| KF7DS |
Rating:      |
2017-08-09 | |
| Excellent Portable |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I recently purchased the 891 for a vacation to Central Oregon. Hooked it up to a 6ah LifePO4 Bieneno Battery and my TW2010 vertical antenna and had a blast. Good receive (it's not a KX3 but is not in the price range), great DSP filtering, and easy to navigate menus.
I could not care less if it had VHF/UHF - I am a CW op and operate HF only. Excellent price for a strong portable xcvr. |
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| M3SKF |
Rating:      |
2017-07-11 | |
| pocket size battle ship |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| In 20yrs of ham radio i am absolutely amazed by this radio.With the facilities incorporated into this radio it should be double the size,plenty of great features not ever normally found in a radio at this price bracket.Mobile or base take your choice this radio will serve you well in either environment the menu system is easy to navigate & very intuitive.The incoming RX audio from this set is most pleasing to my ear sounding more like a base station rig, TX audio reports from other stations confirm time after time crisp clear & precise.This unit feel substantial in build & quality with a heavy feel & a nice quality finish,lovely large display plus a big vfo encoder.The price is very competitive for for this package and comes complete with a mobile bracket & i have the face off kit.A lovely exciting radio with some great features,Don't hesitate go get one before the word gets out. |
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| AF5CC |
Rating:      |
2017-07-10 | |
| Almost perfect (4.75) |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Ok, to keep some proper perspective here, this is a IF-DSP HF/6m mobile sized radio which is loaded with features, has a 3khz roofing filter in it, and is selling for $630. That is a heck of a deal.
Let's look at the common complaints:
1. You have to go into the menus to switch from LSB to USB. Not really true. As one previous criticizer said, you can select AUTO and it selects the proper sideband for you, based on the band you are one. So it is a non-issue. In my 37 years of being a ham I think I have used the opposite sideband on HF maybe....about....ZERO times! If you want to run RTTY on 20 meter or above (which uses LSB) you can still run it on USB and just flip the tones in your software. That is what I do all of the time.
2. It can't do digital modes through the USB connector, so you need a digital modes interface. Not really. Yes, it would be nice if it did the digital modes through the USB port, but it doesn't. You don't need an interface, though. The FT891 does digital VOX, so you but the Yaesu CT-39A packet cable for $12, plug it into the DATA jack on the back, hook the other end to your soundcard, turn on the digital VOX, and you are done! When you go into data mode it will switch back and forth between RX and TX when you send and stop sending.
3. The power setting is in the menus, so I have to go there and keep changing the power to tune my manual antenna tuner. Not needed, switch to AM mode, which will put out a 40 watt carrier. I think you can even lower it to less in the menus. Press the mic button and there is your lower power carrier for tuning.
A couple of things I would like to see Yaesu fix in a firmware update:
1. The noise reduction and bandwidth settings stay the same when you change bands or VFOs. Not sure how this one slipped past quality control.
2. Allow the UP/DOWN/FAST buttons on the mic to be programmed for different radio functions, if you like. The Yaesu FT450 does this and it is great. While mobile I can press the UP button and it sends CQ for me. I can press the DOWN button and the voice synthesizer tells me the frequency I am on. That is something that should have definitely been carried on to the FT891.
3. Have the meter show power out and SWR at the same time, like my Yaesu FT100D does.
This radio has so many more features than the FT450D does, and the narrow roofing filters with it, that it is an awesome buy for the price. Fix the few things I mentioned and it would be perfect. |
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| G8UBJ |
Rating:      |
2017-06-05 | |
| Brilliant little rig |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
The FT-891 really is a smashing little transceiver, like the FT450 no filters required but the filtering and DSP in the the FT-891 seems much more flexible. It really wowed me. It a step change and would recommend it to anyone looking to go portable or mobile.
It also has excellent stability so I bought a second one to replace my old 2m 28Mhz IF
I tried an outboard speaker but the internal speaker is so good I stopped using it! |
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| KD8M |
Rating:    |
2017-05-28 | |
| Not at all convenient to operate. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
First, I have an IC-7000 and I love it; therefore, I may be biased. I am also a very new ham. I borrowed this radio while mine was off being tweaked.
I agree with Tobias KB1UYR 's remarks, as well as whoever mentioned that you have to go into the menu to choose all "USB, LSB, or Auto" on the sidebands.
This is supposed to be a mobile radio. Seriously, you have to go in a 16-section full menu to change sideband? If someone is driving with this and doesn't pull off FULL STOP to change from upper to lower, someone is going to die.
None of what I would call "most needed features" are easily accessible. The function menu WILL require you to take your eyes off the road far too long.
I really dislike the Operator & Advanced manuals. I find them too simplistic while at the same time not providing enough information. As many times as I poured over the manuals, I never identified "SSB BFO" as the place to change from upper to lower sideband.
