Very interesting and thought provoking video. Like the idea of being able to discretely monitor the radio while it's in your pocket with regular earbuds. Also both this radio and FT 65 can be unlocked easily to talk on GMRS/FRS and outside normal bands if needed. Thanks.
I pretty much evolved the FT-4X for that same purpose as a very compact monitoring radio. Very similarly, I chose the Diamond SRJF10 which also works very well. I do have the appropriate Specter Gear pouch too. I do need to come up with an earpiece solution. Good video.
how do you like to monitor with this one? I am finding that when I have it scanning, my radio is picking up *way* too much static on various frequencies that are digital transmissions or who knows what. Makes scanning pretty laborious. Maybe because it's so sensitive and I turn to turn that down?
Another well thought out video Scott. I love the stubby antennas for covert carry (and the Model 60). I've tried several stubby antennas and the ones you have shown work excellent. I did buy one VHF/UHF stubby antenna that is about 1 inch long (hard plastic) that I'm sure has a 50 ohm resistor in it and nothing else. Not much for range. Hard pass on this style unless you really want to keep signal strength down. If it's at all cold, a wool scull cap does a good job of hiding an earphone. Love being the Gray Man. One other thought. With a pair of earphones like used for an MP3 player, maybe carefully drill a hole all the way through one of the ear buds to allow for better hearing. Been around too many loud and disturbing noises, I can't hear worth a damn with open ears to start with.
Thank you for making this series. I am really learning a lot about my radio. In this video you mention using your FT-4X for monitoring public safety frequencies when you hear sirens and whatnot in public. This is something I have always wanted to learn how to do but I have trouble finding the right frequencies to find out what is going on. Could you possibly do a video about this topic and where to find this information. Maybe talk about what civilian citizens like myself have access to on radio frequencies. I think it would be a pretty awesome video. Thank you. keep up the great work. KK7NRT
Kids today don't know how good they got it! Back in MY day I would do PC with a G17 in a Kydex holster and an Erricson MP-A radio in my back pocket! 🤣 Nobody would be the wiser. But back then if was more about attitude than actual concealment. I've seen a lot of UC' s these days who LOOK like UC's with guns and radios HALF the size! Fortunately I am retired from all that now. However for the sake of argument my EDC is an M&P Shield now. I don't have any higher end dual band radios at the moment so my go to is a Baofeng BF-H7 (because it has a channel knob!) UHF only I use an EVX-534 day to day, and for those days you REALLY don't want anyone to know you have one, the WLN KD-C1 can't be beat! I still use an acoustic air earpiece when I need one, but I also have long hair so 😉 But I, have been considering a Bluetooth dongle for earbuds
Take a look at the Bluelink-Y7 Bluetooth Radio Adapter for Vertex/Yaesu one-pin Radios. Nothing less conspicuous than a pair of bluetooth headphones, and any amount of noise cancelling would be welcome in this application.
I like idea and that is one benefit to this. I can easily slide this in my every day carry satchel, especially with a stubby antenna. But, I'd not thought that one can scan for emergency communications. Those are generally going to be digital/encrypted, right?
In my area, with the exception of a couple smaller agencies, all of our local emergency services are still analog. So, I can scan local PD, SO and Fire with no problem. This is the case for a lot of rural communities.
I did. And I welcome you to point out where Yaesu claims the FT-4X is IP54 rated. Here's a hint: Look at page 10 of the FT-65 manual and then try to find anything like that in the FT-4X manual. You won't. Because it isn't.
Very interesting and thought provoking video. Like the idea of being able to discretely monitor the radio while it's in your pocket with regular earbuds. Also both this radio and FT 65 can be unlocked easily to talk on GMRS/FRS and outside normal bands if needed. Thanks.
I pretty much evolved the FT-4X for that same purpose as a very compact monitoring radio.
