New - Yaesu FT5DR/E is a full-featured C4FM handheld transceiver
What about FT4D:
Yaesu::
We already have the FT-4x model and this is why we did not use or make a radio with the number 4. It is not because of being afraid of the # 4 but if we had a FT-4x and a FT4D people would get confused.
ANSWER
For those pondering the purchase of a new Yaesu FT5DR, consider the following Fusion radios:
DR1 repeater-discontinued
DR1X repeater-discontinued *
FT1DR handheld-discontinued *
FT1XDR handheld-discontinued
FT2 handheld-discontinued *
FT3 handheld-discontinued *
FT70DR handheld-discontinued
FTM100 mobile-discontinued *
FTM3200 mobile-discontinued
FTM3207 mobile-discontinued
FTM400DR mobile-discontinued *
FT991 HF/VHF/UHF-discontinued *
DR1X upgraded to DR1XDR
FT1DR replaced by FT1XDR
FTM400DR replaced by FTM400XDR
FT991 replaced by FT991A
Not being negative. I have owned or still own those marked with an asterisk. I own 3 400’s and 2 991’s.
All this since Fusion came to market in 2017. (I’m pretty sure that’s when it came out. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong)
Kind of makes you wonder about their marketing plan. These radios are not cheap.
Wonder what happened to the FT4DR?
Maybe you might want to hold out for an FT5XDR?
ANSWER
So...let's talk about this...(as this was forwarded to me a few times already and it is the weekend and I wanted to take some vacation time)
I will address each radio discussed here, one by one, and give the full story on the decisions and reasons (as compared to speculation). I will also start off that theory of Yaesu have taken models out of production to charge more money is absolutely ridiculous.
DR1 repeater-discontinued - This was part of the BETA test program and was NOT for sale to the general public. You had to apply to the program and be approved for the repeater. This required feedback and information to be able to be applied to the release of the repeater (the DR-1X).
DR1X repeater-discontinued - This was the first repeater released and was released back in 2014 and was in production until 2017. This was until the next model, with more features, and improvements over the previous model. HOWEVER, we did offer a trade-in/upgrade program AND we offered a refurbished program. (Not seeing many or other repeater manufacturers offering that option).
FT1DR handheld-discontinued - Was our first Fusion handheld and built off of the VX-8 chassis and design. Production was ended because we upgraded components (GPS chip) which caused us to need to issue a new model number with it. However, the upgrades did not impact features but just some components and thus the XD model number was added.
FT1XDR handheld-discontinued - Was part of the FT-1D line even though it was considered the XD model #. Total time of production for the FT-1D/XD line was from 2013 through 2017.
FT2 handheld-discontinued - Was released as it had more added features such as touch screen, dual Fusion abilities on the A and B band, and more. Was in production through the introduction of the FT3D and was then taken out of production as components were starting to come to an end.
FT3 handheld-discontinued - With the events of COVID-19 many supplies for components have been ended and replacements have been made. However, these required a redesign to make the components work and to much of a change would have occurred which would have required re-certification. So why would we do that and NOT add some features and options that people have requested. (I guarantee that if we just worked on adding the changed components that the world would be set on fire by some slamming us).
FT70DR handheld-discontinued - THE FT70D IS STILL IN PRODUCTION AND STILL FOR SALE! (Where did you get this information)
FTM100 mobile-discontinued - Yep components and we are dealt curve balls.
FTM3200 mobile-discontinued - Yep components
FTM3207 mobile-discontinued - Broken record components
FTM400DR mobile-discontinued - GPS was upgraded and the 400 series is STILL in production
FT991 HF/VHF/UHF-discontinued - Was upgraded to an A version as it added features
DR1X upgraded to DR1XDR - Was not an upgrade was a factory refurbished option
FT1DR replaced by FT1XDR - See comments above
FTM400DR replaced by FTM400XDR - See comments above
FT991 replaced by FT991A - See comments above
I should also point out that ALL of these devices still work with Yaesu System Fusion and can STILL be repaired by Yaesu. As a matter of fact the FTM100D received an update even it was out of production.
ANSWER
WOW! Good to see some replies and some conversation. I didn't know that about the number 4 in Japanese. That's very interesting.
And you have forced me to admit something, dog gone it anyway. I am human and therefore I do make mistakes now and then. Yes the FT70 is STILL in production and I know a few people who have them and like them.
I said I was not being negative and I have been a big promoter of Yaesu Fusion equipment since the beginning. I even have a DR2X on the air and host a room.
But I think everyone is missing the point I was trying to make.
I was trying to be nice by saying I was wondering about their marketing plan. What I really meant was why do they release a radio to market before having all the bugs worked out?
Yes they do release firmware updates to keep the radio functional but if the radios were fully checked out before release would there be a need for firmware updates?
