Yaesu FT-4X Review - A Baofeng Killer?

The FT-4X is the cheapest HT producted by Yaesu and manufactured in China. For intents and purposes, this radio has all the featues of a Baofeng plus a few more. Does this make it a Baofeng killer? Should you spend the extra money and upgrade to the FT-4X?
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[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

About Damn Time!!! Finally the high and mighty radio manufacturer makes a radio for common amateur who want a quality inexpensive legal radio. The only downside is not being able to call a Walmart associate to sporting goods, which is no longer needed anyway, since they don’t sell handgun ammo anymore.

[@forgetyourlife]

It’s been out for over a year now.

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

Radioklahoma well, crap! Thanks for the heads up

[@davidfray1948]

@@DutchmanRadio Well, feel free to share, so we can know what goes on.

[@justanotherguy8791]

Thats my issue, is it's nice to have a radio I can program to VHF marine, FRS etc.

[@pjo1964]

They don't come when called anyway and even when they do come they don't know what they are talking about.

[@Mxyzptlk21]

For $5 more, the ft-65 does the dual monitor and has 2 more programmable buttons.

[@rohawaha]

I have grown quite fond of my Spurious Emissions and my mythical 8 watts .

[@tuloko16]

Roha Waha amen. I don’t even need to use my call sign on my local repeater. As soon as a blast my 5 wats if pure baofeng spurious, they know its me.

[@rohawaha]

@@tuloko16 L.O.L. ! Don't encourage me ! I think the Baofeng Brothers use those Spurious Emissions as ID markers to hide from the CCP .

[@patrickslevin6424]

Exactly!

[@furonwarrior]

tuloko16 hahaha

[@4O6LEE]

Roha Waha can’t complain on mine, for the price I got it (20$) it’s a absolute killer. Almost everyone I know use them now, and I have never heard them complaining about its performance.

[@Tony-dh7mz]

I thank you for your Radio Nerdage, I'm a Survivalist and often neglect this area, Your information is valued

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks Tony!

[@shirawolven1382]

I like what this is! I've got its older brother, the FT-65R, and that has a dual watch VFO. Can be set in the service menu.

[@matthewellsworth5846]

Remember that the Baofeng does not actually have dual VFO, it’s really just dual watch with both frequencies displayed. You cannot receive on both frequencies at once. Also would like a comparision of how badly these two radios desense in the presence of nearby strong signals. We range test radios at a range of about 80 miles on mountaintops, and the Baofeng cannot hear with a 5W transmitter next to it, while a FT60 is clear with only a slight hiss.

[@eshskis1]

A 4 year old review is still valuable, a testament to quality content thank you

[@uquilly]

I might pick one up but Baofeng’s ability to go outside ham frequencies is what I like. It’s nice being able to listen to emergency dispatchers and analog emergency channels without needing a scanner.

[@dustoff499]

I know those emergency frequencies will be a thing of the past. In my area they all went digital. So much for that benefit.

[@AmericaFirstKorey]

They've all went digital, for the most part. Easy to open this radio up, it's all through software, no messing around and removing diodes.

[@johnblankenship9875]

Very good review. I've been a HAM since about 1993 and the FT-4X is an excellent radio, for the price and the performance. I have wanted a quality dual bander for quite a while but couldn't personally bring myself to pay the prices being asked by the Big Three radio companies. I did get the Baofeng RD-5R and play with it but was not impressed, it was just not easy to get programmed and the quality of the signal was embarrassing. (Josh, if you go to page 16 of the Advanced Manuel you will find how to set up the Dual Receive function on the FT-4X radio.) Thanks for all the great content! 73's N6JWB

[@sandiegoares6153]

I love my new FT-4X, BUT a key piece of information MISSING from the Operating Manual is the SECRET BUTTON used to set transmit PL tone for repeater operation. The secret button under Menu 38 TN FRQ is the V/M button used to toggle between transmit and receive PL tone. Menu 38 always brings up receive tone; you must push V/M to toggle to transmit tone. The Advanced Manual (available on-line) explains the secret button. In all other respects, the FT-4X is a great 5W HT for newbies at half the price and half the size of the FT-60, FT-65, and FT-70.

[@KiwiCatherineJemma]

Ham Radio Crash Course if this important info is correct, can you please PIN this at the top of the comments so it doesn't get lost (as there's already several hundred in the queue). cheers

[@andrewbell3476]

Thanks for that! Just got my FT-4X today. I did not know there was an advanced manual.

[@djganton]

Great review. I've had one of these for about a year for a throw in the car kind of radio. My experience is exactly the same as yours - it beats my Baofeng in every way except the dual watch. As much as that is a disappointment it's worth it for the increase in quality and reliability.

[@sheilamoore6255]

Just another 'It's a Yaesu, so it's got to be better than a Baofeng' post. (Yawn!) This mentality is the very reason makers like Yaesu, Kenwood, and, Icom, etc., have been ripping Hams off for many decades. Notice that until lowly Baofeng entered the market with a DECENTLY PRICED talkie, the 'BIG THREE' scoffed at the idea of making something less expensive. They were FORCED to do so, or risk losing much of their handi talkie business to little-ole Baofeng! I bet they're crying their eyes out!

