Opinions on Yaesu FT-991

[2W0IWM]

Hi guys,

big thank you for the warm welcome, and indeed for the excellent bottle of Narwhal. I'm hoping to sink a couple more later.

Hmm. Good points have been raised all round. I was considering the 991 as a desktop / backpack radio I could use both at home and out hiking / SOTA etc. I have an 817 for backpack use, but it would be nice to have something with a bit more go in some conditions. Im believe th 991 has an improved receiver over the 817 (but also quite a weight gain, making it more in line with the 897).

I havent owned a 2000, but I have operated with one a little and it's a fabulous radio. I guess if I had to pick, I would choose pressing a button or turning a knob over scrolling rough menus. I'm unfamiliar with the FT100 and Icom radios. Sadly not had the pleasure yet.

I'm now sat here contemplating how much I actually miss twiddling my knobs... I may need to re think this a little before jumping in. Lots more reading to do.

[PA5COR]

Most important thing you already decided, to think it over a bit more.
Mostly you can spend your cash only once, and better do that with a well thought over buy.
The FT 100 is the fore runner of the FT 857/897 series with standard Collins filters and better receiver ;)
100 watts 160 - 70 cm as well.

[KG4NEL]

Hi guys,

big thank you for the warm welcome, and indeed for the excellent bottle of Narwhal. I'm hoping to sink a couple more later.

Hmm. Good points have been raised all round. I was considering the 991 as a desktop / backpack radio I could use both at home and out hiking / SOTA etc. I have an 817 for backpack use, but it would be nice to have something with a bit more go in some conditions. Im believe th 991 has an improved receiver over the 817 (but also quite a weight gain, making it more in line with the 897).

I havent owned a 2000, but I have operated with one a little and it's a fabulous radio. I guess if I had to pick, I would choose pressing a button or turning a knob over scrolling rough menus. I'm unfamiliar with the FT100 and Icom radios. Sadly not had the pleasure yet.

I'm now sat here contemplating how much I actually miss twiddling my knobs... I may need to re think this a little before jumping in. Lots more reading to do.

Think about power requirements, too. Having a big tactile screen that has to be on to make the radio work isn't necessarily conducive to battery life. The 706MKIIG is a notorious battery-destroyer, even on receive. At least with the '817, you can turn off what you don't need.

[K7SGJ]

I CAN speak on the 857D, since I have one of those, and an Icom 706, as well. Both rigs are nice for what they are. I have the 857 in the truck, and use the VHF/UHF around town or on short road trips. I put the ATAS 120 antenna on the back on long trips. The reason I don't run the 706 mobile is that the 857 and ATAS are designed to work together. It is a compromise antenna, but it works flawlessly with the 857/897. I have no problem making contacts any of the HF bands, especially when conditions favor a particular band like 10M, so I rate it as a good choice for mobile ops. I'm sure it would do well in the shack as well. I also have an FT817, and the menus are the same, so if you are familiar with your 817 menus, you already have a leg up over anything else. Since I also have an IC702, and the menus are the same as the 706, setup and operation are quite easy for me. I find the 857 and the 706 to be very comparable as far as operation goes. Comparing them in an A/B setup on the bench or on the air is something I haven't done, but neither one is contest worthy anyway, if you're into that. They both put out about the same power and I have never received any bad audio reports using the stock mics. The setup and menu depth is about the same, and if I can figure it out, anyone can. I do keep a cheat sheet handy for those settings I don't access much. The only one of those rigs I have put any additional filtering in was a narrow cw filter in the 817. The other nice thing is that any accessories I have or get for the 857, will work on the 817 and visa versa. I offer all this as more information to further confuse and complicate your decision. We on the Island do not want to make your life any easier than absolutely necessary.

Anyway, I don't envy your task of selecting a new rig. It's can be a real pain in the ass. I have never put much stock in ham reviews from people I don't know or have not talked with. As Cor mentioned, many times someone will post a glowing review on a radio they've owned for only a week. The same with the very negative reviews. Usually, negatives are a result of operator error or lack of familiarity with a week old radio that has a very complicated setup, and all kinds of options that most of these hams don't understand, anyway. They can get the rig all FU in just a few keystrokes, and they complain about the radio being a piece of crap.

