The Best Prepper Radio - Yaesu VX-6R vs FT-60R

In this video, I explain why I have transitioned from the Yaesu FT-60R to VX-6R as my every day carry radio. If you need a reliable, rugged radio stick around.

0:00 Introduction
0:52 FT-60R Pros & Cons
3:40 VX-6R Pro & Cons
8:30 Close
9:06 Blooper

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[gregorybarra]

I don't think there are two more bombproof, rugged, high quality radios available. Great receive, great transmit, good audio reports, field programmable, good battery life.I own one of each, and trust them completely.

[Mark_E_Essiembre]

VX 6R is an amazing radio. It's incredibly tough and has decent audio. On the down side, it's very menu driven which makes programming a bit confusing at times.

[RebelMDx]

My Yaesu VX-6R has logged over 300 river miles with me in my kayak. I keep it in a pocket of my flotation vest and it's constantly splashed with water--many times temporarily submerged. It hasn't failed me yet and the weather reports have saved me from a lot of violent storms. Any serious ham has a VX-6R!

[LUHQW]

8:11 I mod the FT-60R battery to two interchangeable 18650 cells. Less weight, more operation time, and with a couple of spare cells, have two days of operation. And made the mod in all my HT's. Never more to wait long time charging.

[vironpayne]

I loved my VX-7R until I wore out the SMA connector. It only takes about a thousand cycles. I used to keep one in my backpack and take it out at lunch and planning when working as a substitute teacher. I actually exceeded the rated cycle life of the SMA connector by 2X-3X.

Just keep the life cycle in mind, because replacing the SMA takes a skilled technician and a bent soldering iron tip.

As you are highly focused on man portable ops like Julian OH8STN I understand your mostly VHF/UHF radio choices.

However, for myself I am more convinced each day that 80m and 60m NVIS is the optimal prepper communications mode for most preppers for a number of reasons. First, there is zero skip zone. Second, typically horizontal NVIS antennas have essentially zero ground wave progation. Horizontal NVIS does provide LOS communication like VHF/UHF. 80m vertically polarized antennas provide up to 50mi-60mi of groundwave propagation in addiction to skywave propagation, both of which are relatively easy to locate with typical direction finding equipment. Third, horizontally polarized NVIS, without groundwave propagation, is harder to find directionally and requires special antenna setup (4 NVIS antennas) and equipment. Fourth, reliable voice communications can be achieved with 50W or less power out to 300mi or more. Fifth, reliable digital communication can be obtained 5W and less. Sixth, with digital NVIS once minimum power is used (signal buried in the noise) direction finding becomes difficult to impossible with commercial direction finding equipment. Seventh, when operating split frequency or split band operational security is increased. Eighth, mobile antennas can be constructed to appear as rooftop luggage carriers. Ninth, detachable whip antennas can be deployed horizontally away from vehicles to provide a very good NVIS pattern. Tenth, 130ft wire antennas can be rolled up in 2-3 minutes after stationary use.

The downside is 80m and 60m NVIS is not practical for moving man portable operation.

I've taken the summer off to study for a certification exam and play radio. Two to three times per week I check in to Florida regional 80m NVIS nets typically with 20W or less operating SSB voice. I do have my 130ft EFHW antenna deployed over a 5ft chainlink fence and dumpster that likely act as reflectors improving my NVIS propagation.

Keep up the good work and great videos!

[ronwade]

KD7CKT here in Flagstaff, I just got an FT-60 at a Local pawn shop and am very active on mountain bike etc. So many ARA repeaters and quite a few others, even some private nodes here to. I've discovered an application loaded with repeaters called, Repeater Book, that has a ton of non ARA repeaters, I am a long time Ham just getting back into it and learning lots of new stuff. So far my Yaesu is fine, looking for accessories and such.
73's from Flagstaff.

