Yaesu VX-6 Useful Accessories
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- Опубліковано 26 кві 2022
- A comprehensive review of useful EmComm and Tactical Communications accessories for the excellent Yaesu VX-6 handheld transceiver.
Product Links:
MOLLE Compatible
Yaesu VX-6
Radio Pouch
www.spectergear.com/ProductDet...
Belt Mounted
Yaesu VX-6
Radio Pouch
www.spectergear.com/ProductDet...
DIAMOND SRH320A
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
DIAMOND SRH701
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
DIAMOND BNCJ-SMAP
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
HAM RADIO OUTLET BNC Male 2 Binding Posts
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
YAESU SBR-40LI
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
YAESU SDD-13
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
YAESU SSM-17H
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p...
YAESU MH-73A4B
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?p... - Наука та технологія
“If you get submerged at 1m for 30min you aren’t going to work either” And…. Subbed. That was hilarious. Intentionally or not.
Love my VX-6, carry it every time I leave the house. I run the same antenna and even with the stock antenna, this radio will pick up better than any other radio handheld I have.
Was the antenna upgrade actually worth it? I’m wondering if the stock antenna is actually better than some of the “upgrade” antennas out there
@@stephenvsawyer it's great for what it is. Get yourself a telescopic 1/2 or 5/8 wave and it's incredible.
I happen to have just bought a VX6 so your timing is excellent! Keep up the great work!
Just the video I needed to see. I'm a beginner here and it simplifies my shopping list. Thanks.
I’m a new ham, and I’m finding your content to be very helpful, Thank you - Don
KS6DAY, thank you so very much for creating the review on the VX-6. I have been in the market for a handheld radio and have been looking at the one. I love the fact that not only do you review the radio but the mic, battery and pouch. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Again, thank you for sharing. 73 KO4UWU.
Last week I ordered a couple of your Specter Gear radio pouches, one for my VX-6R and one for my FT-3D, they arrived in only a couple of days after ordering them. I am very pleased with my purchase. These radio pouches are awesome.... probably the best ones on the market. The fit is is perfect for each radio and the quality in workmanship is great. Thank You!
Great video! I love the pouch you/Specter make. Very informative and thank you for mentioning the 1.25 band, the signal stick I bought as a backup won’t cover. Your programming videos are outstanding as well. Thank you!
When you review antennas for handhelds, you might check out the telescoping half-wave ones. Half-wave means they don't need a counterpoise/ground plane, which is lacking on a handheld anyway. Telescoping means you can use it on other frequencies. For the one I have telescoping in the top two sections tunes it perfectly for the VHF marine band. Just opening the bottom two tuned it to 220 and 440, with the latter probably as a full wave.
I really enjoy your videos! Thanks for the posts!
This video was great. Thank you for putting it together. I have the Diamond SRH320A But I am also trying out a Comet Triband HT antenna for a just in case. Had to work some overtime but i managed to buy 3 batteries, OUCH!!!! One is none, two is one but three is better..lol
I ordered one last night after watching your 60 and Vx videos. I’ve learned from Baofeng and my FT handhelds that an antenna and a speaker mic go a long way! And charging options and batteries. I like to have different antennas for different situations.
Great video…was waiting on this…did not disappoint
Great review and recommendations. Love the VX-6, would love to have one but just can't justify another radio and the cost to outfit it. One other 2M/70 CM antenna you may wish to try is the Signal Stick antenna by Signal Stuff. Mine works as good on transmit and even a little better on receive then my Diamond RH77CA does on my FT-60 and FT3D. The other great thing about the Signal Stick is that it can be wrapped into a coil for storage in a go bag and when released, it's straight as an arrow again. The down side is that they flex because the antenna is thinner, it does flop around more than the Diamond. They are a tough antenna that will take abuse and have a lifetime warranty. The one other antenna I have added to my HT's is the short stubby VHF/UHF. Great for close in operations. Less distance the signal will travel that others can monitor. Rock On Brother !
