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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
W7CNK Rating: 2015-03-19
Nice Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My first FT-991 the USB port did not function, HRO replaced it. From others there is a Firmware issue so I stepped back to the first Firmware update and will wait for Yaesu to issue new corrective Firmware. So far the only issue I have found is the VFO-A / VFO-B not changing when A/B is selected (NO BIG DEAL). I would hope that Yaesu would add a comment as to what the Firmware Updates effect.
VK4FSCC Rating: 2015-03-19
FIRMWARE problem Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought this radio hoping it was going to be my pride and joy in the shack.Its lasted 7 days before i had to send it back to Andrews Communications. V/B button when shifting from memory channels back to VFO mode my radio would lose audio. Could only get this back by turning the rig off then back on.
This would then lose all my settings i had saved for that band.. Yaesu This radio needs more work
WA7KGX Rating: 2015-03-06
Progress Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Yaesu have released the CAT codes for the FT-991. With this information the developmental version of WSJT-X now works with the 991 using the built-in USB port. No sound card or Rigblaster is needed.

Yaesu have also released two firmware updates for the 991. The AM modulation is still terrible, but seems slightly different. At least someone in Japan appears to have admitted there is a problem, the first step in finding a solution.

A quick check of reception from 30 kHz on up has only revealed one image or spurious response so far, a faint signal at 162.56 that is actually a spurious response to the main Portland weather at 162.55. Most radios are full of images below the broadcast band.
VE3OSY Rating: 2015-02-23
Nice compact full featured Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well I had this FT-991 for about 2 weeks, Finally managed to get it on Digital mode tonight, and I discovered I did not need my new RigExpert I/F nor did I need the Yeasu SCU-17 interface.

I have a USB cable direct to my PC and using MixW or HRD seems to work fine, I had to install the drivers from yaesu site first, and that driver configured two com ports (com3 and com 4) set the mix software to these ports and then had to configure the menu 108 mic select to rear and drop the level in menu 109 to around 20.

I like the touch screen, and yes for a old guy like me who was used to a more simpler rig, there are a lot of things to learn about this rig, but its not like I am not up to the challenge its been fun. the only issue I seem to be left with is the mixw software will not control the frequency of the radio, but it will read it and change USB to LSB etc. HRD works a little better in that regard but it is still buggy and tens to crash on me.

The noise blanker, DNR etc work nice, and considering how close I am to CHU transmitters I have had no issues other than the normal QSB on the bands. So overall I am getting to really like this rig, It great to be back on the air again and this fits the bill perfectly.
KB2KDC Rating: 2015-02-22
Great receive performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A lot of radio for the money. They packed a lot into this box. I have a TS-2000 next to this to compare it to.
First thing I noticed was the receiver performance was much better on all bands than my Ts2000. Also the The Dsp blows away anything in this price range. I here conversations I could not hear on my 2000 when doing an a/b comparison. The Dsp seems to pull out conversations from the background noise where you can clearly make out what they are saying where the 2000 would suppress the background noise but also garble the conversation as well. This is only to be expected since the Dsp technology in the Ts 2000 is older.
I seem to like the touch screen color interface. It is highly visible and intuitive. It takes a little more switching back and forth on menus but I don't seem to mind because it is set up so well and customizable. I do miss the feel and quality of the control knobs and switches that are on the ts2000. I wanted a radio with smaller footprint so being the Ft991 is more portable I'm not going to complain.
I'm about 1100 feet on a mountain so I've been working several system fusion repeaters here. Voice quality and error correction seems to be much better than Dstar. I am a Dstar user but don't feel threatened like some so I'm not going to bash C4FM. It is not seasoned like the others but clearly uses superior codec technology. Never thought I'd be using C4fm on here but I've been having a blast with it.
I also like having a build in USB port on the radio as well as a serial port. I was able to download the usb drivers for my MacBook Pro and I it works as a sound card input an output. I am just using it to stream AirPlay audio through my house and to my phone. A similar thing can be done on the of e All this was a lot of radio for the price point and it seems like before this radio came out Icom dropped the price of its competing radio by 300 dollars.
On the other side I do miss the Dual receivers in the Ts2000. Nicer big radio feel and construction. And breaker 1 9 how's my audio, breaker 1 9 oh o forgot I have a separate radio for 11 meters and ham AM operation. Contemplating if this radio has good AM performance is a personal issue. I had some radios that did AM very well and some that did not but I haven’t tried it on the 991 or TS2000. My old Ten-tec has one of the best receivers I've had the pleasure of owning but I'm not going to sell it because it does not do AM. My Motorola apx-7000 is amazing at de modulating P25 but I feel it could do a better job on FM; and no SSB receive, still give this a 4 or 5/5' as one of the best and most sought after HTs out there. I never seen a radio that does everything exceptionally, each was focused for a certain range of happiness and price. Only had this radio for a short time but I like a lot what have used so far.
N4UM Rating: 2015-02-22
Good contest rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my second review of the FT-991. It focuses on its performance as a contest rig suitable for portable operations. It is being written in the Bahamas after the ARRL DX contest weekend which I spent on 20 meter CW. I operated barefoot using full break-in (which I am unaccustomed to) and found the radio to be very good in tight quarters. The built-in DSP filtering was more than adequate for the job. it was a pleasure to sit a half kHz away from some very strong stations and seldom be aware of their existence. Great receiver.
KT0DD Rating: 2015-02-17
Lacking an important feature Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I tried one of these out at a dealership. The thing that turned me off was the lack of simultaneous dual receive capability on HF and VHF/UHF.

