Yaesu: Yaesu FTM-150RASP

[10-43]

I am looking at the new FTM-150RASP as maybe my next VHF/UHF mobile.

The features are impressive, but I cannot figure out a couple of things that interest me. I downloaded the programming software from Yaesu, but it is very buggy.

I am interested in the expanded receive. Besides using it in the 2 meter and 70 cm bands, I hope to use it for aircraft receive. It is clear it receives AM mode 118-137 MHz, but I want to also receive 225 - 400 Mhz AM mode. Does anyone own one of these that can comment on VHF and UHF aircraft AM mode receive performance?

 

[rf_patriot200]

I am looking at the new FTM-150RASP as maybe my next VHF/UHF mobile.

The features are impressive, but I cannot figure out a couple of things that interest me. I downloaded the programming software from Yaesu, but it is very buggy.

I am interested in the expanded receive. Besides using it in the 2 meter and 70 cm bands, I hope to use it for aircraft receive. It is clear it receives AM mode 118-137 MHz, but I want to also receive 225 - 400 Mhz AM mode. Does anyone own one of these that can comment on VHF and UHF aircraft AM mode receive performance?

Yaesu's software can be sketchy depending on the model, and RT Systems software makes it smooth sailing, however I don't know anyone who's bought one yet. Maybe youtube has some reviews on it .

 

[10-43]

Yaesu's software can be sketchy depending on the model, and RT Systems software makes it smooth sailing, however I don't know anyone who's bought one yet. Maybe youtube has some reviews on it .

I have not found a Youtube yet that covers my question. RT Systems is certainly better, but I don't want to invest in software for a radio I may not buy.

 

[k6cpo]

I have not found a Youtube yet that covers my question. RT Systems is certainly better, but I don't want to invest in software for a radio I may not buy.

Make your purchase based on the features of the radio and impressions by those that may have used one. There are a number of Yaesu-oriented Facebook pages that John Kruk, the Yaesu USA Rep, regularly participates in. You might try looking for one of those to gain more information on the radio before purchasing. Only after you've hit the buy button should you look at programming software. It's always a good thing to learn how to hand program your radio in case you have to enter or change something on the fly and you're away from your computer.

 

[chief21]

The following link will download a copy of the product brochure for the FTM-150Rasp. According to the listed specs, the radio can receive some of your frequencies of interest. While the listings show sensitivity specs and mode, it does not indicate if the mode can be changed.

174-222 MHz FM
300-336 MHz AM
336-420 MHz FM

https://www.yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=18091&FileCatID=149&FileName=FTM%2D150RE%5Fcatalog%5F2412.pdf&FileContentType=application%2Fpdf

 

[10-43]

I have reviewed the specs. What is uncertain is if and how AM mode can be applied. From what I can read, one can assume any frequency that can be received and programmed in memory can be set to AM mode. I was hoping someone could confirm this. I have little inteterest in this specific radio over others unless it can.

 

[chief21]

If you're anywhere near Orlando, Hamcation is active until tomorrow afternoon. Yaesu has a corporate display there, along with several company experts. For what it's worth, I have a few Yaesu radios and I think that all of them are able to change the mode on an extended receive frequency.

 

[10-43]

If you're anywhere near Orlando, Hamcation is active until tomorrow afternoon. Yaesu has a corporate display there, along with several company experts. For what it's worth, I have a few Yaesu radios and I think that all of them are able to change the mode on an extended receive frequency.

I wish I were near Orlando. We wont be in Florida until maybe May. Still planning. But that will be Marathon. Far from Orlando. The keys are a very rich military aviation monitoring environment.