KB2GOM
Active Member
The repeater (146.94) on which I run the Capital District Commuter Assistance Net -- Commuter Assistance Net -- has a 440 twin (448.425), and the two repeaters are linked. My inexpensive Chinese dual-bander produces muffled audio on 440, so I went on the hunt for a “better” dual bander.
Several people on RR have praised the Yaesu FT-60R. When I went looking for one three weeks ago, I couldn’t find one immediately available, so I went for the Yaesu VX-6R. It’s small, dual-band (but not dual receive), has 900 memories with 6-digit alpha tags and 24 memory banks, and wideband receive. Even more important to me, it is extremely ruggedly built (made in Japan with a magnesium case, no less, and gaskets on all openings) and weather resistant (it meets some Japanese standard that means it can survive being submerged for 30 minutes, which is longer than I can survive submerged.) Recently recertified as a Skywarn Spotter, I thought weather resistance might someday come in handy.
I called the Ham Radio Outlet store in Salem, NH; a fellow named Jim answered, and he had my package on the way that very day. Along with the VX-6R, I purchased the AA battery pack, N6FN’s Nifty Mini Manual for the VX-6R, and the RT Systems software and cable for programming the VX-6R.
The VX-6R is a highly capable radio that has more built-in tricks than a magician’s convention. The operating manual runs to 108 pages, and it is actually pretty well written. One of the most useful things for the outright newbie is the keypad chart on pages 6 and 7.
The Nifty Mini Manual is the thing to throw in your pack when you are out and about. It is 16 pages and laminated. I found the list of Set Mode functions on pages 15 and 16 particularly helpful. It’s worth the money, in my view.
The absolute best “accessory” I purchased with the VX-6R is the RT system programming software and cable. It makes programming the 6R quick and easy, adding alpha tags to channels and banks. With only 6 digits for alpha tagging, you sometimes have to get creative with naming, but the software worked perfectly on the first try, and when I asked an email question of RT Systems technical support on a Saturday, I got a very informative reply that day. Well done, RT systems!
Testing the 6R initially on the air on two meters, I got reports that my transmit audio was a little soft. Fortunately, there is a microphone gain adjustment, and the audio was soon pronounced to be excellent, although not quite as sharp as my Icom V80.
A couple of days after purchasing the 6R, I ordered a Diamond SRH320A antenna, in part because it had been recommended for the 6R and also because someone on RR said it was a superior antenna for military air monitoring. In comparison testing against a Diamond SRH77CA, the 77 did a better job of bringing up the 440 repeater, so the 77 stays on the VX-6R and the SRH320A now lives on my Uniden 396T scanner.
One thing that surprised me about the VX-6R is how fast it scans. I programmed 28 ham frequencies into one bank, and when I enable the scan function, the alpha tags go by in a blur. The 6R has several scan functions, including one for scanning a single bank, another for scanning all the memories on the radio, and another for linking a couple of banks together for scanning.
Are there any negatives? Yes, a couple of small ones. I am not desperately thrilled with the plug-into-the-side-of-the-radio charger that comes with the 6R. Eventually, I think I will spring for the drop-in charger, which is not included with the radio and is, apparently, faster. Second, accessing different memory banks require pressing two buttons and rotating a knob. It can get a little fiddly if you don’t get the timing right.
I haven’t begun to explore all the things the Yaesu VX-6R can do. So far, I find it to be capable, well-built, and useful. I would recommend it to a friend.
Several people on RR have praised the Yaesu FT-60R. When I went looking for one three weeks ago, I couldn’t find one immediately available, so I went for the Yaesu VX-6R. It’s small, dual-band (but not dual receive), has 900 memories with 6-digit alpha tags and 24 memory banks, and wideband receive. Even more important to me, it is extremely ruggedly built (made in Japan with a magnesium case, no less, and gaskets on all openings) and weather resistant (it meets some Japanese standard that means it can survive being submerged for 30 minutes, which is longer than I can survive submerged.) Recently recertified as a Skywarn Spotter, I thought weather resistance might someday come in handy.
I called the Ham Radio Outlet store in Salem, NH; a fellow named Jim answered, and he had my package on the way that very day. Along with the VX-6R, I purchased the AA battery pack, N6FN’s Nifty Mini Manual for the VX-6R, and the RT Systems software and cable for programming the VX-6R.
The VX-6R is a highly capable radio that has more built-in tricks than a magician’s convention. The operating manual runs to 108 pages, and it is actually pretty well written. One of the most useful things for the outright newbie is the keypad chart on pages 6 and 7.
The Nifty Mini Manual is the thing to throw in your pack when you are out and about. It is 16 pages and laminated. I found the list of Set Mode functions on pages 15 and 16 particularly helpful. It’s worth the money, in my view.
The absolute best “accessory” I purchased with the VX-6R is the RT system programming software and cable. It makes programming the 6R quick and easy, adding alpha tags to channels and banks. With only 6 digits for alpha tagging, you sometimes have to get creative with naming, but the software worked perfectly on the first try, and when I asked an email question of RT Systems technical support on a Saturday, I got a very informative reply that day. Well done, RT systems!
Testing the 6R initially on the air on two meters, I got reports that my transmit audio was a little soft. Fortunately, there is a microphone gain adjustment, and the audio was soon pronounced to be excellent, although not quite as sharp as my Icom V80.
A couple of days after purchasing the 6R, I ordered a Diamond SRH320A antenna, in part because it had been recommended for the 6R and also because someone on RR said it was a superior antenna for military air monitoring. In comparison testing against a Diamond SRH77CA, the 77 did a better job of bringing up the 440 repeater, so the 77 stays on the VX-6R and the SRH320A now lives on my Uniden 396T scanner.
One thing that surprised me about the VX-6R is how fast it scans. I programmed 28 ham frequencies into one bank, and when I enable the scan function, the alpha tags go by in a blur. The 6R has several scan functions, including one for scanning a single bank, another for scanning all the memories on the radio, and another for linking a couple of banks together for scanning.
Are there any negatives? Yes, a couple of small ones. I am not desperately thrilled with the plug-into-the-side-of-the-radio charger that comes with the 6R. Eventually, I think I will spring for the drop-in charger, which is not included with the radio and is, apparently, faster. Second, accessing different memory banks require pressing two buttons and rotating a knob. It can get a little fiddly if you don’t get the timing right.
I haven’t begun to explore all the things the Yaesu VX-6R can do. So far, I find it to be capable, well-built, and useful. I would recommend it to a friend.
