VR-500

Specifications    Prices

High RF sensitivity handheld scanner, receiving frequency range 0.1-1300 MHz all-mode. It features a band scope function and a easy user interface. Ideated in Japan, year of introduction 199x.

Reference market : amateur-radio

VR-500 specifications

General
Frequency coverage
0.1000 ~ 1299.9995 MHz
Mode
CW / LSB / USB / AM / FM / WFM
Tuning step
0.05 / 0.1 / 1 / 5 / 6.25 / 9 / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 / 30 / 50 / 100 KHz
Receiver
Sensitivity
SSB / CW0.6 uV (0.1~5 MHz, 10dB S/N)
0.5 uV (5~520 MHz, 10dB S/N)
0.8 uV (520~1300 MHz, 10dB S/N)
AM1.5 uV (0.1~5 MHz, 10dB S/N)
1.0 uV (5~370 MHz, 10dB S/N)
FM0.5 uV (5~520 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
1.2 uV (520~1300 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
WFM1.5 uV (5~370 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
1.8 uV (370~520 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
3.0 uV (520~1300 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
Selectivity [1]
SSB7 KHz (-6dB)
FM18 KHz (-6dB)
WFM260 KHz (-6dB)
RF attenuator
20 dB
Features
Memory
1000 regular memories in 10 banks
100 for skip in scan
10 for dual-watch
10 for programmed scan limits
1 priority channel
Display
100 Hz frequency resolution
10-segments signal meter bar
60-segments bandscope bar
Antenna
BNC 50Ω
Power supply
2.2 ~ 3.5V batteries, 3V nominal (2 x AA)
9 ~ 16 VDC external, center positive
Power consumption
115 mA typ
55 mA squelch On, battery save function Off
15 mA squelch On, battery save function On
Audio power
125 mW with external power supply
90 mW with batteries
Audio output
Jack 3.5 mm
Mechanical and environmental data
Operating temperature
from -10°C to +50°C
Dimensions
58 (W) x 95 (H) x 24 (D) mm, without projections
Weight
220g with batteries and antenna

  1. This parameter, not in official data, was obtained with direct tests.
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VR-500 description :

The Yaesu VR-500 is a compact portable scanner with many useful functions and at the same time easy to operate. Allows the tuning to be set via rotary control, 20 steps per revolution, or with direct input from the keyboard. Coaxial to the tuning command is the squelch adjustment. Different search options: between band limits also with automatic storage of active channels, within the memories according to mode / preferences, free from VFO to rise / lower than the starting frequency. The latter requiring no programming, is as simple as it is effective. To facilitate the recognition of the individual memory locations, an alphanumeric label up to 8 characters long can be associated with the frequency. Alternate (non simultaneous) dual-watch listening and monitoring of a priority channel give flexibility to listening needs. The spectral panoramic analyzer instead allows to visualize the radio activity in two operative forms: In the "A" mode a fixed interval of 300 KHz (± 150) or 600 KHz (± 300) is covered independent of the tuning step. In "B" mode 60 adjacent channels (± 30 CH) are covered with total interval according to the tuning step as in the following table.

StepFrequecy range
50 Hz3 KHz
100 Hz6 KHz
1 KHz60 KHz
5 KHz300 KHz
6.25 KHz375 KHz
9 KHz540 KHz
10 KHz600 KHz
12.5 KHz750 KHz
15 KHz900 KHz
20 KHz1.2 MHz
25 KHz1.5 MHz
30 KHz1.8 MHz
50 KHz3 MHz
100 KHz6 MHz

The indication that appears on the display is proportional to the intensity of the signals, a marker manageable with the rotary control can be moved to one of the displayed emissions so that by disabling the analyzer the receiver automatically tunes this frequency. When the analyzer is active, normal reception is disabled. Given the wide range of memories, their structure and the many settings, programming is also possible using a PC, the programming kit (ADMS-3) with software and interface cable meets this requirement.

