Yaesu FT-450D Walkthrough

A close-up look at the Yaesu FT-450D transceiver. See the November 2011 issue of QST magazine for the complete review.

[@PhilReilly2778]

The review made me glad I just ordered one. Returned to the bands after 20 years. Phil M1CYV

[@jimshepard8054]

Been silent myself for 10 yrs.

[@custisstandish1961]

Thanks for this video. Just got one in the shack and appreciate your quick walk-thru. It got me oriented.

[@mstax]

Excellent run-through of all the functionality of this rig... Thanks!

[@richardjohnson6839]

I have this radio and use it for portable/mobile use for county hunting. I have had nothing but excellent audio reports using the standard, enclosed mic. Easy to learn, good speaker system, and excellent ears. For as inexpensive as it is, it offers goodies that I had to pay extra for on my 480HX radio... I can only put 1 filter for ssb and cw in, I have to buy a special speaker implement and install it in the 480, and these come standard with the 450D. About another 400 or so dollars of implements to get it to do the same things. And twice the price!!

[@Varianna12]

You'll be happy with it--even if you are a new ham. There is an easily accessible function menu, easily mastered. This radio is much smaller than either the receiver OR the transmitter I used in 1975 as a novice, and light years ahead in performance. Many, many features are in the menu that would have been add-ons back then: (2x VFO, keyer, filters, digital readout, and much more!

[@rondellschuyler7074]

Very good yaesu radio. My next radio. Good value for the money.

[@umajunkcollector]

I was looking for an inexpensive HF rig, tired of used old ???. I considered the Alinco SR8, Icom IC718 and others. But the fella at AES recommended this rig, and I am glad that he did. I got it today, and have yet to power it up. I've been studying its manual, a lot in there. And I decided to see a few YT vids too. I will get to play with it tomorrow, I will sleep on it to get my thoughts together. Yaesu gives you some nice bells and whistles that you pay extra for in other brands. I read the QST review about the Alinco SR9, and that got me thinking about getting a nice new toy. I have not been on the air in years, and am a bit nervous like a new ham, got those new ham jitters. This rig also has a code practice mode, to brush up on code. I was quite the motor mouth in the early 90s, but the bands seem so dead now, especially above 2m. We gotta use it, or we will lost it. So look out, here I come! btw, I also have a Drake TR4, it's good to have something old too.

[@esd67]

I bought this radio back in 2011 at a hamfest. $944.00 no tax. Works very well. I started to get the 950 but the 950 was about 4 to $500.00 higher so i decide on this one. Great radio. Small enough to use as a mobile. But since i don't run the roads it is a home base station. I have many yeasu radios and they have been great radios over the years.

[@krzysiekva2hu903]

got one of these and i really like it..nice improvement from previous FT-450...73! Many thanks for Your video and see You on the bands...

[@josephframo6044]

Bob Allison did a great presentation on the FT 450d

[@wb8yjf]

Just picked one of these up - cool little rig.

[@joeframo3347]

Hello Bob Allison from Atlanta Georgia thank you for sharing this wonderful package radio full of features and pact with a lot of things awesome very nice radio for the field in for fix station in the house thanks again your best friend from Atlanta Georgia

[@mm0gpz]

Thanks for excellent video review. I wouldn't have previously considered an FT-450 but with T32C appearing to manage ok with them, seems like an ideal backup or portable TX. Gordon MM0GPZ

[@CallmeDaBreeze1971]

Looking at this for my first HF.

[@jimshepard8054]

Looking at it for my last at 63. Keep plugging away, 73 de KB7DTI

[@pioneerz450]

Btw I am picking up one of these on saturday :D I had some money saved up and wanted to stop leeching of my dads Kenwood ;)

[@o00scorpion00o]

It's a shame the FT-450D is gone, I hope Yaesu come out with a modern non sdr alternative with knobs and buttons. At a similar price.

[@Varianna12]

I have a regular '450. The lack of illuminated buttons not a big issue-I just put a small 17 watt neon light under the top cabinet of my desk. I think the tilt stand can be added. Otherwise a fine little radio: super easy to see and useful display, high performance, and the digital filters work very well. Also have heard lots about the small tuning knob but.....you did want a compact radio, did you not??? Have called Europe on 5 watts accidentally--they answered.

[@PatientXero607]

Sorry for a big-time necro-thread, but it's the antenna that matters the most. You could put 100W into a wet noodle and not hit the next town down the road.

