The Best Prepper Radio - Yaesu VX-6R vs FT-60R
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- Опубліковано 7 сер 2024
- In this video, I explain why I have transitioned from the Yaesu FT-60R to VX-6R as my every day carry radio. If you need a reliable, rugged radio stick around.
0:00 Introduction
0:52 FT-60R Pros & Cons
3:40 VX-6R Pro & Cons
8:30 Close
9:06 Blooper
GEAR
* Yaesu VX-6R - amzn.to/3yIpJTX
SUPPORT
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FIELD CHARGING GEAR
* TalentCell 12v/5v Battery Bank: amzn.to/3AmdDlN
* 6 Inch Patch Cable 2.1mm - amzn.to/3IhpwM4
* DC 5.5mm x 2.1mm Adapters - amzn.to/3ujo5H7
#thetechprepper #prepper #yaesu #edc
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I don't think there are two more bombproof, rugged, high quality radios available. Great receive, great transmit, good audio reports, field programmable, good battery life.I own one of each, and trust them completely.
You nailed it on the head--TRUST. I agree with you 100%. Which ever one you go with, you can count on them serving you well.
Tect prepper & you convince me on this but. Thx you N HIM on the intel.
THE what the heck is jail BREAK ON radios YALL KNOW anything about that.
@@keithcronk7980 probably mars mod.
Another great video. very informative, its helping my transition from baofeng to Yaesu. Thanks !
Love my VX6…..can’t wait for the rest of this series
Excellent. Since you have one, I'll share my squelch tip. Go to page 87 in the menu and read the "MY MENU" section. Assign the "SQL" menu item as the shortcut key. This not only disables the annoying Wires-X feature but gives you one-button access to adjust the squelch.
bought the vx6r in 2006 and is still going strong with the original battery. I use it for flying when not using the airband radio and I am always impressed how far these little radio's go when you are up in the air. I managed to talk clearly with an other pilot, over a hundred miles away on 2.5 Watts. amazing.
VX 6R is an amazing radio. It's incredibly tough and has decent audio. On the down side, it's very menu driven which makes programming a bit confusing at times.
I have a VX-7R which I was very lucky to find secondhand at a price far below what they go for now. I still havent even explored all of the functionality in this unit...which Im okay with. I can grow into it.
Exactly like you said, the ruggedness and waterproof construction is why I got it and it delivers. As a general purpose prepper's radio its pretty close to perfect
Beautiful background view. Thanks for the video
The Sonoran Desert has its own charm. Thanks!
Outstanding video! I have the FT-60 and am considering moving to the VX-6 and this video answered all my questions. Thanks so much! SUBBED! 73! - WI9RHC, Milwaukee, WI.
You're welcome. Also, take a look at the VX-7R. It's discontinued, but will let your run 6m at the full 5 watts and can me MARS modified in software. Personally, I am still sticking with the VX-6. If you have time here are 6 more videos in this series. Welcome to the channel.
Thank you, Gaston. I'm looking at the VX-6 at the moment. I like affordable radios but this is a real radio. If it survives your lifestyle, It'll easily outlast me.😆💪👍
Great video! Thank you Gaston.
You're welcome. It was nice filming this one ad-hoc and enjoying the outdoors.
KD7CKT here in Flagstaff, I just got an FT-60 at a Local pawn shop and am very active on mountain bike etc. So many ARA repeaters and quite a few others, even some private nodes here to. I've discovered an application loaded with repeaters called, Repeater Book, that has a ton of non ARA repeaters, I am a long time Ham just getting back into it and learning lots of new stuff. So far my Yaesu is fine, looking for accessories and such.
73's from Flagstaff.
I have just ordered the Yaesu FT60, (used) i hope it will serve me good! thnx for demo, 73 Levi in Sweden
My Yaesu VX-6R has logged over 300 river miles with me in my kayak. I keep it in a pocket of my flotation vest and it's constantly splashed with water--many times temporarily submerged. It hasn't failed me yet and the weather reports have saved me from a lot of violent storms. Any serious ham has a VX-6R!
Thank you Tech Prepper, beacuse of this video I choose to get vx-6
You're very welcome. You have great timing. At 3:00 PM PDT today I am releasing a video that covers how I program the VX-6. Enjoy!
If you have a pair of Peltor Comtac VI or similar you can run a Disco32 amplified PTT from the VX-6R/7R. The screw-in tip and weather-resistant features make this an amazing setup. I have a VX7R, but they are so hard to find, I may buy a VX-6R as a companion. Looking forward to this great series.
Thanks for the tip. I was in the market for some new ear pro, so I just picked up the Disco32 from Tactical Antenna Systems after your comment. I may be going with a pair of Sordin Supreme Mil CC's due to budget constraints. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks for the vid. Not so much info about VX-6R on UA-cam comparing to another popular radios (hello, UV-5R)
Well, there will be at least three more videos on the VX-6R coming to UA-cam. Cheers!
Great video. I was torn between the VX-6R and the FT5D. I went with the 5D because of the digital and APRS built in function, but I have found the battery life on the 5D is terrible. Recieve and transmit are great but the battery sucks. Using the APRS function with zero QSO's the battery is down to 2 bars in about 6 hours. I may invest in the VX6R and give it a try.
Thanks. The FT5DR was on my radar after the FT3DR was discontinued. It would be nice to have an all-in-one radio with APRS. The VX-8 is the one a really wanted. Like I said, the battery life is not great with the VX-6. It works great with Mobilinkd TNC if you need APRS. I'll cover both the Mobilinkd TNC and DigiRig Mobile.
great vids
I have had a vx6 for many years and they are awesome. I prefer the rt systems software to program. I have the little barometers in both mine but its not something I actually use. I am not into prepping so not sure about all that but for my use it's a perfect HH. I also have my trusty ic2gat. Bought that new in 1986 or 87 and is still rocking.
