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A New Digital VHF/UHF Radio from Yaesu
19 May 2012 | by 
A while back, Yaesu published a white paper/brochure on VHF/UHF digital technology that slammed D-STAR for using GMSK modulation and stated that C4FM (4-Level FSK) is the way to go. See my previous posting on that topic. The paper also talked about DMR and APCO 25 as standards that use C4FM.Page 14 of the document says:
At this point in time Vertex Standard believes the C4FM (4-level FSK) FDMA or TDMA are the most suitable selections for Amateur radio applications. In early 2012, we will release a C4FM (4-level FSK) FDMA Handy-Talky and a Mobile transceiver into the Amateur radio market. After our initial introduction, we plan to introduce a C4FM (4-level FSK) TDMA (2 slots) or TDMA Handy and Mobile transceiver into the Amateur market.
This led to speculation that we would see a Yaesu DMR or APCO 25 radio at the Dayton Hamvention. The topic was hotly debated in various online forums, with the prevailing theory being that it would be a DMR radio to play and compete with Motorola’s MOTOTRBO™ radios. It now seems that the initial introduction is the FT-1D, a dualband handheld that just does analog FM and a plain C4FM digital format (no DMR or APCO 25 protocol). This blog has the product brochure for the FT-1D. (Click on “Page 1″ and “Page 2″ links.)
The general reaction from the ham radio community is WTF, over? I don’t know why anyone would buy a radio to use with digital C4FM modulation. This digital mode is incompatible with D-STAR, DMR and APCO 25…the most common digital formats on the VHF/UHF ham bands. The quote listed above indicates that there will be more coming from Yaesu later in the year, that includes TDMA. This could be DMR but who knows?
- 73, Bob K0NR
5 Responses to “A New Digital VHF/UHF Radio from Yaesu”
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I never expected it to be compatible with the other digital gear. I am curious about repeater offerings. I do think the ability to send photos is nice, but wish for a faster data rate. It will be interesting.
Just what the community needs, another incompatible system. Since the Gulf Coast is pretty much built out in D-Star, who is going to fund, install, and maintain an additional system. A system without much different to offer. True, that D-Star has a CODEX that is not open source, but that is not a reason for me to dump my latest purchases, and purchase the Yaesu variant.
I agree. If this is just a different modulation type without a corresponding network that is open and interoperable with other networks like D-STAR, this offering from Yaesu is a step backwards. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot indeed.
I stopped at the Yeasu booth, and another ham asked the Yeasu rep if the FT-1D would be APCO-25 compatible. He sayed “no”. Shame on Yeasu for all the hype they put into this. I had been holding off buying a D-Star radio because I was hoping for a dualband Mototrbo from Yeasu, but I went straight to the HRO booth and bought an IC-92AD.
Right now the moto p25 is just to easy to get at a great price. Even the downside, software isn’t that hard