[K3PZN-List] A Pretty Darned Good Little Radio

Thu, 21 Nov 2002 16:33:43 -0500

I also have a VX-5R, and I bought the Silver model just to be different. 
I got it in late late June (sometime between my graduation and vacation),
and haven't had a problem with it.  I can hit all the CCARC repeaters
with it, but depending on weather I can have trouble with the 6 meter
(ask N3VOP).  I live in Union Bridge, about 10 miles away.  It's a
compact full-powered radio HT which to me makes up for some of the
shortcomings.

I have tried to use the VX-5R for various monitoring purposes such as
AM/FM/SW broadcasting, NOAA weather, police monitoring, and the like.  On
AM and SW, with the rubber duckie antenna reception is atrocious at best.
 I have 5,000 watter WGOP 700 just 10 miles from my home and I can't
listen to it on the VX-5R.  And except for the powerhouse broadcasters
like WWCR, SW is just as bad.  Thats probably why the thing doesn't have
SSB.  One time I did try to hook up the radio to my longwire antenna, and
the thing overloaded.  And for FM and TV audio, I think the wide-FM
setting is too wide.  So obviously not a radio for broadcast listening.

But amateur performance is great.  Audio sounds good from reports, and
with the purchase of a flexible whip antenna my signal gets out.  Along
with the VX-5R, I also have a VX-150 2M HT, the FT-7100M dual-band
mobile, and the FT-840 HF rig.  All my rigs up to now have been Yaesu,
and have never had a problem.

-Travers KB3HNO

On Thu, 21 Nov 2002 12:37:51 -0500 "Al Bisasky" <[email protected]>
writes:
> Those of you who know me, know that I am not a big fan of Yaesu.  I 
> have
> owned two Yaesu radios, neither of which I was particularly fond of 
> nor
> satisfied with.  The FT-727 HT that I owned was one of the first 
> examples of
> a dual-band HT.  Over a period of two years, the radio was sent back 
> to
> Yaesu four times for repair.  Twice, the radio had to be sent back 
> because
> even though the original problem was fixed, the unit was returned to 
> me with
> yet another trouble.  Fix one, break two more.  I finally just gave 
> up on
> the thing and bought a Kenwood.  The FT-757 HF rig that I bought on 
> a
> dealers "special" (I may have the model number incorrect) was DOA 
> and
> promptly sent back to the dealer.
> 
> The turn around time for repairs was terrible.  The last time that I 
> send in
> the HT, it took over four months to get it back.  Telephone calls to 
> the
> service center were fruitless.  I found the Yaesu personnel to be 
> rude and
> technically incompetent.  After that, I didn't have a warm and fuzzy 
> feeling
> about Yaesu.  I have heard the war stories from various and sundry 
> hams
> about the DOA's, lack of quality control, flawed designs, and 
> problems with
> service.  I swore that I wouldn't have another Yaesu radio if 
> someone gave
> it to me.
> 
> As luck would have it (or not), I won the door prize at our hamfest 
> this
> past October.  It was a Yaesu VX-5R Tri-band HT, although I'm not so 
> sure
> that it was a "lucky win" in view of all the teasing and harrassment 
> that
> I've had to put up with because of it.  I was not initially 
> impressed with
> the unit, especially since it had no RF output on two meters.  Brand 
> new and
> I had to send it back for repair!  So much for Yaesu quality (or 
> lack
> thereof) control.  I expected to get in back in no less than 3 - 6 
> months.
> I sent it back by priority mail.  Much to my surprise, a mere 12 
> days later,
> I received the radio back from Yaesu.  The repair ticket stated that 
> they
> had replaced a diode at a labor cost of $70.00.  There was no actual 
> charge
> for the repairs under warranty.
> 
> Am I pleased?  Have I softened my stance on Yaesu?  Yes and no.  The
> incident is proof positive that Yaesu still hasn't gotten their 
> quality
> control act together, but it is reassuring to see that their 
> customer
> service has improved.  I must admit that after the two times that I 
> have
> operated WX3B's Yaesu FT-1000MP, I'm mightly impressed with this rig 
> as a
> true top-of-the-line DX/contest machine.
> 
> What do I think of the VX-5 now that it works properly?  I have to 
> admit
> that I am more than a little impressed.  It is very compact and full
> featured.  The construction is robust.  It's receiver is "hot" for 
> an HT.
> The Lithium-Ion battery delivers a long operating period and 
> recharges in a
> few hours.  The unit allows for both receive and transmit power 
> saver
> options.  I do like the fact that the antenna (with SMA connector, 
> no less)
> can be shortened from 6m-2m-70cm to just 2m and 70cm. There is a 
> plethora of
> our little features/options that increase the radios versitility.
> 
> The quality of the audio output is surprising good for an HT; even 
> at high
> volume levels there is very little distortion. Once you get the hang 
> of the
> thing, programming is relatively easy. I find it to me easier to set 
> up than
> my Kenwood TH-79A.  The manual for the rig is better than average 
> and on par
> with the manuals from Icom, although in my opinion, fall short of 
> those from
> Kenwood.  I would suggest that even tyros take the time to read the 
> manual
> in detail.  The radio is PC programmable, if you are willing to 
> spend $40+
> for the software and cable.
> 
> I have found that the mic gain is a little too hot for my preference 
> and you
> have to be careful of how you "talk" the thing.  The Li-Ion battery 
> is a big
> improvement over Ni-Cads and NiMH units, although it does make the 
> radio a
> bit heavy for its size.  A spare 7.2V, 1100ma Li-Ion battery will 
> cost you
> $80.00 and no after market third party units are available as yet.
> 
> Overall, I'd give it a "7" on a scale of "10".  It seems to be a 
> darned good
> little radio.  Had I actually been in the market for an HT and 
> chosen a
> Yaesu, it would have been the VX-5R's big brother, the VX-7R.  My 
> opinion of
> Yaesu has changed, although not with regard to their quality 
> control.
> 
> I would like to hear other thoughts/opinions of other Yaesu owners 
> in
> general and VX-5R or VX-7R owners in particular.  Or, you could just 
> send me
> e-mail harrassing me about winning the thing at the hamfest.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Al, K3ZE
> 
> 
>
-----------------------------------------------------BREAK---------------
----------------------------------
> 
> Next meeting is the CCARC Holiday Dinner Sunday, December 8, 5-8 PM 
> at Boulevard & Beyond (Wilhelm's.)
> _______
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> Club
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> 

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