Yaesu FT-8800R VHF/UHF Dual Band Amateur Radio Transceiver - 50W/35W - 2 Meter & 70cm

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Price: $511.99 $499.00   

Product Feature

• Full Twin Band Amateur Mobile Transceiver - VHF/UHF Simultaneous Receive of 2 Frequencies & Cross-Band Repeater Capability!
• Transmits 144-148Mhz & 430-450Mhz (2 meter & 70cm), Receives 108-520Mhz & 700-999Mhz (less cell).
• Output is 50W VHF & 35W UHF w/lower power settings, CTCSS/DCS (PL & DPL), scan modes & more.
• Includes Lighted microphone w/ direct entry keypad, dual fused Power cord, & mounting bracket.
• Cross band repeater, 1000 Alphanumeric channels, Packet jack, V/V, U/U, VU display.

Product Description

Yaesu Dualband Amateur Ham Radio FT-8800R.
Full twin Band w/ cross band repeater mode.
Features seperate volume & squelch controls, lighted mike, remote mountable faceplate.
Hasd ctcss/dcs, Alphanumeric display, 1000ch memories, scan modes.
Receives 108-520Mhz & 700-999Mhz (except cellular).
Transmits 2 meter band 144-148Mhz & 70cm band 430-450Mhz.
ARTS system, detachable Faceplate, cross-band repeat & more!.
Requires regulated 12-13.8Vdc at 14 Amps or greater for power.

Yaesu FT-8800R VHF/UHF Dual Band Amateur Radio Transceiver - 50W/35W - 2 Meter & 70cm Review

This is a nice radio that has worked well for me. I won't go over all of the specs you can read in any brochure, I'll add things you might not read about that'll help you decide if this radio is for you. To be clear, this is a HAM radio and requires an amateur radio license to use in every country. This is not a toy but a very sophisticated radio with an incredible feature set. An understanding of how HAM radio works, with an antenna and radio protocol will be necessary to use this properly. If you don't know what a repeater offset or tone is, you'll need to learn that before this will be useful.

The features and specs are impressive, but actually using the radio can be difficult. If someone gives you a Frequency and offset to go to, unless you already have it programmed in, you will have a difficult time getting there in any reasonable timeframe. I deal with this by programming ALL local repeats into the unit in advance. This essentially requires that you buy one of the programming options available out there. I reviewed the option I used here: USB Programming Software & Cable for Yaesu FT-8800R

To enable you to find a frequency when you want it, you need to have an organizational plan, here's a system I used. I went through and added every repeater in the state, every aviation frequency and also both 2m and 440 systems. Then I grouped them in sections. The first group is the most used ones for me, next are 2m, then 440, then aviation, then emergency, I even added the FRS frequencies. I also program both "sides" of the radio to be exactly the same. Heck, with 500+ memories why not? Now it's easy to pick anything on either side and I'm never stuck due to configuration.

The removable head is nice, makes it much easier to devise a mounting solution. I use a cup holder device to attach the head to. There are a couple of negatives with the remote mounting. With the radio body under the seat the speaker isn't loud enough. I had to buy an external speaker to really hear the radio well, and having that does fix the issue. My next problem is that I often bump the large left side switch and just one press is all it takes to turn on and off Internet mode. The problem with this accidental bump is that with the feature on you drop the first few seconds of your transmission, which can be a real issue trying to communicate over a repeater.

All in all this is a great radio, works reliably but has a few issues I don't like. I prefer dedicated buttons to these general purpose programming mode with 47+ features hidden under one key (yes 47 buttons would be a problem). Next, bumping it shouldn't place it in crazy modes but it does. In my opinion the UI needs a few issues resolved.

4 stars, great radio, but clumsy UI requires remote programming

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