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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-991/991A

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-991/991A
Reviews: 186MSRP: 1699.95
Description:
The FT-991 is the next generation in all mode, all band MF/HF/VHF/UHF
transceiver with C4FM (System Fusion) Digital capability. The FT-991
includes multi-mode operation on CW, AM, FM, SSB, and Digital Modes
(Packet, PSK31, RTTY and C4FM), with 100 Watts of HF/50mhz Capability
(50 Watts VHF/UHF). High-resolution full color 3.5" TFT Touch panel for
superior operability and visibility, High Speed Spectrum scope with ASC
(Automatic Spectrum-scope control) built right in. Internal High Speed
Automatic Antenna Tuner included in the package.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=D24F60F33816ED8BE5568D7E2B5E2131&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
63.31864
W2NER Rating: 2015-12-17
C4FM rec audio is not that good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had it for about a week and I love the layout and overall performance. Easy to setup and navigate the menu. The one thing I don't like is the receive audio in C4FM mode. I have to strain to understand it because to me it sounds muffled, all other modes are fine so I don't think its me. Going to give Yaesu a call on Monday to see if this is normal or just an issue with my rig.
KB3SI Rating: 2015-12-14
back from repair Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A follow up to my review of a couple of weeks ago. Yaesu USA replaced some parts and now my 991 has great output on all bands. I like the menu system better that my ICOM 7000. The TFT display is very nice. Very satisfied with its performance and transmit audio.
KA7EKW Rating: 2015-12-13
User interface SUCKS Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A buddy bought one of these, then yelled for help trying to use the thing.

You damn near need an advanced degree to operate this radio. It has lots of bells and whistles, and as a radio it is very capable, but the USER INTERFACE was obviously designed by people who have never actually USED a ham radio, especially in mobile or disaster ops!

I was looking forward to seeing this radio, but I'll hang onto my FT-100D a while longer.
PA3HHO Rating: 2015-12-10
The ideal allround radio that has it all! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Very quiet, good rx audio and sensitivity, great tx audio and fine big signal handling on HF. The ultimate allround radio!

The DSP features are very impressive and DNR is a pleasure to listen to. I'm not sure whether it can make the difference between copying a signal or not, but on HF it works so effective that sometimes it's almost like listening to FM. This little radio is packed with features. The touch screen makes it easier to navigate through all of them but still takes a little time to get used to. If you can't live with that, don't buy this radio!

I like how Yaesu strategically seems to reuse proven technology e.g. the FTdx-3000 shares the IF architecture with the FTdx-5000 main receiver, the FTdx-1200 shares the IF architecture of the FTdx-5000 sub receiver. So what about the FT-991? You might have guessed it, Yaesu took the IF architecture of the FT-950 / FT-2000 - "good enough for many amateurs radio" - and improved on that: add antenna tuner, state of the art DSP, USB port, virtual sound card, color touch screen, voice recorder and squeeze it into a compact FT-897D like housing. Way to go Yaesu! That's how you do it!

I've owned the FTdx-3000 before this radio and even though ARRL's product review figures are not the same by any means, I find it very similar to listen to. If you want very decent overall performance, all the bands and features, there simply is no competition.

I'm (fully) licenced since 1998. Before this radio I've owned Yaesu FT-767GX, FT-847, FT-2000, FT-450D, FT-897D, FT-817ND, FTdx-3000, Icom IC-736, IC-706MKII, Kenwood TS-870 and TS-480HX. Together with the (much cheaper and underestimated) FT-450D the FT-991 delivers superb value for the money. Again, well done Yaesu! Without any doubht, the FT-991 is the Swiss Army radio many hams have been waiting for!
M6WAX Rating: 2015-12-03
Great all rounder Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
One of the best rigs i have owned and this is Yaesu number 8,
mine was bought in April from the first UK batch and has no problems, although some people have had faults i think there has been a lot of unfair criticism of Yaesu as they back their products with a two year warranty and appear to genuinely want to ensure customer satisfaction.
Some of the rubbish written on here makes me laugh, surely you don't buy a menu driven rig and then complain that you have to push a button to make a change, RTFM before you buy its on Yaesu's website, and some seem to forget the problems Icom had/have with the IC-7100 - bought one and sold it for guess what the FT-991, it was not a patch on the FT-991 and mine had to have a new digitiser as it was peeling off the screen.
Take it all with a pinch of salt and ignore the Yaesu bashers and the wanabees who give bad press but have never owned one, give it a try as all consumer products will have possible faults no matter who the manufacturer is, just my two pennies worth - buy one and enjoy it i love mine.
73 Paul - 2E0YOB / M6WAX
G4ELI Rating: 2015-12-01
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For a small radio covering 160m to 70cms this is a great package. I use it for rag-chewing around the UK with the Yaesu MD200 desk microphone. On transmit I am almost always complimented on my audio quality, on receive I am never overloaded.

I have not had a single issue other then wondering why the output power was low when using only 10.5 volts (what an idiot).

I would buy another without a moment's hesitation, in my case the radio came from Martin Lynch.
F4EGA Rating: 2015-11-23
Love it Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Best radio I have ever owned. Bought in July and never had a problem, tuner works fine on all bands with a double G5RV. I use it on EME on 144MHz and the receiver is the best i had in 144MHz, very sensitive, TCXO and no drift on TX in JT65. MIC-EQ is like on 1200-3000-5000 very good.
Honestly i had a lot of transceivers but the 991 is the best of all, and if one day i have a problem i'll send it for repair and i'll keep it because it's a winner.

G4OER Rating: 2015-11-23
Best bang for buck there is! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I also have an FTdx1200 and the 991 hears just as well. Ideal size. Love the touch screen plus the useful bonus of 2Mts and 70Cms. What more could you need?
G3RCE Rating: 2015-11-23
Excellent, very versatile Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This radio is top notch!
Very easy to operate, the colour touch screen and menu system very easy and enjoyable to use.
Don't take too much notice of the negative reviews.
Performs very well on cw and digital modes and ssb tx audio quality is as good as the 5000, 3000 and FTDX1200, in other words excellent.
There is alot in this unit and very useful with 2m and 70cms. A delight to use.
KE0AYJ Rating: 2015-11-22
Bad Chioce - 3 strikes Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
For the last time, this radio is going back to Yaesu for repair.
The internal SWR and PO indicates NO SWR and FULL 50 watts out. With the external meters connected, NO SWR and 1.5 watts out.
I cannot recommend this radio for anything at this point.
This last issue came after the last firmware update.
The radio was switched to UHF and during a qso at 45 watts, my signal report from the other end slowly went from 59 to 00.
Dont get this radio CONSISTENTLY great reports of everything being fixed. Firmware, hardware, everything.
As far as all band, all mode I will have to look at another brand. Sorry Yaesu, you tried and failed.