Radio > Equipment Reviews

Yaesu FT-2900R

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Celt:
I just installed the radio tonight in one of my vehicles. The biggest reason I got this radio was based on what I will be doing with it. It has very good ratings for being able to self cool with no cooling fan in very hot temperatures and is supposed to be very rugged and able to fend off dust and grit easily. It was super easy install (If you knew me you would know electronics hate me) as it came with a wiring package that goes directly to the battery (+/- posts) and doesn't need a ground. Turned it on and fired right up doing a comms check with the buddy who was helping me. Super crisp and clear. That little radio goes from 5 watts of output power all the way up to 75 watts on 2m/70cm. I got a programming CD and was able to copy all of my presets from the Yasesu 270R I have been using. So far I'm really impressed with this radio and from all accounts it seems to be pretty rugged for what I will be using it for. I still need to figure out if I'm happy with the antenna placement but that's an easy fix to move it around if I change my mind. I may fashion together a mobile repeater using a couple inexpensive Baofengs inside an ammo can for some of my trips. If I can get that mobile repeater up to a high point, I will extend my range exponentially. One of our local repeaters sits at just over 6,000 ft and is really easy for our radios to see west/north and east after you get out from the shadow. All in all, I'm very happy with it at the moment.

  73's.............

Tevin:
You picked a great rig, man. I bought a 2900 about five years ago for my truck. I liked it so much I bought two more. One is now my 2 meter base and the other was originally in a go box. I decommissioned the go box and repurposed the stuff from it elsewhere.

Right now the extra 2900 is just an unused spare. I would like to put it in my Jeep, but Jeeps don't really have any space to mount a radio. I'm contemplating a "mini go box" that could be placed on the seat and removed when not in use.

The only thing I don't like is the 2900's goofy squelch. Instead of a simple analog squelch like the ones that have worked nicely since the beginning of time, Yaesu has some lame deal you have to preset in the menu. No matter what i set it on, I can never get it the way I want. Really terrible design flaw in what is otherwise a stellar radio.

Good luck with the 2900...you're going to love it.

AD:
Glad you like it.

My Powerwrex BD-750 has the same "menu" squelch. 

I have mine set from the second lowest setting and "ride the volume squelch" when necessary.

spacecase0:
for you that don't like the squelch on the 2900,
it has a feature of setting the squelch in terms of the S-meter readings, it is a separate menu item, but super handy in places with lots of noise and you are wanting a strong signal only

I like the 2900 lots,
it has quite low current draw on receive, so it is a good one for battery operation,
is pretty efficient on transmit as well,
has fantastic audio out,
plenty of power out,
no moving parts to break or make noise,
and I think the menus are pretty easy to use

by the way,
broke mine by leaving it in a damp car for a year,
the humidity got to the ceramic filters (yes the front window leaked water when it rained),
so, this is a just in case, if it quits hearing strong signals first, it is likely the ceramic filters,
the super quick fix is to change to the narrow FM as it does not have DC voltage on that filter and is not subject to this issue
not to hard to replace the filter either,

Tevin:

--- Quote from: spacecase0 on September 18, 2015, 10:52:28 PM ---for you that don't like the squelch on the 2900,
it has a feature of setting the squelch in terms of the S-meter readings, it is a separate menu item, but super handy in places with lots of noise and you are wanting a strong signal only

--- End quote ---

I am aware of this option but I could never get it to work any better/different than the digital squelch. One of these days when I'm feeling more adventurous I'll give it another try.

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