Yaesu FC-80 vs Yaesu FC-90

The Yaesu FC-80 and Yaesu FC-90 are automatic antenna tuners designed for the Yaesu FTX-1 Field QRP transceiver, but they are designed for different types of antennas. The FC-80 is designed to mount directly on the back of the transceiver for use with antennas terminated with 50 ohm coaxial cable and has an SO239 connector, while the FC-90 is a stand-alone tuner for Long Wire (LW) and other unbalanced 50 ohm antennas.

Yaesu FC-80 vs FC-90 Comparison

 Which tuner should you choose?

Your choice depends on your working style and the antenna setup you plan to use with your FTX-1 field radio.

Choose the FC-80 if:

• You primarily use traditional antennas with coaxial cable to the transceiver: dipoles, verticals, G5RV and the like, and want the most compact and integrated configuration possible.
• You want the convenience of a tuner that mounts directly to the back of your FTX-1 Field transceiver for a hassle-free, portable all-in-one unit.

Choose the FC-90 if:

• You use a Long Wire (LW), end-fed or other unbalanced antenna that requires an unbalanced antenna tuner.
• You don’t mind a separate external tuner to get the flexibility to use it with a wider variety of cable antennas.
• With a control cable as long as the coaxial cable, you can to place the tuner next to the antenna itself.

I hope this information was useful to you.

I would be glad if you would share this or something else in the comments. If you already have personal experience and impressions, this would be invaluable for other radio amateurs!

73 es BST DX

Материалът Yaesu FC-80 vs Yaesu FC-90 е публикуван за пръв път на Галя и Тони - Галанто.

Basic one-time settings for Yaesu FTDX-10

I am not claiming that these are the best, most important or „only“.

These are the settings that I have made and with which I work successfully. They are made once and generally do not need to be changed, which is why I have called the publication „Basic one-time settings for Yaesu FTDX-10„. Some are simply initial or most frequently used values, it does not prevent them from being changed operationally.

Anyone who wishes can check which setting does what exactly or ask in a comment. I don’t plan to write this here, so as not to unnecessarily burden the publication. I will try to answer everyone.

I will separately publish the operational settings for operation in the different modes, and I will also put references here.

I am sure that you will quickly get used to the way it is written and what it means – the writing is analogous (or at least similar) to that in the operating instructions.

General basic settings

[FUNC] <DISPLAY SETTING> <MY CALL> – home screen – callsign – up to 12 characters

[FUNC] <EXTENSION SETTING> <DATE&TIME> – date and time setting

(more about these two settings you can read here)

[RF/SQL] on the far right position

(maximum gain on HF – this does not mean that it should always be there – in any situation on the air, another position may be better and the audibility – also better, i.e. it is good to try it out operationally. But it is a good „initial“ position.)

Recommended initial settings related to the display

[CS] continuously {LEVEL} – for easy adjustment of the „grass“ with [CS]

[FUNC] <DISPLAY SETTING> <SCOPE> <SCOPE CTR> <CARRIER>

[FUNC] <DISPLAY SETTING> <SCOPE> < 2D DISP SENSITIVITY> <HI>

[FUNC] <DISPLAY SETTING> <SCOPE> <3DSS DISP SENSITIVITY> <HI>

Basic CW listening settings

[FUNC] <BK-IN DELAY> <200 ms> delay when returning to receive

[FUNC] <BK-IN> <OFF> must be turned on manually when transmitting CW

[FUNC] <CW PITCH> <750 Hz> (according to preference)

[FUNC] <CW SETTING> <MODE CW> <CW BK-IN TYPE> <SEMI>

[FUNC] <CW SETTING> <MODE CW> <CW FREQ DISPLAY> <PITCH OFFSET>

[FUNC] <CW SETTING> <MODE CW> <CW INDICATOR> <ON>

[FUNC] <CW SETTING> <MODE CW> <PC KEYING> <OFF>

[FUNC] <CW SPEED> <14> (this is 70 zn/min – according to preferences)