I manually programmed mine, but was debating whether to build a cloning cable or just get the RTSystems programming software and cable. It took awhile to program the first by hand and I'm not sure I want to program the second unit manually. I'll probably bite the bullet and order the software. The Icom IC-2GAT looks like a solid HT from the 80's.
@@TheTechPrepper cool, I did make a cable using a max232 ic for a serial port and there are a BUNCH of USB cables on ebay. I use rt systems so I can easily port the spreadsheet from the vx6 to ft-991 and ft-2890. Chirp does the job as well but does not support the 991. Ham radio stuff is like shoes. If it fits you well stick with it.
8:11 I mod the FT-60R battery to two interchangeable 18650 cells. Less weight, more operation time, and with a couple of spare cells, have two days of operation. And made the mod in all my HT's. Never more to wait long time charging.
What parts did you used.
the vx6r has a bit more of a learning curve but i'm glad i bought it. great little radio!
I completely agree with you. I initially put the VX-6R aside when I first bought mine because the learning curve was a bit steeper compared to the much simpler FT-60. After switching to it as my primary EDC, it's no longer an issue. It just takes practice. I guess the additional complexity is expected given that you're getting more features. I did not like the Direct Memory Recall (DMR) at first, but now I love it and wish my other radios had it. Glad to hear you had a similar experience and worked through it, too. Cheers.
@@TheTechPrepper i jumped right into the deep end, it's my first amateur radio. you tube helped me out a ton when trying to learn about how to set it up
I loved my VX-7R until I wore out the SMA connector. It only takes about a thousand cycles. I used to keep one in my backpack and take it out at lunch and planning when working as a substitute teacher. I actually exceeded the rated cycle life of the SMA connector by 2X-3X.
Just keep the life cycle in mind, because replacing the SMA takes a skilled technician and a bent soldering iron tip.
As you are highly focused on man portable ops like Julian OH8STN I understand your mostly VHF/UHF radio choices.
However, for myself I am more convinced each day that 80m and 60m NVIS is the optimal prepper communications mode for most preppers for a number of reasons. First, there is zero skip zone. Second, typically horizontal NVIS antennas have essentially zero ground wave progation. Horizontal NVIS does provide LOS communication like VHF/UHF. 80m vertically polarized antennas provide up to 50mi-60mi of groundwave propagation in addiction to skywave propagation, both of which are relatively easy to locate with typical direction finding equipment. Third, horizontally polarized NVIS, without groundwave propagation, is harder to find directionally and requires special antenna setup (4 NVIS antennas) and equipment. Fourth, reliable voice communications can be achieved with 50W or less power out to 300mi or more. Fifth, reliable digital communication can be obtained 5W and less. Sixth, with digital NVIS once minimum power is used (signal buried in the noise) direction finding becomes difficult to impossible with commercial direction finding equipment. Seventh, when operating split frequency or split band operational security is increased. Eighth, mobile antennas can be constructed to appear as rooftop luggage carriers. Ninth, detachable whip antennas can be deployed horizontally away from vehicles to provide a very good NVIS pattern. Tenth, 130ft wire antennas can be rolled up in 2-3 minutes after stationary use.
The downside is 80m and 60m NVIS is not practical for moving man portable operation.
I've taken the summer off to study for a certification exam and play radio. Two to three times per week I check in to Florida regional 80m NVIS nets typically with 20W or less operating SSB voice. I do have my 130ft EFHW antenna deployed over a 5ft chainlink fence and dumpster that likely act as reflectors improving my NVIS propagation.
Keep up the good work and great videos!
vu2nsb.com/radio-propagation/ground-wave-propagation/
ua-cam.com/video/9QIeG4LiFMg/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/N8rZIAHxAH4/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/PBQ0c1_3Ugw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/esN1CPfq07w/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/QEBho6Xvzdo/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/k3IFj_Z5cLM/v-deo.html
I typically run Diamond Antenna BNCJ-SMAP to solve the connector problem. I've been doing this for the FT-60R for years, but need to order two more for the VX-6R's.
As for NVIS, I agree 100%. I've covered that topic, too. My preference is the Yaesu FT-818ND, but I will run the FT-891 at 20 watts if needed. I have good luck on 40m/75m/80m. It pretty much covers my voice and digital needs across the state. ua-cam.com/video/-pKLZCuWZY4/v-deo.html
Best of luck with all of your experimentation and training!
@@TheTechPrepper Does that adapter compromise its IP67 rating?
I just ordered the FT5D. Should I send it back and get a FT60 for half the price?????? FYI really good explanation and youtube. I am now subscribed 😀
@@donwatkins9769 If you're not doing digi modes with it, I'd trade down to a vx-6r unless you can deal with nicad batteries. Then the FT-60 makes a lot more sense for a TON less money than the ft5d... but if youre a system fusion dude, keep what you have?
I was a FT60 bigot till two of them i had both failed out. I am on the VX-7. we also had the same issue with the headset plug coming out.
Love my vx6r great video thanks.
You have good taste. Cheers!
You can listen to FRS and GMRS simplex Freqs. Just key in freq. I have an active GMRS repeater in my area I listen to at times.
Yep. I have a dedicated memory bank just for FRS/GMRS monitoring and scanning. With the MARS/CAP modification on this radio you can technically transmit on those frequencies, too (not allowed by the FCC since this is a Part 97 radio). Enjoy the airwaves.
