Outdoor Adventure USA

I checked out the FTM-350 at HRO today; it is impressive, with it's very easy to read screen, and easy menu system ( Copied from the Kenwood TM-D710A, if you ask me ). It offers 1 watt on 220 Mhz, too, along with the option of an internally mounted GPS module, so it's a complete APRS package. Very nicely constructed, and comes with a suction cup mount for the head unit. Has optional bluetooth (although I had a FTM-10R with this option, and didn't use it very often for the money it cost... ). But the Kenwood has a voice synthesizer module that makes changes when driving easier, so you don't take your eyes off the road (also an option, about $50), which I do use all the time.

So, without actually using the radio, I was impressed; but I don't have any plans to replace the TM-D710A any time soon....

New toys are always tempting and the FT-350 seemed like it would be difficult to resist.

The price tag, which initially appears to be $600, plus a donation to the State of California of about $60.00, has dampened my spirit to buy another vhf/uhf radio. And since the face panel will not attach to the body of the radio, remote mounting is required - groan!

The Kenwood is back in the running.

DaveK wrote:New toys are always tempting and the FT-350 seemed like it would be difficult to resist.

The price tag, which initially appears to be $600, plus a donation to the State of California of about $60.00, has dampened my spirit to buy another vhf/uhf radio. And since the face panel will not attach to the body of the radio, remote mounting is required - groan!

The Kenwood is back in the running.

Another reason to get the Kenwood TM-D710A over the Yaesu FTM-350:

Many of us at OAUSA already have them - so shared programming and memory channels, set-up and APRS, as well as the ability to assist each other easily because we all have the same menus / buttons, make it a very convenient choice....

cruiserlarry wrote:Many of us at OAUSA already have them

I've heard of OAUSA. I'll have to look into that.