<CW OPERATION>

Basic settings for CW/DATA from external software via USB cable

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE PSK/DATA> <DATA MOD SOURCE> <REAR>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE PSK/DATA> <REAR SELECT> <USB>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE PSK/DATA> <RPORT GAIN> <12>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE PSK/DATA> <RPTT SELECT> <RTS>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE PSK/DATA> <TX BPF SEL> <100-2900 Hz>

[FUNC] <OPERATING SETTINGS> <GENERAL> <CAT RTS> <OFF>

[FUNC] <OPERATING SETTINGS> <GENERAL> <CAT TIME OUT TIMER> <10>

[FUNC] <OPERATION SETTING> <GENERAL> <CAT RATE> <38400bps>

Setting the <PRESET> button for operation in digital modes

<MODE> <PRESET> and <DATA-U>

<MODE> <PRESET continuously> until the PRESET functions appear:

<PRESET> <CAT RTS > <OFF>

<PRESET> <CAT RATE > <34800bps>

<PRESET> <CAT TIME OUT TIMER> <10ms>

<PRESET> <LCUT FREQ> <100Hz>

<PRESET> <HCUTFREQ> <3200Hz>

<PRESET> <TX BPFSELECT> <100-2900Hz>

<PRESET> <REAR SELECT> <USB>

<PRESET> <RPORT GAIN> <12>

<PRESET> <RPORT SELECT> <RTS>

<PRESET> <AGC FAST DELAY> <160ms>

<PRESET> <AGC MID DELAY> <500ms>

<PRESET> <AGC SLOW DELAY> <1500ms>

<PRESET> <LCUT SLOPE> <18dB/oct>

<PRESET> <HCUT SLOPE> <18dB/oct>

<FT8-FT4-PSK-DATA OPERATION>

Installing software on the computer connected to the radio

A USB isolator is placed on the USB port in use for protection.

Install the FTDX-10 drivers from the Yaesu website https://www.yaesu.com.

Install and configure your preferred software (personally, I use JTDX Enchanced most often and prefer it – it is not suitable for competitions).

Additional software for accurate time is mandatory. (For example, NetTime http://www.timesynctool.com – I would not say that I recommend it, but I use it and I am satisfied).

Turn off the automatic time update from Windows itself.

Basic settings for SSB, AM, FM, PSK, DATA operation

[FUNC] <AMC LEVEL> <60>

[FUNC] <MIC EQ> <OFF>

[FUNC] <MIC GAIN> <30>

[FUNC] <OPERATING SETTINGS> <TX AUDIO> <AMC RELEASE TIME> <FAST>

[FUNC] <PROC LEVEL> <12>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE SSB> <SSB MOD SOURCE> <MIC>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE SSB> <TX BPF SEL> <200-2800Hz> ? <50–3050 Hz>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE AM> <TX BPF SEL> <50-3050Hz>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE AM> <AM MOD SOURCE> <MIC>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE FM> <FM MOD SOURCE> <MIC>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTING> <MODE PSK/DATA> <TX BPF SEL> <100-2900Hz>

<SSB-AM-FM OPERATION>

SSB mode when using USB cable, software and speech from computer

(if this mode is not used, the values ​​are in orange)

<MODE> <DATA-U>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE SSB> <SSB MOD SOURCE> <REAR> <MIC>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE SSB> <REAR SELECT> <USB> <DATA>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE SSB> <RPORT GAIN> <50> (according to software) <50>

[FUNC] <RADIO SETTINGS> <MODE SSB> <RPTT SELECT> <RTS> <DAKY>

I would be happy if you could share in a comment what the differences are with your settings, and also why you prefer them.

73!

Материалът Basic one-time settings of the Yaesu FTDX-10 е публикуван за пръв път на Галя и Тони - Галанто.