[@hipal2271]

I have one now for about a month. It works great and small compact size. I am not a fan of baeofangs. I have the FT60 which has been my go to HT since I got my tech license. But the FT4 does what the FT60 can do in a small package plus the FM radio receiver. And yes I too believe the FT60 is nearly bulletproof.

[@miriamsmith7135]

Great Video.. My Yaesu 4X was made in Japan.. Paid $89.95 at Ham Radio Outlet. Easy to program too. I like it as well as my Yaesu FT 65R. Yaesu makes the best hand helds.. I do have a Yaesu/Vertex VX 150 that's made in China..

[@twohandsandaradio]

I like the FT65 slightly better but the 4xr fits my ashtray perfectly. The 65r is taller and just a bit top heavy in it. It's all about what's important. The programming cable is interchangable with the 4xr and 65r as a side note. My Baofeng(s) went to Goodwill.

[@xe2ac]

I just brought back to life my old ADI AT-600 (new battery) and beats day and night the Baofeng UV5R (with genuine Nagoya 707 antennas) on both sensitivity and selectivity

[@patrickgerth4570]

That is the kind of radio I like. I am glad other companies have picked up on providing affordable HTs.

[@todop]

0:29 nope i preffer 3 or 4 bad ones that still work. Also retevis and tyt crossband repeater handhelds are in that price range :D and even some dual band DMR

[@chrisblaase2700]

Well I took the plunge and ordered one. $73.95 plus shipping from DX Engineering. Thanks for making my checkbook take a hit yet again Josh LOL! 73 de NV9Z

[@AdamosDad]

The FT-4X is also ruggedized, dust and waterproof (low pressure spray from all directions) plus all around better feel. I just ordered one for my father-in-law, I hope he can figure it out he should be able to, he let his license expire 8 years ago when things were much different.

[@theend5304]

Ft5d is best for dust

[@Billy123bobzzz]

That sounds like a great radio and it would have been perfectly fine for all my needs when I was new. I think that it would serve my needs now because decades later my needs really are just to have enough memory channels that I don't have to remember any frequencies any more, and this product has far more than I ever use, so I think its a nice unit (despite its weird dual channel that is not dual channel LOL).

[@DutchmanRadio]

“You know I like knobs... and that’s a pretty good knob!” 😂😂😂 you’re the best Josh!

[@ericdraven2219]

thats what she said ...

[@micjubbs6430]

Dont say that in the showers lol

[@ChadCesaro]

I want a FT70 for the features but can't get myself to buy it because of the knob not being volume.

[@k8drtqrp]

@@ChadCesaro I own an FT-70 and the button layout is odd and the volume adjustment being a button press and then the knob I find not very intuitive. I own an FT-4 also and it’s very easy to use.

[@lb2035]

Wow, what a bunch of comments. I just hand programed 3 of the FT-4X's our club bought for door prizes for an upcoming swap meet. I did not have a cable, just punched 4 local repeaters in and found they were easy to hand program. Much easier and quicker than a Baofeng which would be much harder especially for a newbe with the odd instructions that come with the radio. The ft-4's look like a nice heavy duty standard Yaesu HT. I am 20 miles from our more than outstanding repeater tower location standing in my back yard and was told the audio quality was good even with a little white noise while testing on both 2m and 70cm. The receive audio was very good on my end. They can be found for about $80 here at the end of 2021. I have owned Yaesu HT's for years, favorite is my FT-60, still have an at least 30yo FT-470 that works fine and sounds better on both ends than a UV-5R which I also own 2 of. It is as simple as this, yes you can get where you are going if you buy a Yugo instead of a Chevrolet or Ford, but there are differences. The guys that get on our repeater do not have to tell us they are talking on a Baofeng, we can easily tell by the way they sound, usable, but tinny grating. If you are listening to a weak signal and there are any other radio emissions around, you will be frequently asking for a repeat what has been said. Yes they are functional, but no they are not the same quality in several ways, but to some using it for a flashlight might be important. Our 28 member club decided to spend the extra $ to give out better quality door prizes. Thanks for posting this video, I think it is a very good comparison that covers most everything very well. Myself the "dual watch" on the UV-5R is a nusense. JMO. WB5Y

[@neilmarsh1904]

I shall be shocked, SHOCKED! when it comes out that BaoFeng builds 'em for Yaesu.

[@todop]

probably not but some less know manufacturer that makes radios. i had one unknow uhf single line screen that was sold to me without any label as yaesu but it was not by browsing trough lots of pictures i saw similar advertised as airband tansciever and later found a software that can write it but not read it, it had a mode with just uhef radio, or a mode with running broadcast radio and when you press ptt it transmits. and i couldn not figure how to change the modes exept the programing software

[@tedundercarriage8183]

nope. Made in japan by yaesu. Same as the ft-65. Baofeng is a fake branding of wholesale Chinese radios, none of the different skus come from the same factory or even design company.

