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  1. Yaesu-FT-60
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My FT-60 problems

 

First of all, where do I direct these problems at Yaesu?

FT-60 frustrations: (I have two of them for NWS Skywarn use)

The furnished short antenna has what local Hams call "negative gain". It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex. As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.

Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible. The charge levels are dying with the NiMH and the price is higher than other radio models and brands.

I have tried three different Yaesu brand headsets and the plugs do not stay in place or maintain connection.
Some of the events where I volunteer required some kind of headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.
I have seen several comments to that effect from other reviewers.

The channel selection shifts on its own.

A great case, a very heavy radio, and mediocre electronics.
 
Edited

My experience with FT60 is quite different.
The furnished short antenna has what local Hams call "negative gain". It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex. As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.
I have no issue to access a repeater on 2m and 70cm that is ~25miles from my place with the factory supplied antenna even from my sitting room.

Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible. The charge levels are dying with the NiMH and the price is higher than other radio models and brands.
Again, no issue here. I have two FT60, one has a genuine Yaesu NiMh pack about 7 years old. The other one was repacked with Ikea Ladda NiMH cells. Both can go for days. I have not much to compare with but against Baofeng UV5R they will last almost twice as long.?

Some of the events where I volunteer required some kind of headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.
This is very annoying, I use a rubber band around the connector and feed the external mic cable below the belt clip. Helps a bit.

The channel selection shifts on its own.
There is a keypad lock, one can set it to lock not only the keys but also the channel selection rotary encoder.
 

W5TXP,

Sorry to hear about your frustrations with the FT-60R. I won't comment on most of your email bc I've not experienced those difficulties myself.

I have experienced a yaesu mic unplugging itself from the radio. This can lead to the radio staying in TX. A rubber band or strain relief part will keep the mic from unseating in the plug.?

?

73 de Tim N7KOM?



On Mon, Dec 19, 2022, 18:03 W5TXP <olde.foole@...> wrote:
First of all, where do I direct these problems at Yaesu?

FT-60 frustrations: (I have two of them for NWS Skywarn use)

The furnished short antenna has what local Hams call "negative gain". It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex. As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.

Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible. The charge levels are dying with the NiMH and the price is higher than other radio models and brands.

I have tried three different Yaesu brand headsets and the plugs do not stay in place or maintain connection.
Some of the events where I volunteer required some kind of headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.
I have seen several comments to that effect from other reviewers.

The channel selection shifts on its own.

A great case, a very heavy radio, and mediocre electronics.






 

As much as those radios cost me, as well as the brand name headset this is very disappointing.?

Peter - W5TXP?

One's sense of honor is the only thing that does not grow old, and the last pleasure, when one is worn out with age, is not, as the poet said, making money, but having the respect of one's fellow men.
-Thucydides
When you receive an offense, look first at the intent, and try hard to learn more of the person and reason out just why they believe that way before you render judgment upon them. And if you find that they are motivated by malice and spite, then render that judgment which causes their doom.


On Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 6:05 AM Timothy N7KOM <timothyjsherry@...> wrote:
W5TXP,

Sorry to hear about your frustrations with the FT-60R. I won't comment on most of your email bc I've not experienced those difficulties myself.

I have experienced a yaesu mic unplugging itself from the radio. This can lead to the radio staying in TX. A rubber band or strain relief part will keep the mic from unseating in the plug.?

?

73 de Tim N7KOM?



On Mon, Dec 19, 2022, 18:03 W5TXP <olde.foole@...> wrote:
First of all, where do I direct these problems at Yaesu?

FT-60 frustrations: (I have two of them for NWS Skywarn use)

The furnished short antenna has what local Hams call "negative gain". It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex. As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.

Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible. The charge levels are dying with the NiMH and the price is higher than other radio models and brands.

I have tried three different Yaesu brand headsets and the plugs do not stay in place or maintain connection.
Some of the events where I volunteer required some kind of headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.
I have seen several comments to that effect from other reviewers.

The channel selection shifts on its own.

A great case, a very heavy radio, and mediocre electronics.






