I just picked up the FTM-500 at the Huntsville Hamfest last weekend. It replaced my FTM-400 in the truck, which i moved into the shack. I love that bracket it comes with, and especially how the body can be slid in either way - speaker side up or down. The menu "mod" is next on my agenda.
I love my FTM 400 (mine's mobile) - it is great - the 500 has not IMHO pushed me to upgrade. This is a really good video Jonathan. Thanks for the excellent review.
I own ftm 300 & 400 and have no intention paying £600+ for the ftm 500. If it had 2m SSB then that would be a totally different story, I'd be throwing money at Yaesu for that.
I use my FTM-500 mobile and love it. Learning new functions weekly. I attach it to my openSPOT4 tethered to my ipone. Works flawlessly. I have it mounted in the center console of my pickup. Previously had the head remote mounted with RAM mounts, but seemed to heavy to remain solid in place. Thanks for the videos and sharing your knowledge.
Reason why I got rid of my 817 and 897 were the menus. I have the FTdx10 and that is eons ahead of previous models. Shame as I am undecided about a new mobile rig, if 2M were active I’d forgive the menu system and buy one. Great vid thanks Jonathon. 😊
So glad I bought a new 400 just before they stopped making them. The 500 could have been a decent upgrade to the 400 but it seems a step backwards unless I'm missing something??
I just picked one up for shack use. However the price initially was too steep for me and so I've waited. Just got mine for $430. At that price I consider it a good deal. Plus, I can use my M70 mic with it as well as my DX10. Are there things I wished they'd done differently? Sure but at the price I paid I was willing to overlook those things.
Is there something like "BlueCAT", that works with the FTM500 in combination with Repeaterbook? That makes it *SOOOOOO* nice to use while traveling with the Camper VAN. I LUV it with my ft-857D bluecatting with repeaterbook.
I just bought a FTM 500 about a week ago, on sale for $450. But (sigh), it's on backorder. I'm getting back into ham radio after about a 20-year hiatus and am trying to get my old Yaesu 2600 M up and running in the meantime. I'll mostly be using this radio in my shop/shack with my new Diamond X-300 on top of a Harbor Freight flag pole. I've been watching every video on this radio that I can find in the hopes I'll be able to just step in and get on the air. 😂Good luck, eh.
The two main problems you mention are solved, it's a good radio for the shack and it doesn't cost 600 pounds. Is it the perfect radio? No, but not because of the reasons you mention. If you ask me, it is one of the best dual band radio's there is, even in the shack.
There’s a way to change the menu from the long list to a grid (similar to FT-5DR)… I’ve seen a video showing how to do it but can’t remember off the top of my head.
Much too expensive, Anytone DMR 578 better value, no C4FM of course but the Anytone still better value, if you happy spending an extra 250+ GBP to get the Yaesu and C4FM is a must for you then go for it but as said in the video most people would be better off with a Yaesu handheld. And as said below if it had SSB it would be worth it! Great review by the way!!
Great video and fantastic review. I like you, it's not for me. I would rather put that type of money into a HF. Will you be doing any videos regarding cross mode from DMR? I have the 878 and a hotspot. 73 😊
I want to get another fusion radio for wires X. I have a 400 but in wires X mode it sort of bricks the radio for any other use. So I just use it for FM and Fusion repeaters. Does the 500 operate the same way that is to ask, if in Wires X mode connected to the computer, does it tie up both VFO's? If so then I sould stick with the 200 assuming I just want the radio for Wires X operation.
I have watched a few of these videos now. No one really explains the advantages of a digital radio. What is the big deal? What does it do for me? Does it use special repeaters? Does it work with the old repeaters? New guy trying to figure it all out.
Digits voice adds another element to a radio. Yes it can still operate on all the FM repeaters, but also using dedicated C4FM repeaters. The C4FM (also termed ‘Fusion’) repeaters are often linked to Yaesu’s worldwide reflector system called ‘Wires-X’ - this enables worldwide communication there the internet is providing the backbone to the link. I hope this starts to explain why digital voice modes radios are an attractive option. 73!
