I have a new VX8R and would like to get a replacement for the stock antenna.
What would you recommend? I would prefer the new antenna to work on 2m and 440
and maybe 6 m. I would like to use it with a mag mount for the car. What type of
mag mount would you recommend?

Many reviews on the Diamond SRH320A say its a great antenna.
I have one and it works nice, Im a new ham though so I went with what had good
reviews.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4298




--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "astralman66" <astralman66@...> wrote:
>
> I have a new VX8R and would like to get a replacement for the stock antenna.
What would you recommend? I would prefer the new antenna to work on 2m and 440
and maybe 6 m. I would like to use it with a mag mount for the car. What type of
mag mount would you recommend?
>

Just heard from HB9DSX that he bought a cable for his VX-8 from Valley
Enterprises in the US. He said:

"The connector to the VX-8 is very tight-fitting, attention is needed plugging
it in/out. But my vista notebook accepted it instantly no problem at all. I'm
very pleased with that solution."

The cable uses a Prolific USB chip and is made by Maxton in China. Anyone having
driver difficulties please contact me - I have XP and Vista versions.

Valley Enterprises are here:

  http://valley-ent.com/catalog/

In the Categories section on the left of the screen choose Two-Way Radio, then
Programming Cables, then Yaesu/Vertex.

73,
Bob  G4HFQ

My VX-8R was working just fine when the battery died.  Upon recharging, nothing
comes up on the screen although I can manipulate the settings (I can hear the
beep of changing buttons etc.) but no screen.  The screen LED light works fine. 
Occasionally the screen came on (rare) on but it's 'mumbo-jumbo.' Upon using the
RT software (previously worked fine) I get a Hardware doesn't match the radio
error message.  Clearly something has gone haywire.  I tried a micro pro reset
but to no avail.  Thoughts?!

Actually, the radio might be on...it's just off in the woods.

Remove the battery.

Hold the FW key while you replace the battery or apply external DC (connect the
wall charger...seems easier than that battery).

The radio comes back on in CLONE mode
This info is from RT Systems website.

Thank you.  Good news/bad news.  Did as suggested and was able to get RT
software to communicate now but the screen is still blank.  I was hoping by
using the RT software maybe something would 'reset' but ot no avail.  Any other
ideas?

Thank you in advance.

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "jyoungquist" <cruiser@...> wrote:
>
> Actually, the radio might be on...it's just off in the woods.
>
> Remove the battery.
>
> Hold the FW key while you replace the battery or apply external DC (connect
the wall charger...seems easier than that battery).
>
> The radio comes back on in CLONE mode
> This info is from RT Systems website.
>

I'll call them today.  Fingers crossed!  Thank you for the info.

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, Noel-Ramshy Idris <du8ram@...> wrote:
>
> Hi, it happened to my vx8r. Tried everything resetting etc but to no avail.
Your problem  is exactly the same with what happened to my vx8r. You can enter a
frequency thru vfo blindly and can hear the transmit and receive but without the
LCD display. I called up YAESU and ended up sending the unit back to them and
after evaluating the problem they sent me another unit. There's three of us now
who had this problem.
> Good luck and 73
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: canucksarguy <daryl.black@...>
> To: VX8R@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 8:10:50 AM
> Subject: [VX8R] Screen Dead on VX-8R?!
>
>
> My VX-8R was working just fine when the battery died.  Upon recharging,
nothing comes up on the screen although I can manipulate the settings (I can
hear the beep of changing buttons etc.) but no screen.  The screen LED light
works fine.  Occasionally the screen came on (rare) on but it's 'mumbo-jumbo. '
Upon using the RT software (previously worked fine) I get a Hardware doesn't
match the radio error message.  Clearly something has gone haywire.  I tried a
micro pro reset but to no avail.  Thoughts?!
>

FTBVX8 V1.0.2 is now available here:

  http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/download.html

Changes in this release:

* Bugfix: radio responded with NOBANKS when pressing the BAND button to enter
banks mode when banks were present but VFO B was the main VFO

* Change: minor text changes

* Add: check for Japanese full-width characters in name fields and display
(DBCS) if found; add a rest (POS) note to the tune editor.

73,
Bob  G4HFQ

A version of FTBVX8 for the Japanese model VX-8 only has been developed - it is
called FTBVX8J.

You can enter and edit Japanese characters in name fields, the full 721 preset
special memories are supported, as well as the additional band T.

Anyone wishing to participate in beta testing this new program please email me
direct.

