Yaesu Ft 450 Review KC2UOO

KC2UOO Review of the Yaesu FT-450
If you have any questions, or are interested in a specific feature of the radio I did not cover, let me know Ill see what I can do to go over that and put a video up for you.

[@dash8brj]

Nice little review - and a cute little radio with some nice features. I take it you bought the non ATU version judging by your AT-100 pro. I am looking at a second HF radio / using my ic - 7000 as a secondary hf radio, and am looking at reviews on the different models. Thanks for putting up this review.

[@mark33545]

Thanks for the video, I just ordered the ft450d and am excited to try it. I am a new ham, just passed general and tech and hope this radio will do what I need for the future.

[@AudiophileTubes]

The FT-450 is an excellent, well made rig for the money. I've had mine for a few years, and it amazes me each time I work DX with good signal reports. I keep the mic gain on the highest setting for SSB, for best audio.

[@zepangua]

I love that camera shake and perfect focused video, very nice.

[@AudiophileTubes]

This is really a great little feature packed rig for the money. I've worked 143 countries with it using 100w, with only wire antennas and a gap vertical.

[@elcano9]

I have an FT-920 with the MD-100 mic and I just love Yaesus! I was thinking of buying this little baby (FT-450) as a backup rig or even for camping which I do a lot. But I'm more attracted to the version that has internal antenna tuner. I really like yaesu tuners, they tune WAY better than kenwood and icom tuners. My ft-920 tunes a G5RV with 2.7:1 - 3.0:1 SWR in almost every band and it tunes quickly from 10 to 80 meters and I have even tuned it at 6 meters. Congrats there on your purchase!

[@AudiophileTubes]

Great little feature rich rig, with DSP that works very well. I have the 450AT model, and the tuner works very well, although the internal relays sound a tad loud. Thanks for posting this!

[@HondaGuy2009]

Nice Video,Alot of radio for the price. I own a Yaesu FT 900 since 1998 and love it. Yaesu's are great radios,I love the display on yours,You'll be surprised how much you will be able to do with that rig! 73,Andy K8AND

[@K2FR]

Agreed, I was thinking about a mobile application with this radio. Its compact enough to do it, just not easy to see at night without some lights on.

[@K2FR]

I have used the TS-2000, Sweet radio no doubt =) but My setup was all about the budget, I have this problems of going way too fast and spending way too much money on hobbies I pickup. I got my whole setup for about a 1000 dollars and I was on the air with a home made antenna and talking the world. Whats down the line for me? If I had a boatload of extra money laying around id probably pickup a nice FT-2000 and DMU to match.. yeah that would be nice. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@Grunta5]

Good review , thanks.. I didnt realise this radio was so small. 73 from ZL

[@iclord]

Hello kc2uoo you did a fine job thanks !! thinking about buying this radio but not sure yet what did you pay for it? the small knobs i don't like Guy

[@tretty]

Nice review didn't notice a seperate output for 6mtrs but you covered all the bases de:- G6JTT

[@nl13286]

I just bought it! Really happy... 73's

[@K2FR]

I had a couple days using the Kenwood TS-2000 which I really enjoyed. I wanted to keep my budget under 1000 dollars. So, most of the entry level radios were out, and I went with this one without the internal tuner because of the price. For my whole setup, radio /Tuner/Powersupply/Antenna I came in just under 1000 dollars. So i went with this radio for money reasons. I however liked the 950, and 2000 but passed because of money

[@3Dprint4you]

Great review. I notice in another review you sell the 450 for the 857. Any regrets? I am trying to decide between the 857 and 450 for a rig in my trailer when camping.

[@AI4QT]

Really enjoyed your review of the 450. AI4QT in Huntsville AL

[@PopeyeKF4LBG]

I have the 450 AT... Love it.

[@1903A3shooter]

Nice rig and nice video... I have a ft-897 and like it also. Dave

[@K2FR]

nice! its a great radio.. does everything I need =) You will enjoy it. Good luck on General! -Andrew K2FR

[@K2FR]

Yes, you can switch the Meter on the top left to SWR and see what your SWR reading is.

[@K2FR]

@kd7gvd No regrets, I love the 857.. I do miss the larger display of the 450, but both radios have similar functionality and I liked the ability to go backpacking with the 857.

[@K2FR]

@jpflip its a 25 amp power supply, and only draws right around 20 amps while doing 100 watts FM. 100 watts Side band on HF, will draw just over 10 amps or so.

[@N0SSC]

Nice Review! I was considering getting one of these for the car, but having no lit buttons makes use difficult at night. 73 Sterling N0SSC

[@K2FR]

Congratulations Enjoy! its a great radio

[@mstax]

What other radios did you consider before getting this one? Seems like a great rig for the price!

