Tablet Programming a Yaesu FTM-400XDR

Expect a review on this pretty awesome radio in the future! Also, Windows 10 tablet is on my buy list. Program radios and run WSJT-X I need this.
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Thanks!

[@WJ6FRadio]

Another outstanding video! I just picked up a new FTM-400XDR today from Billy Bob! I traded in my old FTM-400DR. I figured since I got a new truck I should get a new radio for it. Keep up the great work!

[@RizalMartinez]

I just got mine too, my first real radio(after my Baofeng), I'm find it easy to program. I feel better now that the radio is Hoshnasi approved

[@dantanner8442]

I am so glad I came across this video. All this time (2 weeks), I've been entering everything in manually in CHIRP off of Repeaterbook.com. I had no idea that menu option existed!! Thank you so much!

[@drinaz4070]

Great video and the FTM-400XDR is a great radio. It was nice that Bob set up that customer's radio - few other HROs will do this (at least in my experience) and honestly I find that the repeater listings are old are just paper repeaters. It seems I always end up programming 500 repeaters and scan just to find out that maybe only half a dozen are ever actively used. There must be a better way for travelers.

[@KE0RGP]

You know what I haven't found? A robust, top to bottom tutorial of this radio. hint, hint, hint........

[@johnpeterson7264]

Craig Walker that’s true we really do need an A to Z tutorial on this rig !

[@ricksnodgrass3645]

I’m really enjoying my 400! I’m looking forward to seeing what you think and helping me learn the rig.

[@domineprinceps]

I need this video in my life right now. Just got an FTM-400XDR. Will be installing it any day now.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Nice!

[@SteveH-TN]

I recently purchased a Microsoft Surface Book Windows ( tablet/laptop) on eBay and RT systems cable & download software to program several of my radios. I have used RT systems for nearly all my radios for the last 15 years. Now RT Software enables import/ export data between multiple radios. My goal is to use the Microsoft Surface Book for POTA. I hope join you live on KZbin and Via Wires X in the near future. 73 de AA4SH

[@GhostRider1974]

You will love the FTM-400XDR. Great rig...I run one in the truck.

[@Wreckerrick201]

It was my APRS saving my butt that made you get one.... don’t lie lol!!! JK... glad you’re enjoying it! I’m still finding things it does that I didn’t realize... I love programming from the mic and having different programmable keys... makes it so much easier as I drive.

[@craigwiekamp]

I picked one up from Bob on monday. I had the murs mod done. I'm looking forward to getting it setup.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I wonder how hard it is to do that

[@chuckpotter1209]

It would have been helpful if you had pointed your camera at the radio when the clerk was pushing buttons so we could see what he was doing. at 1:36..

[@KE0RGP]

Of course I commented before the video was finished. Thanks for foreshadowing a future review.

[@Pipefitter310]

Really enjoying your channel Josh. Just started to get into Ham hobby and in my early 50’s, can you recommend a beginners book besides ham radio for dummies???

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Sure the Gordon West Book or arrl book. I have them linked in the amazon store on the description.

[@AnthonyPerez]

I was going to say you have two sides to that memory. Lol glad you picked one up. Love mine.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yep! Its good to have dual memory slots!

[@AnthonyPerez]

I can't wait for the FTM 400 video to come out.

[@TaylorLaub]

If I could make a recommendation, Windows tablets at that size sound cool in theory but without a keyboard windows is very tricky. You saw how he struggled to hit the button. Windows doesn’t scale well at that size. Personally I’d say go for a miniature laptop with comparable specs (i.e. I love my Asus X205TA) or get a slightly larger tablet like the new cheaper Windows Surface go. I think they’re worth it for the addition of a keyboard/larger screen, but hey, maybe that’s just me

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I'll take a look at those devices! Thanks!

[@Hax0rZ1]

Secondly I love the Surface Pro but it's not cheap unless you get a very old one with 1gb ram and almost no storage. I'm buying a fusion5 for my aprs setup with this radio. Cant wait

[@jsieb]

That's a sweet radio, it's on my shortlist.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Its interesting, its both feature rich and easy to use.

[@donh5794]

Nice radio, but I have a long list.

[@tcab5055]

Awesome, thanks for the video, keep up the great work! Oh, I also see you have a Signal Stick on your ht. I bought a couple after your tests a while back, I love em.

[@forgetyourlife]

got rid of mine. could not stand that floppy thing. it was even the new “thicker” version.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The thicker the more floppy it is gonna be. The long Nagoyas all have that problem but worse due to thickness.