[@ernie548]

Nope. Never happen as they are Japanese and have many solid markets under their belt.

[@perditaolio4163]

I have bought one FT-4XE last week. I can say you're right. I have an old Alinco DJ-596 MKII, and it can't even compete with the Yaesu, then don't talk about Baofeng-stuff... Because of this video I made the decision to buy the FT-4XE for €69,- in the Netherlands, and I don't regret it at all. Thanks Josh, for your information !!

[@jaym1301]

'll be taking my exam on June 24 and I'm pretty sure this will be my first HT. I wanted something that's relatively cheap to take along when I go places so if it gets lost or stolen it won't break my heart too much, but I wanted better quality than a 'feng. The 4XR seems to fit my requirements as a starter and knockabout radio. One big takeaway I got from your video is that the belt clip attaches to the radio not to the battery so I won't need to buy another clip for a spare battery. Thanks!

[@jay-rus4437]

Ordered an Icom IC 2730a for my truck, then just ordered one of these Yaesu FT-4x for my wife, as well to take a closer look at it for our emergency HT radios. I like the smaller size

[@JaronActual]

I applaud Yaesu for at least trying to cater to the lower budget radio operators. But lack of dual-watch and second display line is a big problem to me. Also at $70+, it's competing against the 82HP/F8HP and 5X3, not just the UV-5R. Apart from the display and dual-watch, the HPs have 3W extra Tx power over the FT-4X. That doesn't matter a whole lot over an HT antenna, but it can make a big difference if you connect it to an external mounted antenna. The 5X3 is only 5W, but it has the 220 band, which is a big deal to some people. It also has a lot of features other 5R family radios lack, like display sync. At $10-$20 less, it also means you can get the radio and the programming cable for the cost of the FT-4X alone. The Baofengs can also Tx outside the amateur freqs, which is a big factor for me and others in emergency situations. Maybe the FT-4X can be unlocked on those freqs using CHIRP, I don't know. The better front end, audio quality, and memory is nothing to sneeze at. Someone looking primarily for a cheap social HT in a radio heavy area will probably be better served with the FT-4X. But someone wanting a more well-rounded radio, especially as part of their emergency plan, I still think the 5X3 is the best option at the sub-$75 segment.

[@todop]

Also retevis and tyt crossband repeater handhelds are in that price range :D and even some DMR

[@EnochianBorg]

This actually at the price point of a Baofeng DMR ht with Dual watch. I see no real use for this since I use my Boafeng DMR with hotspot. Nobody cares about the tiny spurious emissions in the woods.

[@carls.6746]

i got the 82HP

[@trevorstudent4625]

5w to 8w is only a 2dB difference it's basically unnoticeable....

[@JaronActual]

@@trevorstudent4625 Depends on the situation. Walking around town, even with a good HT antenna, probably doesn't matter. Sitting at home with it connected to a homebrew antenna mounted higher up? You might hit a few repeaters you couldn't before, depending on geography. Out camping with a roll-up J hanging from a tree? Noticeable difference.

[@roberts3942]

Josh -- I really liked this review. I am new to the hobby (four months) and my first radio was the Yaesu FT-60R because I believed there was much in the public domain about it. However, it is twice the price of the FT-4X. If the FT-4X had been available, I might have given it consideration.

[@mdouble100]

I bought 2 Baofeng radios when my wife and I were first licensed 2 years ago. If the Yaesu 4X radios had been available back then I would have bought Yaesu instead. The Chinese "broke the mold" so to speak by challenging the dominance of Japanese manufacturers. It seems now that Chinese companies, having tasted success are beginning to develop better quality, innovative products. Perhaps Yaesu, understanding this threat has picked up the on that challenge and are attempting to produce higher quality lower priced radios. However, I would point out to Yaesu that what is needed now is a combination of price, features and quality. Innovation is key to maintaining market share. For example, include bluetooth as a feature of every radio, even HT's. How many of us would welcome a bluetooth speaker mic for our HT or HF rigs. With the rise of distracted driving laws across North America, mobile rigs should have such a feature as being standard. Likewise detachable heads for all mobile rigs. Yet today such things seem to be after thoughts and add on's rather than features we should expect as standard. I encourage Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood to take up this challenge and bring to market rigs with such features. In addition think in terms of radios which are digitally capable with a one wire connection and rig control right out of the box, and not just in more expensive rigs but as part of the design of all rigs.

[@DavidS-iw4ei]

Yes, Thank you Marvin. We should set the standards. Tell them what we want.

[@philbrzezinski6]

HELL YES!!! The Baofeng I bought is now a paperweight, between the Chinglish manual and the programming disk that crashed my computer!!! Spend an extra $20-30 for an HT that WORKS!!!!