For anyone who has the yaesu ft 60r I used to plug in the speaker mic the run it underneath the belt clip it never came unplugged after that.
Would love to step up from my Baofengs, and have been looking at the FT-60R. Given that I can buy 2 FT-60 R for the price of one VX-6R, I'll keep the FT-60s in plastic bags.
Dang…I just bought a ft-60 two weeks ago based on your videos saying it was the best all around Prepper radio.
The FT-60R is a fantastic radio and very reliable. I just needed something for hard trail use. They both shine in different areas. It's also cheaper to build out a fleet of FT-60's.
Nice video. Try ARTS on yeasu radios. Very cool function for SHTF... we use ARTS on our radios during camping...
Check out the next couple of videos in the series. Yes, ARTS is great. I used it test a few antennas on the VX-^.
@@TheTechPrepper the best ARTS video..
I have owned a vx7r for 13 years and I can not kill it. The one weakness is the sma port. I always use an sma to bnc adapter and make sure your antennas are seated firmly on the body of the radio
I have been running the Diamond SMA-to-BNC connector on the FT-60R's for awhile and plan to outfit the VX-6's the same way. The VX-7 is a nice model, too. This line of radios is great for harsh environments. Which BNC antenna are you using? I've been using the Comet BNC-24 and SignalStick.
@@TheTechPrepper typically a diamond or a comet I don't recall which. But most often I'm running a $10 mag mount in my car
Depending on what camera you're using, if you can get it out of auto exposure control, or bump the exposure compensation up a little bit, it will help when dealing with super bright backgrounds tricking the camera into under exposing you in the foreground
It's a GoPro Hero 9. I have it on "auto" all the time as I'm a bit slow when it comes to cameras and lighting. I'll try to experiment with some new presets. Thanks for the suggestions.
I like how you answer folks. You don’t get combative like so many others.
Just listen, say thank you, and move on. You are really cool. Much respect. 💁🏻♀️
I'm a huge fan of the FT-60 and love the fact the NiMh batteries are sub $40 for a nice 1400ma lifespan. That radio has been the prepper radio of choice for many. I'm of the mindset that most preppers will want some decent back-up power options for home, emergencies, electronics charging, etc. The preferred choice it seems are solar generators. They're Op-Sec friendly with plenty of charging capabilities, many even including UsB charging.
But...
I like with these (2) models you also have dry-cell battery trsys which quite a few next generation HT's omit as an option.
Call me crazy but I prefer the legacy gear simply because of the options for alkaline AA batteries. In SHTF, if you need comms and your power is drained, your definitely not gonna be charging your NiMh of Lithium Ion packs and having a handful of AA's in reserve is great! You won't be putting out too much for too long on high RF but monitoring for days and days till you can recharge is just the ticket!
I love the vx-6r but those small Lithium Ion packs with what looks like no more than 2 individual cells in them for $79.95??? They're friggin' nuts. Do retailers think that Lithium Ion power commands a higher price because it's a new chemistry? Yah, NO!
FT-60s, a few spares which I have wrapped new in a pelican case with all the accessories for me is the way to go.
Yah, I'm a little jealous of the 1.5 watts out on 222 that the FT-60 lacks but for prepping, I'm happy.
Subbed by the way for the cool content.
Hi! Greetings from Brazil! Thanks for the video! I'm subscribing to your channel. TKS! 73
Hello from the USA. Welcome to the channel. I hope you enjoy the content.
I went with FT-60 knowing the not-so-secure connector issue, so I tested it with Yaesu ext mic in a radioshop prior to pulling a trigger. It indeed can disconnect and trigger tx, but it is not so easily done as some say. This can also be reliably fixed in a second by routing the cable under belt clip, which creates second point of tension. Important note - routing the cable still allows you to use the clip on a belt or MOLLE. Optionally, if for some reason you don’t run belt clip, you can use velcro cable tie and attach the cord to the base of antennae, this is similar solution Yaesu provided with older ext mic.
A giant pro for FT-60 is that its AA tray allows its user to run full power AND the radio is big enough to fit a 3D-printed case for 2x18650 batteries. How about having a true 3500 mAh power pack for your radio with lots of options for recharging/replacing the batteries? Got 4 of them for my FTs and while they don’t fit as nicely as original packs, TPU inserts seal everything against the moisture pretty securely. While FT60 might not be IP rates, it has all the needed seals to be used in the rain.
Also be aware that VX series ate known for their long run sensitivity issues as their ceramic filters often need replacement after extensive use.
Thanks for the detailed points. I've had good success running the FT-60R in an M4 magazine pouch with a bungee cord. The other challenge that I face that others don't is that on the top end I am running at about 6-8 miles per mile. That amount of movement almost always causes the 3.5mm jack to back out at some point during a run. Again, this is probably vary rare and likely only applies to me. Personally, this why I found the VX-6R's threaded connector to be a game changer.
You're also right about the extended 2x18650 battery tray. I have one from a gentleman in Russia. The battery life is exceptional.
Pick the gear based on your particular needs. Everyone has different needs. 73's
Sure, to each their own. I am using FT60 as a gun enthusiast to have comms with guys I train with and we exercise LRRP (kinda) as part of our activities , traversing up to 15-20 kms a day. My FT60 mainly lives in a closed pouch on a chestrig, but the pouch is slightly bigger than the radio, so no pressure is applied on the connector. Re-routing the cable saved it for me, i have yet to encounter the problem with it dislodging.
