Yaesu FT5DR - One Year Review

[@K0LWC]

One of the best reviews I've seen to this point on the FT-5D. Well done!

[@californiakayaker]

If they would make it possible WITH BOTH RADIOS to be able to type on a bluetooth keyboard into the APRS set up that would be great. I'm not talking about "access to the tnc" . I'm simply saying make it possible to type into the same hardware the keyboard uses via bluetooth.

[@PRODIGY5369]

Thanks for this honest video. I'm UK and just about literally to do my foundation level. I had this down as a done purchase until I watched your video. Pause for thought.. Thank you. 👍

[@MrBracey1970]

I've bought mine for APRS as its the only show in town,good deal on black Friday as well !

[@MikesPOV]

Same here. Lol

[@DARTHDANSAN]

I just ordered mine . I go tired of waiting of for PICO APRS V4 to be available

[@KC9RXP]

Ha, that sucks.

[@bryantwalley]

Thanks for this review. Really should have been USB-C for all data and power.

[@ManuelPinner]

I have this HT, is a Tough HT!

[@DARTHDANSAN]

On a review with o think with ham radio crash course . Yaesu said the made FT5DR do to the micro chip shortage. It was just easier to make a new radio

[@IonorRea]

If it was due to chip shortages, Yaesu would not redesign the whole radio just change chips, unless new chips got somehow bigger. This excuse was told more or less just to hide deficiencies of the older model that was still being sold while using chip shortages as a chance to improve their premium handheld based on consumer complaints like begging for the stronger speaker which lack of made many customers stick to older and bigger FT-2D or even buttons friendly FT-1XD with better sound reproduction than FT-3D (at least in early production models). FT-2D is often being sold on eBay for half the price you will pay for FT-5D, so it's a terrific value when compared to a new mid-range Yaesu FT-70 with 3/4 of the used FT-2D functionality in a similar price range... You must read a bit between the lines and think about context instead of parroting official statements. Yaesu did the right choice from a company survival standpoint to save sales of the old model while improving their premium line to be competitive with the latest from the competition, we just don't need to repeat their excuses and enjoy lower prices of older models that now filling eBay for affordable prices which can create a new generation of the customer base for premium radio handheld models in the future, which is needed as low-cost made in China radios have the potential to finish the higher-end radio producers in the long run despite not having better customer service, longer warranty, nor are they are currently manufacturing products build to last as long even though the role of Chinese entry and mid-range level radio handheld manufacturers introducing radios to the masses should not be underrated.

[@randomstuff3672]

Hmmm, recently lost my FT70. Was thinking of replacing it with the FT5 but not now. I think I'll stick with the 70. Im sure that as soon as I buy another 70, I will find the one I lost.

[@kd9nrt]

The FT-70 is solid. My wife uses it and loves it.

[@Oldcomputer]

I think they are sticking with at mini usb for backwards compatibility. If you already paid up for the camera mic and WiresX cables it would be bummer to have to buy new ones. That same camera mic works on the FTM-200/300/400 too.

[@kd9nrt]

But the camera mic isn't that great. It is a good concept, but the execution is poor.

[@Xpurple]

I have an FT3 and charge it with USB. I picked up an adapter that lets me do it. Super easy.

[@richardsage3139]

Yaesu is really proud of their warranty to bad they don't honor it.

[@hamradioonthego]

Excellent review. I picked up a used FT1D and goes well with my VX7R. Fusion and APRS. For me no need for a touch screen. Subscribed for future content. 73

[@kd9nrt]

The FT1 and the VX8 are some of the best HTs ever made. It is a shame they just didn't make the FT1 better for the FT2/3/5.

[@IonorRea]

Towards old USB mini/serial interface rant: You can buy a USB to Yaesu charge port cable for a few dollars with which you can charge Yaesu radios (tested on VX-6R) during a hike with a sufficiently large external battery... Yaesu FT-5D is AFAIK like its predecessors combining a mini USB with the serial port used for the speaker microphone/camera and programming cable, this should be a reason why you cannot program the radio with included USB mini cable though as you can use it for updating firmware, this may be just an excuse to get more money from people, not to mention that old Yaesu FT-1XD included in box programming cable from the start despite the fact that you can do programming using microSD card. So, if Yaesu makes a new model with for example USB-C, some old accessories become incompatible and old customers will have less incentive to stick with the Yaesu ecosystem if they would need to pay again for every accessory requiring a new connector or buy some clumsy reduction when buying their next radio, especially for already clumsy speaker microphone/camera. I think that Yaesu should integrate a camera directly into the next premium handheld radio model or create a paid smartphone app that would allow connecting your phone through Bluetooth instead, this would allow use & resize of pictures from the smartphone of much higher quality than whatever is Yaesu capable put into their products in the long run, unless they are willing to spend Samsung/Apple camera development budget and produce new models every year as is the case for smartphone flagships, which seems to me unlikely. Paid smartphone app option for using a smartphone camera with picture resizing connected through Bluetooth would with firmware upgrades of older models allow Yaesu earn new money from old users unwilling to buy a new model and create a starting point for paid software expansion of their premium line-up functionality without needing to purchase aging hardware accessories but it may be too risky and expensive for mostly hardware oriented radio manufacturers, so who knows what's the best heading for the digital handheld radio future??? That being said, the programming of handheld radio with the use of a smartphone app connected to the radio through Bluetooth is already available even in sub 100USD Chinese radios like Socotran FB-8629 while expensive R-Finder is already more smartphone than analog/digital DMR radio, so competition did not sleep, even though these experimentals do not exactly breaking the sales, at least for now... Personally, I would not buy a Yaesu speaker microphone/camera even if was for half the price considering my experiences with wearing out USB connectors over the years, but if they make wireless Bluetooth speaker microphone/camera powered by AA or AAA batteries that have some remote chance to last at least a decade, then perhaps.