CW Operation

CW Operation Settings by Hearing

If you were working in digital modes before switching to CW, be sure to turn off SPLIT (if necessary), narrow the bandwidth and turn on transmission with the Morse code manipulator (and the automatic key if necessary). Depending on the range, you will also need to increase the frequency spectrum displayed on the display.

<BAND> (selectable according to preference)

Select desired frequency.

<MODE> <PRESET> <OFF>

<MODE> <CW-L> below 10.1 MHz without 5 Mhz or <MODE> <CW-U> on 5 Mhz, 10.1 MHz and above 10.1 MHz

[FUNC] <BK-IN> <ON> automatically turns on CW transmission

[FUNC] <KEYER> <OFF> for manual key or [FUNC] <KEYER> <ON> for auto key

[FUNC] <CW SPEED> <14> (keyer transmission speed – this is 70 bpm)

[FUNC] <MONI LEVEL> <15> (according to monitor volume preference)

<ATT> <OFF> (attenuator according to preference and IPO preamp)

<IPO> <AMP1> (according to preference)

<R.FIL> <500Hz>

<ACG><AUTO>

<TUNE> (press and hold until tuning begins)

<SPAN> <50k> or <100k> (width of the display image)

<CURSOR> <CENTER> <FIX> or <CURSOR> <CENTER> <FIX>

<CS> <outer knob> <adjust the „grass“ according to preferences> <CS>

Basic settings for CW operation with specialized software

[FUNC] <CW SETTING> <MODE CW> <PC KEYING> <DTR>

For CW operation in SSB mode (Caution – ignores BK-IN!)

[FUNC] <CW SETTING> <MODE CW> <CW AUTO MODE> <ON>

Screen capture

<MODE> continuously until double beep and „Screen Shot“ on the display

<BASIC ONE-TIME SETTINGS OF YAESU FTDX-10>

<OPERATION ON SSB-AM-FM>

<OPERATION OF FT8-FT4-PSK-DATA>

Материалът CW Operation – FTDX-10 е публикуван за пръв път на Галя и Тони - Галанто.

FT8/FT4 Operation

<MODE> <PRESET> and <DATA-U> (both to be included)

<R.FIL> <3 kHz>

Checking the exact time

https://time.is/

The exact time is updated at >200 ms with NetTime

http://www.timesynctool.com

A blank space is preferred for broadcasting from the waterfall.

Checking the exact time at https://time.is/

Setting up the connection with the software

Adjust the TX level to be within the limits before triggering ALC (in the white sector).

The transmission level should be 30-50 dB (read by the software).

Display setting

<SPAN> <5k> or <10k> (width of the display image)

<CURSOR> <CENTER> <FIX>

<CS> <outer knob> <adjust the „grass“ according to preferences> <CS>

Screen capture

<MODE> long until double beep and „Screen Shot“ on display

<BASIC ONE-TIME SETTINGS OF YAESU FTDX-10>

<CW OPERATION>

<SSB-AM-FM OPERATION>

Материалът FT8/FT4 Operation – FTDX-10 е публикуван за пръв път на Галя и Тони - Галанто.

SSB Operation

The following are basic settings for SSB and other telephone working modes. If you have worked in digital modes before switching to SSB/FM/AM, do not forget to turn off SPLIT (if necessary), change the skipped frequency band (if necessary). Depending on the range, you will also need to increase the frequency spectrum displayed on the display.

<BAND> (choose according to preference).

Select desired frequency.

<MODE> <PRESET> <OFF>

<MODE> <LSB> below 14 MHz or <MODE> <USB> above 10.1 MHz

<ATT><OFF>

<IPO><AMP1>

<R.FIL> <3kHz>

<ACG><AUTO>

<SPAN> <50k> or <100k> or <200k> or <500k>

<CURSOR> <CENTER> <FIX> or <CURSOR> <CENTER> <FIX>

<CS> <outer knob> <adjust the „grass“ according to preferences> <CS>

Screen Capture

<MODE> long until double beep and “Screen Shot” on the display

SSB operation does not only include these basic settings. I would be glad if you share your impressions of working on the air in a comment.

