FTM-150RASP

What Yaesu got right:

Super-DX function ADSP preamp with digital signal processor (works really good)

55 watts VHF / 50 watts UHF

Wide band coverage 108 to 550 (no gaps) there's really nothing above 512MHz

I monitor UHF SATCOM prirates and UHF MilAir with this radio and it has a great reciever for that band in AM & FM

MARS / CAP mod is so easy a Caveman could do it

Yaesu has released the new firmware of the FTM-150R/E series. The latest firmware versions and the release date are as follows: - MAIN: Ver 1.03(4/21/25),- SUB: Ver 1.02(4/21/25)

AM, FM, & Narrow band FM

The PMG feature is cool just wish Yaesu would start listening tio their customers and bring back scanning banks to manage 1,000 channels, only 5 in PMG doesn't cut it

Heavy Duty Heat Sink with FACC (Funnel Air Convection Conductor) The fan is very quiet

3W: Front Speaker / 3W: Main Body Speaker it’s super loud, it's like stereo lol

Mute button right on the mic helps at the drive thru, or a phone call

Mic plugs into the control head

Remote control head cable is a simple "RJ-45" CAT-5 cable, use your own save $$ Mic extension cable is a simplex "RJ-12" telephone cable, use your own save $$

Slidelock rail mounting bracket, thick heavy duty can be used as a wheel chock

Beautiful large color display 2 colors

TX / RX LED's indicating activity is nice

New improved mic design with more user assignable "P" keys to control the radio

Full duplex / cross band repeat

Special easy access one touch menu function key to rapidly access up to 8 of the most used menu items

Band Scope is okay, I really don't see a need for it but some might like it

Special aircraft scanning using "M-Air" works great

Lightening fast scan

Very detailed user menu system

SD card programming with FREE ADAMS-17 software, no need for proprietary cables or expensive CPS software a real plus

What Yaesu could improve on:

PMG (Primary Memory Group) pretty much useless to manage 1000 memory channels, Yaesu needs to bring back the scanning bank system like everyone else

No split PL-tone capability only PL / DCS not PL / PL, i.e. 110.9 TX / 97.4 RX

Mic hanger flimsy pitchfork design needs improving old design since the 90’s (here is an alternative)

Covers the whole 1.25cm 220 band but no TX on 220, why not? Even if it were only 5 or 10 watts

There is no easy and safe way to skip a memory channels without going through a bunch of menu steps, not safe while driving, should be a fast one press skip like other radios.

With that great big display you would think they could have added more than just 8 characters to the display memory channels

Final verdict:

It’s a big improvement since the FT-8800R

Definitely worth it, and it’s a definite keeper despite the minor shortcomings
You will be happy with this radio.

UPDATE! After playing around with this new radio for a short while I love it, the scan speed makes up for the lacking scan banks, the display is perfect and comfortable, the radio access buttons on top are awesome very usefull.