Yaesu VX-7R

[KJ6VIP]

Hey all,

I was given a Yaesu VX-7R for passing my Technician examination back in March of this year. I recently was able to pick up a programming cable and found a great free program called VX-7 Commander.

After a little fiddling, I was successfully able to read and write to the radio. Unfortunately some of the frequencies programmed into the radio are not showing up. Now, I realize and notice that the VX-7 Commander software includes some software based mods such as opening up MARS, FRS, GMRS among a few.

I also believe that if I read and understand the owners manual correctly, the radio is capable of receiving transmissions from .5Mhz to 999Mhz. Above and beyond programming my local repeaters, I wanted to program in some defined frequency sets provided by the VX-7 Commander software, such as the CB spectrum, FRS/GMRS spectrum etc. Now the radio accepted the FRS/GMRS frequencies, including some local law enforcement frequencies for RX only.

Now, I have a couple of questions. First question is, how do I get the radio to show and use the 1.25 meter frequencies? I programmed my local 1.25 meter frequencies as I did with the 2 meter and 70 cm frequencies, yet only the 1.25 meter frequencies won't show up in the radio. When I turn the dial from channel to channel, the channels that house the 1.25 meter frequencies are skipped entirely, yet all of my 2 meter and 70 cm frequencies show up fine in the channel slot allocated.

My second question for now relates to programming RX frequencies into the radio. As I stated in the third paragraph, I programmed some RX frequencies into the radio and the radio accepted the FRS/GMRS frequencies, but not the CB frequencies. I'm going to assume because I have not enabled some software mods? I just assumed the radio can receive from .5MHz to 999MHz without the need to enable any mods, or am I missing something here?

Any help would be much appreciated. This is a fantastic little unit, and just want to use and enjoy as much as possible from it.

-Jason (KJ6VIP)

 

[w2xq]

I'll ask a silly question. Are you sure you are entering CB frequencies as MHz in the AM mode? 27.105 and -not- 27105. Frankly I wouldn't bother if SW performance is anything like my VX-6R that is pretty deaf <30, especially with the stock antenna, but that's me. Yaesu's site seems slow tonight and it is stumbling on the download of the http://yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?F...ame=VX-7R.pdf&FileContentType=application/pdf operating manual, so I can't look at. VX-6 Commander s/w works on 220 for me, dunno why it doesn't work.

If the VX-7R continues to seem to be confused, a complete hardware/software reset per the operating manual might straighten it out. Then reload a clean Commander file. HTH.

 

[KJ6VIP]

Hey trsundstrom,

I believe they are entered as a correct frequency yes. VX-7 Commander software includes some various defined frequency sets such as CB, FRS, GMRS etc. I understand that having some of these in here are kinda moot. But, more of curiosity as to why they won't show up in the radio itself. The channels allocated to them I assume are right, just don't show up.

For example the CB spectrum has 40 channels in it. I programmed channels 41-80 on the Yaesu for the CB channels. Now when I turn the dial on the radio to channel 2, 3, 4 etc is fine until I come to channel 41-80. Instead of showing 41 as next channel it will show say 81 and display some frequency there, such as for example FRS etc.

The Yaesu is technically a quad-band unit. The 1.25 meter band only supports 300mW power. I'm sure although as of this posting have not tried any 6 meter frequencies, as I don't yet know of any local 6 meter frequencies to try. However programming any 2 meter, 70 cm frequencies, including some other random frequencies for RX seem to program fine, save for 1.25 meter and CB frequencies at the moment.

-Jason (KJ6VIP)

 

[gewecke]

I'll ask a silly question. Are you sure you are entering CB frequencies as MHz in the AM mode? 27.105 and -not- 27105. Frankly I wouldn't bother if SW performance is anything like my VX-6R that is pretty deaf <30, especially with the stock antenna, but that's me. Yaesu's site seems slow tonight and it is stumbling on the download of the http://yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?F...ame=VX-7R.pdf&FileContentType=application/pdf operating manual, so I can't look at. VX-6 Commander s/w works on 220 for me, dunno why it doesn't work.

If the VX-7R continues to seem to be confused, a complete hardware/software reset per the operating manual might straighten it out. Then reload a clean Commander file. HTH.

The vx-6r is NOT deaf if used with a long wire or end fed dipole, only with the stock antenna which is to be expected.


73,
n9zas

 

[gewecke]

Hey trsundstrom,

I believe they are entered as a correct frequency yes. VX-7 Commander software includes some various defined frequency sets such as CB, FRS, GMRS etc. I understand that having some of these in here are kinda moot. But, more of curiosity as to why they won't show up in the radio itself. The channels allocated to them I assume are right, just don't show up.

For example the CB spectrum has 40 channels in it. I programmed channels 41-80 on the Yaesu for the CB channels. Now when I turn the dial on the radio to channel 2, 3, 4 etc is fine until I come to channel 41-80. Instead of showing 41 as next channel it will show say 81 and display some frequency there, such as for example FRS etc.

