ScannerDesk VA3DBJ - Yaesu VX-7R-ScannerDesk VA3DBJ

The World's First Submersible Amateur Handheld

Protected against water ingress by a wide array of rubber gaskets and other weatherproofing techniques, the VX-7R is rated for 30 minutes of submersion at a depth of 3 feet (JIS-7), plus a tough magnesium body with rubber bumper pads, making it ideal for outdoor use. Plus you get Dual Receive, 50/144/430 MHz operation plus wide-band receive coverage, a full color status indicator Strobe, and an "Internet" key for quick access to the exciting new WIRESâ„¢ repeater-internet linking system.

Unmatched Weatherproofing

The VX-7R case, keypad, speaker, and connectorts are carefully sealed to protect the internal circuitry against water damage. And the optional CMP460A Speaker/Microphone, like the transceiver itself, is rated for 30 minutes of submersion at a depth of up to three feet. The VX-7R is available in both Silver (VX-7R) and Black (VX-7RB) versions.

5 Watts of Power

Utilizing a reliable FET power amplifier circuit, the VX-7R provides a full 5 Watts of power output on the 50, 144, and 430 MHz Amateur bands, with bonus coverage of the 222 MHz band at 300 mW (USA version only). And for 6-meter AM enthusiasts, you also get 1 Watt of carrier power on the 50 MHz band. Four power levels may be selected, each offering its own degree of battery conservation.

Dual Receive

The VX-7R is capable of four modes of Dual Receive, including simultaneous reception of (1) two VHF frequencies; (2) two UHF frequencies; one VHF and one UHF frequency; or one "general coverage" frequency and one "Ham" frequency. And you can set up the VX-7R to reduce the audio level on the "Sub" band, if you like, when a call is received on the "Main" band.

The Most Memories Ever

Sporting the most memory capability of any Amateur transceiver, the VX-7R includes over 900 memory channels, yet access is simple and intuitive, thanks to the 8-character labeling capability. These memories include 450 "regular" memories, 10 "One-Touch" memories, 40 programmable band-edge-limit memories 12 "Home" channels, 10 Weather Band memories, 89 Shortwave Broadcast preset memories, 280 Marine channels, and 10 "Hyper" memories that store complete transceiver configuration data.

The Best Display Ever

No Amateur transceiver has a display that even compares to the VX-7R's 132 x 64 dot matrix disaply. Providing clear, easy-to-read indication of both the Main and Sub band frequencies, operating mode, and S-meters for both bands, the display includes an unparalleled array of graphical and pictorial tools that make operation a breeze.

Feature overview

900 Memories
Wideband receiver, 500kHz - 999MHz (the US version has cellular telephone frequencies blocked)
CTCSS/DCS tone squelch
European Tone Burst
True user-selectable Dual Receive
ARTS-Automatic In-Range Transponder
Backlit Keypad & LCD
Internet Key for Access to WIRESâ„¢
DTMF encoder for control of remote systems and telephone dialing

Frequency Range Transmit

50 - 54 MHz 5 Watts
144 - 148 MHz 5 Watts
222 - 225 MHz 300 mW (US version)
430 - 450 MHz 5 Watts

Each band (except 222MHz) can be switched between 5 watts, 1 watt, 300 milliwatts, and 50 milliwatts. Through an undocumented test menu, it is relatively easy to change power output within ~10 milliwatts to 5 Watts for each power level. This is useful because the small battery will last significantly longer at 2.5 Watts than 5 Watts (about 1/2 current drain for a very small reduction in range).

Click here for VHF TX power graph.
Click here for UHF TX power graph.

Characteristics

The VX-7R can transmit a 1 watt AM carrier on the six meter band. While the usefulness of this feature is disputed, it is fun to try. It is recommended to use an external antenna tuned to the lower part of the six meter band for this feature.
The VX-7R is often used for FM voice communications through low earth orbit amateur radio satellites.
The VX-7R cannot transmit and simultaneously receive on another band as some other "dual-receive" HTs can, but the dual-receive on any combination of bands functions reasonably well. The "Sub" VFO is limited to frequencies around the 50, 144, and 440 amateur bands, while the "Main" VFO has a much broader frequency coverage.

Modifications

The VX-7R can be modified to transmit on MARS and CAPS frequencies through both hardware and software techniques. The hardware modification requires the removal of small solder contacts located under the battery pack. The software modification can be made with the VX Commander software through a data interface cable. Both modifications obtain the same result, except that the software modification will be disabled if the radio is hard-reset.

Soon after the release of the VX-7R a design flaw was discovered related to the radio's waterproof housing. Not only was the radio water-tight, but it was also air-tight. This would result in a pressure differential between the inside of the radio and the atmosphere, caused by changes in barometric pressure or altitude. This pressure differential would prevent proper oscillation of the speaker diaphragm, resulting in reduced and muffled audio output. Yaesu remedied the problem by adding a small valve under the bottom left rubber armor, which allows equalization of the interior pressure with the atmosphere. The design change was reflected in all new radios produced from that point on, and any older radios sent in for repair are retrofitted with this modification.

Some VX-7R owners complained of poor microphone sensitivity, which resulted in low audio levels on transmit. A crude modification was developed by end-users to solve the problem, at the expense of sacrificing the radio's water-proof capability. If small holes are pierced in the rubber seal covering the microphone diaphragm, then sound waves can better reach the microphone diaphragm, resulting in better audio sensitivity.

Other Modifications:

Software for the VX-7R

VX-7 Commander

VX7 Commander is a complete PC programming software package for the Yaesu VX-7R Amateur Ham Tranceiver. This software allows for programming memory channels, editing custom icons, and much much more. Other options allow for software Mars/Cap and Freeband modifications - all without opening up your VX-7R!

Features:

Edit, cut, copy, paste, delete, move Main, One-Touch, Scan Edge, Home, and VFO Memories
Edit Memory Groups
Edit Hyper Memories
Edit the VX-7 Set Mode settings
Software modifications for MARS/CAP and Freeband
Software modification to enable the "My Menu" feature
Import from csv files and ARRL TravelPlus ^(TM) files
Import data from VX-5 EVE files and RDF files
Open VX-7 .RDF (RT Systems ADMS-1G) files (must save as .vx7 files)
Recover deleted memories, even if VX-7 is reset
Custom Icon Editor, Custom Font Editor
Print memory range to default printer
Two selectable interfaces for editing memories

Click here for the VX-7 Commander software download.

Undocumented Items

The following are a few items that where found, but not documented in the manual. I have tested them and they do work.

Delete Memory Channel

To remove a memory channel from a memory group:
* Get into Memory Group mode in the group you want.
* Press MonF until the [F] turns into a [W].
* Rotate the dial to the memory channel desired.
* Press V/M for 2 seconds.

A similar technique can be used to delete a memory channel all together:
* Get out of Memory Group mode, but remain in memory mode.
* Press MonF until the [F] turns into a [W].
* Rotate the dial to the memory channel desired.
* Press V/M for 2 seconds.

Deleted memory channels are not marked as such. A deleted channel will not be picked as available, even if "Memo Write Mode" is set to "Next CH". The channel is gone, however, and won't be picked up by scanning or turning the dial.