VX-7R vs FT-60R

[KF4HVX]

I am considering getting a new HT and I have narrowed my search down to these two HT's.

I would appreciate any reviews on either of these HT's to help me make my decision.

Thanks!

[n0cqv]

I have owned a VX7R for over two years and have had excellent results with it. I have it connected to a 45 watt amp in my 4 runner and really like the versatility of the different bands and the weather band. I have it connected to a Diamond Antenna for 2 mtr, 440, and 6 mtr band. Plenty of memory for all the repeaters. Great Radio!!! Good luck.
N0CQV

[N2OBS]

Own both. Great receive on both radios. Both operate 5 watts, sma connector and small handheld package ideal for one handed operations. VX-7R has a dual band display, FT-60R does not. Tough decision you have to make but another thought is the external speaker/microphone...VX-7R has a screw type for it's microphone and the FT-60R is simple. With all the opinions the finally decision will be yours and i still use both back and forth.

[ke6vfa]

I chose the FT-60R over the VX-7R because on the FT-60R I can use the AA-pack and get a full 5 watts out for ecomm use. On the VX-7R I believe you're limited to 0.5 watts when on AA batteries .

[KF4HVX]

Thanks for the replies...I think. Still can't decide which one to get, they both sound like good radios. I could suffer the wrath of the wife and get both but I don't think I want to go through that!

Those of you who have had these HT's, did you have to purchase a carry case of some sort or did the belt clip that came with it provide a stable enough solution?

[ke6vfa]

For the FT-60R I just use the belt clip. Back when I had a Kenwood TH-79A(D) I used to put it in a faux leather case. The case ended holding in sand/dust/etc. And it was also annoying to take the case on and off to get to the battery.

[M3GID]

without a shadow of a doubt, I have had 2 - over nearly 5 years and never once had a problem, they are fun as well as hugely practical and can be "played with" to some extent as well as waterproof which is a real bonus if you get out and about. The only downside with all these, is that if you use it mobile with the cigar lighter atachment, they get really hot to the extent where they will actually malfunction - mine switched itself off before I realised what was happening. I hasten to add that this a design safety feature, since then I limit my operating when mobile to short overs and reduce power where possible, maybe I was asking too much of the rig.

[ke6vfa]

The only downside with all these, is that if you use it mobile with the cigar lighter atachment, they get really hot to the extent where they will actually malfunction - mine switched itself off before I realised what was happening. I hasten to add that this a design safety feature, since then I limit my operating when mobile to short overs and reduce power where possible, maybe I was asking too much of the rig.

Better that is shuts down before it fries itself. That gives you an excuse to buy a mobile rig now.

[KB3PXR]

My elmer has an FT-60 I and I got a VX-7R. The VX-7R has a dual receiver, which allows you to monitor two repeaters or other frequencies at the same time. The VX-7R is compact, but still capable of being ergonomic. The menus are easier to understand than the FT-60, but the weather alert is not described well in the menu. The VX-7R has a sensor to tell you what the temp inside of the rig is so you know how hot you are getting, the FT-60 does not. The VX-7R can run directly from the DC input but it gets hot and cannot charge at the same time. The VX-7R has a voltmeter which can tell you the voltage of whatever source it is running. This is very critical when running the rechargable pack down real low as the pack, nor the radio causes a shutdown when the voltage drops below 5. Going below five volts places the radio in Dry-Cell mode and assumes you have a AA pack in there.

ke6vfa states that the AA pack is a weakness on the VX-7R for emmcom, but the VX-7R has features that make that a somewhat moot point:

1. With the appropriate pigtail adapter the VX-7R will run off a gel-cell directly
2. The recharging base uses the AC adapter, which means you could probably use the 12 volt adapter or the pigtail as well. With a second pack you could potentially run on battery packs alone.
3. If push comes to shove you could rig an 8AA pack with the pigtail and power the rig directly the same way as a gel cell. You can rig this with C and D cells as well. but you will need to find a way to mount this.
3a. The 8AA pack will also work with 2 above and actually get more runtime out of the AA cells than powering the rig directly.

[M3GID]

Better that is shuts down before it fries itself. That gives you an excuse to buy a mobile rig now.

Ah! It would, if I didn't already have several - FT7800, FT897, FT290, as well as 2 x VX-1 and a VX-2........just used the VX-7 in my company car so it didn't need plumbing in.

Yaesu is! Anything else....just isn't!

[N1BHH]

If you got 6 meter repeaters in your area, then the VX7 is for you. I have an FT60R and enjoy it. I had considered the VX7 and may get one in the future, because there are some 5 meter repeaters around here. It does 300mW on 220 on the USA version. Also the VX7 has extended receive coverage that is hard to beat, the only thing missing, sideband selection is not available.

[KF4HVX]

Thanks again for the responses. I ended up getting the VX-7R. There is at least 1 6m repeater in my area. However...I just don't like the way the buttons are on the 7R. I ended up returning it. At the time the FT-60 was out of stock I believe, did not see any on display. I did see the VX-3R and went with that one. Why? I had the VX-1R a while ago but for some strange reason I ended up trading it for some computer gear and cash.

It does not have all that much power but I have an Alinco DJ-G5T that does cross-band repeat. I can set that up at work and use the 3R on low pwer on 70cm to get out to the repeaters in the area.

I am considering the FT-60 still. I have my tax return on the way so I might have to put that to use. The 3R is definitely not as rugged as the other HT's I was considering so I might end up getting the FT-60 to enhance my outdoor communication capabilities.

Once agin, thanks for all your input. Even though I did not end up with one of the two radios in question your comments have helped a friend make the decision on getting the FT-60R. He had the FT-170 and just eBayed it so he could get the FT-60.

Thanks!
73,
KF4HVX
Oliver K.