Got an new HT...YAESU FT-70DR

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Got an new HT...YAESU FT-70DR

Posted: 11/28/2018 11:53:28 PM EDT

UPS knocked on my door, 8:47pm, wow, that's a lot of overtime LOL

pretty cool, so far.

similar to my old FT-60, but with new features, like digital C4FM Fusion, and a Li-ion Battery

I like it

Posted: 11/29/2018 2:11:16 AM EDT

[#1]

Got mine about a month ago, haven't had time to get into it with much detail yet. So far I like it as well. It's pretty similar to the FT-60, lighter & smaller with a better battery. I still want to pick up another battery and a charger by the end of the year. Programing is a little different, a bit of a PITA really.

I'm looking forward to learning about the digital modes and seeing how they work. From my limited understanding so far, C4FM is different than the WIRES. There are several C4FM repeaters around me but no WIRES at all. If I recall it's the WIRES you need to be able to talk in the different rooms, correct? Am I going to have to get one of the WIRES boxes or will a hotspot work?

Posted: 11/29/2018 1:19:59 PM EDT

[#2]

i’m still learning

there’s a repeater near work, they keep it on the america link 24/7

I jumped in “my callsign test” and a G8 brit said i was loud n clear

pretty cool

I haven’t tried switching to other nodes yet

I like the radio

I found it very easy to program

my FT 60 might end up for sale LOL

Posted: 11/29/2018 3:04:01 PM EDT

[#3]

Ha got mine from dxegineering last night as well, at about 7:45

Attached File

Already programmed it using chirp, been listening to wires x a little bit. Still can't talk waiting to take my exam, but it's an extremely cool little radio. Now a zumspot is my next purchase, so i don't have to tie up local repeaters, and I'll have it mobile.

Posted: 11/29/2018 3:17:14 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
i’m still learning

there’s a repeater near work, they keep it on the america link 24/7

I jumped in “my callsign test” and a G8 brit said i was loud n clear

pretty cool

I haven’t tried switching to other nodes yet

I like the radio

I found it very easy to program

my FT 60 might end up for sale LOL

View Quote

Oh shit, you do that this morning or last night on America link? I heard a couple folks testing new radios both times, one of em was talking about his ft-70d.

Posted: 11/29/2018 5:53:37 PM EDT

[#5]

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Quoted:

Oh shit, you do that this morning or last night on America link? I heard a couple folks testing new radios both times, one of em was talking about his ft-70d.

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I talked to a G8 station, near london, name was Andy or Andrew... on america link about mid day today

kept it short because i was busy at work

Posted: 11/29/2018 8:20:06 PM EDT

[#6]

Sweet, December 6th can't get here quick enough

Posted: 12/1/2018 4:07:12 PM EDT

[#7]

Derek if I remember correctly you are just north of me near farmville so I'm curious what fusion repeaters do you use?

Posted: 12/1/2018 5:15:30 PM EDT

[#8]

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Quoted:
Derek if I remember correctly you are just north of me near farmville so I'm curious what fusion repeaters do you use?

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you must have me mixed up with someone else

I’m not near Va.

Posted: 12/1/2018 5:33:24 PM EDT

[#9]

Maybe so , I've been inactive here for a while and I'm terrible with names lol

Posted: 12/12/2018 5:29:24 AM EDT

[#10]

If I want to listen to airband, would this HT be a good choice?

Posted: 12/13/2018 11:03:47 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
If I want to listen to airband, would this HT be a good choice?

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Yes

It works well on AM airband

Posted: 1/10/2019 8:47:18 AM EDT

[#12]

bump

Posted: 1/10/2019 10:28:12 PM EDT

[#13]

Thanks for the bump.

Didn’t know this thread existed.

Got my FT80d in the mail today and uploaded everything. Still learning the whole digital thing.

Think I asked this in another thread but how are y’all pre programming various Rooms into the HT using the software?

I see a section for storing stuff to dtmf numbers.

No YSF repeaters in my immediate area so mainly a FM Ht for now. Planning on getting a hotspot ordered soon.

Posted: 1/10/2019 11:03:32 PM EDT

[#14]

Using a hotspot your ft70 may not save rooms through a disconnect or power cycle.

Time to repeater / hotspot freq
Activate wires-x by pressing F and then AMS
Display will read stuff. (Incidentally, be sure to configure hotspot for uppercase only room names)
Rotate main knob till display reads asterisk
Use keypad to enter room number
Press and key to change to input room.
Rotate knob till you see Cn
Press and hold 1,2,3,4,5 to store that room in that a lot.
Rotate main knob to select a slot
Press ams key to tune to that slot.

