It's a brick and a weapon. You can defend yourself with it. It will gain you instant respect from the hams at the radio club. It's easy to program, and for the price is one of the best analog radio's you can buy. It does not have a IP rating, but will do fine in the average rain. If you want the latest radio with duel band display, this is not the radio. If you want a solid performer, look no further. When we are all dead and gone, the aliens will find Roaches and FT-60's. They are that reliable. I own two of them. It was my first HT when I got licensed about 12 years ago. I bought another about 6 months ago. Two is one, one is none. It is the one radio I never want to be without. I also have a FT-3D and FT-5D among others. The FT-60 is still the most reached for radio I have. It is a radio I'd bet my life on it working when needed. New ham ? Bypass the Baofeng and get a FT-60. You'll be glad you did. And yes, it can be MARS moded. This radio was designed in a time when top quality mattered (in Yaesu's Vertex times). They don't make them like this anymore. My original battery from 12 years ago still is at about 50%. Batteries are super reasonable to buy. Bottom line, the price is right, fast scanning, wide receive range, rock solid front end, easy to use and program, main body is metal, great memory channels, it's tough as nails and last but not least, it's a Kool Radio. You owe it to yourself to have at least one FT-60. When all else fails...There is the FT-60.

This was my favorite radio and I don't think anyone can go wrong with purchasing one and I regret selling it a few years ago when I thought I had outgrown it. There's a reason it's still on sale nearly 20 years later. I recently bought a VX-6 and I think I might like that just a bit more but it's also a nearly 20 year old design. Says something about what Yaesu was doing then with these radios.

I have 3 of them. I have nothing newer. It is the best sounding, most reliable, easiest programmable, and after 19 years, a standard by which all other portables will be compared. I also have two other Yaesu monoband portables that use the same batteries so I have a ton of batteries, a multiple charger battery center, and spare batteries that work across several radios. Love my FT-60s.

It is absolutely the BEST sounding HT out there, and I believe it's because of what you mentioned - it's a double-conversion super heterodyne radio. Even some of Yaesu's later radios simply don't sound as good as this one. Granted, I don't use it that often; but I sure am glad that I have it as a back-up. I liked it so much, that I bought one for the XYL! She's had good luck with hers. I had a Woxun KG-UV9D, and compared it's reception of the 800 mhz band, and the Air band to the FT-60R, and the 20 year old radio blew the 1 year old radio out of the water! Clear sounding audio as opposed to scratchy. The seletivity and the sensitviity are perfect! It's no wonder Yaesu doesn't want to retire this radio. It's a classic! I'll never part with it. You'll have to pry it from my cold, silent-key fingers! DE K7RLN

My first HT was the HTX-202 from Radio Shack. My very next buy, and first dual-bander was the Yaesu FT-530. The Yaesu just died on me! After 32 years, it finally got dropped once too often and landed, face down in two inches of muddy water 💧. I've just last week got myself the FT-60. As a "Mate" to my FD-70 ! So yeah, I'm a big fan of Yaesu radios since the early 90's.

I just bought my FT60 and I am learning how to use it. I love it!

I recently started learning about this hobby and first thing everyone recommended is to ditch the Baofeng and buy Yaesu FT-60. And to be honest it is currently my dream radio, unfortunately it is too expensive for my student life. But hopefully some day I'll get it 😄

One of the best sights of the Dayton Hamvention 2024 - a full 20 years after it was announced - was one of these bad boys for sale at the HRO booth. Granted it was still there at the end of the day on Sunday while plenty of the FT-65's were sold. But still a great sight. First radio for so many HAM's between 2004-2012.

You're doing a great job I have mine now for 30 years and it's still like brand new I think you're awesome showing this radio because it is truly well made it's a solid radio and it sounds great but I got batteries from battery America lithium ion battery in a Lithium-Ion charger to go with the batteries❤

Great overview. Honest, broad ranging. I"ve subscribed.

