Yaesu FT-70DR
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| Frequency | TX: 144-148 MHz (VHF), 430-450 MHz (UHF), RX: 108-579.995 MHz wideband (AM airband + FM + C4FM) |
| TX power | 0.5 / 2 / 5 W (5W / 2W / 0.5W. Three selectable levels.) |
| Modes | FM (analog), C4FM (Yaesu System Fusion digital), AM (airband receive only) |
| Battery | Li-ion 1800mAh / 7.4V |
| Weight | 255 g (9 oz) - 255g (8.99 oz) with SBR-24LI and antenna. Dimensions: 60×98×33 mm (2.36×3.86×1.3 in). |
| Connector | SMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas |
| Year | 2017 |
| antenna | SMA-Female on the radio body - takes SMA-Male antennas |
| speaker mic | Yaesu proprietary (3.5mm + 2.5mm) |
| usb | mini USB (programming + updates) |
| ext dc | external DC jack (power + charging) |
| power req | SBR-24LI 1800mAh 7.4V Li-ion (included). External DC jack. 3-year warranty. |
Estimated (unverified): AMATEUR (ham) radio - FCC Technician-class license required to transmit (2m/70cm); NOT GMRS, NOT license-free. Digital mode is C4FM / SYSTEM FUSION (Yaesu's own FDMA standard) - NOT DMR, NOT D-STAR. Does C4FM digital + analog FM. 5W / 2W / 0.5W. Automatic Mode Select (AMS, auto digital/analog); IP54 + MIL-STD-810; wide RX incl. air band; 900 memories; 1800 mAh; mini-USB. Wires-X via repeater/hotspot only (NOT a portable Wires-X node). Introduced 2017. Current.
The most affordable way into Yaesu System Fusion. C4FM gives noticeably better audio than analog FM, and AMS auto-switches modes. It has wideband receive 108-580 MHz, 900 channels, IP54, WX with alert, 700 mW audio, mini-USB programming, and a 3-year warranty. It is ARRL Lab tested.
Parasitic battery drain (a known Yaesu issue; pull the battery between sessions). The 1800 mAh battery life is adequate, not exceptional. No touchscreen, GPS, APRS, or Bluetooth (the FT3DR has them). No dot-matrix display. No dual-watch. The menu can be confusing. Premium-priced.
An entry-level System Fusion digital HT. The FT-70DR puts Yaesu C4FM into a mid-priced handheld with AMS, IP54, and wideband receive. If your local repeaters run System Fusion, it is the entry point; if not, the FT-65R saves real money. The FT3DR is the premium step-up with GPS, APRS, a touchscreen, and Bluetooth.
The Yaesu FT-70DR is an affordable entry into Yaesu's digital ecosystem, a dual-band handheld that does both analog FM and Yaesu's C4FM digital mode. The key thing to understand about the digital side is what it is: C4FM, also called System Fusion, which is Yaesu's own digital standard. It is not DMR and not D-STAR, those are different, incompatible systems from other makers. It requires an FCC Technician-class license or higher to transmit; it is not a GMRS or license-free radio.
Its signature convenience is Automatic Mode Select (AMS), which detects whether an incoming signal is digital or analog and switches automatically, so you never miss a call on a mixed repeater. It runs 5 watts, carries an IP54 rating and MIL-STD-810 ruggedness, and connects to the Wires-X network through repeaters and hotspots, though, unlike the flagship radios, it cannot itself act as a portable Wires-X node. The two common complaints are heavy standby battery drain and fiddly programming.
As the cheapest way into System Fusion, it is a popular first digital radio. The flagship Fusion handheld is the FT3DR; for Yaesu's analog-only budget option, the FT-4XR.