[Yaesu] FT-8900 Owners ??

[Ray Brown]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Rhodes" <weightdn@adelphia.net>

>   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!

  The display is small, but not *that* small. I have one myself. I do have one
advantage, though, and that is that I am very near-sighted, so I often read the
display over the top of my glasses.

  What you need to do is to take the page from the operators' manual that has
all the symbols on it and copy it and blow it up to 3 or 4 times normal size, so
that you can tell which symbol is what. It is a pretty complicated little radio,
with more bells and whistles than I think is needed, but I've had one for at
least 4 years. All I've done to it is antennas, batteries and rubber parts.
Very satisfied with this little brick. :-)

>   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.

  I don't have one of these. I have a different mobile radio in my Jeep.  :-)

>   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.

  I travel a lot, and the FT-50 also listens to the aircraft bands, so I have about 30
or so memories just for airport traffic. Tulsa (OK) and St. Louis for sure, maybe
Denver. And of course, the out of town repeaters. :-)

                _Ray_        KB�STN