Yaesu: FT70D: Want to program my radio-don't even know where to start

[Brainer]

I'm new to radio, so please just assume I know next to nothing.

I have a Yaesu FT70D portable. I'm not licensed, but I'm slowly studying when I find time. At the moment, I'm mostly interested in listening.

I bought the RT Systems software and cable package to make my FT70D easy to program. However, I then realized, I don't even know where to start. There are tons of frequencies in my city, across many bands. I've scanned across some of these frequencies, but hear very little voice traffic-it's almost entirely repeaters.

I know that I can use RadioReference or other sites for their lists of frequencies, but I don't know how to clearly understand which frequencies are repeaters/trunked and which are not. Also, do people usually group frequencies according to bands, functions (e.g. Fire, Police, Air) or what?

How do you know that you'll even be able to receive (or later transmit on) the frequencies you program? I don't travel, I mostly stay put.

The whole task just seems intimidating to me.

Is there some traditional wisdom or a good HOWTO or video on how to start with this?

 

[AK9R]

Do you have an amateur radio license? If so, have you tried to locate an amateur radio club in your area? You can search for ARRL-affiliated amateur radio clubs using the search tool here: Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs

Your Yaesu FT-70D is an amateur radio transceiver designed to receive and transmit on the 2m and 70cm amateur radio bands. It may have the ability to receive frequencies elsewhere in the VHF and UHF business and public safety bands, but that's not what it was designed for. Your radio can receive and transmit using both analog FM and Yaesu System Fusion which is a form of C4FM digital voice. Note that Yaesu System Fusion is not compatible with any other digital voice mode used in amateur radio or business/public safety radio. In other words, your radio is not designed to be a general purpose scanner. It is designed to be an amateur radio transceiver.

Start with the NOAA All Hazards Radio frequencies: 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and162.550. Program those frequencies in your radio in FM mode with carrier squelch. You should be able to hear a NWS weather broadcasts continuously on one of those frequencies.

Then, find out from your local club which amateur radio repeaters are most active in your area and program those into your radio. But, you may only hear traffic on those repeaters during morning and evening drive time or during nets.

 

[K4EET]

<snip> I have a Yaesu FT70D portable. I'm not licensed, but I'm slowly studying when I find time. At the moment, I'm mostly interested in listening. <snip>

When you get your Technician Class License, you’ll be more familiar with radio fundamentals. For now, in order to help you, we really need to know where you are and who specifically do you want to listen to. Then we can tell you which agencies might be compatible with your transceiver. Be specific, e.g. Baltimore City, Maryland Fire Department Dispatch.

Welcome to Radio Reference. You have come to the place to get answers. Looking forward to your response.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[Brainer]

"When" is more like "if". I have a chronic health condition that keeps me very occupied. And one of the things that it affects the most is my ability to memorize things. That makes it hard for me to study HAM material. And those of you in Canada know that the study guide and test up here are way more lengthy and complicated than in the U.S.

Anyways, I'm in Toronto, Canada.

Yep, I can hear at least a few of the local NOAA frequencies.

As for local repeaters, wouldn't I only hear noise, and not voices, since I can't transmit?

 

[AK9R]

You seem to be equating repeaters with digital voice. That's incorrect. Repeaters were analog FM for decades before digital voice came along.

 

[Brainer]

Since I don't have a radio that supports these, is there any reason to enter any repeaters that use:
DMR
P25
NXDN
D-STAR

 

[K4EET]

<snip> As for local repeaters, wouldn't I only hear noise, and not voices, since I can't transmit?

Being able to transmit WHEN (not if) you get a ham license has nothing to do with your current ability to receive on your HT. If you are trying to listen to a repeater that is transmitting digitally, then you will hear a noise-like signal on your analog HT. If the repeater is transmitting unencrypted analog voice, then you will hear voices. Of course, your HT has to be able to receive the repeater’s transmit frequency.

As for the digital modes you mentioned above, your HT will not receive them.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[K4EET]

Since I don't have a radio that supports these, is there any reason to enter any repeaters that use:
DMR
P25
NXDN
D-STAR

For your information… D-STAR is proprietary to ICOM and Kenwood and requires a D-STAR capable transceiver. DMR would take an AnyTone or Alinco (among others) capable transceiver. The same is true for receiving P25 and NXDN; all different transceivers.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[K4EET]

Toronto Fire and Police as well as the other agencies are on a Project 25 Phase II system. Like above, different transceivers. Police is encrypted full-time so nothing but a subscriber HT from the police agency can receive that. Besides, they are in the 700 MHz range which your HT does not even receive.

Your current HT does analog FM and digital Yaesu System Fusion (YSF).