Outstanding review. Waiting for my vx6 to arrive. First upgrade is that attenna!
Great video as always! Picked up a VX-6 about a week ago after seeing your reviews and so far I couldn’t be happier with it. Started out with UV-5R’s and the Yaesu is definitely a big step up in build quality and (in my opinion) ease of use. Already picked up the MH-73A4B speaker mic which is just awesome as far as build quality and performance. Next purchase will be one of your pouches… just can’t decide on the MOLLE vs belt mount version… may just have to get both haha! 73… K9WRR.
Happy to hear that.
Great vid for a new ham thanks!
Great video and radio... Considering the vx6 as my go to travel radio... Thanks for the info... Cheers... K7azr...
I purchased a VX-6 Yesterday. I LOVE this radio!!!!! I got it to replace my VX-8 that was stolen. I plan to build a GO-KIT in a Harbor Freight Hard Case, along with my FT-4 for support.
Happy to hear that you like it. 👍
I'm using an RH77CA on my FT-65. MUCH improved!
I have been using a vx6r pretty much since the came out. I do recommend the leather case, the drop in charger , spare batteries i use after market ones and they work good for me. I have the barometer board in both my vx6's and they are not usefull at all. Chirp works fine but I use rt systems for programming since I can use the same info on my other radios. I like the yeasu hand Mics over the aftermarket ones.
Molle antenna reminds me of the antennas on the PRC148 back in my Army days Scott guys playing with toys 14:00 @KS6DAY
Good info today. Expensive batteries but better to buy once as you say.👍
I've bought a couple aftermarket batteries for my FT-60. One was a Li Ion with a desk charger , the other a conventional type. The Li Ion quickly went south when a cell died. The other is still working, but I don't know for how long. It's far better to buy once, cry once. Get factory batteries. My original 10 year old battery for the FT-60 still works at reduced capacity. Amazing. I have since bought two factory batteries.
@@johnkaelberer237 yes, I have had similar results with fakes and also originals still working at a reduced capacity.👍
A note on the FBA-23 (AA battery body for the VX-6R), you can actually transmit using these. In 2m/70cm, you are limited to LOW1/LOW2 (0.3w/1.0w) output (the radio shows a 4.5v charge w/ fresh batteries, so that's probably the limitation). It's not a lot, but in a lot of areas it's enough to hit a repeater or for local simplex work.
You are correct sir. Many thanks for the post.
I only have rechargeable white “Eneloop” batteries at home.
I see some folks saying you can only use disposable AA’s. ??
Is this true.? I travel to Japan and just listen. Hardly ever key up.
When I got mine I also bought the Vertex Standard MH-73A4B submersible mic and the altimeter/barometer chip. I'm more of an Icom guy, but; the VX6 is a very nice radio. The reduced power on the 1.25m band is a little bit of a bummer. But, I have never heard anyone on the band in my area.
An often overlooked 3 band is the smiley telescope. Old fashion metal 8 section pull up. 2m 1/4 wave, 440 5/8, 440 1/4 wave, 220 1/4 wave. All 1.3 swr. Very well made 6" tall all sections down, all sections up 22" Trick is 2m 1/4 all antenna sections extended, 440 5/8 wave 2 sections down, changes 220 1/4wave 4 sections down. again all have 1.3swr
Glad you finally made it, and as always amazing content. Where were you able to find the spare factory antennas?
I'm fairly sure I bought them from HRO. But that was two years ago and they are not showing an active part number currently. Neither is Gigaparts. I will post an update when I find out who might have them now.
The VX6 is my favourite HH radio
After the Mars Mod has been carried out, one must take care with the airband, because this radio shall TX on it on either AM or FM .
Standard Horizon SSM-14A commercial grade speaker mic. And it pairs with the
F/SSM-10 earbud for sealed 3.5mm threaded connections.
if you need a weather-proof radio for an active outdoor life, definitely include the SU-1 Barometer/thermometer module (less than $40). Not only is the elevation calculation (based on barometric pressure change while moving over terrain) highly useful in your own navigation or when vectoring in your friends, but the ability to conduct basic weather monitoring means you have a day's advance notice on potentially critical weather changes at your location regardless of outside info. Knowing a storm is approaching can save lives. If you engaging in the Great Outdoors, keep tract of it's natural atmospheric moods.