[dougputhoff]

Love my VX6…..can’t wait for the rest of this series

[vibaba]

bought the vx6r in 2006 and is still going strong with the original battery. I use it for flying when not using the airband radio and I am always impressed how far these little radio's go when you are up in the air. I managed to talk clearly with an other pilot, over a hundred miles away on 2.5 Watts. amazing.

[orpheusepiphanes]

I have a VX-7R which I was very lucky to find secondhand at a price far below what they go for now. I still havent even explored all of the functionality in this unit...which Im okay with. I can grow into it.
Exactly like you said, the ruggedness and waterproof construction is why I got it and it delivers. As a general purpose prepper's radio its pretty close to perfect

[seanking]

Great video. I was torn between the VX-6R and the FT5D. I went with the 5D because of the digital and APRS built in function, but I have found the battery life on the 5D is terrible. Recieve and transmit are great but the battery sucks. Using the APRS function with zero QSO's the battery is down to 2 bars in about 6 hours. I may invest in the VX6R and give it a try.

[girthydoinks]

Beautiful background view. Thanks for the video

[bensmith]

I like the ft60 because its physically bigger though that other one with the general coverage receive is very attractive

[bruceforster]

I had a VX-6 in the past and liked it very much. 5 Years in, it just plain died.
Then I bought a VX-8. I absolutely LOVED that VX-8. Six Weeks ago, someone broke into my vehicle while I was at home. The ONLY thing taken was my Beloved VX-8. I have a close friend who has a VX-6 he might be willing to sell. I AM considering it.
My wife and I each own an FT-60. Both are around 8 Years old. BOTH OF THEM have developed the same fault-The Charge Port on the Right Side of the Radios have come loose from the motherboard, so I now have to use the external drop-in charger for the batteries.
My "Emergency" Radio I keep in my Get Home Bag is an FT-4.

[sopotiuck]

the vx6r has a bit more of a learning curve but i'm glad i bought it. great little radio!

[DonzLockz]

Thank you, Gaston. I'm looking at the VX-6 at the moment. I like affordable radios but this is a real radio. If it survives your lifestyle, It'll easily outlast me.😆💪👍

[scottbradford]

I have owned a vx7r for 13 years and I can not kill it. The one weakness is the sma port. I always use an sma to bnc adapter and make sure your antennas are seated firmly on the body of the radio

[m.p.]

If you have a pair of Peltor Comtac VI or similar you can run a Disco32 amplified PTT from the VX-6R/7R. The screw-in tip and weather-resistant features make this an amazing setup. I have a VX7R, but they are so hard to find, I may buy a VX-6R as a companion. Looking forward to this great series.

[aggie]

For anyone who has the yaesu ft 60r I used to plug in the speaker mic the run it underneath the belt clip it never came unplugged after that.

[dmitryportnykh]

I went with FT-60 knowing the not-so-secure connector issue, so I tested it with Yaesu ext mic in a radioshop prior to pulling a trigger. It indeed can disconnect and trigger tx, but it is not so easily done as some say. This can also be reliably fixed in a second by routing the cable under belt clip, which creates second point of tension. Important note - routing the cable still allows you to use the clip on a belt or MOLLE. Optionally, if for some reason you don’t run belt clip, you can use velcro cable tie and attach the cord to the base of antennae, this is similar solution Yaesu provided with older ext mic.

A giant pro for FT-60 is that its AA tray allows its user to run full power AND the radio is big enough to fit a 3D-printed case for 2x18650 batteries. How about having a true 3500 mAh power pack for your radio with lots of options for recharging/replacing the batteries? Got 4 of them for my FTs and while they don’t fit as nicely as original packs, TPU inserts seal everything against the moisture pretty securely. While FT60 might not be IP rates, it has all the needed seals to be used in the rain.

Also be aware that VX series ate known for their long run sensitivity issues as their ceramic filters often need replacement after extensive use.

[dsant]

Thank you Tech Prepper, beacuse of this video I choose to get vx-6