TRIPLE-BAND HEAVY DUTY FM TRANSCEIVER

MY REVIEW COMMENTS ARE IN RED

FULL-PERFORMANCE 5W TRIBANDER
Yaesu has again broken through the size-performance barrier with the introduction of the VX-5R. Despite its extraordinary small size, the VX-5R provides 5 Watts of power output on the 50 MHz and 144 MHz band, and 4.5 Watts on the 430 MHz band. So when you need the compact size of a milliwatt-power handy, but the power and performance of a full-size unit, the VX-5R brings you both! HI POWER IS GREAT! THE LOW POWER GIVES MANY HOURS OF EXTENDED TALK TIME.

HIGH-CAPACITY, HIGH-POWER LITHIUM-ION BATTERY BACK
The outstanding power output of the VX-5R is made possible by the standard FNB-58LI Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, which supplies 7.2 Volts at an incredible 1100 mAh. Depending on the power output selected and your operating patterns, operating times of 6 to 12 hours are now possible without re-charging. And the supplied NC-72 AC Adapter provides charging of the FNB-58LI in five hours or less.

EXTENSIVE BATTERY CONSERVATION FEATURES
The VX-5R’s microprocessor includes several important battery-saving features which may be enabled to the operator.

These include:

The VX-5R’s display includes a convenient battery monitoring system which shows both transmit and receive usage and a "Low Battery" indicator.

WHEN CHARGING RADIO INDICATES, NOW CHARGING, WHEN CHARGED, COMPLETE.

ULTRA-WIDE FREQUENCY COVERAGE
Wide band VHF/UHF receiver coverage is combined with AM Medium-Wave and Shortwave reception, for more operating enjoyment than ever. Use the Shortwave coverage (1.8 - 16 MHz) to listen to overseas broadcasts, along with time, weather and propagation forecast information from WWV. The operating mode of the VX-5R is automatically preset for each operating band, with easy manual mode change provided via the Menu System.

EAST-TO-READ DOT MATRIX LCD
The three-section Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) provides (A) frequency and mode information, (B) Alpha Tag or sub-VFO frequency display, and (C) signal strength and power output indication. The LCD includes a handy "Icon" mode, in which functions’ labels are replaced by pictographic icons for ease of operation. The characters used for the S/PO meter can be changed, for easiest viewing by you.

RUGGED DIECAST ALUMINIUM CONSTRUCTION
Perfect for outdoor recreational use, the VX-5R’s circuitry is enclosed in a tough aluminium diecast case/chassis, which provides a long life for the components due to the exceptional heat-dissipation characteristics of the enclosure. The VX-5R is Yaesu’s toughest handie ever!

OPTIONAL BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR (SU-1) UNIT
The optional SU-1 module provides both barometric pressure and altitude measuring capability, perfect for recreational use, for instance whilst hiking. The VX-5R may even be programmed to monitor pressure and temperature or temperature and altitude while it is turned off!

DUAL WATCH FOR CHECKING ACTIVITY ON TWO FREQUENCIES

The VX-5R’s Dual Watch feature lets you monitor a main operating frequency while periodically checking a second frequency for activity. If a station appears on the "Dual Watch" frequency, the VX-5R will lock onto that frequency so that you can respond to the calling station. I USE THIS FEATURE ALL THE TIME IT WORKS GREAT.

SPECTRA-SCOPE™ FOR MONITORING ADJACENT CHANNELS
The VX-5R’s Spectra-Scope™ provides a graphical display of five channels above and below your current operating frequency, to help you find or avoid busy channels.

AUTOMATIC RANGE TRANSPONDER SYSTEM (ARTS™)
The ARTS™ feature provides an audible confirmation of “in-range” or “out-of-range” status with other ARTS™-equipped stations. When activated, ARTS™ send a periodic signal (including DCS if enabled) to the other station. Your radio emits audio beep tones when in range which changes when the two radios are no longer within range. ARTS™ will also send a CW identification if required.

