As a pilot, I am deeply impressed by the user experience of the Yaesu FTL-850L VHF transceiver. From rotary wing aircraft to fixed wing aircraft, it can meet my communication needs during flight and is a very practical device.
Unboxing and first experience
The first feeling when opening the box of FTL-850L is “solid”. The texture of this walkie-talkie is very solid, and you can clearly feel the care of Yaesu in design. It comes with a rich accessories: a detailed operation manual, DC adapter (can be used for car or aircraft power supply), multiple wall plug adapters, charging base, USB to Micro USB data cable, and two portable power sources – 2200mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack and 6 AA battery box. The latter is very practical in emergency situations, such as encountering emergencies during field flights. One more power option is one more guarantee.
In addition, it also comes with a dual GA plug adapter for easy connection of headphones, which is very important for communication during flight. If necessary, you can also choose a push-to-talk (PTT) button, which can be installed on the joystick or steering wheel, which is very convenient to operate.
Functions and Operation Experience
The FTL-850L is very versatile. It is equipped with a WAAS GPS receiver and recorder, supports 400 storage channels, and has VOR and ILS navigation display functions. Although these functions may not be commonly used in domestic airspace, their practicality is still self-evident. For example, when flying in complex terrain or unfamiliar airspace, the VOR navigation function can help me quickly locate and plan routes, while the ILS display function can provide additional reference in low visibility conditions.
In addition, it also supports Bluetooth and has noise reduction for transmitting and receiving communications. This is very critical in flight. Whether it is ground command or communicating with other pilots, clear voice transmission can significantly improve flight safety and efficiency. For rotorcraft pilots, the IPX5 waterproof rating means that it can be used normally in light rain without worrying about the equipment being damaged by moisture.
Compared with the previous generation FTL-750L, the improvements of the FTL-850L are also very obvious. The 2.4-inch full-color display makes the operation interface more intuitive, the transmission power is increased from 5 watts to 6 watts, the signal transmission is more stable, and the storage channel capacity is doubled, which makes it more convenient for me to set commonly used frequencies.
Actual flight test
In actual use, the performance of the FTL-850L made me very satisfied. When I used it for the first time, it took only two minutes to put it into the charging base, and it charged for several hours before I started testing. Through the roof antenna, I easily tuned to the frequency of the local airport at my desk, and the communication effect was very clear, and I could clearly hear the sound of the aircraft in the take-off and landing route. This gave me full confidence in its performance.
In subsequent flight tests, I used it for the first flight test of our RV aircraft. At that time, I operated this walkie-talkie on the ground. The communication effect was very clear, the sound could be clearly heard through the built-in speaker, and the battery life was good. Even with frequent use in the take-off and landing route, it can easily cope with it.
What surprised me even more was that it could connect to the car Bluetooth system in seconds. Although this is just an additional function, listening to the communication content through the Bluetooth headset during the ground preparation stage really improved the convenience of operation.
A few days later, I listened to the walkie-talkie used on the ground during the flight, and the voice clarity coming from the headset was very high, reaching the level 5 standard. This clarity is very important in flight, especially in complex airspace or busy airports, where clear communication can avoid misunderstandings and dangers.
Navigation function test
The biggest selling point of the FTL-850L is its VOR and ILS functions, which I have tested. To navigate to a VOR or start a precision approach, you just need to enter the frequency, and if the device detects the appropriate signal, it will automatically display the CDI indication or glide slope and localizer information. Although I don’t have cockpit instruments to compare with the ILS readings, visually, when I flew near the local airport and tuned to its ILS frequency, everything looked basically correct.
In addition, it also has GPS recording and basic navigation functions, which can record flight tracks and export them to software such as Google Earth after the flight. This is very helpful for post-flight data analysis and summary.
Reliability as a backup device
The FTL-850L also performs very well as a backup device. It can provide assistance in the event of avionics failure, and an Internet search shows that its predecessor, the FTL-750L, is carried as a backup device by many aircraft capable of instrument flight. In flight, an extra backup means an extra safety guarantee.
Summary
As a pilot, I am very satisfied with my experience with the FTL-850L. It is not only powerful but also very easy to operate. From communication to navigation, from daily flight to emergency backup, it can meet my needs. Once you are familiar with the user interface and operating logic, this walkie-talkie will become very practical. It is rugged, feature-rich, fully meets its advertised performance, and can meet a variety of flight needs. Whether as a primary means of communication or as a reliable and effective backup device, the FTL-850L deserves every pilot.
