Yaesu is one of the best radio companies in the world for good reason, and the Yaesu FT-4XR is proof that you don’t have to overpay to get a high-quality, reliable 2-meter HT (Handheld Transceiver). This rugged little radio can take plenty of abuse and keep on truckin’, and has a powerful transmitter, great speaker, and long-lasting battery, to boot. Let’s get into the details.
Good
- 5 watts RF output – The Yaesu FT-4XR has up to 5 watts of RF output, with selectable settings of 5W, 2.5W, and 0.5W.
- Good battery life – The 1750 mAh Li-Ion battery back provides between 9-15 hours of operating time.
- Compact and durable design – Measuring in at W 2.1 in. x H 3.5 in. x D 1.2 in, this radio is compact yet rugged.
- Supports PC programming – You can program the Yaesu FT-4XR for free with a PC, making it easier to set up with an SCU-35 cable.
- 1 watt speaker – A clear, 1000 mW (1 watt) speaker delivers crisp and clear audio.
- Includes rapid charger – This unit comes with a 3.5-Hour Rapid Charger to keep your radio topped off.
Bad
- Not IP rated – This may not be the best choice for extreme weather or dusty conditions, since it lacks an IP rating for water and dust protection.
- User interface – As expected from a budget radio, the FT-4XR has only a 6 character screen, and the buttons and menu systems leave something to be desired.
Bottom line
While it may not be suitable for mission-critical situations due to its lack of IP rating, The Yaesu FT-4XR is an excellent knockaround radio with good battery life, solid build quality, and a surprising number of features for the price. It’s a great choice for anyone who needs an inexpensive 2-meter band HT.
Product Specs
Frequency Range RX | 136 – 174 MHz, 400 – 480 MHz TX: 136 – 174 MHz (Asian version) 144 – 146 MHz (European version) 44 – 148 MHz (USA version) 400 – 480 MHz (Asian version) 430 – 440 MHz (European version) 430 – 450 MHz (USA version) FM Broadcast: 65 – 108 MHz |
Channel Steps | 5 / 6.25* / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 50 / 100 kHz (*: European version only) |
Frequency Stability | ±2.5 ppm (-20 °C to +60 °C [-4 °F to +140 °F]) |
Antenna Impedance | 50 ohms |
Supply Voltage | Nominal: 7.4 V DC, Negative Ground SBR-28LI |
Current Consumption (Approx.) | 190 mA (Receive, 200 mW Audio Output) 95 mA (Standby, Saver Off) 23 mA (Standby, Saver On) 5 mA (Auto Power Off) 1.5 A (5 W TX , 144 MHz) 7.4 V DC 1.7 A (5 W TX , 430 MHz) 7.4 V DC |
Operating Temperature | – 4 °F to +140 °F (– 20 °C to + 60 °C) |
Case Size | 2.0” (W) x 3.5” (H) x 1.2” (D) (52×90×30mm) (W/O knob and antenna) |
Weight (Approx.) | 8.82 oz (250 g) with SBR-28LI and antenna |
RF Power Output | 5.0 W (High) / 2.5 W (Middle) / 0.5 W (Low) (@ 7.4 V with SBR-28LI) |
Modulation Type | Variable Reactance |
Maximum Deviation | ±5.0 kHz |
Spurious Emission | USA/Asian version At least 60 dB below (@TX Power High, Middle) At least 50 dB below (@TX Power Low) European version At least 60 dB below (@TX Power High, Middle) At least 55 dB below (@TX Power Low) |
Microphone Impedance (Approx.) | 2 kΩ |
Circuit Type | Direct-conversion |
Sensitivity | 0.2 µV for 12 dB SINAD (140 – 150 MHz, NFM) 0.2 µV for 12 dB SINAD (420 – 470 MHz, NFM) |
Selectivity (-6 dB/-60 dB) | FM, NFM ±25 kHz / 12.5 kHz |
AF Output | 800 mW (16 O for THD 10 % 7.4 V DC) internal speaker 800 mW (16 O for THD 10 % 7.4 V DC) external speaker |
Expert reviews
- Ham Radio Crash Course liked the simple design of the FT-4XR, and called it a “good entry level ham.” He noted the powerful 1W speaker as one of its best features, and said that the radio “sounds great” for an entry-level radio.
- TheNewHam reviewed the FT-4XR and called it a great entry-level radio, particularly praising its “volume” and “tonal quality,” as well as its ability to be programmed through a PC. He also liked that it came with a desk charger. However, he noted that it is a “single-watch” radio, meaning it can only monitor one channel at a time.
- KI4CFS – Ham Radio – Martin Brossman reviewed the FT-4XR and called it a “great starter radio.” He liked that it comes with a charging station, and appreciated the robust yet compact design, and the fact that it costs less than $100 from most vendors.
User reviews
- The FT-4XR has a rating of 4.7 over 13 reviews on eHam.net. Some of the positive attributes noted by reviewers included its powerful transmission and clear reception, the included desk charger, and its 3 transmission power levels.
- On DXEngineering, the FT-4XR has 12 reviews and a 4.6-star rating. Users noted the overall quality of the unit and its small size, though a few reviewers had difficulties programming the radio without a PC cable.
- On Gigaparts, the Yaesu FT-4XR has only one review, but it’s a 5-star review. The reviewer noted the compact size, good battery life, and easy alpha-numeric programming of the unit.