That said, in no way I want to undermine your experience. Just wanted to share that there are fixes to the issues and additional benefits to consider.
Keep up great work! 👍
@@dmitryportnykh2875 I really appreciate the response. It's difficult finding others like yourself that actively use commercial radios in a more active environment beyond the shack or light duty for public service. It's great to see how others are solving some of these problems. Train hard!
You might want to look at the bags they have for marine handis!
Great video thanks! Do you think can you give a try to an Alinco 1226 DJ-MD-5-GPS DMR VHF/UHF in order to check it effectiveness into the wild? Some features might be interesting like the GPS, messages etc. Thanks again for your video cheers mate from Switzerland 🇨🇭
I had a VX-6 in the past and liked it very much. 5 Years in, it just plain died.
Then I bought a VX-8. I absolutely LOVED that VX-8. Six Weeks ago, someone broke into my vehicle while I was at home. The ONLY thing taken was my Beloved VX-8. I have a close friend who has a VX-6 he might be willing to sell. I AM considering it.
My wife and I each own an FT-60. Both are around 8 Years old. BOTH OF THEM have developed the same fault-The Charge Port on the Right Side of the Radios have come loose from the motherboard, so I now have to use the external drop-in charger for the batteries.
My "Emergency" Radio I keep in my Get Home Bag is an FT-4.
Sorry to hear that. The VX-8 was an incredible radio. The APRS integration is something that I wish Yaesu would had included in the VX-6. I hope you're able to find a replacement on the secondary market. It looks like your FT-60's have had a good long run even with the issues you and the YL are encountering.
@@TheTechPrepper My replacement VX-8 arrived yesterday from the Ham Radio Outlet in San Diego. It came in as a consignment by a woman whose husband recently passed away. I told Joe at the Sn Diego about my experience, and he sold me the radio and did NOT charge me for shipping. I got my "New" VX-8 for just $200.00! I now own Yaesu FT.4, and FT-60, VX-6, and VX-8
Question:
Is it possible to program the VX-6 for Split Band Operation like the FT-60 can do????
hat I would LIKE to do is program the vx-6 to receive on 6 Meters, and when I push the PTT, it will transmit on 220. I could hen use the VX-6 and VX-8 in a unique "Tactical" manner.
@@bruceforster3709 Glad to hear you found a good deal and will give your "new-to-you" VX-8 a good home. As for the VX-6, yes, you can do splits. I do this for cross banding. It's documented in the manual.
@@TheTechPrepper I saw that you can do Tone Splits. That rang to me as odd-offsets which my SAR group does all the time-we call it half duplex, because we DON'T use repeaters for this op.
I may be an Extra, but I don't know "EVERYTHING", lol! What I WANT to do with my VX-6 is to set it up to receive on 6 Meter Simplex, but when I transmit, it goes out on 220 Simplex.If I can achieve this, my VX-6 and VX-8 can work in tandem.
I HAVE been able to do this with my Wife's FT-60-Recives on 220 and transmit on 440 Simplex in the same Memory channel.
This is what I'm trying to get the VX-6 to do.
If you know how to do this, I would be eternally grateful if someone could walk me through setting it up.
It looks like a great radio. However, I wish it had digital/c4fm. I like the possibility of a tiny bit of obfuscation.
That would be nice. I have layered on my own AES-256 bit encryption using this radio and the DigiRig.
MARS modding the VX-6 also opens up the 6 meter band on it, making it a quad band radio.
Yep. It's like having a VX-7, but without a dual VFO.
Love my vx-6r!!!! Get a Diamond SRH320A antenna for it
I had one and it was was the best tri-band antenna for TX and RX, but I kill them every 10 months. They only last me about the 1,000 miles on the trail before the top snaps off. Diamond support tells me that my use it out of spec.
@@TheTechPrepper , the one I have is bent also (slightly) from a fall from my desk, that's the only issue I have with that antenna
That stinks. Like I said, great TX/RX, but a bit fragile once it gets a slight a bend.
I run six Eneloop AA cells in my FT-60. They'll last 3~4 days monitoring on a charge, probably closer to a week if I didn't have it on while I was sleeping and busy doing other things. I also modified it so it will charge through the DC jack and not just on the cradle. I have to use the wall wart AC adapter for this though, since the car charger pushes too much current without the voltage sagging, and the cells get warmer than they should. So, it isn't ideal, but it's a nice additional option. I'm looking into getting a VX-6R too, as it's a really nice HT, but only using two AAs, I think it'd be better for my needs as a backup option, but I'm not sure. 73
I have an FT-60R as well that is post 2017 if you don’t mind me asking how did you get it to be able to charge off the cradle? Do you have a link to the charger you are talking about?
@@taylormatthews3903 It's the stock wall wart transformer for the radio. The mod is pretty easy if you're alright with working a soldering iron. There's a tiny capacitor or diode to bridge over near where the barrel plug plugs in on the side of the radio. There are plans you can find on-line for it. Be careful though, because it charges at a pretty fast rate and can damage the batteries if left on too long. For the Eneloop AA cells I'm using, they're full using this charging adapter when at 9.4V as measured by the voltmeter on the radio itself. They start to get warm at this voltage, but will settle to a lower voltage after taken off the charge.
I also have the car charger for these radios, but it pushes too much current at too high a voltage to really use for this and will definitely damage the batteries over time faster, but could be used in an emergency.
"SAD-24" is the model number of the stock wall wart. It has a lower amperage rating, so a higher voltage sag, which is why it's safer to use it charging this way. Just be sure not to leave it on the charge for too long, or it too will damage the cells.
