Yaesu FT-7900R question?

[sepura]

I am thinking of getting the Yaesu FT-7900R, this is my first time buying a ham radio, so I had some questions about it.

1. Is it quite simple to operate?
2. What kind of antenna connector would I need?
3. If I wanted to use this as a base radio, what kind of power supply would it need?

Thanks for the help!

 

[texasemt13]

I use the 7900R on a daily basis.

1). Quite easy, I recommend the programming software.
2). The back of the unit has the SO-239 connector for an antenna input, so you'll need an antenna whose cable terminates in to a PL-259.
3). As a base station radio, I use an Astron RS-20A. It provides 13.8V and up to 20A (I think the Yaesu will pull 15A on 50W transmit).

Great little rig for the price, easy to get on the air, easy to install.

 

[kb0nly]

Its only about a 9 amp draw at 50w, but a 10a power supply would be cutting it close, so yeah a 15-20a would be best.

 

[texasemt13]

Its only about a 9 amp draw at 50w, but a 10a power supply would be cutting it close, so yeah a 15-20a would be best.

Huh, I know the meter on my Astron shows at least 12A...

 

[mrweather]

My FT-8900 which, I imagine, shares many RF parts draws just under 10A at high power.

The 7900 is a good starter radio. Nice big display, lighted buttons and a fat tuning knob.

 

[sepura]

OK, great. Thanks for the replies. I am thinking about getting my ham license. Is it difficult to do? Also, say I wanted to just monitor a frequency in the 464 band. would I just press on the mic 464.475 and it would go to it? Sorry, not trying to pepper anyone with questions, I just get nervous buying something that I might be too complicated for me to operate. I'm just an old man. thanks again.

 

[mrweather]

Yes. In VFO mode you enter the frequency using the DTMF microphone, i.e. 4-6-4-4-7-5.

 

[RadioDaze]

I would not call the radio "quite simple to operate."
It has a lot of menu-driven functions, and it will be handy to read the manual to get acquainted with the functions you will use the most. Keep a cheat-sheet handy when using it.
For someone who doesn't have a ham license and won't be using it as such, it's a bit cumbersome as a scanner. But as a ham radio with wide band receive, it's a very nice scanner. but best when scanning channels, as opposed to VFO tuning, due to the need to go into the menu to change tuning steps.

That being said, it's still a good starter radio for an ambitious ham. It's also a good main radio, and a good backup radio.

 

[canav844]

The 7800 was my first radio, and the only differences are cosmetics and 5 watts UHF. They're great solid radios, that take some learning but function really well. Once I learned the menus the rest has been pretty simple to keep pace with, no really crazy programing but still a very capable analog radio.

 

[kb0nly]

Huh, I know the meter on my Astron shows at least 12A...

If you have a digital VOM that has a current scale double check that Astron, almost every one i have checked over the years was off by 3-4a, with only a few within 1-2a of being accurate. If you don't have another meter get yourself an auto blinker bulb, they generally pull about 1a on the park lamp filament and 2a on the blinker filament. That gives you a good reference to check your meter on the power supply with a couple clip leads, then you can see how close the meter is reading.

I have a FT-8800, FT-7800's and used to have a FT-8900, they all pulled 9-10a on high power. The review of the 7900 in QST had a measured current draw at about 9a also and im sure they used a far more accurate meter than i have. It could be drawing more power if you have a high swr on the antenna however! I have seen my FT-8800 pull about 11a when my 2m yagi needed a tuneup.

 

[W2NJS]

No, the FIRST thing you do with an Astron power supply is to open it up, then using a digital voltmeter set the output voltage to whatever you need/want, usually 13.8 VDC. I've never gotten one that was set properly when I received it, either new or used. It's also best to use the radio manufacturer's manual for determining the transmit current, regardless of what the meter on the power supply says. Analog meters can have a wide range of approximate indications, and a digital meter is always better.

 

[bglatour001]

I have a 7900 in my van. Quite the learning curve with the menus, but once you're familiar with them, it's a joy to operate.

 

[darklyte24]

7900 was my 2nd radio, first was a vx8r.
Great radios, the 7900 is in the car. got it when prices were a bit cheaper i think about 270$?

as stated, get the programing software, save you some time. I use it as a scanner too, it has wide receive.