The Yaesu FT5DR C4FM handheld transceiver is a full-featured portable radio in a compact body. In addition to, delivering a full 5W of RF power with lower power settings as well. It boasts a powerful 1W of tuned audio output for noisy environments.
While packed into its small frame are two independent receivers for real dual band receive, the FT5DR supports the C4FM digital mode and a large individual LED indicator lamp for bands A and B, to show which one is receiving. It also offers indicators for C4FM, or on analog for instant mode identification.
More nice feature on the FT5D are the rubber protective corners on the body, and a waterproof rating of IPX7 your protects from falls and rains. The high-resolution touch display can highlight the frequency in three colors from white, blue or red. The touch panel and seven buttons below the display offer quick and intuitive changes.
Touch & Go Feature
A new TOUCH & GO operation is convenient when initiating communications on a busy frequency. Press and hold the “PMG” key to register the frequency into the Primary Memory Group. After this registration, pressing the “PMG” key will display the registered frequencies as bars on a graph. Simply touching one of the the displayed bars will recall a frequency.
The band scope function can monitor up to 79 displayed channels adjacent to the selected VFO frequency. This VFO frequency can be changed by the dial knob or touching one of the displayed channel bars.
It boasts a built-in high-sensitivity 66 channel GPS receiver and 1200/9600bps APRS Data modem. The 2,200mAh High-Capacity Li-ion Battery Pack (SBR-14LI) is standard, and provides all day fun. There is a voice recording function and simultaneous AM/FM broadcast reception while monitoring two frequency channels.
Specifications
A Band RX:
- 0.5MHz–999.99MHz minus cell service frequencies
B Band RX:
- 108MHz–580MHz
TX:
- 144 – 148MHz
- 430 – 450MHz
- Double-Conversion Super heterodyne receiver
- Direct-Conversion Modulation F1D, F2D, F3E, F7WRF Power
- 5W / 2.5W / 1W / 0.3W power levels
- 2.44″ x 3.94″ x 1.34″ body / no knobs / antenna
Included Items
- FT-5DR Transceiver
- Antenna
- 7.2V 2,200mAh Li-ion Battery Pack
- Battery Charger (SAD-25)
- Belt Clip / Quick Release Holster
- USB Cable
- Operating Manual
My Yaesu FT5DR C4FM handheld Transceiver Review
My biggest issue was the sound quality on the FT3D. The new FT5DR sounds better and offers a low and high boost that I feel goes to far. The sound quality still falls really short of the lower priced FT70D’s sound quality.
It is easier to program from the radio and I loaded 20 repeater frequencies in roughly 12 minutes by hand. Additionally, the menu is similar to the FT3D, but I found it much easier to navigate.
The buttons are back lit with a black front and white text. This made reading them in the dark impossible, however, the lower profile buttons are more comfortable. The FT5DR mars mod was easy to do for my work frequency.
The 2200mah battery lasted all day while working the MS150 bike ride. I have not used the camera feature yet. The digital fusion is clear and crisp using my hotspot, it is actually the best I heard it, even with the sound quality
Other then falling short on sound quality, however, the features make it a nice radio and I would buy it again.