New ham seeks suggestions on HTs without too many bells & whistles

[footage]

I've been scanning for 45 years and often use professional equipment (and a VX-8R) for Rx only. A few years back I got my Tech ticket and now would like to operate, but that VX-8R is so darn complicated. I don't want to start handheld operation with a unit where every key has four or five functions and there are many dozens of auxiliary menus. I think of the old Bearcat scanners, where you entered a freq plus ENTER and you were there. Is there a robust, well-designed dual band or triband HT that I can use without carrying a Mini-Manual around?

Yes, I know it's not quite that simple, and that many settings are essential, but maybe there's something...

 

[iMONITOR]

Icom IC-T70A-05
https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0070.html

IC-T70 Video Demonstration
https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0070video1.html

 

[62Truck]

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-007323

 

[W8RMH]

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0065.html

 

[jaspence]

The Yaesu FT-60R is one of the best dual band radios. It is not near as difficult as the VX-8R to program and has very good reviews. https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4286

 

[iMONITOR]

How is Yaesu's customer service these days?

 

[wyShack]

I would also suggest the ft-60R. Dual band, no frills, just the basics. 20 minutes with the manual and you will have the basics down. Frequency, offset, tone and power level form the keyboard-my kind of handheld for basic FM on 2 and 70 cm. Will scan Air and analog VHF hi and UHF-not very fast.

73

 

[scanmanmi]

Just out of curiousity I picked up a Baofeng UV82HP and like it a lot. The squelch tail is horrific but otherwise works great. The HP means high power and I'm measuring 8 watts on high. Power may not be a big deal when you're close but I have found there are a lot (most) repeaters I can't get into with only 4 or 5 watts. It has free software so you can program it all on a PC. It doubles as a slow scanner also. It will transmit on any frequency so be careful

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Just my two cents, but I agree with either of the Yaesu radios or Icom radios. The Kenwood radios seem to be feature rich. I would stay away from the CCR's since this will be your main radio. I have owned several CCR's and have problems with all of them.

 

[robertmac]

How is Yaesu's customer service these days?

No idea, never had to use them. Having a VX-8R would go with others here and recommend the FT-60. Have not had the need to buy one of Yaesu's recent offerings so can't comment on them.

 

[chief21]

FT-60 is a solid radio. An inexpensive dual band that is easy to operate. Still a current product, they have been around for a long time.

- John AC4JK

 

[RogueSteward]

I just got the FT-60R as my first radio on Friday. I initially wanted a different transceiver but the local HAM salesperson steered me to the FT-60R. I've been running it for almost two days on RX only and it still has quite a bit of battery life using the AA battery cradle and some 2000 mAh rechargeable batteries. It has taken me a few hours of using the manual and programming the radio but I think I have it down pretty good now. Quite a bit of time was spent entering in repeaters and frequencies into the memory banks for scanning. I like the VFO scan feature. I still have quite a bit to learn about it but I am having a lot of fun. Overall, I am very happy with this radio and am enjoying all the nice features. I'm glad the salesman convinced me to get it.

 

[GrumpyGuard]

Congratulations. May you have years of enjoyment with it.

 

[captainmax1]

I like the Yaesu and Icom equiptment. They both use the same RT Systems programming software which is nice. Go to Universal Radio or other and get a $100 or so 2 meter with 70cm handheld. I have the VX-8DR and it is complicated but it is a 4 band handheld with a lot of features I hardly ever use. It is very small and does a full 5 watts. Would have never bought it without programing software being available. .

 

[footage]

Thank you for all of this good advice. I'm leaning toward the FT-60R.

 

[zuren]

How is Yaesu's customer service these days?

My VX-7R had problems the other week and I tracked it down to bad filters in the radio. A phone call direct to Yaesu USA had a couple filters on their way for $5 (shipping was more than the parts). I did the repair myself, so cannot comment on any repair services they offer but I was happy/impressed they still support an 11 year old radio.

 

[lmrtek]

The only radios that were easy to program and operate via the key pad were made 30 years ago.
..............
Today if you don't use software, most are a pain in the neck.

 

[rufust]

What do people think of the FT-65R ? I see it can be bought for $119.00.