[@sheilamoore6255]

If the useless 'manual' that accompanies Baofengs aren't enough, it looks like anyone with half a brain could easily find anything they need to know about them on the Internet. Also, only a lazy dimwit wouldn't be able to quickly and easily learn how to HAND PROGRAM the Baofengs (I did it in 15 minutes!) thus removing the need for that crappy 'chirp' junk. Maybe you need to stick with a CB RADIO where all you have to do is twist a couple of knobs! And if you fail to grasp the on/off/volume on the CB set, they are much larger and heavier than Baofengs, and make much better paperweights!

[@PH2LB]

Thanks for your review. When dual-channel is the only negative thing about this radio (which can be partly fixed by the dual-watch function), IMHO it's still a good value for money. I have handled it a few times (borrowed from a fellow ham) and really love this little compact and rough design. I have owned and tested a few Baofeng radio's but sold them. Because I still prefer using my Yaesu FT60's (reception, front-end, sound quality and loudness etc). Ok, the antenna accessories are not widely available as for the Baofeng but that won't be a problem for the FT4X.

[@ChrisN8PEM]

Great video. My son has the FT-4X and it is great. Recently took on vacation for 7 days and we didn't even bring the charger. It was able to hit a repeater 8 miles away that my ID-51A+2 could not. The one gripe I have about it is having to program both the receive and transmit tones separately - I wish the default was R & T together.

[@burgeryoufoundbehindthegrill]

Nice name lol

[@ChrisN8PEM]

@@burgeryoufoundbehindthegrill Thx!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

It's good to see Yaesu making, "A Baofeng Killer." I bet I won't even have to test it to see if it's actually legal to use. :-) A very thorough review, thank you.

[@billdanosky]

Yaesu isn't making it. The slaves of the CCP are. Just found out after ordering one. OUCH. Hope I can get a refund or a credit.

[@billdanosky]

Update: I did. GigaParts is so awesome. They just reversed the approval and the money never left my account, until I bought the Yaesu FT-70D from them a few minutes later. MADE IN JAPAN. I spent right at twice as much but can rest much easier. And I'll say this: The audio quality of this radio is astounding and it's super easy to program, even without a PC.

[@T_Burd_75]

The Yaesu FT 4X is made by Baofeng. :D

[@exgenica]

I doubt this is a "BaoFeng Killer". Many consumers will always go for a lower price point if the functionality is there, and an BaoFeng 8W handie-talkie for about US$25 is an incredible price-point for what BaoFeng delivers (UV-5RTP w/ 2 antennae, charging stand, speake mic, and programming cable). The UV-5RTP tested to claimed 8W unlilke an F8HP which tested to just 5W max into 50ohm dummy load. However, you do have to watch out for junk so-called "BaoFeng" batteries for sale on internet. A number of them don't deliver anywhere close to the mAh they claim. Unfortunately, even the "BaoFeng" batteries that came with several of the BaoFeng HTs were major underperformers in my tests (e.g. providing just 75% of claimed mAh with Vt=6.0V at ~380mA load which is BaoFeng's specified active Receive current requirement).

[@usarmyfl1]

I'd love to see statistics on how much loss of life or property was due to a radio slightly out of spec.. I bet being hit by lightning is more common.

[@Jeeptalkshow]

$82?!?!?! I can get 27 BaoFengs for that! :D Entry level radios should have been around a long time before BaoFeng forced them to build one.

[@stacyadiaz]

You get what you pay for. I bet that Yeasu will outlast those 27 BaoFengs. I was one of those new hams that bought a UV-5R and quickly learned that...well, it's a piece of shit. The transmit is horrible and the pots are scratchy. It has a great receiver and is easy to program with Chirp but it's not a reliable radio.

[@Jeeptalkshow]

@Mike Hayden How many HAM or Jeep owners that are big spenders? ;)

[@nunyadambidniss]

@@stacyadiaz Izzat Every version of UV5 though ? Some could be better :)

[@exgenica]

My Yaesu FT470 power/volume pot became VERY "scratchy" and highly intermittent after just 2 years of use. It's a pain but still "works". The BaoFengs I've so far evaluated as emergency BACK-UP Ham radios have yet to demonstrate any meaningful deficiencies after about 1 year of ownership. However, I do find the BaoFeng "UV-5..." display much more difficult to read even though they are larger than the FT470 display, and the FT470 uses a tiny incandescent lamp! Those BaoFeng LED choices have got to go and they need something MUCH brighter with a user selectable "off/dim/brite" setting.

[@wdsracer]

$82 dollars I think that’s a reasonable price.

[@childfree83]

I just ordered the ft 65 from hro. You can do the Mars cap on it by entering a simple code and it reversible no need to open the radio up. Great for SHTF situations.

[@wdsracer]

Matt childfree how do you like the 65r?

[@childfree83]

wdsracer I love it. It’s much higher quality than a baofeng radio and you can unlock all the Mars cap frequencies by entering a simple code.

[@cw4karlschulte661]

What is the code?

[@davidsradioroom9678]

What an excellent review! I am always looking for information to share with new or prospective hams. This looks like a very good stater radio. Thanks for sharing! 👍👍👍

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

Great review Josh! That's good they're making more lower end radios. I agree its lame that its not a dual channel radio. And no flashlight?!? 🤣 I think I'll hang on to the yaesu 65 as my beater radio for a while longer!

