FT991A versus FTDX10

About 18 months ago, I bought a Yaesu FT991A.  I thought about part-exchanging this for an ICOM IC-705 as a dedicated QRP man. 

Since then the 100W Yaesu FTDX10 has launched. This does not have 2m or 70cm, but does have 4m and an auto ATU. It is more expensive. For 2m and 70cm my FT817ND is probably fine.

Knowing my luck, just after I bought an FTDX10, they would launch a QRP version!

For now, I may just stick with what I have unless I get a very tempting offer.

Yaesu FT991A

This Yaesu radio has been owned for about 18 months. Although used briefly for FT8, it is mainly used on 2m and 70cm SSB and 2m FM. It has only been used on low power. I was considering a trade-in for an IC-705, but have only been offered poor deals so far, so may stick with what I have.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ft991a

Yaesu FT991A

FT991A in use

This rig was bought about a year and a half ago. Apart from SSB on 2m and 70cms in the monthly activity contests and FM 2m nets, it is hardly used. For FT8, I use the FT817ND.  At one time I was considering trading in the FT991A for an IC-705, but the price of the latter seems too high. I have doubts it will drop unless it faces real competition.

The FT991A works very well, although it has never been used at more than 20W ever.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ft991a

FT991A

The Yaesu FT991A, which covers all HF, 6m, 2m and 70cm has served me well. It has been used on 20m, 17m, 10m, 6m, 2m and 70cm. Most times it is used at 10W.

At this power I am tempted by the IC-705, but not by the price!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ft991a

FT991A review on Youtube

This video is on YouTube.  Since the summer I have owned and used the Yaesu FT991A transceiver, although I have only used it QRP.  For my sort of operating it is fine , although I get virtually the same results on my FT817ND at 2.5W.

FT991A web page updated

Yesterday I had occasion to ring MLS about my FT991A. Their service on the phone was very good, so I have updated my webpage to share the advice they gave me.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ft991a

MLS - thank you FT991A issue solved

Well, that was good service from Steve at MLS who phoned me 3 times to resolve my FT991A issue on FT8.

I did a full factory reset but the real trick seems to be to use USB rather than D-U to get the full RX bandwidth. I cannot thank him enough. He was bending over backwards to help.

This was the reply I got from MLS:

"You are very welcome Sir; it’s not just selling a radio to a customer for us it’s looking after them once the item has been purchased.

When we’re asked to match other traders’ prices that generally can’t get anywhere near us for aftersales support, (I employ 4 on-site engineers) we try our best.  Occasionally we have to walk away because I won’t compromise my company standards & indeed reputation.

It’s my name above the door after all.

Enjoy your radio and you are welcome to print my reply on your Blog if you so wish.

Best 73,

Best Regards

Martin Lynch  G4HKS

ML&S Martin Lynch & Sons Ltd.,

Wessex House"

Yaesu FT991A

The dealer, MLS, has been contacted (web form) and I am awaiting a phone call tomorrow. This has been a good radio, but certainly in its current state, it is not fit for its intended purpose. If a software upgrade can fix this fine.

6m FT8 and FT991A bugs?

I think my FT991A has some bugs.

Yesterday I mentioned that I could not adjust the bandwidth to 3000Hz on 2m FT8 using USB digital. Now, the power on 6m FT8 is far lower and it looks like the audio to the PC is "different". On a different rig (my FT817ND) all seems fine. The antenna is the same.

Unless I can prove this is "finger trouble", I am afraid the rig is going back. This is a pity as the rig suits me well.

UPDATE 0845z: Back to the FT817ND. On 2m FT8 I have been spotted by 3 stations in 2 countries using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. On 2m FT8 RX the best DX so far is ON3ML (236km).

FT991A software bug?

When I returned to 144.174MHz FT8 earlier, the bandwidth was 500Hz maximum in digital USB. On 160m, 6m and 70cm it was 3000Hz. Now, this may be finger trouble, but I am sure that this was 3000Hz the last time I tried 2m FT8!  I am beginning to doubt my sanity. Reading the manual, I am none the wiser.

Anyone any ideas please?

What am I doing wrong?

Up to now, I had not used my FT991A on any HF band because I had no antennas. Then I remembered I had a small loop antenna that can be tuned anywhere from 40m-10m. OK, I was not expecting great results, but I was expecting to spot stations and be spotted by some. I set the power down to 10W just in case the loop antenna had a power limit. It was some years since I last used this, so could not remember.

