Vertex FTL-2011 specifications

In this post I’m going to discuss Vertex FTL-2011 specifications, and other important stuff about this commercial radio like pinout of the microphone connector. Also,you will discover how to identify the model of your radio.

The FTL-2011 is a robust radio that I have been using as an APRS iGate  for the last 8 years.

This radio is discontinued and in some countries cannot be used because it cannot be programmed to work in FM Narrowband. So be sure before you buy one of these radios if it complies with your country rules.

In case it does comply with your country rules, you can still find and buy some on eBay to this day. 

Vertex FTL-2011 specifications – Front and rear panel

Vertex FTL-2011 front panel

Vertex FTL-2011 front panel details:

1. Microphone Jack
2. Mon button & Indicator
3. A (Accessory) Button & Indicator
4. Volume and Power On-Off Knob
5. BUSY TX Indicator Lamp
6. CHANNEL Numbered Indicators & Button (4-channel version)
7. Channel Selector Knob (12-channel version)
8. Numeric Channel Display (12-channel version) 
9. PRI (Priority) Button (12-channel version) 
10. SCAN Button (12-channel version) 

Vertex FTL-2011 rear panel

Vertex FTL-2011 rear panel details:

1. 13.6 VDC Cable Pigtail connector
2. Antenna Socket
3. EXT SP (External Speaker)

As you can see is a very simple radio to operate. With just a few buttons you can do anything you need to work with this commercial radio.

Nothing fancy, just what you need for a commercial radio or a ham radio use case where you don’t need to be changing stuff all the time.

Vertex FTL-2011 specifications

It is a commercial, 4 or 12 channels, VHF radio. Vertex FTL-2011 comes in two different models based on the frequency range:

Model	FTL-2011 Frequency range
A	134 – 160 MHz
C	148 – 174 MHz

This is a 40/5 watts radio (high/low, programmable) through the Vertex CE5 programming software. The Audio output is 5 watts into 4 ohms speaker. 

The microphone impedance is 600 ohms and the pinout is the same as newer models like the VX-2500 or the VX-3200. In case you need a replacement microphone for this radio, you can get one on eBay.

The pinout is useful if you plan to use this radio for packet or APRS. Use it to connect the TNC or tracker to the radio. 

If you want to program this radio, you need a programming cable and programming software. You can buy the FTL-2011 programming cable on Amazon and eBay. Click here to read How to program a vertex FTL-2011.

Vertex FTL-2011 specifications – Model identification

There is no way to tell which model of your radio you own unless you open it.

If you want to identify the model of your FTL-2011 remove the bottom cover of the radio. There, you will discover that there is a metal cover, remove it also.

Once removed both covers, you will see inside your radio something like this

Once in there identify the printed letter in the VCO. That tells you which model radio you have. 

In this case this is a Model A radio which covers 134 to 169 MHz frequency range. In case you find a C letter, the radio will cover the 148 to 174 MHz frequency range.

The FTL-2011 looks exactly the same as the FTL-7011 which is the UHF version of this commercial radio, in case the label of the radio is missing you won’t know if the radio is VHF or UHF.

Follow the previous procedure and if the letter is not A or C you are in presence of a UHF radio.

Vertex FTL-2011 specifications – Additional information

In case you need to know more about this radio click here to get the Vertex FTL-2011 User Manual. In case you need to go deeper, click here to get the FTL-2011 Service Manual. 

Hope this post helped you know better Vertex FTL-2011 specifications.  If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below, the public answer will help new visitors in the future.  Also, you can post your question on the Vertex radio user forum.