Comparing Yaesu’s FTM-400DR/XDR and FTM-100DR Roger Reini, KD8CSE May 12, 2016

Overview Introduce Yaesu’s two System Fusion mobile transceivers What they have in common Key differences My experiences with the two Conclusions

The Two Rigs FTM-400DR/XDR FTM-100DR

What They Have In Common 144/430 MHz bands 1 analog and 3 digital operating modes: Analog FM V/D Mode (simultaneous voice and data in 12.5 kHz channel) Voice FR Mode (full 12.5 kHz used for voice) Data FR Mode (full 12.5 kHz used for data) 50/20/5 watt switchable power output

What They Have In Common 3 watts audio power (8 W with external speaker) GPS antenna and receiver APRS capability (1200/9600 bps) Bluetooth-ready (with optional accessories) Digital group monitoring (GM) functions

What They Have In Common Wideband receive: 108 – 999.99 MHz (cellular frequencies blocked) Optional voice guide and recording functions 500 channel memories for both main band A and sub band B Store and retrieve settings via micro SD card

What They Have In Common Updatable firmware Rather involved procedures for updating firmware, including turning on the transceivers while holding two other buttons down on the panel and the toggling of special switches to enable the updates Current consumption: 0.5 A receive, 11 A xmit @ 50 W (2- meter), 12 A xmit @ 50 W (70 cm)

FTM-400DR/XDR has touch screen Differences FTM-400DR/XDR has touch screen FTM-100DR does not

Differences The 400’s control head cannot mount to the body; the 100’s can mount to the body Switches for firmware updates: the 400DR requires the speaker cover to be removed; the 100DR has switches accessible externally, covered with rubber caps (the 400XDR has one, too)

Differences The 400 has dual-receive capability, while the 100 has only a single receiver On the 400, APRS can be monitored on the second receiver while monitoring on the first one. On the 100, APRS can’t be monitored in the background

My Experiences I own both FTM-400DR and FTM-100DR 400DR is in the vehicle, 100DR is at home Basic performance is very similar Hearing little difference in voice quality between DN and VW modes

FTM-400DR front panel in car My Setups FTM-100DR at home FTM-400DR front panel in car

Conclusions Both rigs are capable, good performers on FM and C4FM digital The 400-DR/XDR is better able to work with APRS due to its second receiver; this makes it better for use by a net control station looking to monitor field stations via APRS

Stop the Presses! New System Fusion rig: Yaesu FTM-3200DR 65/30/5 watts 2 meter only, no UHF No APRS capability but does have Group Monitor Unsure if front panel separates

For More Information Yaesu: http://www.yaesu.com/ System Fusion: http://systemfusion.yaesu.com/ FTM-400DR: http://systemfusion.yaesu.com/ftm-400dr/ FTM-100DR: http://systemfusion.yaesu.com/ftm-100dr/