I understand manufacturers wanting to get their products to market as soon as possible. And it's great to see them provide firmware updates to add new features and enhance performance and capabilities. So there is a fine line between firmware updates to fix bad engineering and providing new features.
Case in point regarding the FT-991. Not the "A" model but the original model.
My first one had so many problems I returned it to the dealer. He gave me another one which was almost as bad. Between February 25, 2015 and February 2, 2018 I loaded 19 (nineteen) firmware updates to that radio. I'm fairly familiar with the 991 and believe me they didn't make 19 enhancements. Can it be said they were fixing problems that should have been fixed before it went up for sale?
Again not being negative. I like the 991 so much I bought another one cheap when the "A" model came out. It's a good radio and would be a good addition to anyone's shack. I use one of mine primarily for
FT8 so it gets a good workout.
I heard stories of other people experiencing similar problems and the word going around was that they left the factory with the bias voltage being set wrong. Quality control issue versus engineering issue?
I don't know if that was one of the problems I had but I was talking to a friend of mine and all the sudden I thought my shack was on fire. Smoke was just rolling out of my 991. I aired out my shack and took the cover off to find a large burn mark on the cover and a big black spot on the circuit board. I sent it back for repair to the tune of several hundred dollars and it has been working fine since then. They even cleaned the burn marks off the inside of the cover.
Let me tell you another story about my FTM-400DR. Again the DR model not the XDR model. The early DR's had problems with the final transistor burning up. It happened to mine twice.
They say one of the differences between the DR and XDR models is the much improved GPS. That is true the GPS in the DR is really slow to lock on. The fix they don't tell you about is the DR model does not have a hole punched in the chassis between the heat sink and the final transistor. You can see it for yourself if you open one up. The DR chassis is a solid piece with the heat sink attached. The XDR has a rectangular hole cut in the chassis between the transistor and the heat sink to provide much improved air flow. If you don't believe me look it up on youtube. There is an excellent video by a guy who shows you what I just said. He removes the board from the chassis and drills holes in the chassis between the heat sink fins to provide for better air flow. That's what I did to mine when I replaced the final the second time.
Should this have been seen as a problem before the DR model hit the market? Maybe, maybe not. Who is to judge?
Based on what John says they are having problems sourcing parts. I think everyone understands that and will cut them some slack. However, what happens to us when our orphan radio breaks and can't be repaired because no spare parts are available? Nice paperweight you have there.
How far does the manufacturers responsibility go to ensure they have parts available to fix their products and for how long. Granted they can't repair them forever. I've been told that auto makers have to provide parts for 7 years after they discontinue a model. Don't know if that's true or not.
Again let me state I'm not being negative about Yaesu. If I was I would have sold all my Yaesu gear and not taken the time to write this email. And you can probably apply these issues to all makes and models of radios and whatever else you care to talk about. It ain't like it used to be in the old days.
All I'm saying, and I have learned this the hard way, don't always be the first guy to buy the newest radio on the block from any manufacturer. It will only be new until the "improved" version comes out.
Now let's here from the guys who have the new radio and what they like/dislike and think about their new purchase.
So...let's talk about this...(as this was forwarded to me a few times already and it is the weekend and I wanted to take some vacation time)
I will address each radio discussed here, one by one, and give the full story on the decisions and reasons (as compared to speculation). I will also start off that theory of Yaesu have taken models out of production to charge more money is absolutely ridiculous.
DR1 repeater-discontinued - This was part of the BETA test program and was NOT for sale to the general public. You had to apply to the program and be approved for the repeater. This required feedback and information to be able to be applied to the release of the repeater (the DR-1X).
DR1X repeater-discontinued - This was the first repeater released and was released back in 2014 and was in production until 2017. This was until the next model, with more features, and improvements over the previous model. HOWEVER, we did offer a trade-in/upgrade program AND we offered a refurbished program. (Not seeing many or other repeater manufacturers offering that option).
FT1DR handheld-discontinued - Was our first Fusion handheld and built off of the VX-8 chassis and design. Production was ended because we upgraded components (GPS chip) which caused us to need to issue a new model number with it. However, the upgrades did not impact features but just some components and thus the XD model number was added.
FT1XDR handheld-discontinued - Was part of the FT-1D line even though it was considered the XD model #. Total time of production for the FT-1D/XD line was from 2013 through 2017.
FT2 handheld-discontinued - Was released as it had more added features such as touch screen, dual Fusion abilities on the A and B band, and more. Was in production through the introduction of the FT3D and was then taken out of production as components were starting to come to an end.
FT3 handheld-discontinued - With the events of COVID-19 many supplies for components have been ended and replacements have been made. However, these required a redesign to make the components work and to much of a change would have occurred which would have required re-certification. So why would we do that and NOT add some features and options that people have requested. (I guarantee that if we just worked on adding the changed components that the world would be set on fire by some slamming us).
