Yaesu: Help - Another Newbie - Yaesu FT70D

[Nocall95]

Studying for technician license in USA and just picked up this radio as my starter. On Fusion WIRES repeater and have several nodes (5 rooms) saved. Not a lot of action but digital sure sounds good. I am listen only at this point. Have NOAA weather band.

Have found 1 FM analog repeater near me and have gotten on it. Can’t figure out how to save it and no voice action at all.

Interested in hearing ISS, local emergency comms, anything else cool that you guys recommend.

Appreciate your patience - tons of YouTube’s but haven’t found many good ones. Grateful for any links or recommendations.

 

[K4EET]

Hi @Nocall95 and welcome to Radio Reference.

I see that you are about 25 miles north of Dallas. Using that information with the Radio Reference database as well as Repeater Book, you have plenty of things that you can listen to on your Yaesu FT-70DR. Click on those two links.

Not all repeaters will be busy. The most active times for Amateur Radio repeaters is during the morning and evening rush hour.

As for the International Space Station (ISS), I have accessed that ham repeater as well. Do you need information on how to listen to the ISS or have you already found that via Googling?

Keep us posted on your status with obtaining your Technician Class License. Best wishes! Let us here at Radio Reference know if you have any questions.

73, Dave K4EET

 

[K4EET]

<snip>

Have found 1 FM analog repeater near me and have gotten on it. Can’t figure out how to save it and no voice action at all.

<snip>

Not sure why you cannot save the FM analog repeater. Which one are you trying to save? Basically you do almost the same thing you did for saving the repeaters that have WIRES-X capability. Could you please be more specific in exactly where you are having difficulties? Thanks!

73, Dave K4EET

<edit> For memory functions, check pages 24, 25, and 26 in the main FT-70 DR Operating Manual. Click on the “Files” tab and the manual is the second document.

 

[kg4ehv]

Welcome, good luck getting your ticket. Its a great hobby. FT-70d is a nice HT.

 

[kb1fua]

@Nocall95
That's a great talkie! Once you get the hang of it, you will enjoy it.
K4EET attached a great link. I would program as much as you can in it to get used to it. Practice, practice...
Now get that test done so you can chew the fat!

 

[k6cpo]

Studying for technician license in USA and just picked up this radio as my starter. On Fusion WIRES repeater and have several nodes (5 rooms) saved. Not a lot of action but digital sure sounds good. I am listen only at this point. Have NOAA weather band.

Have found 1 FM analog repeater near me and have gotten on it. Can’t figure out how to save it and no voice action at all.

Interested in hearing ISS, local emergency comms, anything else cool that you guys recommend.

Appreciate your patience - tons of YouTube’s but haven’t found many good ones. Grateful for any links or recommendations.

The manual gives instructions about how to manually save a repeater in the radio. if you have a lot of repeaters to enter, I'd recommend the software from RT Systems. I just bought an FT-70DR myself and the free Yaesu software wants you to load a driver for the radio in your computer. I already had a working RT cable so I added the FT-70 software to my collection.

As far as YouTube videos are concerned, you have to filter them carefully. Way too many are made by people that just want to hear themselves talk, think they are the next Steven Spielberg or have absolutely no clue about what it actually takes to make a good video. Too many are recorded with a call phone held in the hand and narrated with no script or rehearsal.

 

[rf_patriot200]

The FT70D is a Great little HT, and shines if you like listening to civilian and military aircraft, as it will do Both in AM and with the correct frequency steps!

 

[mrweather]

Yep, it's a nice little handheld. I wish the battery life were longer.

 

[kb1fua]

Yep, it's a nice little handheld. I wish the battery life were longer.

I have heard others with low battery life problems, fortunately I have not had that issue.
I strictly use mine for YSF thru my pi-star hotspot, so it is mostly on low power. It will last for a full 15 to 20 hrs with moderate tx. If just to rx, it will last 24 hrs, maybe a bit more.
edit/
I also purchased an aftermarket drop in charger that will charge during rx. It has helped when going on vacation, for mobile/portable use.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Yep, it's a nice little handheld. I wish the battery life were longer.

Batteries America does offer a slightly larger capacity battery ? It's 2200mah. and a optional Faster Drop in charger.

 

[Nocall95]

Yep, it's a nice little handheld. I wish the battery life were longer.

Hear ya. Added a second battery and rapid charger. Lots to learn and you guys are the best!

 

[kb1fua]

Hang in there! Get that ticket! Lots of fun!
Someday, maybe we can connect on Fusion!
But don't stop there...get your General and keep growing!!