Outdoor review of the Yaesu FT-3DR handheld radio

I give the #Yaesu #FT3DR radio a real world test by taking it with me for a walk in typical British weather. Check out how this radio performs where it was designed to, the great outdoors.
Here's my #review of the FT1DE radio • OUTDOOR REVIEW of the ...
I'm a licensed amateur radio operator from the United Kingdom. My KZbin channel features videos focusing on operating portable radio from various locations plus how to videos, tutorials, insights and conversations in the hobby.

[@dougmaclarenhighvoltagepho4767]

I just picked this radio up and I'm lovin it. You tough me some new things about it with your info. Great video. keep up the good work.

[@jeffreylewis146]

It's nice to see someone like yourself going out in the field to test and use radios. I thoroughly enjoyed this video and others that you post here on KZbin.

[@johng7rwf419]

Nice to see a tester who gets his boots dirty. Well done Carl..

[@timw6513]

Thanks for the review Carl. And for braving the weather. Looks like a really good handheld and ideal for walkers.

[@M0SZT]

Yes good outdoor radio

[@martinpegg3519]

Great video karl, thank you for your report on the HT. Keep them videos rolling, radio looks and sounds great ,cheers for now.

[@jensvoigt3376]

thanks for your review ofthis trx. I'm a hiker as well and searched for a nice trx.. think I've found it. Well done Carl

[@wayneskiba1237]

Very educational and informative video, I really enjoyed it, and of course, I enjoyed the scenery, and the Yaesu FT-3D, seems like a very nice radio. Thank you for your review.

[@CMUchippewa]

THANK YOU for doing a field test with that radio! Not much other videos out there that shows what it can do. Most videos just list specs that I can find myself on yaesu’s website.

[@M0SZT]

Thank you!

[@09keller]

Very cool, thanks for the effort. Still haven’t decided on the ft3d yet, a lot of mixed reviews.

[@vynpopplewell6099]

Great review Carl thank you

[@adelarsen9776]

I too had a 2m contact with another station whilst standing in a cow paddock today. The sun was bright but the temperature was low. Fresh air and the smell of cow poo is so invigorating.

[@W6MDE]

Great review. Not many reviews happen outside. I currently use the Yaesu VX6R and will eventually switch to the Ft3. 73 kn6mat

[@scandiscus7516]

I just ordered this for hiking, and this is a great review! Thank you for making it. 73, N7YYZ

[@hamzah6251]

Great video!

[@echobot]

Thanks for the field review Carl. Maybe as a suggestion, also carry a 'standard reference' handheld on your next review so that you can compare the performance of the two. That way you can eliminate the possibility of location, weather, repeaters, or APRS stations being offline as being factors influencing your assessment of performance.

[@kenocon1]

Thanks Carl I enjoy your videos . Keep up the good work. I hope Yaesu UK at least give you a battery pack or free accessories you deserve them

[@wolfdima]

I know very little about radio theme, bu I do appreciate enthusiasts. They are so much better than normal practical bunch. I think I'll get vx-3r to have something to play with.

[@arthillside5837]

Thanks....really enjoyed.

[@karlweitzman8501]

I have this radio love it

[@jaybarr3307]

Thanks, Carl. Been enjoying several of your videos of late. Loved you taking this radio into the wild for a review; so much more interesting than a desk surface. Great to see someone using a portable radio for it's designed purpose (which is mobility and it's ability to be used anywhere). Good on you for exercising certain features in the environments and ways they were intended and serve the owner most. Too bad the APRS didn't work out for you, really wanted to see the location functions in operation. Betting there was a misconfiguration somewhere, easy to do. BTW, fat fingers should be no issue with the touch screen I believed - perhaps incorrectly - that it could be entirely operated without touching the screen. You can move through selections with the knob on the top and then select what you want with a button on the front. No need to touch the screen if you don't wish to. I sometimes have trouble at the edges myself. Maybe that's not true with the APRS beacon, haven't messed with it on this radio before - but will soon. Thanks again and 73.

[@brianrose2487]

Looks like a cool place! Thanks for the great review in the real world, Carl!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Hi /Carl, Just wanted to thank you for your recent contribution on Callum' You Tube Crew. As someone returning to the hobby after a 30yr break like Ian, I find these crew videos both entertaining and informative. Like Matt I've got hold of a van which I'm going to turn into a "Ham Van" that is a day/overnight van so I can do some field work with a little comfort for my geriatric bones! I will go and like, message and subscribe to the other guys to help them on their You Tube stats.

