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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
K4JLT Rating: 2021-09-15
Excellent Radio!!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Picked up the 991A a year ago and glad I did. I'm new to amateur radio and wanted a solid "all band" radio. Started with the FT-2980R and was impressed with it's heavy duty build. The 991A is obviously bigger but has lots of features packed into a a small package. Quality build all the way around. Didn't take long to start learning the in's and out's of this radio. Definitely glad I decided on this one. 3 year warranty is nice.
2E0CPU Rating: 2021-09-14
Slow and Clunky. Poor customer support. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a FT-991A that broke down after 1 year, nothing on the front panel worked. Sent it back to Yaesu, came back with the same fault, Sent it back again and it came back with the same fault yet again. Got a full refund. I then purchased a IC-7300, Dream of a radio. Every time I see a 991 I feel sick!.
Slow, clunky and just hard work to use. The ic-7300 was like getting a free holiday on an exclusive island in comparison.
WA6MOW Rating: 2021-04-12
A bargain at the present pricing. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned numerous rigs as I change radios frequently out of boredom. I only use the 991 on cw. I have a 7300 sitting next to it. I like the 991 better. Quieter fan, better DSP, better QSK. The APF is super handy. The scope is useful but not as good as the 7300. I enjoy listening to the aircraft band. These rigs are a bargain on the used market. I would definitely buy it again without hesitation.
K4MSG Rating: 2020-10-29
Great for my needs! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Since moving to a retirement condo I needed a more compact radio than my TS-2000X, so I sold the Kenwood to a friend (he loves it) and bought a Yaesu FT-991A from HRO. From my perspective, this is a great radio - compact, more easily transportable for portable ops, great band coverages, decent power levels on VHF/UHF (and I love that it covers 70cm), good CW keying for HF (I'm a traffic hound, arf!), and plenty of bells & whistles to play with.

One feature set of particular importance to me is the DNR. The condo where I live is *SATURATED* with RFI noise from the various electrical sources & gadgets within the building, and since *NO* outside antennas are allowed that means an HF mag-loop is the only thing that works. I built one that can handle up to 75w, so I'm in business and the auto-tuner in the radio easily brings VSWR down to 1:1 (it's about 2.0-2.3 at resonance on the MLA tuner). On 80m I can copy and be heard on the east coast nets (VN, 4RN).

The aircraft band coverage is handy as I can pick up the ATIS from the local Int'l airport about 9 miles away with a 2m vertical dipole in one of the glass windows.

The menus & function screens take some practice, but having used an IC-706MkIIG for a number of years it's pretty easy to get back in the habit.

Very nice radio, glad I chose it!
W4DXL Rating: 2020-08-03
Welcome to a 21st Century Marvel Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not quite a week of ownership yet, I believe the FT-991 gets a lot of things right. Yaesu packed a lot of features and performance into a package that's just the right size for those of us who don't have an entire room to devote to the hobby. I haven't tried the internal tuner so I can't comment. Internal tuners really can't handle my G5RV anyway so that's not an issue. I have an auto tuner and a manual tuner that can both do the job. I bought a store demo FT-991 and got a fantastic deal, it replaced a 706mkIIG that was starting to have issues. The FT-991 has a superior DSP compared to any radio I've used so far. The only thing that isn't great is the AM transmitted signal. I might be able to fix that with a firmware update but I am going to proceed slowly since it works very well just the way it is in all other areas. System Fusion the way Yaesu does it is a much better implementation than D-Star and DMR. Fusion is very easy to use. Right size, right performance, right features, and right price. I trust any issues will show up during the warranty period and I know Yaesu supports their products.

Update 8-2-20 Working great still happy with my FT-991. I also have an IC-7300 and this one hears everything the 7300 does. Finals are still okay, no problems.
N1AUP Rating: 2020-07-28
Two things you need to know now. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a just started with the radio review to mention a few things that I think are important.

1. Chirp will not work with this radio. You need to buy RT Systems software. You can use a standard USB cable, but you need to go into the radio and move the USB port from GPS to RS232, and set the port speed.

2. Memories are lacking. The 991A does VHF / UHF, so you typically need to program in a bunch of repeaters. My Kenwood TM-D710G has 1000 memories.

The Yaesu is limited to 99, plus 5. Not great.

Still getting to know the radio, so I can't post anymore at this time.
SM6TKG Rating: 2020-06-10
Nice all in one box Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This review is for the old FT991 version
Used this as vacation rig with temporary antennas
Its a nice compact all in one rig
Only thing you need to add is an antenna and a powersupply

+ Shack in a box solution
+ Good digital filters and noise reduction
+ All functions that large rigs have and everyting you need
+ All bands including VHF/UHF
+ Key functions can be put on customer touch keys
+ Decent receiver performance, remember to use ATT/IPO. It is a bit sensitive to strong adjacent signals
+ USB for CAT and Audio, Additional RS232 for CAT
- Waterfall is pointless
- Many menus on the touch screen

Mine was bought new and had one issue, shut down receiver after an hours use. This was fixed by the Yeasu (probably faulty motherboard)


Performance is good bearing in mind it is a compact all in one rig.

I am so satisfied with it I will probably upgrade to a FT991A if I find a used at a good price at my dealer
K4TK Rating: 2020-05-19
Recently bought FT991A as back up HF rig and for VHF/UHF Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have only owned the radio for about a month. So far, it's a pretty good/impressive radio for the money. Some observations (so far):

It has the same mic EQ circuit as my previous FTDX 1200, my previous FTDX 3000 and my current FTDX101D (as well as other modern Yaesu radios, like the FTDX 5000) - as such, I use the same settings on my FTDX101D and my FT991A

The scope is ok, though I'm spoiled looking at my FTDX101D on an external 24 inch monitor and my HDSDR panadapter on a 32 inch curved screen monitor (output from the IF out of the 101D)- it'll just take a bit for me to get used to that smaller display

I wish it has some of the other functions I'm used to in Yaesu radios...CW decode, CW indicator (when tuned on freq), PTT jack on the back, etc.- but hey, this radio cost a lot less than the other Yaesu radios I've owned (or currently own) that have/had those features

The internal antenna tuner seems to function pretty well. I definitely think it loads anything with under 3:1 like the manual says, perhaps even a bit higher SWR too?

Overall, it's a pretty nice rig. Even though it's my backup HF rig, I've been leaving it on and monitoring either 10 or 6 meters....and have made quite a few contacts with the radio on those bands. To me, it's a keeper..........
N8SDR Rating: 2020-05-10
Stay AWAY Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I should have stuck with my gut about Yaesu, some years ago I got burned on a brand new FT2000, back to repair twice in 31 days after purchase, Well on April 25 2020 I bought a brand new FT991A. Here we are on May 10th 2020 (just 3 weeks) and like others I have NO TX output regardless of mode or band, even a full factory reset wouldn't correct it. Stay away from Yaesu Quality control second only to MFJ !!. Once again like the FT2000 another poor engineering design. I got burned before and looks like I'll get burned again.
K5JKR Rating: 2020-03-24
Great radio for my needs. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this one after my Kenwood TS450SAT lost the audio. Tried to fix to no avail by me and two others. I chose to go with this radio because of the waterfall display, I also liked that it could do all modes between HF and 70cm. And that in a short while I will have it set up to do RTTY which I am looking forward to.

I will update this review later as I get more use to and work with other features this radio has.