I love my vx-6r, just added the SU-1 Barometer module (I dig it).
I have to say the stock in antenna is one of the best I've played with on an HT. How waterproof is the DIAMOND SRH320A as compared to the stock, do you think? Thanks for the video, just bought several items via your links hope you get something from that.
Good video
I picked up one of these pretty recently. Awesome little radio. Anyway, I'm wondering what the little vent/gap under the middle of the back label is for. Being water tight, I was surprised to see it there. I was thinking about removing the label and putting it inside the radio instead to help with low visibility, but didn't want to compromise its reliability.
What ear piece do you recommend and when do you think you'll have Antenna Relocation Kits available?
What model of surveillance earpiece would you recommend for use with the YAESU SSM-17H speaker mic? Your molle radio pouch for the VX-6 is really fantastic, great for my SAR kit bag.
I found out one should check any dual band 2m /70 cm antenna with a antenna analyzer, I found some of them will work on 1.25 m with great swr across the band at 1.5 being the highest reading.
I feel like for em comm the usb power adapter is more flexible in a pinch maybe not as fast as the 12v power adapter but many of us alreay carry a usb power bank or a usb 12v adapter already. I have both
So the problem with “dual band” antennas, is most of them aren’t dual band. Tri-band is even harder to find for that reason. A vertical antenna m, HT or HF, will always resonate on the third harmonic below. This is great for HF, because your 40 meter works on 10 meter. VHF/UHF got a little messed up during WWII, and never changed back. We had 5, 2.5, 1.25, and 0.6. They were all living in second orders of harmony. Now we have 6, 2, 1.25 still, and 70. The third harmonic of 2 meters is 50 centimeters. I’ve noticed most “dual band” HT antennas are somewhere in between 2.8/70 and 2/50 on the VNA. It is possible to make a multi-band antenna by attaching multiple tuned elements to the same driven pin, known as a fan-dipole, or fan-vertical. The DX commander is unique working on this principle. But what I’ve found is the most simple approach is to buy a 5/8 wave telescopic 2 meter antenna, hook it up to the VNA, and engrave markings for 2, 1.25, and 70 meters in 5/8, 1/2, and 1/4 wave. That way you only need one antenna, and you can tune on the fly, prioritizing signal strength to compactness. 1/4 works well, and is easy to handle. 1/2 is great if the radio is sitting by itself, because it needs the least ground plane, 5/8 works great in the mountains and needs a good ground plane like close to your body. If you want to experiment with longer antennas, they make 52” 1/8 wave CB (11meter) BNC antennas. File and solder a short extension, and you have a 1/4 wave 6 meter too.
You mentioned the lower power of the 1.25m part of the VX6. Although I completely agree with you there is a very interesting thing that you get with using the 220MHz band.... and that is the following: This band is kinda-like a "magic band". It is very good for using low power and able to travel far and wide. Case in point... in Salt Lake County we have 9 1.25m repeaters. My club as a matter of fact has our own 1.25m repeater. When I am in the county...most anywhere in the county I can use the lowest power setting on the VX-6 for the 1.25m band (which I believe is around 300mWatts).... and I can get most of the 1.25m repeaters with full quieting. You really don't need high power on this band.
With that said, I would have like Yaesu to up the power just a bit on the 1.25m band, but realistically I've never needed anything more than a watt or so.
That's good information. Thanks for posting.
Any experience with the Nagoya 320A tri-bander antenna on your VX-6 or similar 144/220/440 radios?
I found this video fairly randomly and loved the in depth explanations you provided. Did you have a video for the roll up jpole that you showed us? I'd love to make one. Additionally, you mentioned antenna relocation kits. Did you have luck producing those or have ideas on DIY? Thank you!