[@M0SZT]

Great to hear!

[@iyaesu]

Oh...I waited till the end to see you use the trackback feature, where the GPS would take you back to your car. I guess you forgot to show that. Thanks for the video, I ended up buying one a few months ago

[@allanmacuser]

well done Carl I know they do work well just a bad day my friend all the best allan G6TMO

[@john2e0sco96]

well done for going out in the rain ive enjoyed your videos for quite a while . I am on dstar 4 mornings a week would be nice to chatt on dstar sometimes stay safe carl 73s john 2eosco

[@lpark8]

Thanks for the video - I have ordered one based on some other good reviews and waiting for delivery. Shame to hear re APRS. Stoke on Trent! RIP Lemmy 👹🤘

[@marcushackney9046]

Good content

[@deondea1]

This is a real review !!! A mobile in action and not in an apartment.

[@m3uec]

Great Video! I want to go walking with you :-)

[@elsamariadevaldes8525]

KZbin the best. Nice video i am in EL Salvador YS2-CBV.

[@Peakwanderer]

I was going to say that's a lot of money for a really basic GPS device, but then amazingly you got some contacts :)

[@philb2270]

Nice test, Carl. I agree that the touch screen can be difficult to use if you have large fingers. All is not lost, however, as, unlike most mobile phones, the screen makes use of resistive rather than capacitive technology. So you can use a blunt object such as a plastic knitting needle to make selections, a great help if you have large fingers or are wearing gloves.

[@colddeadhands429]

Excellent radio. Take it please, from from my cold dead hands…

[@juanjorda2443]

Congratulations from Panamá Canal ZONE. Hp1 JFJ

[@MrBracey1970]

Good real world test this,I’m struggling between this and the D74,for APRS and FM satellite work(with my FT70)

[@johnk8091]

It's tempting, but I'm holding out on getting an FT3D, or any other HT. I will rather be buying the Icom IC-705 when it comes out in a few months. It will give me HF and 2/70 in a handheld device.

[@tonyridlen]

I LIKE THE REVIEW OF THE RADIO KC9QVE Marion,IN

[@forextraderradioman]

Hi Carl, thank you for this video. As I have also that FT1D (the old one, not the XD) handheld from Yaesu, and I am not satisfied with it. So some questions about the FT3D. Has that radio a proper and easy to use volume control for the receiving audio? To adjust the audio gain at that FT1D I have to press and hold a button close to the PTT switch and then, while pressing that button, I can adjust the volume with the rotating knob on the top. A realy nightmare IMO. Does the FT3D have a direct to use volume control? And can you use the external microphone from the old FT1D? And the spare batteries from the FT1D? And are there seperate microphone adjustment gain levels for analog voice and digital voice mode? The FT2D does not have this and so the mic gain is not proper adjustable for both modes. If someone sets the level ok for digital voice transmissions, then the mic level for analog FM mode is not ok, and vice versa. Only one setting in the menue for mic level, that is bad, I hope, they have fixed that at the FT3D? Greetings from Hamburg/Germany, Dietmar, DL4HAO

[@davidnelson2065]

Enjoyed the video. I think this will be my next HT purchase. Too bad about England vs Springboks :-(

[@M0SZT]

It was a sombre affair 🙂

[@vampolascott36]

Thanks for the review. I have the FT-2D and I felt it was inferior to my Kenwood d74. The FT-3D seems to be a big improvement. I'd like to know if the touch screen is as responsive as a smart phone.

[@dingle5050]

Hi Karl, thanks for this radio test as I'm thinking of getting one soon. Just wondered if you tested the back track GPS feature in the end and did it work well/easy to use? Also would be great to see more on this feature and the aprs on it as that would sway me to buy. Cheers as always and keep it up. M7STU

[@M0SZT]

Yes the back track works well, I'll follow up with APRS and back track soon

[@wardcollins9574]

When I test somthing new I test with a known along side for a comparison that way I know if the new is on par or better or not so good when I have enviroments that can be changing, it was a good on the features of the unit, ps radis do work in plastic bags if they are not water proof, as we use kenwods at work in all kinds of weather and they are not water proof..

[@gp1031]

Great video carl, how does the radio cope with Rx on the military air-band range? Is it true that AM Rx is not selectable in this range?

[@kchoudri]

Love the fact that Ham operators have to get HiGH for some action 😜 - M7KAY

[@johnlagreca6288]

Thank you, great review, you are super cool. How is the scan function on this radio (i.e. speed, can you lock out noisy channels on the fly, can you set up/modify scan groups from the touch screen, compared to your Kenwood, etc.)?