The Yaesu is technically a quad-band unit. The 1.25 meter band only supports 300mW power. I'm sure although as of this posting have not tried any 6 meter frequencies, as I don't yet know of any local 6 meter frequencies to try. However programming any 2 meter, 70 cm frequencies, including some other random frequencies for RX seem to program fine, save for 1.25 meter and CB frequencies at the moment.

-Jason (KJ6VIP)

I suspect you will have to program the 220mhz. and 50 mhz. frequencies from the band selection menu, then save them to a memory like the process for the vx6r.
Your manual will describe the steps for this.

73,
n9zas

 

[KJ6VIP]

When you say program the 220MHz and 50Mhz frequencies, are you referring to manually programming them? If that's the case, I feel that defeats the purpose of using VX-7 Commander to do it for you. Why do these and potentially others require different programming methods? I appreciate all input on this issue, and want to get to the bottom of this and finally build a good file with all the TX/RX frequencies I need and want.

-Jason (KJ6VIP)

 

[gewecke]

When you say program the 220MHz and 50Mhz frequencies, are you referring to manually programming them? If that's the case, I feel that defeats the purpose of using VX-7 Commander to do it for you. Why do these and potentially others require different programming methods? I appreciate all input on this issue, and want to get to the bottom of this and finally build a good file with all the TX/RX frequencies I need and want.

-Jason (KJ6VIP)

Yeah, sorry. I failed to mention, I don't use software. I prefer to program on the fly! I don't like to be tied up to software or a pc.
The keypad method makes it so much simpler for me.

73,
n9zas

 

[AJAT]

For example the CB spectrum has 40 channels in it. I programmed channels 41-80 on the Yaesu for the CB channels. Now when I turn the dial on the radio to channel 2, 3, 4 etc is fine until I come to channel 41-80. Instead of showing 41 as next channel it will show say 81 and display some frequency there, such as for example FRS etc.
(KJ6VIP)

Did you program the CB Frequencies in a separate bank. You may have that bank turned off.

 

[w2xq]

The vx-6r is NOT deaf if used with a long wire or end fed dipole, only with the stock antenna which is to be expected.


73,
n9zas

I did say "stock antenna." Pretty hard to use a LW/dipole when walking or driving around.

 

[gewecke]

I did say "stock antenna." Pretty hard to use a LW/dipole when walking or driving around.

Well, I do know a guy who lost the stock duck to his vx7 and the last I knew he was still driving around in his car with 30' of speaker wire connected to it, just so he could listen to hf, and the am bc bands. :roll:

73,
n9zas

 

[w2xq]

Is he single? My wife would have [fill in the blank] if I did the speaker wire thing.

 

[gewecke]

Is he single? My wife would have [fill in the blank] if I did the speaker wire thing.

Yep, he is. :roll: My girlfriend balks at the mag mounts on the cookie tin, on top of the bookcase I use when it storms!

73,
n9zas

 

[KJ6VIP]

Did you program the CB Frequencies in a separate bank. You may have that bank turned off.

I'm not sure I understand your question. I'm not sure what or how this radio works in that regard yet. Like I said the radio itself was donated to me upon my successful completion of the exam. The radio came pre-programmed with the local repeaters.

I simply purchased a programming cable, installed and fired up the VX-7 Commander software and ran a read of the radio. From what the software told me, there is a few 1.25 meter frequencies programmed into the unit, however from the radio perspective they aren't showing up.

It does not matter if I program certain frequencies in channel 1, channel 17, channel 63, or any channel. These frequencies won't show up at all, yet the radio skips the channels allocated with these frequencies and proceeds to display the next one.

Examples: Channel 1 will have say 441.650, channel 2 might have say 27.125 and channel 3 might have say 441.600 etc. The radio will display channel 1, then skip 2 and show channel 3 etc. Does not matter what order I program them in, the radio simply will not show 27.125 or certain other frequencies.

The manual states this unit can receive from like 1.8-999MHz (minus cellular). The VX-7 Commander software has built in frequency spectrum for CB, FRS, GMRS etc. FRS/GMRS program in fine, yet CB's and others like standard public radio AM/FM frequencies will not, including 1.25 meter frequencies. The software sees them, programs them etc, but the radio itself wont let me see them, use them etc.

My explaining the issue is hard, and I apologize for that. But I'm not sure this is a matter of bank or whatever. It doesn't matter if the offending frequencies are in channel 1, 21, 50, 200 etc.

-Jason (KJ6VIP)

 

[AJAT]

Is "MG" in front of the channel number. This is the memory group. If so then the radio is set only to display those frequencies in that group. Sent a PM also.

 

[AJAT]

By pressing MonF then 9 It brings you to the special memory group. Rotate the large knob until it says 1 off then key the PTT. it will Shut off the memory groups and have all memory channels available.

 

[w2xq]

Did you get the VX-7R operating manual? If not, you can get a PDF from the Yaesu web site.

 

[Tweekerbob]

Don't forget that the MAIN band is king. It can do it all. If you are trying to tune the 220 freqs on the sub band, you'll be SOL. Same for anything AM or below 137(?).

Also, IIRC I'm not sure you can store a freq below 30MHz in a regular memory channel. Not too sure about that, my vx7-r died