VX-170 (review)

[KD5LWU]

This little HT is one of a kind. Amazing little unit here. The audio is crisp and loud and I have no problems getting into the local repeaters with a loud clear transmit.



This HT has a 2 meter coverage and has a very heavy duty feel to it. If you own any other Yaesu radios, this is a breeze to program! You dont even have to crack the book on this one.

Is there anything you dont like? Well one thing yes and its the belt clip. Its a swivle clip but oh well, it works fine but just sticks out on youe waste a little bit.

I paid 130 dollars for it and it was worth every cent!

Anything to add please reply!

[dmclean]

I am interested in the programing. I have a VX-5 and it is the most difficult radio to program that I have ever handled. Did Yaesu separate the programing steps into some kind of logical order? Maybe it's not the way it programs, it was just the unclear instructions that got me on the VX-5.

[charlie]

I think Bob Freeth is working on software for this radio now. If you've never seen his stuff, it is the nicest radio software I've seen, and I've seen a lot of them!

I think it is very important that everyone knows how to program their radio, but software is really the way to go.

www.g4hfq.co.uk/

He's a good guy and responds to all email.

Charlie Chapman, KB8SFR
5th District RACES Manager
ARES 5th District Coordinator
Pager [phone]

[KD5LWU]

charlie said:

I think Bob Freeth is working on software for this radio now. If you've never seen his stuff, it is the nicest radio software I've seen, and I've seen a lot of them!

I think it is very important that everyone knows how to program their radio, but software is really the way to go.

www.g4hfq.co.uk/

He's a good guy and responds to all email.

Charlie Chapman, KB8SFR
5th District RACES Manager
ARES 5th District Coordinator
Pager [phone]

Yes, software would be great to see for these HT's. I do alot of traveling and would like to program all the frequencies I can into it. Thanks for that info Charlie.

[kd8cka]

I've worked briefly with one of these, and I must say, it feels really nice in my hand--more so than my VX-5Rs. It's got heft, but not too much, and audio quality is rather impressive. It doesn't fit into the side pocket of my jeans like the 5Rs, but the clip makes up for it. If I didn't know that I would have absolutely no use for 6m when I bought my 5Rs, I'd get this one.

[charlie]

I just received my new VX-170 yesterday and am less than impressed with it. It takes a freak cable for either programming or for a speaker/mic. Do you have any idea how many programming cables and other accessories I have from Yaesu now?

I'm trying to think, I have at least seven of their HT's, eight of their mobiles, and two of the 897's. I told myself that I was not going to buy any more of their product, since I have a box with 5 of their radios waiting to go back to them for repair, a couple of which I just got back from them.

Anyway, back to the VX-170. I hate it that there isn't a squelch knob! The lower part of the volume knob isn't very easy to use for changing memories or menu options either. It is heavy duty (appearing), the battery is a good thing, and the audio is a little punchier then my VX-150's. The belt clip! It looks like a belt clip with an optional radio! HAHAHAHA!!!!!

I think the Bob Freeth software is being released today, and that was the one breath of fresh air about this radio. All of my VX-150 files directly imported to Bob's new software, saving me from entering 200 memories into yet another program!

Charlie

[KD5LWU]

I am pretty pleased with my 170, I do live rather close to the repeaters though. I mainly use it for public service events and echolink. It works gret for echolink using only 500 millawatts of power.

Sorry to hear that you have so many radios waiting to go in for repair!