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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu VX-7R |
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You can
write your own review of the Yaesu VX-7R.
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KE5KDA
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 1, 2006 14:33
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Good all around radio...
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Most things about this radio I really like, bu there are a few things that really bother me. The battery stinks...takes for ever to charge...runs down in about 8 hours when just listening with no TX and much faster with alot of TX. Other than than, there are a few quirky programing things about it, but it is a good radio. I think you get the most bang out of your buck with this one and I have had absolutely no problems with it. RX/TX is great. You will need to keep the owner's manual handy for quite a while until you learn how to program memories and such. Let me put it this way...no radio is perfect. I've considered many others, but still think this is the best on the market.
73's and God bless...
Ray
KE5KDA
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KI4SDV
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Rating: 0/5
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Nov 29, 2006 23:28
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Quality Control?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My VX-7Rb arrived yesterday afternoon, serial number indicated it was built in June 06, charged it up for 7 hours, turned it on, and....nothing.
Stobe came on, display glowed orange for about 5 seconds, then nothing. After that would not power up, even while connected to charger. So drove 2 hours (each way) to exchange it. Bad luck I guess...
Recieved a newer one built in aug 06, and it had the stronger 1500ma battery. Charging it now, will update review after some use.
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KB1OBG
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 28, 2006 09:19
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Newer production model is solid.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just picked up a black VX-7R from HRO with a serial number which states it was built in August 2006. I will say that all the early model issues have been addressed and I have yet to find a problem. There is no muffled audio and I get great transmit reports when I use the Diamond SRH-320A antenna. The 'rubber duck' is awful and people have told me so when I use it :) I need to find another antenna so that I can try the 6 meter band.
I also have a Kenwood TH-F6A which I love as well and only bought this unit because I wanted a more durable (weather proof) HT and the 6 meter band. If you have been holding off buying one of these because of the earlier problems with these units, rest assured that these new models have been fixed.
There are 2 minor things that bug me. The first is that you can't really fine tune the volume like on the Kenwood with it's smooth turning dial. With Yaesu's click dial it can sometimes either be too soft or too loud. Unfortunately there is no in-between. The other issue is that the menus are not alphabetical and take some getting used to. Finally, when making menu changes you have to use the Main and Sub keys to scoll through the options instead of using the dial like on the Kenwood. This slows me down a bit as you have to either click or hold down the button. I'll update my review as I use it a bit more.
All in all a great buy!
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KD5ZZK
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 15, 2006 20:32
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Muffled audio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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As stated in other reviews, the audio output is sick. You have to loosen the battery pack and resecure it to relieve the air pressure inside the case. This seems to be due to the waterproof membrane over the speaker and sealed case. After you do this, the audio sounds normal for an HT this small. Operating menu seems intimidating at first, but becomes second nature after you learn it. I prefer the FT-60R for durability and simplicity to use. The strobe light feature is unique. I used it on one occasion to to mark our campsite and guide in another camper at night. The only reason I haven't sold it is because it's cool to have an HT with 5 watt 6 meter FM capability. Extended RX is awsome! Goes down to short wave.
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OE3SGU
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 1, 2006 12:03
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Good but could be better
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I like my VX7-R, its so rugged and it really works fine. But I hate the stupid and not well thought of menu-system. I always carry one of the nifty-manuals with me, just in case...
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G7UFJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 28, 2006 14:40
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Good, but not excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After being off air for about 6 years, I thought I would have another dabble. Looking around for a handheld so as not to be restricted where I can use it, and the added bonus of 6m which I had not used before, the VX-7 looked ideal. Not used Yaesu before, only Kenwood & Icom so menu methods were new to me. I say menu 'methods' in the very loosest sense as there is not much logic to it, but after some use I found it easier but not quick to find what I want. I still have not, and probably never will get my head round the various memory options, although basic storage and high/low scan ranges are easy enough. No problems with TX & RX audio or signals (although I have yet to hear anything on 6m, waiting for a aerial for the car which should help on all bands). I would imagine it can be a pain to swap the aerial tips depending on operating bands, but as theres no 6m action here not a problem for me. Would recommend as a HT but cannot compare to anyhing else current.
