Icom A25 or Yaesu FTA - 850

[Sprint]

I am considering one of these aviation handhelds. Does anyone on this forum have experience with this option ? Looking to use as primarily a base receiver with an outdoor OmniX antenna. I would think that compared to the BC125 or 436 using a dedicated radio would produce better results ? I have not owned the IC30 or DV10. I use the BC996 and it seems to work well. Not expecting miracles but in theory a dedicated receiver vs. wideband may produce superior results ?

I welcome your opinions and experiences.
Cheers
Chris

 

[Ravenfalls]

Icom A25 my favorite. Icom has better receiver.

On both, have adjust squelch back if your inside by RF.

Icom software is a paid along with the cord being extra. Yaesu included everything.

Yaesu FTA 450, very unhappy with its performance. Aircraft can't hear me. Sent it to Yaesu twice & they can't figure it out. My guess is the waterproofing blocking audio?

With FTA 450 issues, most likely not go or recommend with the FTA 850.

Software wise, like Icom better than Yaesu.

 

[Sprint]

I appreciate your feedback, Ravenfalls. Sounds like the transmit audio is weak ? How was it on the receive ? Do you attach an external antenna or use the stock whip ?

 

[Ravenfalls]

All stock antenna. Icom has a slightly better receiver. Squelch about 4 or 5 on both radios. For the extra 100 channels, the Yaesu looks appealing.

Usability, both radios very close. Moving in & out menu items, entering a frequency in VFO & going back to memory all setup well.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I have not owned the IC30 or DV10. I use the BC996 and it seems to work well.

I own the DV10 it's an OK performer on air band. My IC-R20 blows the DV10 out of the water here. Can't speak for the models you inquired about in the subject line so I'll leave it at that

 

[footage]

I bought the FTA-450 and quickly put it down. Then I tried the A-25C (which uses disposable batteries that last quite a long time). The Yaesu is not nearly as sensitive as the A-25, and picks up much more AC noise. I recommend the Icom.

 

[xms3200]

I own the Icon IC-A25C (Comm only).....I have never looked further, excellent sensitivity and nice big display.

 

[Kiniutech]

Rexon Anyone, 10 Best Aviation Handheld Radios Reviewed & Rated in 2022

 

[krokus]

Rexon Anyone, 10 Best Aviation Handheld Radios Reviewed & Rated in 2022

The link for Rexon shows not in stock, with unknown return date. Here is the manufacturer's website.

Two-way Radio | Two-way Radio Manufacturer | Rexon

Manufacturer of Two-way Radio. Rexon Technology Co., Ltd has over 30 years of technical capabilities in designing superior quality of radios. Rexon is a high-quality Walkie Talkie, Aviation Radio, Professional Two-Way Radio, FRS Radio, DMR Two-Way Radio, Amateur Two-Way Radio, Two-Way Mobile...

www.rexontec.com.tw

They sound like they take pride in their products. No mention of having a TSO, despite aiming some models of aviation radios at the US market.

 

[Scan125]

I have a Yaesu FTA-250L and am very impressed with it.

It is rugged (uses alloy chassis) with tough casing and its waterproof. Comments about it lacks of a squelch knob are fair but once one has set the squelch (by menu) in any given operation location then there is little or no need to adjust it.

My one criticism of the FTA-250L and Yaesu is that there is no published command API and I have no luck from Yaesu UK, US or Japan in obtaining any API command information even if signing a legally binding conf. agreement.

For me this is very disappointing as I was hoping to develop a Control Program (Like Scan125/75 and DriveR8).

Yaesu do provide software (YCE16) for programming memory locations in the FTA-250 but was hoping to go well beyond that simple capability. I can also see the commands for this on the USB interface so could do my own memory programming software but "Please Sir Can I have More" ........ "MORE!"

VERY frustrating!

 

[N3CI]

Icon A25C has been my choice for some time. Very sensitive receiver, easy programming with good information on the display, and long lasting batteries. Had a Yaesu that was less across the board.

 

[RadioRX]

Yaesu FTA-850 AirBand Transceiver - Remarks

Have no previous experience with AirBand receivers or transceivers, only for the purpose of receiving AM modulation - no FM, WFM, SSB, CW etc.

Was looking for a radio with the sole purpose of receiving AM in the civil aviation frequency range, so was a choice for me between Yaesu and ICOM, since I have good experience with both Yaesu and ICOM previously.

And the Yaesu FTA-850 it now is.

But must must admit from the first couple of days owning this radio, I wish I've bought anoter model / brand.
A bit of a disappointment the FTA-850 I have to say.