Lastly, depending on how you program frequencies, it will show either the name or the "Tag". It does not save whether it is the upper or lower sideband with the frequency. I find that rather startling, as it makes frequency changing an onerous ordeal, unless you run with the standard LSB at below 14, which is the "Auto" setting.
As far as actual operation goes, it runs cool and programs well with the LDG Z-100Plus tuner. |
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| WB4CNL |
Rating:      |
2017-05-01 | |
| Great Radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have had the FT-891 for 3 weeks. Used it at home QTH and portable, alone side with my FT-817. Works great on SSB and Digital when I need more power. |
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| WB5YEY |
Rating:      |
2017-05-01 | |
| Solid |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After using this radio more, I am updating my review. Yes, a solid little radio and I have experienced no problems--excellent audio reports using my Heil mic, no problems operating, and has the features I expect from a field radio. I have it side-by-side with my Elecraft K3 and enjoy using it.
The menu system is easy, once you see how it works. This radio has few buttons (uses its menu system instead), but that makes it a simple and great field radio to me... I am use to the "many button settings" on my Elecraft, but generally only use them under certain conditions; so the 891 posed no problems--just takes a few seconds more to set. Of course, if you cannot figure out menu systems or don't want to learn something new--then it may be better to select a radio that has no learning curve.
Would I buy it again--yes. Would I recommend it--yes. It has been a fun radio and enjoyable to use.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB5YEY on 2017-03-28
A nice radio for the size and cost... it's always a trade-off considering these two but the 891 seems to provide a nice balance. There are always little features that I'd like to personalize, but overall, very nice.
I do hope Yaesu provides updates and programming improvements taking into account user preferences. |
|
| OE3JTB |
Rating:      |
2017-04-17 | |
| For mobile purpose and fieldday/camping its verygood |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I started with my mobile operation in the middle of the 0 years with a IC-7000, which was a nice rig. 2015 I decided to sell it and look for another one.
My purpose is do ham radio operation on holidays and some mobile operation out of my city QTH, due to distortion
So the rig should have a small form factor, VHF/UHF is not in the focus, using SSB and CW.
AFter a short period with a FT-991 and an IC-7300 (to big) I occasionally got a used FT-891.
I read about the FT-891, but even at Yahoo groups there are not so much members, so in my opinion, there is not a big community now :-).
First I took it to my shack, compared it with my K3S, so I recognized the differences.
RX in practice is well, also on a middle sized beam.
Modulation with the original mike is also well after you have done the right setup (1hour work)
CW RX is very good eventhe smallest filter setting is not producing artifacts (my FT-2000 does)
TX out is between 92 and 108 watts with 13.6 V at 12.6 V around 75 and 85 watts, so If you want to get full output use a step up converter in mobile operation. (Voltmeter is on the display)
Standby power consumation is not over 1 Ampere.
The fans are working quiet and reliablbe.
For Yaesu users the menu is well known, you can customize 3 quick bottons, which doesnt depend on the selected mode.
If you expect internal sound card (which was advertised at the coming out from some dealers) you will be disappointed, CAT interface is working fine.
For mobile operation I am using a ATAS 120A on the roof of my camping car, and thats the domain of the FT-891, with this combo you can work from 40-10m band. Tuning is done quickly.
the internal loudspeaker is ok, headphones are better.
For 80m I used a simple longwire, for tuning a little MFJ does a good job.
The DSP and filter posibilties are working very good, the display contrast is readable even in the sun.
Conclusion:
Do not expect a fine rig for big yagis, contest and digital operation :-) but if you need a small modern portable HF rig to take with you even by plane the FT-891 should be your choice, even the price is moderate.
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| K6AJY |
Rating:      |
2017-04-10 | |
| k6ajy good rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I just got it at HRO an I will be using it I like it but I will buying the tuner for it and Feld Day to. |
|
| KO4CH |
Rating:      |
2017-03-26 | |
| Hard to beat for the price |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Having owned over 100 radios since 1961, I can truly say that this radio is a huge bang for the buck.I have owned the Yaesu FT950, the MKV Field and the FT 1200., as well as the FT857D and FT450D, so I think I am capable in sharing my thoughts on this little Jewell.
This radio is menu driven as expected in a small box, but easy to maneuver even for this 79 year old ham.
It has many of the features of the 950 and 1200 including a parametric audio equalizer, many features for the receive adjustments and a real time scope,scans 250KC in less than a second, A killer auto notch filter and a manual notch as well.Transmitted recorded audio for those that contest. Many other features that you can look up on the Yaesu web site. Best of all it's only $699.00 at most dealers at present. Add HRD and run most all the menu controls with a click of your mouse, such as power,width control,shift and so on.
Try one out for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
73 and Happy Hamming.
Jerry
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