I finally got a chance to look at Yaesu's update of the venerable
FT-150 radio here at the Florida Ridge. James Tindle has them for sale here. I
had seen the specifications on the internet and seen the small pictures of them,
but not everything was spelled out. Key items on my wish list were missing when
I read the spec sheets on various web sites.

The FT-250 is looks almost the same as the FT-150 with a very few button
improvements. The menu structure is almost the same for the various obscure
settings (only one of which I use - the definition of locking). The Function
button is now also a locking button which frees up a button definition.

The standard battery is 1400 mah, a vast improvement on the 700 mah hour ones
that came with the FT-150. For years I have used 1100 mah batteries with the
FT-150 that required a special third party charger - painful.

The charger that comes with the FT-250 handles the 1400 mah batteries,
obviously, but like all new chargers, it works on multiple voltages (unlike the
VFT-150 charger - the NC 72B), so I can use it overseas without a converter. It
is also much lighter, not that that matters that much. The charger also comes
with a little stand for setting the radio in, which is reasonably useful. You
don't have to use it though, as you can plug the small, light charger directly
into the standard charging receptacle on the side of the radio if you like (just
like the FT-150).

I set one frequency using VFO and then I lock the radio (Keypad and Dial - K+D).
I set the squelch with the ring on the knob on the top of the radio and very
rarely change it. When I am ready to launch, I already have my Motocomm headset
plugged in with a rubber band taken from Broccoli florets purchased at the
grocery store securing the plug into the radio. I just turn on the radio with
the middle knob and set it at about half volume (half a turn) and I'm set to go.

I use the high power setting, which is the default, although it is not necessary
when you are in the air. You can get away with the low power setting, although
you can't transmit as far. With the higher mah battery, there should be a
problem during the flight, if you charge it before the next one.

I normally take the clip off the back of the radio, but haven't done that yet
with the FT-250. We'll see how it feels in the Rotor harness in the ample side
pockets.

I have connected an SMA to BNC adapter that I purchased for $12.00 from here:
http://www.wa3hrl.com/smabnc/ to the SMA antenna base on the radio and have
connected one of my coaxial antennas to the BNC side of the adapter. The antenna
is already in my harness and taped to the mains. You can find these antennas
here: http://ozreport.com/goodies.php.

This setup works well for me and I rely on it to communicate with Belinda
driving for me and with other pilots when we are team flying. I appear to have a
more reliable setup that many other pilots. In addition, my broadcasts can be
heard from up to 100 miles away.

I'd be interested to heard some details about the FT-270 if someone has
experience with that. Especially about the connectors and use with Motocomm
headsets.