Man, I keep rewatching this, I'm on the verge of deciding to buy one. You do a fantastic job of explaining things. Thanks for helping me decide and for an amazing video.

Best and most complete review I have seen on this radio to date. Thank you Sir.

I just received my new FT-70 from giga yesterday! Based on this review and other research I decided to send back the Baofeng UV-5 and purchase this Yaesu! Great reviews and programming suggestions.

Good info - thanks! I wasn't thrilled about the plug-in charger until you mentioned I can remove the battery and plug it in and use it that way without depleting the battery. I have had this radio since Christmas and really like it

Great review! I bought one based on it, look forward to more on this radio, Thanks

Thanks for the review! I just passed my technician exam and I am now waiting for my license. I think I will grab one of these from Ham Radio Outlet as soon as my call sign shows up!

Thanks for your review. I am a newbie to Ham Radio and appreciate the detail you went into. I will watch your indepth review on this model next. Thanks again.

I will be taking my Technician Exam Aug. 9th. I already bought my radio and it's The radio you reviewed. I found it to be a radio that covers all the Needs that come with an operator that just wants it for emergencies and for a casual hobby. I don't plan on getting INTO the Amateur Radio activity in depth. I appreciate your video and the info. I am glad I purchased this Radio. Thanks HRD.

Great review! I look forward to more videos on the FT 70.

Thanks - very nice review. Really well presented and informative. I've just got my license, bought this as my first radio, and then happened to see your review. Relieved I made a good choice! Cheers from Oz, Chris VK3TLA

Great review, looking to see more on this radio.

I purchased this as a first radio thanks to your video. Very happy. I also used your other video to program in some repeaters to listen to. Thanks again

I am just getting into amateur radio I actually figured out for the most part myself by watching your video on how to enter manually since I do not have a computer the frequencies, I do not have my license yet but I am working on that and studying for it, I got this to listen to and see how I liked it and I love this radio very well built Good and heavy but not too heavy you can tell it is a very well built chassie, I would actually recommend this Ht to all

Just got an FT-70r and it'll take some days to arrive. In the meantime, I'll be watching your videos. 73 from PY5WHO.

Killer review. Looks like my next HT.

Also the plug on the side is great for car setup! That’s a big selling point for me

I received mine about a week ago. After programming it I have been monitoring and the battery lasts all day for me. I bought the RT Systems software and cable and programmed it with local repeaters and am getting the same results. I drained the battery completely and charged over night and with it scanning constantly it lasts all day about 14 hours. I don't do a lot of transmitting yet but will be doing more of that soon to get a better idea on battery life while transmitting more. I did buy an extra battery too just to have a spare charged and on hand. Update: 06/12/2020 I had to send my FT-70DR in for service. When transmitting the audio was very faint even with the Mic Gain set to max.

Hey hey. Started with the UV5r, upgraded about a year ago to the FT-65. Looking at the FT-70 for the next upgrade. The PTT on the FT-65 is excellent for use with a winter glove. Thanks for the review Dude.

I have been a ham for 4 years. I lived in an area that DMR was big so I have the FT4 and my first radio was the FT60. I bought a DMR radio because of the area. I have now moved and there is no DMR repeaters but a few Fusion radios. So I am looking for a Fusion capable radio. This looks like an option. Great review.

I'm recently licensed to Ham radio and have the ft 70d I've subscribed to your channel and look forward to more vids thanks

Hey there, and thanks for the review. I’m studying up on radios (HTs, if I’m learning the parlance...) and I’m thinking this model will be my first venture into this new world. I also plan on getting my license, but would like to listen for a bit while studying for tech. Thanks again and I’m going to watch all your pieces on this Yaesu.

great discussion on this FT-70D. Wondering if you have any videos on this product along with the RT systems programming. I am having trouble understanding how to load it into the radio. Thanks

Great video as always. Love your channel as I've learned a lot from you getting into this hobby. Quick question. How do you go about testing your HT's SWR? I've uses my nano-VNA but have had mixed results. I've heard from others that it's not practical to test HT antennas since the HT chasis (or even your body while holding it) is effectively part of the antenna system (ground plane / counterpoise). I've all but given up on trying to test HT antennas outside of field strength so was curious about your thoughts on the matter. Thanks and keep up the great work!