*** Remarks ... ***

*** Positive ...

- Nice large color display.
- Antenna connector is BNC.
- Separate Squelch button.
- Separate connection for data / USB cable, no adapter or other cables needed.
- Comes with adapter for headset, and possible to have a dedicated PTT switch.
- Comes with USB programming cable, even though it is the ancient and terrible Micro-USB standard.
- Comes with cigarette-lighter cable to provide charging and receive capability in the car.
- Comes with a cassette for alkaline batteries which comes in handy when charging the lithium battery is not available.
- Feels like a radio, has a bit of weigh to it and feels good in the hand.
- PTT can be disabled when used for receiving only.

*** Not so positive really ...

- Display and keyboard never turns off, always on /dimmed - no setting to have the display / keyboard off when no signal is received.
- Volume can't be turned all the way down, on lowest level, noise is heard in the speaker when squelch is open or signal received on frequency / channel.
- Charging cradle / pod can't hold a battery for charging - unless it's installed in the radio, so no way of charging extra batteries while using the radio - problematic when having spare batteries.
- Problem using the YCE46 CPS to read / write data from / to thenradio.
Receiving the error message "Timeout!! (FirmVer)" when trying to communicate with the radio through the USB cable with the YCE46 CPS.
Tried from Windows 10 Enterprise 64bit and Windows 7 Pro 64bit - receiving the same error message.
Have tried different speed setting for the COM-Port (Serial USB driver installed together with the YCE46 CPS, during the installation process).
Problematic when having to program more than 300 channels with coordinates into the radio.
No other error messages received.
- There's no Microphone Gain setting available, neither in the CPS or in the radio.
- There's no RSSI type indicator or bar type indication of received signal level.
There's only a BUSY indicator shown when a signal is received.
- The USB socket in the radio - is Micro-USB.
Who installs Micro-USB in anything in 2021 ...
(Year from the firmware in the FTA-850).

 

[AlexWelt]

The problem with the "Timed out" error is that the REgional settings in the Windows OS are different than the U.S.
Take a look at the message from the Yaesu tech department.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Try running Windows in English (US).



We have found a strange phenomenon involving YCE46 and Windows 10/11. It seems when a user is using Windows set to the English (US) language YCE46 works with no problem, but it seems when users are using any other language i.e., German, French, etc. YCE46 will not recognize the radio, this is being looked at by the engineering dept but for now, I can only suggest you use Windows with English (US) as its default language until a more permanent solution can be found.



Best regards,

Endaf Buckley
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Echo4Thirty]

I too HIGHLY recommend the IC-A25. I have had several Yaesus and in every case, the Icoms perform better. I upgraded from the IC-A24 and it was solid as well.

 

[spanky15805]

Sprint, if you really want a primary base receiver, look for a used ITT/Park Air CAVU-2100 receiver and be done.

 

[xms3200]

I had a chance to use a brand new Uniden BC125AT and compare it to the Icom A25C which I have. Everything about the Icom is better, except for the close call feature that the BC125AT has. But then again, the Icom is a transceiver.

 

[RadioRX]

The problem with the "Timed out" error is that the REgional settings in the Windows OS are different than the U.S.
Take a look at the message from the Yaesu tech department.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Try running Windows in English (US).



We have found a strange phenomenon involving YCE46 and Windows 10/11. It seems when a user is using Windows set to the English (US) language YCE46 works with no problem, but it seems when users are using any other language i.e., German, French, etc. YCE46 will not recognize the radio, this is being looked at by the engineering dept but for now, I can only suggest you use Windows with English (US) as its default language until a more permanent solution can be found.



Best regards,

Endaf Buckley
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you. 👍🏻
Changed the regional settings on a Windows 7 laptop, and managed to program my FTA-850. 🙂

The FTA-850 sounds great, good speaker, and considering it usually stands indoor on the coffee table, it's receiving pretty well.

Found that my ASUS router was creating constant interference, like someone sitting with a whistle, whenever the radio receives a signal.

Mainly bought the radio for having an AM radio for listening to civil aviation and to keep it on the local tower frequency.

Have an older Uniden UBC3500XLT, where I'm using the same model of antenna as used on the FTA-850.

 

[majoco]

For a supposed technical review, there's a whole load of rubbish in this one...

10 Best Aviation Handheld Radios Reviewed & Rated in 2022

Especially as it was 'fact checked' - Written by R. Pennington / Fact checked by R. Combs

For example: This handheld aviation radio requires 5W for its output transceiver.
It is amazing how this aviation handheld radio can adapt with a cigarette lighter.
.... for power supply and charging of 110VAC and 120VDC. (12.0VDC I'll believe!)
Uses 800mW for a loud inner speaker.
As it is a two-way communication device, the VHF radio is ideal for the transceiver.
...and as a final blooper...
You would not have to worry about getting a license to operate this radio as it only provides channel scanning in the frequency range from 108 to 136.975 MHz. This radio kit also includes an antenna for enhanced transceiver power.

I suspect this is a translation from Japanese via Google Translate or similar.

 

[mass-man]

An Icom A25 here also...I find the scan speed much slower than any scanner! But if it's for only the local tower frequency, not a thing!!!!