Thanks for the great video! What antenna would you recommend for receiving shortwave signal?
Great video, regarding the YAESU SSM-17H do you have any suggestions for an earpiece that connects to the hand mic?
I have vx-7R & following asking for the similarities. There’s one thing I as for all my radios is a USB charging cable (when possible). Even if it is only to attach to the charging cradle.
Hello. Thanks for the great vlog. It might be interesting to test this antenna as well. GRA-SRH999 SMA-Fmale 50/144/430/1200MHz 6M/2M/70CM/25CM Handheld HT/Scanner Quadband Flexible Whips Antenna, 20.12"
Instead of measure twice but once, I have heard "buy once, cry once" with tools. I think it is fitting with batteries
I just did the mars mod to my VX6R, and now I can’t hear audio out of the speaker or adjust anything with the knobs. The handset makes noise when it’s plugged in, but I can’t control the volume. Thoughts?
Comet HT-224 (11”) and Smiley Antenna 27000 Retractable are both Tri-band. I have not tried them though.
Great video, thanks. I also saw your FT-60 video. Have you now gotten a Signal Stick or are you still missing out? ;)
Diamond SRH-320A, Tri-Band, Nice antenna! AB4P
Any videos on programming the VX-6.
What would you suggest for a better antenna for YAESU FT 60?
Would love to see you actually produce that homemade antenna for sale. I’d add one of those to my kit.
You may want USB powerbank and USB to Yaesu cable, i got USB-A, but maybe USB-C is already available. USB-A converts 5V into 12V, while power delivery in usb-c can provide more than 5V, and dont need an inverter. The AA battery pack is very funny. 2 batteries of 3V give somehow on the display 4.5V, maybe inverter too? I use a screw driver to hummer batteries in and same screwdriver to extract them, the case is too small. The AA container applies a lot of stress on the tiny clip that holds the battery, i file it a bit to release that pressure.
After seeing this video I wanted to get the 320 antenna but it has been out of stock everywhere . The stock antenna does ok i guess with nothing to compare it to.
Thanks been waiting on this.
Just have understand you other site. You have alot of disconnected. I would like some help with this
KQ4CD Paul
Have you found a good source for earpieces to plug into external microphones? Or earpieces without microphones that don't look all tacticool?
That SRH 320A seems very very fragile to me. Mine is bent right now right above the top of the load because I sat down with it clipped on my belt and it didn’t like that. It’s too expensive to be disposable, and thus I was thinking of making a KYNAR stress relief for it but my drill press is unavailable right now. 73 Tom KC3QAC
Did you ever try a Comet HT-224 triband rubber ducky? I'd like to know how that performs compared to the Diamond triband. The Comet is a little bit shorter and has the same thickness all the way through.
Hello, I just got my VX6R two days ago (27-08-22) and loving it a lot for its incredible shortwave receptions in AM band and still underway exploring the numerous features
The Air band receiving signals are much better than my XH-DATA-D808 world radio
Yet to programme it with my local repeaters..
What is most interesting is that the Yaesu's VX6 R&E models were launched more than 15 years ago and it is still in production. It only proves how robust is this superheterodyne transceiver is
Along with the VX6R I have also got the the MH-73A4B speaker mic. I realised the downside of not having a provision for an ear piece or headphones. I have notified the dealer asking for a replacement with the SSM-17H speaker mic. Hope the dealer/seller agrees to my request
Will gradually buy the SRH320A antenna or a Signal Stick for flexibility and also the beautiful pauch
In my VX6R I can't transmit in 220 MHz. Is there a way to fix this?
Bumped into your excellent video at the right time and also subbed you. Would be great if my queries are responded soon
Thank you and have a blessed day ahead
Cheers!
