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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
AB5N Rating: 2016-12-02
Actually Great.... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
OK, so some early users of the 991 had finals blow out. I'm sure Yaesu fixed it in the later runs (like mine). I've run this radio full-out in all modes and it's solid. Good things: Super low price, Excellent TX audio, Very good RX, Shack in a box, C4FM, Best Digital noise reduction I've ever used and every feature known to man. BAD: Antenna tuner won't tune random wires, spectrum display isn't constant (but is nice), only 100 memories and draws an amp on RX (a lot for portable/camping use). For $900 net, nothing else can touch it.
R4FBC Rating: 2016-11-14
Excellent portable transceiver! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am one of those hams who are called "Yaesu-fan". All my transceivers and portable radios made by Yaesu.
I purchased the transceiver FT-991 to replace my FT-450AT, who worked for 6 years. FT-450 are not arranged so that the IF Roofing Filter had a very broad band of 15 kHz, which is why I often hear several stations operating on adjacent frequencies. In addition, the FT-450 receiver is very noisy.
FT-991 much like the best receiver with low noise and high selectivity. It has a narrow Roofing Filter 3 kHz and 32-bit DSP. It is also very easy to use color touch screen, with a panoramic view and a colored waterfall.
However, all is not well. Adjusting many settings it is only done through the menu. Also static panoramic view of the fact that no separate receiver for it. To update the pan activated primary receiver, and at the time of updating the sound is interrupted for a second. This has been fixed in the new model FT-991A.
In addition, the FT-991 operates on VHF bands, but I have not tried it yet.
Summary - Yaesu created a very good portable transceiver having a high-quality low-noise receiver, color touchscreen, HF and VHF bands. I liked it very much!
Sorry for my bad English ...
AA7WP Rating: 2016-11-06
Second set of finals blown Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I like the radio, but all of the sudden there is no power out. I bought the radio used. I have a MFJ 998 tuner and a random end fed wire antenna (132ft). I went from 100W SSB down to 10-20W output. Yaesu replaced the finals. It took one month to get it back. I had it for a week or 10 days, and I again have no power. I might think it was my fault, but I had an Icom 735 here for that month, and never had a problem losing power or blowing the finals. The software had been updated (by me) so that was not the problem.
I think I'll get an Icom 751A and loose my digital blues.
AB4D Rating: 2016-11-06
Nice all in one Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased a Yaesu FT-991 to replace an older FT-847. The FT-847 and FT-991 are similar for most basic operating. The FT-847 has an advantage for satellite work with that unique feature. However, the FT-991 is equal or better in most everything else. HF performance is improved, and the feature set is more extensive with the addition of the color screen/scope, Parametric EQ, C4FM, and touch screen.

I had a conversation with sales at Yaesu regarding the differences between the FT-991 and the FT-991A. Contrary to some information, the new FT-991A is not significantly different than the original FT-991. The only difference, the addition of a dedicated receiver for the band scope, so the scope can function in real time during receive. Otherwise the FT-991 and FT-991A are identical. Some websites are indicating a update program is coming, to add the band scope receiver to the original FT-991. I just installed the latest firmware, and the FT-991 now has the same full color scope as the FT-991A, but it can't scan the spectrum without muting the receiver, that is the difference.

On the air, reports have been good, using a MD-200 microphone. My main application for this rig is for FM and occasional SSB on VHF/UHF, and it works well for that. I did not test it on AM, as I have no interest in that mode.

Ultimately, for what I paid, it's an excellent value. It doesn't have a large footprint, and would be a great rig to take portable as well, as you get everything you need all in one box that is easy to move from place to place.

W9JH Rating: 2016-11-01
No longer in production Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The FT-991 was in production less than two years. Given the early problems with finals, the automatic tuner, and frequent firmware updates that fixed some things while creating other problems Yaesu pulled the plug.

My early FT-991 had no issues so I was one of the lucky ones, but I let the original firmware intact.

A decent rig for beginners or portable use.
2E1VAR Rating: 2016-11-01
Fantastic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
There's some real rubbish posted about this radio. It's fantastic ! Can't really tell the difference between this and my FTDX-3000 on HF. Slightly more fiddly to access features such as NR/shift/width etc. but hardly a problem if you want a small unit. Only gripe is 2nd hand values have dipped since the introduction of the IC-7300. Hardly surprising as that's a game changer.
991 is an amazing piece of kit and on par with the IC-7100, nothing between them.
Top band to 70cms with C4FM and ATU all in one box ! Great little rig, go buy one today :)
VE1VON Rating: 2016-10-29
Best Multi Mode HF out there Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is the best HF radio at this price you can get, I am extremely happy with it.
The Menu system is very intuitive and once you get over the learning curve you will enjoy using this radio. I’ve used this radio for DX and special event stations all over this summer, very portable and 100W when you need it.
I highly recommend this radio.
RV3APM Rating: 2016-10-18
Excellent transceiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excellent transceiver - Yes, a bit complicated menu but covers all the interests of the Amateur radio hobby from HF to UHF
G6DFM Rating: 2016-10-13
Great Transceiver Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I had been looking at the 991 for a year now and the bad reports and experience of others had put me off purchasing one. My main rig is a FTDX 1200 which I have found amazing and would never part with but I have been missing 2m and 70cm. Three month ago I finally bought my FT 991 (Yaesu had just increased the warranty period to 3 years) and have been more than happy with it.
HF on air performance is virtually the same as my DX1200 the only difference's being not quite as good audio on the 991 (external speaker or phones cures this) but I find the DSP is easier to setup and use on the 991.
2m and 70cm performance is perfect and I often get complimented on my audio. I dont know why the 991 gets so many bad comments about band scan and waterfall display, it is as described in all the litrature and I have found it works perfectly for me especially since I updated the firmware to get the colour waterfall. All though I purchased the 991 mainly for VHF/UHF I have found I am using it on HF more than my DX1200 and of course living close to Heathrow and Gatwick airports if the bands are flat I can listen to the aircraft on airband.
I can't comment on reliability and would not dispute the problems others have had especially blown output stages, but of the half a dozen people I know who have purchased the 991 not one of them has had a problem, fingers crossed.
I think the arrival of the IC7300 less than a year after the introduction of the 991 has muddied the waters a little especially if you don't want the VHF/UHF bands.

John
KD7YHL Rating: 2016-10-12
close but no cigar Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my second review of the yaesu ft991. As stated before the radio has a problem with destortion on AM. The lower carrier level of 25 watts carrier works ok but not 100%. My radio also had a failure of low receive on amp 1 but yaesu repaired that under warranty. Over all i like the radio. When I purchased it I was sure disappointed in the band scope finding out it was not a full time band scope very sad. Since then i have purchased a new Icom 7300 what a nice rig excellent receive and quite and the the band scope is full time what a concept. The saddest thing about the ft991 is the fact that yaesu realized there mistake and is now coming out with the ft 991A with a full time band scope and that is wonderful but if you purchased your radio with the old style scope not so wonderful. The ft 991 has lost at least half there value if not more and will continue to go down in value faster than the ft 991A. I think yaesu should man up and give the original buyer of the early ft991 a sizeable rebate or take the older ft 991 back and rebate there money back so they could buy the the newer model or install the hardware to make the older ft991 band scope full time.(for free including shipping) I think the same as before yaesu used the public as a test guinea pig. Yaesu should have did more testing before putting the ft 991 out on the market Thinking this all over i will probably never buy another new yaesu radio.