I have one of these radios and can tell you that the VR-500 is much more sensitive than the THF6a, except for the VHF/UHF ham bands. I use it at 72.1 MHz at church and the THF6a doesn't receive it at all. But the VR-500 doesn't have the bar antenna that the THF6A does so the AM band is much better on that radio.

You'll find that if you try an external HF antenna, the VR-500 becomes useless because it lacks input selectivity and is jammed by intermods on the IF frequency. The only way to improve this situation is to put a manual tuner between the antenna and the receiver.

Because of its sensitivity, It's a great receiver for finding wireless microphones. 

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Gammon <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2015 4:15 pm
Subject: Re: Yaesu Vr-500

>
>
> Hi Eric, great that you got your new VR500.  I don't know how to 
> put in the rechargeable battery pack because I have never owned 
> one.  I think I have gotten the rig in to that mode where you get 
> ten selectable bands which has something to do with the VFO key I 
> think, but sorry, I really don't remember any more about that 
> just that when ever I got in that mode, I tried to get out of it 
> ASAP.  I would be surprised if the VR500 was more sensitive than 
> the Kenwood TH6A hand held but have never owned one of those so 
> can't say from experience.  Best 73, Jim
> 
>  ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Clegg <[log in to unmask]
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date sent: Thu, 26 Mar 2015 16:10:34 -0700
> Subject: Re: Yaesu Vr-500
> 
> Hi Jim,
> I finally received my Yaesu vr-500 from Universal Radio.
> 
> After unpacking I put in a set of double a batteries and tuned 
> around on am.
> 
> I found some of the local Sacramento signals weak.
> Also
> there was no beep.
> So I did a complete system reset by holding down the function and 
> moni keys
> together while turning on the radio.
> 
> Then i pressed the 1 key to do a full reset then the enter key to 
> confirm
> everything.
> 
> That restored the beep and cleared up the weak signals on local 
> am.
> 
> So far I've listened to the airport
> and local fm.
> 
> Two questions, do you remember how to put in the rechargeable 
> battery?
> 
> Also there is a way to invoke ten separate preprogrammed bands.
> I don't remember how to do that nor how to exit that mode.
> 
> I've converted the pdf manual into text using Acrobat but the 
> results are
> less than stellar.
> 
> I love with this radio the ease of jumping around in frequencies.
> 
> I think it beats my thf6a for sensitivity.
> 
> I bought a Diamond telescopic whip for the radio but haven't 
> tried that yet.
> 
> I'm having my assistant type in the Nifty reference card into MS 
> Word for
> me.
> If  you want a copy pass along your e-mail  address to my work 
> address and
> I'll send you a copy.
> 
> My work e-mail is:
> 
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 73,
> 
> Eric
> KU3I