Mine arrived a few days ago. A first comparison on a simplex net with dozens of participants let me test sensitivty on weak signals. The receiver is very sensitive. More experiments to do, but it seemed to be on a par with my 9700 with pre-amp on. And the dx button gives a noticeable boost to weak signals. I assume this is otherwise known as a preamp. So far I am liking it!
I will probably get one when they're back in stock. Here's my wishlist for mobile/portable radios. 1. Support all of the major digital FM modes. Currently each manufacturer has their own digital mode. I'd like a radio that does them all. 2. WiFi access for programming and firmware updates. It terms of th FTM-500, that digital jack on the back could have every one of it's possible functions doen over WiFi. This would eliminate the endless variety of cables and give direct integration with computers, etc. 3. More supported bands. I like something that did 10, 6, 2, 1.25, and 70cm. I tend to think of 1.25m qs being a dead band because so few radios support it. As a Tech, I have some privileges on 10m and 6m and really at this point don't want something that supports HF. I"m pretty sure that there are more Techs than any other class of licensees.
I would like to get a new VHF / UHF rig, my ID-5100 is getting old but still works. I purchased a FTM-300D but it sits unused much because the menu's are a nightmare for me to remember. Just changing my output power requires me to get the manual out. I wish ICOM would come out with a new radio with a color screen.
for the people who want to buy a Yaesu FTM-500 just wait for them to get cheaper. and wait patiently to see if there are any problems with it and patience always pays off. wait and wait never rush to buy anything and certainly not when it's just on the market there can be problems with it what you might not want and then you are disappointed again. that's my personal opinion.
The microphone in the head is great but due to the screen size, it will be a while before I replace my FTM-400. Got called into work so could not attend the stream. Thanks for the look over John and Jason.
That’s correct all other radios has a separation cable they do a great job with the head able to use the mic and speaker. I was very excited to install de head but for until the cable was not included what a ridiculous thing all of that claim big head bla bla and no cable for the big head
@@ThatCleanMTNo. There's not enough repeater or FM simplex activity around here either on 2m or 70cm. Not everyone can be on an early evening weeknight net. I wish there were more operators willing to talk with us who work other shifts.
@@AmazingSteelers1933 This is priced as a top tier radio. It's going to have to do more than every other radios out currently. Basic FM and one of the brand specific digital modes on 2 bands is not enuff. Bands 10m 6m or 220 would be appreciated not necessarily all but some bonus. Am and Ssb would also be nice. I feel that a price premium for a brand specific digital mode is a waste. A waterfall display in 2023 is about standard. Why do hams have to buy older and sometimes less reliable radios due to age to acquire these features?
@@HamRadio2 I hate little screens. it's why I bypassed the 991a for the 7300, and happy I did. my eyes and hearing just suck , Diesel mechanic for 45 years takes it's toll as does diabetes. Americans like it BIG , and going down in size just blows , i will not be buying the 500.
I had 4 or 5 club members who bought the 400 when it was new and Fusion first came out. After about 1.5-2 years, all of those radios failed - and they were out of the 1-year warranty from Yaesu, so they were basically just stuck with a brick that needed expensive repair. Ever since then, I have had no desire to own a 400 - too many issues with the first ones, that are now fixed, yes....but that kind of problem turned me off of that model forever.
@@HamRadio2 that's the answer I was looking for , so I guess the yaesu 891 or the 991a as a rig for the truck . thank you so much and if i did not ever say it , I loved all your videos at the beach during covid Galveston reminded me of my youth at Sanibel Island , when humans were not really there .
Believe it or not, all of the retailers are selling this radio faster than anything on the market right now. R&L had more backorders for this radio than any dual band mobile in recent history. Seems like a price drop would be a bad business decision.
@@HamRadio2 I believe it, BUT, that is normal as the “gung ho” fans AND all the reviewers…. always run out and buy the first lot which makes it look like sales will be great. Well, that came to a screeching halt, and now everyone has it in stock, and nobody selling many. Priced too high. The only reason it is so high is so they can sell out the stock of the older models first, then then will drop the price on this one.
