VX-8R / E

Yaesu
VX-8R / E

Specifications

Prices

Triple-band handheld transceiver with wide-band coverage Main and Sub receivers. 5 Watt on 50/144/430 MHz plus 1.5 Watt on 222 MHz (USA version). Integrated APRS operation. Independent AM / FM-stereo receiver. High resolution display. Up to ±50 adjacent channels spectrum scope function. DCS and CTCSS encode and decode. Memory tag up to 16 characters. CW training feature. Waterproof, rugged aluminum die-cast chassis, powerful Li-Ion battery. Ideated in Japan, year of introduction 2008.

Reference market : amateur-radio

VX-8R / VX-8E specifications

General

Frequency coverage
Receive (Main)	0.5000 ~ 999.9000 MHz [1]
Receive (Sub)	30.0000 ~ 76.0000 MHz 108.0000 ~ 580.0000 MHz
Receive (AM/FM radio)	0.5100 ~ 1.7900 MHz 76.0000 ~ 107.9000 MHz
Transmit	50.0000 ~ 54.0000 MHz 144.0000 ~ 148.0000 MHz 222.0000 ~ 225.0000 MHz [2] 430.0000 ~ 450.0000 MHz
Mode
AM / FSK / FM / WFM [3]
Tuning step
5 [4] / 6.25 / 8.33 [5] / 9 [6] / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 50 / 100 kHz / 1 MHz

Receiver

Sensitivity (Main)
AM	3.0 uV (0.5~30 MHz, 10dB S/N). 1.5 uV (108~137 MHz, 10dB S/N).
FM	0.35 uV (30~54 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 1.0 uV (54~76 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.2 uV (137~140 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.16 uV (140~150 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.2 uV (150~174 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.5 uV (300~350 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.2 uV (350~400 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.18 uV (400~470 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 1.5 uV (800~1000 MHz, 12dB SINAD).
WFM	1.5 uV (59~108 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 1.0 uV (174~222 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 1.5 uV (470~540 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 3.0 uV (540~800 MHz, 12dB SINAD).
Sensitivity (Sub)
FM	0.18 uV (50~54 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.18 uV (137~174 MHz, 12dB SINAD). 0.2 uV (420~470 MHz, 12dB SINAD).
Selectivity
AM / FM	12 kHz (-6dB) 35 kHz (-60dB)
WFM	200 kHz (-6dB) 300 kHz (-20dB)
RF attenuator
10dB
Frequency stability
± 5ppm with temperature from -10°C to +60°C
IF (Main)
1°	45.80 MHz (WFM) 47.25 MHz (AM / FM)
2°	10.7 MHz (WFM) 450 kHz (AM / FM)
3°	1 MHz (WFM)
IF (Sub)
1°	46.35 MHz
2°	450 kHz
IF (AM/FM radio)
1°	130 kHz

Transmitter

Output power [7]
50 MHz (AM)	1 W
50/144/430 MHz (FM)	5 W (high power) 2.5 W (L3 power) 1.0 W (L2 power) 0.05 W (L1 power)
222 MHz (FM)	1.5 W (high power) 1.0 W (L3 power) 0.5 W (L2 power) 0.05 W (L1 power)
Output power [8]
50 MHz (AM)	1 W
50/144/430 MHz (FM)	1.0 W (L2 power) 0.05 W (L1 power)
222 MHz (FM)	0.5 W (L2 power) 0.05 W (L1 power)
Spurious emission
> -60 dB (High/L3 power) > -50 dB (L2/L1 power)
Maximum deviation (FM)
±2.5 (narrow) ±5 kHz (wide)
Microphone
2kΩ
FSK features
AX.25 (APRS) 1200/9600bps modem

Features

Memory
900 standard memories. 99 skip memories. 24 groups x 100 channels from the standard memories. 31 smart-search memories. 50 set of band-edge memories. 11 home channels. 10 "weather broadcast" channels. 89 "popular SW broadcast station" channels. 57 "VHF marine" channels.
Display
1 kHz frequency resolution 2 x 9-segments signal meter bar
Selective calling
CTCSS / DCS DTMF 1750 Hz
Antenna
SMA 50Ω
Power supply
7.4 VDC nominal 4-14 VDC external 11-14 VDC external, with charging
Power consumption
0.3mA auto power-off. 35mA RX, stand-by and power saver ON 1:5 (mono band). 42mA RX, stand-by and power saver ON 1:5 (dual band). 85mA RX, stand-by and power saver OFF (mono band). 120mA RX, stand-by and power saver OFF (dual band). 200mA RX, typ (mono band). 240mA RX, typ (dual band). 1.6A TX, 5W @ 50 MHz. 1.7A TX, 5W @ 144 MHz. 1.2A TX, 1.5W @ 222 MHz. 1.9A TX, 4.5W @ 430 MHz.
Audio power
200 mW on 8Ω (7.4 VDC) 400 mW on 8Ω (13.8 VDC)
Audio output
Jack 3.5 mm stereo
Connections
Jack 7-pin (GPS antenna, TNC, cloning, speaker/mic)

Mechanical and environmental data

Operating temperature
from -20°C to +60°C
Dimensions
60 (W) x 95 (H) x 24.2 (D) mm, without knobs and antenna
Weight
240g, with FNB-101LI battery pack and antenna

Cellular blocked in USA version.
USA version.
Only receive.
5 kHz steps are not available for use on 250~300 MHz and above 580 MHz.
8.33 kHz step is available on the VHF Airband only.
9 kHz step is available on the MW Broadcast band only.
With battery pack or external DC @ 7.4V.
With 3 x AA batteries.

VX-8 series :

The VX-8R transceiver is the USA base-version, comes with 222 MHz band enabled and GPS unit as optional. The VX-8E transceiver is the EUR base-version, comes with 222 MHz band disabled and GPS unit as optional.

The VX-8DR transceiver, latest model, was an APRS enhanced version. The VX-8GR transceiver comes with built-in GPS.

VX-8R / VX-8E packet radio :

The VX-8 may be used for Packet operation, using the optional CT-44 and CT-131 microphone adapter for easy interconnection to commonly-available connectors wired to your TNC. You may also build your own cable using a four-conductor miniatre phone plug.

Yaesu VX-8, interface of Packet TNCs

The audio level from the receiver to the TNC may be adjusted by rotating the DIAL knob while pressing and holding the [Vol] key, as with voice operation. The input level to the VX-8 from the TNC should be adjusted at the TNC side, the optimum input voltage is approximately 5 mV at 2000 Ω.

VX-8R / VX-8E price

We have collected for your convenience the Yaesu VX8 sale price (US Dollar) and its trend over time. Useful to guarantee a cheaper purchase of this radio and to put it for sale in the second-hand market. Of course offers, accessories, warranty terms and conditions can lead to different figures.

Price	Date	Condition
USD 299.00	2021-aug	Second Hand Great condition overall
USD 340.00 (249GBP)	2021-jul	Second Hand Boxed and complete
USD 350.00	2011-may	Second Hand VX-8R version upgraded with GPS unit. Not a scratch on it. Comes with all original parts and manual

VX-8R / VX-8E review

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