Just bought the FT3D today from Associated Radio, my local independent store!!! It's charging....then I'll be back to watch this again....and again....then I'll read the manual....a few times. Thanks for this vid
Apples and oranges. I don't understand why this FT3D keeps getting compared to the D74. I have both, btw. But the D74 is DSTAR and has 220MHz, while the FT3D is only dual band with Fusion. If you just want a dual band with Bluetooth and APRS, there are much less expensive options out there.
Ham Radio 2.0 They do get compared a lot. The topic is pretty subjective. I narrowed it down to theses two radios because they both had some of the features that I wanted. I researched the other features and decided on the D74A. It was just a better fit for what I was looking to do. D-STAR was a bonus. Price is usually not a factor for me!
Hey Jason happy holidays I'm watching all your videos catching up been in the hospital for 20 days with coronavirus some bad stuff but thanks for sharing this brand new nice radio
How rugged is the Yaesu FT-3DR? How well built is it? Can it stand up well to the outdoor elements? Weather? Is it a good bug out radio? Can you take it camping or into the remote wilderness?
More of a real life battery test is to run full power (he used lowest of 4) and to turn off the battery save function. The same that most of us have to use it for auxcomms.
If companies can’t figure out that a belt clip on the radio is better, why won’t they use the clips like Motorola radios use (Atleast all the ones I’ve used at jobs) where you can just slip it off the battery and slide it into the next one. NO MORE SCREWS! Those tiny screws on a lot of radios disappear
The problem I have with the clip and battery on the FT-1D/FT-2D/FT-3D is that the scheme used to hold the battery on the radio is a terribly fragile design. It has cost me at least two batteries as they can be ripped off the radio when carrying it on your belt and catch it on something, breaking the part of the retention mechanism on the battery.
I agree waiting for MTC to get it in and I would rather by it from Richard and the crew. He has always taken care of me. Thanks for the overview. Frank KM4ZRT
Great first look! It would be nice if you did some videos on the detailed operations of this radio. Like setting up for APRS beaconing and APRS messaging, all the different bands it supports like weather, marine, etc. I have this radio. Lots of videos but not many that help with the programming of the above.....and a side note......videos are great since I feel the manual sent with the radio in so disjointed.
I just came home with this one today. I am very new and studying for my test. But I wanted to get a radio in hand to start getting familiar with the operation(except for transmitting). Obviously I don't have a call sign yet. Is there a way to bypass the call sign prompt?
Just got and so far I like it. I'm like you I don't read the manual until I don't know something. Now trying to figure out how program fusion repeater and tone. Great video as always. 73 KA9WLU
So I finally purchased the FT3D, and after a couple of weeks I finally bought a SD card, how do I save the repeaters that I manually input it on the radio to the SD card? Thanks a lot for the review
Something I hope they will add in a future firmware update. I currently carry in single channel mode, to get around the issue. Just crummy I have to do that. This is the only dual channel radio I own with no master volume.
@@cognetic Never found it to be an issue myself, press the A/B button adjust the volume, press A/B button and your back where you were, only take a couple of seconds.
@@nicholastaylor7737 Not so easy when it's on your hip, and you walk into a client. Radio screaming. I need to be able to reach down, turn a master volume knob to quiet the freaking thing down INSTANTLY. What you described is exactly what I have to do. Tell the client, apologies, please wait a moment. Take the FT-3DR off my hip. Turn volume down on active channel. Hit A/B. Then turn second channel down. Put the FT-3DR radio back on my hip, and say, sorry about that. Very frustrating!
Does someone noticed about crappy RX sound quality when backlight dimmed ?? It seems Yaesu forgot to install an RFI avoiding capacitor for several units. Do you know the value and location for that capacitor? Any photos on where is should be? Thanks for help !!! You can contact me to tell me. Thanks in advanced.
FYI If anyone ever has a problem where the screen is lit but blank. there is a very hard to see switch next to the data port that more than likely you bumped in some way. I had this problem a couple days ago, and you can imagine how upset i was till i talked to a tech at Yaesu today. hope nobody needs this info but if you do here it is.