[@kd9nrt]

Agree. The speaker/camera/mic is a gimmick. Bluetooth to a smartphone for pictures like Icom or a built-in camera would have been a better option.

[@wannabecarguy]

I know nothing about ham. However I am a general. I own this radio and used it for first time as a volunteer. You have valid complaints. Have you tried the Bluetooth function? My uv5r is EDC.

[@rogerf3622]

I have this radio and like it. But I agree totally that any modern radio should have USB-c. All the ports on the side of the FT5 could also be eliminated. You can charge with USB-c, program with the same USB-c, run a mic/speaker with it on and on. And how the heck is Yaesu going to sell this radio in the EU since all devices must use USB-c starting next year? But it is all about money. I had to buy a car charger (plugs into the cigarette lighter) and a stand too all unique.

[@kd9nrt]

As far as I know, the law only applies to phones, tablets, and cameras. Yaesu will probably start to rollout USB-C on their devices, as the other two big Japanese companies have it. They won't want to be the only one left.

[@rogerf3622]

The list is, and not limited to: mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, mice and keyboards, GPS (global positioning system) devices, headphones, headsets and earphones, digital cameras, handheld videogame consoles, and portable speakers. All devices that need less than 100w to charge. I’m not sure how Yaesu can escape this. Wouxun even foresaw this and made sure their new radios shifted. Its sad that Yaesu did the redesign of the Ft3 into the Ft5 and didn’t include USB-c then. 73

[@jeffreyfritz5866]

Good and informative review. According to John Kruck of Yaesu, the components needed to manufacture the FT3 were no longer available. Yaesu had to use different components so they developed the FT5. The touch screen is resistive as opposed to capacitive like is used on a smartphone. That may explain the plastic screen. I own an FT3 in addition to an Anytone, Retevis, TYT HTs. The FT3 is my go to HT. I prefer it to all of my other HTs.

[@tracym427]

And now they are saying they’re discontinuing the ftm-400 because they can’t get components 🤣

[@cathrynm]

Nice that they keep the battery packs the same.

[@LtNelli]

I wonder if the mini USB on the FT5D is so you can use all the old accessories like programming cable etc. As I recall, the mini USB cable is included with the package.

[@ErikN1]

Mini USB cable is included, it can’t be used for programming. Only for firmware updates. Have to buy a separate programming cable or use the SD card to program.

[@dont4450]

Between the yaesu ft 5dr, and icom id50a, which has the widest frequency range?

[@jmount1200]

How does the battery compare between the Yaesu and Kenwood for All Day EDC?

[@kd9nrt]

The battery is good. Expect 16+ hours out of occasional use. The Kenwood has the worst battery, and is my primary complaint. The Kenwood is like a Rolls Royce with a 2 gallon gas tank.

[@lephotographinc]

Great Review

[@goodoz9942]

What's the Rolls Royce radio for folks who use C4FM? Are there nicer/better/***more expensive radios out there? Sure. But if you're rolling with C4FM...?????

[@kd9nrt]

I don't think Yaesu makes one on that level. The closest they came to it would be the VX8 or FT1. Both were great. The FT5 is the best they have right now, but I wouldn't consider it a Rolls Royce.

[@Lehmen1973]

@@kd9nrt After VX-7R, VX8 was a great disappointment to me. Worse receiver, worse speaker, worse case. The only thing I was amazed about it, is a Morse code trainer built in.

[@genryuu202]

Touch screen was good even after still one year ?

[@kd9nrt]

Yeah. It still works. I have babied the screen, since it is the weak point of the radio.

[@marquezphotos]

What is the best Yaesu duel band HT? Battery, ease of use, volume, easy pc programming?

