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| Reviews Summary for BetterRF Yaesu Control Tuner |
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Reviews: 12
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $45
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Description: Tunes your FT-100, 897, 857 with a screwdriver antenna. Makes the radio think the FC-30 is attached and emitts a low wattage carrier when the tune button is hit for easy tuning. Works Great!
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More info: http://www.qth.com/betterrf/yaesu-tune.html
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WB9QVR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 19, 2009 11:11
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Just as Advertised...
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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For some time I've been contemplating various methods of setting up a mobile HF station. I finally settled on using a Yaesu FT-857D with a soon-to-be-released Chameleon V2 antenna. That antenna requires a tuner. I have an LDG AT-7000 that I have used with (not surprisingly) my Icom IC-7000 (which I still own but want to keep in the shack). I've found that tuner to be not only rapid but also able to tune most anything I could throw at it. I liked the idea of using the AT-7000 as a mobile tuner as it has no onboard tune button but rather relies on the tuning function built into the Icom rigs (it essentially emulates an AH-4 or similar tuner).
One of my goals for this installation was to use the tuning function built into the '857D. That left me with the option of using one of the Yaesu tuners or a Yaesu version of one of the LDG tuners. Although I like the LDG tuners they require that a tuning cycle be started by pressing a button on the tuner itself rather than from the rig.
After researching my options a bit I came across the BetterRF Yaesu Tune Control. It seemed to be exactly what I needed. According to what I read I could marry the Icom-oriented AT-7000 to the '857D and still retain the tune function from the front panel of the radio. It seemed almost too good to be true. I quickly ordered one.
The tune control required all of about five minutes to install and make operational. As soon as I had the rig configured I gave it a try. Sure enough, pressing the 'Tune' button on the '857D immediately started a tuning cycle. As soon as the lowest SWR was found the rig went back to the previous mode. I tried a number of tuning cycles on various bands and found that the AT-7000 performed just as well as it did when connected to my IC-7000.
If you have a Yaesu FT-857D, FT-897D or similar rig and you'd like to use one of the Icom (or LDG Icom-ish) tuners, this is your answer. It is a simple yet elegant solution that brings together the best of both worlds.
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KW2K
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 4, 2009 21:10
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Great function... Marginal Workmanship
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Good stuff!
The Yaesu 857D has more features than the 706 MIIG and the Yaesu sells for less money.
The Icom AH-4 Auto tuner Outperforms the Yaesu FC-30 auto tuner hands down!
So what is a ham to do? Get the 857D and the AH-4 Tuner!
This is a great combination! You will save money and have the best of both worlds.. (Yaesu and Icom)
To do this you will need the Yaesu tune control made by better rf.
You will need to know the following to get it to work!!!!!!
1. install your AH4 as you normally would
2. do not connect the tune control to the radio while the radio is on... turn it off while you make the connection and then turn it back on.
3. MENU item #20 in the radio MUST BE SET TO "TUNER"
4. MENU item #85 in the radio MUST BE SET TO "TUNER"
5. Menu item "K" will show the "tune" button
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VE6AGE
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 23, 2009 10:07
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Wow. It's Superb.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I cannot believe why someone would spent big dollars on controlers. This little gem will to it for a lot less money. And so easy to operate while mobile. Makes things a lot safer.
Buy one, you'll love it.
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KG7UY
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 22, 2009 20:37
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update on my last review
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Tune Control is still working great with the 857D. It works very well with the FT-897D also. I have added a very easy mod to add an amplifier keying wire and plug to the Tune control PCB so you can key an amp as well as have the tune control function using the CAT port with out Y cables etc. Anyone interested in the mod can contact me at kg7uy@frontiernet.net as I don't mind sharing the info.
Dennis KG7UY
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KG1F
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 20, 2009 17:24
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Follow-up to my earlier review
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Now that I've spent a few days with this interface, I have decided this is a great product. Really simplifies tuning. Just one button - done.
This is great.
Fred
Kg1F
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KA3OUC
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 5, 2008 22:05
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Good
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This product works VERY well with my ICOM-AH-2 antenna tuner. Iam using it with my FT-897.