If I'm going to buy an all in one rig, I want to be able to monitor repeaters while using HF like the Kenwood TS2000 or IC9100 allows.

I'll keep my HF and separate dual band VHF/UHF rig setup for now.
KD2E Rating: 2015-02-14
Clumsy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
New rig arrived this week. My thoughts on a few days of intense usage. As far as AM operation....WHO CARES!! If you have been involved with the AM group to any extent, you know that there are only a select group of AM transmitters (hint:vintage) that sound good. EVerything else sounds bad to communications quality. And if you say my old YaeComWood does a nice job on AM....no, it works...but that's it!
My problem with this rig is....Let's say you are in QSO, and something happens...you quickly, and I mean NOW..have to set the notch on a tuner-upper, or rotate the passband to lower some QRM on your high side. Or an SSB contact asks you if you can drop the compression a tad. With all 1990's rigs, you simply twist that knob....done! With this rig, you have to search for, or know that particular menu item, go into the menu, select it, enter, then rotate the multi knob to make the adjustment, then return. I keep the manual up on my computer, so I can search the contents on how to do these simple things. If this were your only rig...you may get better at memorizing how to make it split 5 down...But...bring it to Field Day for the club to use, and you won't be having Field Day! I know the "Shack-in-a-box" concept, and advancing technology requires these steps...but it is getting so advanced, so as to be useless!! I'll get one of those plastic cheat sheets to refer to when I need to know how to do something. It is a handsome rig, and I'll get better at it, but it sure cannot be my "go-to" radio!! By the way....Even in 2015, the QSK is still non-existant. A clicking relay follows your every dit and dah....Really??
K6JWB Rating: 2015-02-04
Doesn't hit the mark in 2015 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
#1) I agree with WA7KGX comments on the poor xmit AM mode audio. It needs the processor to be activated in AM mode, currently it is not. I to called Yaesu and they were of little help.

#2) USB audio. With the USB cable you can control CAT commands, do PSK operation, and even pass audio to your PC speakers. BUT you cannot use the built-in sound card for passing 2-way audio for remote operation. So don't throw away your rigblaster just yet.

#3) No control software, no programing software as of feb 4th, 2015. Yes, it is still new, no timeline was given by Yaesu tech-support.

Overall it is a rig that misses the mark as far as appealing to those who still want to use the older operating mode and those who would like to run there rig from their pc (including the mic and speaker audio). Yes, you can control this with HRD as of now, but still need a rigblaster for the audio transport.

W6GF Rating: 2015-02-01
A featured packed radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have lots of radios to compare this radio to. This is one featured packed radio. One way I judge a radio is how often I need the manual. The use of the radio requires minimal manual use. The menus are intuitive and simple to operate. So far it has exceeded in everything I wanted.

I even like the scope despite the fact it is not full time. If size is not an issue or you like VHF/UHF consider the FT3000, but this guy holds its own.