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KC0WEO
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 20, 2006 16:27
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Impressed
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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As a new ham, I did use this HT for monitoring local public safety almost 16 months. For the last 8 months I have been using it non stop with out failure. It has been used in extreme heat 103 degrees and heavy rain during ARES and SkyWarn operations and has not let me down. Used mainly on 2m with an adjustable (included) rubber duck and 1/4 wave mag mount antenna. It is programmed easily on the go, I now programm all my Yaesu radios with the RT systems software. I am still impressed with its rugged reliability. I have dropped the HT from about 3 feet on concrete resulting in a hairline crack on the screen trim which did not affect it's function. It was easily repaired at home.
If you need a good solid all around HT the VX7R is my choice. A great 1st, 2nd and 3rd radio for HT, mobile or mobile use. It does it all....even gets wet!
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KU6A
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 9, 2006 09:31
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Cool rig!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my VX-7R 22 months ago. I returned the first one to HRO after getting audio reports like "Is there a motorboat in the room with you?" or "Can you turn off the ceiling fan?" or "Are you using a VX-7R? I can hear your PL in your audio". The replacement radio had the same problem. I really wanted this rig and decided to try and adjust the PL deviation myself. Although I was able to decrease the over deviated PL tone and improve the audio quality, the hum is still there. Other than this problem, I would have to say that the rig is very nice and has great features that I never use. The battery doesn't keep a charge very long and I'm reluctant to spend $80 for a spare battery. I'm going to HRO this morning to buy another HT for my 11yr old son and it will not be a VX-7R. It really bothers me that other hams can recognize that I'm using a VX-7R just from my audio.
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KC4FOX
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2006 19:45
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The radio as it should have been released
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I owned a first-year VX-7. I had to go back to AES with it, as it had all of teething problems that have been so well spelled out in the archives of this review.
I would have given the radio a "one (Poor!)" back then.
After I took it back...
I took it back again!
The silver little thing locked up, which required the battery to be removed. Good thing, though, as removing the battery solved the internal pressure problem when the radio got warm, and so on.
Three different times, three different radios, and none worked as the instructions said, out of the box.
This was not the experience I expected. This is also coming from someone that has two 530's (one I bought new in the box- best alarm clocks ever!) and learned how to program these things. I read the manual. It never mentioned the terrible bugs which made the radio un-usable.
I budgeted myself this year to buy a new HT, hoping for a new dual band radio (in the original sense of the words- the ability to do full duplex if I choose) and sadly, I'm let down by all the manufacturers' choices- none of the dual-banders even have their roots in this decade, so I looked around, and saw lots of positive reviews...
Another trip to AES, and I now have a black VX-7R.
It's a completely different radio. Bugs? Not that I can tell with the sole exception of the "temporary scan-channel lockout" (which is temporary "to the session," according to the instructions: in reality locks out that channel until that channel is returned, by the user, to operation!)
When the radio gets warm, it gets warm and continues to work. I've left it on all day and used it (I've bought an extra battery- I recommend one) constantly: it's never locked up. Power out is as advertised- and I can hit some 220 machines with it.
It's fun. It's a different radio than I had a few years ago. I would recommend it, as long as one remembers the limitations of a wide open front end, and the complications of a feature filled radio.
Buttons require a firm press, but do give audio feedback when they make contact.
Radio is waterproof. It is. No worries about a foggy display after a ride in the rain.
Menu system seems a bit screwy, but does indeed seem to have its own logic, and doesn't take long to learn.
Tones aren't LOUD anymore.
Microphone deviation seems correct out of the box, and doesn't fall off as the radio gets hot.
Barometer is... Well, it's a toy. No excuses. It's a toy. It's fun, but it's a toy. This from someone that likes toys.
All in all, a good buy.
Finally.
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YC3EBW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 25, 2006 02:28
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inconsistent but great
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Time owned: months
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After having an exchange the silver vx-7r '04 prod.(I wrote a comment some months ago) for the the black one(2005 production). I have a better grip in my hand. It does not get marks easily. I have a better report on transmit audio quality. It has a crisp sound. Unlike the silver one I have sold(little muffled audio).Tone squelch a bit slow may be about half a second late(someone has reviewed about it very detail), but I don't use it often. Still gets warm when transmitting at full power.Other than that, attach the after market dual band antenna it hits all the repeater with 15-25 km range in the city. spectrum analyzer is a plus.I will purchase the black vx-7r radio again, great.(for me)
I'm still wondering why the production line is not consistent from time to time.
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