A year or so ago, I was entertaining the idea selling off a lot things I don't use any more, and getting a new rig. I did a lot of research and settled on the Kenwood TS590S. It had everything I wanted/needed in a rig. Then, I decided for as much as I get on the air, parting with the 2K USD wasn't really a wise use of resources. I think maybe I'll just improve the antenna system, and for me, that will be like getting a new radio.

[2W0IWM]

It's a difficult task especially given the financial climate at the moment. My money tree only has one harvest every few years, so I have to spend very wisely.

One of of my biggest regrets was selling my Trio TS-530s with matching ATU. It was a rock solid, easy to operate HF rig that I can whole heartedly say I enjoyed using. That sadly went to the world of eBay along with much of the rest of my gear when I fell for this lovely Latin American lady.

I can't wait to get back to the UK and take my full license. I had it arranged for Christmas time last year, but family drama led to a re-arranged flight and a missed exam (no happy Christmas for me).

This is leads to the grand search and difficult decision on new equipment. I can see the power problem with the screen when portable. I've got some great battery packs etc, but I don't want to lose a percentage of my operating time to running the snazzy screen.

I starting to re evaluate and consider a home shack only radio instead of a do everything unit. That opens a new thread... Which transceiver. There are so many to consider. The offerings from Yaesu in the form of the FT1200 and 3000, look good, as does the lovely Icom 7600... The list is large, but my budget isn't unfortunately (or I'd be talking nicely to my local Kenwood dealer :)

if if I start to look at older radios, that makes the list grow even more. I think I need to order a stronger drink from the barkeeper. I'm off for a quick troll through eBay to see what on offer in the used market to get some price ideas. I've also downloaded the 991 manual to have a good read and see what can be turned on / off in its software to save power. Maybe the dream lives...?

k7SGJ, one of my favorite parts is experimenting with new antennas. I took all of mine down at home, so I'm starting from scratch. I think I'm going to try the design from G7FEK this time. I've read a lot about it, and it sound ideal for my limited space. Shame I can't operate here. The gardens huge and antenna space isn't a problem.

Ian

[NQ6U]

Just to complicate things further—as Eddie (K7SGJ) said, that's how we roll here on the Island—you might consider an Elecraft KX-3 along with the companion KXPA100 amplifier. That way you have a mobile/portable 10W rig with a truly outstanding receiver and excellent battery life along with a full-power 100W transceiver back in the shack. I bring this up because I've been giving some serious thought to selling everything in my shack and going that way.

[K7SGJ]

It's a difficult task especially given the financial climate at the moment. My money tree only has one harvest every few years, so I have to spend very wisely.

One of of my biggest regrets was selling my Trio TS-530s with matching ATU. It was a rock solid, easy to operate HF rig that I can whole heartedly say I enjoyed using. That sadly went to the world of eBay along with much of the rest of my gear when I fell for this lovely Latin American lady.

I can't wait to get back to the UK and take my full license. I had it arranged for Christmas time last year, but family drama led to a re-arranged flight and a missed exam (no happy Christmas for me).

This is leads to the grand search and difficult decision on new equipment. I can see the power problem with the screen when portable. I've got some great battery packs etc, but I don't want to lose a percentage of my operating time to running the snazzy screen.

I starting to re evaluate and consider a home shack only radio instead of a do everything unit. That opens a new thread... Which transceiver. There are so many to consider. The offerings from Yaesu in the form of the FT1200 and 3000, look good, as does the lovely Icom 7600... The list is large, but my budget isn't unfortunately (or I'd be talking nicely to my local Kenwood dealer :)

if if I start to look at older radios, that makes the list grow even more. I think I need to order a stronger drink from the barkeeper. I'm off for a quick troll through eBay to see what on offer in the used market to get some price ideas. I've also downloaded the 991 manual to have a good read and see what can be turned on / off in its software to save power. Maybe the dream lives...?

k7SGJ, one of my favorite parts is experimenting with new antennas. I took all of mine down at home, so I'm starting from scratch. I think I'm going to try the design from G7FEK this time. I've read a lot about it, and it sound ideal for my limited space. Shame I can't operate here. The gardens huge and antenna space isn't a problem.