73,
Bob  G4HFQ

Hi all,

Has anyone noticed some noise on UHF that is probably generated by the GPS when
it is on the VX-8 next to the antenna? When I have the GPS connected and I hear
a fairly weak signal on 430.675 KHZ UHF (i.e. S3-5) I can hear it distorted, as
if there is QRN present on the frequency. When I disconnect the GPS and try the
same signal it is clear. The same happens with the GPS on the microphone and
also with a 2nd GPS I have here which I use only for the microphone. I even
changed GPS and put the one I have permanently in the microphone and the same
thing happens. If I hear another signal on 430.775 KHZ (100 KHZ higher) the
noise is slightly less disturbing.

I wonder if it happens only in my VX-8 and if there is a cure for it.

Any info would be much appreciated.

73 de Demetre SV1UY
http://aprs.fi/sv1uy-7

I bought this cable and I'm having difficulties. I followed the install guidance
and the drivers successfully installed the cable on COM port 11. I verified the
drivers installed in the device Manager on my VISTA SP1 notebook. When I start
FTBVX8 in Evaluation mode and run COM port detector, it detects no
active/available ports. i follow the guidance in the COM port detector window
with no success.

I have removed and installed the cable driver; I've deleted the FTBVX8 registry
Key and started over - no success...ideas?

Howard
KO4GS

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "g4hfq" <bob.freeth@...> wrote:
>
> Just heard from HB9DSX that he bought a cable for his VX-8 from Valley
Enterprises in the US. He said:
>
> "The connector to the VX-8 is very tight-fitting, attention is needed plugging
it in/out. But my vista notebook accepted it instantly no problem at all. I'm
very pleased with that solution."
>
> The cable uses a Prolific USB chip and is made by Maxton in China. Anyone
having driver difficulties please contact me - I have XP and Vista versions.
>
> Valley Enterprises are here:
>
>  http://valley-ent.com/catalog/
>
> In the Categories section on the left of the screen choose Two-Way Radio, then
Programming Cables, then Yaesu/Vertex.
>
> 73,
> Bob  G4HFQ
>

Howard. May be a driver issue. If you use Device Manager do you get a yellow
triangle next to the device? Here are links to the Prolific PL-2303 USB driver
installers on my web site:

  http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/dev/PL2303XP2K2028.exe

  http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/dev/PL2303Vista3200.exe

Download and run the appropriate driver installer. If you are running Vista then
right-click on the installer executable and choose Run as Administrator.

Be sure to have the cable disconnected from the PC when you run it. If the
installer initially asks if you want to un-install the existing drivers then say
yes; then re-boot; then run the installer a second time to install.

When you have the driver installed then connect the cable to the radio and PC
and use the COM port Detector command on the Settings menu to set the port
number.

If still in trouble please email me direct.

73,
Bob  G4HFQ

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "Howard Waxman" <ko4gs@...> wrote:
>
> I bought this cable and I'm having difficulties. I followed the install
guidance and the drivers successfully installed the cable on COM port 11. I
verified the drivers installed in the device Manager on my VISTA SP1 notebook.
When I start FTBVX8 in Evaluation mode and run COM port detector, it detects no
active/available ports. i follow the guidance in the COM port detector window
with no success.
>
> I have removed and installed the cable driver; I've deleted the FTBVX8
registry Key and started over - no success...ideas?
>
> Howard
> KO4GS
>
> --- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "g4hfq" <bob.freeth@> wrote:
> >
> > Just heard from HB9DSX that he bought a cable for his VX-8 from Valley
Enterprises in the US. He said:
> >
> > "The connector to the VX-8 is very tight-fitting, attention is needed
plugging it in/out. But my vista notebook accepted it instantly no problem at
all. I'm very pleased with that solution."
> >
> > The cable uses a Prolific USB chip and is made by Maxton in China. Anyone
having driver difficulties please contact me - I have XP and Vista versions.
> >
> > Valley Enterprises are here:
> >
> >  http://valley-ent.com/catalog/
> >
> > In the Categories section on the left of the screen choose Two-Way Radio,
then Programming Cables, then Yaesu/Vertex.
> >
> > 73,
> > Bob  G4HFQ
> >
>

It turns out that this was due to Howard's Palm Hotsync Manager grabbing every
Com port in sight. Howard emailed me earlier - Success! - I exited my PDA
Hotsync and it works!

