Yaesu FTM-100DR expérience questions

[MadeInMaine]

I am looking for a solid, not crazy expensive, APRS mobile radio.

1. Do you like it?
2. Would you suggest an alternative after using it?
3. It can send your GPS location and text messages, correct?
4. On a scale of 1-10, what would you say the learning curve and difficulty rating is of this radio for a beginner user?

Thank you

 

[DannyLlama]

Lots and lots of good info here - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/188802-ham-off-road.html


I personally have the Knwood D710G and i love it... good luck

 

[The Gobbler]

1. Do you like it? - Yes
2. Would you suggest an alternative after using it? - FTM400
3. It can send your GPS location and text messages, correct? - Yes
4. On a scale of 1-10, what would you say the learning curve and difficulty rating is of this radio for a beginner user? - 4, fairly easy.

I've had the 100 for about a month and kind of wish I went with the 400 because of APRS. 100 is a single VFO, 400 is dual. If you are going to be really serious about APRS, get the 400. If you are just going to be communicating, the 100 will be perfect for that.

 

[MadeInMaine]

1. Do you like it? - Yes
2. Would you suggest an alternative after using it? - FTM400
3. It can send your GPS location and text messages, correct? - Yes
4. On a scale of 1-10, what would you say the learning curve and difficulty rating is of this radio for a beginner user? - 4, fairly easy.

I've had the 100 for about a month and kind of wish I went with the 400 because of APRS. 100 is a single VFO, 400 is dual. If you are going to be really serious about APRS, get the 400. If you are just going to be communicating, the 100 will be perfect for that.

Can you tell me a little more about your last statement?
What do you mean exactly with the 100 vs 400? What exactly can the 400 do with APRS over the 100? I didn’t know there were different levels of APRS.
Sorry for the newb questions....

Thanks in advance @The_Gobbler

 

[The Gobbler]

Can you tell me a little more about your last statement?
What do you mean exactly with the 100 vs 400? What exactly can the 400 do with APRS over the 100? I didn’t know there were different levels of APRS.
Sorry for the newb questions....

Thanks in advance @The_Gobbler

No worries, I'm a newby too.

The 400 is a dual VFO, meaning it can receive 2 channels at once (I believe transmit as well, but am not sure). What this does is allows you to run APRS on one side and your communications on the other...at the same time. The 100 has a dual watch feature, but it is not nearly as good as dual VFO's.

 

[Bumbo]

As much as I want to like the 100DR, the lack of dual VFO kills it for me.

I've just gotten so used to having the feature, VX-7R, 8800, 8900 all have it and the lack of it feels like going backwards to me.

Its proven to be very very useful. Even with two physical radios available, you still miss out on features like Crossband repeat. So you get to operate like you have two radios, with the foot print of one.

Most of my dual VFO use is basically monitoring a repeater while using simplex for my main coms channel. If anyone every goes out of range, ill hear them on a repeater.

Alternately, being able to scan and do other operations without leaving your primary channel is nice.

I have plenty of single band Yaesu units too, like the 1900 and 2900, but if I could only own 1 in the truck, it would be a dual band, dual VFO, with Crossband repeat.

 

[MadeInMaine]

As much as I want to like the 100DR, the lack of dual VFO kills it for me.

I've just gotten so used to having the feature, VX-7R, 8800, 8900 all have it and the lack of it feels like going backwards to me.

Its proven to be very very useful. Even with two physical radios available, you still miss out on features like Crossband repeat. So you get to operate like you have two radios, with the foot print of one.

Most of my dual VFO use is basically monitoring a repeater while using simplex for my main coms channel. If anyone every goes out of range, ill hear them on a repeater.

Alternately, being able to scan and do other operations without leaving your primary channel is nice.

I have plenty of single band Yaesu units too, like the 1900 and 2900, but if I could only own 1 in the truck, it would be a dual band, dual VFO, with Crossband repeat.

So which unit would you suggest?

 

[Bumbo]

So which unit would you suggest?

My top digital pick is a Yaesu FTM400 right now. I don't own one yet, but that's what I would like.

Currently I am using a Kenwood TM-V71a (I like the DTMF remote control and interface) Does crossband too, but no APRS.

I also have a FT-2900R analog in the 4Runner... it's a tank, I like it a lot.

Unfortunately for a guy that owns more ham radios than one generally needs, none of them do APRS.

 

[CWO4CNO]

Don't forget to consider mounting

Hello Team,
Though I fully agree with the above statements, and have owned and operated these individual units, you may also mounting solutions. The TR4 doesn't have a lot of options when it comes to placing in an external radio without interfering with fit, form, and/or functions of the vehicle.
Due to this, I have resulted in using the THD74 HT for APRS with it mounted within the center stowage area. For my main voice radio I use a simple dualband Icom with the face plate mounted in the lower center cubby hole. This way none of the vehicle options and functions are interfered or blocked.
Also, for windshield mounts, some states have these listed as illegal, so know your local laws. In Washington state for example, these appear to be a secondary infraction.
I thought sharing these thoughts could help with decisions made.
73 de KG7HQ

 

[Fishpilot]

Just minding my own business, reading up on HAM radios, googled the Yaesu FTM400, and now I need a $500 radio...thanks guys. I don't even use the walkie talkies I've had for years, but I need this new thing! This forum is evil.