[Yaesu] FT-8900 Owners ??

[Mike Rhodes]

Greetings All,
  I purchased a FT-50R HT at Dayton last week - one of those items I doubt I
will use much but feel I should have available for emergency use. Anyhow, I
am already considering ordering the ADMS software so I can load the memories
on the PC where I can read what is going on. Have to use a magnifying glass
to read the symbols on the HT display! Man those things are small!
  Am also thinking about upgrading the 2-meter mobile rig to a dualbander
too when the 8800 becomes available. I notice that the 8900 and 8800 appear
to be very similar in features but am not really interested in the extra
bands unless they end up being free or nearly so. Anyhow, I see no mention
of PC programable features being available on either radio, Would appreciate
an owner or someone knowledgable about the 88/8900 radios comments on that.
It would seem logical that Yaesu include such features in their newer radios
and even better if they used similar interface cables and software. Or am I
expecting too much?
  And all this is coming from someone who not long ago couldn't imagine why
someone would want a 'clonable' radio! With 100 to 1000 memories (of which I
MAY use 50) and displays these 55 year old eyes find nearly impossible to
read, I am beginning to understand.

Tnx & 73 de
Mike / W8DN