Ian

The TS530S was the first new radio I ever owned. I purchased it when it first came out. I really wanted the 830, but it was just a bit out of the budget. I bought the 530, the AT-230 antenna tuner, SP-230 matching speaker, and MC-50 mic all at once. I later added sideband and cw filters in it and picked up an SM-220 with the pan adapter somewhere along the way. I agree, it was and still is a great rig. I always got great signal reports as far as audio went, and it was an easy and fun rig to operate. However, in my effort to downsize, that whole package (along with several other older rigs) is going to get sold this summer after I go through all of it and make sure all are working to specs.

[2W0IWM]

Well, I've had an educational morning reading the 991 manual. I could use it as a base / P set as long as I accept the extra weight of both radio and larger battery to make it worthwhile lugging it to a mountain top. Think I'm going to add an amp to the 817, and stick with that for now as a /P setup.

Im undecided as to the 991 as a base set. I've looked with due caution at many reviews and owners comments. I'm starting to get the feeling that it has great potential, but the software hasn't caught up with the hardware yet, as Yaesu seems to be sending out new software sets and bug fixes quite regularly.

If someone dangled a good TS-530 et al or similar In front of me Eddie, I'd jump at it. I've seen a few nice sets on evilbay recently, but haven't had the chance to act as I'm still stuck on the wrong end of the marble. I do however want to get a newish modern set first if possible.

The Elecraft is a great piece of kit. A few friends have them, but not sure I'd want to replace the 817 yet.

Why he can't these things be easy :)

[K7SGJ]

Well, I've had an educational morning reading the 991 manual. I could use it as a base / P set as long as I accept the extra weight of both radio and larger battery to make it worthwhile lugging it to a mountain top. Think I'm going to add an amp to the 817, and stick with that for now as a /P setup.

Im undecided as to the 991 as a base set. I've looked with due caution at many reviews and owners comments. I'm starting to get the feeling that it has great potential, but the software hasn't caught up with the hardware yet, as Yaesu seems to be sending out new software sets and bug fixes quite regularly.

If someone dangled a good TS-530 et al or similar In front of me Eddie, I'd jump at it. I've seen a few nice sets on evilbay recently, but haven't had the chance to act as I'm still stuck on the wrong end of the marble. I do however want to get a newish modern set first if possible.

The Elecraft is a great piece of kit. A few friends have them, but not sure I'd want to replace the 817 yet.

Why he can't these things be easy :)

It's not easy because of so many choices. I bought a Yaesu FL 110 off of one of the hams sites (QTH or QRZ or one like them). It is a nice companion amp for the 817. It is an all mode, 160-10 amp that was designed for the FT-7 and FT-301S line. It requires a few adjustments to get it to trigger on power inputs under 10 watts or so, but it's a slick little amp. Obviously, the current draw depends on the drive and output power you want to run. It doesn't really cover the WARC bands, but it will work there with reduced output. I got mine for a $100 USD, and it was in good condition. I figured it was a good price since I've seen others go for up to 2 or 3 times that. But if you're patient, a good one does pop up from time to time. It also works well with the IC-703, but the 817 is smaller, lighter and easier to drag around and is my choice for backpacking, camping, and all that. It's a simple thing to operate with only a band switch, on/off, and delay switch on the front. Output is only adjustable by raising or lowering the input power. It probably isn't as efficient as more modern units using modular design or high efficiency FETs, but then, the price of the newer stuff is higher than giraffe nuts, too.

[2W0IWM]

Hi Eddie,

The FL110 looks like a great little amp. I've been thinking along these lines, as while QRP at 5 watts or less is good fun, sometimes it would be nice to have an extra S point of power to reach "that" station. This was my initial idea when looking at the 991. A smallish radio that could be backpacked (I did the same with the 897 many times), that has reasonable power on hand if needed. The down sides, as discussed, are the power equipments for running 50+ Watts and high standby load because of pretty screen etc.

I've also been considering the Hardrock 50 kit. I enjoy an outing with the soldering iron, and building a little amp from a kit could fit in well with work at the moment (as I could mail order it and build it here).

I'm still fancying the 991, but slowly turning more towards the likes of the 2000, 1200 or Icom 7600. Now if I can just find that lotto ticket to buy my Kenwood 990 :)

good forum. Lots of useful information with a good smattering of banter.