[@bigginksu]

Same here. The FT-4X appears to be an underglorified FT-65R. I also have a FT-65R, which was an upgrade to my very first HT - Baofeng UV5R. Great radio, but as a Baofeng killer? Lower the price from $75 to $45-50, then yeah. Otherwise the entry-level ham will look at the price point, where the Baofeng will still win.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

@@bigginksu It's a step in the right direction. They could have done dual channel at that price point. I think it will at least be an upgrade radio for a lot of Baofeng owners. Cheaper in price, and like the 65, takes the same antennas as a Baofeng.

[@DutchmanRadio]

bigginksu EXACTLY for 65$ you can get a Baofeng that has 8W, I think he should have compared the Baofeng at the same price point to be more fair.

[@bradleyjohnson452]

@@DutchmanRadio But its still a BaoFeng

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

@@bradleyjohnson452 ☝️ #True

[@cindyschaffrath4437]

I love yaesu so much so that I bring it anywhere and everywhere I go even in my work place. While boarding or waiting for the bus I talk to my co-hams operator. Also, it's so cute especially for a petite woman like me. I love, love and love it so much. Most especially easy to use. Friendly handy CB...❤❤❤

[@mre2u2]

So.. Yaesu finally decided to come down off their $200 high horse, eh? About time

[@YvaJStoryTime]

I won one of these in a drawing here in Germany, just got the prize and am educating myself about it.

[@hipal2271]

I think I might get one just for my go bag

[@johnroberts6695]

It looks like a great radio. I know Baofengs are supposed to be junk, but I know a number of people who use them for professional purposes. I was looking for some radios to use for emergency purposes. The Yaesu FT-4X looks like it will for the bill. Looks cool.

[@N4EJM]

I agree with you Josh. As small as the screen on the UV-5R is, Baofeng still has A/B bands on their radios. Wish more Yaesu dual banders were the same way.

[@jayb3518]

FT65R has the option for Dual display, have to boot into a different menu, by pressing PTT and MON buttons when you power it on. I suspect the ft4 would do it also.

[@lblittle1207]

Have one, love it. Little hard to program. but accomplished.

[@Havanacuba1985]

My first HT was an yaesu ft203r. You changed frequency with thumbwheels lol

[@derfrogger]

Would love to see a re-make of the "emergency comms Pt1", using this instead of the Baufeng UV-3R...

[@JosephDalrymple]

The lack of a Dual-Channel feature is a pretty big deal for me. I was just about to pull the trigger but I was waiting throughout the whole video to see if you were going to mention it. BUMMER!

[@DutchmanRadio]

Wow actually getting it through HRO makes it not too bad... I might pick one up. This would be my upgrade from only having a Baofeng UV5R

[@mabo4848]

One thing I find important, how good is the sound of the microphone in the opposite station? So what about modulation? A comparison would also have been interesting here

[@joeframo3347]

Hey Josh thanks for sharing this have a great holiday nice compact radio I like it

[@joeframo3347]

Joshua video was excellent you did a great job with a great platform explaining the Yaesu budget radio you get five stars

[@PinkyH-ox2qc]

Just bought one 4 Jan 2023 and my FT-4XR is made in Japan.

[@allstate125]

My bf-8 hp Baofeng has 8 watts power output, a higher gain antenna, a larger capacity battery than the uv-5. It price is $69.99. I really like its performance.

[@scottyporteous]

Thanks For the review. I recently bought this radio and think its great. keep up the great work

[@dustoff499]

Yaesu is also killing my wallet. They’re certainly giving us great radios… FT70D, FTM-300, FT3D I’m going broke damn it.

[@OutdoorsIQ]

I’ve got bad news, they have a FT5D too!

[@blogtodeath4736]

Great value and it is now on my list to evaluate when I get my license

[@childfree83]

Only 84.95. Excited to get it I have the ft60 as well and very happy with it. Crazy how much value you can get in a radio under 100 bucks now. You could easily drop 100 bucks on a useless 1 mile cb walkie talkie.

[@chrisblaase2700]

Thanks for an another excellent video Josh! This new Yaesu looks intriguing. I am an Old Timer when it comes to Amateur Radio (licensed 39 years). I’m old fashioned and I don’t like a bunch of bells & whistles. I have a Baofeng UV8R and I really don’t like it. I find CHIRP to be a pain. I want an HT that I can take out of the box, program a few repeater pairs and start using. Bear in mind that when I got licensed, there was only one “synthesized” HT on the market - the Icom IC-2a series. Everything else was still crystal controlled. I may have to give the FT-4XR a try. 73 de NV9Z

[@cathrynm]

Nice to see Yaesu, not giving up on entry level.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I agree!

[@edsonst1]

Memory / VFO split mode is also a very cool feature.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good point.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Big pluses are CHIRP programming, 12 volt drop in charger that works with all of my other solar battery powered ham gear and not needing to press a button and turn a knob to increase the volume like my FT-70DR. The thing I like the least on the FT-70DR is that I can't really turn it off without pulling the battery. The teceiver and processor is always running in case I want to program it to wake up when it receives a call. My Baofengs have lithium batteries that last years when the radio is off. The FT-70DR lasts a few days, making it useless as a grab and go emergency radio.