Posted: 1/10/2019 11:16:38 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Using a hotspot your ft70 may not save rooms through a disconnect or power cycle.

Time to repeater / hotspot freq
Activate wires-x by pressing F and then AMS
Display will read stuff. (Incidentally, be sure to configure hotspot for uppercase only room names)
Rotate main knob till display reads asterisk
Use keypad to enter room number
Press and key to change to input room.
Rotate knob till you see Cn
Press and hold 1,2,3,4,5 to store that room in that a lot.
Rotate main knob to select a slot
Press ams key to tune to that slot.

View Quote

Thanks so no way of doing it via the software.

Posted: 1/13/2019 7:48:24 PM EDT

[#16]

What type of aftermarket antenna are y’all running. Looking for something with high gain.

Posted: 1/13/2019 8:13:24 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:... Looking for something with high gain.

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significant gain

makes a horrible umbrella though

http://www.amateurradio.bz/4_dollar_satellite_antenna.html

Posted: 1/13/2019 8:24:11 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

significant gain

makes a horrible umbrella though

http://www.amateurradio.bz/4_dollar_satellite_antenna.html

https://i.imgur.com/JW8sTHf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iFl6FcM.jpg

View Quote

LOl not quite that much gain. Just a nice whip antenna.

Posted: 1/13/2019 8:47:53 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

LOl not quite that much gain. Just a nice whip antenna.

View Quote

Posted: 1/17/2019 10:42:45 PM EDT

[#20]

I’m not seeing a squelch knob on that thing. That would be a deal breaker for me

Posted: 1/20/2019 3:19:41 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
LOl not quite that much gain. Just a nice whip antenna.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

significant gain

makes a horrible umbrella though

http://www.amateurradio.bz/4_dollar_satellite_antenna.html

https://i.imgur.com/JW8sTHf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iFl6FcM.jpg

LOl not quite that much gain. Just a nice whip antenna.

I have this one on the FT2D and FT70D. Tried all I had in the stash and this worked the best. It is expensive but works. I am able to hit repeaters 20+ miles away and seems to work digital well. I already had one and bought the second for the wife's FT70. A little on the tall side (13.5") but for me it did best of the group.
DIAMOND SRH320A

The DIAMOND SRH77CA was 2nd best but taller (15"). Best bang for the buck and added one of these to the FT60 I gave the son for Christmas along with a Mag mount for his Jeep.
DIAMOND SRH77CA

Tried the DIAMOND SRH-815 shorty and it worked good for short range repeaters on the FT2DR but didn't fit the FT70 well. Expensive like the first but impressive for being so small and great for carry at 6" tall. Seemed tight going into the base on the FT70 so I didn't force it … YMMV
DIAMOND SRH-815

Mag Mount for mobile is best. HT antennas struggle from inside a vehicle. You need to get the signal outside the truck.
I use this one for the wife's mustang. Like it because the whip unscrews from the base when not in use. COMET-NCG M-24S
You can use any antenna but if not SMA, you will need to purchase an adapter. Get one with a pig tale to reduce stress on the radio connector.
Something like this: Coax Jumper Cable SMA to SO-239

Posted: 1/20/2019 3:54:51 PM EDT

[#22]

I bought a Comet whip antenna one of there long offerings.

Antenna not mounted in this photo.

Attached File

Posted: 2/1/2019 1:33:59 PM EDT

[#23]

Anyone notice how freaking slow the stock charging cable is? Man its a dang joke.

For the rapid charger do you have to buy a new wall wart?

Posted: 2/1/2019 1:50:41 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Anyone notice how freaking slow the stock charging cable is? Man its a dang joke.

For the rapid charger do you have to buy a new wall wart?

View Quote

Mrs Santa got me the rapid charger

it does use the factory wall wart but does charge much faster

Posted: 2/1/2019 2:15:20 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Mrs Santa got me the rapid charger

it does use the factory wall wart but does charge much faster

View Quote

Ok seen the base at gigaparts for $30 or so. Don’t mind that but if I had a buy another wall wart for a total of $50 I’d say screw it and possibly sell the radio.

Posted: 2/1/2019 5:44:35 PM EDT

[#26]

The factory cable passes through the internal electronics, which I infer are unable to handle the amperage necessary to quick-charge the battery, whereas the quick-charger charges the battery directly.

It's much faster.

That said, battery life on this thing sucks. argh.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Got an new HT...YAESU FT-70DR

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