[@forgetyourlife]

hoshnasi ah??Signal Sticks web site states their new version is 36% thicker. This makes it more rigid. just like a twig vs. a tree branch..are you drinking in the mornings now? my Diamonds and Nagoyas are 15” long 3x thicker and don’t waggle like fish on a hook.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The thickness equals weight, something that weighs more and flops around is going to be more distinguishable than something with less weight. No, not drinking. But if your experience is like mine, the heavier and longer whips have the tendency to knock over the radio constantly and get in the way when carrying. Not so much with the thin signal stick.

[@forgetyourlife]

hoshnasi i wasn’t talking about it knocking the radio over. i meant when it flops around in the air and hit me in the face etc. The SSticks are light but not very rigid. you can’t tie your Nagoya in a bow like the SStick for example.

[@LAWUFO]

Hey Josh! Where did you get that Tower that your building in the beginning of this video? Is it a model?....Rich

[@JeffN4POD]

I love my Yaesu FTM-400XDR. I've never programmed it directly with the cable, rather I used the SD card to import. I've never gotten the software Yaesu provides to work. RT Systems stuff, on the other hand is worth the price. I didn't know Repeaterbook worked with it. I have a subscription with RFinder. I'll have to compare the two.

[@philswann889]

I also had problems getting the Yaesu software to work initially. If I ran the software and created a data file by filling out the blank spreadsheet that opens up you can't send it to either the radio with the sc30 cord or to a blank micro SD card as the "Send to" options are greyed out and not functioning. I found the answer was to create a new backup file on the SD card in the radio using the backup option in the menu then, using a card reader, copy this file onto the laptop/PC and open this file using the "Get data from SD card" option. This file can then be edited with memory and system settings etc and then copied back to either the radio or the SD card with the "Send data to FT400/SD card options which are now working.

[@GaryStango]

Did you ever do a video/review on this? Im a new ham looking for a first mobile and lots of signs point to this one, but the only reviews i can find are of the DR, not XDR. Ty!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I only really covered the installation in a mobile. The issue with the 400 is it’s out of production now.

[@ViciousXUSMC]

This is one situation I would probably go with a laptop. Since its running Windows its all the same short of form factor and with the touch screen being too small to comfortably navigate the Tablet form factor really is not helpful. I'll tell you one of the most awesome "tablets" I have used though that would be big enough :) Dell XPS18. I work in IT and we used these for the Nurses, it's a cool piece of kit. I am looking to buy a FTM-400XDR soon, so that is why I ran across this video. I have quite enjoyed the CHIRP software for all my BTECH and Boafeng radios so hope what ever I need to use for the Yaesu I can translate my code plugs easily.

[@jwreagan]

That tiny stuff is the reason I went and got myself an older Getac ruggedized tablet for my uses (digital modes in the field, and a dock for the tablet... that wound up being a little too large for my original intent, which was to use it above my rear-view mirror) but if the screen is too small, leaves too much room for errors/finger slips.

[@KE0RGP]

I hope an in-depth review is coming soon.

[@W4TRI]

One thing I have not been able to find out about this radio is can I use both the voice module and Bluetooth module in the same radio at the same time? Could you cover these in the next video? Lots of blind users out there would love to know. Thanks! Great videos!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I don't have the bluetooth module, but I'll look into it.

[@seaningram3285]

What cable do I need to connect between my Tablet and the Yaesu SCU-20 cable, and where can I buy one.

[@Adamdaj]

cool video I wish the FTM 400XDR had DMR and NXDN capabilities.

[@Prepologyblog]

Love my 400 it is a really good radio.

[@alpin3AJ]

How about that review/tutorial video? 😁

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Its on my list :D Its also a radio with alot of features, so I want to get it right.

[@TomSP9TL]

As for the APRS, even if you had 1000 channels for both A and B bands (i.e. no separation 500 per band), then you could simply set the APRS channel to skip mode :) In my case this separation is not so handy, as I would need to have the same channels on both bands, so that I could set any wanted channel on any band without remembering whether it is on band A or B.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

This radio can only transmit APRS on B channel

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I think decode too is only in B channel too.

[@TomSP9TL]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Yes true. Bad example from my side when it comes to APRS channel :) but other channels, may be handy to have on both band A and B.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks mr Hro nice video

[@citadelgrad87]

Awesome. I just bought this radio and installed it last week. We should qso. It would be my first....i bought it from Billy Bob, too.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’m often on 146.520 in the evenining.