The highest float charge I would recommend for NiMH batteries in general would be 1.5V per cell, so for the 6 cell battery, that works out to 9V. So if you can find something that'll fit the plug that'll supply 9V instead of 12V, that should be more forgiving.
I personally have the FT-60... I've been looking about the MARS/CAP Mod and no luck... I don't have the "pelotas" to do it myself, would like it done a someone... no luck... many folks stop doing it. Anyways... thanks for the video. May have to also get the VX-6R just for that.
I modified my original FT-60R using the "razor blade" method. I don't recommend it, but it worked. Ham Radio Outlet will do these for a small price. I just have them mod all my radios now.
YX-6R - quick want to make a channel Simplex Function Key + 6 and pick Simplex option. You have to be in VFO mode. Easy way to copy a Memory Channel's freq to VFO . Press Function Key for 2 second then tap V/M key, done. It does not change the memory. It just copies the memory channel's freq to VFO.
Mmmm, 6r is great but I rather have the 8r.. Do the having 3 bands... As an old school coms army guy... On 220, you can use the military geo. Synchronous sats that are rarely use nowadays but during the emergency all is available... And if you really want secure comms for secure communication, that would require a whole different license, but there is one commercial license that helps you with that but the radios are way expensive.. Lol, anyway, ty for your take on this.
Hey great video! Curious about accessing the shortwave capabilities of the VX-6R you mention and what antenna you recommend for backcountry applications. Thanks!
If you a ham any HF antenna will do. Otherwise a cobra head connector a long length of wire connected to the red terminal will do. Use 22 to 26 AWG wire. Check out my improvised field coma video as I cover the cobra head.
Can you talk about how you "listened to news from around the world" I have that radio and I'm having a hard time finding a set up that works well on listening to HF frequencies.
What are the pros and cons of this radio , compared to the anytone that you reviewed?
How crucial is it to have DMR capability ?
I recently received a used FT-60R I purchased from EBay. According to the seller, this was obtained from an estate sale. The unit came with a charger and the operating manual. Based on what I learned off the Serial Number and the Operating Manual, the unit was manufactured in 2006. I was able to charge the unit with the battery wall charger that came with it.
Is the ability to charge the battery without a dock the only difference between the pre-2013 version and the current production version?
For batteries, do you only use Yaesu OEM batteries sold at HRO for $35.95 or are you confident on using 3rd party batteries and chargers? if you're fine with 3rd party equipment, can you make a reommendation? Thanks.
Thanks for the vid. I've had my vx-5 for what must be about 25 years. It still works as well as the day I got it. I've forgotten and had to relearn how to use it several times. As you said, once you get used to it's functions, many things can be done with it. Can you tell me what the r means on the 5 vs 5r, and 6 vs 6r? Anyway, thanks for the helpful video.
You are welcome. I believe the "R" designates the US market.
@@TheTechPrepper really me thought it ment radio🙂 heck I dont know this stuff
I bought the Yaesu, it is hard to program , so I bought the software for it . Maybe the keypad being small is why I have issues with programming.
It takes a little time to get used to the programming these radios manually. Some radios are easier than others. The software does make things easy.
Just picked up a VX-6R! Great video! Any accessories you recommend?
Congrats! I was intending to make an accessory video. I would get the following:
1. After market batteries from Battery Junction. They are cheaper than the OEM and hold up well.
2. FBA-23 AA battery tray. Note: Power is reduced to 500mW
3. Diamond SRH320A. I broke two of mine, but I bang the heck out of it. If you don't put 1,200 miles of trail time on them every year you should be fine.
4. I have a ton of BNC antennas, so I always get the Diamond SMA-to-BNC adapter.
5. Waterproof mic if you need it. I have never used the regular hand mic.
6. Mobilinkd TNC3 and VX6 cable if you want to do APRS with your phone.
@@TheTechPrepper Awesome - thanks man! Keep up the good work - love the content!
I have a VX-5R. Brilliant radio.
Are you sitting in the desert, Cacti visible? I keep expecting to see the Lone Ranger riding in from the horizon 😮
It's hard to beat the VX line. Yes, I'm in Arizona in the Sonoran Desert.
Did you consider the FT 5 DR? When you were chose the vx6r? Since both are very rugged, what made you choose the latter? Like you also looking for an off grid solution for handheld.
Also, considering 991a for a base, but now after seeing your Manack videos, I’m reconsidering trying to see if Mobile/backpack set up is better for off grid potentially on the go go scenario
The higher price point, larger size, larger weight, color screen, and newness of the FT-5 were all non starters for me. It would have been nice to have APRS, but I needed a more rugged radio. The VX-6 is much more solidly built. I have three VX-6Rs with several thousand trail miles on my main backcountry radio. Everyone's needs are different.
I know this is an old video, but if anyone knows,
how many watts does the VX6R transmit on GMRS freqs when it has the MARS mod? (yes, I know it's only in life or death emergencies or for MARS teams that that would be an acceptable use).
Check out Battery Junction. I bought the battery tray and after some research I was able to find some good batteries for the tray that would get me back to having full power.
Thanks for mentioning them. I bought three VX-6R batteries from them around the time this was filmed. They're considerably less expensive than the Yaesu batteries. Only time will tell how well they compare. Cheers.
VX6-R - can easily made quad band, to operated on 6m at 0.5w. Also - 220 is a very unused band (one of the reasons why I love my Kenwood TH-D74's - they are the only off the shelf radios that can transmit / receive in DSTAR on 220 - no other radios can do this).
I have the MARS mod on the VX-6R and look forward to testing it on 6m FM with the FT-8900. The D74A is a great radio. I just sold it as I was afraid I would break it, but it was great having APRS and SSB receive.
