Great 'down to earth review' - I was on the fence (overwhelmed by features) but decided to buy one after watching your largely non-technical but common-sense review - thank you (ve3ega)
The PMG button is not for Programming but is for access to the Primary Memory Group, a feature that was introduced on the FTM-200. Nice video, thanks for the review. 73 de AF1US
I like that hand mic. I am so used to tiny HT hand mics like the Yaesu SSM-17A, it's like the size of my thumb! I think I would like a bigger more substantial mic.
I've heard a CAT-5 wire will work fine, and cheaper than Yaesu's head cable. I bought this radio a few weeks ago but it was on backorder. But, I just got a notice that it will be delivered tomorrow - Woo Hoo. I've been binge-watching every TH-cam vid I can find on this unit so maybe I can start using it fairly quickly. I've had my no-code tech license for over 20 years but fell away from the ham life a long time ago. Now I want back in.
I just got my unit today, so I plugged their control head cable to a cable tester, and it is pinned to the standard T568B Cat6. I made a cable and it works fine at 20' of cable.
My old car was 18 years old but under 59K miles, original. Something had to give, and it did, the computer in the car. It would have cost me over 2K to fix, so I just invested in new wheels. The radio I saved up for so when I purchased it, it was already paid for.
Good review, I think for the price point they should make the mic more functional. I mean it is a mobile unit, when driving and the noise level changes to simply have a mic in hand and adjust volume or squelch is a big big plus. I really like Yaesu especially if I can get a Japanese made copy. Also, I know people love the Big knob but is it really a functional dealeo, for VHF UHF rig I don't know. I'm still on my 28 year old Yaesu FT-8500 for analog it's fine and it has more features from the mic than the FT-500DR I think. I'll probably end up with this radio because from current crop of radios in this catagory it is better But it could be so much more. Thanks
Does it have cross band repeat? If so, does it have an automatic CW ID on the cross band repeat transmit? If it has cross band repeat, how do you switch to the cross band repeat mode? The front passenger area might be a little crowded with the radios mounted that way. But the radio mount looks professional, like police car. Lots of people in Florida have black color cars. But for me, the black cars are too hot in the summertime in Florida!
Yes it does, but I have not used it. However, check out this video from TH-camr "Ham Radio Crusader" th-cam.com/video/Zcza-P3hPKM/w-d-xo.html as he does cover this function. The front is really not too crowded, but I am limited on space. Actually, the car cools off very quickly and is not hot at all after about 90 seconds. I just roll the windows down to help vent the vehicle for about 30 seconds and it's fine.
Anyone have information on using External Speaker jacks A and B (I'm using the Yaesu recommend MLS-100 External speakers, which I've tried 2 different sets, same results)? The FTM-500D manual indicates Main band audio would output on External Speaker A, and Sub band audio would output on External Speaker B. On my radio with the December 2023 Firmware, both my Main audio and Sub audio output on External Speaker B. I only receive beeps from button presses on External Speaker A.
I like your car, looks like a under cover cop car. I want to know what kind of antennas you have on the trunk, and can you show us how you have mounted the radios in the car.
The antennas are the LMR and the 2-band versions from Compactenna, (compactenna.com/) They are unique and the best SWR comes from the actual position on the vehicle. In this case, on my Yaesu, my SWR on 2M/UHF are 1:3 & 1:4 respectively.
@@K4SRF Hello, I'm a ham and have just gotten my 500 yesterday. Did you purchase the mount or make it? I'm looking to put mine in my stang. Thanks!! 73's
@@rob599 The mount I use is a Lido Mount, (I plan on making a video about this in the next week or so.) Here is a link to the site: www.lidoradio.com/search?q=l-max or: www.lidoradio.com/search?q=LM-300HD-2T
Hey! I check in on SARNET M-F around 05:30 in the morning and later in the afternoon off of the Milton repeater. The Lido mount I used is the LM-300HD for the arm and the EXT-03 for the Yaesu FTM-500 control head. I am planning to do a video on this mount, (per a request from another video) on this mount setup this weekend. . . hopefully!
I'm still saving up my dollaroons to get one but I really want the 500. I had read that the 400 has some kind of cooling issues. Obviously I wouldn't know first hand. But that the 300 was the actual better radio. So I'll probably either get a 300 or keep saving those quarters and splurge for the 500.
The brand is Compactenna and they work very well. One is a dual band and the other is a LMR. I purchased mine from DX Engineering. Here is the COMPACTENNA website: compactenna.com/ (They are also on TH-cam.)
My first look at the new Flagship radio from Yaesu, the FTM-500D. So many features offered that need exploring.
Great 'down to earth review' - I was on the fence (overwhelmed by features) but decided to buy one after watching your largely non-technical but common-sense review - thank you (ve3ega)
The PMG button is not for Programming but is for access to the Primary Memory Group, a feature that was introduced on the FTM-200. Nice video, thanks for the review. 73 de AF1US
Totally right! I had a brain-fart. Good catch.
I like that hand mic. I am so used to tiny HT hand mics like the Yaesu SSM-17A, it's like the size of my thumb! I think I would like a bigger more substantial mic.
I've heard a CAT-5 wire will work fine, and cheaper than Yaesu's head cable.
I bought this radio a few weeks ago but it was on backorder. But, I just got a notice that it will be delivered tomorrow - Woo Hoo. I've been binge-watching every TH-cam vid I can find on this unit so maybe I can start using it fairly quickly. I've had my no-code tech license for over 20 years but fell away from the ham life a long time ago. Now I want back in.
I actually have two of these radios. One I use as a base station.
