Yaesu: FT-65R

[Engine104]

I need to replace my old FT-470 due to a bonehead thing I did. The earphone jack was dirty so I sprayed a bit of contact cleaner on it but it dripped down into the display and now I have a black smear of about 1/3 of the screen. No way to fix that, I think.

I've been comparing the FT-60 with the FT-65. The FT-60 is a proven winner, but what do you guys think about the FT-65?

 

[blackbelter]

Reports are that FT 65 is no way comparable to FT 60. Thats why its cheaper also.

 

[MTS2000des]

FT-65 is a rebadged CCR. The FT-60 is a FOR REAL radio. End of story. Go with the FT-60.

 

[jaspence]

The FT-60R may be the best radio for the cost available even though it has been in production for years. There are at least three CPS programs available, two of them free, and a couple of AA cases make it a good radio for power outages.

 

[Engine104]

Thanks, guys... I ordered an FT-60 from Gigaparts yesterday. I'm looking forward to it arriving.

 

[MTS2000des]

You won't be disappointed.

 

[AK9R]

I've owned both an FT-65, and an FT-4X, which is similar. These radios are made in China under contract to Yaesu. I don't know how much Yaesu was able to influence the design or production of these radios, but I consider them a step, though a small step, above the typical Baofeng. The Yaesus probably use the same radio-on-a-chip that the Baofengs use, but my spectrum analyzer tells me that there is additional filtering on the transmitter out as the Yaesus do not display the same spurious emissions that the Baofengs do. Programming the Yaesus using the keypad is a little quirky and not like other modern Yaesu handhelds.

All that said, I still vote for the FT-60 over the FT-65 even though the FT-60 is almost twice the price of the FT-65.

 

[K5MPH]

You dident consider the Ft-70 its like getting two radios in one analog and digital......

 

[Engine104]

You dident consider the Ft-70 its like getting two radios in one analog and digital......

I did, but there are few digital repeaters in L.A.. I mainly stay on my club's repeater.

Also, I am saving my pennies, or in the case of the SDS series, dollars for a new scanner once two major phase two systems come on line here in the next year or so.

 

[ko6jw_2]

I did, but there are few digital repeaters in L.A.. I mainly stay on my club's repeater.

There are many Fusion repeaters in the Los Angeles area. Check out http://www.socalham.com before making a decision.

 

[Engine104]

There are many Fusion repeaters in the Los Angeles area. Check out http://www.socalham.com before making a decision.

I didn't realize that. I stand corrected Thanks.

 

[zog1977]

Nothing wrong with the ft-65. I love using it and super easy to program. Sound great also.

 

[KD2FIQ]

I really like the FT-65. Nothing wrong with it at all. Simple, affordable, durable.

 

[N4DJC]

My recently purchased FT-4XR is Made in Japan.

 

[AK9R]

Really? The one I purchased about 18 months ago was made in China.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Also, I am saving my pennies, or in the case of the SDS series, dollars for a new scanner once two major phase two systems come on line here in the next year or so.

Get a Blue Tail Technologies if thats all you want to monitor. In fact you can get 3 for the cost of a SDS.

BlueTail Technlogies

BlueTail Technologies specializes in the design and manufacturing of RF electronics. Our premier product is the stand-Alone P25RX Digital Police Receiver with Bluetooth Audio Support. The P25RX is not an old school police scanner! The P25RX uses a P25 Phase-1 Control Channel to automatically...

bluetailtechnologies.com

 

[Engine104]

Get a Blue Tail Technologies if thats all you want to monitor. In fact you can get 3 for the cost of a SDS.

BlueTail Technlogies

BlueTail Technologies specializes in the design and manufacturing of RF electronics. Our premier product is the stand-Alone P25RX Digital Police Receiver with Bluetooth Audio Support. The P25RX is not an old school police scanner! The P25RX uses a P25 Phase-1 Control Channel to automatically...

bluetailtechnologies.com

That looks cool. Thanks.

I already have a SDR dongle, which I use for backup, but I prefer an actual radio. Only one of the new systems here is supposed to be simulcast, and that isn't a local system, so I am thinking that a 996P2 might work out.

 

[N4DJC]

Really? The one I purchased about 18 months ago was made in China.

I was surprised to say the least. Marked on the outer box and inside the radio “Made in Japan”. Delivered this past week from HRO.

 

[jaspence]

The FT-60R has proven quality over several years in the hands of many hams. It would be my only radio if forced to make a choice. For emergency stand-by, it is one of the only radios that can use a 6 cell AA battery case. Hopefully never needed but a feature that used to be more common in ham HTs before lithium batteries came along.