[@dgafkucky]

FT-65R

[@marquezphotos]

@@dgafkucky i'll take a look.. thx

[@Lehmen1973]

From all to all, IMHO, the best Yaesu analog radio is VX-7R. Best sensitivity compared to FT5D, VX-8, FT-70D, and by far better battery life.

[@enriquediaz7547]

The mini USB charger is a deal breaker on its own.

[@kd9nrt]

It isn't even for charging. Just firmware updates only. If it was charging, I'd cut it a slight break.

[@mattmiller3336]

She's an old video and i;m almost 3 min in gotta say my FT3 lasted about 60 days. Yaesu basically told me that they don't care about their customers and I should crawl under a repeater and die. Pretty much. Almost every Yaesu I buy has to go back $$$

[@richardsage3139]

I've had the ft5dr for a year now its not good 👎the radio case will Crack those rubber bumpers are a joke they fall off I won't even go into the cheap battery

[@jaybarr3307]

Nothing but tiny nit-picks. None of those are even in my way. Love this radio and I've yet to buy a perfect product.

[@EverettVinzant]

Shortage. That’s what caused the FT5. They had to change chip(s)/parts that are in the radio. They are identical. I own an FT-2. I considered upgrading to the 3, but the differences didn’t make it worth it. I considered the FT5…. But again, not a big enough jump. I’ll buy an FT that has: Wireless charging built in to the battery. No ports, just Bluetooth. Android. APRS. Full duplex. Put storage in it (64 or 128GB). Increase the IP rating because you got rid of all the ports. Front facing camera. Directly connects to WiFi. WiresX will work across WiFi AND amateur bands. Tri-band (2m 70cm 6m) Time to catch up with what decade we’re in. Would it be pricey? Yes. It would be a flagship model. It would be an industry leading model. It would likely be the last HT a lot of people buy. Everyone is going to try to tell me why this design isn’t possible. Bullshit. The advantage of wireless charging built in to the battery is that it won’t interfere with the radios internals AND the battery could be used on an FT-2, 3, 5… so everyone gets an upgrade. Because it has Bluetooth and Android I’d be able to make it work with my cars audio system, so I’d be hands free in my car. With the storage in it I wouldn’t need an SD card at all. Because these radios have Bluetooth they could directly transfer data to each other without having to move an SD card. And with the front facing camera it would be the first HT I am aware of that could participate in Slow Scan Television. With WiFi it would be usable with various VoIP services, and if it could run full duplex it could be set up to serve data at 56k. And if paired with a VoIP server it would allow people to use it as a phone patch. All of this tech is possible now, today. Cell phones have been doing most of this for a decade. This design would replace my cell phone. Why? Because I have a watch that accepts incoming calls if I need phone service. It would be my go to for… Everything?

[@arupian666]

10:22... imagine that... toxicity on Facebook. If you're not a 14 yr old girl, you shouldn't be on Facebook anyways, there's many, many, many other sources of information.

[@richardsage3139]

Yes the radio really sucks yaesu will just blow you off. They like to promote their two year warranty is too bad they don't stand behind it

[@DonzLockz]

Great real opinion. I think the big boy brands can do alot better.🙁 Being a dickhead is someone who should not be speaking with the public.🤷‍♂️

[@terrygraham4555]

I hate to tell you that John Krook is a nice guy and is very helpful.

[@veldogs8912]

I sold Ft3 twice. My $35 retevis Rt85 HAS BETTER RECEPTION AND SOUND SO CLEAR No static sounds voice reception is loud and clear receives MORE than yaesu ft3 . FT3 too much noise overcomes the peoples voice by static noice and reception is POOR. TRY YOUR SELF A $35 RETEVIS and HEAR WHAT YOU WONT HEAR IN A $400 YAESU. is ridicolous that a $35 dollar radio has better reception, sound picks up signals better and quality

[@nueva_vida]

This HT is only analog, no use in this digital world.

[@veldogs8912]

@@nueva_vida I know but on analog is BETTER than yaesu ft3 for only $30 . Im afraid to buy before test FT5 D if reception is like ft3d is not good

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

Sell it and go Icom. The ID-52 is better. Dstar and Drats is the best and very fun as well as DPRS.

[@NuclearCowboyTube]

Drats ?

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

@@NuclearCowboyTube Drats is a pretty cool function that you can use to send emails and messages. It has a learning curve but fun nonetheless. You can find more info and the program on their website.

[@richardsage3139]

The ft5 sucks & so does yaesu

[@johnnydekker7438]

your notes need some work… talking about cars and luxury during a radio review 🤦🏻 time from my life i can never get back.

[@kd9nrt]

It is a comparison. No need for a rude comment.

[@Koji-888]

Funny.. I thought “he’s kind of a dick head”, and douche” was a bit more rude. 💁🏻‍♀️