[@eduardosomoanocrematy7802]

Here I explain what happens with my Yaesu FT-450. A few days ago I made the mistake of trying a radio from a friend of mine when my FT-450 was on receiving, they had two different antennas but the separation between the antennas on the roof are 3 meters. When I was testing the radio in transmission I felt a burning smell from my friend and I realized that it was coming from my radio, at the moment I turned it off and when I turned it back on it had changed many things like: - TRANSMIT BUT DOES NOT GIVE ANY OUT POWER IN (AM) MODE ON ANY BAND. - THE SYSTEM (ALC) DOESN'T WORK, NEVER MARK ANYTHING ON THE DISPLAY, BEFORE IT WORKED VERY GOOD. - ESPECIALLY IN 6M (50MHZ) BEFORE HAD 100 WATT, NOW ONLY HAS 10WATT AND WHEN CW OR SSB TRANSFER FEELS MY VOICE OR NOISE IN THE RADIO HORN. - THE INTERNAL RADIO TUNER ANTENNA DOES NOT ADJUST IN SOME BANDS AND HIGH SWR WITH GHOST ANTENNA DUMMY 50OHM ADJUST 1: 1 ALMOST ALL BANDS, I REMOVED THE RADIO TUNER ANTENNA AND CONTINUES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE INT-TUNER OF THE FT-450. - BEFORE ALMOST ALL BANDS DRAWN 100 WATT CW AND ALMOST 90 WATT SSB. NOW HIM RESULT WITH LOAD DUMMY 50OHM PER BAND IS: 160m ... fm .... 100 watt cw .... 100 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 100 watt ----------------------------- 80m ... fm .... 100 watt cw .... 100 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and dgital .. 100 watt ----------------------- 40m .... fm .... 70 watt cw .... 70 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital ..40 watt ----------------------- 30m ....... fm .... 70 watt cw .... 70 watt am .... no carrier no power ----------------------- 20m ....... fm .... 70 watt cw .... 70 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 40 watt ----------------------- 17m ....... fm .... 50 watt cw .... 50 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 30 watt ------------------------ 15 m ........ fm .... 80 watt cw .... 80 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 80 watt ------------------------- 12m ......... fm .... 80 watt cw .... 80 watt am .... no carrier no power fonia and digital .. 50 watt When I transmit on the phone you can hear it on the radio horn ------------------------- 10m ......... fm .... 50 watt cw .... 50 watt am .... 10watt fonia and digital .. 50 watt --------------------------- 6m ......... fm .... 20 watt cw .... 20 watt am .... 20 watt fonia and digital .. 20 watt, When I transmit in fonia it is heard in the radio horn. He also seems to be crazy, he makes noise and he seems to have serious problems. I RESET HOME OF THE RADIO AND CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THE PARAMETERS THE HIDDEN MENU IS CORRECT, THE RECEPTION IS CONSIDERED GOOD IN ALL THE BANDS AND MODES. I CHECK THE BOARDS OR BOARDS AND ALL ARE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, NONE COMPONENT SEEMS TO BE BURNED. BEFORE MAKING THE ERROR MY RADIO WAS WORKING NO PROBLEM WITH 100 WATT IN ALL THE BANDS AND THE AUT INT ALSO WORKED NO PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT WITH THESE DATA YOU CAN GIVE ME AN IDEA OR OPINION OF WHAT PROBLEM THE TEAM HAS THOUSAND THANKS IN ADVANCE. BEST 73.- EDUARDO CO8LY

[@rv3dhc]

Very interesting. Thanks for introduction and video, Bob. 73! from Moscow, RU

[@jwsolarusa]

Wow! What a nice job you have their. Yeasu is one of coolest Radios in the world. I just Subbed you. Thanks for sharing.

[@VK2BEN]

Thanks for nice run-through. However, the voice announcer seems redundant. Why? Coz the buttons are so darned small - much smaller than that huge illuminated display....if you can't read the display already, what chance is there of hitting the Function and Voice keys?? Dumb. And the ATU only tunes 3:1? OK, you should be using a resonant antenna but how much would it have cost Vertex to install the equivalent of an LDG ATU?

[@DataID]

It's just a baby Bob... Let it grow up!!

[@KE0ZCO]

Well there is another toy on the wish list. Great video!

[@K7AGE]

Looks very good. What camera are you using?

[@GeorgiaRailfanner]

I was wondering if you would be able to program more frequencies into this radio. Not to talk on but if you'd be able to use it as a scanner also.

[@endtheillusion]

Would have liked to see the tune button actually hit instead of just taking about it. I need to know if the "chatter" is normal.