[@barrygkx]

You gave a good review. I played with an FT 450 and my biggest complaint is the size of the VFO knob and NO BAIL ! KU3X

[@K2FR]

I hooked an audio cable upto my computer from the external speaker port, Digital master and Digi pan work pretty good with that. My interface for transmitting is a Small speaker velcro/taped onto my Mic, and VOX on. it works.. its rudimentary.. not planning on spending money on a cable/interface at this point. As im not really interested much in the Digital stuff.

[@adelarsen9776]

The Icom 7200 is waterproof and solid. But this is a good radio too.

[@K2FR]

It has the option of coming with a tuner or not. I chose to use a more robust external tuner

[@K2FR]

The radio has the option to come with an ATU, I chose to go with an external for my particular antenna setups.

[@K2FR]

@maciejwrotek I no longer have this radio, but during my time use it. I never had problems with the main knob.

[@K2FR]

Anyone can operate it.. however.. Legally you need a technician class license to key up on the 10 meter portion of the band thats allocated for techs. To really use the full potential of this radio you need a General Class, to utilize the HF bands, 160-10 Good luck!

[@K2FR]

Im working on getting the Cables to hook it upto my computer. Eventually I will get into the data stuff and try and do another review of the features I did not go over in this vid.

[@xenaspassword]

it will be nice when the manufacturers give back some user controls to knobs

[@grant2053]

Doesn't it have an built-in antenna tuner?

[@K2FR]

This particular model the FT-450 Does not have it built in, knowing I was going to be using Dipoles and Random wire antenna's I opt'ed for an external tuner. However the FT-450AT does have an Internal tuner So yes, this radio has the option for an internal tuner.

[@K2FR]

@nurfacebish ah, ok. guess that makes sense. They canceled my KC2UOO callsign when i upgraded to K2FR. was a bit confused for a second.

[@JettaJ1]

this probably sounds dumb...but have you tried it on 11meters? or 38lsb?

[@radioman-pz5jw]

Hi Agn KC2UOO thanks agn for this vid.. when can we see more from ur side ? i will like to know how this radio behave on digital modes so if do someone have some experiance with it plse post a video 73 and all the best pz5jw

[@allanblanco5884]

Hi, KC2UOO can u help me to understand in details about the hidden menu on FT450 and how can i improve my audio TX. TNX 73 de 4F6UUX

[@81quiroz]

I'm thinking of the ft-450 or the ft-857 .I just want a really good HF radio that I can grow with and learn cause this is a radio I will keep for a long time .I don't care for the size or weight cause i will build a frame for my backpack . can any one help me

[@crazyjcdb]

IF you have used a Yeau FT-290r The knobs on this radio will ok. I might get one. John, g0cdb, 73.

[@tonyridlen]

Can this rig run portable so I can impress all of my family and friends????

[@philmanofsky]

any rig can run portable, just depends on what battery you have and what amount of weight you are willing to carry lol. but on the Yaesu website they mention that this rig is good for portable

[@K2FR]

Nope, no mic compression. I find I dont need it all, with a good antenna. the signal gets out just fine.

[@hartman072]

Great radio but DMAN, I'm DRUNK from the S-h-A-KKKKKiiiiiiiEEEE-video!!

[@radioman-pz5jw]

Hi KC2UOO did you try psk and other digital modes can u plse try this and put it on youtube 73 pz5jw

[@sssaaabbb888]

still using the Yaesu FT-450?

[@K2FR]

Sold it many years ago. However it was a great radio for my time using. It's a great entry level rig for getting into Amateur radio and the price isn't to harsh either.

[@sssaaabbb888]

Thank you. The radio arrives today.

[@K2FR]

with 100 watts FM full carrier, its about 22 Amps draw. Sideband its up and down as its never a full carrier.

[@K2FR]

@kc2vso Nope, just 160-6 meters. No VHF/UHF

[@EugenioGuarente]

Pleaseeeee, can you stop the shake of your camera?.

[@K2FR]

@nurfacebish I did?

[@petchharrison]

hoping mine to get here today i got it use but little wear,they look ok apart from looking an ugly duckling,loos like an old beta max .. jeff ..

[@K2FR]

No clue, I stay away from the Trashband

[@DataID]

Too much moise OM...but it does make QSO's!! 73's de SV2BWM Anastasios...

[@petchharrison]

I CAN DO SPLITS AND I DONT NEED A KNOB .. HI HI .. JEFF ..

[@MyBraid]

Кул трансивер тока дороговато у нас в Белорусии)

[@craigwilliams2325]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Tripod! Focus!

[@K2FR]

@nurfacebish ah, ok. guess that makes sense. They canceled my KC2UOO callsign when i upgraded to K2FR. was a bit confused for a second.