I just got my unit today, so I plugged their control head cable to a cable tester, and it is pinned to the standard T568B Cat6. I made a cable and it works fine at 20' of cable.
I like the radio and the microphone on the remote head. The price is a bit high as I am just getting the hobby.
Welcome to the hobby and do what I do, create a special savings account just for "toys!"
Hard to afford the radio let alone a new car too. My new car is 20 years old with 325,000 miles and currently not running
My old car was 18 years old but under 59K miles, original. Something had to give, and it did, the computer in the car. It would have cost me over 2K to fix, so I just invested in new wheels. The radio I saved up for so when I purchased it, it was already paid for.
Good review, I think for the price point they should make the mic more functional. I mean it is a mobile unit, when driving and the noise level changes to simply have a mic in hand and adjust volume or squelch is a big big plus. I really like Yaesu especially if I can get a Japanese made copy.
Also, I know people love the Big knob but is it really a functional dealeo, for VHF UHF rig I don't know.
I'm still on my 28 year old Yaesu FT-8500 for analog it's fine and it has more features from the mic than the FT-500DR I think.
I'll probably end up with this radio because from current crop of radios in this catagory it is better
But it could be so much more. Thanks
I like the your idea about the adjustable volume/squelch on the mic.
Who offers that option on a mobile mic?
@@tonyd6884 I don't know of any but it's a good idea.
Does it have cross band repeat? If so, does it have an automatic CW ID on the cross band repeat transmit? If it has cross band repeat, how do you switch to the cross band repeat mode?
The front passenger area might be a little crowded with the radios mounted that way. But the radio mount looks professional, like police car. Lots of people in Florida have black color cars. But for me, the black cars are too hot in the summertime in Florida!
Yes it does, but I have not used it. However, check out this video from TH-camr "Ham Radio Crusader"
th-cam.com/video/Zcza-P3hPKM/w-d-xo.html as he does cover this function.
The front is really not too crowded, but I am limited on space. Actually, the car cools off very quickly and is not hot at all after about 90 seconds. I just roll the windows down to help vent the vehicle for about 30 seconds and it's fine.
Anyone have information on using External Speaker jacks A and B (I'm using the Yaesu recommend MLS-100 External speakers, which I've tried 2 different sets, same results)? The FTM-500D manual indicates Main band audio would output on External Speaker A, and Sub band audio would output on External Speaker B. On my radio with the December 2023 Firmware, both my Main audio and Sub audio output on External Speaker B. I only receive beeps from button presses on External Speaker A.
I have one on the way
I think you won't be disappointed.
Do you mind telling me what kind of mounts you are using for the head unit? And what is the cable to extend the face?
The Lido LM-300HD seat bolt mount and the Lido faceplate for the FTM-500. The extension cable is the Yaesu CT-132 extension cable.
I like your car, looks like a under cover cop car. I want to know what kind of antennas you have on the trunk, and can you show us how you have mounted the radios in the car.
The antennas are the LMR and the 2-band versions from Compactenna, (compactenna.com/) They are unique and the best SWR comes from the actual position on the vehicle. In this case, on my Yaesu, my SWR on 2M/UHF are 1:3 & 1:4 respectively.
To answer your second question, yes, I can do a mounting video as well. It may be a couple of weeks but I can do one.
@@K4SRF Hello, I'm a ham and have just gotten my 500 yesterday. Did you purchase the mount or make it? I'm looking to put mine in my stang. Thanks!! 73's
@@rob599 The mount I use is a Lido Mount, (I plan on making a video about this in the next week or so.) Here is a link to the site: www.lidoradio.com/search?q=l-max or: www.lidoradio.com/search?q=LM-300HD-2T
What antenna are you using?
I am using the Compactenna 2m / 70 cm antenna. They can be purchased from DX Engineering or Compactenna. (dxengineering.com / compactenna.com )
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "FTM-500DR"
AND
"FTM-500D" ??
I WANT TO BUY ONE BUT I'M CONFUSED...
KO4TNL… hey… sounds like your on SARNet. Lol. I’m down here in PBC as well. What Lido mount did you use with the FTM-500D?
Hey! I check in on SARNET M-F around 05:30 in the morning and later in the afternoon off of the Milton repeater. The Lido mount I used is the LM-300HD for the arm and the EXT-03 for the Yaesu FTM-500 control head. I am planning to do a video on this mount, (per a request from another video) on this mount setup this weekend. . . hopefully!
Display is too small , still in love with my FTm-400Dr😊
I'm still saving up my dollaroons to get one but I really want the 500. I had read that the 400 has some kind of cooling issues. Obviously I wouldn't know first hand. But that the 300 was the actual better radio. So I'll probably either get a 300 or keep saving those quarters and splurge for the 500.
Is the separation cable the same 6 wire cable that they have used in the past? I have a FT-7900 and would love to not run new wires.
Not sure. That question would be best answered by Yaesu.
Negative, its 8 wire. You can use cat6 pinned to T568B and it will work fine.
Why type of antennas do you have in the back of the car
The brand is Compactenna and they work very well. One is a dual band and the other is a LMR. I purchased mine from DX Engineering. Here is the COMPACTENNA website: compactenna.com/ (They are also on TH-cam.)
@@K4SRF thanks I just ordered it
Can the radio do crossband repeat?
Yes. I don't have a video on this, but check out Ham Radio Crusader's video: th-cam.com/video/Zcza-P3hPKM/w-d-xo.html
Why does your caption say FTM-DR
Typo.
how to get the tile version of the function menu th-cam.com/video/26AeUPpahhI/w-d-xo.html
I was hoping for some extraordinary innovation from Yaesu on this radio but its just another digital dual band with lipstick