The FT-60R is my first and only HT, purchased over a year ago. I have carefully considered numerous other HTs with a view to purchasing a more modern HT for working satellites using a pair of HTs, but I feel no need for digital capabilities at this time and would probably sooner buy a second superhet FT-60 before purchasing a typically pricier digital HT lacking full duplex - which is the only thing I miss on the venerable FT-60. Yaesu's venerable (classic) HT may lack some of the functionality featured on more modern HTs, but it handles the core task of analog 2m/70cm transmission/reception exceptionally well - better than most other newer Japanese HTs in fact. That is something that is not appreciated by anyone fixated on $$$ and trying to compare it to a Baofeng or any other generally inexpensive Chinese radio (Wouxan possibly excepted). Think of it as an "old money" HT that gets the job done reliably with understated style. On the other hand, fandangled "new money" radios tend to lack such basic amenities as a dedicated squelch knob or even a keypad. And the reason is almost certainly due to lack of space, as all HTs are a compromise in features and/or quality compared with larger mobile radios. The designers can only cram so much into a small space. With that in mind, Yaesu's designers thankfully opted for maximum quality of the basics in the given space instead of adding more features that most people don't need. For all those people disappointed at the lack of a lithium battery, there is no reason to be concerned about the older battery technology IMO, because the standby current consumption of the FT-60 is low compared with feature-rich, more modern HTs, which need the higher energy density of a (more expensive and less environmentally friendly) Li-ion battery to power their often larger color screens and handle background tasks such as APRS, digital tasks, GPS, true dual-band monitoring, etc. Another bonus: Yaesu sells a AA-battery tray for the FT-60 that can be used in place of the standard NiHM battery and which supports a full 5W output. I'm not aware of another HT with that potentially lifesaving feature. @Ham Radio Dude: The antenna seen in the beginning of the video is not the stock antenna, which does not need a spacer, as it screws down into the recess on the top of the radio and has the Yaesu logo near the base where yours appears to have short vertical lines. Most aftermarket antennas will require such a spacer as the one on your radio. But you can find a suitable rubber spacer at your local hardware store that will fill that gap and help retain sufficient water ingress protection. Speaking of which... My FT-60 sports a BNC adapter and a rubber spacer along with (normally) a Comet whip. One time, while multi-tasking in my yard and using the HT with the aforementioned BNC/Comet combo to monitor a local frequency, I got distracted and left the radio on the ground overnight - in the rain. That is no joke in SW Florida. I was dismayed when I realized my blunder, but the radio fired up the next day like nothing had happened after popping in a fresh battery. The FT-60 doesn't have an official IP-rating, but that unintentional test has me convinced that it will handle a deluge just shy of submersion. If you can get by with an analog dual-band HT, there is IMO no better choice than the FT-60R.

Awesome video. Thank you so much for putting this together. Just picked up this radio as it was recommended by MANY people. I am looking forward to your other videos. Thanks again for taking the time to professionally and personally put this together. Plus, I appreciate how you approach your thoughts with care and concern. You also keep things clean. I appreciate that too. When people start using bad language, it feels so unprofessional and cheap. Keep up the great work!

Enjoyed this video on the FT-60R. I like the way you explained some of these features. i learned quite a bit.

This came in so clutch... im waiting on that next ft60 vid!!

I am very happy that you're showing this radio off I think it's great because the radio deserves it it's a great darn radio for the price 🙂

A lot of SOTA guys in my area like it because it has decent selectivity and ability to reject other strong RF signals when on summits with high RF (towers, etc.). Not impervious but respectable.

This is the best video on this radio I have found yet. I would have liked to see what every option in menu did, doesn't matter how long video gets or make a part 2. Also waiting fro the manual programming video, I use a RF/Systems program for mine but an in depth refresher on how to manually program would be fantastic.

I have been using FT60 for about 12 years, and after change the stock antenna with the antenna of TYT UV98, the Rx n Tx are sooo much better !!!

Have 2 of these radios. Leaned alot about it in this video. 73

Great video. This is a solid, good performing radio that has been in production for 20 years. It is reliable, easy to operate and reasonably affordable. Keep this kind of videos coming please.

Very informative! I'm an old ham from the late 1960's... WB8ANZ was my call sign which I did not renew after I was married. Nevertheless, I have purchased a Yaesu FT-60 to mainly listen to the air band. At my age, and with my health limitations, listening to the air band is my main entertainment. Your KZfaq channel is also a nice option for me. You do great educational videos which I enjoy. Thank you for your tenacity to produce such fine videos.

Such a great radio it really is it's easy to program it does so much and I do like the lamp in it at night time it looks beautiful 🤩😊

My first Ht was an FT60. It is a bullet proof radio. It is one to kind of use as a standard. Love the detailed review of it. Super Heterodyne is a way great receiver! 73

I just programmed one for a friend. She had it in a box for a number of years. It's fairly easy to progam. There are steps you need that aren't in the manual.

I've had my FT-60R since 2007. It also has the "2017" above the serial number so definitely not the year I bought mine. Love this little handheld. Its built like a tank!

I purchased a used FT-60R on EBay. According to the seller, the unit was acquired through an estate sale. I received the unit, and found out the unit was manufactured in 2006 (based on the serial number and the copyright year on the operating manual). I ended up purchasing a new battery at my local Ham Radio Outlet. After charging the new battery, I reset the memory and proceeded to key up repeaters and test transmit and receive on simplex. I'm listening to a net right now and the sound is very clear and clean on the FT-60R. I like it to the point I might get another one if it goes on sale at HRO during the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas sales.

The FT60 is awesome. Picked one up for $100. Mars mod and it's great. Think of it a a baofeng on steroids that is superheterodyne and a bit more reliable. I have a few HT's and this FT60 is dope af. Don't know how I found your channel but I'm now subbed. 🤙🏽

Love my FT60. I don’t recall you showing this on the radio so I don’t know if you are aware of it, but the radio does have the NOAA frequencies already programmed within. Instead of having to go to the VFO and putting them in, just hold down button 1 and it has them all channelized. Great video! Looking forward to more videos of this.