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WB0M
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 5, 2008 19:15
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Great! Plug n' play
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just got my Yausu Control to use with my FT-950 & AH-4 and I'll give the unit a 5 on it's overall use. However, it does not work fully yet with my FT-950 - through no fault of BetterRF. First let me say it's really easy to use and it works like a dream. I can use a Yaesu radio and my Icom 7000 just by switching cables. And I've never seen better customer service. However, Yaesu has changed some things with the FT-950 so I cannot tune all bands. I've contacted BetterRF and have received e-mails and phone calls concernig this problem. They have been absolutely amazing in helping me. I really hope they get the unit to work with the 950. It would have saved my $200 on a new Yaesu coupler, not to mention new control lines and the headaches of installing in snow and cold. -- Jeff/wb0m
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KA5KKT
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 22, 2007 05:14
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Works as Expected
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've installed a new Yaesu Tune Control for my FT-857D & ICOM AH-2 (same as AH-3) combo. Performance is as expected. The AH-2 operaates as if it were driven by ICOM gear. It's a good value solution compared to trying to homebrew one. The tips in the review two below this one were helpful in having the radio set up and ready to go for the installation. I put a little bit of oil on the outside of the jack on the YTC. I had to remove it once and it wasn't too bad.
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KG7UY
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 21, 2007 20:58
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Makes Screwdriver tune easy
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Using the old decrepit BB-3 is a breeze now that I have the Better RF tune control for the 857D. It works well with the ldg 7000 tuner as well as an added bonus. I will concur with a previous post the Icom adapter plug is very hard to remove if plugged in all the way. Otherwise, a great product for the price.
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AB0RE
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 16, 2007 10:50
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Great interface!!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've always been impressed with the performance of my Icom AH-4 tuner. Recently I sold my Icom HF radio and picked up a Yaesu FT-857D. I wasn't thrilled about the hassle of removing the AH-4 from service and selling it, so I was delighted when I stumbled upon the Yaesu Tune Control.
Here's how it works:
- You specify in the 857's menu that you are using the Tuner/CAT port for "Tuner"
- Menu "K" has a "TUNE" button to activate the tuner. You can also set "TUNE" as one of the options on the personalized menu.
- If an Icom tuner is connected, you press the "Tune" button for one second. It will cause the radio to switch over to a low powered carrier, complete the tuning process with the AH-4, and then switch back to the previous mode/power automatically after tuning is accomplished.
- If an Icom tuner is not connected, pressing the "Tune" button for one second will cause the radio to switch over to a low powered carrier to assist in manual antenna tuner or screwdriver antenna adjustment. The radio will stay in this state until the "Tune" button is pressed a second time.
A couple opportunities of the Yaesu Tune Control:
1) Better instructions. There was a little mystery regarding what the interface actually did and what settings had to be changed on the Yaesu FT-857. I had to call the manufacturer for clarification on how the Tune Control worked before I purchased it. Then I had to spend a little time in the 857's manual to determine what settings to change. This should've all been better documented in the online instruction manual so people have it figured out before it arrives. (... and you know how hams are at locating/reading the manuals that come with their radios...)
2) The 4-pin molex-type connector (to the Icom tuner) is very difficult to connect / disconnect. Additionally the 4-pin connector on teh Tune control seems a bit wobbly. I heard a cracking type noise when I tried to seat the tuner's connector on the interface's connector. Upon opening the unit up I found the board was only held into place with 2 screws, diagonal from eachother. I'd prefer to see a more stout enclosure with at least 4 standoffs for the board (this is a generic enclosure from Hammond manufacturing, I believe). A heartier enclosure would permit worry-free attachment to the Icom tuner's connector. (Oh, by the way, don't open the enclosure up. You'll feel foolish when you see you just paid $50 for a basic circuit board, small IC chip, and a handful of resistors and capacitors. After spending a little time with the Tune Control you'll find out it was worth every penny though). It'd be nice if the enclosure also had some type of mounting tabs - right now mine is just dangling from the back of the desk. Also, it'd be nice if there were a "tuning status" LED indicator on the tune control
3) The Yaesu Tune Control plugs into the CAT port of the FT-857D. Unfortunately the CAT port is used for other functions as well (Rig control &/or Programming), so just be aware of this trade-off if you order the Tune Control. Ideally, there would be a second CAT port on the Tune Control module, switcheable with a toggle switch. Then one could switch the function of the port via the 857's menu and flipping the toggle switch, instead of having to disconnect everything.
As you can see, the opportunities mentioned are pretty nit-picky. The BetterRF company saved me a TON of headache by not having to swap out my tuner. The tuning process to the AH-4 couldn't be easier and it's a delight to simply hit the "TUNE" button and watch the AH-4 do it's thing. People, in general, appear to be much happier with Icom's AH-4 than with Yaesu's random wire tuner.
BetterRF actually have a sales line you can call. The person I spoke to was very polite and I had my Tune Control in hand within a couple business days.
So, despite there being a couple opportunities I think this is the best thing we've got going and feel obligated to give it a "Great! / 5" rating.
73,
Dan / ab0re
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