I have 3 Icoms that I have purchased over the past 30 years and found all of them to be very difficult to operate. I was looking for a simple, but high quality comm only radio. I havent had it long, but it is simple to operate and is of high quality.

Jim T Verified Purchase

Yaesu FTA 450L Comm Radio Only

Speedy service great product

John S Verified Purchase

Yaesu FTA 450L Comm Radio Only

Awesome COM radio, all the features, feel and look. User manual is not user friendly. Comes without a holster or protective case. Also it comes with PTT adapter but without an external button.

11819488 C Verified Purchase

Yaesu FTA 450L Comm Radio Only

I only needed an emergency back-up radio. I may never use it, but its simplicity ensures that if I ever do need it, I wont be scrambling for a users manual! Perfect.

James M Verified Purchase

Yaesu FTA 450L Comm Radio Only

Great little radio. Well built and works great. I use it as a backup and also as a receiver while in the hangar. Only minor complaints which mostly deal with software and menu setups.

A good radio. The second of the model I owned. The first I had mounted in a Rans s7 with a remote antenna. At 2000 ft I was talking to aircraft 50 miles away. Beyond that I. Oils hear them but not reach them. I bought this one as an emergency and a ground unit for general use. Overall I really like the features. Only downside is the memory scan function exists in two different menus and is not intuitive. If you don’t have the manual at hand adding channels to the scan function is a challenge and understanding when it will scan and how are also a headscratcher. If I could add a single feature it would be a last channel Monitor button - it has something similar for a primary channel but again not intuitive. Overall good value for the money and comes with a pile of accessories including the rechargeable batteries and a AA tray.

Jeremy D Verified Purchase

Yaesu FTA 450L Comm Radio Only

I have been using the FTA-450 with the SSM-10A speaker-mic in a glider for a week. A battery charge lasts approximately 10 hours of constant use. I like that this radio is comm only, I have used nav/comm handhelds in the past and they are overly complicated. The only drawback to this radio is the 3-step squelch adjustment. Also, our tow plane receives transmissions from our older Icoms better when we are separated by a low rise in the terrain on the airport.

Bryce K Verified Purchase

Yaesu FTA 450L Comm Radio Only

Great radio in terms of reception and broadcast. I have this as my primary communication tool in My RANs S7 on floats. I operate from remote lakes in western Nova Scotia and routinely talk to pilots at distances of 100kms. Not a huge fan of the menu system but, although loaded up with Freqs I rarely use the stored info.. I would buy it again.

To be honest, I was on the fence about ordering the COM only 450L, or the NAV/COM capable 550L (and almost returned the 450L to do that) but ultimately decided to keep the 450L radio. Im glad I did! Out of the box it comes very nicely equipped, with an upgraded 2000mAh battery, headset adapter, drop in desk charger, alkaline battery tray, USB programming cable, cigarette lighter DC cord and belt clip. In a word, the display is fantastic...very easy to see in various lighting conditions, with adjustable backlighting and contrast. Programming is simple, as well, with free PC programming software and USB driver available right from the Yaesu product web site. The user can group channels (and name the group) in any way he or she chooses. Very handy if you have some favorite airports. The price was awesome, too...I was able to take advantage of the Yaesu Sun N Fun rebate, so a good price got even better! The radio user interface is well-designed, but if I had to nit-pick, the scanning function is a bit awkward to operate. Ive used Yaesu radios for almost 40-years in the amateur radio world, and Im surprised they didnt employ an easier-to-use scanning function, similar to what they use in amateur radio. However, I typically only scan while listening en route to the airport or at home, so this certainly isnt a game-stopper. In closing, I wanted to mention Pilot Shops customer service. I needed to contact them, and had an answer pronto. I highly recommend the radio, and Pilot Shop. And no, Im not an employee!

As of this writing Ive only had it a couple weeks, but so far, Pros - Nice interface, good comm, easy to use and program, bright display, love the data connection that allows the user to enter multiple frequencies and locations from an PC app or an .xml file. Cons - You have to use a screwdriver or a coin to remove the earphone cover plate, try doing that in flight! The data upload application was not to be found in the supplied users manual, I had to search the companies website. App is not Mac compatible.

Good pilot interface and lots of programmability. Only downside with this unit to date, mounted in my challenger, is the side tone function does not work with my DAve Clark headsets. When not used with an intercom modified to provide side tone (ie plug headset directly into radio) you cannot hear yourself when you transmit. Have tried adjusting all relative settings as per the manual. No luck. I plan to follow up with manufacturer.

Total garbage. I sent it back.