palmerjrusa
Member
I also notice HRO has started to collect sales tax on orders even though you're ordering from a state, i.e. MD, where HRO doesn't have a presence.
Yup been that way since the VX-6(?) since they went away from the threaded 1/8” plug.
Very underwhelming. Too bad they did not do something like the VX231(and others) and used screws to retain the plug. It’s why I never ever bought a FT-60. Stupid speaker/mic plug design.
Problem is Yaesu doesn’t listen very well. Their APRS implementation in previous radios sucked.
Finally. More than 6 characters!!!
It still is an underwhelming radio from looking at the flyer on the Yaesu site.
Yaesu(Vertex) has been using the single-pin 4-conductor speaker/mic connector at least since the FT-10/FT-50(VX-10). The FT-50 was released in 1996. A common issue with these radios was that the plating on the jack terminals would wear through because the single-pin plug is constantly rotating slightly in the side-mounted jack as the user walks or moves. The result would be scratchy audio that could only be fixed by replacing the jack.Yup been that way since the VX-6(?) since they went away from the threaded 1/8” plug.
I have a distinct memory of me standing in the Kenwood booth at the Dayton Hamvention about a year before Yaesu released their first APRS radio. I observed a Yaesu representative come up to Bob Bruninga WB4APR on the periphery of the Kenwood booth. The two of them walked away as they talked. I was hopeful then that Yaesu would listen to "Mr. APRS" and develop a real competitor to Kenwood's APRS radios. It's not that Yaesu's APRS implementation sucks. It just lacks the flexibility to use their radios with external APRS user interfaces that Kenwoods have.Problem is Yaesu doesn’t listen very well. Their APRS implementation in previous radios sucked.
The FT-3 strikes me as an FT-2 with a color display in an even smaller form factor with reportedly lousy audio from the internal speaker. Have you seen the online comments from folks who say that flipping open the rubber jack cover on the side of the radio improves the audio? Now, that's a good design. Folks online keep asking for a firmware update to improve the audio. Uh, folks, you can't fix a poor hardware design with software.It still is an underwhelming radio from looking at the flyer on the Yaesu site.
Maybe the original VX-8 and the VX-8D, but the VX-8G, which is a completely different radio, does not use the threaded plug.The VX-8 series uses a threaded 1/8" plug...
The FT-3 strikes me as an FT-2 with a color display in an even smaller form factor with reportedly lousy audio from the internal speaker. Have you seen the online comments from folks who say that flipping open the rubber jack cover on the side of the radio improves the audio? Now, that's a good design. Folks online keep asking for a firmware update to improve the audio. Uh, folks, you can't fix a poor hardware design with software.
/QUOTE]
I don’t understand why hams accept the low quality audio accessories that Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu insist on offering with their ham gear.
The few exceptions that can be made:
The speaker/mic plug on:
-VX-170 and other radios that utilize this plug, the speakermics still sucked though. Never used the water proof one. Cable was typical this low quality ham stuff.
-VX-8DR the plug and cable were of decent quality. Audio was not terrible either.
-IC-92AD audio output was typical Icom garbage, but the speaker/mic’s were LMR quality.
-Kenwood. At least you can use Kenwood LMR 2 pin speakermics. Would be be nice to be able to use the Kenwood multipin LMR mic’s though. Much higher quality.
The crappy single 1/8” plug Yaesu insists on using on their ham gear is bubble pack quality way to attach audio accessories to expensive radios. It’s ultimately why I went from a VX150 to a VX170 and eventually onto LMR gear.
Indeed, compromise and or preference are interesting things...vive la différence.It all boils down to how much $$ are you willing to spend.
Just use it as a node at another QTH or while traveling and keep your FT3DR in hand. Think of it as better than a BT speaker mic solution. I was going to sell my FT1XDR, but for me it works better as that kind of solution. Even using it at home, my FTM-400 can remain on handling/scanning local RF instead of tying it up with Wires-X traffic whether a node or direct.Not sure what to do with my newish FT2DR and it might joint all the other radios rotting in a drawer here.
Indeed, compromise and or preference are interesting things...vive la différence.
Just use it as a node at another QTH or while traveling and keep your FT3DR in hand. Think of it as better than a BT speaker mic solution. I was going to sell my FT1XDR, but for me it works better as that kind of solution. Even using it at home, my FTM-400 can remain on handling/scanning local RF instead of tying it up with Wires-X traffic whether a node or direct.
Come on man...you know you need more noise pollution in your ear.![]()
Black Friday, After Christmas, Orlando Hamcation, Dayton Hamvention. There will be plenty of opportunities in the next 2-9 months to get one at something less than the "early adopter" price.Anyways, I hope those dealers remain out of stock on the FT3DR or I may not be able to wait until the year end coupon. Still, I would probably have to mail it in, so forget that.
Between the FT-2DR and the Kenwood TH-D74A, which radio do you prefer. There is also the new FT-3DR. I'm studying for my license and about to buy my first radio. I want to do it right first time.Looks pretty cool. I have the FT2DR and the screen is really bad...much like Icom radios I've had such as the ID-51A Plus 2 that I sold to buy the Kenwood TH-D74A. TFT screens are great and low contrast, greyish, washed out white-ish displays are so 2005.
I have an FT2DR and Kenwood D74A. I like them booth and I plan to purchase a FT3DR. By my needs are different from yours of course, so...Between the FT-2DR and the Kenwood TH-D74A, which radio do you prefer. There is also the new FT-3DR. I'm studying for my license and about to buy my first radio. I want to do it right first time.
Thank you. That will be great.FT3DR purchased - It should be here Tuesday, due to the holiday. I'll post a note after some testing.
Hello, RT Systems...it's me again.
FT3DR purchased - It should be here Tuesday, due to the holiday. I'll post a note after some testing.
Hello, RT Systems...it's me again.