[@M0SZT]

I've only use the scan a couple of times so can't really compare

[@kerbsidemotors9249]

Still not convinced that the FT3 is justifiable as an expense in my case a hotspot and a cheaper alternative and still do all I want. Also after experiencing ft-991 bugs and complete dogs dinner firmware- I’ll be searching for known issues as the ft-2 wasn’t the best at release. Thanks for the review, it’s convinced me not to buy one yet

[@mrjohnno]

Be careful when using a 3rd party antenna with the ft3d as the seal at the bottom isn't the same as the standard supplied rubber duck whilst out in the rain & moisture

[@russturner3454]

hi Carl, great demo but try an avoid using the antenna as a handle, weakest point, first part to fail. cheers Russ vk3art

[@morphshag]

could you do a comparison video between something nice like that radio, and a really bottom of the range Chinese radio? Obviously the more expensive radio is going to be far superior when it comes to feature set, build quality and reliability, but I'd like to see the difference in purely making contacts. Does the person on the other end really notice a difference? is one more successful at holding a conversation than the other.

[@M0SZT]

Ok yes I tried that a while back however it was not a good comparison video, I've been tempted to try again with more planning up front.

[@SpectreOZ]

Nice little unit/review... what is that brazier on the post (near the trig point) all about? 🤔

[@M0SZT]

Thank you. That landmark was part of the Queens jubilee celebration, it was an Armada beacon that replicated the use of beacons back in very old days. There's not much to go on from the internet which is sad, like it's not interesting.

[@SpectreOZ]

@@M0SZT Thanks very much, Armada beacons, Semaphores and Maritime History is extremely interesting 👍

[@Nicktgrief]

Nice one Carl, I've got back in to short wave listening on the broadcast bands so it was the wide band receive that attracted me to my FT2d something I can take on holiday with me and listen too at night with a glass of red by the sea :) ... the menu on the 3d looks a lot easier to use than the 2d as some of the functions seem buried in the menus :) but like you I like the rig ... certainly better than my old TYT

[@MrGrerm]

Hi carl would you say this would be the best ht to buy..i just had a baefung go dead (my first!!).what is on your must have list..cheers

[@M0SZT]

You could go for the slightly older model FT2DR which is pretty much the same features good radio for outdoor

[@DenTilloZie]

just wondering why you are calling /Mobile and instead of /Portable? awesome vid as always! a different type of review. thanks

[@morethan4mph]

ollit100 because he is mobile. Portable would be the term for a setup from a fixed temporary location, such as a when using an antenna on guyed mast, or a tent. Subtle difference but of no real consequence.

[@M0SZT]

Yep it's a strange one as the licence says it's optional but used to say mobile, ideally I'd say portable

[@buckleyj5]

Hi Carl, what antenna is that? Is it much better than the stock one? Cheers

[@M0SZT]

It's one by Diamond can't remember which one, technically it is better, the specs are much better than the stock antenna

[@118bigtom]

Hi Carl you didn’t mention which antenna you were using was it a diamond?

[@M0SZT]

Yes I use Diamonds

[@Jamie_Dee]

I have a question for you, sir. I'm looking to get into ham radio and to get my licence. I'd like to get the Yaesu FT3D as my first radio. My plan is to be able to listen whilst doing my foundation course. Do I need a callsign to be able to use this radio, as I see on setup it asks you to enter one

[@M0SZT]

The callsign is used as part of the digital mode and packet radio set up, it's not used to receive analogue RF signals, I'm not sure whether you can skop that set up bit, if you have to add something I wonder if ABC123 should work. I'm sure you can skip it though.

[@Jamie_Dee]

@@M0SZT Thanks for your reply. Got my FT3DE today before they sell out as I don't like the look of the FT5. All I need now is a license 🤣 Little steps though

[@jaybarr3307]

@@Jamie_Dee I have the 5D and while it does ask for your call sign you can just "plug it" with "12345" for the time being and use it to listen with until you get your license. Hopefully, this is old news to you now and you're a licensed ham enjoying all the features of that awesome radio.

[@1fanger888]

In my experience, moving around and standing in different spots with my HT is better than stationary. Also, keeping the radio in the upright position with the antenna as vertical as possible helps when in a questionable area. Just sayin`. KC3BXZ

[@gotammo9148]

First one to state the water resistant rating. Nobody even answered my question about it. Could not find it in online specs when shopping for it.

[@M0SZT]

It has IPX5 Rating which I describe in the video.

