[Yaesu] VX5R/VX7R question

[Zoltan Bordas]

  >I have a couple of questions about these HTs.  The
  >first concerns the antennas.  I know that there is an
  >extension you put on for 6 meters.  Are you able to
  >transmit on 2 meters also with this extension? Or is
  >that strictly out?  It seems that it would be nice to
  >be able to monitor 1 6 meter frequency and 1 2 meter
  >frequency, and switch to either one and transmit
  >without having to change antennas.  My Icom T8 and T81
  >used to allow that.
  >
  >Also, for those of you who have used both models, is
  >the VX7R worth the extra money over the VX5R?  It
  >seems like the waterproof case and dual receive would
  >be nice.  Not sure how useful 300mw on 220 is, but it
  >is better than nothing.  Any other big differences
  >that make the VX7R a better buy?
  >
  >73s John NE0P

Hello John,

I own a VX-5R since 2 years, and a VX-7R since almost two weeks. It was
brougt to me from Austria, it is a EXP / B2 version.

I had very limited time to play with it, and I have only preliminary
conclusions. I put the here in random order:
- little bigger than the VX-5R, and a little "PMR look" due to the =
rubber
bumpers. I like the VX-5R (black) look more, I wanted a black VX-75 too, =
but
I understood is not more produced, I don't know the truth, but mine is
silver
- quality of the voice of VX-7 is good, but the VX-5 is better ( =
noticeable
at WFM broadcast reception). I simply wonder how the has a so good sound
from that small speaker and small case.
- the strobe light LED is too strong especially nighttime, and lights
straight in the eyes. It would be better the VX-5 LED solution in the =
front
as on the VX-7. But probably designers had other functions in mind.
- much more memory which is good. Initially I thought 200 locations on =
the
VX-5 will almost never filled all, but this is not true, I was inclined =
to
memorize all interesting frequencies.
- much more functions. Finally a transceiver with a built-in clock. I =
did
not figured out the alarm function of it yet. I was wondering all time =
why a
clock was not included in most of the transceivers, base SW transceivers
included. In fact I don't know if such one exists.
- better, few millimeters bigger display, better resolution. I did not
noticed the flicker appeared newly on the newsgroup, I will check.
- I did not got the accessories yet, because in Austria they were not in
stock last week, so I did not hooked it to the computer, the VX/5R cable
does not fit and I did not wanted to grind the connector of the ADMS =
cable.
- it is more complex then the 5, and somewhat difficult to operate some
functions which were single-button command and now is two-button =
command.
I.e. scan is performed on the VX-7 with F button and SCAN button, =
instead of
one push-and-hold the SCAN on the VX-5.=20

So my preliminary "final" conclusion is that I do not regret I buyed the
VX-7R, it is a newer radio with lots of good functions, but some =
functions
could be made better.

Rgarding the 6m antenna question, transmission on 2m with the 6m antenna
extension is possible, as the manual says:
"When operating the VX-7R on the 50 MHz band and lower frequencies,
disconnect the antenna cap from the base antenna, then screw the =
Extender
Element onto the Antenna Base. Of course, the VX-7R may be operated on
frequencies higher than the 50 MHz band while the Extender Element is =
still
attached onto the Antenna Base."

Lots of other infos are on the VX-5 and VX-7 related mailing lists, I =
think
you know about them.


73 de Zoli / YO5CRQ
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