Jason, I actually read the manual. How else is someone going to know how to proceed? I have never understood people who don't read the manual. Why would anyone take the change of breaking something?
Well you don't have much chance of breaking something by not reading the manual. If you could break a radio by just pushing buttons and scrolling through menus, it wouldn't be a very good product. But I like to see how intuitive the menus are on a new radio. Is it simple to program or are menus hidden so deep that it takes several keystrokes to find them? That's just something I always like to test with a new rig.
Can you do a video on connecting the rig to a fusion repeater. Just the rig no hotspot or anything else. I’m so confused on using just the radio PLEASE HELP
The microphone is also in a very poor position. I find myself always putting my pinky over the mic, when holding in my right hand. Have to be mindful of that.
I went FT3D over the D74. It arrived 10 days ago. Programming it really sukz (think codeplug). It went back in the box. I'll stick with my older FT-70D until I can find a "free" system to program it with local repeaters. Come on Yaesu. At least it came with a cable but charging me for programming tool? Killing me.
Yaesu provides the programming software for their radios for free. The only drawback is that its release lags the radio by a couple of months. RT Systems charges for their software but it's typically better that the free stuff from Yaesu.
@@jimgerke2203 I typically don't like RT Systems because you have to repurchase the software for every radio model. I understand purchasing a different cable for every radio since they're mostly different, but the software too? It would just be too expensive to try and buy this setup for ALL the radios that I own.
Yeasu FT3D so many features and a heavy price tag. Love the color touch screen, dual vfo and adjustable squelch. Year 2000 to year 2019 is similar to upgrading from a FT70D to FT3D. Does this have led transmit / receive lights for analog / digital? Thank you Jason for the review. Mike N6IMY
Hi Jason! Just purchased the ftm-400xdr. I like it very well! I am considering very soon to purchase the ft3dr. Been searching for your next video on it -- did you do part 2 ? Enjoy your videos very much! And just want to say- keep up the awesome reviews and have a Super Happy New Year! 73's Ken
Do you know some good non-HRO retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area? I do like shopping from small indie places... but if I do a search for amateur radio, all I'm seeing is HRO and clubs. Is there something better? Even if it's non-local, if it's indie, has a good reputation, and will ship to me, I'm happy to give my business to something smaller. (Especially if it's run as a worker co-op! Any of those??!?)
Hmm.... but they seem to sell accessories for the THD7A, but not the radio itself?!? :-o .... Maybe I'm just not looking in the right way... anywho, will check again; I'm not buying _quite_ yet.
Looks great but it's also over priced.... definitely. I used to love ham radio but since a bunch of CBers decided to migrate to the ham bands with all of their noise and bad habits I thought I had enough.... Cheers from Florida, USA
Have had it for about a week now. Touchscreen hasn't been that bad. I do however hit an item above or below by accident. Due to fat finger hurry. Similar to typing in cell phone keyboard. It's been surprisingly managable though. I actually prefer or like it over my DMR-6X2 and UV-5X3 tactile buttons.
@@HamRadio2 I find to deal with the small screen and the fat finger syndrone, a small rubber tipped stylus does the trick and saves you from pressing the adjacent button on the screen. Love the radio. Upgraded from FT-1DR to FT-3. VE7FU
So mom and pop start a company, a single store brick and mortar. After a couple of years of hard work they are doing well and are able to open another store. They have good customer service and a good reputation with vendors. A few years later they have opened 12 stores in 3 states and are raking in the money.....is this when we stop supporting them and the 112 people they employ just because supposedly they're now a big old greedy multi-million dollar chain store?
I don't really buy into the whole "greedy corporation" mentality. I think if you've built a business and it has grown due to good customer service and value then people will keep shopping there. But even WalMart started as a 5 and Dime in Rogers, AR.