Bob  G4HFQ

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "g4hfq" <bob.freeth@...> wrote:
>
> Howard. May be a driver issue. If you use Device Manager do you get a yellow
triangle next to the device? Here are links to the Prolific PL-2303 USB driver
installers on my web site:
>
>  http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/dev/PL2303XP2K2028.exe
>
>  http://www.g4hfq.co.uk/dev/PL2303Vista3200.exe
>
> Download and run the appropriate driver installer. If you are running Vista
then right-click on the installer executable and choose Run as Administrator.
>
> Be sure to have the cable disconnected from the PC when you run it. If the
installer initially asks if you want to un-install the existing drivers then say
yes; then re-boot; then run the installer a second time to install.
>
> When you have the driver installed then connect the cable to the radio and PC
and use the COM port Detector command on the Settings menu to set the port
number.
>
> If still in trouble please email me direct.
>
> 73,
> Bob  G4HFQ
>

I recently purchased a VX8R HT and have a question about storing frequency band
limits.
I reviewed the operating manual on how to accomplish this several times but
can't figure it out.
Can someome give me step-by-step instructions to resolve my problem.
Thank you for any help on this.

Anyone here try the Maldol MH-511 antenna?  It would be nice to have a decent 4"
antenna instead of going up in size.

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "kd0fqx" <dave.phelps@...> wrote:
>
> Anyone here try the Maldol MH-511 antenna?  It would be nice to
> have a decent 4" antenna instead of going up in size.

IMHO

Not sure if the words "decent" and "4 in. antenna" should be in the same
sentence.

That small of an antenna is going to have a tough time hitting all but the
closest of repeaters in your area.

Compared to the already underwhelmed gain on the Yaesu stock antenna, this
antenna is a step down (as with most anything that small).

Is that because you've tried it?    I believe the original poster wanted to hear
from someone with real experience.  From what I've read from owners, it sounds
excellent for it's size.  It's got me interested.

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "jonesea" <jonese@...> wrote:
>
> --- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "kd0fqx" <dave.phelps@> wrote:
> >
> > Anyone here try the Maldol MH-511 antenna?  It would be nice to
> > have a decent 4" antenna instead of going up in size.
>
> IMHO
>
> Not sure if the words "decent" and "4 in. antenna" should be in the same
sentence.
>
> That small of an antenna is going to have a tough time hitting all but the
closest of repeaters in your area.
>
> Compared to the already underwhelmed gain on the Yaesu stock antenna, this
antenna is a step down (as with most anything that small).
>

You can read several user reviews here ...

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5128

73,
Rick AE7RS

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "kd0fqx" <dave.phelps@...> wrote:
>
> Anyone here try the Maldol MH-511 antenna?  It would be nice to have a decent
4" antenna instead of going up in size.
>

I bought one used on Epay for a VX-7 and the stock antenna was noticeably better
on 2m and 440MHz. 6M was grim. I later sold it on Epay. If you only need 2m and
440 I found a 7" long wire whip from Workman works very well and about the same
as the stock antenna, these cost under $10. The stock antenna is really hard to
beat and in my opinion one of the best out there.
Mike

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "William R Sterling" <rick@...> wrote:
>
> You can read several user reviews here ...
>
> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5128
>
> 73,
> Rick AE7RS
>
> --- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "kd0fqx" <dave.phelps@> wrote:
> >
> > Anyone here try the Maldol MH-511 antenna?  It would be nice to have a
decent 4" antenna instead of going up in size.
> >
>

KD0FQX wrote...

> Anyone here try the Maldol MH-511 antenna? It would be nice to have a
> decent 4" antenna instead of going up in size.

I've got one on a VX-7R. I haven't done any proper tests to compare it
with anything. It's almost rigid. While I have never done any proper
tests, I'm happy with the performance, but if I knew it was not
semi-flexible, I might have looked for something else. I just wanted
something that was a lot shorter than the long stock antenna that came
with the 7R.

73 es cul - Keith VE7GDH
--
"I may be lost, but I know exactly where I am!"

Hello everyone,

I have some problem here turning on Repearter ARS in my VX-8R.
When I enter #76 RPT ARS from the MENU, it indicate that the ARS is OFF.
However I turned my knob, press the up and down arrow, there's nothing happened.
I can't switch it on my ARS. I even reset my HT, but still the same. Any
solution for this?

Appreciate yours feedback on this.

----- Original Message -----

From: cheewooi@...

To: VX8R@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:24 AM

Subject: [VX8R] Yaesu VX-8R unable to turn ON ARS

 

Hello everyone,

I have some problem here turning on Repearter ARS in my VX-8R.
When I enter #76 RPT ARS from the MENU, it indicate that the ARS is OFF.
However I turned my knob, press the up and down arrow, there's nothing happened. I can't switch it on my ARS. I even reset my HT, but still the same. Any solution for this?

Appreciate yours feedback on this.

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.61/2313 - Release Date: 08/19/09 06:03:00

Hi,
Yep, running on dual band mode. Is this will disable the ARS?