 

I own two FT-60R's, purchased about five years apart. Both in my
opinion have been second tier performers when compared to
my older Kenwood TR-2400 handheld when comparing the rf
characteristics.

The Kenwood opened repeaters consistently at distances that
were far beyond what my Yaesu's will. And the Kenwood reports
for many of the repeaters were, "Full Quieting", while the Yaesus
only trigger a few nearby (less than 15 miles) with full quieting
reports. That compares to the Yaesu 5 watt rated output and
the Kenwood 1.5 watt. To say it is disappointing is, well...................

I tried the Yaesu radios with a homebrew wire dipole, suspended
both horizontally and vertically. Just a 39 inch center fed dipole
using a 60 inch RG-316 coax feed. The difference was dramatic,
but still seems to be somewhat? off from the Kenwood with its
now crumbling coating on the rubber duckie.

While the Yaesu blows the doors off the Kenwood in memory
storage and digital capabilities, the Kenwood leaps over the
the RF performance of the two FT-60R's in the shack.

The performance difference is consistent between the Northern
Virginia QTH and the flatlands of eastern North Carolina.

One thing I noted about the Kenwood is, it has a full length cast
aluminum frame. The Yaesu has a metal frame totally enclosed
by the case, but no where near the length of the Kenwood. The
Kenwood frame also contacts the hand when in use. I have
wondered if the Kenwood's metal frame functions as a more
capable counterpoise for the antennas used.

Chuck
 

If it was me, I would start by first trying an external power supply using the jack on the side to make sure you have a good power source & measure your output if possible, to see if you get near 5 watts on high power. Next, take a length of dowel pin of about 19" and tape a lenght of wire of 19" to it, this will be your 1/4 antenna for 2 meters,.use wire thin enough wire to where the end fits down into the center of antenna connector, you will need to hold the dowel pin antenna in place with one of you hands, try transmitting with that to rule out a antenna problem. Also make sure you are not in auto battery save mode while in TX, Also double check you off set frequency.

If these steps fail I would do a factory re-set and repeat the steps above.

Good luck & keep us up-dated

Gary, KY8M
 

Allow me to make a small contribution to the rubber band part of this discussion?

Rather than the typical office supply rubber bands, I use a wristband that might be silicone. It is flexible, extremely durable and easy to find when I want it. Its size is just right to hold my speak mike plug in place without clamping down or flopping around.
--
-- philip.milazzo@... 484-868-3056 mobile

 

W5TXP - Sorry you are not happy with your FT60.??
I can always find a use for another, I'd be happy to ship you a pair of new, in the box Baofeng UV-5R's in trade, if you would like to be rid of the FT60?

MW / N4MEW



On Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 10:30 AM W5TXP <olde.foole@...> wrote:
As much as those radios cost me, as well as the brand name headset this is very disappointing.?

Peter - W5TXP?

One's sense of honor is the only thing that does not grow old, and the last pleasure, when one is worn out with age, is not, as the poet said, making money, but having the respect of one's fellow men.
-Thucydides
When you receive an offense, look first at the intent, and try hard to learn more of the person and reason out just why they believe that way before you render judgment upon them. And if you find that they are motivated by malice and spite, then render that judgment which causes their doom.


On Tue, Dec 20, 2022 at 6:05 AM Timothy N7KOM <timothyjsherry@...> wrote:
W5TXP,

Sorry to hear about your frustrations with the FT-60R. I won't comment on most of your email bc I've not experienced those difficulties myself.

I have experienced a yaesu mic unplugging itself from the radio. This can lead to the radio staying in TX. A rubber band or strain relief part will keep the mic from unseating in the plug.?

?

73 de Tim N7KOM?



On Mon, Dec 19, 2022, 18:03 W5TXP <olde.foole@...> wrote:
First of all, where do I direct these problems at Yaesu?

FT-60 frustrations: (I have two of them for NWS Skywarn use)

The furnished short antenna has what local Hams call "negative gain". It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex. As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.

Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible. The charge levels are dying with the NiMH and the price is higher than other radio models and brands.

