Yaesu: FT60R

[KE0GXN]

Awesome! I should have the mobile capability before the I get the HT. Just hoping I can hit the tower from my QTH. If not I guess I drive up there closer at some point.....

I'll shoot you a PM when I find something out.

Thanks!

 

[KC5AKB]

Tony go a head and sign up for Echo link on your comp.
Just a thought also smart phones can use EchoLink

 

[KE0GXN]

Roger, Ric.

 

[KE0GXN]

Found this during my google researching today....thought I would share for any members that have or plan on getting the FT60.

http://rick.sparber.org/bg60.pdf

Seems pretty informative.

 

[ke6gcv]

Sounds interesting...I'll look into that. Just so I know I am understanding you....are you referring to a small DC power supply along the lines of being able to supply 13.8 volts and a 3 amp current capacity?

First. As mentioned, there are battery eliminators available for the FT-60R. These look just like a battery pack but include a 12v plug to run from your car battery.

Second. From the face of the radio, look on the right side where you plug in the speaker/mic. You should see a 12v input. This will input will allow you to run from your car battery and charge your battery pack. Going this route, you're not having to disconnect the eliminator to connect the battery.

 

[KE0GXN]

First. As mentioned, there are battery eliminators available for the FT-60R. These look just like a battery pack but include a 12v plug to run from your car battery.

Second. From the face of the radio, look on the right side where you plug in the speaker/mic. You should see a 12v input. This will input will allow you to run from your car battery and charge your battery pack. Going this route, you're not having to disconnect the eliminator to connect the battery.

I got you. I may have confused some on here and I apologize.

I actually prefer to run off battery power if and when I go mobile with it. Just my preference is all. I may still buy a 12v plug, just to have, it certainly will not hurt to have the capability.

Not really looking at going mobile all that much with the HT. I like listening to my scanner too much when I am mobile.

Anyhow, the reason I brought up the 13.8/3amp power supply was I looked some up and it seemed like a good option for the QTH if I wanted get steady maximum power output.

Radio Shack has a model under $40 which seemed nice, but I also read it had a major recall issue...so I may look at others. Or I may not get one at all, sometimes I prefer to not be tied to power sources with potable devices anyway, kind of defeats their purpose in my mind.

Am I right in thinking a power supply would better maintain my watt output, versus a portable battery because of the battery drain that happens during use?

 

[K5MPH]

I see you have your Ham badge now........

 

[KE0GXN]

Yep.

 

[k6cpo]

After taking care of my family for holidays I plan on pulling the trigger on my HT.

I thought I would share with you guys what all I plan on getting and see if there is anything I may need or may have missed.

-Yaesu FT60R HT
-MH-34B4B Hand Mic
-FNB-83 1400mAh battery
-FBA-25 AA battery case
-Diamond SRH77CA HT Antenna
-Diamond MR77SMA Mag Mount
-RT Systems programming software

I figure if I go mobile, I will run off battery power like I do with my scanner. Hence the reason for the extra battery and the separate AA case also.

Which leads me to another question. I have several rechargeable AA batteries I use with my scanner. I would like to use them with my HT too, however I downloaded the owners manual in order to get familiar with the FT60 and it specifically states to use only alkaline cells with the FBA-25A case. Anybody have any experience with this?

I thought I have read on here of folks that use/have used Ni-MH cells with their FT60.

I also plan on getting some personal accessories that are not operational related, desk stand, log book, etc..

Thanks in advance.

If you are looking at mobile operation, you might take a look at the Heil HTH-Y HT headset. I have one of these and the audio quality is so much better on both ends. And they only cost about $30...

Handie Talkie Headset (HTH) - Heil Sound Amateur

You might want to check out the FT-60 Commander software or even chirp before paying out cash for programming software.

Thought about it, but RT was recommended by fellow local HAM who tried chirp and some other others and in end said RT is well worth the money.

I feel the same way. All my radios are programmed with the RT Systems software.

 

[KE0GXN]

If you are looking at mobile operation, you might take a look at the Heil HTH-Y HT headset. I have one of these and the audio quality is so much better on both ends. And they only cost about $30...

