| K2ENF |
Rating:  |
2023-08-27 | |
| Great shack in the box radio. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
When I finally got my ticket, I went for the 991a for two reasons....
1:I've been a Yaesu fan for a long time
2: I wanted the VHF and UHF ability, as well as HF. Specifically, I wanted SSB ability on 2m and 70cm as well as HF.
The negatives, first:
1: the menu structure is a bit clumsy. The complexity of the menu structure is Yaesu's attempt to cover all the bases. It was a fair job at this given the space they had to work with, but there's a learning curve to dealing with the controls... and even when you get used to it, it's not an easy task to make the most of the radio's outstanding receiver.
2:The screen size is a tad small, and past the Win4Yeasu software, which I'll get to...there's no real option to make it more readable.
3: Transmit audio: No way to control ALC action on transmit. No way to monitor your transmit audio in FM mode.
4: C4FM, both transmit and rec, sounds like a bad MP3 player. Interpacket phasing, mostly. then again, DMR sounds that way to me, as well. Since I didn't buy the rig for that mode it's not a big deal.
5: One of the problems with any shack in the box radio is the inability to monitor the local repeaters while chasing DX on 15m. A couple old programmable police scanners solve that issue, however.
Positives:
1: The receiver in this thing is phenomenal, particularly when you master the filters. The DNR alone is worth the price of admission. Does sound very digital at some levels but allows you to pull signals out of then much in a way that older tech rigs simply can't do. The filters bring some serious value to the party, as well.
2: Got it's own sound card, which makes hooking this thing up to my heavily computerized shack is a snap. I run WIN4Yaesu software, which I strongly advise getting for this rig. Brings a whole new level to the radio... audio scopes cat control, SDR plugin ability, and brings all the menu driven stuff out from for my faster control. Makes running this radio to the max of it's ability a breeze. Frankly, I seldom touch the radio itself anymore except scanning the bands with the big knob. (Old habits die harder, I suppose)
3:Good transmit audio: I got good signal reports on this radio from day one, and it keeps improving. I use a boom mike or a set of Heil proset 6 cans. I have seperate EQ paterns on each, on file and with the WIN4Yeasu software can swap them out quickly. (Aside, don't EQ for the radio, rather EQ for the mike you're on and your VOICE. ) I run an external processing stack of my own design, these days, and have found that the internal ALC/Compressor are a needless limitation. It's like a bike with training wheels you can't remove.... a design plan that always annoys me.) Still, once I set the external up to work in harmony with the internal processing, it comes out pretty well... I get good comparative (Stack On and Off) reports. But I could make it better if I could get these training wheels off. I suppose for me that's a slight negative but for most folks it won't matter much.
4: Finals problems? I've not had any, though I suppose that's due to my having gotten one of the later built units. The problems seem to be in the early ones and seem to have something to do with the intitial calibration. Bias issues as I gather it. Oh... I don't plan on using an amp for the time being.
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| W6YH |
Rating: |
2023-08-25 | |
| Great radio that does a lot |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I am surprised at all the negative comments about trivial things. I purchase an FT-991a for $650 about a year ago, mainly for VHF/UHF and at least for me, it does a great job. I have made contacts on HF with it and got good responses.
I have to say I still prefer my old Kenwood TS-2000 as it has 2 receivers, but the HF receiver on the FT-991A is superior.
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| K9POW |
Rating: |
2023-04-13 | |
| A really good radio, but not an ICOM-7300 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently purchased a Yaesu 991a and I really love the radio. A truly "shack in a box" which is the reason I decided on the 991a. If the ICOM-7300 had VHF I would have gotten the ICOM. I'm very disappointed in the C4FM and digital mode on the radio. I thought that digital would be crisp, clean audio, but the digital mode sounds like a computer generated voice. I'm just glad I didn't purchase the radio for the digital modes--I would have sent it back. I wanted to be able to do 2 meter SSB 'cause we have a Wed. net here in TN, on 2 meter sideband. I do enjoy the HF, 6 meter and VHF/UHF, just not the digital. Do not use the YouTube settings for your parametric equalizer. They will make your radio sound very bad. Instead, go to 3895KHz.com and pull up the audio settings for the parametric equalizer. It will make it 2000% better.
UPDATE: Now that I've had the radio for a month, I still love the radio, just not the system confusion! LoL! I guess I'm just old school and am an analog guy. I would recommend this radio to anyone; the receive sensitivity is excellent. I guess you'd call this a step-up from my previous radio, a Kenwood TS-430S which I gave to another new Ham. Cheers from eastern Tennessee |
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| KB9FMV |
Rating: |
2023-04-01 | |
| NOT FAIR TO LUMP 2 RIGS TOGETHER |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I own the FT 991 not A model don't understand why this site cant get it straight ! 2different radios but anyway bet digital rig I have owned plus HF is outstanding ! Tuner is flawless and receiver is OUTSTANDING ! Had to roll back DNR setting but other than that WOW great rig and GREAT DIGITAL FOR FUSION/C4FM PLUS WIRES X and FM DIGITAL NARROW!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB9FMV on 2018-12-01
Well after just about a year with this rig must say GREAT ALL AROUND RIG! It pulls out the HF weak signals and once you learn how to set it up thru the menus great receiver and NO DOUBT GREAT TRANSMITTER! I worked this rig through the paces working DX for 3 day straight and no problems also used it so much on FUSION AMAZING RESULTS! This rig is the 991 that went back to Yaesu to set the bias correctly ! I bought it from MTC with a 2 year warranty would highly recommend them good staff! I would say if you could get either the A model or just the plain 991 for all around shack in the box this is it! I had the Kenwood TS 2000 and the receive on HF was not as good as the Yaesu course the Yaesu is newer technology!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB9FMV on 2018-03-12
Well after posting in January still going strong and what a delight ! HF OUTSTANDING AND FUSION OUTSTANDING HIGHLY RECOMMENED! AAAAAA ++++++++ GREAT RIG !