New Delhi
Are you in the USA? If not, then that is why no transmit on 220mhz
@@seanturpin01 I guess the VX6R sold in Europe and Asia does not transmit in 220. However, I came across a ham in YT who has unlocked this feature to transmit
Hello, I drove thru your area yesterday, while listening to your you tube videos. I am ready to purchase a Yaesu vx 6 for my plate carrier. I also have Sordin Supreme MIL CC Slim Headset. I am looking for a quality adapter that the cable is not curly. Can you recommend one if one is available.
Check out the Smiley tri-band HT antenna. It is telescopic. You can configure it for sma and bnc antenna connection and be able to interchange that connection for other HT's with just one antenna. $27.00
Have you ever tested the VX-6R with a Signal Stick?
Just discovered your series, what a great resource. I use a YHA-63 tri-band rubber duck antenna on my VX-6R. I added a small screw-on BNC adapter and it works great for me. It is the stock antenna for the Yaesu FT-818ND.
One might consider the Comet HT-224 triband antenna for the VX6R
amazing video as ever !
pity radio is now discontinued...
had to get one from STates all teh way to Scotland!
The radio is not discontinued, as far as I know. Glad you could get one!
@@sire24657 sadly i think it is.. EU / UK 4 ! dealers said the same thing...
a pity really... no real replacement for that ...
Is it specifically the VX-6E that's discontinued? I just did a search and several places are offering the VX-6R for sale.
@@davidf2092 yes I am afraid so ..
The vx-6e is discontinued...or so dealers in UK /EU tell me
The vx-6r is still going though ... But you realise that this makes getting that radio to Europe pretty pricey...
@@davidf2092 yes I believe it is specifically the VX-6E that's discontinued
Please enable shipping to Australia for your spectre products
I like my MH-57 mic not water resistant but nice and small.Also bought a MFJ Headset boom mike for my VX-7R use this the most.of my mics. I have switched to all BNC antennas for Standardization purposes.The SMA can only take so many Cycles before failure.73' jim KB1PFL
Thank you for the video, I also have these items for my VX-6, charge CL cable, shr320a, extra battery, and charge cradle. I am interested in the " Body antenna ", is it just a end fed dipole or townsman design or sleeved dipole or can you even say the type that it is ? I make most of my own antennas is why I was asking. Again thanks for the video , great as always. KG5RKX
It's a "Bazooka" type center fed dipole.
Quick question. I just got the vx-6r, can you charge just the battery in the cradle or does the radio need to be attached? Also about how long does it take to charge in the cradle. Thanks and 73
Love the VX6R. What are your thoughts on the Disco 32 hardware for this HT? They have a vest mounted antenna system and amped PTT that look to be exactly in this use case’s wheelhouse.
I don't have any experience with the PTT. I have tried the antenna and it did not perform very well. The antenna is designed to work with the PRC-148 & PRC-152 radios and is optimized for the frequency ranges that are being used with those radios which is a split between down around 30MHZ and up around 512MHZ and not a whole lot in between. I found it particularly poor in the amateur VHF band and just so-so in the UHF band. I'm sure it works great in its intended role but for amateur band use, it's way off the mark. Which is what prompted me to make my own following the same concept but optimizing the antenna specs for the 2m/70cm amateur bands.
@@KS6DAY interesting- I guess that’s the one you describe as the inspiration for the one you made. Would love a video on what you did to make a PC mountable antenna suited to 2m/70cm. How does it do taking advantage of the 1.25m band capability of the VX6R?
@@ireilly2000 It's not useful at all in the 1.25m band. That antenna is strictly 2m/70cm. As for body antennas in general, I'm still not sold on the idea, regardless of antenna design. I'm leaning more towards antenna relocation kits. I get much better results mounting a really good antenna on the back side of my carrier than I do weaving a marginal antenna through my gear. But this has definitely convinced me I need to a video on this subject.
@@KS6DAY thanks, this is great info! Hope you do. K1OTY
Do they make an earpiece ptt headset for it? I found a vac-6 for a really good price locally but really want to run an earpiece setup
There is the YAESU SSM-55A www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-013402 and the YAESU SSM-517A www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-017734
My understanding is that the AA Battery Tray asks for Alkaline batteries. Could you use Lithium Ion AA batteries and would they provide enough power to transmit?