I bought my first ever ham radio and this was it yesterday. I got it home and noticed right away that the touch screen is fucking PLASTIC. What an over-priced ripoff. 15 percent re-stocking fee. I've totally lost interest in it right now. Use it for a paper weight. I knew in my gut that I've should have gone Chinese. Live and learn.
Just bought the FT3D today from Associated Radio, my local independent store!!! It's charging....then I'll be back to watch this again....and again....then I'll read the manual....a few times. Thanks for this vid
Thanks!
Add the call sign! Good review too!
RANDL are great folks. Professionals, and competitive.
This radio was pretty enticing. I looked at this really hard, but decided to go with the TH-D74A.
Apples and oranges. I don't understand why this FT3D keeps getting compared to the D74. I have both, btw. But the D74 is DSTAR and has 220MHz, while the FT3D is only dual band with Fusion. If you just want a dual band with Bluetooth and APRS, there are much less expensive options out there.
Ham Radio 2.0 They do get compared a lot. The topic is pretty subjective. I narrowed it down to theses two radios because they both had some of the features that I wanted. I researched the other features and decided on the D74A. It was just a better fit for what I was looking to do. D-STAR was a bonus. Price is usually not a factor for me!
I have both (and love them both!) but the best feature I like on the FT3D is you can use the Bluetooth button on your headset for PTT.
Hey Jason happy holidays I'm watching all your videos catching up been in the hospital for 20 days with coronavirus some bad stuff but thanks for sharing this brand new nice radio
Very tempted to purchase it. BTW greetings from M0IUR.
How rugged is the Yaesu FT-3DR? How well built is it? Can it stand up well to the outdoor elements? Weather? Is it a good bug out radio? Can you take it camping or into the remote wilderness?
More of a real life battery test is to run full power (he used lowest of 4) and to turn off the battery save function. The same that most of us have to use it for auxcomms.
If companies can’t figure out that a belt clip on the radio is better, why won’t they use the clips like Motorola radios use (Atleast all the ones I’ve used at jobs) where you can just slip it off the battery and slide it into the next one. NO MORE SCREWS! Those tiny screws on a lot of radios disappear
I agree. That would be a nice feature to have.
They would slip of those /\/\ radios just as easily, too. Screwed on is more secure. I agree with being on the radio and not battery though.
The problem I have with the clip and battery on the FT-1D/FT-2D/FT-3D is that the scheme used to hold the battery on the radio is a terribly fragile design. It has cost me at least two batteries as they can be ripped off the radio when carrying it on your belt and catch it on something, breaking the part of the retention mechanism on the battery.
New ham and this just got this radio. Please do more video's on it and Fusion/wires-x
I have some in the works, thanks for commenting.
I agree waiting for MTC to get it in and I would rather by it from Richard and the crew. He has always taken care of me. Thanks for the overview. Frank KM4ZRT
Just bought one of these today from Main Trading Company, yeah.
Hello Jason Merry Christmas thank you for sharing this video
Thanks for commenting
Great first look! It would be nice if you did some videos on the detailed operations of this radio. Like setting up for APRS beaconing and APRS messaging, all the different bands it supports like weather, marine, etc. I have this radio. Lots of videos but not many that help with the programming of the above.....and a side note......videos are great since I feel the manual sent with the radio in so disjointed.
I have plans to do just that. I just can't do all of that in 1 video, it would be several hours long.
Wish someone would make a 3800mah battery for it. I finally pulled the trigger on one today through HRO. The sales and coupons were too tempting.
Yeah Yaesu doesn't seem to like to make extended batteries
I just came home with this one today. I am very new and studying for my test. But I wanted to get a radio in hand to start getting familiar with the operation(except for transmitting). Obviously I don't have a call sign yet. Is there a way to bypass the call sign prompt?
Just got and so far I like it. I'm like you I don't read the manual until I don't know something. Now trying to figure out how program fusion repeater and tone. Great video as always. 73 KA9WLU
This is a good radio. The more I use mine, the more I like it
Great video and very useful. Thanks.
Thanks for watching.