Hello Friends I live in Brazil, traveled to JAPAN, bought a Yaesu FTM 500D (Japanese version). I need to transmit in Brazil on 146.950 and the radio says TELA is prohibited. TX PROHIBITED. Can you help me make a change of region or opening in TX? What is the best solution for my case? Thank you if you could help. Moacyr PY3FK
The design of the ftm-500 is bad the screen is an inch smaller than the ftm-400 also the loss of the touch screen and overall function of the radio seems worse for the price of the 500 i expected more and what did we end up with a massive vfo knob to use up the space of a descent screen very disappointed
The screen is a problem inversely proportional to its size. It’s not much bigger than the screen on the FT5D (a hand talkie)… That giant knob on the front shouldn’t be there. The 400 was a better configuration of screen and knobs. The interface is desperately in need of a professional that can help design it. The “keyboard” is in alphabetical order. WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? This radio needs a USB port so you can attach a keyboard for APRS messaging. Or at least allow a Bluetooth keyboard to connect, something that can be done in an update. Why are there no bands on this radio? I can get an HT with bands, but NOT a mobile radio? Who thought this was good design? This radio is a huge disappointment.
The design of the 500 is badly thought out why is there a need for a massive vfo knob the screen size is ridiculously small reminds me of the 857 will keep my ftm-400 I think
I just picked up the FTM-500 at the Huntsville Hamfest last weekend. It replaced my FTM-400 in the truck, which i moved into the shack.
I love that bracket it comes with, and especially how the body can be slid in either way - speaker side up or down. The menu "mod" is next on my agenda.
I love my FTM 400 (mine's mobile) - it is great - the 500 has not IMHO pushed me to upgrade. This is a really good video Jonathan. Thanks for the excellent review.
Thanks Tom!
I agree I feel the 300 500 and are a step back the larger 400 touch screen is superior in operation
I own ftm 300 & 400 and have no intention paying £600+ for the ftm 500. If it had 2m SSB then that would be a totally different story, I'd be throwing money at Yaesu for that.
I use my FTM-500 mobile and love it. Learning new functions weekly. I attach it to my openSPOT4 tethered to my ipone. Works flawlessly. I have it mounted in the center console of my pickup. Previously had the head remote mounted with RAM mounts, but seemed to heavy to remain solid in place. Thanks for the videos and sharing your knowledge.
Reason why I got rid of my 817 and 897 were the menus. I have the FTdx10 and that is eons ahead of previous models. Shame as I am undecided about a new mobile rig, if 2M were active I’d forgive the menu system and buy one. Great vid thanks Jonathon. 😊
Awesome review Johnathan thanks 👍
Thank you Johnathan, very informative, think I’ll be following in your footsteps using C4FM at home with my FT2 and openspot3! 73 de Rod G3TXA
Great video Jonathan, nothing about this radio is luring me away from my ID5100E 😊
Considering swapping my ID5100E with the FTM500. I would really like APRS in the car.
Have the FTM-500 indoors and really like it. Very sensitive receive and easy to use. Have the 8900 in the car.
So glad I bought a new 400 just before they stopped making them. The 500 could have been a decent upgrade to the 400 but it seems a step backwards unless I'm missing something??
I think the software was released right after this video! Finally.
I just picked one up for shack use. However the price initially was too steep for me and so I've waited. Just got mine for $430. At that price I consider it a good deal. Plus, I can use my M70 mic with it as well as my DX10. Are there things I wished they'd done differently? Sure but at the price I paid I was willing to overlook those things.
Is there something like "BlueCAT", that works with the FTM500 in combination with Repeaterbook?
That makes it *SOOOOOO* nice to use while traveling with the Camper VAN. I LUV it with my ft-857D bluecatting with repeaterbook.
Not as far as I’m aware, but I too love the bluecat.
They missed a trick not adding SSB to this. It would have been perfect for UKAC use.
Yes, but I suspect if Yaesu did, the price would have been at least 1/3 more (probably 50% more)
@@M0JSX That's fine. I would really love to see a Yaesu competitor to the 9700.
I just bought a FTM 500 about a week ago, on sale for $450. But (sigh), it's on backorder. I'm getting back into ham radio after about a 20-year hiatus and am trying to get my old Yaesu 2600 M up and running in the meantime. I'll mostly be using this radio in my shop/shack with my new Diamond X-300 on top of a Harbor Freight flag pole. I've been watching every video on this radio that I can find in the hopes I'll be able to just step in and get on the air. 😂Good luck, eh.
