Installed Bluetooth BU-1 in VX-8DR

[N3KDJ]

I just installed the BU-1 into my VX-8DR...mostly for listening convenience. It works great! I paired right off with my Plantronics Voyager Pro and am listening away. I have not played with VOX or TX at all yet, but I am psyched to use the Plantronics for listening...very cool. Next I have to try installing a BU-1 in the FTM-350.

I'd kind of like to buy one of the Yaesu headsets but the price for the kit plus the chargers and sleeves just seems ridiculous. :mellow:

 

[depark]

I have the BU-1 installed in both the VX-8DR and the FTM-350. I have the Yaesu BH-2A (mono version) Bluetooth headset. It looks kind of dorky but works really well. The vox also works well. I also have the desk charger and the Bluetooth charger cradle that mounts to the head (CAB-1) of the FTM-350. It is a cheap option to recharge the headset on the go. It was only about $15. I recommend it.

Cheers

 

[N3KDJ]

Bluetooth

Thanks for the info. After I try a few of the BT earpieces and headsets I have here and test the VOX and so on I may add the Yaesu headset. When I called HRO today and asked for prices I actually got so much wrong information and guesses at what part number meant what that I eventually asked the guy if he could may be just pull up the radio in his cash register or even look at a catalog....what he insisted on was that for the FTM-350 I needed the BU-1 BT adapter PLUS the starter kit for BT at $179 (that includes the BU-1)....oh well...glad I took time to read up on Universal Radio's site. I have a few good friends that work in various HRO sites but the guy I got today was really a disappointment.

 

[depark]

Ya, not a very smart guy to insist that you need the BU-1 and a starter kit. The only thing I can't comment on is how long the BH-2A battery will last. I haven't run it out yet. The longest I have used it is 3.5 hours mostly listening with maybe 30 minutes of me talking. Good unit though.

 

[albertr]

Pairing VX-8DR (with BU-1 installed) with BH-2A

Ahh... ok, it turns out you need to be in the "Bluetooth PCODE" menu to initiate pairing by pressing "V/M" button... took me a few tries to figure it out.

-albertr

 

[aquaregia]

After dealing with Yaesu over their encryption modules for the other VX line, (which is basically the same form factor,) obtaining the Bluetooth unit was a PITA. Other than that, I've had no problem with the module itself.

Plantronics and this unit are a real winner.

I don't see much difference between the two product lines, OTOH.
Which is why I'm interested to see a VX-8(xx) firmware in the wild

EDIT: make sure and get a headset with a very positive tactile response. Some button clicks are soft.
For monitoring, make sure and lock PTT.

 

[aquaregia]

As for the headset, waterproof is nice, but the stereo option is so utterly ridiculous, you have to wonder who decided to include it.

I've been looking for a pair of waterproof stereo bluetooth headset to test with this unit.