Yaesu FT-1802M Amateur Radio - comments?

Submitted: Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 09:36

ThreadID: 47538 Views:3447 Replies:2 FollowUps:1

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Mike Harding

I'm thinking of changing the FM900 in the 4WD to the Yaesu FT-1802M (50W 2m). This radio has attracted some mixed comments on e-ham and I wondered if anyone here has one and would care to give an opinion?

Mike Harding

mike_harding@fastmail.fm

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Reply By: Tony MD - Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 21:40

Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 21:40

Mike, some thoughts.
I have a FT-1500M, an older but similar radio. I gather the main issue that you have is the heat. My FT-1500 also gets so hot that you could use it as a BBQ hot plate.
For heat but mainly EMR reasons, I don't run it on full power.
With the antenna on the bullbar and running 50 watts I get a headache. This has happened on numerous occasions so I put it down to the high RF output. 25 watts is fine.
The FT-1500M is mounted in a "Top Shelf".
Radio stays warm just on RX, similar to a 706. RX standby current may / will be higher than the FM92.
The menu system on the 1802M looks something like the 1500M, something not to use whilst mobile. As the radio doesn't get much use, I usually need to refer to the manual if I need to make some changes.
Check the memory programming. On the 1500M you can't delete a single memory channel, you have to wipe the whole lot. It would be a lot easier programming the radio by PC.
Depending on where you are mounting the radio, can the display be easily read at an angle?
I have had mine for many years. It doesn't get much use as a TXer. Often it is on in RX mode. It has been all around the country on various roads and tracks and still works. As far as all the features are concerned, I tend to use it just as a basic radio. It would be nice if it would RX in AM on the aircraft band.

AnswerID: 251605

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 08:40

Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 08:40

Thanks for your trouble Tony - you raise some very good points.

Heat? Yep e-ham suggests that is an issue - 50W, small heatsink, no fan??? Doubt I would use 50W often though.

>50 watts I get a headache.

Yep, I'll bet that's the cause.

Menu system? My FT-857D also has that kind of complex menu system; definitely not something to be played with on the move! "Who put that tree THERE!" :)

>can't delete a single memory channel

That's crazy! You sure? The embedded engineer who did that should be shot - slowly!

>can the display be easily read at an angle?

Good point and one which was beginning to worry me a little too - I suspect I would replace the UHF CB (never use it) which is attached to the centre console on the passenger side - an OK, but not great, place to see the display.

>It would be nice if it would RX in AM on the aircraft band.

I'll agree with that. My FT-857D does have Rx on the air band (wish it had Tx for emergency too) as I would like to have known what the aircraft which was tracking me for half a day across the Davis High Plain last year was doing?

I'm actually beginning to consider fitting the 857D (which was why I bought it 18 months ago!) on a quick release mount so I can use it for 2m/70cm in the vehicle and HF around the camp fire. After buying the radio I decided not to fit HF in the vehicle, too much trouble and verticals are pretty limiting too.

Thanks again Tony.

Mike Harding

FollowupID: 512731

Reply By: Tony MD - Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 19:49

Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 19:49

What is the vehicle Mike?
Can you remote mount the FT857 with the head on the dash or over the ashtray?
Maybe the next generation of HF mobiles could have bluetooth remotes, now that would be cool. Operate the radio in the car whilst sitting by the camp fire, & no wires to trip over.
The disadvantage of using the 857 for HF plus VHF etc is of course the ability to only monitor one band at a time.

AnswerID: 251772