Very similarly, I chose the Diamond SRJF10 which also works very well. I do have the appropriate Specter Gear pouch too. I do need to come up with an earpiece solution. Good video.
how do you like to monitor with this one? I am finding that when I have it scanning, my radio is picking up *way* too much static on various frequencies that are digital transmissions or who knows what. Makes scanning pretty laborious. Maybe because it's so sensitive and I turn to turn that down?
@outdoor stafford: Fortunately not a significant problem in my area only hanging up with noise on a channel occasionally.
Nice series on these yaesu radios. Great info
Another well thought out video Scott. I love the stubby antennas for covert carry (and the Model 60). I've tried several stubby antennas and the ones you have shown work excellent. I did buy one VHF/UHF stubby antenna that is about 1 inch long (hard plastic) that I'm sure has a 50 ohm resistor in it and nothing else. Not much for range. Hard pass on this style unless you really want to keep signal strength down. If it's at all cold, a wool scull cap does a good job of hiding an earphone. Love being the Gray Man. One other thought. With a pair of earphones like used for an MP3 player, maybe carefully drill a hole all the way through one of the ear buds to allow for better hearing. Been around too many loud and disturbing noises, I can't hear worth a damn with open ears to start with.
Thank you for making this series. I am really learning a lot about my radio. In this video you mention using your FT-4X for monitoring public safety frequencies when you hear sirens and whatnot in public. This is something I have always wanted to learn how to do but I have trouble finding the right frequencies to find out what is going on. Could you possibly do a video about this topic and where to find this information. Maybe talk about what civilian citizens like myself have access to on radio frequencies. I think it would be a pretty awesome video. Thank you. keep up the great work. KK7NRT
Great suggestion for a video. I will add that to the list. Thanks.
Kids today don't know how good they got it!
Back in MY day I would do PC with a G17 in a Kydex holster and an Erricson MP-A radio in my back pocket! 🤣
Nobody would be the wiser. But back then if was more about attitude than actual concealment. I've seen a lot of UC' s these days who LOOK like UC's with guns and radios HALF the size!
Fortunately I am retired from all that now. However for the sake of argument my EDC is an M&P Shield now.
I don't have any higher end dual band radios at the moment so my go to is a Baofeng BF-H7 (because it has a channel knob!)
UHF only I use an EVX-534 day to day, and for those days you REALLY don't want anyone to know you have one, the WLN KD-C1 can't be beat!
I still use an acoustic air earpiece when I need one, but I also have long hair so 😉
But I, have been considering a Bluetooth dongle for earbuds
Take a look at the Bluelink-Y7 Bluetooth Radio Adapter for Vertex/Yaesu one-pin Radios. Nothing less conspicuous than a pair of bluetooth headphones, and any amount of noise cancelling would be welcome in this application.
Interesting. I might look into that. It definitely solves a few problems. Thanks for the tip.
I wish Yaesu would being back the VX-3R. I think of it as the small pocket version of the VX-6
I like idea and that is one benefit to this. I can easily slide this in my every day carry satchel, especially with a stubby antenna. But, I'd not thought that one can scan for emergency communications. Those are generally going to be digital/encrypted, right?
In my area, with the exception of a couple smaller agencies, all of our local emergency services are still analog. So, I can scan local PD, SO and Fire with no problem. This is the case for a lot of rural communities.
@@KS6DAY Gotchya. I'll enjoy trying this out when we travel to MI this week then and when we visit rural AZ. We live full time in suburban PHX.
I recently saw a YT video about covert comms and the creator linked to an adapter for cell phone headphones. Sorry I cannot remember the channel name
The 4XR also has IP54, but you said the 65 is better because it has IP54 among other things. Please get the basic specs first thanks
I did. And I welcome you to point out where Yaesu claims the FT-4X is IP54 rated. Here's a hint: Look at page 10 of the FT-65 manual and then try to find anything like that in the FT-4X manual. You won't. Because it isn't.
snub nose oh yeah