[@OldMojoDT]

Mine arrives tomorrow. Thanks for the intro. KE8ICK

[@MrLosttheplot]

Yaseu 450 is a very easy to use high quality radio buy one

[@petchharrison]

i have the rig now at have had it for 4 months its good. mine works with out problems well for now use it for cw as thats what i do most got fed up of ssb people talk a lot of rubbish on there bit like me. nice 300hz filter .. tnx .. jeff ..m0prf

[@AudiophileTubes]

Pisses me off that Yaesu did not have these features on the original 450. I bought the original 450 new, and wish I had waited a bit for the 'D' model.

[@josephframo6044]

you see Bob Allison can explain the 450d that's what we need people like Allison he's a sharp Tech

[@johnnydark9239]

......oh yeah....the guy says NOISE BLANKETER.....and SWRs.....yeah he's real sharp

[@wb8yjf]

+Johnny Dark Relax dude. Hams know what he meant - he just didn't speek too gud - lol

[@wb8yjf]

+Johnny Dark Relax dude. Hams know what he meant - he just didn't speek too gud - lol

[@brucear77]

What do you all think about the IC-718 for a new ham operator

[@valdiralexandremaiaarbex9898]

É VERDADE QUE USANDO O BOTÃO BAND UP/BAND DOW EM CONJUNTO COM O BOTÃO LIGA/DESLIGA SE FAZ UMA LIMPEZA NOS RELES ?

[@harrybatt998]

I've recently bought one of these, but I find the RX audio terrible & muddy; the only way I've found to improve it is to turn the contour fully down to the left. Out of the numerous rigs I own, the FT-450D is hands down the worst for receive audio. Has anybody else noticed the same poor audio?

[@o00scorpion00o]

I don't have the 450D but I have the FT-891 and it's built in speaker is not the best as is the same with most built in speakers. I have to use the countour too to make it brighter, I listen mostly with headphones and it sounds 1000 times better, the analogue audio is superb from the 891 with headphones. The audio is much better than my old 7300 which I sold. Never happy with the harsh background noise. SDRs need proper AGC control. The 7300 just didn't work for me, the fancy screen can't make up for bad audio and after all what's the point if the audio is poor ? I don't have the 450D But I am interested in getting one as a 2nd radio for the sitting room. I've been using the 891 and while I love it it's heavily menu driven but it's a lot of radio for it's size. The receiver on it is really good.

[@kellingc]

I want one! More videos, please!

[@angelhelp6819]

I bought it yes to 4:50 d I like your video I'll give you 100% out

[@VP2EIHonAnguillaIsland]

nice little rig, love Yaesu.. 73's

[@oodamnagain]

Is this to much for a beginner or should I dive it and buy high quality?

[@sickickmusicrepresenting9384]

I don’t see no video on previous modal in your video

[@robertobarnard3230]

What's the difference between the Data Port and the old-fashioned RS232 Cat? cAN BOTH be used for computer control?

[@joeb3300]

If you still care 8 years after your comment... yes, I use both at the same time.

[@leerichardson9563]

How do you access the ALC when doing digi modes such as psk31? Obviously you need to be able to reduce ALC so that it is barely showing when using psk etc but I cannot find it described anywhere.Any help please?

[@PatientXero607]

You don't need ALC. Just turn the TX power down to 20-30W and there you go.

[@josephkopeczy2678]

it would make a nice cb for a begginer

[@wb5rue]

Does the DSP have a "tone" function that will remove carriers in SSB mode?

[@HiTechBABAJi]

Hi everyone, I am from India and in an individual capacity, I am trying to provide video lectures to explain the rules procedures guidelines and latest practices for HAM Radio operators in India. My goal is to make HAM radio more popular in India. Please provide suggestions which will help me a lot.

[@HiTechBABAJi]

one can get important links How To Get Amateur (HAM) Radio License in India and Become a HAM Radio Operator kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHbaZ2SkrrCWhtEsub_confirmation=1 How to make payments through bharatkosh.gov.in // Payment of Ham Radio License Fees Exam fee kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJbZhZyeeZVklZosub_confirmation=1 HAM RADIO LICENCE STAGES in INDIA //AMATEUR RADIO LICENCING PROCEDURES IN INDIA kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3WloXiolLCtkK8sub_confirmation=1 ITU Regulations of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Fast As Possible/ Amateur Radio/ HAM Radio Regulations kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnWZmIumgaZ9l8ksub_confirmation=1 thank you

[@MojaveNarrows]

Great job!

[@pjo1964]

You would figure the voice function would activate with one press of a button in an easy to locate spot on the face. Not very sight impaired friendly really.

