The Best Kept Secret Review of 2020

[@HamRadio2]

Great video, Bob. I am currently working on mounting my 300 in the truck also, I really do like the quick disconnect too

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Bob - It does not need an external antenna for GPS. You can add one to make the accuracy better if the built in antenna is hidden and unable to get a GPS signal.

[@K6UDA]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know that.

[@SPDTDL]

Dual C4FM is identical to the FT3D, you cant dual simultaneous receive in the way like they advertised it. Buyer Beware. Crossmode repeat is C4FM to FM, no C4FM to C4FM. APRS working fine for me with no external device plugged in. In the box is only the firmware upgrade cable. You don’t get the needed cables for Wires X, keep in mind that will be an additional expense. All in all, it’s a 50W FT3D with the ability to add a FVS-2. I purchased it under the impression I could, for example listen to America Link on A. Then if my Buddy gave me a call using digital on B I’d also hear him. You can’t. It decodes just A or B at one time. It is a good radio, just be aware of these ‘features’.

[@K6UDA]

Thanks for the info. To me crossmoding C4FM to C4FM would have been the biggest reason to buy one. but if it won't do that, like you said, it's a 50w FT3.

[@SPDTDL]

@@K6UDA Yep, if you google "FTM300 Dual Band & Duplex soundcloud'' there is a podcast of John Kruk N9UPC explaining why this isn't possible.

[@LastStarfighterAJ]

The other thing it has that sets it apart from the FTM-400 is that it has bluetooth built in as standard so you can use the bluetooth headset with this unit for hands-free operation in vehicles.

[@TXLorenzo]

It would be interesting to see how many FTM 100s are doing PDN base duty instead of being mobile. I know that is what I am doing and the FTM 100s are still selling strong on the used market. Try to find one now. For now, my FT 891 and FTM 300 remote heads sit conveniently in my two cup holder slots in the car. Its a nice compact, out of the way mounting and easy to remove when needed.

[@adammoore7994]

Almost got one until I saw it was made in China. Really prefer my equipment be made in Japan, especially at that price point. Went with the ftm-7250 instead.

[@SPDTDL]

7250 has lovely Audio

[@Mike_Hoellwarth]

I've had the 300 for a few months. I'm really happy with it. One of my favorite features is the band scope in the memory function. I have all my local repeaters in the same group of memory channels, so I can listen to whichever one is busy, and keep an eye on the others nearby at the same time.

[@eugenecbell]

Thank you for a great review. Please zoom in on the radio when you try to demo it, lots of us want to see, but in a smartphone screen.

[@chaplainleggitt7472]

New guy studying for my Technician license. Have my eye on a FT3DR. Thanks for the great videos.

[@forgetyourlife]

The 400 was a lot cheaper until they released this cheap China option. They raised the ftm400 price! Doesn’t anyone remember when it was 409.99 for 10 months?

[@forgetyourlife]

The secret is Yaesu makes this in China and the 100 (was) and 400 are made in Japan.

[@DJBlackhawk]

Wish the 400, 300 and FT3D menu would be updated to more closely matched. Like you stated just getting into the sub menu versus the full menu differs buttons differ. Over great review and great radios! 73 DE KK4MND

[@brian.7966]

Great little radio. works for me.

[@kellingc]

The warm open witg the "black market dealer" alone worth a thumbs up. Thanks for the post

[@Whiskey7BackRoads]

Great comparison. Thinking of getting one for the jeep

[@aaronlabranche2977]

You will be sorry

[@Whiskey7BackRoads]

@@aaronlabranche2977 why is that?

[@aaronlabranche2977]

I am on my second one first one replaced by hro several issues... the second one the replacement just failed when keyed at full power it shorts out the power supply and the supply is fine keys you my 80w 2m radio just fine on full power. Both units got burnt screen with in a month of full time use. Never mind got to update out of box and thats a nightmare super hassle...

[@Whiskey7BackRoads]

@@aaronlabranche2977 when that sucks...sorry to hear that. Maybe stick with the 400

[@aaronlabranche2977]

@@Whiskey7BackRoads I have had no problems with my 400xdr

[@mrhowell6842]

I love my FTM-100 but I plan to get the 300 at some point

[@stevest.martin3940]

I'm going to Quartzfest in January are you going this year?

[@K6UDA]

They're calling it Quartzpause, and yes, I'm planning to go.

[@mozee06]

One of my only gripes with the 400 is only having digital on Ch A. I like to use Ch A for VHF and Ch B for UHF. I had to sort out which UHF repeaters were digital and use up my Ch A memory spots for them, which adds a level of disorder that bugs me, lol. I currently have all repeaters programmed in from think a 200 mile radius. Would have gone further but ran out of memory channels. Makes me think of another cool feature that Yaesu should add. Since, within that radius, there are a number of duplicate frequencies that I had to set up to skip unless travelling in that area, it would be nice to be able to tie that in to the GPS also, with the locations of the repeaters. I can dream...

[@mikengeerockstarkaraokedj8474]

so question, after playing with the FTM300 and owning FTM400s what would you buy if you didn't already have the FTM400's, the FTM400 or the FTM300?

[@user-mt2qn4yp8w]

Great stuff Bob. Thank you. Good to see you. 73 de KG7LOI.

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

You should have said something Bob, I would have shipped you mine for a month.

[@K6UDA]

Damn.

[@mikesmithg0rfd356]

thank you

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice.................

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Digi in a and b but not at the same time

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Update is needed out of box and its a nightmare

[@K6UDA]

Thanks for the warning.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

@@K6UDA must tell you my replacment ftm300dr just failed at high power tx causes short in the power supply had to edit this reply as I just found out you were a cop so you could have taken that wrong gotcas far as explorers seen the thin blue line of corruption ... not for me... cop slept with my wife other cops helped her set me up... nice profession ... I'm not like most trump voters I seen and lived your thin blue line of corruption.. corrup cops threw you to the corrupt judges and da corrupt then they give you a corrupt public pretender ... you are the swamp that needs to be drained and don't know it . The one area I have to disagree with trump no blind Jack boot licking for me.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Starting to think china 🇨🇳 trying to crush yaesu. First force them to make more radios in china via flooded bofang then make bran name radios made in china junky kill off big three ... and boom boxed into china radios forever ...

[@rocketgirljeannette]

@@aaronlabranche2977 it sure feels that way... are these softwear issues that can be fixed in time ? why would they broker a deal with them ?unless they where assured quality control ......i assume.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

@@rocketgirljeannette its real bad before the update many issues dcs code 23 still works when it wishes... today the short is gone on high tx power who knows .... first radio had a bent cover was bowed outward smh the screens are burning or residual from main screen in all menus

[@taketwophoto2206]

Is there a dedicated squelch knob? As in, continuously variable rotating dial without having to push some dumb ass button first or search through a menu? China junk.

[@wild-radio7373]

🤜🏻👍🤛🏻♡♡♡

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Nope screen burn 🔥 bad 2 units ...

[@scottmerrow1488]

Not only for gay narcissists....

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Made in china 🇨🇳