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It’s been more than a decade since Yaesu launched the FT-60R dual-band handheld radio. It has since been superseded by newer entry-level models like the Yaesu FT-65R and the latest FT-70DR C4FM-capable radio. But the FT-60R still holds its own against these newer radios. In fact, even if I have the venerable Yaesu FT-2DR, I still carry the FT-60R as my EDC (everyday carry) radio.
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Here are reasons why:
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Here's my little spiel offered whenever someone asks, "Whats's the best? FM 2m/44 HT out there?" ---
The Yaesu FT-60R is a GREAT value for anyone looking for a solid
2M/440 handheld. The FT-60R debuted at Dayton in 2004. It was
a great bargain then - and remains so today. Among its features ...
-1,000 memories
-receives (essentially) 108mHz to a gig (even AM air)
-large, legible display
-easy to manually program (one-page cheat sheet at k6lcs dot com)
-bulletproof case design*
-strongest belt clip of any ham HT chassis on the market
-great receive audio... as well as a unique battery setup: You can use the optional
FBA-25 AA case with either NiMH cells or alkalines, and have
full TX power available! NOTHING else has this quality, durability,?
and feature set.?
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- Clint Bradford K6LCS?
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*- OK, the FT-60R isn’t truly “bulletproof.” But several of my
audiences have seen me toss one across the stage - literally - during
my presentations to show that they stand up to a little abuse ... Do not
try that at home, though. Send email or call (909) 999-SATS with any
questions!
-- Clint Bradford K6LCS http//www.work-sat.com
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Could not agree more!? My answer is essentially the same.? I have 2, one for me and one for the XYL.? Mine is beat to heck but still a champ.? I keep saying I need to by 2 more because I know they will be discontinued at some point.??
73?
Tim
KF7VUT
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Hi Clink,?
I couldn't agree with you more. Your description makes my love my FT-60R more.
Dora
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Unfortunately they were discontinued about 2 years ago.
Sep 8, 2020 08:35:04 Tim K <marshalldtk@...>:
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Could not agree more!? My answer is essentially the same.? I have 2, one for me and one for the XYL.? Mine is beat to heck but still a champ.? I keep saying I need to by 2 more because I know they will be discontinued at some point.??
73?
Tim
KF7VUT
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No they were not. Not the FT-60R in the US.?
The FT-60E might be gone ...
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Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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ep, still available new in the US. Not so in Canada though. ?
y
On 2020-09-08 5:01 p.m., Clint Bradford
via groups.io wrote:
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No they were not. Not the FT-60R in the US.?
The FT-60E might be gone ...
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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Yep. HRO still sells them.
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On Sep 8, 2020, at 2:04 PM, Chris Smart < ve3rwj@...> wrote:
ep, still available new in the US. Not so in Canada though. ?
y
On 2020-09-08 5:01 p.m., Clint Bradford
via wrote:
No they were not. Not the FT-60R in the US.?
The FT-60E might be gone ...
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//
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I love this discussion and it has spurred me to break out my FT-60 and use it again!? Thanks to everyone for the comments and the tips - I use RT Systems to program it, and I rearranged some banks and set up a bank with my preferred four local repeaters, and have it with me at work today.??
On Monday, September 7, 2020, 08:12:30 PM CDT, Clint Bradford via groups.io <clintbradford@...> wrote:
Here's my little spiel offered whenever someone asks, "Whats's the best? FM 2m/44 HT out there?" ---
The Yaesu FT-60R is a GREAT value for anyone looking for a solid
2M/440 handheld. The FT-60R debuted at Dayton in 2004. It was
a great bargain then - and remains so today. Among its features ...
-1,000 memories
-receives (essentially) 108mHz to a gig (even AM air)
-large, legible display
-easy to manually program (one-page cheat sheet at k6lcs dot com)
-bulletproof case design*
-strongest belt clip of any ham HT chassis on the market
-great receive audio... as well as a unique battery setup: You can use the optional
FBA-25 AA case with either NiMH cells or alkalines, and have
full TX power available! NOTHING else has this quality, durability,?
and feature set.?
?
- Clint Bradford K6LCS?
?
*- OK, the FT-60R isn’t truly “bulletproof.” But several of my
audiences have seen me toss one across the stage - literally - during
my presentations to show that they stand up to a little abuse ... Do not
try that at home, though. Send email or call (909) 999-SATS with any
questions!
-- Clint Bradford K6LCS http//www.work-sat.com
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Work a couple satellites with your FT-60R - including the new crossband repeater aboard the ISS!
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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I have one FT-60. Can I do any of this or do I need a second
FT-60 and a duplexer?
I also don't own a beam, but I do have a Comet CX333 dual-band
vertical on the roof of my home, about 30 feet off the ground at
the base.