Purchased this a couple weeks ago from HRO in Portland with a base charger and 2nd battery as well. It's my first.

Thanks for the review! It was very detailed and informative. I just passed my tech license and I'm looking for my first radio. This model is intriguing but I do have my reservations about the battery life. If I'm stuck in the wilderness or a SHTF scenario I don't want a radio with low battery life.

Awesome review ! Honestly !!!

Thanks! Good info.

I have the vx-6r and use the charging cord and it does take some time to charge (several hours). So, the quick charger is a nice option to have.

I’ve had the ft-60, vx-6r, and various Baofeng radios. The vx-6r has more listening options and tri-band transmit, but my newest ht is the ft-70 and I’m finding that I may like it better than all the others.

Great video, Thank you.

Finally had it. Sold the 70 to a local operator that wanted it. He snagged it for $100 with box and everything. Hate that radio. Yaesu made some TERRIBLE design and operational decisions on this radio. The volume adjust is ignorant…battery life is unbelievably short…and overall it is not intuitive. Just ordered an ft-60r

This Dude saved my Asspalt. With this new FT70d I'd be nowhere without his programming video. He's very to the point, no repeating himself etc. After watching hours of other programming video's, he's by far the best. K3USS

The battery issue might be caused by people switching to Li-on batteries from NiMH batteries. Lithium batteries have to cut power if the voltage drops below 3 volts, otherwise the battery can be damaged, while NiMH batteries can run till 0.9 volts before it becomes damaged. Using a quick charger can degrade the battery life faster than a normal charger, so its best to stick with the standard charger. Lastly, Amazon sells a 2000mAH battery for the FT-70. Not sure how much more runtime you get out of 200mAH, but it’s worth a shot.

Great Video! I purchased my FT-7.D from the same store on the last day of that promotion! Did get the radio modified?

Just snagged one at that same price in July 2022. Got this and the GD77 (with OpenGD77 firmware) based in large part on your vids.

Iam looking for a ht my last one ic2at hi They would make bigger batteries for that. That's not a drawback I see on that thanks Sean

Hi: I have the Yaesu FT70D. I want to program this radio using a software , but every time that I connect the data cable I have this message "" INVALID COM SETTING"" How can I solve this issue? Thanks

Maybe this will be my next HT, thanks for the review. I get QRN on analog FM when riding in my golf cart at the campground we manage. I am wondering if I would get the same on a digital chat? I have to give it a try, but since we have park-wide WIFI I feel it could be a way to stay in touch with my friends worldwide that now I only do via social media due to times of poor propagation. Now I need to research compatible Hotspots that can tie into the park WIFI. Dave - KU9L

Nice info Im planning to buy that I'm here in the Philippines ,but to expensive here like 200 $ price...but I will follow my heart ❤️ to buy my hobby' 73

Friend, I have a question, should I buy the Ft60, or the FT70? and because?. Greetings and thanks for the video! 😉👍

Very good video boss 😮😅

My son's first HT (after the Baofeng). We got it also on sale at a hamfest + he had a gift certificate from the hamfest for being the youngest ham to pass the exam, so we got it for under $100 woo-hoo. I love the form-factor, fits my hand well. We have 2 FTM-100D rigs in our vehicles, so this talks C4FM with those and my FT3D HT. It's relatively easy to do the MARS mod. The upshot of that is you can XMIT on GMRS/MURS/etc in an emergency. And yes, the C4FM mode works on those frequencies. Not that you should do that, but it's nice to have the option.

Just getting back into Amateur Radio. Just got my HF base back up and soon my VHF/UHF base when my rig arrives. Looking at HT's and not going super high end. Looking at Yaesu FT60-R and the FT70-DR. Leaving out the C4FM mode how do these two compare?

should i buy the FT-70D or FT-70DR ?

Hi guys, why made you say its battery is bad? I don't have good HT's yet, and Im torn between vx64 and ft70.

Is there one that has everything you would ever need in a HT? I see tons of videos saying this radio has this or that but lacks overall etc. etc. WTF

Quick question for you, how can the extended receive can be opened?

