Keinginan untuk memilik VX8R belum kesampain, yaesu sdh mengelurkan extended edition VX8R, yaitu VX8DR. Dengan berbagai penambahan fitur (baca dibawah).
Tandingan HT ini adalah Icom IC-92AD dan Alinco DJ-G7.

The Yaesu VX-8R HT provides a full 5 watts FM on 50/144/430 MHz plus 1.5 watts on 222 MHz. It supports Bluetooth® hands-free operation with the optional BU-1 and BH-1 or BH-2 accessories. There is also an optional GPS unit and antenna with loads of features. This radio supports APRS 1200/9600 bps data communication (B band only). Like the VX7R, the VX8R is submersible and meets IPX57 specifications (3 feet for minimum of 30 minutes). A powerful 7.4 V 1100 mAh Lithium Ion battery is included. This HT is small, intuitive to operate only 2.36 x 3.74 x 0.92 inches (thinner than VX-7R). It supports simultaneous independent 2-signal dual receive function with both V + V or U + U. It has weather band receive with Weather Alert. A barometric sensor is included. You can even operate Amateur radio while receiving FM broadcasts! The receive coverage is wider than VX-7R, with an independent AM/FM broadcast receiver circuit. The dot matrix LCD display provides Memory tag up to a maximum of 16 characters. You even get a high-resolution Spectrum Analyzer with ±60 channels indication with wave monitoring of received/modulated signal! And DCS and CTCSS encode and decode is standard.

The Yaesu VX-8DR is an APRS enhanced version of the popular VX8R. Key additional features of the VX-8DR include:
-Smart Beaconing™ Function.
-Station List memories has increased from 40 to 50.
-The number of APRS Message Memories has increased from 20 to 30.
-DIGI-PATH route indication function.
-Heads up compass display to the GPS screen.
-The Message received LED flashing rate is selectable.
-The number of DIGI-PATH route settings has increased from 1 to 7.

The new VX-8DR is expected 12/29/09. We are accepting orders now. Details of a VX-8R upgrade program will be announced shortly.

The VX-8R and VX-8DR both come with the SMA antenna, FNB-101LI Lithium Ion battery pack, belt clip and NC-86B battery charger. (The NC-86B should only be used for receive, because it is not capable of supplying sufficient current to support transmit).

Features

* Optional Bluetooth®
* Optional GPS
* APRS 1200/9600 bps (B band only)
* CTCSS/DCS Encode & Decode
* Weather Receiving with Weather Alert
* Wideband Receive
* Dual Receive
* Submersible IPX57
* Dot Matrix LCD
* Hi-Rez Spectrum Analyzer