You can also transmit/monitor on CB channels if you plug the frequencies in. FM broadcast, too. It might work okay in the VHF air band, not sure.
I failed to mention FM broadcast reception. Thanks for jumping in. That's another great source of news. The FT-60 oddly does not support it, but the $25 Baofeng does. Go figure.
@@TheTechPrepper I sold my D74 for the same reasons, plus battery life and the charging circuit possible brick issue. I did like the APRS and the ability to send text messages.
@@TheTechPrepper I think the FM broadcast reception is a feature of the "radio on a chip" used in Baofengs and others. The FT-65 has similar architecture and also supports FM as does my Wouxun KG-699E which is on the 4 meter (70MHz) band. The FT-70DR doesn't do broadcast FM either.
I went with the FT-60 purely on battery life
That's a good move. I still switch between the two for that reason. For general everyday use, I use the VX-6R, but I will use the FT-60R for public service events as I tend to work 24-hour shifts.
Hey Gaston, I am wondering if you still feel the same way. I have a VX6R but the batteries are ridiculously expensive. The AA tray for the VX6R sucks as well as you can't run full power. It does have the benefit of DC direct power and charging. I am kind of leaning towards the FT60R due to the affordable batteries, 6XAA tray (with full power output and NIMH compatibility), and lower unit price. It just seems a lot more future and apocalypse proof. What do you think since you've used both for some time now?
VE7OZR
They each have their merits. The VX-6R is a superior field radio in harsh environments where I operate. The FT-60 can't handle my daily use in the backcountry where it is subjected to sweat, salt and dirt. We've also had an usually long rainy season which wouldn't be kind to the FT-60. The FT-60 does have a superior transmitter in terms of out put power and a better receiver as it is more selective. I still use both and will select each one depending on the task at hand. If I want better transmit capabilities in light a duty environment, I'll take the FT-60. The cost is not really factor in my case as I'm more interested in the best tool for the job. There are many more differences that make me lean more towards the VX-6, such as short wave, AM and FM broadcast listening. I also enjoy transmitting on 220 MHz and 6m (with the MARS mod) for slightly better operational security as those bands are not as common. In the end, this is a tool so the cost of batteries does not factor into my personal equation.
Just saw a similar question on social media, the consensus was the FT-60r but I don't think anyone (including myself) thought about the IP rating.
The FT-60R is a great work horse and probably perfect for most people. It's also about $100 USD cheaper than the VX-6R. If you need it in wet conditions your mileage will vary. The FT-60 lacks AM and FM broadcast receive, so your out of luck using it as a news source.
You could buy a lot of plastic bags with that money.
I have two VX-6r's. One unmodified and one mars mod done by the vendor. The unmodified one has no jumpers while the modified one has what is probably a 0 ohm resistor on pad 5 (count from left). You mentioned a software mod. I will be interested in seeing your modification technique. I would love to have both radios modified to use 6m FM. I have 2 aftermarket batteries as well as the two OEM (one with each radio). I find carrying the 3 spares easier to deal with than carrying multiple batteries for my FT-60. I made the change to the VX-6r for the same reasons you did. Much easier EDC with the VX-6r. Also, I use the ARTS feature to study coverage. I leave one running at my base camp and wander around with the other. It gives real world coverage information. Very useful for antenna studies. I plot the results on my GPS. That would be a good video for you to do. Enjoy your stuff. de N1AHH
I need to research the MARS modification a bit more for this radio. My original is not modified, but my new one was modified by HRO. I read that there was a software mod using the Commander software, but that may be incorrect (you can't trust the Internet). I've also read conflicting reports on how to apply the hardware mod. I'll get to the bottom of it and share it.
Thanks for the ARTS tip. You'll get full street credit when I make a video for this series. I executed a dry run yesterday in the desert on low power (300mA) and was surprised that I only dropped out of range once after covering 7.5km.
I have several Yaesu radios that support ARTS...will have to give it a try when walking around the village where I live.
I’m a ham and a runner. I occasionally bring a GMRS HT on my runs - my boys like to talk to me from home while I’m out. What’s your use case for a radio while running? (And thanks for the great vids!)
I live on the boundary of a national forest. We don't have cell coverage at the house (wi-fi calling only via StarLink) or coverage in the forest. I can hit the local 440 MHz linked repeater from the trail. My emergency plan is to raise a ham for assistance. I also train with APRS a lot so I frequently send my wife SMS text messages via a digipeater 30 miles from my position using the Mobilinkd TNC2, APRSDroid and my VX-6R or FT-60R. Always great to meet a fellow runner and ham. 73 de KT1RUN
@@TheTechPrepper Yep, makes sense. I live closer to the grid, so I don’t *need* a radio when I run. I just like to experiment with range, and with incorporating the radio into my gear. Thanks for the reply, and thanks again for the great stuff you’re doing. 73 de W9DNE
Hey Gaston. Great vid. I never saw your solution for not having an independent squelch knob. Is it simply to use the monitor feature or is it something different? Thanks.
Sorry, I forgot to make a video. Open the manual to page 87. It describes a feature called "MY MENU". You can re-assign the [LK] button to any menu setting. Assign menu item 59 (i.e. the squelch menu). All you have to do is press [LK], then adjust squelch with the knob. This has the added bonus of disabling accidental Wires X activation.
@@TheTechPrepper Awesome! Thanks man! Have the radio arriving this week. Haven’t read the manual as of yet.