<BASIC ONE-TIME SETTINGS OF YAESU FTDX-10>

<CW OPERATION>

<FT8-FT4-PSK-DATA OPERATION>

Материалът SSB Operation – FTDX-10 е публикуван за пръв път на Галя и Тони - Галанто.

Extending the transmission range

Backstory

Some time ago, a friend and radio amateur (I’m not writing who he is, because I haven’t asked him if he can) shared that he can’t broadcast on part of the 60m range. He assumed that his Yaesu FTDX-10 transceiver, because it was prepared for Spain, reflected the Spanish regulations.

My Yaesu FTDX-10 is also „Spanish“. At least its User Manual is in Spanish. I checked and it turned out to be the same – it only broadcasts in 5351.5 – 5366.5 kHz. And for Bulgaria, the resolution is 5250 – 5450 kHz, on a secondary basis, 1 class, 100 W, all broadcast classes.

I thought, „There can’t be some mod to fix this problem“. I just didn’t have time to dig around the Internet right now and I posted a question in a FB group about the Yaesu FTDX-10.

After less than a day, among the hundreds of nonsense written under the question, there were also a few meaningful ones. There were also suggestions on how to unlock the transceiver from transmitting anywhere it can receive. But I didn’t care about them, I wanted to get my 60 meters right. And when I finish successfully, to explain to my friend how to do it too.

I thought this information might be useful to other radio amateurs, so I’m posting it here, I hope it works for them. At the same time, I have not carried out any intervention that would violate the warranty.

Problem solution

I solved the problem in a few easy steps, without opening the transceiver and without breaking the warranty:

1. I saved my personal settings, menus and memory on an SD card:

<FUNC> <EXTENSION SETTING> <SD CARD> <MENU SAVE DONE> <NEW> <ENT>
I tapped <FILE SAVED> for exit.
<FUNC> <EXTENSION SETTING> <SD CARD> <MEM LIST SAVE DONE> <NEW> <ENT>
I tapped <FILE SAVED> for output.

Note: This step is optional. The transceiver is reset to factory settings, and if you want to keep what you have configured additionally, you will need it.

2. I turned off the transceiver.
3. I pressed FINE and MODE at the same time and held them. Without releasing them, I turned on the transceiver. A green LED VFO-A RX started flashing rapidly.
4. I short pressed <FUNC>. The LED VFO-A RX blinking has slowed down a bit.
5. I waited a few seconds for the change to be copied and pressed <FUNC> again, now for a long time. I don’t know how long, it was about a few seconds until the LED stopped flashing and the transceiver rebooted.
6. After the restart everything was already OK, the ranges covered the permissions in our country.

As a bonus, I also received a 70 MHz range, also allowed in our country: 70-70.50 MHz, on a secondary basis, 1 class, 50 W, A1 (A, B, C, D) and J3 (C, E, F).

7. I could restore my old settings from the SD-card but I preferred to do it again, clean, for educational purposes. I did them anyway without knowing what exactly did what, then I was still learning about my new transceiver.

It basically works like this:

<FUNC> <EXTENSION SETTING> <SD CARD> <MENU LOAD DONE> <CHOOSE FILE> <OVERWRITE OK>
You tap <FILE SAVED> to exit, an automatic restart follows.
<FUNC> <EXTENSION SETTING> <SD CARD> <MEM LIST LOAD> <CHOOSE FILE> <OVERWRITE OK>
You tap <FILE SAVED> to exit, an automatic restart follows.

Note: If you did not complete step 1 and save your settings and memory, there is no way to restore them and perform this step.</p > I hope this procedure is useful to someone.

73!

Did you like the article „Modification of Yaesu FTDX-10 for Bulgarian conditions„? Was it useful to you? Share in a comment please.

Материалът Modification of Yaesu FTDX-10 for Bulgarian conditions е публикуван за пръв път на Галя и Тони - Галанто.