[@mikecontreras1261]

i got an ft4x..very compact beast!!

[@WalterFrancis]

"Yaesu FT 4X Review - A Baofeng" This is all that's needed for title.

[@mattc1131]

I had this as my first radio when I got my license and tbh the uv5r is just as good if not better and so much cheaper

[@scottodonahoe9505]

My Yaesu ft 150 dual band has worked for 20 plus years . Has a batt pack that you can use with AAA batts and talk forever !

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

Baofeng makes a 3w HT that charges using USB. I wish Yaesu would do something Ike that. That is a great feature to have n an emergency radio.

[@exgenica]

That would be convenient, but in the spirit of Ham radio, it's not difficult to make your own USB upverter with an appropriate power jack/adapter dongle using parts easily and cheaply available from the net. I'd estimate a few hours work and less than US$10 total to make such an animal if one ready-made doesn't already exist as a product somewhere out there.

[@joeframo3347]

I like simple radios simple things make life much easier 👍

[@niftyfiftycampingadventure795]

Very well put together comparison . I am a Big Yaesu fan . My daily mobile Rig is the FT857D .. However Baofeng are so cheap ,if they die or malfunction... Bin it and get another one...

[@stevefoudray487]

Responsible I hope. Or more mercury for the fish.

[@N9IBZED]

I have one I bought back in 2018 when they first came out and I absolutely love it the display is very easy to read and I also own 2 UV5Rs and the Yaesu dose outperform both both in transmit and receive which is good for me because I can actually hit a state wide linked repeater system from inside my apartment which is at least 30 miles away and that is good because of a net I check into if I want to do so with my Baofengs I have to be outside which in the winter gets very cold up here in Wisconsin so I will give this a strong buy rating glad to see you giving this gem some love

[@exgenica]

Buy or make a better antenna and you likely won't have to "go outside" to hit the repeater with any of your radios. You will also likely be able to use a lower power setting so batteries will last longer. A J-pole antenna can be made multiple ways and will blow any "rubber-duck" antenna...no matter how expensive...out of the water. One can even make a J-pole antenna out of TV twin-lead antenna cable and a suitable connector to your radio in about 15 minutes. Lots of "make your own" Ham radio antenna designs and tips on KZbin. (edit to fix typo)

[@Calaveras32Spcl]

Looks like a good begineer radio that I can carry with as while out in the woods.

[@exgenica]

Yeah...I'd hate to trash my $400 Yaesu HT (in 1980's-1990's dollars!), whereas neither this nor the BaoFengs are anything I'd cry over.

[@Calaveras32Spcl]

@@exgenica agreed. I just think it would be good to have something I can carry while out in the middle of no where forest. If I ever was unable to hike out, this would give me a better chance of rescue.

[@seanhickey7881]

Does this come with an extended battery like the Baofeng??

[@530eman]

Great review, thank you sir, as a newbie my FT70-dr is simply too much, this looks great 👍🏻

[@theend5304]

My too

[@redfonzie21]

So Josh... Nice video, by the way... but you didn't mention whether it's got the really nice wide band receive - though I'm pretty sure even without looking or being mentioned wide band transmit is firmly out of the question!!! This reminds me of a modern version of a miniaturized HTX-202 which was almost my first radio. It WAS my first "modern" rig, but I started with Yaesu on an old BRICK of an HT that was just barely PLL synthesized, and had red LEDs for the display. I want to say it was a 207M but I could be mistaken... but if you want to talk about a "basic" starter radio, there you go! Glad you're surviving the "super flu" (that isn't) and still out there making great content! Stay safe while the stay at home orders are in effect, us Kansas people are about free from our "house arrest" in the next few days. Be safe, 73 N2JZS

[@Cbro-621]

Definitely grabbing one! Thanks

[@DJChrisArgueta]

Shout to the K9KAO repeater, LOL. I got that repeater programmed on my FT-70DR, too. Congrats on your Amateur Extra license upgrade. 73 de KM6S.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

HELL K9KAO USERS KG6MN

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

hello opssss

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks Chris!

[@jimmievetor5008]

Enjoyed the video on the FT-4X. I tried the Baofeng UV-5R and did not like it at all. My pea brain even with your video could not remember the set up from time to time and computer set up never worked for me even with the cord you recommended so I set the whole thing back since it had you can return free shipping. I’ll stick with my old Kenwood tri-band HT.

[@BobWestWA8YCD]

I like this in general. I was wondering when the big guys (Y, I, K) would look at that price point issue. I have had several students in license class who would not be on the air at all without the Baofeng. It's still a little stiff for, say, a high school kid, but YA GETS WHAT YA PAYS FOR!! My one thought: Baofeng has an optional larger battery than the stock one. Does the Yaeusu have a counterpart?

