N5FDL Amateur Radio

This is the first in a series of posts about using the new Yaesu FTM-350R VHF/UHF APRS-capable transceiver ($780 list, $600 at HRO). If you want to find me, my mobile is N5FDL-9. (The iPhone, running IBCNU software, is N5FDL-12).

Installation of the accessories—the GPS antenna, voice synthesizer/recorder, Bluetooth adapter, and mounting/power sleeve for the Yaesu BH-1/2 Bluetooth headset—look less than an hour. The antenna mounts to the control head, integrating the GPS with the radio. The Bluetooth adapter goes inside the control head. The headset sleeve goes onto the back of the control head. The voice synthesizer/recorder goes inside the radio.

None of these accessories are supplied with the radio. Nor is software included for programming the radio. I have asked the vendor of the software, RT Systems, when it will be available and have not heard back.

I solved the mounting problem using a RAM-MOUNT suggested by Steggy, WY6E, and purchased at Bass Pro Shops. This is not a perfect solution, as the radio head really needs more than a single attachment point (screw mount).

The supplied suction cup mount from Yaesu is completely unusable and a major setback for the design of the company’s mobile radios. (Lido mounts, from HRO, and Panavise mounts should work as well).

Steggy and I spent about an hour installing the radio, temporarily, into my car. The supplied control cable (looks like an Ethernet cable) is 10 feet long and that isn’t long enough to get to the back of even a fairly small vehicle, such as my Pontiac Vibe.

Setup is straightforward, but you will want to have the two manuals—one for the radio, another for APRS—handy.

Things I like about the radio:

• Considering the complexity of the radio, it’s easy to use.
• Bluetooth! Though the audio from the Yaesu headset seems low. XYL will appreciate that use of the headset can automatically mute the speakers.
• Charger for the headset on the control head.
• Control head is huge, as are the characters on the display.
• Speakers in the control head work really well. This is such a great idea.
• Push-to-talk button (and mic) on the control head. Yes, you still get a hand mic, but being able to just push the button on the control head and talk has been more useful than I’d have guessed. People say the audio isn’t bad, too.
• Microphone level control.
• No fan! The radio is basically a big, heavy heatsink. But, a quiet one.

Things I don’t like about the radio:

• The reason I like the FT-8900 and similar radios is because of the six “Hyper-memory” buttons clustered around the LCD display. Each can be programmed to set the memories on both “sides” of the radio. This is a great feature for my wife, who can completely set the radio back to “normal” by pressing a single button. A great thing to have when I change the channels on the radio and she wants to change them back (with a single push).
• The radio is designed to replace/supplement an AM/FM radio, a set of features I don’t plan to use.
• Barometric pressure, anyone? Also included, but why?
• Control head is huge.
• Supplied mount and mounting options for the control head aren’t what they should be.
• At this price, programming software should be free.
• There are some issues with APRS itself, which I will cover later.
• Requires a special cable if you want to connect an outboard TNC. There appear to be no TNC functions available in the radio itself. The radio has an 8-pin DIN connector.

Those are my thoughts have about 20 hours of having the radio operational. Please send questions or comments.