How does this radio compare with the Wouxun KG-UV8H and remember the Wouxun is like $160 vs $400 +
This one has more bells and whistles and probably a better receiver. Definitely a better warranty
So I finally purchased the FT3D, and after a couple of weeks I finally bought a SD card, how do I save the repeaters that I manually input it on the radio to the SD card? Thanks a lot for the review
My biggest issue is independent channel volume. No master volume for both. Love everything else!
Something I hope they will add in a future firmware update. I currently carry in single channel mode, to get around the issue. Just crummy I have to do that. This is the only dual channel radio I own with no master volume.
@@cognetic Never found it to be an issue myself, press the A/B button adjust the volume, press A/B button and your back where you were, only take a couple of seconds.
@@nicholastaylor7737 Not so easy when it's on your hip, and you walk into a client. Radio screaming. I need to be able to reach down, turn a master volume knob to quiet the freaking thing down INSTANTLY. What you described is exactly what I have to do. Tell the client, apologies, please wait a moment. Take the FT-3DR off my hip. Turn volume down on active channel. Hit A/B. Then turn second channel down. Put the FT-3DR radio back on my hip, and say, sorry about that. Very frustrating!
At least you don't have to push and hold a side panel button while turning the knob like you do on the FT-1D and the FT-70D.
@@jimgerke2203 Ha! Good to know. Or sounds like it gets better with each new release!
BOB,S TEST WAS 14 HOURS,, NOT 24.... FROM N3NDX... 09-05-2019...
OK I couldn't remember for sure
Does someone noticed about crappy RX sound quality when backlight dimmed ??
It seems Yaesu forgot to install an RFI avoiding capacitor for several units.
Do you know the value and location for that capacitor?
Any photos on where is should be?
Thanks for help !!!
You can contact me to tell me.
Thanks in advanced.
FYI If anyone ever has a problem where the screen is lit but blank. there is a very hard to see switch next to the data port that more than likely you bumped in some way. I had this problem a couple days ago, and you can imagine how upset i was till i talked to a tech at Yaesu today. hope nobody needs this info but if you do here it is.
Jason, I actually read the manual. How else is someone going to know how to proceed? I have never understood people who don't read the manual. Why would anyone take the change of breaking something?
Well you don't have much chance of breaking something by not reading the manual. If you could break a radio by just pushing buttons and scrolling through menus, it wouldn't be a very good product.
But I like to see how intuitive the menus are on a new radio. Is it simple to program or are menus hidden so deep that it takes several keystrokes to find them? That's just something I always like to test with a new rig.
Can you do a video on connecting the rig to a fusion repeater. Just the rig no hotspot or anything else. I’m so confused on using just the radio PLEASE HELP
Sure, let me look into that. Good idea.
Hello I wanted to ask a question, does TH-D74A broadcast on airband? I am interested to be used RPAS, thanks.
No, it is restricted to Ham Bands
@@HamRadio2
thanks for answering me.
The microphone is also in a very poor position. I find myself always putting my pinky over the mic, when holding in my right hand. Have to be mindful of that.
I went FT3D over the D74. It arrived 10 days ago. Programming it really sukz (think codeplug). It went back in the box. I'll stick with my older FT-70D until I can find a "free" system to program it with local repeaters. Come on Yaesu. At least it came with a cable but charging me for programming tool? Killing me.
I haven't played with the programming tool yet so I will have to look at that - thanks for the info.
Yaesu provides the programming software for their radios for free. The only drawback is that its release lags the radio by a couple of months. RT Systems charges for their software but it's typically better that the free stuff from Yaesu.
@@jimgerke2203 I typically don't like RT Systems because you have to repurchase the software for every radio model. I understand purchasing a different cable for every radio since they're mostly different, but the software too? It would just be too expensive to try and buy this setup for ALL the radios that I own.
What is this “manual thing” that you keep mentioning?
LOL
Would this make a good first radio?
Yes I think so
@@HamRadio2 what about vs. the Kenwood D74?
Did you get the Yaesu camera/microphone accessory?