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "M. Blaise" <mblaise@...> wrote:
>
> Do you have dual band mode (A & B) on?
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: cheewooi@...
>   To: VX8R@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:24 AM
>   Subject: [VX8R] Yaesu VX-8R unable to turn ON ARS
>
>
>     Hello everyone,
>
>   I have some problem here turning on Repearter ARS in my VX-8R.
>   When I enter #76 RPT ARS from the MENU, it indicate that the ARS is OFF.
>   However I turned my knob, press the up and down arrow, there's nothing
happened. I can't switch it on my ARS. I even reset my HT, but still the same.
Any solution for this?
>
>   Appreciate yours feedback on this.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>   Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.61/2313 - Release Date: 08/19/09
06:03:00
>

I believe you need to have both A and B bands on and also need to turn on the
APRS modem.

Try that and let me know if you can make changes to menu # 76.

Mike
KC2TOH

---- "cheewooi@..." <cheewooi81@...> wrote:

=============
Hi,
Yep, running on dual band mode. Is this will disable the ARS?

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "M. Blaise" <mblaise@...> wrote:
>
> Do you have dual band mode (A & B) on?
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: cheewooi@...
>   To: VX8R@yahoogroups.com
>   Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:24 AM
>   Subject: [VX8R] Yaesu VX-8R unable to turn ON ARS
>
>
>     Hello everyone,
>
>   I have some problem here turning on Repearter ARS in my VX-8R.
>   When I enter #76 RPT ARS from the MENU, it indicate that the ARS is OFF.
>   However I turned my knob, press the up and down arrow, there's nothing
happened. I can't switch it on my ARS. I even reset my HT, but still the same.
Any solution for this?
>
>   Appreciate yours feedback on this.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>   No virus found in this incoming message.
>   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>   Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.61/2313 - Release Date: 08/19/09
06:03:00
>

APRS only works on the B band and you must have the APRS frequency selected on
the B band. You can use the A band for other things or the A band can be
inactive. APRS will only work when the B band is active but both A and B are not
needed for APRS. To disable APRS, I make band A only active.
Doug K4EGA



--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, <mblaise@...> wrote:
>
> I believe you need to have both A and B bands on and also need to turn on the
APRS modem.
>
> Try that and let me know if you can make changes to menu # 76.
>
> Mike
> KC2TOH
>
> ---- "cheewooi@..." <cheewooi81@...> wrote:
>
> =============
> Hi,
> Yep, running on dual band mode. Is this will disable the ARS?
>
> --- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "M. Blaise" <mblaise@> wrote:
> >
> > Do you have dual band mode (A & B) on?
> >
> >
> >   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: cheewooi@
> >   To: VX8R@yahoogroups.com
> >   Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:24 AM
> >   Subject: [VX8R] Yaesu VX-8R unable to turn ON ARS
> >
> >
> >     Hello everyone,
> >
> >   I have some problem here turning on Repearter ARS in my VX-8R.
> >   When I enter #76 RPT ARS from the MENU, it indicate that the ARS is OFF.
> >   However I turned my knob, press the up and down arrow, there's nothing
happened. I can't switch it on my ARS. I even reset my HT, but still the same.
Any solution for this?
> >
> >   Appreciate yours feedback on this.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
> >   No virus found in this incoming message.
> >   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> >   Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.61/2313 - Release Date: 08/19/09
06:03:00
> >
>

I am trying to find out what does this Menu #35 Extended Menu do?
I have not been able to find out with my Manual.
Thanks and 73s.
Homer KD8LUY

I tried both - either enable A band or B band ONLY and BOTH band. Still unable
to change the REPEATER ARS.

--- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, <mblaise@...> wrote:
>
> I believe you need to have both A and B bands on and also need to turn on the
APRS modem.
>
> Try that and let me know if you can make changes to menu # 76.
>
> Mike
> KC2TOH
>
> ---- "cheewooi@..." <cheewooi81@...> wrote:
>
> =============
> Hi,
> Yep, running on dual band mode. Is this will disable the ARS?
>
> --- In VX8R@yahoogroups.com, "M. Blaise" <mblaise@> wrote:
> >
> > Do you have dual band mode (A & B) on?
> >
> >
> >   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: cheewooi@
> >   To: VX8R@yahoogroups.com
> >   Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 11:24 AM
> >   Subject: [VX8R] Yaesu VX-8R unable to turn ON ARS
> >
> >
> >     Hello everyone,
> >
> >   I have some problem here turning on Repearter ARS in my VX-8R.
> >   When I enter #76 RPT ARS from the MENU, it indicate that the ARS is OFF.
> >   However I turned my knob, press the up and down arrow, there's nothing
happened. I can't switch it on my ARS. I even reset my HT, but still the same.
Any solution for this?
> >
> >   Appreciate yours feedback on this.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
> >   No virus found in this incoming message.
> >   Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> >   Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.61/2313 - Release Date: 08/19/09
06:03:00
> >
>