@HAM RADIO DUDE Any experience with the FT-60? Trying to decide between FT-60R vs FT-70DR

What do you mean by a “field radio”. What field are you referring to? Mike

I have a vx-6 and find the stock antenna to be great. It is better than my Nagoya 701. It even picks up 220 repeaters. I think Yaesu crippled the FT-70 hoping to sell more FT5DR. I think Yaesu's business model of only selling 2 HT's with digital is terrible. You can get into DMR a lot cheaper. Why would anyone not add FM commercial radio freqs?

If you spend enough money it becomes a great radio. 2 extra batteries because let's face it the battery life is one of the worst I've seen. Charging cradle because the adapter takes 6 or 7 hours to charge and a RT Systems programming cable to avoid the Japanese fingertrap plugging their cable in, ac adapter in, remove the battery hold the AMS button... So if you sink an additional $200 into the radio it becomes great. Otherwise it almost ended up in the trash because of the above issues which are well documented not just my opinion.

Excellent video!! Tim. KC6QLV Sales at HRO Oakland

Can you direct me to the digital setup for the FD-70de please. I cannot seem to find an index for you alone. Thank you

The Yaesu first thing asks for your call number. I'm currently studying for my license. How can I buypass this first step so I can use it for listening. Thanks. (Sorry for the basic question ... I is a newbie)

Maybe I missed it but how does this sound compared to the 3dr? Is it as tinny and weak sounding as the 3dr?

its a good radio. I have one but, the battery life is not good.

The need to use 2 hands to run volume up or down, sucks big time. Very inconvenient when carried in my shirt pocket. I'm selling it.

Had this radio and sold it. Battery life for me was absolutely horrendous.

My came with a 1800 mah

What antenna type connector does this have? SMA-Male or SMA-Female?

I do like the way you review radios.....and I am searching long and hard for my radio. Ham radios are supposed to excel for emergency use and this radio fails easily....I am sorry but from those I know that had or still have their F-70 are very disappointed. The battery life is horrible and purchasing extra batteries should not be the answer.....you would need several. In an emergency such as a hurricane you can be without power for many days. I would not want a radio with such a poor reputation for its batteries and that includes a ridiculous charger that takes so many hours to charge.....unheard of....Also I challenge the fact that you said something like you really cannot tell the difference listening to this speaker from the previous model. I believe the previous model was a full watt and this I think is 700 and the difference is easily noticed. I think Yaesu made a mistake releasing this radio the way it is. Your review of the FT 65 was more impressive. I hope you are not biased when you do your reviews.... Thank you

My Father-in-Law sent me one of these radios

Biennial battery?

Don’t forget us old people with a fixed budget. What with gas from $3.89 to $5-$6 a gallon.

I only git 1.5hours on tx On rx I git 4 hours

After months since my last post....still HATE this radio. Programming sequence to data port is beyond ridiculous....the battery life is unbelievably short....the dual button requirement for volume adjust is ignorant and a pain....and for the cost there are WAY better options. Only benefit....fusion....if that is desirable to someone. We prefer allstar nodes by far.

6hrs to charge and no dual vfo is a bummer

I purchased this radio as well....definitely not a fan. The battery life is beyond terrible. So much so that it seems impossible. This radio has been sitting on the shelf after only two uses.

You can get a 2000 mah battery

I’ve been a ham since the 90s. Since then, the major manufactures seem to have made insignificant changes/enhancements to their gear. Consider this: perhaps we’re at the point where HTs are just too tiny. As a result almost all functions require pushing buttons. The fact is, sometimes analog, that is knobs, are faster and more efficient. I think manufacturers have become lazy. Some new radios still use nickel-hydrate batteries. Are you kidding me? Considering a mobile rig? Try crowbarring that in a vehicle, particularly if it’s a hybrid with your battery in the trunk. Perhaps it’s time to incorporate equipment with bluetooth, permitting a wireless connection between the front and back of a vehicle. Think about this: proprietary digital technology among manufacturers doesn’t help from a consumer perspective.

Good radio battery sucks. Radio pulls more current on high power then the battery offers.

Sépanlo y créanlo la batería es horrible de mala.. No lo compren !

Absolutely appauling battery life on this radio regardless of the settings. I only use mine on RX and it's still very poor so god knows what it's like if your transmitting as well. Please do not be tempted by the radios low price point avoid this radio like the plague you have been warned!

In the 80s & 90s yaesu made good reliable radio's now they just suck.

KG6EBJ stopping by to say hello