[@81quiroz]

is the ft-450D better then the FT-857D or the other way around

[@francismartinez6374]

Hi dose it TX and RX in 27 or USB 11 mt like USB International Frequency's 26,285 ,27,555

[@Varianna12]

A cb begginer? Aye yie yie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pioneerz450]

Have some negative feedback, with the Supplied mic, sensitivity is inadequate. It is impossible to get it to crank out more than 50W in SSB... Since there is no compressor..

[@chalemi]

How do you change the transmitting power? Thanks.

[@richardjohnson6839]

All menu driven, covered in the manual.. Not hard to do. Everything now a days is covered in menus, with exceptions..

[@mids44]

thank you

[@MasterAlchemist1]

@petchharrison Ever sit up all night at field day? Turn the Lights down in the shack? Some of us light sensitive ops find the light up buttons to be a selling point. One mans garnish, is another mans nutrient i guess.

[@petchharrison]

the yanks hi hi ... lab aa tory .. jeff ..

[@mikeydvd1]

hey i dont have an hf rig, can u send me this one,, God bless.

[@blackcycle100]

great....!

[@antaljeschitz7871]

Fewer crap radios can be found. I could barely get rid of it for half the price ...

[@petchharrison]

got one tonight i have the 450at so i got the D as well let use see what all the fuss is about then is it a good rig or a load of old rubbish we will see .. jeff .. m0prf ..

[@WoodenTailGate]

Nice job on explaining rig. Had to laugh when you said knob then quickly said button. I heard another chap get a blast from someone one day when he said knob. No matter I knew what you were referring to ! Also , you must get kinda itchy when new rig is on market and you get to play radio . Where can I sign up lol !! Lastly someone mentioned rig would be good for Cb"er .. Some have better setups than alot of Hf"er"s I hear talking about what they own lol !! 73 ..........De Ve1 Land

[@PatientXero607]

Too bad the FT-450D was made with a defective rotary encoder. Radioworld knows of this problem, and I have advised others to avoid the 450D. After two weeks of use, the encoder was inoperable due to bad soldier joints. Knock on wood though, my 950 has had no issues after 4 months of ownership.

[@yengbravo7694]

Ay. From indonesia. Like radio hf. 80,,,, 40,,,, 11,,, meter band.,,, n. Radio vhf. 2 meter band,,,, rogerrrr,,,,,, ay. Oprator yengki bravo,,, indonesia

[@petchharrison]

knobs,oh you can not see them with the lights out,garnish as far as i can see are you going to use that rig in a cave .. jeff ..

[@user-zh5sj3nl3n]

good👍😃

[@smackOfatz]

The way yaesu designed the left side with the jacks hurts my eyes. looks ugly and cheep. Otherwise a nice rig witch a fine display indeed.

[@Zemjan]

Szép,de ilyen jó is?!

[@pioneerz450]

LOL @ Your logic :D

[@petchharrison]

nice little radio,even has dee ess pee .. jeff .. m0prf ..

[@petchharrison]

ok Dee Yes Pee .. jeffrey ..

[@Shawn_White]

I think the FCC will disagree with that assessment.

[@glk001]

I just took a non compliant dump, no paper work...Do I loose my chance for a license?..Never mind, just found the paper, so I can clean this all up, thanks anyway...LOL...

[@JohnGuillorykf5qeo]

Here's a stupid thought... Voice Announcer... You record your voice saying your call sign, because you either can't remember your new call sign, you forget to use the proper ITU phonetic codes, etc. whatever, then your kids are playing around and key the microphone and press the voice announcer and start some trouble..... You then loose your license because the recording someone made had your voice and your call sign....

[@kn9ioutom]

MORE ARRL VIDEOS PSE BE K9IOU

[@rickburton1780]

HERES AN IDEA, HOW ABOUT LETTING US HEAR THE FREAKIN RADIO?? LESS YOU, MUCH MORE RADIO

[@warplanner8852]

The8BitPlanet..perhaps, but correct.

[@choppergirl]

Sorry, I don't need a licence. The air and radio waves belong to everyone. I am my own authority. If you need a licence, write to me, send me some money because I tell you to and scare you to, and I'll give you a licence. Its a profitable business. You also need a licence to breathe and take a shit. I can handle that too, just send me more money, fill out the appropriate paperwork, and I'll send you a licence to do those too. You don't want to be out of compliance.

[@rickburton1780]

NEXT TIME LET US HEAR THE RECIVER --YOU KNOW A HAM STATION---I WATCHED VIDEO CAME AWAY NOT HAVING AN IDEA WHAT THE RIG SOUNDS LIKE--WASTE OF TIME