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB9FMV on 2018-01-10
I just bought this rig from MTC Radio in Paris Tx and a great bargin! Its a refurb unit from Yaesu with 90 day and 3 year warranty! I must say a great performer all modes and all bands ! I have not experience any problems and the tuner will tune a coat hanger! I must say I thought the receive was going to be somewhat less desirable than my other rigs (Yaesu FT 1000 MKV 200WATTS and Icom IC7410 but almost as good on hf !The noise blanker and receiver on the ICOM 7410 is better than all of them! Now lest look at digital this rig with C4FM and Fusion is a HANDS DOWN THE BEST MODE I have experienced! The C4FM Wires is like no other mode I have ever experienced with the exception of PCM ON a TRC 24 when I was in the US Army! Well if you get the chance try FUSION THIS IS LIKE speaking to someone on the telephone! I spoke to people in the Philippines , Japan, Germany and what an amazing experience ! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! GREAT RIG GREAT PRICE !
BEST RADIO I HAVE EVER OWNED SO FAR ! GREAT SUPPORT FROM YAESU TOO! |
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| WJ1Q |
Rating: |
2023-03-31 | |
| Wouldn't Purchase Again |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| My finals have blown out twice in the four years I have owned the rig. When it works, it's great. However, both repairs were at my expense. It takes almost two months to get a repair estimate and Yaesu isn't pro-active, never commits to anything. My experience has been poor at best and I would not purchase this rig, again, unless the manufacturer has made major changes. |
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| KI5BMK |
Rating: |
2023-03-22 | |
| Rock Star |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Absolutely fantastic radio. Built like a tank. Way better receiver than my Icom 7300 and a solid VHF/UHF radio.
It will need an update soon for the older screen.
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| N7JS |
Rating:  |
2023-03-21 | |
| FT-991 Beware |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This review is for the 991. These radios blow finals just looking at them. Mine did so 2X even after Yaesu supposedly repaired it. I've been a ham for several decades and it was not operator error. I ended up getting rid of it as a parts radio. Just do a Google search on 991 blown finals. Yaesu really should have compensated (or offered a free upgrade to) the original purchasers of this radio. There's a big reason why they rushed out the 991A and it wasn't just for the real time display. Hopefully Yaesu learned from this radio. Long story short, stay away from the non A version. |
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| EI7II |
Rating: |
2022-12-25 | |
| Why I love my 991A |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Hold on I hear you say. We all love our own gear ?!?
Allow me to put it this way: EHAM reviews mean a lot to me and before I buy something... I almost always check out the reviews here.
My FT991A has been in use for over a year and rather than going into details of the "Good, the Bad.. and the Ugly" I will answer just one simple question: IF YOU COULD, would you buy this radio again ? Knowing what you know about it now?
The answer: a resounding YES, I WOULD. If money is tight and you want a radio that does most of what you require and you bear the price in mind, you have just found it.
Several times I forgot to switch antennas, and she took it without dying on me. For me that means that this is a well designed radio. Enough Said ? |
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| RADIO_RANDY |
Rating: |
2022-03-20 | |
| Outstanding "Shack In A Box" for the price |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Was using my faithful old FT-897D, for the 10 Meter Contest, when a friend brought by his FT-991A to try out...WOW!!!
Within a couple of weeks, I had my own FT-991A, and am in the process of selling my FT-897D, my Tigertronics SignaLink AND my Timewave Navigator. This new radio does it all, soundcard interface and rig control, with a single USB connection to my laptop!
Since the first of this year, I've made 840 QSOs on this radio. Most have been on FT8, at 30 watts, but several were made on RTTY and 'phone, during contests, all with Hamstick whips on my pickup. I live in an HOA and the 991A's receiver does a far better job of dealing with local RFI than the 897D. The spectrum scope also makes finding other stations a treat.
Because of its small form factor, the FT-991A will also be my new mountain topping station for VHF contesting. No doubt, the waterfall display will come in very valuable for that function, as well.
Unless I run into some catastrophic issue with my new "partner", I'll be singing its praises to anyone who'll listen. |
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| KE4WBS |
Rating: |
2021-12-24 | |
| Good All arounder |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have the 991 non a model its been a joy to use it holds its own a lot of guys might not like the menus but it looks like all radios are headed for SDR variants and the color displays. If you get one enjoy it to the fullest I am.. by the looks of it it might be the last of the conventional analog receiver these work well and hears very well. |
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