Again, what we really need to know is WHO you want to listen to. Please be specific. Then we could possibly recommend a SCANNER to receive some of what you want to listen to.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[K4EET]

From the Yaesu FT-70DR webpage at:

Welcome to Yaesu.com

Your radio is FM analog, Yaesu System Fusion (YSF), and possibly AM for the Aircraft band although the specs are not real clear on the AM capability. The frequency range for your HT is 108 to 580 MHz.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[K4EET]

Here is a listing of ham repeaters in the Toronto area:

Repeaters within 25 miles of FN03hp 43.645833333333 -79.375

 

[Brainer]

It does pick up VHF AM Air frequencies. I listen to them (though there's a lot of noise).

I have zero interest in buying a scanner.

I don't know what I want to listen to, because increasingly, all I hear is repeater sounds. One factor is that I'd like to listen to some freqs where there's voice traffic more often.

 

[KC5AKB]

I'm new to radio, so please just assume I know next to nothing.

I have a Yaesu FT70D portable. I'm not licensed, but I'm slowly studying when I find time. At the moment, I'm mostly interested in listening.

I bought the RT Systems software and cable package to make my FT70D easy to program. However, I then realized, I don't even know where to start. There are tons of frequencies in my city, across many bands. I've scanned across some of these frequencies, but hear very little voice traffic-it's almost entirely repeaters.

I know that I can use RadioReference or other sites for their lists of frequencies, but I don't know how to clearly understand which frequencies are repeaters/trunked and which are not. Also, do people usually group frequencies according to bands, functions (e.g. Fire, Police, Air) or what?

How do you know that you'll even be able to receive (or later transmit on) the frequencies you program? I don't travel, I mostly stay put.

The whole task just seems intimidating to me.

Is there some traditional wisdom or a good HOWTO or video on how to start with this?

Amateur Radio Course Study Guides - Radio Amateurs of Canada a good place to start looking around

 

[rf_patriot200]

It does pick up VHF AM Air frequencies. I listen to them (though there's a lot of noise).

I have zero interest in buying a scanner.

I don't know what I want to listen to, because increasingly, all I hear is repeater sounds. One factor is that I'd like to listen to some freqs where there's voice traffic more often.

The FT70 is a great choice for Aircraft, both military and civilian. it will scan using the 8.33khz step too.

 

[ko6jw_2]

I would suggest as a first step visiting the Radio Amateurs of Canada website rac.com. The licensing requirements are different in Canada compared to the US. Unfortunately they are somewhat more rigorous. Nevertheless, the RAC website should help.

The FT70 is a great radio but it is also somewhat complicated. RT Systems software is excellent too.

In order to program the radio you will need to understand some basic radio concepts as well as those particular to the FT70. I would suggest that you find a local club and someone to assist you. I have done this for several hams in my area. It will save you hours of frustration and enable you to get the most from your radio. Later, you will understand the operation of the radio and its programming.

Again, get some local help. You can do it on your own but finding assistance will take a lot of frustration away.

 

[Brainer]

Thanks for that. That link you provided is actually a corporation, not RAC. But I have RAC bookmarked.

Yeah, I'm starting to see that even without learning any theory, just the learning curve for using the radio is pretty big.

 

[ko6jw_2]

The first step is to learn the theory, rules and regulations necessary to get a basic license. It may be new to you but it does not require an engineering degree either. Next you will need the practical knowledge to get on the air. Other amateurs will help you. I remember my first transmission. I gave my call over the local repeater and then said "listening." On of my friends responded but he said, "If you want to talk to someone, give them a call." Their call followed by "from your call." Made sense.

Next after you understand some theory, programming your radio will make more sense. It will take a while to understand all the features of the FT-70. However, if you know the basics, it will became clear. The RT Systems software will help. I have been licensed for thirty-one years and I still need to refer to the manual once in a while.

It may seem daunting but you can do it.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I have a FT70 and use RT Systems software, like KO6JW mentioned, and it's so simple to use. I have about 30 Military aircraft in memory and search civilian a/c all the time. It's become my everyday carry radio.

 

[jwt873]

For what it's worth.........

The basic (entry) level amateur license in Canada is a fair bit harder than the US tech exam. But, if you get over 80%, you have full HF privileges.

Here's the official question pool: https://apc-cap.ic.gc.ca/datafiles/amateur_basic_questions_en.PDF

And here is an exam generator that will allow you take practice tests: Amateur radio exam generator

A good idea would be to reach out to a local amateur radio club. Many offer classes that help you study. There are many in Ontario. Here's one for central Toronto Central Toronto Amateur Radio Club