FT70DR handheld-discontinued - THE FT70D IS STILL IN PRODUCTION AND STILL FOR SALE! (Where did you get this information)
FTM100 mobile-discontinued - Yep components and we are dealt curve balls.
FTM3200 mobile-discontinued - Yep components
FTM3207 mobile-discontinued - Broken record components
FTM400DR mobile-discontinued - GPS was upgraded and the 400 series is STILL in production
FT991 HF/VHF/UHF-discontinued - Was upgraded to an A version as it added features
DR1X upgraded to DR1XDR - Was not an upgrade was a factory refurbished option
FT1DR replaced by FT1XDR - See comments above
FTM400DR replaced by FTM400XDR - See comments above
FT991 replaced by FT991A - See comments above
I should also point out that ALL of these devices still work with Yaesu System Fusion and can STILL be repaired by Yaesu. As a matter of fact the FTM100D received an update even it was out of production.
ANSWER
WOW! Good to see some replies and some conversation. I didn't know that about the number 4 in Japanese. That's very interesting.
And you have forced me to admit something, dog gone it anyway. I am human and therefore I do make mistakes now and then. Yes the FT70 is STILL in production and I know a few people who have them and like them.
I said I was not being negative and I have been a big promoter of Yaesu Fusion equipment since the beginning. I even have a DR2X on the air and host a room.
But I think everyone is missing the point I was trying to make.
I was trying to be nice by saying I was wondering about their marketing plan. What I really meant was why do they release a radio to market before having all the bugs worked out?
Yes they do release firmware updates to keep the radio functional but if the radios were fully checked out before release would there be a need for firmware updates?
I understand manufacturers wanting to get their products to market as soon as possible. And it's great to see them provide firmware updates to add new features and enhance performance and capabilities. So there is a fine line between firmware updates to fix bad engineering and providing new features.
Case in point regarding the FT-991. Not the "A" model but the original model.
My first one had so many problems I returned it to the dealer. He gave me another one which was almost as bad. Between February 25, 2015 and February 2, 2018 I loaded 19 (nineteen) firmware updates to that radio. I'm fairly familiar with the 991 and believe me they didn't make 19 enhancements. Can it be said they were fixing problems that should have been fixed before it went up for sale?
Again not being negative. I like the 991 so much I bought another one cheap when the "A" model came out. It's a good radio and would be a good addition to anyone's shack. I use one of mine primarily for
FT8 so it gets a good workout.
I heard stories of other people experiencing similar problems and the word going around was that they left the factory with the bias voltage being set wrong. Quality control issue versus engineering issue?
I don't know if that was one of the problems I had but I was talking to a friend of mine and all the sudden I thought my shack was on fire. Smoke was just rolling out of my 991. I aired out my shack and took the cover off to find a large burn mark on the cover and a big black spot on the circuit board. I sent it back for repair to the tune of several hundred dollars and it has been working fine since then. They even cleaned the burn marks off the inside of the cover.
Let me tell you another story about my FTM-400DR. Again the DR model not the XDR model. The early DR's had problems with the final transistor burning up. It happened to mine twice.
They say one of the differences between the DR and XDR models is the much improved GPS. That is true the GPS in the DR is really slow to lock on. The fix they don't tell you about is the DR model does not have a hole punched in the chassis between the heat sink and the final transistor. You can see it for yourself if you open one up. The DR chassis is a solid piece with the heat sink attached. The XDR has a rectangular hole cut in the chassis between the transistor and the heat sink to provide much improved air flow. If you don't believe me look it up on youtube. There is an excellent video by a guy who shows you what I just said. He removes the board from the chassis and drills holes in the chassis between the heat sink fins to provide for better air flow. That's what I did to mine when I replaced the final the second time.
Should this have been seen as a problem before the DR model hit the market? Maybe, maybe not. Who is to judge?
Based on what John says they are having problems sourcing parts. I think everyone understands that and will cut them some slack. However, what happens to us when our orphan radio breaks and can't be repaired because no spare parts are available? Nice paperweight you have there.
How far does the manufacturers responsibility go to ensure they have parts available to fix their products and for how long. Granted they can't repair them forever. I've been told that auto makers have to provide parts for 7 years after they discontinue a model. Don't know if that's true or not.
Again let me state I'm not being negative about Yaesu. If I was I would have sold all my Yaesu gear and not taken the time to write this email. And you can probably apply these issues to all makes and models of radios and whatever else you care to talk about. It ain't like it used to be in the old days.
All I'm saying, and I have learned this the hard way, don't always be the first guy to buy the newest radio on the block from any manufacturer. It will only be new until the "improved" version comes out.
Now let's here from the guys who have the new radio and what they like/dislike and think about their new purchase.
www.FT5DR.com
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Yaesu FT5DR Handheld, Dual Band C4FM Ham Radio!
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