I don't believe you can use anything other than alkaline batteries in this unit. But I will ask around and see if it has been tried.
I use nicads. No problem
Are you aware of a solution to keep the tuning knob from getting bumped and going off frequency when moving around with the radio? I purchased the radio pouch but wish there was a way to prevent the tuning knob from changing on accident. Admittedly I am pretty knew to the VX6R so maybe there is a way.
Espero que el VX6 tenga lock options...O no voy a considerar su compra.
The VX-6R retails for $250 with relatively low capacity spare batteries (1370 mAh) priced at a ridiculous $90!
By contrast, the Wouxun KG-UV9PX is priced at $199 with very high capacity batteries (3200 mAh) priced at only $29!
You can buy three of the Wouxun batteries for the price of one of the Yaesu batteries.
I enjoyed your video and I'm 100% certain that the Yaesu is a solid performer. But I chose the Wouxun.
I own a KG-UV9P and a couple spare batteries for it.
One thing is the radios usage of this voltage. I have a 3800mah for my baofeng and the vx6 1370mah battery lasts about the same. I actually think the vx6 has a longer battery life vs uv5x3
Do you think Yaesu would come out with a update to raise the output 220
I think so as well. I would like to see at least a 3 Watt Output for 220.
MH-73A4B is a workhouse of a speakermic. Shame about no earphone connection.
SSM_14A speakermic has a screw thread earphone connection to use with SEP-10A
Sick
Yup, 220MHz is a handicap band on it. It is kind of there, but not really ) Now each time i get new dual band classic ham radio, i feel downgrade, although i know it is almost not usable ) And after VX-7 with another unusable 50Mhz, buying latest dual banders feel complete loss ) lol
srh 920?
I wish you would ship these pouches to australia 😢
We can, but all international sales have to be processed through directly through our sales dept. Our online shopping cart cannot be correctly configured to process international sales. Just email info@spectergear.com and someone will walk you through the process.
The Comet SMA703 is tri band
Can you MARS/CAP this radio without taking it apart?
Yes. In the battery compartment is a rubber cover that, when removed, exposes the portion of the circuit board to remove the component necessary to carry out the modification.
@@KS6DAY I just got my Technician license a couple of days ago, and right now I am still trying to figure out what to get for my first radio. I literally know nothing except the answers I memorized to pass the test Your videos have been extremely helpful. Thank you.
The diamond antenna SH320 I lust checked is 2/1.25 and 70CM. Maybe this is a upgrade model. U have a VX7 and I made one accessory, note I do a lot of public service and EMCOMM and can be out long term. I have one battery and have had deployments that passed 12 hours. I just bought the separate charger and 2 batteries. I built a battery in a no longer used small belt camera case using 2 4 cell AA holders glued back to back, with a cable to the radio. It gives long life, not a lot of weight to carry and spare batteries are readily available.
K3HQI
ua-cam.com/video/Ti4F1wxkz9A/v-deo.html
a lot of the chinese battery's are made with used or seconds, or not matched so they are of a far lower
“qualty”.
could not type that word in the same line as the rest of my posting.
a walmart batterie for your car is ok for two years. go to a big name battery manf and there unit will work for a good 4-5 years. but cost three times the walmart unit. ( but your time and trouble is worth how much?).
cry once for the best.
or cry three or more times for the cheaper unit.
One year later and the antenna is still out of stock haha
I hate the Hook and the clips are junk 31:17
I have a Tri Band Smiley Antenna that is a telescoping whip that is 4 1/2 collapsed to 20 7/8 extended and you can change the base to female or male or Bnc with the adapters. that works amazing When its short or when its in every length i have tested up to max length Not sure if that helps Scott 3:40 @KS6DAY
Bnc and the banana jack setup is amazing kit to have 12:59 @KS6DAY
Who in the world(ham) needs to be stealthy lol. Love the mic
Great video, thank you. Just having fun. 73
A beast lol