As far as I was aware all the FT8 settings were as for 6m, but it sounded different. In the end I spotted nothing on 20m or 30m. I am convinced this is "finger trouble". At some point I will say, "Of course! That is what's wrong.". It sounds like the PC is not getting the audio from the rig, but all the settings seem correct. I am using the SignaLink interface I am currently using on 6m and 2m. Odd.

In the meantime I am back on 6m FT8. On 6m FT8 things sound normal.

Initial feedback on the FT-991A transceiver

As reported yesterday, I have a new Yaesu FT-991A radio. So far it has only been used on 6m and 2m where the power is limited to 50W. On HF at the moment I have no antennas.

Initial feedback is good. On 6m it has worked SSB DX via Es and been used on FT8. On 2m I have used it on a local FM net and FT8. So far, I have used my Signalink USB for interface between the PC and transceiver.

My main criticisms are:

• The fan is on more often than I expected.
• The waterfall display speed seems too slow.

Now the speed of the waterfall may be adjustable after I read the manual! At 5W and on RX I would have expected the fan to be off.

Overall good.

New radio

It is not often I get new radios. When I get these, they usually do me for years.

I bought a Yaesu FT991A, which seems to do my sort of operating and covers 160m to 70cm (no 4m) with all modes and an auto ATU. It is supposed to have a 3 year warranty, although I could not find this in the paperwork. I shall have to get MLS to make this explicitly clear. There is also a cashback offer from Yaesu. At the moment, I am still finding my way around. For example, I have still to figure out how to add speech processing in SSB. I need to read the manual in bed!

This evening it was used for a 2m FM net with locals and to work an Italian by Es on 6m SSB. Good reports so far at well below the maximum powers on these bands.

At some point I shall try FT8, which is my favourite mode with my poor voice.

It is smaller than the IC7300, although not SDR based and probably not as high spec. The fan only come on when the rig is hot. Covering 2m and 70cm suits me more. I can turn it down to 5W.

FT991A fan

Nobody gave me the answer I needed! Is the FT991A fan temperature controlled? Does it only come on when the rig gets hot? I think the IC7300 fan is always on when on TX. If I was to buy an FT991A it would mostly be used at QRP powers.

That new radio

Steve G1KQH has been encouraging me to buy a new radio. Any new radio would have to include 160m, 10m and 6m. Bands like 2m and 70cm would be useful. If the radio has a fan, it would have to be quiet.

I was holding back just in case Yaesu announced a real replacement to the FT817 at Dayton.  Neither Yaesu nor ICOM made any great announcements of new products of interest to QRPers like me sadly.

At the moment I am warming to the FT991A. The IC7300 is probably the better radio, and is SDR based, but I gather the fan is always on and some can be noisy. Yes there is a mod, but I am in danger of invalidating any warranty. The rig would be used at 10W most of the time, so a fan that comes on only when the PA is warm would be good. At the moment, there is a 3 year warranty with Yaesu and cash back on some models. Having had many Yaesu rigs over the years, I am pretty happy with this supplier. Knowing me, this rig would have to last for years!

If anyone has any strong opinions against the FT991A I'd like to hear them. As my voice is not too good these days, FT8 and WSPR would probably be the main modes used.

Specific questions about the FT991A. If the answer is in the manual, I cannot find it! Does the fan come on only when the radio is hot? If I run mainly QRP will I hear the fan?

New radio?

My Christmas present was a new radio, although I have still not bought one! Main candidates are the IC7300, the FT991A or the FT450D. In my mind the FT818 is suitable, but is really only an FT817 dressed up a bit.  As my voice is poor most of the use would be on FT8. The FT450D is far less expensive. I could almost certainly buy an SDR with this as well.

In my operating, it is unlikely to be run at more than 10W. Sadly, the IC7300S, which is the low power version, in not available outside of Japan. People tell me the IC7300 is a great radio, but I am in no great hurry. For my sort of operating any of those listed would probably do.

If you want to offer any suggestions please feel free. BTW, I have already seen the eHam reviews.

Decision time?

Tomorrow, I shall probably ring around the UK dealers to see who can offer me the best cash deals on the IC7300, the FT991A and the KX3.  I have read the reviews, so I need a good deal on price and guarantee.