[@reidlanham2011]

Good video! I'd much rather have an inexpensive backup radio from Yaesu than Baofeng. Plus, my FT-60 is still the easiest keyboard programming radio I've seen! K8JLW

[@hipal2271]

Reid Lanham the FT60 was my first HT and is still my go to radio.

[@GetOutside38]

FT60- King of the HTs

[@andreykarayvansky9549]

I have Yaesu FT-70D and still use Baofeng, for number of reasons. And one of them is dual receive (DW for Yaesu) that works way better on Baofeng. DW seems useless.

[@philbrzezinski6]

I can program an FT 60 in my sleep, I'll bet!!

[@richardskola3570]

The FT-60 is the ideal dual-band HT.

[@kennethslodowski8824]

Great info! I'm going to order one soon.. enjoy your videos very much! Keep up the awesome work!

[@JK00JK]

I'm late to the party here, but I noticed that you made a mistake when programming the CTCSS for a repeater (because I made the same mistake). When you set the tone frequency on menu item 38, you have to set the TX and RX tones separately, to toggle between setting TX / RX tones tap the *V/M key. In the video the repeater was set to TX the tone but the only tone configured was the RX tone frequency. It's very much not intuitive and isn't even really covered in the basic manual clearly. But overall, I agree with you that this is a decent basic radio. Great video!

[@drivemecloser]

If you wanted to address the issue of spurious emissions from the Baofengs, I'd argue the best course of action would be to get in contact with the factory and talk to them about it.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Who exactly should contact them?

[@drivemecloser]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I didn't mean that to imply you personally should. More a nebulous hypothetical person. I think the way this generally works would be that you'd want a party interested in potentially contracting a production run to get in contact with the factory and discuss the issue. I have no idea how the technical side of this issue works, but if it's something that could be resolved as a matter of a simple revision, it might be something doable for future products. I'm sort of new to this whole sphere of things, so I'm still learning. I'm actually wondering at the moment if and how the UV-5R product line has been internally revised and modified over the years.

[@drivemecloser]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Just tossed Fujian Baofeng Electronics Co. a customer service email asking about it. I'll throw you an update if they get back to me with anything interesting.

[@damondent1932]

Cool radio I'm with u on the a and b screen..great review Josh thanks

[@kingdick4508]

First, your video is awesome. With that being said, now to the bad part. If Baofeng can make a radio and sell it for$30-$35, and still make a profit, what are the big three doing wrong? The Baofeng is already at an “Entry level” price. This is Yaesu’s failed attempt at being competitive- you know, after they’ve been ripping us off, and raping us at every opportune moment. With the hobby at it’s least amount of being “Radioactive,” since it’s inception, Baofeng has helped by having an entry level product that is more affordable, and easier to obtain than any $300 big three radio. Are all of the big three radio’s better quality- absolutely! However for a beginner radio, or a radio that I wouldn’t be upset if I dropped and crashed it up, or lost it, I ‘d rather loose a Baofeng any day. The big three need to step up and compete, or loose out on a sale. 73, de NH7TR

[@yakovdavidovich7943]

You get to $30-35 by cutting tons of corners and taking risks. There are likely numerous counterfeit parts, or at least parts of sketchy origin, producing wider variation in the manufactured product (and this kind of shows, because when people put baofengs on the spec-an, they don't all look the same!). The baofengs have bad front-ends, show evidence of weaker engineering practices, lower standards of manufacture, etc. And if the big three did the same thing, it'd be un-ending accusations of selling out, etc. I mean, look at the response to the FT-4x and the FT-65R. They're great little rigs, but just the fact that they use the RDA1846S means they get ridiculed by ham radio elitists for being "baofeng clones." Never mind that they're several times better in almost every regard. At this point, I honestly think it's gate-keeping blow-hard ham fudds that keep inexpensive options off the market.

[@leebrooke1831]

Thank you Josh. Great info without the fluff! I subscribed!!

[@polymath5119]

Thanks for the review. Even at its moderately higher price, I like this HT over the less costly Chinese models for the better engineering that went into it. Buying engineering and design is like like buying oats for your horse. Do you want more expensive good clean oats, or the cheaper oats that have already been through the horse?

[@philbrzezinski6]

IMHO, Baofengs have been through the horse AT LEAST a dozen times!!!

[@the1spyderryder]

Yaesu is a Baofeng guts radio dumbed down.

[@pedroaortizmd7214]

I have both radios too Baofeng UV5RIII and Yaesu Ft4X. Both radios are copy of both. If you open this and pay attention both internal circuits said made in China? The performance the same and life battery is better in baofeng radio. Some times the expensives radios aren't the best or better.

[@TheMultisportGeek]

This is perfect for the family. Might pick up a few for my SHTF family go bag kit. Hopefully the QC is good.

[@elio9207]

Question. Can i buy 3 for the familb. And use them to talk. Is it legal? Will anyobe hear us.? If we talk,

[@1dgrdgr]

@@elio9207 no. Yes. You will be reported and tracked down

[@elio9207]

@@1dgrdgr what to use then. Walkie talkie instead?

