Yaesu: FT 60 replacement?

[wa88it]

my FT 60 dual band xceiver(s) have served me with distinction for over 10 years during a myriad of events and travels, and after a operational check two years ago, met all published parameters, I am content ~ I think ~ but as technology, both HAM and cellular, marches onward introducing new nuances to the units [noted those nuances sometimes cause more operator confusion factors].

FT 2980 mobile is also operationally good...

therefore a query...singular purpose of my personal communication system...used during natural/man-made emergency situations, only, especially during cellular outages caused by natural weather events, hurricane or tornado, massive snow events; or when traveling across the country.

so sticking with the Yaesu product line your thoughts of replacement xceivers and mobiles and the benefit of same, eg., do i need gps capability per se, etc.

reasonable funds are available to upgrade or put aside for a rainy inflated day?

candid thoughts appreciated...

 

[AK9R]

If you want an FT-60 replacement, buy another FT-60. They are still available new from amateur radio dealers.

What features do you think you want that the FT-60 doesn't have?

 

[wa88it]

gps?

 

[AK9R]

Garmin eTrex 10. Handheld GPS receiver with pre-loaded maps (no amateur radio I know of has built-in maps). About $200.

 

[wa88it]

Garmin eTrex 10. Handheld GPS receiver with pre-loaded maps (no amateur radio I know of has built-in maps). About $200.

i currently have a 350$ garmin which i am tired of carrying this extra piece of equipment along with my FT 60 and photo equipment as well as other 'ancillary' equipment...

therefore sorry, i should have clarified beside my initial comment
i just am interested in specific location not maps per se...just long/lat of where my bald spot is, eg.,
~ FT2DR which has GPS Logging/Recording capabilities & APRS® information [don't understand the APRS technology]
~ FT1DTR whose promo states, 'Integral GPS receiver and antenna (located on top of the radio) provides location, time, direction and APRS® information. The FT1DR has a very useful GPS data transmission capability [don't understand 'very useful GPS data xmission capability.]
~ VX 8GR whose promo states 'GPS unit included with radio'
~ ad nauseam...

nearest HRO is 3+ hours [at best traffic patterns] in northern VA our nation's capital using 150$ worth of petrol...

 

[k6cpo]

When I was actively engaged in photography as a hobby, I would geo-tag my pictures by writing position information into the image's EXIF data. Then when the image was posted to my website, a viewer could click on it ans see exactly where it was made. To accomplish this I used to carry a separate hand-held GPS unit. Once I got into amateur radio and bought a Yaesu FT1D, I discovered I could set it to record my position information and I could use that to tag my images. This eliminated carrying two different devices, a GPS and a radio. Handy...

 

[k6cpo]

i currently have a 350$ garmin which i am tired of carrying this extra piece of equipment along with my FT 60 and photo equipment as well as other 'ancillary' equipment...

therefore sorry, i should have clarified beside my initial comment
i just am interested in specific location not maps per se...just long/lat of where my bald spot is, eg.,
~ FT2DR which has GPS Logging/Recording capabilities & APRS® information [don't understand the APRS technology]
~ FT1DTR whose promo states, 'Integral GPS receiver and antenna (located on top of the radio) provides location, time, direction and APRS® information. The FT1DR has a very useful GPS data transmission capability [don't understand 'very useful GPS data xmission capability.]
~ VX 8GR whose promo states 'GPS unit included with radio'
~ ad nauseam...

nearest HRO is 3+ hours [at best traffic patterns] in northern VA our nation's capital using 150$ worth of petrol...

The radios you have listed are all discontinued and are no longer available new. Unless they happen to have one on consignment, they aren't going to be available at HRO.

 

[ko6jw_2]

The Yaesu GPS features are useful if you are using the radio with an APRS system and, if you are using Fusion they will automatically send your position. However, they are not very useful for navigation. Your phone's GPS will work even out of cell range, but is also not too useful unless you have maps downloaded on the phone. A dedicated GPS with maps is the way to go. I just got a Garmin 66i on sale at REI. Maps, GPS and satellite distress/messaging.

Back to the radio topic:

I think you have several choices. Buy a new FT-60 as a basic high quality handheld. Buy an FT-70 and get digital capabilities with Fusion and Wires-X but no GPS. Buy an FT-5DR with all the features. Then there is the issue of money. What is your budget? Will you use C4FM or Wires-X? They're all good radios so it really comes down to budget and features.

 

[wa88it]

k6cpo: that is the purpose of the garmin GPS which i photographed w/specific long/lat after an photographic exploration of interest w/D200 and why seeking a radio w/GPS capability to eliminate the equipment dangling off my belt-hook...

k6cpo: ya kinda discerned that after about a couple of hours seeking information on them...however if you search GPS on YAESU's the results do not discern between current product and discontinued...sigh!

apologize i didn't come back and articulate that but 'honey do(s)' completion were in order...

ko6jw_2: alas, it seems from information provided from the learned member(s) ~ I shall keep the current operational set-up & Garmin for the purpose intended as there doesn't seem to be a viable piece of radio equipment w/GPS with a reasonable return on investment to pursue at the moment.

budget isn't a significant concern, however, that stated the other obstacle is a learning curve w/terms such as C4FM or Wires-X or APRS...and understand the functional concept(s) so the equipment works as i perceive and need.

thanks for your guidance...twas certainly appreciated...

 

[eorange]

I had a FT-60, loved it, but wanted 'more'. Traded that for a VX-8R and got APRS for satellite purposes, but it had no GPS. Ended up not liking the form factor, so traded that for a TH-D72, now with APRS/GPS. But I'd never use that for my GPS for general purposes. My eTrex does that.