[@sire24657]

what antenna are you using on that radio? Thanks, and good video! 73, AK6XR

[@M0SZT]

I have two of the long Diamond antennas that I use on my handheld, one is a triband the other dualband SRH-940

[@sire24657]

@@M0SZT Great; thanks for the info! I get my FT 3DR today and I cannot wait!!!

[@ZacharySound]

Is this in England near the trail to Combe hill?

[@M0SZT]

Its Stoke on Trent in England

[@mikengeerockstarkaraokedj8474]

FYI If anyone ever has a problem where the screen is lit but blank. there is a very hard to see switch next to the data port that more than likely you bumped in some way. I had this problem a couple days ago, and you can imagine how upset i was till i talked to a tech at Yaesu today. hope nobody needs this info but if you do here it is.

[@TheGazLab]

Did you ever sort the advanced out? Gaz

[@M0SZT]

It's still a goal amongst other goals, the choices are, I spend less of the very short time I have to operate radio studying a book or learning what's required in the book tinkering with radio and electronics. What works for me is booking the exam and then studying the theory in earnest.

[@TheGazLab]

@@M0SZT cool.. I did the same, I actually booked 2 exams :-)) passed first one the had to make some frantic phone calls to cancel second lol

[@6l5rgsham90]

헨디 안테나는 무슨제품이지요..?

[@williamnunn8847]

Does this rc and tx on the FM marine band?

[@M0SZT]

Tx only on amateur bands

[@432hzcompanyq.6]

$700 POFS. I should have my brain examined.

[@gs-nt6nf]

What kind of antenna on that walkie?

[@M0SZT]

Diamond

[@adrianabshire]

What antenna are you using?

[@M0SZT]

Diamond, they do longer whips than standard

[@hololightful]

I'm thinking about this radio, but the ipx 5 (equivalent) rating means technically it's rated for splashes and 'jets of water'... I'm worried if I drop this in a puddle or a creek, it'll be done...

[@M0SZT]

Puddles are ok, creeks maybe not, mud yes its happy being dropped in mud ☺️

[@hololightful]

@@M0SZT okay, makes me feel a little better. There doesn't seem to be many current or new HTs that claim actual being submersible like ip67 or better, other than a couple of the cheap Chinese ones (Baofeng UV-9R is one). I'm not against that category, but Im wanting to 'step-up' to better, plus the APRS (which I want to get into). Annoyed at myself for not getting a D74 when I could have (I really liked the idea of a built in full TNC, plus physical keys)...

[@Dave-VK5PL]

You reminded me of Fawlty Towers - Don't mention the rugby, I did once but I think I got away with it.

[@M0SZT]

Ha yes, it was a rather quiet day on 2m 🙂

[@johnk8091]

It's all about the antenna - rubber ducks are lousy performers. It would not take much packing room to carry a roll-up slim jim or j-pole antenna, and it would make a huge difference

[@northendawn]

Which anntena did you use on the radio?

[@M0SZT]

G5RV which I regret as it was too low, should have got a vertical up.

[@mastono4827]

The RX/ TX signal is very bad, I already have yaesu ft3d radio (based on personal experience)

[@hiddenidentity8291]

Just a note, IPX5 is not waterproof - it's water resistant to sustained, low-pressure water jet spray; in other words it's basically splash proof; it'll be game over if that gets dropped in a puddle for example.

[@M0SZT]

I've dropped it in puddles, found it frozen in my tent, it's been on numerous beaches.

[@hiddenidentity8291]

@@M0SZT fair enough, I can only say what the manufacturer specifications say... They were likely not willing to certify it above IPX5 for a reason. I would recommend echoing the 'manufacturers' guidance as others may not be so lucky and find they have irreparably damaged there device and voided there warranty.

[@gerhardmoeller774]

Not many HAMS in Gr Brtn it seems.

[@JohnFT3414]

Hmm, 5 watts of power right near your head! Don't know how safe that is?

[@M0SZT]

I would read up on it using reputable sources (not cranks). you will find out it's safe

[@hgggkaf]

Hi’

[@kenharvey9714]

The worst thing about this transceiver is the absolutely awful audio from the built in speaker. It's by far the worst I've ever heard!

[@M0SZT]

What are your thoughts about the audio when outdoors in windy weather and sleet coming down etc? Is it worst than other radios?

[@varikap105]

Говно радио . Не соответствует заявленным пользователем характеристикам. Плохое радио , кроме мигалок ничего нет. Китайское радио более соответствует,нежели эта модель.