I've been using my FT1D for about a year and have had several digital QSO's, both simplex and through repeaters. I travel all over the USA and use RepeaterBook.com to find local Fusion repeaters. Unfortunately it's not kept up to date as well as it could be so I also have to keep up in the Yahoo groups to find new repeaters.
http://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/niche/index.php?mode=YSF
Last week I was on a layover in Orlando and connected to AES's VHF Wires-X Node. Pretty slick. I was able to download and listen to recorded C4FM voice messages, and leave one of my own. Also text messages. It's sort of like the AX25 packet BBS but with added features, like voice and image uploading and downloading. And through a Node you can talk to someone via VOIP.
https://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/wires-x/index.php
The FT-1D is a feature packed HT. It will receive many other frequency bands and it does it very well.
It's a solid, well built HT. Even if I didn't use it for the digital capability, I still feel it's a decent value. If it would work on 220, it'd be perfect! I also use the APRS function when I think about it.
The stock rubber duck is pretty marginal, as expected. I use a Jetstream JT776SMA antenna when I really need to use the HT to it's fullest.
