Yaesu: Yaesu vx-6 Problem frequencies

[heltom73]

As a former first responder, I like to monitor EMS Fire and PD, but For some weird reason I am trying to manually type in a frequency like 482.018750, and my vx-6 will not let me type in the 1 after I type in the zero. Then when I hit another key it goes to another frequency, then all I get is this horrible never ending squelch and occasional transmissions. This is listed as a frequency that should be covered with this radio.

Can anyone tell me what I can do?

I ordered a cable for this radio as manual input seems like a horror show.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[alcahuete]

If I remember off the top of my head, the VX-6 is only capable of KHz, and I think 5 KHz steps at that (may be mistaken there...check the manual). You're only going to be able to cover 3 digits after the decimal.

 

[heltom73]

If I remember off the top of my head, the VX-6 is only capable of KHz, and I think 5 KHz steps at that (may be mistaken there...check the manual). You're only going to be able to cover 3 digits after the decimal.

Oh boy...will definitely check. Thanks

 

[alcahuete]

Just took a look at the manual. Looks like it will go 4 after the decimal, depending on the step size you select. You might get close enough to the frequency to hear something, but I don't think it's going to work.

 

[ko6jw_2]

This is listed as a frequency that should be covered with this radio.

I've had a VX6 for many years. Mainly for its 220 coverage.

It is a radio designed for amateur radio. So no, this frequency should not be covered by the VX6. Ham radio is not narrow banded and therefore cannot resolve frequencies like this. Also, the VX6, even though it is still sold, is an older design.

We have had threads like this before where the contention is that a ham radio is badly designed because it can't do something that it does not need to do for amateur use.

This is why I have scanners.

 

[heltom73]

True but I figure if it's going to cover certain frequencies, it should cover all the frequencies in between. At least that's what I thought.

 

[KevinC]

True but I figure if it's going to cover certain frequencies, it should cover all the frequencies in between. At least that's what I thought.

Spacing of .00625 kHz is typically not used in amateur radio as far as I know.

 

[AK9R]

Spacing of .00625 kHz is typically not used in amateur radio as far as I know.

And, when I asked the guys at the Kenwood booth at the Dayton Hamvention many years ago that having 0.00625 MHz frequency spacing on UHF or 0.0075 MHz spacing on VHF would be handy to have in their latest amateur radio handheld, the response I got was "Why? Buy a scanner if that's what you want to monitor."

 

[heltom73]

Yes, but why when would you have to buy a scanner, if you could have it all in one?

 

[MTS2000des]

Because this is an AMATEUR transceiver not intended for COMMERCIAL use. AMATEUR signals don't occupy splinter channels used in part 90 spectrum. So why would they bother?

 

[ko6jw_2]

As I said above, the VX6 is an older radio. Public safety did not use those splits when it was made, but somehow it should keep up with technology by some mysterious process to please current users.

My FT5DR can do 6.25 splits and I just set the VFO to your 482.01875 MHz frequency.

If you want an all in one, then you need to buy an up to date radio.

 

[heltom73]

As I said above, the VX6 is an older radio. Public safety did not use those splits when it was made, but somehow it should keep up with technology by some mysterious process to please current users.

My FT5DR can do 6.25 splits and I just set the VFO to your 482.01875 MHz frequency.

If you want an all in one, then you need to buy an up to date radio.

Which yaesu would be the most up to date model?

 

[DeeEx]

Which yaesu would be the most up to date model?

I was intrigued by that as well and spent some time doing a quick search just now.

I used to land on Universal’s site first as they listed the successor model in the far left column, but that’s missing for the 6.

Hmm, I thought, how did Yaesu market the 7 and 8 to attract owners of the 6 to buy a new radio? Certainly I’m not the only one who gave the marketing department a chance and thought, “7 is higher than 6, so it’s probably improved overall!”

Interestingly, the VX7 and 8 (on Universal) do not list the 6 as a predecessor— to read some random online reviews, people tend to compare them.

It appears there is no Yaesu/Vertex direct successor to the 6 if you want the general feature set of that transceiver. As limited as you may think it is today, it likely does the job for those who purchased it. They seem to sell the 6 brand new on the major retail sites, so perhaps the ideal “replacement” for your needs isn’t around the corner yet.

Want different bands, SWL options, etc? Seek the higher-numbered models.

It’s late, I’m tired, but the Yaesu nerd in me thanks you for making me do a little reading. My VX7R is still alive and kickin’, though I’m mainly on DMR these days with an Anytone.

 

[heltom73]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I'm tired too

 

[AK9R]

Universal Radio is no longer in business. Luckily, they have kept their website operational, but you can't buy anything from them, certainly not a new radio.

If you want to know Yaesu's current product line, got to the Yaesu website. The VX-7 and VX-8 models are not currently available. The VX-6 is. Why? Ask Yaesu. The FT-5D is currently Yaesu's top-of-the-line handheld radio.

My FT5DR can do 6.25 splits and I just set the VFO to your 482.01875 MHz frequency.

But, can it do 7.5 kHz channel spacing on VHF?

 

[heltom73]

That sounds promising...thanks

 

[heltom73]

What's funny is that my ft-4x has no problem going to frequencies like 458.1125, but my vx-6 can only get to 458.115. in some instances, the ft-4x seemed more capable of getting to certain frequencies than the 6r.

 

[AK9R]

About a 13-year difference between the release dates of the VX-6 and the FT-4X. And, the FT-4X uses a similar internal architecture to Chinese radios that are made for the LMR market.

Narrowbanding of LMR frequencies was required by the FCC starting 2013...about 8 years after the VX-6 appeared on the market.

As others have said, maybe you are using the wrong tool for the job.

 

[heltom73]

Yeah..I think so.

I need to diversify.

 

[ko6jw_2]

The FT65 and FT70 can both do 6.25KHz splits, but the FT65 only receives up to 480MHz.

The other point to make in all this verbiage is that none of these radios can monitor trunked systems nor can they do digital except for Yaesu's Fusion (C4FM) system (FT70). Thus, they are useless for many public safety systems regardless of channel splits. A scanner with digital and trunking is a better choice overall.

I happen to live in a county which is mostly not trunked and not digital. Thus, my Yaesu's are great for my monitoring needs. A new radio system is on the horizon and will be a reality in a couple of years. Fire may stay analog on VHF, but law enforcement will most likely be digital, trunked and encrypted. If it is encrypted there will be no point in buying a new scanner.

Final point, the VX6R will resolve within 2.5KHz of the desired channel. Likely you won't notice the difference. They aren't that selective.