Yeasu FT3D so many features and a heavy price tag. Love the color touch screen, dual vfo and adjustable squelch. Year 2000 to year 2019 is similar to upgrading from a FT70D to FT3D. Does this have led transmit / receive lights for analog / digital?
Thank you Jason for the review.
Mike N6IMY
Good questions, I will test it for you.
Hi Jason! Just purchased the ftm-400xdr. I like it very well! I am considering very soon to purchase the ft3dr.
Been searching for your next video on it -- did you do part 2 ?
Enjoy your videos very much! And just want to say- keep up the awesome reviews and have a Super Happy New Year!
73's
Ken
Have not done any other parts for the FT3D yet
Ok. Thank You !
You need to talk and do more with fusion
Why is that?
can you do digital( psk31, js8call, jt8 and others) modes on it? What attachments needed?
No, those are HF Digital modes. Yaesu System Fusion is a Digital Voice mode
@@HamRadio2 thanks, will look into buying cheap HF once I pass my exam next week.
Do you know some good non-HRO retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area? I do like shopping from small indie places... but if I do a search for amateur radio, all I'm seeing is HRO and clubs. Is there something better? Even if it's non-local, if it's indie, has a good reputation, and will ship to me, I'm happy to give my business to something smaller. (Especially if it's run as a worker co-op! Any of those??!?)
R&L Electronics. They're not local but they're small and have great service
@@HamRadio2 cool, thank you! I'll check them out.
Hmm.... but they seem to sell accessories for the THD7A, but not the radio itself?!? :-o .... Maybe I'm just not looking in the right way... anywho, will check again; I'm not buying _quite_ yet.
A bit of preparation would have made for a much more fluid and educational video. Just sayin. I still like all your stuff!
Can the yaesu ft3dr be modified like the ft70dr
USB camera is probably settings for the 130$ camera mic. I wouldn’t get to excited.
I didn't think that mic connected via USB but I might be wrong.
Ham Radio 2.0 oh it does. pulls out just as easy as you can imagine. pretty bad piece of kit.
I’m sorry but isn’t HRO an independent business? D
As far as I know, it is. What comment are you referring to?
The menu is very similar to the ftm 400.
Looks great but it's also over priced.... definitely. I used to love ham radio but since a bunch of CBers decided to migrate to the ham bands with all of their noise and bad habits I thought I had enough.... Cheers from Florida, USA
Touch screen looks torture
Have had it for about a week now. Touchscreen hasn't been that bad. I do however hit an item above or below by accident. Due to fat finger hurry. Similar to typing in cell phone keyboard. It's been surprisingly managable though. I actually prefer or like it over my DMR-6X2 and UV-5X3 tactile buttons.
The touchscreen is ok...it does take some getting used to.
@@HamRadio2 I find to deal with the small screen and the fat finger syndrone, a small rubber tipped stylus does the trick and saves you from pressing the adjacent button on the screen. Love the radio. Upgraded from FT-1DR to FT-3. VE7FU
Looks plastic too.
So mom and pop start a company, a single store brick and mortar. After a couple of years of hard work they are doing well and are able to open another store. They have good customer service and a good reputation with vendors. A few years later they have opened 12 stores in 3 states and are raking in the money.....is this when we stop supporting them and the 112 people they employ just because supposedly they're now a big old greedy multi-million dollar chain store?
I don't really buy into the whole "greedy corporation" mentality. I think if you've built a business and it has grown due to good customer service and value then people will keep shopping there. But even WalMart started as a 5 and Dime in Rogers, AR.
@@HamRadio2 Good point....
👍👍😎🇺🇸
I bought my first ever ham radio and this was it yesterday. I got it home and noticed right away that the touch screen is fucking PLASTIC. What an over-priced ripoff. 15 percent re-stocking fee. I've totally lost interest in it right now. Use it for a paper weight. I knew in my gut that I've should have gone Chinese. Live and learn.
A plastic screen isn't really unusual. The Chinese don't make a touch-screen at all, and all of their screens are also plastic.
I don't know, it looks like that radio is missing a chromosome or something...............