Yaesu FT-2900R: Detailed Review

The Yaesu FT-2900R is a 2 meter heavyweight. It’s solid, brawn-ish features combine with a hefty 75 watts to provide a powerful RF punch. It’s heavy, sure, and it’s quite large; but if you’re looking to this single-band mobile radio, you’re probably less concerned with style and class than you are with work performance. As I’ve spent time with the FT-2900R, I’ve grown to really appreciate it’s ruggedness; and though I’ve never thrown it against a concrete wall, I have no doubt that this radio is bombproof.
Although the FT-2900R is hearty, it comes at the expense of some functionality and, as mentioned, size and weight. As I explain below, this is a wonderful radio, but its uses may be somewhat limited. Without spoiling any more of the fun, let’s get right into it!

Iron Weight on the Doorstep

HEAVY. It’s the first word that comes to mind when holding the box containing the Yaesu FT-2900R. Coming in at nearly twice the weight of some competitors like the Icom IC-2300H, the FT-2900R is a full 4 1/4 pounds, perfect for those days you’d rather do bicep curls with a radio rather than head to the gym. Let’s just say, I was very surprised when picking up the delivery box.
It comes packaged with the typical mobile radio componentry: