The flashlight is not particularly bright, but it might help you find those keys you dropped next to the tent in the dark. The white LED is mounted above the display to the right side, and it is activated by a bright orange pushbutton on the top center of the case. Not to be outdone by those other new HTs on the market, Yaesu designed an LED flashlight into the FT-65R. Additionally, the speaker resides near the top of the FT-65R case, moving the illuminated LCD display to be centered vertically on the face – a distinct configuration change from the FT-60R. Transmit power setting options remain 5W / 2.5W / 0.5W via a menu selection, and speaker audio output is a loud and crisp 1 watt.
While the greying FT-60 still employs nickel-metal hydride battery technology, the new kid sports a standard 1950 mAh lithium-ion battery, with an optional upgrade to a 2500 mAh in a slightly larger form factor. The new HT maintains many nice legacy features of the predecessor while embodying numerous updates and changes. While this may slightly increase the risk of inadvertent PTT activations, the new configuration is easier to activate and more comfortable with frequent or prolonged use than the predecessor.įT-65R (left) and FT-60R (right). The button is raised from its encasement surround, in contrast to the older FT-60’s mildly recessed PTT design. The button protrudes from the upper left side of the HT, tilted up at a slight angle that ergonomically accommodates either thumb or forefinger activation. Within a day of intermittent use I found myself appreciating the size and weight, as well as the simplified but comfortably familiar keys and menu structure.įeatures: Perhaps the most standout new feature of the FT-65R is the PTT button. It is slightly narrower than the FT-60R in all dimensions, making a comfortable fit into the palm and sporting a more-than-adequate belt clip.
Although we did not conduct destructive testing, the FT-65R gives an impression of rugged reliability at a mere 9.17 ounces, nearly 4 ounces less than its older brother. We found, however, that beyond those surface features was a well-conceived, simple-to-operate, and in many ways improved Yaesu basic HT that preserved some of the best features of the FT-60. At least it doesn’t speak Chinese to you when you press the keys. But the reverse SMA antenna jack may be more than some loyal fans can stomach.
The FT-65R is, in fact, made in China with Yaesu Japanese design. We picked up a new FT-65R at Ham Radio Outlet, Denver, in March 2017 and put it through the paces.įirst Impressions: For some stalwart Yaesu HT fans the FT-60R will give a poor first impression as “too Chinese,” sacrificing some of the older brother’s rounded feature styling and small illuminated keys for more “Baofeng-like” sharp angles and larger unlighted keys.