Yaesu FT-8800R
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| Frequency | 144-148 MHz, 430-450 MHz |
| TX power | 5 / 35 / 50 W |
| Modes | FM |
| Weight | 1.1 kg (2.4 lb) |
| Connector | SO-239 |
| Year | 2003 |
| antenna | SO-239 |
| dc in | 13.8VDC fused power cable |
| mic | Yaesu 8-pin RJ-45 modular (MH-48 style) |
| power req | 13.8VDC (vehicle power) |
The successor to the FT-8100R, with improved dual receive (independent volume and squelch per band) and, new to this model, cross-band repeat. Detachable front panel, wideband receive, 512 memories per band, and 6 hyper memories. It refined the dual-band mobile concept.
No APRS. No digital modes. Superseded by the FT-8900R with quad-band capability. The display is monochrome. Programming without software is tedious.
The mid-2000s Yaesu dual-band mobile. Reliable and well-liked, but sandwiched between the FT-8100R before it and the FT-8900R after it. A good radio that gets overshadowed by its more interesting successor.
The FT-8800R is a dual-band 2-meter and 70-centimeter analog FM mobile built around true dual receive: each band has its own volume and squelch, so you genuinely monitor two frequencies at once. It makes 50 watts on 2 meters and 35 watts on 70 centimeters, and crucially it does cross-band repeat, the feature that separates it from the cheaper FT-7900R.
That cross-band capability makes it a favorite for extending a handheld's reach through the mobile, or for quick emergency relays. It carries 512 memories per band, a thermostatically controlled cooling fan, and supports the optional YSK-8900 kit to remote-mount the control head. It is analog FM only, no C4FM, no digital. The occasional complaint is fan noise in a confined install, but thermally it holds up well.
Yaesu discontinued it and pointed buyers to the quad-band FT-8900R as its replacement, which adds 10-meter and 6-meter coverage on top of the same dual-band core. For a pure 2-meter and 70-centimeter rig with dual receive and cross-band repeat, though, the FT-8800R remains a well-regarded used choice.