Handie Talkie Headset (HTH) - Heil Sound Amateur

Thanks, but I don't plan on going mobile much with the HT. I enjoy listening to my scanner too much. I may take it on some road trips though and from time to time when I running around locally, so I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks!

I feel the same way. All my radios are programmed with the RT Systems software.

+1....I had plans of going with RT from the get go, I mentioned it to my co-worker, who is a long time ham and he stated he had tried a few different ones and said RT by far is the way to go. Much better support also if you have an issue, etc.. I then knew I was making the right decision and his feedback sealed the deal for me.

 

[ke6gcv]

I got you. I may have confused some on here and I apologize.

I actually prefer to run off battery power if and when I go mobile with it. Just my preference is all. I may still buy a 12v plug, just to have, it certainly will not hurt to have the capability.

Not really looking at going mobile all that much with the HT. I like listening to my scanner too much when I am mobile.

Anyhow, the reason I brought up the 13.8/3amp power supply was I looked some up and it seemed like a good option for the QTH if I wanted get steady maximum power output.

Radio Shack has a model under $40 which seemed nice, but I also read it had a major recall issue...so I may look at others. Or I may not get one at all, sometimes I prefer to not be tied to power sources with potable devices anyway, kind of defeats their purpose in my mind.

Am I right in thinking a power supply would better maintain my watt output, versus a portable battery because of the battery drain that happens during use?

Wattage should not be affected whether using the internal battery pack or an external power source. (Though I won't be 100% positive that is true as I've seen wattage drop a little as the battery pack is depleted.) Using an external power source, you're getting a constant power source that outlasts the standard battery pack.

The risk you do run into using a battery pack over an external power source is not having the power should you need to transmit on the radio while away from your vehicle.

Hope this helps.

 

[KE0GXN]

Wattage should not be affected whether using the internal battery pack or an external power source. (Though I won't be 100% positive that is true as I've seen wattage drop a little as the battery pack is depleted.) Using an external power source, you're getting a constant power source that outlasts the standard battery pack.

The risk you do run into using a battery pack over an external power source is not having the power should you need to transmit on the radio while away from your vehicle.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the feedback Todd.

As of right now I am going to hold off on getting a PS, but I have decided if and when I do it will of the 30 amp variety to use with a future base as well.

For now I am going to run off two battery packs and the AA pack as a back-up spare/emergency power option. Will also have the cigarette lighter plug power option as well if and when I go mobile.

 

[KE0GXN]

So, I have had my FT-60 for about 2 months now and I have noted the reciever is extremely sensitive to RFI/noise. Anybody else have any experience with this? Maybe even know an optimal RF squelch setting?

Hate to set it too high and miss transmissions....

The TM-281 I have been loaned scans with no issues with the squelch barely shut. The FT-60 I have to shut almost completly to be able to scan without it stopping on noise.

 

[KE5MC]

Tony,

Not uncommon for an HT front-end to lack selectivity and respond to RFI/noise. I only scan programmed memory channels in the 2m and 70cm bands on my HT or mobil and still occasionally have issues. If you are frequency scanning then your hit rate will increase. In the two bands I mentioned about the only area worth frequency scanning is the simplex frequencies. For the repeaters a great resource is the RepeaterBook. They have a web based access URL and smartphone applications too.

I forget if the FT60 has RF and /or Audio squelch. Sometime selecting one over the other if you have the choice can help, but not a great deal I have found.

Your local environment might have a RFI source causing the problem. Take the radio for a walk in the neighborhood and see if the reception changes.

Mike

P.S. When teaching the Tech class I get a lot of questions about which HT is a good choice. FT60 has always been my answer as a good starter so I don't believe your issues are any indication of a bad choice.

 

[KE0GXN]

Mike,

Yeah, I have hunted and identified a few RFI sources at my QTH so far. Neutralized one (wifi router) and identified a couple of USB wall warts as being noisy too.

I am happy with my FT-60 though. It what is I guess as far as the front-end being an RFI magnet. I have played with the RF squelch and sometimes it helps, others not so much.

Thanks for the feedback!

73