VR-500 performance and practical notes :

The behavior in SSB mode on bands below 30 MHz is appropriate for an device of this category. Emitters not interfered by adjacent signals are demodulated with clear audio making it possible to follow the utility radio traffic both in voice and in digital encodings. The bandwidth is determined by the IF filter dedicated to AM listening, for practical purposes this implies that the receiver is not able to really distinguish between LSB / USB. This limitation is intrinsic to the circuit configuration adopted and is also typical of portable scanners basically made for AM and FM listening.

The sensitivity with the supplied antenna is good both in VHF (low-band around 70 MHz, high-band around 160 MHz) as in UHF, since the same antenna has a poor performance on VHF the front-end of the receiver is correctly sized on a wide range of frequencies. The generation of intermodulations due to saturation in the RF stage is manifestly evident when there are strong signals, but this susceptibility is similar if not less than that found in other portable receivers. A similar consideration is given to the rejection of the image frequencies which, however, in ordinary use rarely give rise to real inconveniences.

The presence of spurious, that is signals generated by the same radio that appear as fixed carriers, is rather reduced. This aspect is relevant as it would degrade the scanning functions. We performed a test to measure the frequencies and amplitude of spurs that fall in the bands between 108-174 MHz and 430-440 MHz, the most important for the user. With the scanner in narrow-band FM mode and with 12.5 KHz steps, the entire frequency range has been tuned manually. The squelch has been left open so as to check the presence of even the weakest components. Following the complete list of channels where spurious appear:

Channel / Presence
125.1375 MHzonly background noise increase
125.2000 MHzonly background noise increase
130.5500 MHzonly background noise increase
130.7500 MHzonly background noise increase
132.3500 MHzonly background noise increase
453.9500 MHzsignal at level 4 on S-meter
453.9875 MHzsignal at level 7 on S-meter
454.0500 MHzsignal at level 3 on S-meter
454.0875 MHzsignal at level 7 on S-meter
459.3625 MHzonly background noise increase
459.4625 MHzonly background noise increase
461.1750 MHzonly background noise increase
461.2750 MHzonly background noise increase
462.5500 MHzonly background noise increase
463.3000 MHzonly background noise increase
466.1375 MHzonly background noise increase
466.9375 MHzonly background noise increase
467.0375 MHzonly background noise increase
468.3500 MHzsignal at level 3 on S-meter
468.3625 MHzsignal at level 7 on S-meter
468.4000 MHzonly background noise increase
468.4250 MHzonly background noise increase

Overall, the result is certainly better than the average of handheld scanner. For completeness we specify that the tests were performed first by connecting a small 50 Ω load to the input and then with the supplied antenna. The double test was used to check the origin of the signals by removing all the uncertainties.

VR-500 price

We have collected for your convenience the Yaesu VR500 sale price (UK Pounds) 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
GBP 139.00 2020-jan Second Hand
GBP 178.50
(199EUR)
2020-jan Second Hand
GBP 230.00
(299USD)
2020-jan Second Hand

In excellent shape and working conditions. With no dents or scratches at all, no dead pixels on diplay

VR-500 review

Sensitivity
Selectivity
Dynamic range
Spurious response
Audio
Signal functions
Control functions
User friendly
Stars: 1=insufficient | 2=just sufficient | 3=mediocre | 4=good | 5=excellent


Tamas4 July 2023

Hello!
I bought a VR-500, but at 500 MHz there is already a 12 KHz difference down from the original frequency. Is this repairable or aging? A very enjoyable little radio. Greetings.

[End post]


SWL11818 June 2023

Hello,
Since I had the VR500 receiver comparing it with the Kenwood TH-F7 I can say that in SSB on the HF bands it proves to be little or not even sufficient. On the other hand, I was able to hear signals with the TH-F7 that the 500 did not receive. After 1 month I resold it!

[End post]


Dave Freestone

I had this good little scanner for 15 years before it decided to pack up. The reception was incredible, I used it mostly for airband and short-wave reception. Combined with the antennas I had in my attic, and the use of external speakers, I managed to track an aircraft all the way from Heathrow to 40 miles east of Frankfurt. The Channel separation is excellent, no bleed over. A good solid radio.

[End post]


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