Just for you...a second short on how to do this. ua-cam.com/users/shorts0oUkuiyFxcA
The only thing that irks me about the vx-6r is that there is no battery level indicator. There's the meter in the menus, but nothing on screen other than the "out of battery" indicator that appears when it's about to die.
Since the kenwood thd 75a has come out is this something you would consider getting to replace the vx 6r?
Personally, the TH-75A is not for me. It's too brittle. I previously had the TH-74A and sold it for the same reason. I'm still running three VX-6R. Your needs are very likely different than mine.
@@TheTechPrepperI’ve heard the same concern from others. I’m also looking for a rugged handheld. Graduating from the uv5r. Sounds like I will be going with the vx6r as well. I really appreciate your input. 🙏
Curious what your experience has been re battery life for the VX-6R??? Stock battery seems kinda smallish [on paper] but I realize that paper doesn't tell the full story, so curious about your real world experiences. Thanks!!! 73, Tim
The battery life does not tell the full story. Here's my take. Last year I picked of the VX-6R and was not happy with the battery life compared to the FT-60R and nearly abandoned the radio altogether. This radio makes up for for the shorter battery life with it's other features: rugged construction, IP67 rating, compact size, wide band receive, ability to server as a Swiss Amy knife for communications when unlocked with the MARS mode.
Here's how I over came the battery problem.
1. I run the minimum power needed to carry out the contact. If you keep watching this series, you'll notice that in my area 300mW is all I need. This is great for operational security and increasing the battery life.
2. I bring an extra battery and extra AAA battery tray with me as backup. The OEM batteries are expensive, but I purchased a bunch of batteries from Battery Junction at a much lower price. I have friends have been using them for years.
3. This VX-6 is field rechargeable directly using the DC port on the side. No cradle needed. The FT-60 will not do this anymore. I carry small 12v/5v charger by TalentCell and male-to-male cable. Works great for charing the radio in the field as well as your phone.
@@TheTechPrepper Thanks Gaston. Yeah, the comparison on my mind was, also, with the FT-60. So, I don't have my VX-6R yet (just picked one up on the used market). I'll be putting it through its paces soon. I appreciate the info, and especially the source for aftermarket batteries. 73, Tim. KD9LAI.
Is it possible to go online and change the steps to 2.5k via Chrip instead of the 5k steps. Just curious if this is possible.
Referring to the Vx-6r
A short time ago a VX-8 was donated to me. Any good in comparison? 73's from PD1XAN
What a score! That's a great radio. I actually wanted that before getting the VX-6. I recently acquired one. The VX-8 has the the edge as it is dual watch (you can monitor) two bands and it has built-in APRS. I may compare these in the future. I just need to spend more time with the VX-8.
Curious, what's the antenna you're using on your FT-60?
It's the Comet BNC-24.
Where did you get the patch for your hat? I've been looking to get some with my callsign.
I can't recall where I purchased the one that I was wearing, but I have ordered a few different ones from PatchPanel.ca.
@@TheTechPrepper awesome thanks.
I like the Icom IC-T70. Its simple. And no digital shit.
Any updated video?
I'm still using the VX-6R and I have been running three of them. One for the trail, one for EDC and one that is programmed identically but in the EMP bag. Search my channel page for "VX-6R" as I did an entire mini series on it.
can u program it under water?
we need another video.
😀
I would think so, but that first experiment was the last. I am not going to try my luck twice. It will likely be fine. If we get a monsoon before the next video, I'll test programming it under those conditions.
What about security?
These radios are not secure. Everything is sent in the clear. You can reduce the likelihood of others listening by using less commonly used bands and modes, but even then you can still listen with $30 SDR's (Software Designed Radios) from Amazon. I'm working on setting up some Motorola radios (XTS-5000's) next year that supports encryption.
would rather have a FT-70DR, then you have the option of digital.
u don't need that option.
@@RESISTAGE Everyone will have analog radios. I would want a digital radio just so most people would not be able to listen to you.
too bad the battery in the turd only lasts half a day. I feel my ft70d spends more time on the charger than actually being used.
@@Sparkfly88 yes, this is why my FT-70D seldom goes out in the wild now and to add insult to injury one of its batteries has swelled up and no longer holds a charge at all. Another gripe is having to press a button and turn the knob to alter the volume setting.
Where are each of these made? Japan? China?
Japan.
You said it's a gmrs radio but at Amazon they say it's a ham. Which is it?
This is a ham radio. I unlock mine with the MARS mod to transmit out of band (on GMRS) in an emergency. The FCC does not allow you to use this radio on GMRS.
VX-6R - Set Squelch F-Moni, Set Power F-internet, Set Freq Stuff - Make a Triangle F-Mode (tone), F-6 (+-), F-2 (CTCSS)
Menu 4 ARS Automatic Repeater Shift (I leave ON and one less option to worry about)
Store in Memory Hold F down 1-2 second. You have 5 seconds to find a memory location or it will pick the next available location. .Hit F again. Stored. If you wait pass 5 secs it will go back to VFO mode not stored. I mainly use Chirp on Ubuntu.
That's a great cheat sheet. Thanks for sharing.
This IS URE go 2 radio right.
Because if it is I'll put in my cart OKIE dokie.😁
Yes, I have three VX-6R's now. I highly recommend that you it from HRO and have them apply the MARS mod.
@@TheTechPrepper OKIE DOKIE you and 2 others I fully trust. Thx you. Would you give me a list of everything you use 2 go wit this thx YOU brother.
@@keithcronk7980 If you're a prepper, I suggest getting the optional AA battery tray, too. The radio will run at half power (2.5 watts max), but you'll never have to worry about battery packs dying. You can AA's anywhere. Enjoy!
