Yaesu VR-500 - Questions

[ImTheWeasel]

Hello Everyone,

I have some questions about the VR-500 from Yaesu.

In your opinions, is this receiver a good buy. I already have a handheld for trunking and my town is only conventional as well as surrounding small towns.

However, id like to have a receiver that will do SSB.

I have previously considered the Alinco DJ-X7T but changed my mind on it due to (poor battery life & audio).

The Yaesu VR120-D (Lacks NFM which according to what ive read is required for most general listening?)

and finally the ICOM R5 - Which ive heard good things and bad things, and then the fact it is listed as no support for NFM.

So i ask you, in light of all the other radios would spending $300 on the VR500 be worth it or should i just get the BR330T?

Thanks.

 

[trap5858]

Hi, I owned one for a brief period and never really put a whole lot of time in with it. I liked things about it, the size for one. I did buy the software to program in and that helped.

What I did not like about it was no lock out for individual channels and the audio is quite low due to it's size. It had good quality sound not a lot of power on the output. Reception on AIR band was quite good, conventional FM freqs also good.

At times I wished I had put more effort into learning the receiver but an opportunity to upgrade to an Icom R-20 came my way and the person looking to get out of the R-20 wanted a VR-500- a win win!

Hope this helps in your decision making process.

 

[N3HCP]

I've had one for 3 years or so and wouldn't part with it. It's one of many scanners I use, and it serves the purpose very well when a small, unobtrusive radio is called for. Yes, the programming is i bit awkward, but programming software solves that problem. Locking and unlocking banks is a 5 or 6 step process but not that big a deal. Locking out individual channels is, however a bit much.

I have solved many of the "problems" by preparing a number of computer files with scanner set-ups for different areas and/or situations and just loading the appropriate file before going into the field.

It's not, and never will be, my primary scanner, but for it's specific niche, it can't be beat.

 

[wa8vzq]

I've owned one since late 2000. It is a great radio. I have written a rather extensive technical review that I'd be happy to send anyone who wants a copy. Email direct to wa8vzq@yahoo.com

Dan
Apple Valley, MN