EXTENSIVE MEMORY SYSTEM WITH ALPHANUMERIC LABELS
The VX-5R’s memory system provides 220 regular memories, a "Home" channel on each band, 10 pairs of “Band Limit” memories for the Programmable Memory Scan Feature, and five Memory Groups (up to 24 channels from the "main" memory band can be stored into each Memory Group). THIS RADIO HAS 220 MEMORIES SO I TOOK THE, EXAMPLE: 147.06 AND I PLACED IT IN MEMORY CHANNEL 6 AND SO FORTH WITH 147.12 AND 147.18 IN MEMORY 12 AND 18. TO JUMP FROM MEMORY 82 WHERE I HAVE 146.82  IN  MEMORY, YOU JUST PUSH 18 MR TO GO TO MEMORY CHANNEL 18. OUR LOCAL IRLP IS ON 443.725 SO I KEEP IT IN MEMORY CHANNEL 72. GREAT FEATURE OF THIS RADIO!

EIGHT-DIGIT ALPHANUMERIC MEMORY LABELS
Use the alpha-numeric labels for quick and easy recognition of memory channels as you recall them. SMART SEARCH™ PROVIDES AUTOMATIC LOADING OF MEMORIES When travelling to a city for the first time, loading of memories can be time-consuming. With the VX-5R, just use the Smart Search™ feature, which automatically scans above and below your current frequency, loading busy channels into the 31 available Smart Search™ memories. The VX-5R can be instructed to make either (1) a single sweep above and below your frequency or (2) a continuous sweep, which ends only when all 31 Smart Search™ memories are full. 

CTCSS AND DCS ENCODER/DECODER BUILT IN
The VX-5R includes a wide variety of tone encoding and decoding systems for today’s active Ham! A 39-tone subaudible CTCSS encoder/decoder for east repeater access and/or silent monitoring. A 104-code Digital Code Squelch (DCS) for advanced repeater systems or simplex operations where maximum immunity from "falsing" is required. A Menu-driven 1750-Hz Tone Burst system for repeater access. A Bell Alarm to alert the operator that a call is being received. I USE THE BELL FEATURE WHEN I ONLY WANT TO BE REACHED BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE MY FREQUENCY AND BELL ALARM SET TO. PEOPLE CAN BE TALKING ON THE FREQUENCY AND YOUR RADIO REMAINS SQUELCHED UNTIL THE ALERT ALARM SIGNAL BEING RECEIVED MATCHES YOUR RADIO SETTINGS. TRY IT, YOU WILL LIKE IT. Tone search, in both CTCSS and DCS modes, for emergency situations where you need to know the tone or code required for access to an unfamiliar repeater. A 16-digit DTMF Auto dialer with nine memories, for autopatch use.

VERSATILE SCANNING OPTIONS
The VX-5R provides flexible scanning, including scan-halt options of “Carrier Drop,” “5-second Pause,” and “Stop” (no resumption of scanning). The VX-5R may be instructed to scan the VFOs, the Memories, or a portion of the VFO range, and the LCD’s illumination can be programmed to light up when scanning halts. THIS RADIO HAS 10 PAIRED MEMORY CHANNEL UPPER AND LOWER LIMITS FOR SCANNING THAT ARE FANTASTIC. I WILL PUT UP MY SCAN MEMORY SELECTION AND EXPAND ON THIS MORE ON A SEPARATE WEB PAGE.  YAESU SCAN LIMITS REVIEW

IDEAL FOR AO-27 SATELLITE OPERATION
The 144/430 MHz capability of the VX-5R is ideal for portable satellite operation on FM satellites like AO-27 (TX 145.8 MHz/RX 436.8 MHz). The compact size of the VX-5R leaves you with one hand free to hold a small beam antenna, if you like!

HIGH-PERFORMANCE FEATURES FOR EVERYDAY OPERATION
• Automatic Repeater Shift • Backlit keypad & Display • Computer Programming via optional ADMS-1E Programming Kit • Cloning from one VX-5R to another via optional CT-27 Cloning Cable • TOT (Time-Out timer) to prevent interference due to “locked mic” condition • BCLO (Busy Channel Lock Out) to prevent interference to others during Tone Squelch or DCS operation • Quick Check of repeater uplink frequency • Selectable channel steps: 5/9 (AM)/10/12.5/15/20/25/50/100 kHz/step • One-touch Emergency Channel with tone alert on UHF Home Channel • VFO-A/VFO-B VFO link (synchronized tuning) • Easy Packet Interface using optional CT-44 Mic Adapter

INNOVATIVE MULTI-SECTION ANTENNA
When operating on 144 and 430 MHz, use the bottom section of the supplied antenna. For operation on 50 MHz and below, simply screw on the antenna extension element and you’re ready for DX action!

CONTROLS AND COMMAND KEYS