Yaesu FT 2900R Review Part 2: More In Depth Review

My thoughts after using the FT-2900R for the last three months

[@garzy55]

Great vid. Just bought one of these radios yesterday so still going through the features. So far very impressed.

[@gamingforlive2150]

agreed but i`d like a version that can do same power + 70 cm

[@aurtisanminer2827]

Great review! Buying one of these tomorrow from a ham i heard on the radio selling it. I have an Alinco DR135 2 meter radio that i’ve really enjoyed so i figured i would get this 2900 for my other vehicle. It sounds like it’s possibly a little better radio so I think i’ll really enjoy it. Thanks for all your info!

[@digitaldreamer5481]

I own both, the 2900r and the 2980r, both are awesome radios and yet, I’ve never programed any of them. I just spin the big knob to the frequency I want, hit the SET button for one full second, which brings me to Menu 52, I tap, brings up the PL tones, spin to the PL tone for the repeater I’m on, hit the SET button again for a full second, BAM! I’m done! Yes, I have every 2 meter repeater and PL tone memorized, so it takes me less than 3 seconds to go from one repeater to another. Luckily for me, this island’s repeaters are all set for PL tone 88.5 Khz, too simple! This radio even knows when I’m on Simplex too. Only complaint that I have for all Yaesu radios is that the mic cords are too short and made of really cheap material, have to replace the cords like every 2-4 years or when the rubber coating starts flaking off to expose the wires. Other than that, it’s a great EmComm radio. 73’

[@johnwmacdonald994]

Hello and thank you for a very helpful review of the FT-2900R. I've been shopping for something and after considering almost every combination of two-band, single-band, quad-band and whatever units I finally decided that all I need at the moment is a single band, and this model stands out as being robust and easy to use. I think I'm going to be right about that, with the help of yourself, along with various reviews I've watched or read. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks again. 73s KC1DIW

[@kc1bzf535]

A tip on using the A/N - LOW button: The A/N function switches the display between alphanumeric and frequency mode. Then what does the SET - MHz button do? The MHz function does cause the radio do go to frequency display, but what it's really doing is allowing you to tune around the memory channel. If you press the button on a channel, then try spinning the VFO knob... you'll find you can tune around the frequency as if you had gone to the channel in the VFO. Pressing the MW - D/MR button brings you back to the original memory channel. Oh, Yaesu... I hope that helped!

[@Duddie82]

I am the same on programming. I have multiple ham radios, of different models, and are different. So its not possible for me to remember how to program without using the manual. I am very happy with my Yaesu FT 2900r. Its been really good, and I have zero problems reaching the repeaters in Fort Worth/Dallas. I live in Fort Worth, and can reach Dallas repeaters on 5 watts. I rarely use this radio on any higher power.

[@735Secure]

Very well done, Thank you.

[@tonytyler6390]

dude these radios are sooo good i have many of them in all of my autos and house and they are work horses.. i hope they continue to sell them for years to come.... tony t. n0amy...

[@joeshmoe7899]

How is the receive sensitivity, and urban receiver overload, compared to other radios?

[@willyromares1077]

what external cord is that? In your microphone to radio

[@FILIPPOS536]

It made it quite difficult for me to set it up. But after doing it it's a great radio. There is an issue with the temperature, I have put a motor on top so that it does not burn

[@cliffbarrett9471]

Cool extras!

[@LogicBob]

I watched this and thought, "CHiRP supports the FT-2900r" so I checked and it looks like it got support for this radio around the same time you posted this video! Too funny...

[@w7kbx-buckley]

Logic Bob Even more funny is that yesterday I realized I hadn't checked to see if CHIRP had added support for the 2900 in a while. I checked and found it did. I ordered a cable this morning. And when I was notified of your comment, I figured it would be someone pointing out that the 2900 is now supported by CHIRP.

[@christopherlawrence181]

+Logic Bob I did not see Yaesu Ft2900 in my chirp. Do I need to update it?