--No... in this case, it was not normal. Several retailers have told me that the back-orders for this radio far surpassed orders for other radios when they were new (all of which did have an initial push, but none to this magnitude) --It is normal for the price to drop on any radio after it has been out for a while. Once this one drops, it won't be for any other reason than...that is what always happens. --Digital Radios are always priced higher than non-digital.
Yaesu buttons are need it for a mobile operation. Physical buttons lets you use touch memory without looking at the radio. Have you tried to operate touch screen mobile radio without looking at it ?
Hearing him list the differences between the models doesn’t do much for me. And sounds like mostly fluff. I hate the small screen reminds me of my handheld. Love the screen size on the ftm4. I’ll pass on this my 4 works just fine until some real upgrades come.
I grew up watching old tube check guys and dad run 10-11m talking to Guam and Mexico and I fell in love… I’ve always been a big electronic guy I would give anything to review lol
I have the ftm 500, I have not tested it yet, but i am not optimistic when I face mount this onto my jeep... that thin plastic strip will not support the weight especially when there just 1 M5 screw.
Swing and a miss on the ability to toggle between AMS/DN and AMS/FM using the PTT as you can do w/ the ftm-400. Example... if your rig is on AMS/DN and you want to xmit in AMS/FM, you either have to wait for an incoming FM signal to switch the mode, or have to change the mode to FM (taking it out of AMS). Experienced this with the ftm-300, too.
Exposing ax.25 TNC, kenwood style is what Yaesu needs to do. Also expose C4FM data modes, like DMR's PDP over IP or NXND's Transparent Data. Also having a built-in mailbox would be awesome.
WOW! Tha mic is horrible for this use. It is proximity sensitive. John is perfect. You screamed at us every time you looked away. OUCH! Just a heads up 🙂N6WIP I love my new 500!
Is the CT-132 control cable a standard 8-pinout that I can buy elsewhere or make my own or is the pinouts custom? I think $45 for a 20' cable is very over priced.
Love the show! Ordered mine yesterday! Replacing a FTM-200, it will become my dedicated Digital home unit. John K. keep up the support of the HAM Community, John KN6TMJ, 73's
Marketing talk and a few specifics. Still unknown what exactly the S-DX button does, why there are no Memory Banks, why AESS removes the double volume control (it's a joke), why the scanner interferes with reception when AESS is on, why there is no power supply indicator, why there is no M-GRP (although you can mark memory in blue), etc.
Here's your answers. 1. S-DX question was answered, watch again 2. Who cares? 3. AESS uses both receivers to create a surround sound (again, this was answered) 4. Who cares? 5. Who cares? 6. We didn't discuss the M-GRP, so this is a legit question.
Digital repeat mode doesnt downgrade audio. A cheap duplex hotspot can function as cross repeater. So it's not fusion protocol its the fact Yaesu didn't include this basic feature in their $600 radio.
No separation cable they do a great job with the head able to use the mic and speaker. I was very excited to install de head but for until the cable was not included what a ridiculous thing all of that claim big head bla bla and no cable for the big head
Jusr downloaded the PDF for the manual. You can control recent LIONEL train set locomotives with cell phone apps You can control some entry level dual band mobiles with a cell phone app You cannot do this with a top of the line rig? Advantage: LIONEL!
This is what I am trying to figure out, I have not really seen anything that would make me want to pay an extra 200$ for the 500 and don't think the Yaesu guy did a good job in giving a good reason.
No 220/1.25M no buy!! If we don't use 220, we lose it and it will be because the big manufacturers refuse to support it. They can easily make a version of this that does triband, just charge more for it, big deal.
yaesu already had its time of glory the YSF protocol is inferior to the DMR when it comes to occupying the spectrum and 2 slots in addition to carrying errors of the FEC protocol. Yaesu should adhere to the open source and much more modern DMR protocol used by 15 million people worldwide. Yaaesu will be swallowed by the DMR.