Yaesu FT8900

[KF6IRP]

I am thinking of purchasing Yaesu's quad band FT8900 mobile unit, 10/6/2/440. #There are two mobile antennas, one from Comet and one from Diamond, but I have not found any base units.

Does any one have any opinions about Yaesu in general, or the FT8900 specifically. #Any and all comments welcome.

kf6irp #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K1MIZ]

I have had the 8900 for a few months now. I love it. I use the cr8900 antenna for the truck. To tune 6meters on the antenna is realy a 2 man job but once tuned it works perfect. I recomend getting the program software for the 8900. it is so much easier to program off the pc then by hand. i dont have the info infront of me but email me and i will let you know where to find it.

73

[KD6NIG]

I would definetely reccomend programming software. I have the 8800 and 7800 (the 8800 is basically the 8900, but 2m/440.)

Actually, I'll be honest-I have 2 8800's, the 7800, and a FT-60 and a VX2R. I also have an old HT that I have had for 10 years from them that I use for packet. I have tried other brands and have had issues or found them way too expensive, so I stick to Yaesu. Of course, your mileage may vary, but (knock on wood) they have all been good to me.

The investment in programming cable and software is a good idea though. The only radio I don't have it for is the FT-60 and I spent quite a few hours programming it. I didn't get it with the VX-2, but ordered it today as that radio will definetely be too hard to program without it (since it has no number pad).

But, from my experience, I would reccomend Yaesu to anyone for ham equipment. I'd also reccomend the HTX-202 and 404 from Radio Shack that I have had for years, but they got out of the radio business http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KF6IRP]

Anyone else have an opinion?

KF6IRP

[AE6QE]

I have owned an 8900 for a couple of years now. It is my primary mobile, and I use it extensively. I love the radio, and plan to use it until it dies. I have used it to talk 2000 miles plus on 10 meters (hitting a repeater in Alabama, from CA!), and several hundred miles on 6 meters. The separation cable can be easily homemade. Like the others, I strongly recommend a programming cable. I use the right side to monitor my favorite repeater, and the other scans through other repeaters, satellites, and public safety.

I can also say that its sensitivity on 2m is much better than my IC-706!

On the down side, I wish there were banks to divide the frequencies, that it could receive between 10m and 6m (to hear CHP and rural Fire), and that it had an option for an internal TNC. (Hey, I can wish, right?)

73 and enjoy!
Rickey/AE6QE