[@LogicBob]

Christopher Lawrence I dunno, but it shows support on the chirp website

[@stuartclark9423]

Great video; I got one for Christmas and am just getting mine set up. Trying to figure out how I can set up my J-pole (I read your blog post one that and am thinking something similar, minus the bat)....

[@w7kbx-buckley]

Yeah, that dumb bat. My wife still laughs about that incident. In fact, she was just telling a family friend about it yesterday. She loves telling the story. Although, I think she exaggerates my wussiness a bit.

[@michaliscreta]

Greetings dear sir... How to change temperature From farehneit to celcius?

[@marjamada]

Thanks for the sort-of "More In Depth Review". I had to laugh when you said "I really don't know what this button does" for quite a few buttons. The old saying..."If everything else fails, read the instructions". TIP: Takes 30 seconds: type the model into google search, select 'manual', and the .pdf doc's table of contents says the front panel controls are on p. 10, and lo, there they are. Or were you planning to cover the controls in Part 3? In Depth means take the 30 seconds and find out. Just playing. I actually found your review useful and will probably get this radio. Thanks. Okay if I call you "In Depth"?

[@EdmondCharrette]

+marjamada lol

[@KE8ODY-WV-Ares-Ham-Dad-3O4]

How did you program the temp

[@joeshmoe7899]

Why didn't you get the Kenwood tm281a, yaesu 3100, or icom 2300h?

[@stalbaum]

I love 70cm but don't miss it on my ft-2980, which I use for mobile. 2 meters can keep you on a repeater for a good amount of time when you are passing 65mph, so I don't really miss flying past 70cm. Mountains make 70cm rough for mobile as well... Maybe better in the midwest.

[@eccolture]

Excuse, I have a motorola mcd1250 and it has a function that, if youre talking to another person out fo your range but in the range thers the motorola, it will retransmit the signal as a kind of repeater, so your coverage is highly increased, does this radio has that function?

[@w7kbx-buckley]

If I understand what you are meaning, no, it does not have that function

[@africantwin173]

I hope that Yaesu made a UHF version like the 2980. With Packet Data port. I would buy 2. I like the fanless design.

[@w7kbx-buckley]

@ Robert Germyn -- When I recorded the video, I was using a copper pipe j-pole purchased from KB9VBR. Mounted in my attic, base of the antenna was about 12 feet above ground level. Great performance on that thing. Since I recorded, I have installed a 1/4 wave ground plane antenna outside, about 25 feet in the air for better simplex reception. I like both antennas for various reasons.

[@Jake-yv9cr]

What connector and cable are/were you running for the j-pole? Any recommendations? Edit: I noticed on the website where you said you bought the antenna, it says 4+ Mhz from 146 Mhz, I am still realatively new to HAM radio, can I still use this antenna for most all of the 2m band with good signal? Or is it only for plus or minus 4 Mhz from 146 Mhz? (Sorry if this is confusing)

[@30pvfd]

Great antennas I got one and it works great on 2m

[@dsweet2010]

I may buy one these. I am kind of confused on freq though. I am wanting to monitor local small airport, which operates on 122.xxxx. Is that possible with this unit?

[@w7kbx-buckley]

+Dustin Sweet Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. The 2900 is capable of rX from 136.00 MHz through 174.000 MHz

[@jolebole-yt]

Neat trick with the webcam. very clever. Funny how people complain about the fan being too loud, but I cant hear any fan nose in the video. They probably crank it up on max power all the time and of course the fan will kick in.

[@Nicksperiments]

Goran Jordanov There is no fan

[@edgaralvarez8665]

just wondering, I'm fairly new to ham radios and been wondering, what is the range on one of these little radios, what is the farthest you have been able to talk with someone?

[@realkylebuckley]

With a good antenna system, about 90 to 100 miles. The other station needs a good antenna system too. Average contact is probably 20 miles.

[@43bobbyg]

what antenna are you using with your base application?

[@w7kbx-buckley]

+Robert Germyn Copper pipe J-pole mounted in my attic

[@EdmondCharrette]

I enjoyed your review. Can you turn the display light and/or the display off? Thanks. 73s!

[@w7kbx-buckley]

Yes, you can turn it off, dim it and brighten it.

