Name: Yaesu FTM-500DR
Brand: Yaesu

2m · 70cm

Bands

50 W

Output

2023

Introduced

Frequency	TX: 144-148 MHz (VHF), 430-450 MHz (UHF), RX: 108-999.995 MHz (AM airband, VHF, UHF, general — cellular blocked USA)
TX power	5 / 25 / 50 W (50W / 25W / 5W. FACC heatsink.)
Modes	FM (analog), C4FM (System Fusion digital), AM (airband receive)
Weight	1.4 kg (3.1 lb) - 3.09 lbs (1.4 kg) with radio unit, controller, control cable per StrictlyHam/Yaesu. Radio unit: 139×42×132 mm. Controller: 156×64×58.6 mm (larger than FTM-300DR due to front speaker).
Connector	SO-239
Year	2023

Connectors

antenna	SO-239
mic	microphone (included)
controller	detachable swing-head front panel with AESS front speaker
ext spkr	speaker jacks
bluetooth	built-in Bluetooth
microsd	microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
dc in	DC 13.8V
power req	DC 13.8V. DC power cable included.

Estimated (unverified): AMATEUR radio - FCC Technician-class license required to transmit (2m/70cm); NOT GMRS, NOT license-free. Flagship-class C4FM mobile (successor to the FTM-400 series), since superseded by the FTM-510DR. Digital mode is C4FM / SYSTEM FUSION (NOT DMR, NOT D-STAR) + analog FM; AMS. 50W / 25W / 5W. 2.4in QVGA color TOUCHSCREEN; TRUE dual receive; built-in GPS + built-in Bluetooth; native APRS (1200/9600); microSD; Wires-X; AESS dual-speaker (louder/fuller audio). Introduced 2023; discontinued with the FTM-510DR's arrival.

Yaesu's premium C4FM mobile — AESS dual speaker, touch panel, swing-head, E2O-IV smart OS AESS (Acoustic Enhanced Speaker System): 6W front panel speaker + 3W internal = 9W TOTAL audio (!) E2O-IV (Easy to Operate-IV) smart operating system: TOUCH & GO, SEARCH & GO, PMG functions 2.4-inch high-resolution QVGA full-color touch-panel display (larger than FTM-300DR's 2") swing-head: angle adjustable upward 20° (+ optional SJMK-500 kit for flexible angle adjustment) true dual band receive: two independent receivers, C4FM/C4FM D-D dual receive simultaneous C4FM digital monitoring on both A and B bands C4FM System Fusion: AMS, DG-ID, Smart Navigation, Group Monitor single-touch spectrum scope function high-speed band scope (63ch VFO / 21ch memory mode) double-conversion superheterodyne receiver FACC (Funnel Air-Convection Conductor) heatsink built-in 66-channel GPS receiver + external GPS terminal 1200/9600 bps APRS data communication WiRES-X: Portable Digital Node + Fixed Node (HRI-200) built-in Bluetooth (hands-free with SSM-BT10 or commercial headset) 1,104 memory channels (999 basic + 5 home + 50 PMS pairs) PMG (Primary Memory Group): bar-graph display of 5 registered priority channels voice recording for RX + TX audio microSD card slot (up to 32GB) wideband RX: 108-999.995 MHz detachable front panel controller (remotely mountable)

Strengths

A standout audio system: AESS delivers 9 W (6 W front + 3 W internal). The E2O-IV smart OS with TOUCH&GO is easy to use, with a 2.4-inch touch panel and a swing-head for visibility. It has true dual receive and simultaneous C4FM, a spectrum scope and band scope, and GPS, APRS, WiRES-X, and Bluetooth all built in, with 1104 channels and PMG bar-graph priority monitoring.

Weaknesses

Discontinued. The most expensive C4FM mobile of its day. 1.4 kg (heavier than the FTM-300DR due to the front speaker). The 2.4-inch screen is still smaller than the FTM-400XDR's 3.5-inch. One user noted a flimsy microphone connector. No USB-C. The FTM-510DR has replaced it.

Verdict

A premium C4FM mobile, now discontinued. The FTM-500DR's 9 W AESS dual-speaker system and E2O-IV smart OS set it apart from other C4FM mobiles. The swing-head, touch panel, and spectrum scope make it one of the most refined Fusion mobiles Yaesu has made. It is discontinued; find one while stock lasts, or step to the FTM-510DR.

The Yaesu FTM-500DR was Yaesu's flagship C4FM/System Fusion mobile radio, the successor to the long-popular FTM-400 series; the FTM-510DR has since taken that spot. Its digital mode is C4FM (System Fusion), Yaesu's own standard, which is not DMR and not D-STAR. It also does analog FM. It covers 2 meters and 70 centimeters and requires an FCC Technician-class license or higher to transmit; it is not a GMRS or license-free radio.

It is loaded: 50 watts, a 2.4-inch color touchscreen, true dual receive, built-in GPS and Bluetooth, native APRS, a microSD slot, Wires-X, and Yaesu's AESS dual-speaker system for notably louder, fuller audio. Automatic Mode Select switches directly between digital and analog. The main learning curve is the menu system and the APRS/Wires-X controls.

The previous-generation Fusion mobile is the FTM-300DR; the analog-only Yaesu dual-band mobile is the FTM-6000R.