Yaesu: FTM-510DR

[N4DJC]

The 400 did have a nice screen, I'll give it that. I ended up selling that to a friend of mine that wanted to do C4FM and hotspots and such. I'm not a fan of Yaesu's C4FM anyway, we've proven time and time again that other digital voice modes (especially D-star) will talk further with less signal and still be readable.

Had 2 100's sold both of those, and while still having the 300, I"m not a fan of it either. The first time I got to the highest channel I had in memory and it just stopped instead of looping back around to channel 1, I was done. It had pretty good specs on the service monitor on analog receive on both 2 meters and 70cm, however so I'll give it that. It sits in my spare room except for a couple of 'events' we have in the area which include their C4FM stuff. The only possible reason I'd ever consider a 500 it's faceplate has what I'm told is a usable speaker in it. I've yet to hear it personally, a buddy is gonna let me run one for a bit while he borrows something of mine so, we'll see. I seriously doubt I'll up the money for one however regardless of how that turns out.

I'm not holding my breath on the Kenwood, we'll see. I'm sure that's gonna be pricey. In the mean time at home, I'll just keep running my older Kenwood's which work just fine.

I had a 300 and it was pretty decent, but I’m not a fan of C4FM either, and the noisy relay on 70cm was distracting.

The Kenwood will be priced in the stratosphere. I’m not willing to pay $1,000 for a mobile FM.

 

[KF0NYL]

I'm not a fan of C4FM, D-Star, or DMR. I would rather have a mobile without any of the digital stuff. Right now I am running an Icom IC-2730 in my vehicle and in the shack.

The Yaesu FT-3185RASP has piqued my interest since it is an 85 watt mono band. But I'm not interested if the menu is just as clunky as other Yaesu radios.

And it would be nice for someone to release a mobile 2m radio with SSB capabilities. I really don't want a "shack in the box" and the IC-9700 is out of my price range right now. I could overlook Yaesu's menus if they would produce a good 2m mobile with SSB mode.

 

[K9KLC]

I'm not a fan of C4FM, D-Star, or DMR. I would rather have a mobile without any of the digital stuff. Right now I am running an Icom IC-2730 in my vehicle and in the shack.

The Yaesu FT-3185RASP has piqued my interest since it is an 85 watt mono band. But I'm not interested if the menu is just as clunky as other Yaesu radios.

And it would be nice for someone to release a mobile 2m radio with SSB capabilities. I really don't want a "shack in the box" and the IC-9700 is out of my price range right now. I could overlook Yaesu's menus if they would produce a good 2m mobile with SSB mode.

If you know anyone that has a radio with the "RASP" stuff in it, see if you can go to their QTH and listen to it on a weaker signal. (as in something you'd have to dig out of the noise a bit) and see if perhaps it works the way you wish it would. I wouldn't pay for a 2 meter FM radio what they want for that FT-3185RASP but I know several that have.

The 2980 has been out of years if you can find one and it does 80 watts if you can find one floating around not all beat up. I've seem them occasionally pretty reasonable.

I wouldn't hold my breath on anyone coming out with another mobile size radio with SSB, but you never know I guess.

I posted in post 19 what I run anymore day in and out, ya, other than some events we have in the area twice a year, I'm 95% or more analog too unless someone from the old group want's to do some D-star stuff. I've never had a chance to run a 2730 but it was always on my short list if I needed something a little newer to run. Clicks most the boxes for a dual band.

 

[KF0NYL]

I would definitely want to try out the new Yaesu radios with RASP before purchasing.

And we will probably see a new 50 watt 1.25m/220 radio from the Big three before we see a mobile with SSB mode. I'm not holding my breath for either one.

I've been pleased with the IC-2730. It's a simple and easy to use radio that works well.

With all of the model changes, I wonder if Yaesu will have the parts to repair any recently discontinued radios that are still under warranty.

 

[AK9R]

With all of the model changes, I wonder if Yaesu will have the parts to repair any recently discontinued radios that are still under warranty.

That's my concern, too. Radios becoming virtually unrepairable due to a lack of parts is a real concern. Radios that use single-sourced or proprietary microprocessors, logic devices, displays, and output modules would seem to be at risk should they need repairs down the road.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Well the 400DR had the GPS issue. I don't know if that it was its only problem. I was an early adopter of the 400DR and was very excited to have it mobile, but then the GPS wouldn't pick up satellites. I later tested it on the dash and it took over an hour to get the GPS working.

I have had two 400DR and never had a single GPS issue with many use hours with other end and myself watch GPS position. (The first blew the finals due to operator error.) Always get a quick fix. Best 2m/440 radio I have owned (35 years).

 

[N4DJC]

If you know anyone that has a radio with the "RASP" stuff in it, see if you can go to their QTH and listen to it on a weaker signal. (as in something you'd have to dig out of the noise a bit) and see if perhaps it works the way you wish it would. I wouldn't pay for a 2 meter FM radio what they want for that FT-3185RASP but I know several that have.

The 2980 has been out of years if you can find one and it does 80 watts if you can find one floating around not all beat up. I've seem them occasionally pretty reasonable.

I wouldn't hold my breath on anyone coming out with another mobile size radio with SSB, but you never know I guess.

I posted in post 19 what I run anymore day in and out, ya, other than some events we have in the area twice a year, I'm 95% or more analog too unless someone from the old group want's to do some D-star stuff. I've never had a chance to run a 2730 but it was always on my short list if I needed something a little newer to run. Clicks most the boxes for a dual band.

The new IC- 2730B with the black background screen is pretty nice. What gets me is Icom charging for the mounts, etc. I think I would buy one of those before I’d jump into a FTM-150R (non ASP), even though the 2730B is more expensive.

 

[K9KLC]

The new IC- 2730B with the black background screen is pretty nice. What gets me is Icom charging for the mounts, etc. I think I would buy one of those before I’d jump into a FTM-150R (non ASP), even though the 2730B is more expensive.

I'll speak only for myself here...Unless Yaesu changes a BUNCH of stuff on these VHF/UHF mobiles, I'll never buy another one. While I've used several HF radios thru out the years from them and enjoyed them, I'm done with this stuff they're putting out now. I've got an FTM-300 I took on trade and I regret it although it's transmit and receive specs on analog are honestly pretty good. My first new dual band I ever bought was the FT-5100 back in late 95 or early 96 and that radio is still working. (it serves as a cross band repeater on occasion but that's it). I've got others I've had but really the only one I use to any degree is the FTM-350 occasionally when I am in the mood for APRS stuff. Other than that it's my 30 year old Kenwood's or, my Icom 5100.

I do little 2 meter FM work unless it's some kind of event or something or I am a spotter and check into the storm nets on 2 when that is up and running for my county. I agree about the Icom mounts and such, that's silly but I guess they're selling radios yet so there's that.

I'd like to ask @devicelab what was the thought be hind his "why isn't anyone talking about this" title on this thread. People are talking about it just maybe not here. I can assure you, the 510 is being talked about, but "usually or at least a lot of times", it's not been favorable way. Just curious.

 

[devicelab]

I have had two 400DR and never had a single GPS issue with many use hours with other end and myself watch GPS position. (The first blew the finals due to operator error.) Always get a quick fix. Best 2m/440 radio I have owned (35 years).

Yeah mine worked well too -- but the GPS sensitivity stunk.