@@TheTechPrepper I'll get everything you recommend just provide the LINK BROTHER thank you.
@@keithcronk7980
Here you go!
VX-6R - www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-007681
VX-6R MARS mod - www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=71-002369
VX-6R AA - www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-002658
Improved tri-band antenna - www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-006779
This seems to be more basic compared to the Baofeng UV-17L Pro I picked up a few weeks ago. They are both 5 watt hand held radios. Would the Yaesu somehow transmit and receive from further away and connect better to repeaters? That’s really the only thing that will sway me to spend so much more money on the radio and accessories.
Is it just me or is it not possible to power the VX6 and use it at the same time?
Yes, you can run it while it's connected to external DC power.
Yeah, I just figured out that the charger that works with the cradle will run the radio while its plugged in to the DC socket on the side. Its the PA-48 charger will just charge the battery..
Of course, these are not rescue radios and can only be used for communications by prior arrangement, unless you happen to live underneath an operating open repeater. Nobody is waiting on frequency (any of them), standing by.
Kinda pointless to be making a video out in the desert, then. Correct?
Aside from dunking it in water and a scanning for days, what can one accomplish with this radio that cannot achieved with a UV5R at about 15% of the price? Yes, I am trying to ask a serious question.
Fun Harry. These radios are a lot of entertainment in the palm of your hand. Especially for
me being older and not a lot of friends. Yes a little pricey, but after the initial cost it’s a free
hobby. Am-Fm. Air. Marine. Shortwave. Gmrs. 2 meter. 440. CB. “Everything.” Haha..
But I think those 35. dollar radios on Amazon can also be fun. Get one that’s opened up. 💁🏻♀️
Gaston, please stop convincing me to buy more radios.
My wallet can’t take it anymore!!!
Just doing my part to help stimulate the economy. It hurts my wallet, too. I only have two VX-6R's and will not feel comfortable until I have at least for units for my preps. Happy spending.
Ah the eternal question. A single VX-6R versus eight Baofengs...
I think I would go with eight Baofengs. Because 2 is 1 and 1 is none. And by that measure, 8 is 4.
That is a question. I have two VX-6R's and will be selling a base station to buy a third. I still have a fleet of UV-5R's, but those are the radios that I'll be handing out the neighbors when stuff goes sideways.
@@TheTechPrepper Regardless, this was a good informative video. I didn't know about the screw-in mic jack. Do you know if the FT-5DR does the same?
@@Sparkletron just had look at Yaesu's brochure page for the FT-5DR; the speaker mic for it is the SSM-17A which has a standard (non-threaded) 3.5mm Jack plug so I guess the radio's socket isn't threaded.
HTs are a frill, a toy really, not good as a "prepper" radio, if you can find a Yaesu FT-857D at a good price, get that instead, you will get nowhere on a 5 watt HT, there are no repeaters in a SHTF event. Not saying don't get an HT but no one in their right mind would get one as their main radio. I've got the FT-60R someone gave me a while back, not bad for an HT, no matter what you get, get an extra battery for it while you still can...get a YAGI while you're at it...good luck and 73
There are about 30 videos on this channel with my FT-857D. Search for manpack.
@@TheTechPrepper good to hear! I know so many people that think having an HT is going to solve their communication problem and wouldn't want them to be misguided. Keep up the good work! Stay Free! 73
@@TheTechPrepper taking ham radio prepping a bit further, one does not have to i.d. until one has been on air for 10 minutes or at the end of the transmission, not necessary at the start of a transmission. There is a good trick though, one does not have to i.d. using phone (voice), it can be done using CW (morse code). I only i.d using CW on our repeater, yes it can sound snobbish, but then again, there are a lot of people who won't know who I am when I transmit unless they know code. Another point is that it is very easy to triangulate a signal, so if you don't want to be found, have a mobile like the FT-857D in your vehicle, say what you need to say in a very short burst and get the heck out of there and drive to another location and repeat scenario if need be...Prepping since the late 80s...I have an 857D in the car w/HF and VHF antennas and a 100 amp/hr LiFeP04 battery I charge with a 50 watt Solar Panel when stationary. 73 from ME. Stay Free, God Bless our Republic.
@@jpdouglas8004 Will do. Thanks!
Why waste money on any yeasu radio? You can get a dozen other radios that have better battery life, more features, and won't fail, even without use, as is my experience with yeasu.
You must not have gotten to know the ft-60 or one of the other Japanese made models then. Those things are the most dependable radios you can find, and they’re infinitely more polished and easy to use than a Chinese radio. With a nice Yaesu your radio works for you, and they’re actually made well. Your ‘feng might be rugged, but it’s nothing like the build quality of a nice Yaesu.
Also you can’t even make comments like that about battery life lol, nothing beats the ft-60 in particular. I haven’t charged my on-the-go ft-60 in over 6 months.
If you cant recharge them with a USB cord directly in your pack on the go without a charge stand then it's not a good prepper radio.
USB is 5v.
i don't know a radio that can be charged with 5v.
and I wouldn't want to rely on USB.
it's smarter to carie extra batteries not wires that fail.
@@RESISTAGE let me introduce you to the most popular prepper radio on the market the Baofeng UV5R with extended battery can be charged via USB with a cord from a USB solar or USB battery pack directly to the battery.
USB 5V to 12V boost cables are awesome for this purpose. I use them for all my radios, including charging docks.
Try dropping a Baofeng. I've broken three already. Good thing they're $25-$30.
@@TheTechPrepper ever try a case?
dont listen to russia...