[@brentjohnson6654]

I know I asked you on another video if you still liked the FTM-400. What I didn’t know is how you can program it off of RepeaterBook with a radius of x miles and name the repeaters with city names. Cool!! I like my Anytone HT and can program it with the CPS but it is cumbersome. I don’t know if you are a software engineer, but the Anytone is like programming in machine code or assembly language and Yaesu or Icom seem to be high level language. Haha. Thanks for this video. Now I have to go spend money. Could I go back to 2018 and pay what they were asking $200 ago? Lol. Al the best, 73 de KI5HXM

[@BradSnyder1]

That's a sweet looking radio Josh! I wouldn't mind having one. haha 73

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks

[@seaningram4434]

What cables are being used? I have a tablet. That is neat to be able to program your radio from a tablet. I would use my android phone, but it's too small to see whereas the tablet and desktop PC have a better view. Please i.d. the cables that connect between the tablet and the radio :) tnx :)

[@ronblack2404]

Besides the touch screen I am trying to figure out any major differences there are between this radio and the Kenwood D710G before I buy , couldn’t find a KZbin comparison

[@MONNIEHOLT]

You are my hero, Great information about the little tablet to program the radio, I have an Yaesu FTM-100-DR I’ve always programmed it by hand but! that technique is way better, I would use the computer but I don’t even own one, I use an Apple iPad for the World Wide Web, continue on, you’re doing a great job, take care 73s N3MJR

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you for watching!

[@lapatriot9268]

The 400dxr comes with a usb cable, is that the one needed to program it? Where do I get the software? Can i use chirp?

[@twotwentyswift]

OK Josh you've had yours for 2 years now. I'm looking at this as my first mobile transceiver purchase as a buy-once, cry-once, do it right the first time, kind of radio. What are your thoughts after 2 years and is there a better choice near this price range in 2020? Thanks man, I appreciate the channel!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s still pretty much the best mobile on the market from my POV.

[@twotwentyswift]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

[@kougan3126]

Hello Josh, I'm very new to ham radio. Been watching your vids and others for awhile now and trying to absorb all the wisdom I can while working on obtaining my Tech/Gen Lic. However I'm somewhat confused, in your previous video (last Friday) and again here you mentioned the radio is the FTM-400XD. But in the title for this video and when I search the web I see FTM-400XDR a lot. Are they the same radio or upgraded/different models, If so what are the differences? Would one of these be too much for a beginner like myself? Thanks!!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s the same.

[@davequick3373]

You should do a video on getting repeater info copied onto an SD card.

[@franksonora5824]

Question?? Where can I get mine done from? I live in Redlands,Ca. I’m looking for someone to do mine.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Check out Ham Radio Outlet in Anaheim. 👍

[@tallmike6598]

Highly recommend this method. 73 Mike N2MWL

[@KE0RGP]

Lol! I just got one of those, but I can't get it installed until I get back from this work trip in 2 weeks.

[@stevey500]

I wish these oldschool machines were easily bluetooth programmable. We need new-school people in the ham hardware development.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Adding Bluetooth would take up more space and add cost. Alot of people wouldn't event use it tbh.

[@stevey500]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I don't mean to argue what so ever but bluetooth modules are a very cheap, extremely small, and very efficient piece of circuitry. This would add an insane amount of convenience for on the fly updating the programming on a radio. Imagine whipping out a smartphone, adding a repeater or importing a repeater list in an app in a cinch. The oldschool USB cables, USB serial adapters, configuring the com port, etc is ways of doing things 20+ years ago that is getting left in the dirt for very good reason. iCOM looks like they are getting on the wagon but charging a big extra buck for the optional bluetooth cheap module is crazysauce. Modernizing and absorbing current day interfacing and functionality would truly strike more interest.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I think you're looking at this too much from the end result. Think about the road to get there. I agree, a blue tooth module to program would be awesome. The issue is that the modules in use today are used for audio, not programming. So we'd need to bridge that hurdle. Then the brands would need software to support the interface. Also making sure to use a module that won't mess with the radio its riding in, and so on. Further, what the point of having a permanently connected BT module in a radio after its programed, or you don't use a BT headset. Its an un-needed add-on. People have compared HTs to mobile phones in the past here and I always recommend caution with drawing quick similarities there.

[@pathopkins4500]

I have the FTM-100DR and it programs the same way ( also you can remove the micro SD card and program it and place it back into the radio's micro SD slot and tell the radio to READ FROM THE Micro SD SLOT =) Yea it is that easy 8-) 73's Pat N5VMO

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Same with the FT2DR :D

[@spacetrucker2196]

Great radio. I challenge you to try to send a JPG QSO card from the sd-card.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good idea! I’ll check that out!