I have tried three different Yaesu brand headsets and the plugs do not stay in place or maintain connection.
Some of the events where I volunteer required some kind of headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.
I have seen several comments to that effect from other reviewers.

The channel selection shifts on its own.

A great case, a very heavy radio, and mediocre electronics.






 

I use one of those large rubber bands from the produce department at the super market.? They use them to hold bunches of some veggies together.? Strong and work great!
de KU8Q. If you don't see one, ask the produce manager.? They are happy to reward you. I've never had any problems with my FT-60, other than the mic plug coming out. Simple fix for a wonderful radio.
de KU8Q

In a message dated 12/20/2022 1:49:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, philip.milazzo@... writes:
?

Allow me to make a small contribution to the rubber band part of this discussion?
?
Rather than the typical office supply rubber bands, I use a wristband that might be silicone. It is flexible, extremely durable and easy to find when I want it. Its size is just right to hold my speak mike plug in place without clamping down or flopping around.
--
-- philip.milazzo@... 484-868-3056 mobile

 

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>> ... It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex.

With stock antenna, I can hot About 60 local repeaters where I live. The FT-60 antenna is no better nor no worse than any other $100-$500 amateur radio handheld's antenna.

>> ...As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.

Did you purchase your radio brand new? Because if you are line of sight, like you mentioned, it should work. So either the radio is defective, which, very very rare, or you have a setup problem. Or you bent your antenna.

>> ... Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible.?

Pure nonsense. The stock Battery will provide about three times more discharge-charge cycles than lithium.

>>...?headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.

I have owned several of these since the moment they were released in 2004. I have never had a genuine Yaesu audio accessory, nor any of my Heil audio accessories, accidentally disconnect. Never. In 18 years, never.

The Yaesu FT-60 remains the finest complete feature set in any FM voice dual-band HT.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
_._,_._,_


--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
 

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"The stock Battery will provide about three times more discharge-charge cycles than lithium."

Where do you come by that? Never in my life have I heard that claim. Just asking.

-- Christian KD2LIN?

-------- Original message --------
From: "Clint Bradford via groups.io" <clintbradford@...>
Date: 12/20/22 3:59 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: Re: [Yaesu-FT-60] My FT-60 problems

>> ... It is sad that we need to spend even more money on aftermarket antennas to reach local repeaters or simplex.

With stock antenna, I can hot About 60 local repeaters where I live. The FT-60 antenna is no better nor no worse than any other $100-$500 amateur radio handheld's antenna.

>> ...As I can physically see my local repeater antenna, not being able to hit it is frustrating.

Did you purchase your radio brand new? Because if you are line of sight, like you mentioned, it should work. So either the radio is defective, which, very very rare, or you have a setup problem. Or you bent your antenna.

>> ... Batteries need to be upgraded to LiFePo if possible.?

Pure nonsense. The stock Battery will provide about three times more discharge-charge cycles than lithium.

>>...?headset or earpiece, and the radio connection does not stay in place.

I have owned several of these since the moment they were released in 2004. I have never had a genuine Yaesu audio accessory, nor any of my Heil audio accessories, accidentally disconnect. Never. In 18 years, never.

The Yaesu FT-60 remains the finest complete feature set in any FM voice dual-band HT.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
 

Li-ion provides about 300 to 350 complete discharge charge cycles. Nickel-metal hydride, when properly charged, three times that, about 1000,

this is common industry knowledge, and if you read instruction manuals for modern lithium-ion-powered radios, they, too. use the 300-350 number.


--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com
 

开云体育

Thank you. As I was writing I realized I'd had in mind LiFeO, with 2000 plus cycles, but not found in radios.

-------- Original message --------
From: "Clint Bradford via groups.io" <clintbradford@...>
Date: 12/20/22 4:37 PM (GMT-05:00)
Subject: Re: [Yaesu-FT-60] My FT-60 problems

Li-ion provides about 300 to 350 complete discharge charge cycles. Nickel-metal hydride, when properly charged, three times that, about 1000,

this is common industry knowledge, and if you read instruction manuals for modern lithium-ion-powered radios, they, too. use the 300-350 number.


--
Clint Bradford K6LCS
http//www.work-sat.com

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