Eight New Functions of the Yaesu FTM 500

[@K4SRF]

Eight new functions, but are they all as useful as need be? This is open for opinion from the individual user. For me, yes, I have used a few and can't complain. If you have a FTM-500, have you utilized any of these new functions? Leave your comments below.

[@barryinn1778]

Thanks Steve, that was very helpful and just the right speed for me. This radio is easy to operate so for. As soon as FCC gives me my call sign I'll just say 73.

[@K4SRF]

Congratulations on your new license. You could be getting your call sign soon.

[@GlenJenkins]

Hello Steve, Could you make a video on how to use the C4FM features in the FTM500, such as connecting to a YSF repeater and navigating through various rooms/groups/reflectors/talk groups? I am new to C4FM and don't know how to use the C4FM capabilities in this transceiver.

[@K4SRF]

I will put it on my suggestions list. I wouldn't mind doing so, but unfortunately, I have a time constraint, mainly work and flying lessons. But, I'll put it on my list and do my best to get to it.

[@esincl52]

Great video!!!!

[@K4SRF]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MrTommy001]

I just bought the FTM 500 last week. Unfortunately it was out of stock so I'm waiting for its arrival. I also bought an antenna for 2m and 440. I've been out of the ham world for over 20 years (but I maintained my no-code tech license). Now that I'm retired, I have lots of time to get back into ham. I have an old Yaesu 2600M two-meter mobile that I'm trying to get back on the air with. It seems that here in the Reno area, everyone went to 440 and there are limited 2 meter repeaters left. Grrr. My question is - what is the difference between digital and analog in the ham radio world? Would my old 2600M be analog given how old it is? I really liked your easy-to-follow video tour of the FTM 500. I'm trying to soak up as much info as I can while I wait for my radio to be shipped (whenever that is!).

[@jackrodosta7971]

Thinking about picking up this radio but I have a quick question. Can you use a stylist on the touch screen? I have really fat fingers and I'm afraid the small touch screen maybe too difficult to operate for things like using the keyboard to nave your frequencies.

[@mjmalley]

This was a great review of the new features - thanks for making it. WØZZK

[@Subgunman]

It would be nice if Yaesu came out with a dual Vocoder for C4FM use. Yaesu has their own format for digital with their own Vocoder but adding the second Vocoder would allow the radio to do P25 a public safety open source digital format used by a lot of Hams. Both use C4FM for digital however the difference lies within the Vocoder that handles the digitization of the audio paths. My Motorola P25 radios can decode analog while in digital mode with an indication; for digital and analog.

[@worldrom]

Thank you for sharing this! Would it be ok I'll share your video on my FB wall? 73

[@K4SRF]

Sure, go ahead.

[@cathrynm]

I have the 300, it's not super clear what the differences are between these products.

[@K4SRF]

Not sure as I don't have the 300.

[@stephenvillanova7735]

I’m new to wires x c4 can you tell me how to use the digital end of the 500? How to you deter in the digital channel or frequency? I’m used to icom DStar . Any help would be appreciated. I have looked around and can’t find the very basic info. Thanks Steve V. WD8BQS

[@K4SRF]

I have never used wires x c4, so I can't immediately help. Give me some time and I will see if I can come up with something.

[@seankm6nfo990]

A lot of us like to work 220. Any thoughts Yaesu?

[@K4SRF]

They have the VX-6R Tri Band HT. I have not used it but heard good reviews. Unfortunately, here in town we had 1 220 repeater, but it went down over a year ago and it is doubtful that it will ever be back up. I guess it come to supply and demand.

[@Subgunman]

@@K4SRFneed to get it on the air again or the Fantabulous Candy Company will relocate the rest of the 220MHz spectrum to business. It’s bad enough that they took a portion of it over 20 years ago and devised a method that was supposed to allow only one megahertz between RX and TX. It was known as Amplitude Compandered Side Band, ACSB for short. Got news it did not work worth a darn. UPS was the other player for the other portion of that 220 band but they never did anything with it.

[@goosecouple]

Does it have memory banks?

[@REDEBRASILCONECTADO-x1u]

Hello Friends of YAESU I live in Brazil, traveled to JAPAN, bought a Yaesu FTM 500D (Japanese version). I need to transmit in Brazil on 146.950 and the radio says TELA is prohibited. TX PROHIBITED. Can you help me make a change of region or opening in TX? What is the best solution for my case? Thank you if you could help. Moacyr PY3FK

[@K4SRF]

I can't help. Maybe you might want to contact Yaesu directly.

[@WA4TKG]

Japanese shops are not authorized to sell EXPORT model radios. If you see a letter J, inside of a triangle, that is a domestic model radio and is engineered tomNOT BE MODIFIABLE. I would post a picture for you to see but not possible on here, 73 de Okinawa

[@grahamtew3902]

GM is not a new function, it's been available on all fusion radios since the FTM400 10 years ago.

[@K4SRF]

Didn't know that. Yaesu has it listed as a "new" function for this radio. Thanks.

[@stevenwilson2292]

Yaesu really missed the mark. Smaller screen, more physical buttons. It's 2024. How about bluetooth pair to phone, full programming access in the app, integrated ARRL repeater book, freq banks, APRS messages from phone? Yaesu still making radios like it 1996.

[@preston1614]

Good video, i think yeasu is getting worse instead of better. I hope icom comes out with a updated replacement for the icom5100, which i still think is better than the yeasu, just lacking the flashy stuff and aprs.

[@K4SRF]

I have a 5100 as well. When I switched it out in my vehicle with the Yaesu, I was told that the noise in my transmission dropped to almost zero. Now, don't get me wrong, I am a huge ICOM fan as well, but the one thing I didn't like about my 5100 was the display, (at least while in my vehicle.) I now have it in my shack as a dedicated D-Star unit.