Last but not least, I have a Mirage dual-band amp that bumps my
power output up to about 45w, less than that at the antenna after
going through 50 feet of LMR-400.
Just wondering what I can realistically achieve with this set up.
Thanks and 73
Chris
On 2020-09-10 1:44 a.m., Clint Bradford
via groups.io wrote:
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Work a couple satellites with your FT-60R - including the new
crossband repeater aboard the ISS!
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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It can be done with one radio - and your Yaesu can be programmed in “split freq” mode, where you can program 2m downlink and 440 up (or vice versa) in one memory channel. NOT true, full-duplex, but do-able!
A $15 tape measure beam will out-perform that great CX-333 - MUCH more GAIN in a modest beam than in the CX-333.
Turn the Mirage amp OFF. I mean, I worked an astronaut who was aboard the ISS when he was about 450 miles downrange with my FT-60r turned DOWN to 2W TX power ...
downrange?
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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Personally ?I think the FT 60 is one of the best radios ?ever made ...Well it has some shortcomings however the construction of this radio is unreal.?
I used to work on the Vertex Line of radios ?before motorola purchased vertex, the case material is the same on the Yaesu as there commercial line up they use black polycarbonate.. Not cheap plastic ...Awesome radio?
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For years, the FT51R was my handheld.? Tried some others, none of them came up to the 51R -- reliable, bulletproof, good choice of accessories, easy to program, intuitive keypad.
I resisted the FT60R for the longest time then took the leap.? Took me a while before I replaced the 51R but the 60R is now my daily radio.? The old 51R is one the shelf; I pull it out from time to time for old times' sake.
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One FT60R works just fine.? Print out this sheet of frequencies.
The FT60R allows you to program MEMORY BANKS.? Mine is programmed:
-- Bank 1:? Local 2 and 432 repeaters.
-- Bank 2:? All 2 mtr repeater pairs plus simplex
-- Bank 3:? All 432 repeater pairs plus simplex
-- Bank 5:? SO-50 programming from the page at the link
-- Bank 6:? Local public service freqs.
Program one of your memory banks to the AO-FO freqs.
Get an Arrow dual-band cross Yagi, handheld.
http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html
Watch one of the online sat tracking applications for when SO-50 is visible at your QTH.
When AO-50 is supposed to come into sight, point your antenna at the sky where the sat is supposed to be, FT60 on channel 501.? You will start to hear stations.? Call one . . . keep it brief.
Follow the sat across the sky with the antenna.? As the signal starts to fade, switch to channel 502.
Follow the sat, switching freqs as the Doppler effect causes signals to fade.
It sounds complicated but after a couple of sat passes, you'll have no problem with it.
Keep a tape recorder going (I use on OLD casette recorder) to ensure you get every call and contact.
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I still have my FT-51R. I still works, of course, but the keypad is unreadable (yes, I know I can get a replacement somewhere) but I’ve long since forgotten how to program it manually. And the programming cable that I have for it is the old 9-pin connector. Can’t use it.?
You're right, it took a beating, as I'd dropped it several times and it didn't seem to hurt it much. Same with the FT-60, built like a tank. Love my FT-60 and thinking about buying another one while they're still available. I?don't need all the bells and whistles of these?newer radios. Not interested in digital or micro-powered 220.
The FT-60 is, hands-down, the best handheld ever made, since the FT-51.
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Thanks for citing my frequency list.
BUT ... please cite just the home page ...
http://www.work-sat.com
Because the freq page gets updated - a minor edit occurring tonight.
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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Hi Clint,
Still showing the 12/06 version.? Is this the latest?
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Clint Bradford via groups.io" <clintbradford@...> Date: 12/20/20 7:50 PM (GMT-06:00) Subject: Re: [Yaesu-FT-60] REASONS WHY THE YAESU FT-60R IS MY EDC PORTABLE RADIO
Thanks for citing my frequency list. BUT ... please cite just the home page ... Because the freq page gets updated - a minor edit occurring tonight. -- Clint Bradford K6LCS http//www.work-sat.com
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Yes - whatever is on the Home Page is the latest!
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On Dec 24, 2020, at 19:31, Gary K9GS <k9gs@...> wrote:
? Hi Clint,
Still showing the 12/06 version.? Is this the latest?
-------- Original message -------- From: "Clint Bradford via groups.io" <clintbradford@...> Date: 12/20/20 7:50 PM (GMT-06:00) Subject: Re: [Yaesu-FT-60] REASONS WHY THE YAESU FT-60R IS MY EDC PORTABLE RADIO
Thanks for citing my frequency list. BUT ... please cite just the home page ... Because the freq page gets updated - a minor edit occurring tonight. -- Clint Bradford K6LCS http//www.work-sat.com
--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
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Dora Tamilta
Clint Bradford
Chris Smart
Nick N6VOA