Advertisements
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 It has since been superseded by newer entry-level models like the Yaesu FT-65R and the latest FT-70DR C4FM-capable radio.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.
Here are 60 reasons why:
- Keypad (touchscreen on a radio can be cumbersome!)
- It’s backlit (the keypad)!
- Quick-access shortcuts on the keypad
- 2 programmable keys
- 3 different lamp options (toggle, key, off)
- Dedicated lamp button
- Dedicated moni/t-call button
- It has a readily-available dry-cell case for AA batteries (FBA-25)
- The dry-cell battery case supports NiMH cells
- You can charge the NiMH AA cells from the radio with a simple hack
- You can even hack it with Li-Ion cells, either 14550 or 18550, with some serial and parallel combinations to get the right voltage and maximize capacity
- NiMH cells in the FNB-83 are resilient
- Plenty of aftermarket possibilities for battery (unlike newer radios or lesser known brands — good luck with finding an extra batt)
- Spare parts easily available (from other radios of its vintage or from ebay)
- Battery latches securely onto the radio (no slides or levers here; just good ol’ clip-type latch)
- Several charging options: plug-in trickle or on-cradle rapid charge
- Physical squelch dial (subjective, but it’s a useful option)
- Physical VFO/memory/selection dial (not present in newer entry-level models)
- Up and down buttons on keypad (a redundancy, but great to have during one-handed operation)
- Belt clip is attached to the radio, not the battery
- Belt clip is situated high in the radio, leading to low position on your belt
- Belt clip is actually a clip, and not a swivel-type accessory like with the FT270R
- Lanyard holes on belt clip (the FT270 doesn’t even have these holes)
- Metallic housing
- Too many scratches on the metallic housing? Strip off the paint, and it will look more rugged than ever.
- Just the right size
- DC-in port
- Spk mic jack works with both FT60 and FT270 type (screw-in) accessories
- I can operate the radio using 12V DC-in alone (can even TX on hi power with enough amperage)
- RX and TX lamp (some Icom portables do not have this)
- You can switch RX and TX lamp on or off independently
- An S-meter (some portable radios do not even have this)
- Easy to program split offsets
- It’s dual-band 2m & 70cm
- It can operate cross-band repeaters (other radios cannot do this unless with some hacks)
- Wide receive (from 108 to 999 MHz)
- AM receive for airband reception (monitor your favorite air traffic control and pilots)
- Can be hacked to transmit on airband frequencies
- Plenty of auto power-off options: 30 mins to 12 hours
- It plays Ode to Joy before APO
- Easy access “adjustment menu” for tweaking deviation levels, power output, etc.
- DCS-encode only capable
- Split CTCSS/DCS capable (sorry, no split CTCSS capability though)
- One touch reverse offset key
- One touch “tuning” key
- Easy access Home key
- Easy-access DTMF memory (just press 0–9 along with PTT for stored sequences)
- Voltage reading
- Live voltage reading (see V drop when transmitting)
- Memory banks
- Channels can be assigned to more than one bank
- Quick access to linked bank scan
- Fast scanning (even FT2DR and FT65R scan slowly)
- MR-to-MR or VFO-to-MR or first-bank-channel priority scanning
- Beep bop beep bop
- PIN capability (cumbersome, but if you need such security, then a good feature to have)
- Mine says “Yaesu Musen, Made in Japan” … I had another one that’s “Vertex Standard … Made in Japan” (most newer ones are assembled in China)
- Priced reasonably when bought new
- Great resale value
- I sold it, and it eventually came back to me!
Advertisements
Advertisements
There are still more features, but I think I’ll stop at 60. Any suggestions as to which features I should add?
Great work. Debuted at Dayton in 2004! NO OTHER HT FM VOICE HT matches its feature set – especially the battery scenario.
LikeLike
Somehow I don’t find it as easy to program as is implied
And I can only set up banks of channels with great difficulty
LikeLike