[@smallenginedude71]

i bet you i will get a heat warning here in australia. sometimes the ambient temperature outside gets to 44 degrees celcius which is 111 Fahrenheit.

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

once you use a mac there is no going back ,,, I hate windows ,, great vid

[@chrisa2351]

Excellent review! I love your complaints about how things are labeled. It's so true lol

[@bobdillashaw4360]

My mic for my 7800 is the same way, I’ve keyed up many time without even knowing.

[@SCW1060]

Great video's I looking to buy 2 for the wife's and my cars for emergencies since I work 32 miles away from home ans living here in eastern Washington State we are at risk for a 9.+ mg earthquake and Ham most likely will be the only way to communicate with my wife since I may be not able to get home anytime soon. I m very new to Ham but have a lot of experience with CB and police scanners. Im just wondering if the 2900R will also have pre programed emergency channels and will I be able to listen to our local police and fire. Thanks for your time

[@w7kbx-buckley]

Ivape Scott I'm not sure if you will be able to receive emergency com like fire, police, forest, etc. You will be able to hear weather stations for sure, pre-programed. The radio can receive 136-174 MHz, so I would do a web search and see if any state, county, or city services utilize freqs in that range. By the way, now is a perfect time to buy the 2900R from Ham Radio Outlet. It's on sale until 9/30/2015.

[@SCW1060]

Wow thanks That is $41 cheaper then on Amazon. Oh hat antenna should I get for my Car to insure I can transmit and receive at least 50-100 miles?

[@w7kbx-buckley]

Ivape Scott 50 to 100 miles? That is all dependent on terrain, elevation, atmospheric conditions, etc. I have the Browning WSPBR10353 mag mount (from amazon) and although the 2900R isn't a dual band, I would get the dual-band Browning BR-180 antenna from Amazon or from wherever you can find it for the cheapest. I think HRO may have it too. I don't use it around town, since it is so tall and we can't pull our van into the garage when it's on, but I plop it onto our van whenever we make a road trip and whenever we go camping. I've been able to hit repeaters 80 to 100 miles away on just 5 watts of power, but remember, that is primarily due to the repeaters' high elevation.

[@tittiger]

Look int eh manual there are pretty good mnemonics for the buttons except for the D/MR button -- the VFO memory toggle

[@jalexgans932]

Will u do a 75 watt test. I just got one of these on gigaparts.

[@w7kbx-buckley]

+jalex gans Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. What do you mean by a 75 watt test? What am I testing exactly. I rarely use 75 watts, only on those rare simplex contacts that are way out there. It worked fine.

[@Nicksperiments]

jalex gans I was able to measure 75 watts. Out of the box it only produced about 50 watts and I had to go in the settings to turn the high power up to max (max power is "FF"). Look up the "power mod" if you haven't done this already but I can assure you the radio is capable of 75 watts with proper cable and antenna of course

[@jalexgans932]

Nevermind, I already have one, and have tries and used it. Thanks.

[@mndakguy]

How about the red button?

[@W6MDE]

Good review but you should of done your homework before making the video.

[@geraldscott9446]

Complicated programming is this radios major downfall. I only have 5 repeaters and the simplex frequency programmed into the one I use as a base station, because they are the only ones I use. But there are a lot more things you can program into this radio than frequencies, offsets and tones, and it is set up so that you can program all that stuff differently for each frequency. I wish someone would make a radio with just a VFO, you could look in the repeater directory, tune the VFO to that frequency, then punch in the offset and tone, and start talking. When I travel, and I travel a lot, I have to look up the frequencies for the area I'm in, and I don't want to program all those frequencies into the radio permanently. You could wind up with hundreds of frequencies, and not even know what was what.

[@microminiskirt]

Maybe that BTECH UV-50x2 would fill the bill?

[@charliecarter8902]

Good review but too many "I t.hink" and "I don't know". If you want to do a real review, and mention a button, it would be nice if you actually knew what that button did. Also, quit whining about how you don't like the way Yaesu does or labels things. Mention it once and move on

[@jimmycake7143]

but those nails they collect dirty germs