Now that I have a fully functional FTM-350 with all of the initial issues resolved by Yaesu, I can give a summary of my overall impressions of this radio.
While it was unfortunate that the radio had two major initial problems with locking up and also improper NAVI functionality, both problems have been addressed by Yaesu after a trip to the repair center. Anybody with these issues should contact Yaesu to send it in for a firmware update. New radios purchased from retailers should not exhibit these same issues.
With that disclaimer out of the way, here are a summary of what I like and dislike about this rig:
Likes
See the full review thread here:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/40252-review-new-yaesu-ftm-350-a.html
See the Current GPS & NAVI reviews here:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-...50-gps-navi-review-after-warranty-repair.html
Before warranty fix GPS & NAVI review:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/43215-yaesu-ftm-350-gps-navi-video-review.html
See the Full APRS Review here:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/41539-yaesu-ftm-350-aprs-review.html
While it was unfortunate that the radio had two major initial problems with locking up and also improper NAVI functionality, both problems have been addressed by Yaesu after a trip to the repair center. Anybody with these issues should contact Yaesu to send it in for a firmware update. New radios purchased from retailers should not exhibit these same issues.
With that disclaimer out of the way, here are a summary of what I like and dislike about this rig:
Likes
- Display - the big, bright display and LARGE dot matrix letters are the best I've seen on a VHF/UHF rig. A ridiculous number of display colors, brightness, and contrast settings lets the user tailor the display to their liking. The large alpha tags are a great feature.
- Dual receive and dual watch - Receive two frequencies on any combination of bands on the dual receiver. You can also set dual watch on one of the VFOs. If you don't want to use two receivers at once you can set it to single band mode.
- APRS and GPS Options - The APRS functionality and associated screens are easy to use and easy to read, especially while mobile. A GPS option that mounts in the control head enables GPS functionality that works especially well. The built in APRS functionality is very complete.
- Audio quality - the hand mic delivers excellent transmitted audio quality. The control head mic is not as good, but I feel that mic is more of a gimmick feature.
- Receive - The receive is very good on this radio. On the Icom 2720H (that this radio replaced) I was constantly battling intermod on 2 meters. It's a complete non-issue on this rig. I'm not sure how to quantify the over receive capabilities except to say that the rig seems better than most other VHF/UHF rigs I've used.
- Crossband Repeat.
- 1000 memories - more than I will ever use.
- NAVI feature - The navigation feature works quite well now that it has been updated from the factory.
- Rugged design - the body of the aluminum is all thick aluminum and also acts as a heat sink for the radio. I can't see this radio ever getting hot.
- Excellent Band scope - The band scope functionality on this rig is really good and works on both receivers at the same time.
- AM, FM, Stereo FM, and wide receive capabilities, with a Stereo Line-In for hooking up other audio input devices like iPods. It's conceivable that you could replace a car stereo with this rig.
- Remote head - It has built-in stereo speakers and plenty of volume. The audio quality isn't great for music, but it is more than sufficient for voice. The speakers in the control head are actually quite loud. The remote head's included suction mount works OK.
- 220Mhz!!
- Bluetooth - if you require a wireless bluetooth mic headset, you can get that option with this radio
- Excellent customer service - When I sent the radio in for the problems, they turned around a fixed radio within only 2 weeks. When I first spoke with them, they didn't even know what the issue was that was causing this problem.
- Missing APRS digipeating capability - This functionality is included with the competing Kenwood rig, so the lack of it in the FTM-350 seems like a major oversight. I really wanted this functionality.
- Lousy manual - It looks like is was an afterthought. It's missing a few small areas of functionality.
- The included suction cup mount needs a ball joint to give it more adjustment. Most people will probably not use this mount and have to buy a different one.
- As noted by some others, the ability to not trigger the built in TNC externally via the serial port is a bummer. This would open up a lot of possibilities for use with external software.
- Lack of memory management (groups). Yaesu hit a home run with the memory group function on the VX-8. They should have included that feature on this radio. Utilizing 1000 memories is just not practical without some way to group them and quickly jump to those groups.
- Inability to download firmware by users - We have to send it in for updates. REALLY???? :mellow:
See the full review thread here:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/40252-review-new-yaesu-ftm-350-a.html
See the Current GPS & NAVI reviews here:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-...50-gps-navi-review-after-warranty-repair.html
Before warranty fix GPS & NAVI review:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/43215-yaesu-ftm-350-gps-navi-video-review.html
See the Full APRS Review here:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/vhf-uhf-bands-vhf-uhf-rigs/41539-yaesu-ftm-350-aprs-review.html