Which HT??

[airplane1]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a VHF HT and want input from members here who have them. I have all Icom gear and have no problems in over a year so far so was thinking of getting the IC-V8, IC-V82. I hear the lcd is small and hard to read but did not hear other problems.

I am also looking at the Yeasu VX-170 or FT-60R. The VX-170 has issues with the built in mic from what I hear but there may be a fix. I also have two freinds who will never buy another Yaesu product ever again in there life because of all the problems they had with there FT2800, both had to send them back twice and the one is still having problems.
I like the VX-170 features and looks but dont want problems. Anyone have one and can tell me.

My freinds just might have had bad luck because I cant belive Yaesu would stay in busness if there were so many bad radios being sent out???

I do want to be able to access echolink right from the keypad and not have to program the nodes into memory to access it like my IC-7000.

Thanks for your input,
Roger

 

[KI4MSJ]

How about the Yaesu VX-6, VX-7. Great radios

 

[SR385]

Kenwood has put some effort into echolink integration, the V71A has sysop mode integration in it. Not sure about their handhelds, but it might be worth a look.

 

[Daniel]

I know what you mean about the VX-170, it really looks right to me.
I didn't know about the "Mic" problem, could you detail it some.

I read several e-ham reviews and didn't see it, must have missed it.

The VX-170 has many more good features, like voltage warning, 12 volt
plugs, more TX watt options etc., I think, than the Icom V-8.

I'm probably going to get a couple VX-170s unless I discover too great
a problem risk.

Could you detail the problems?

Thanks,
Dan KF6OCI

 

[Daniel]

I looked and see the "Mic" problem you are talking about.

Looks like an easy fix, just remove the membrane if it is a problem.

Heck I speak loud so it probably won't be a problem.

Dan KF6OCI

 

[dudmuck]

the review of the vx170 says the mic is "behind the small hole is to the right of and below the speaker grill" and you need to speak directly into it.

This issue probably has something to do with the radio being waterproof and all, but not many have complained about it. Great radio (and cost-effective) if all you want is 2 meters.

If you want four bands in one handheld, then the new VX-8R will be your thing, since it does 6M/144/220/440 in one radio. with 1.5w on 220.

 

[airplane1]

Yea,it looks like an easy fix if it is a problem at all. Tons of positive compared to the negitives so I think I will order one tomorrow from HRO and see.
They seem to be the best deal with free shipping.

 

[Daniel]

I joined the Yahoo Group VX-170. This fix is from them. Someone that
did it said it was easy.




Fix for low audio on VX-170 by KE7FFM (10-22-06)

" I opened up the case and found a small peice of teflon tape covering
the hole on the inside of the front case half that is for the mic. I
simply removed the tape (small, round, and white) and put the radio
back together.
The mic seals to the edges of the hole, so I would think that if the
radio gets wet, the mic element itself would be the only component
that could possibly be damaged.
The change in tx audio levels/mic sensitivity has been great, I would
recommend this to anyone who doesn't need the radio to be completely
waterproofed.

1} Remove the battery and the 2 screws below the battery
2} Remove the volume and chanel knobs, may need to carefully pry up on
them with a small flat-tip screwdriver.
3} Remove mic-plug cover and the antenna
4} Remove the rubber gasket from below the antenna and mic plug
5} On both the antenna port and the volume/channel control are chrome,
sealed, retainer nut, carefully unscrew using a small set of pliers, as you
will probably not have the correct size spanner wrench. There are O-rings
on and under these retainers, so be careful, you may wish to lubericate
with a light oil when re-installing later.
6} Seperate case halves by pulling down and out with the back half.
this should now come apart very easliy, watch out for the battery lock
clip, as it will come off and fly away!! This is the only real "gotcha" to
the whole procedure, so work over a large towel or carpet on a large
clean table or such. It is easy to put back, but hard to find if you
lose it!! (Yes, I lost it when I did it, took me an hour to find it!)
7} There are no wires or sub-boards to be worried about when the case
comes apart. It is really a very nice, clean assembly. The round white
teflon tape that covers the mic hole is easily visible, and easily removed.
8} Just go in reverse to re-assemble. again, lubricating the O-rings
(lightly) will help them to go back into place without damage to their seal.

There is also a rubber seal that goes around the case halves. So when
putting the 2 halves back together, the back half has two small tabs
at the top that will ned to be aligned with the matching slots in the top of
the front half.
Because of the gasket, you may need to keep a small amount of pressure on
them to keep them held together during re-assembly. Use your free hand to
replace the battery locking clip, then with that same hand clamp the bottom
of the halves together. Then you can use your first hand to install the
screws into the back, or get the aid of a helper with that part. Then you
can replace the retainer nuts and knobs."

 

[airplane1]

Cool Daniel, Sounds pretty easy. I will do this on mine after useing it and seeing if it is indeead a problem for me.

I cant wait to the VX-170.

Good luck yourself if you get one

 

[milkman21218]

Airplane 1, I've run a VX-170 for over 2 years. And no problems at all. I love it so much that I was going to get a VX-7r. But got a FT-7800r instead. I may get a VX-8r.

 

[airplane1]

Thanks milkman21218,

I got it and am going to try it this week. I got it from HRO for 119.95 + free shipping, it was the best deal out there that I found.

So you have no problems with the built in mike!

Thanks

 

[milkman21218]

Rodger, I've had no problems other than learning how to program it. Just like Dudmuck said speak into the mike. Or buy a hand held mic. You got a very deal at HRO. Enjoy your new toy.

 

[airplane1]

It is a real nice radio. I think it is a bit hard to program compared to my Icom radios believe it or not.

I like the weather alert it has and the audio is fantastic. I am going to test it tonight on the air, I hate that it took me so long to get testing it on transmit but I have been so busy.

One question there milkman21218, Do you know if this can be powered an outside source power supply through the charging plug or is it just for charging? I dont see this in the manual.

Thanks

 

[airplane1]

All I can say is if anyone is in the market for a VHF HT get a Yaesu VX-170. This HT is great. great audio comming out of it and I am told it sounds crystal clear and very good and no mic problem.

This thing is real easy to program too. Had my favorite repeaters programed and was talking on it in about 5 min.

Thanks for everyones help, I got a real winner here.
airplan1

 

[W5LZ]

Not ever having one in my hands, I think it should be usable -while- charging. Naturally you have to make allowances for letting the thing get a charge (don't use it faster than it can produce), but still should be possible. Normal power output? Beats me.
- 'Doc