Archive for the ‘yaesu’ Category
FT991 multi-mode, 160m-70cm all mode transceiver
October 3rd, 2014 | 
Author: The first UK price looks like around £999 from Nevada who expect stocks spring/summer 2015. This is more than I was expecting.
This image is the best I could find. The image is located on the Universal Radio site in Ohio and the link to the image will be removed if this is a problem.
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| http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/3991lrg.jpg |
I would consider investing in this transceiver, but would be looking for a better price. The FT450D is currently £699 in the UK (even less at MLS £619.95 according to G1KQH) I wonder if they will spin out an FT817 replacement based on the FT991 design? I am sure there would be a good market for a 5-10W version here in the UK.
Yaesu FT991 prices?
Has anyone any idea of the likely UK price of this new radio?
It would be excellent if they released one of the low powered versions (normally available in Japan) for UK and Europe too. I think the lower powers are for some Japanese licence classes? It is a lower powered version I quite fancy. 10W or 30W max.
My FT817 units have been excellent buys as have the VX1 and VX2 handhelds. You could call me a Yaesu fan.
I want to concentrate on operating for the next few years. My stroke currently gives me little choice as building and real field experimentation are out of the question, sadly, for a while.
Yaesu launches FT991 in Japan
Ever alert Steve G1KQH has spotted that Yaesu launched the new FT991 at the Tokyo Ham Fair in Japan as a replacement for the FT897D. See http://qrznow.com/yaesu-ft-
This looks a very neat, small, multi-band, multi-frequency rig, as long as the price is sensible. In Jaoan, they usually sell a QRP version too. It would be good to see a 20-30W version in Europe too. This would compete well with the (now stopped) IC703 rig by ICOM.
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| http://qrznow.com/yaesu-ft- |
The image is linked from the http://qrznow.com/yaesu-ft-
There is no sign of a replacement for the FT817ND rig. I think Yaesu must have abandoned plans, which is a shame.
KX3 antenna failure
I read on the M1KTA blog that an antenna lead on one of his Elecraft KX3 units has failed. I know these have seen some harsh portable field use but I would not have expected this. I have owned an FT817 for close on 14 years and, touch wood, it has never once failed me – still the same PA, same everything.
In my view, the KX3 is overpriced (over here in the UK) and not well built for rugged field use. I don’t doubt it has excellent features and an excellent receiver, but it is still over twice as much as an FT817ND which covers DC to blue light, out of the box ready built. The KX3 is a mess for leads, coming out all over the place. The FT817 is neat, rugged, and compact.
For me, the FT817 still wins.
A Yaesu FT817 replacement coming?
From Steve G1KQH:
As its based around the 817, I guess rumour will be rife that it will soon be replaced?Eligible FT-897D/DM/DS
June 2014 production end timeFT-897D series was popular for many years will be discontinued at last. (Successor model no immediate plans) will be limited stock. And as soon as possible please the person of your choice
73 Steve
Does this mean a replacement for the FT817 is coming? We can only hope Yaesu will do the FT817 replacement as their next product. For the life of me I cannot understand why they have not replaced it 2 years ago on the UP part of the solar cycle. Here we are now on the slide to a probable quiet few cycles. Not the best time to launch a new all-mode transceiver unless they plan to add some VHF/UHF bands like 70 and 1296MHz? That would be nice. Personally, I’d buy it if it covered 10m-23cms. That would be a CLASS selection of bands especially for Es (10, 6, 4 and 2m). 70cms and 1296MHz would be good for tropo. As a multi-mode mainly VHF/UHF transceiver with 10m thrown it, it would be a neat new radio with a good market worldwide.
Yaesu FT-950 Headed to California
Unfortunately, I must report the change of power supply did not correct my issues I had experienced with my Yaesu FT-950. I blogged yesterday about the chain of events which took place over the weekend and my intentions of trying another power supply in the event my main unit is going defective. I had prepared myself for the worse case scenario and unfortunately that is what is going to happen.
I have boxed up my FT-950 in the original box (thankfully I keep these things) and will ship it out today. In an earlier telephone conversation with the Yaesu amateur service dept. I should expect a 10 day (or less) turnaround. As for repair costs, Yaesu charges $35.00 just to look at the radio and then $70.00 per hour labor. I’ll keep you posted.
I would like to just thank those who reached out to me via email and posted comments with suggestions of things to try. I’m fairly confident I’ve exhausted all options I’m capable of performing (or feel comfortable performing) on the 950 and all results remain the same. Something is preventing the 950 from operating at full power on 10 – 20 meters and zero power output on 30 – 160 meters.
Meanwhile, the 2014 QSO a day challenge does continue. I still have access to other HF rigs and will do my best to limp along working mostly digital modes and a few SSB QSO’s here and there. Based on the expected turnaround time from Yaesu, my 950 should be back in the shack well before I’m scheduled to operate W1AW/Ø the week of 21 May.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
Troubles with the FT-950
Having some issues with my Yaesu FT-950. On Friday I noticed the 950 had a high SWR reading on 40m. Tried tuning and it wouldn’t correct the issue. I went back to 20m and over the weekend worked almost 200 SSB contacts without issue and was receiving solid signal reports on my audio all weekend long. Last night I tried working W1AW/5 on 40m and again couldn’t get the 950 to tune.
I decided to connect the 950 to a dummy load and check it out. I used my LDG AT-600ProII and the analog meter in bypass mode to record the following measurements with the FT-950 in CW mode and sending a continuous carrier.
10m – flat SWR and 50w fwd power
12m – flat SWR and 35w fwd power
15m – flat SWR and 25w fwd power
17m – flat SWR and 15w fwd power
20m – flat SWR and 10w fwd power
30m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
40m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
80m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
160m – flat SWR and 0w fwd power
About 15 minutes later I repeated the tests, which produced different results as noted below:
10m – 35w
12m – 20w
15m – 15w
17m – 10w
20m – 5w
30m – 0
40 – 0
80 – 0
160 – 0
I’m a bit perplexed as to what is going on. I’m going to try another power supply tonight, but I have a feeling the 950 will need to take a trip to California and spend some time in the Yaesu hospital. I’ve also performed a full factory reset, but still getting the same results. Anyone else have any other bright ideas?
If the 950 does need to take a trip to California, I’m hoping Yaesu can turn it around in time to have it back for my stint operating W1AW/Ø.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK
