[W8MWA] FTM-3200DR Information

[Cory Sickles]

I'm doing a cut & paste of a posting I made to a Yahoo group.  It may help explain what the transceiver is and isn't...
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I also have a recently-acquired FTM-3200DR.  As there seems to be some confusion over what it does and doesn't "do", let me see if I can quickly clarify.

It does operate in both analog and digital.  It does support AMS.  It does allow you to talk digitally through a networked repeater.  It does display the received station's callsign and the repeater's callsign - alternating between the two.  It does transmit your callsign.  It has a cooling fan that keeps things at a reasonable temperature - even during longer QSO's at full power.  It does have the "courtesy beep".  It does have excellent audio.  Ii does have a mini USB jack for firmware updates.  It is impressive for what's in the package - especially given the price.  The simplicity of the user interface would make it attractive for a ham who is sight-impaired.

It does not support GPS-driven location and direction data.  It does not have a menu entry to allow you to force in a set of static coordinates.  It does receive "Voice Wide" digital, but only transmits narrow.  It does not have a 10 or 6 pin "data" connector, thus it is not suitable as a node transceiver.  It does not have a micro SD card slot, so it can't be programmed that way, nor is it going to store pictures that pass its way.  It does not support the camera mike.  It does not support selecting which room you want to use on a networked repeater, from the microphone keys.  It does not have an altimeter or clock.  The high-contrast display color choice is black characters on an amber background.  There are no other choices.

If you want all of the frills of an FTM-400DR, buy one.  If you want a dual-band unit that can be used as a DV node, then get the FTM-100DR.  If you simply need a VHF-only, 65W, basic, solid transceiver to join the digital domain, then buy the FTM-3200DR.  At a street price of $180, you can't (IMHO) beat it.

I'm glad I got mine.

Cory Sickles - WA3UVV