Comparing Yaesu’s FTM-

400DR/XDR and FTM-

100DR
Roger Reini, KD8CSE
May 12, 2016

S
 Overview

 Introduce Yaesu’s two System Fusion mobile transceivers

 What they have in common

 Key differences

 My experiences with the two

 Conclusions
 The Two Rigs

FTM-400DR/XDR FTM-100DR
 What They Have In Common

 144/430 MHz bands

 1 analog and 3 digital operating modes:

 Analog FM
 V/D Mode (simultaneous voice and data in 12.5 kHz channel)
 Voice FR Mode (full 12.5 kHz used for voice)
 Data FR Mode (full 12.5 kHz used for data)

 50/20/5 watt switchable power output

 What They Have In Common

 3 watts audio power (8 W with external speaker)

 GPS antenna and receiver

 APRS capability (1200/9600 bps)

 Bluetooth-ready (with optional accessories)

 Digital group monitoring (GM) functions

 What They Have In Common

 Wideband receive: 108 – 999.99 MHz (cellular frequencies

blocked)

 Optional voice guide and recording functions

 500 channel memories for both main band A and sub band B

 Store and retrieve settings via micro SD card

 What They Have In Common

 Updatable firmware

 Rather involved procedures for updating firmware, including

turning on the transceivers while holding two other buttons
down on the panel and the toggling of special switches to
enable the updates

 Current consumption: 0.5 A receive, 11 A xmit @ 50 W (2-

meter), 12 A xmit @ 50 W (70 cm)
 Differences

FTM-400DR/XDR has
touch screen FTM-100DR does not
 Differences

 The 400’s control head cannot mount to the body; the 100’s can
mount to the body

 Switches for firmware updates: the 400DR requires the speaker

cover to be removed; the 100DR has switches accessible
externally, covered with rubber caps (the 400XDR has one,
too)
 Differences

 The 400 has dual-receive capability, while the 100 has only a
single receiver

 On the 400, APRS can be monitored on the second receiver

while monitoring on the first one.

 On the 100, APRS can’t be monitored in the background

 My Experiences

 I own both FTM-400DR and FTM-100DR

 400DR is in the vehicle, 100DR is at home

 Basic performance is very similar

 Hearing little difference in voice quality between DN and VW

modes
 My Setups

FTM-400DR front panel in

FTM-100DR at home car
 Conclusions

 Both rigs are capable, good performers on FM and C4FM

digital

 The 400-DR/XDR is better able to work with APRS due to its

second receiver; this makes it better for use by a net control
station looking to monitor field stations via APRS
Stop the Presses!

 New System Fusion rig: Yaesu

FTM-3200DR

 65/30/5 watts

 2 meter only, no UHF

 No APRS capability but does have

Group Monitor

 Unsure if front panel separates

 For More Information

 Yaesu: http://www.yaesu.com/

 System Fusion: http://systemfusion.yaesu.com/

 FTM-400DR: http://systemfusion.yaesu.com/ftm-400dr/

 FTM-100DR: http://systemfusion.yaesu.com/ftm-100dr/