This was my 2nd handheld radio every. My first was the RadioShack VHF mini.

I modified mine so it will change through the DC plug. It's pretty straightforward; a matter of bridging over a tiny capacitor with solder. It charges well, but I would highly recommend using only the Yaesu wall wart for charging. The Yaesu 12V cigarette lighter power adapter which I also have pushes much more current which heats up the cells and could easily damage them. I'm using Eneloop AA cells in the optional loose battery holder. 73

Nice HT. I like good info in a longer video. I'll have to check if you have a similar 817/818 video.

Got one comin in :]

The yaesu ft60 has a die cast aluminum housing. Not plastic. Thats why its heavy

I’m glad to see a more in depth overview of the Yaesu FT60. I’m an older person, but a very new ham. I’m considering this Yaesu for a first real HT as it excels on the basics of sensitivity, selectivity, & sound quality for its size. It is also able to use AA batteries (the most internationally common battery) on transmit with the optional battery holder. I am weighing this against the Wuxian HT’s that have numerous choices, have more features like being able to monitor on more than one frequency, but seems a little weak on the FT60’s strengths- like difficult to program in the field, having proprietary battery packs, good but not as great on sensitivity, selectivity, etc… Seems like there is no one clear winner.

Great video. Extra points for knowing that HT = Handie-Talkie.

Almost went with this radio. Stepped it up to the VX-6R, which is a more robust and feature rich radio IMO.

This was my first upgrade radio from the uv-5r. What a difference! There's a nice 3D printable 18650 battery pack on Thingiverse that would make a great how-to video (wink wink).

This seems to be more basic compared to the Baofeng UV-17L Pro I picked up a few weeks ago. They are both 5 watt hand held radios. Would the Yaesu somehow transmit and receive from further away and connect better to repeaters? That’s really the only thing that will sway me to spend so much more money on the radio and accessories.

I am learning to use this radio and your video has been a nice find. In programming it, if I hit the wrong key or screw it up some other way, how can I easily "erase" or fix it? Is there a 'back' button somehow? It is frustrating if you make a small mistake. Thanks.

I have Yaesu FT-60 - not an R. Have license but have not used this radio in a long time and have forgotten basics - how to find where I can hear for instance weather, and basically how to use this radio. What videos do you have to help me!!!

Batteries America makes a charger in lithium ion batteries for that radio a lot more milliamps and lot more time ❤️

This video is about 40 minutes too long for my liking, but fortunately I could fast forward to the important bit. Thanks for putting in the effort and I can't wait for your next video on how to program scan banks etc. (maybe even with software on a PC!)

I respectfully disagree with your statement about the 60 not being usable for the blind. I am totally blind, and just bought one of these radios last week. Got it on Saturday, and using the different pitches of the tones in the radio, I'm able to discern where I am in most of the menus. It's not as good as a TH-D74, but not many handhelds are. Love the video by the way, and the fact that you leave the beeps on is an ennormous help, because I can get an idea of whether or not I'd be able to adapt specific radios for me to use without verbal feedback.

Still in production? I mean can find a brand new ft60? Thanks

Mine is like 6 years ol and neve any issues

I lived my FT-60... to bad it wasn't mine LOL. I hated the battery life and in 2023 it needs the aftermarket Li-ion battery! Matter of fact it should be the first accessory you buy over a hand mic. Hell dont bother with a hand mic! Have you looked at the pin out? its the worst pin out ever, if mic cable is lightly out, it transmits! Happens on the ft-60, ft70 and my vx-150.

can a aftermarket company decide to change from Ni-mh battery to Lithium Ion, that would mean the chargers would have to be changed out? The Circuit board?

❤ Hallo even met René uit Nederland Ik heb dezelfde portofoon Duo banden de standaard frequenties die er nu in zitten Kan ik die ook veranderen dat hij lager of hoger kan Groetjes vanuit Nederland

are you in Chitown

it sure is a great radio but I wont buy because of battery type.... why yaesu does not upgrade it to lithium?

I jumped straight to the FT-5DR when I got Technician, so I don't have the FT-60. But in my experience, NiMH batteries like those in the FT-60 hold their charge longer than Lithium ion batteries (FT-5, FT-65, most other modern radios). This could be am advantage for those who want a backup HT that won't get used (or recharged) very often. My only real concern is that batteries might become hard to find because the technology is older and used less often. Also, the FT-60 feels more rugged than other HTs I have held and tried. Could be a very good choice for rougher-use situations.

Someone does make a lithium ion battery for this radio.

Hi. Why does my FT60 show error when transmitting?

still doing that set up video?

can you get to the point we want sweet and short

Definately not from 2017.

Stop with the hands!