The two main problems you mention are solved, it's a good radio for the shack and it doesn't cost 600 pounds. Is it the perfect radio? No, but not because of the reasons you mention. If you ask me, it is one of the best dual band radio's there is, even in the shack.
I’m pleased you enjoy it 🙂
There’s a way to change the menu from the long list to a grid (similar to FT-5DR)… I’ve seen a video showing how to do it but can’t remember off the top of my head.
Yes, I’ve seen that too. I didn’t do that on the radio I had as it didn’t belong to me! 73!
FT5D is so good this Radio is it's Big brother .
FT5D has memory banks and is great for travel.
Much too expensive, Anytone DMR 578 better value, no C4FM of course but the Anytone still better value, if you happy spending an extra 250+ GBP to get the Yaesu and C4FM is a must for you then go for it but as said in the video most people would be better off with a Yaesu handheld. And as said below if it had SSB it would be worth it! Great review by the way!!
Great video and fantastic review. I like you, it's not for me. I would rather put that type of money into a HF.
Will you be doing any videos regarding cross mode from DMR? I have the 878 and a hotspot.
73 😊
I'll add it to the list! 73!
Where did you get that shirt? I need that!
My time in sales! Sorry!
@M0JSX Yeasu needs to market them lol!
I want to get another fusion radio for wires X. I have a 400 but in wires X mode it sort of bricks the radio for any other use. So I just use it for FM and Fusion repeaters. Does the 500 operate the same way that is to ask, if in Wires X mode connected to the computer, does it tie up both VFO's? If so then I sould stick with the 200 assuming I just want the radio for Wires X operation.
I would say that is sensible. I don’t think it actually locks out the 2nd VFO, but does render it not visible. 73!
I have watched a few of these videos now. No one really explains the advantages of a digital radio. What is the big deal? What does it do for me? Does it use special repeaters? Does it work with the old repeaters? New guy trying to figure it all out.
Digits voice adds another element to a radio. Yes it can still operate on all the FM repeaters, but also using dedicated C4FM repeaters. The C4FM (also termed ‘Fusion’) repeaters are often linked to Yaesu’s worldwide reflector system called ‘Wires-X’ - this enables worldwide communication there the internet is providing the backbone to the link. I hope this starts to explain why digital voice modes radios are an attractive option. 73!
Hello Friends
I live in Brazil, traveled to JAPAN, bought a Yaesu FTM 500D (Japanese version). I need to transmit in Brazil on 146.950 and the radio says TELA is prohibited. TX PROHIBITED. Can you help me make a change of region or opening in TX? What is the best solution for my case? Thank you if you could help. Moacyr
PY3FK
You’ll need to find out how to perform the Mars or wideband mod. I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure you’ll find details online.
My experience with the ftm300 is ….I think Yaesu are loosing the plot.
I use mine beside my FT-710 as my base units
What’s the firmware issue what version was it on?
I honestly couldn't tell you. It was the latest firmware at the time the video was published. 73!
The design of the ftm-500 is bad the screen is an inch smaller than the ftm-400 also the loss of the touch screen and overall function of the radio seems worse for the price of the 500 i expected more and what did we end up with a massive vfo knob to use up the space of a descent screen very disappointed
600 GBP !!?? that's over $1100 AUD ! Definite no if it's that much.
It’s an expensive beastie.
you are not going to say anything bad about this radio because of where you work, Mr Lyncher would not allow it,
I haven’t worked there for over 3 years. I’m free to say whatever I like.
The screen is a problem inversely proportional to its size. It’s not much bigger than the screen on the FT5D (a hand talkie)… That giant knob on the front shouldn’t be there. The 400 was a better configuration of screen and knobs. The interface is desperately in need of a professional that can help design it. The “keyboard” is in alphabetical order. WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? This radio needs a USB port so you can attach a keyboard for APRS messaging. Or at least allow a Bluetooth keyboard to connect, something that can be done in an update. Why are there no bands on this radio? I can get an HT with bands, but NOT a mobile radio? Who thought this was good design? This radio is a huge disappointment.
I agree with most things you’ve said there! But it’s still a lovely radio!
The design of the 500 is badly thought out why is there a need for a massive vfo knob the screen size is ridiculously small reminds me of the 857 will keep my ftm-400 I think
👍
Shack operation
What about it?