Nice channel. Really informative. Been using gmrs for a few months . Currently studying for the ham test in may. Just wanted to say I like the quality of your videos . Hope you blow up 🎉
I agree with your choice of the FT-65, but there is one more to consider. That is the Yaesu FT-60R. Faster scan rate (very important), even better front end (I think it's the best available in a duel band analog radio). Easy to program. Good, low priced battery. Very wide range scan range with user defined scan limits. It even gets the AM aircraft band. 10 memory banks, 999 memory slots. "AA" battery pack that will allow full transmit power. "AA" batteries are available everywhere. It's about IP 66 rated, but not official, it will hold up in a decent rain storm. It's tough as nails; in fact I think the BATF will soon qualify it as a weapon....lol. It's about $155.00 and is the least expensive radio that will get you respect from the old timers at your ham radio club meeting. It's that good. It's a lifetime radio. Mine has been abused for 11 years and just keeps coming back for more. If you can afford a little more money, you will be very happy with your decision in the long run.
Yup. CHIRP programming is not bad. Front panel is a pain. Main downside for me is receiver front end overloading causing it to break squelch regularly.
I started with a UV-5R, then to a Retevis RT3S (with OpenGD77 firmware) and on to the Anytone 878UVII+. Each of them have great features. The UV-5R is my most used radio now as it runs my APRS Digipeater 24/7
There is a duel display mode built into the FT-65. Check out the video just posted on you tube by "Ham Radio Hobbyist" on youtube. There is a way to have the VHF and UHF bands displayed on the screen at the same time. Not sure if it receives on both at the same time (pretty sure it doesn't), but you can switch between bands with just the touch of a button on the front once it's enabled. The Baofeng does not have true duel band operation (like the Ft-5D) as it does not receive both channels at the same time. Whichever band the radio picks up first is the one you hear. When the transmission stops on one band, you can then hear the other. Neat feature on the FT-65 that is not displayed unless you go into a special menu.
Thanks, I knew that but had forgotten about it. Unfortunately, you cannot display two memory channels at the same time like Baofeng but I still like the Yaesu better. I also have the FT5D which is a phenomenal radio but cost a lot more and out of reach of many hams.
@House of Ham I was not sure how the duel display worked on the FT 65 which is why I linked the video. I don't own a FT 65 but have used one and was impressed with its performance. As you stated, it's all about how much money one wants to spend. I was glad someone did a post comparing the Baofeng and the FT 65. For not much more money, you get a lot more radio. In addition to the poor front end of the Baofeng, the lack of memory banks and molasses' like slowness of the scan drives me up the wall. That said, I have a pile of Baofengs to hand out or for trade when SHTF. They do work. Thanks for the good video !
Nice channel. Really informative. Been using gmrs for a few months . Currently studying for the ham test in may. Just wanted to say I like the quality of your videos . Hope you blow up 🎉
Thanks for the kind words. Best of luck in studying and taking your ham exam.
I agree with your choice of the FT-65, but there is one more to consider. That is the Yaesu FT-60R. Faster scan rate (very important), even better front end (I think it's the best available in a duel band analog radio). Easy to program. Good, low priced battery. Very wide range scan range with user defined scan limits. It even gets the AM aircraft band. 10 memory banks, 999 memory slots. "AA" battery pack that will allow full transmit power. "AA" batteries are available everywhere. It's about IP 66 rated, but not official, it will hold up in a decent rain storm. It's tough as nails; in fact I think the BATF will soon qualify it as a weapon....lol. It's about $155.00 and is the least expensive radio that will get you respect from the old timers at your ham radio club meeting. It's that good. It's a lifetime radio. Mine has been abused for 11 years and just keeps coming back for more. If you can afford a little more money, you will be very happy with your decision in the long run.
Thanks for additional info John. As the price goes up, you generally get more.
Good comparison, I started with the UV-5R and once I figured out how to use CHIRP, programming was pretty straightforward.
Yup. CHIRP programming is not bad. Front panel is a pain. Main downside for me is receiver front end overloading causing it to break squelch regularly.
I started with a UV-5R, then to a Retevis RT3S (with OpenGD77 firmware) and on to the Anytone 878UVII+. Each of them have great features. The UV-5R is my most used radio now as it runs my APRS Digipeater 24/7
I am sending my UV5R to a friend who wants to become a ham. I mostly use my Anytone 878UVII+ or my FT5D but I really do like the FT65R too.
@@houseofhamradio What a gift! Your friend should be most pleased ;)
There is a duel display mode built into the FT-65. Check out the video just posted on you tube by "Ham Radio Hobbyist" on youtube. There is a way to have the VHF and UHF bands displayed on the screen at the same time. Not sure if it receives on both at the same time (pretty sure it doesn't), but you can switch between bands with just the touch of a button on the front once it's enabled. The Baofeng does not have true duel band operation (like the Ft-5D) as it does not receive both channels at the same time. Whichever band the radio picks up first is the one you hear. When the transmission stops on one band, you can then hear the other. Neat feature on the FT-65 that is not displayed unless you go into a special menu.
Thanks, I knew that but had forgotten about it. Unfortunately, you cannot display two memory channels at the same time like Baofeng but I still like the Yaesu better. I also have the FT5D which is a phenomenal radio but cost a lot more and out of reach of many hams.
@House of Ham I was not sure how the duel display worked on the FT 65 which is why I linked the video. I don't own a FT 65 but have used one and was impressed with its performance. As you stated, it's all about how much money one wants to spend. I was glad someone did a post comparing the Baofeng and the FT 65. For not much more money, you get a lot more radio. In addition to the poor front end of the Baofeng, the lack of memory banks and molasses' like slowness of the scan drives me up the wall. That said, I have a pile of Baofengs to hand out or for trade when SHTF. They do work. Thanks for the good video !