FIRST LOOK: Yaesu FTM-500, I Like It!

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[daniell]

I keep seeing new radios come out and my first reaction is "Maybe it'll be cheap!" and it never is.

[Littrell]

That head on an FT-891 would be great!!!

[butch]

Looks like Yaesu opt'ed to trade the big screen on the FTM-400, for a big knob on the FTM-500.

[barryinn]

Very nice review and video, NO annoying music. IT DOES NOT COME WITH A LAMINATED INSTRUCTION SHEET, PAPER ONLY. Got mine today 5-13-2023, don't like the microphone very small light weight and, don't like the way numerals are lighted on it. Radio is much smaller than I expected . I will subscribe and watch more of your videos, so teach us more about this radio. Thanks Ham Radio Outlet.

[REKlaus]

Yes! Knobs! I much prefer using knobs to change menu settings than having to use arrow buttons, on screen buttons, etc. I went from ho-hum (ya, another radio) to liking the radio during your video. Thanks for the great info.

[jlfun]

I picked up my FTM-500DR last night and so far I am very pleased and impressed with the usability. Very intuitive. Looking forward to the advanced manual. So far it is a keeper. Well done Yaesu! 73, Jim - K4OFV

[mkolod]

One thing I’m hoping to see from Yaesu dual band mobiles is CAT control. The FT-857 had it. Given that the 857 supported 2m and 70 cm and since Icom ID-5100A has CI-V in a dual band radio, it would be a nice feature to see again, particularly for satellite work. Especially considering that the ID-5100A is considerably cheaper and has it.

[DominicMazoch]

I think the body and knobs of this could be used in the future for an all mode 2m rig or a mobile HF

[backcountryamateurradio]

Good looking radio. Been waiting for you to show us about it! Thank you.

[stevehildreth]

My FTM 500 arrives in two days. I can hardly wait! My only radio is (was) a cheap Chinese unit, that just died, still transmits, no audio. Initially the FTM 500 will be my ham shack vhf/uhf radio in my shack.

[jimbarber]

The Alinco DR-735 is full duplexing, six memory bands, both mic ports, half the price.

[l.a.]

I really hope that V/UHF comes back to the way it used to be in the 80s and 90s, in my area you could find a QSO anytime of the day or night. I've made a lot of long-time friends from running VHF and UHF I ran a digipeater at my home that was always busy and we had a state-wide packet system we had a lot of groups that had special interests IE motorcycle groups, hot rod enthusiasts, model aircraft groups etc. and most of that traffic was on the FM subbands, there was also lots of interest in SSB groups that were hill top operators . fast scan TV as well as slow scan was also popular. sadly the bands are so quiet now, however DMR has breathed some new interest into the high bands. this new rig is really sharp and hopefully it gets the youth as well as old goats like myself interested and re-interested in high band ops. I hope this new technology will spur folks to get on the radio. I know that these new rigs are expensive, but they are top quality and should last a very long time, think of it as an investment, so get on the air and get others involved, get some old fashioned round-table discussions going. thanks for the video . 73 ..

[Sean-AIEQ]

While Yaesu did make improvements in remote audio, microphone plug on remote head, quick function menu and a nice touch screen I have one complaint. There are no memory groups/banks. I feel for a mobile radio that was a huge feature to leave out. I own an FTM-300D which has one M-GRP that allows you to create a customizable channel list. After reading the manual for the FTM-500D and not seeing any memory groups/banks, other than grouping by band, I'm a bit disappointed. I hope they can at least give it the same M-GRP feature that the FTM-300D has by doing a firmware update as this would then be a great radio.

[caseygillock]

I have the ftm 400. I don't see nothing special enough to spend the money to get this one. It's time for all standard mobile radios to be triband and start doing 80 or 100 watts maybe allowing your phone to hook up to it through Bluetooth to use phones apps to send winlink, sstv, keyboard cw, plus offering am fm ssb. I would spend the 500 or 600 for a new one then.

[DavidWilsonsays]

These screens look just like the FTM-200 screens just on a larger display and touchscreen. I love the 200 this 500 with dual radios would be really sweet.

[phlatulance]

About time Yaesu got on board with the mic to faceplate connection. Icom has been doing it since the 706, and a main reason i've always gotten an Icom for mobile installs. At least there is some options now.

[pedrocatalan]

I had to do a double take because I watched your video after Julian’s video from HRO. It’s cool that he let you use his desk! 😀 looks like a great radio. Im not sure I want to give up my ID-5100 just yet.

[Pedrok]

Looks nice I like the bigger display as the one on the ft 300 is ok but a bit small but it is about a third more expensive what we really need is a replacement ft 857 in a form factor similar to this

[MrBillCNW]

Excellent demo of the new radio. Great job you did.
73

[Emcipio]

The IC-2730a has the dual mic connection points on the body and head unit too