Note
The Yaesu FT-3185R is a heavy-duty, high-power 2-meter mono-band FM mobile transceiver designed for straightforward analog operation with substantial RF output. It updates Yaesu's lineup of rugged mono-banders (like the FT-2980R) by adding modernized memory management and digital audio features. The radio features a massive, rugged chassis that acts as a substantial heatsink. It is built like a tank and holds its ground well as either a mobile rig or a heavy desktop base station.
Yaesu engineered this to replace older high-power monobanders (like the FT-2980R), and its standout feature is pure, un-fanned raw power combined with updated digital audio filtering.
Features
– RF Power Output: A commanding 85 Watts of transmit power, with selectable lower tiers at 50W, 20W, and 5W to manage power consumption and heat.
– Super-DX Mode & Optional ASP: Built with a "Super-DX" function that increases the front-end RF amplifier sensitivity to pull in weak signals. When paired with the optional SPU-1 Audio Signal Processing (ASP) board (pre-installed on the FT-3185RASP variant), it applies digital filtering to smooth out background hiss and clarify weak audio.
– Primary Memory Group (PMG): Allows you to assign up to 5 favorite VFO or memory frequencies to a dedicated group. The screen displays a real-time bar graph monitoring activity across all 5 channels simultaneously.
Modernized Programming: Moving away from traditional proprietary data cables, the radio features a standard USB Type-C port directly on the chassis, making computer programming via RT Systems or similar software incredibly simple.
– Custom Function List (CFL): The radio has 44 setup menu options, but the CFL allows you to bookmark up to 9 of your most frequently changed settings for rapid access without scrolling through the main menu.
Memory Capacity: 200 regular memory channels (plus home, edge scan, and PMG channels) supporting alphanumeric labels up to 6 characters long.
– AUTO Mode: If a signal drops in on a monitored frequency, the radio instantly hops over to it and automatically shifts your transmit frequency there as well.
– MANUAL Mode: You stay on your primary channel, but you can visually see the traffic bouncing on the other 4 frequencies.
Specifications
For specifications see attached image.