[@1dgrdgr]

@@elio9207 FRS radio (walkie talkies) or CB. Or look at old iDen phones. You can use them like walkie talkies and setup private channels. People can't easily hear you unless they guess the 10 digit number you are using.

[@elio9207]

@@1dgrdgr tnx man. why is then ham radio so popular if no one can send. Is it just recieving. ? Like in emergency to just listen to the military and state what the govermant is talking about. And use it as a radio? To get updated on surtain things

[@EnochianBorg]

So most boafeng users are looking for a DMR/Analog radio. Since DMR is gaining popularity, I already have DMR radios because of Baofeng. This little radio I am sure is nice but for the price I can get a DMR radio for cheaper than this. Also I could buy 3 Boafeng radios for the price of 1 of these. However, it Yaesu were to make a DMR radio like this but with good software that allows for easy user import and export, editing code plug with ease then I'd consider buying one if the price were good compared to low price radios.

[@Mojave511]

Well done review. Good to have a lower priced but quality choice.

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Very nice review. I suppose it would be a good starter radio, but I'm with it really should have dual channel for the price and if they want to grab the BaoFend market .

[@HamRadio200]

Video is a bit old, but showed up in my feed. I just bought one yesterday, Feb 23, 2024 and my box indicates the radio is made in Japan and the accessories are made in China.

[@Kampfwageneer]

Spurious transmissions are vital opsec precautions

[@virtual812]

Can't see why people are excited, it's clearly a Chinese design from the ground up. Yaesu would never use one of those SMA connectors. The more recent Chinese radios have reined in their emissions issues, thus this radio is pointless. If I'm going to buy a Chinese radio I'll pay a Chinese price.

[@todop]

Ptobably not but old design and made for the US (NOAA alerts) by downgrading some other radio. The meny and the single line screen look old

[@Swaggerlot]

Odd, it has a Yaesu badge on it.

[@virtual812]

@@Swaggerlot Exactly, Chinese design, Chinese made, Chinese put the Yaesu badge on per Yaesu's request, Yaesu sell them on and jack the price up for the fans.

[@user-bh1rm5pt1b]

HI Josh I just took my exam, passed, and now trying programming this radio...YAY!!! LOL I think I heard you saying unlike Baofeng you can't transmit in one Channel, for example channel a with one frequency; then, transmit in another in Channel b??? I think it can be down. THIS IS what I DID!!! not tested yet!!! :) I enter in frequency as I normally would as described in your video....WHILE IN MENU MODE... go to #42 VFO.SPL and select for "ON" it will read as VSP ON------NOW, press function KEY.. THEN PRESS PTT button to save and return to normal operation. NOTE: VFO--A for the desired receiving downlink frequency... NOW PRESS *V/M key to set VFO--B channel for desired transmit uplink frequency when you see display showing b... you can manually enter in the desired transmit frequency.......PRESS *V/M key twice to establish VFO---A as the main receive and PRESSING PTT button the display shows the frequencies "TRANSMIT" frequency. I hoped I explained this right and making sense. THERE are a couple other ways to do this two.. but I perferred this method. Other methods are VOX and split methods. Wondering what you think..? James "KC1OLT" BTW: can't forget to save all this work in the radio after all this... as you would normally by PRESSING *V/M and holding until your get to "NAME" or "CALL" it something... and then HOLD THE *V/M again until display reads memory in :)

[@boggs2005]

I can live with only single monitor as I have been using with my ICOM IC-T70A. I used to have Baofeng radio but I turn off the dual monitor cause I don't like it. I'm planning to buy this as my go to HT apart from my old IC-T70A.

[@EverDave]

I just bought this and am waiting for it to arrive. I almost didn't get it due to the lack of the A/B dual watch. I like to watch 146.52 and my local repeater.

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Great video Josh I'm with you on that I wish you could hear two bands at one time did dual watch like the Beofang has I hate it I wish yaesu what's a dual watch on the 65 in that radio you're using now

[@bobsullivan5714]

I want a Yaesu handheld variant that is CW QRP only. Heat dissipation issues should not prevent this from happening. The engineering for this is straight forward. Hey Yaesu, the market is there!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You want a handheld ft-817?

[@bobsullivan5714]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse No...Smaller...lighter....I had a Vx7r that I really liked. It's obvious to me that a dedicated CW only, all band, QRP radio should not be anywhere near the size and price of the 817.....

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Excellent

[@theunconventionaldeal3879]

Hams have been overpaying for years, I will stick to my $25 cheapo if that's as good as it gets for $75.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

This a myth. Or not quiet understanding how price structure play into product design.

[@philbrzezinski6]

@18 Destinations PLUS you don't have to deal with a Chinglish manual, or the programming disk that crashes the computer!!!

[@aurtisanminer2827]

Enjoy that intermod!

[@A-_-_A]

Can it read the frequency and vfo/channel mode like the baofeng? That is useful for blind hams.

[@sheilamoore6255]

Of course it can't! But you won't get may responses to your question.