[@justsayingforafriend7010]

Just bought mine today from Bob in Anaheim....

[@pu2xbt74]

I want a radio to operate C4FM fusion am I in doubt between YAESU FTM 100D or FTM 400 DR? What is the best option ?? 73

[@winstonsmiths2449]

As usual just enough info to get someone in trouble! RTSystems sells the program specific to EACH radio model. What is not mentioned and is fundamental, is which model/version of the software to buy., Does FTM-400 work with FTN400-XD?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

How are you going to get into trouble? Call HRO and order the software for you radio.

[@ryankc9oza118]

You can also hook tablet to the 400 and turn it into an igate

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Indeed! We’ll be covering that.

[@LouRoppoli]

I dont see that menu for importing external data?

[@mattcero1]

Can anyone tell me what the front USB port is used for on the radio body? Thank you.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Programming.

[@Hax0rZ1]

Would love the review but will be too late for me I got the 400XDR and about to install it in my vehicle, a manual programming walk through would be cool too. :) Next will be d-star radio Icom 5100A

[@glennbartlett4139]

How did you download the rt. Programs to the tablet?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s a windows tablet. Download the app.

[@ryankc9oza118]

Since it is Windows. If you already have rt system software you can go to their website and download it and then type in your confirmation numbers that you have from your previous software and it should load for you as it would be the same as being on PC

[@glennbartlett4139]

Thanks

[@donh5794]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse What is the tablet model? That would be good to have with the radio. This is a very nice short video.

[@jeffjohnson7470]

what software is he running? i am using the rt and i dont see the external data tab

[@VE3NMW]

It's under "File" then "External Data". Good luck

[@watchmanmichael2023]

😊👍

[@KE0RGP]

If I may ask, do you think the RTSystems programming software is the way to go with this radio?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes. It’s very good. But the radio is easy to program by hand too.

[@KE0RGP]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I can't even play with mine until I get home in a week and a half. Then figure out how to install it. I am going on a road trip from colorado to florida and back. I'm hoping to have a robust channel selection for the trip. Hoping to have that already made before I even get home.

[@caesardgreatest]

Did you end up purchasing the $25 ADMS-M800 programming software by RT Systems? I don't really want to spend the money but the ADMS-7 software from Yaesu isn't importing any CSV files I have. Anyone else experiencing this issue? How do you programming your 400XDR?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Mine was programmed by Bob. Everything else I do manually. It’s easy to manually program.

[@caesardgreatest]

I just bought the software, it's way easier to use than the Yaesu software and manual programming

[@davidfulkerson1187]

Is that an Android tablet

[@kp4wr]

How do you Program This Radio for DMR to include a CodePlug. TNX De Kp4wr

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

This radio doesn't do DMR.

[@mikemiles3068]

Can it run on IOS Apple Tablets❓❓❓

[@adamqueen3934]

Is there an app for an apple tablet? I just bought the FTM-400XDR, need to program

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No app for the ipad

[@VanOverland]

Bummer! Thanks for the reply!

[@BuckTravis]

The lack of support for the Mac and iPad is exactly what kept me from getting a HAM license for many years. The virus, security and poor user interface makes for a painful experience. If Hams are interested in growing the number of active users wake up. iOS and OSX users are all around and we spend lots of money on tech. Just sayin.

[@Stevenfclark]

What antenna is on the HT? 73 N1AD

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Signal Stuff Signal Stick

[@illiteratebeef]

0:21 "Harm" radio crash course?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You found the Easter egg :D

[@claydelsman1637]

What programming software is he using?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

RT Systems.

[@claydelsman1637]

Thanks I'm having issues trying to get the set up part done I'v put in the serial number and email hit next and nothing, I just got the ftm 400xdr. Course I'm using a Mac ugh.

[@joediepoole1237]

What store is this

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Ham Radio Outlet in Anaheim Ca.

[@jessiewright1053]

Sucks that RT Systems is the only software that can program this radio. They are a total rip off on their pricing.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yaesu has free software.

[@jessiewright1053]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks, I missed that one completely :-(

[@djshnibz]

Harm* radio crash course? Don’t do it Josh!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

lol!

[@kevinokeefe7796]

Hro must of wanted the publicity They have about the worst customer service in the industry

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

That has never been my experience. But we might talk with different stores. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@kevinokeefe7796]

Ham Radio Crash Course Oakland