| K0DXV |
Rating:     |
2021-07-23 | |
| Beautiful Physical design with flawless receiver |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
The receiver is, without a doubt, outstanding. Audio to my small HiFi speaker is exceptional. When listening to a station with a properly setup transmitter with a good mic, it almost sounds like FM broadcast, especially if you open up the passband.
The physical layout of the front panel is simply beautiful and highly functional. LEDs light up in the row of band selection buttons so you can easily see where each receiver is set. There is also a duplicate set of controls for each receiver. Everything is logically laid out and easy to understand.
The receivers are incredible. I have never experienced such fantastic selectivity in a transceiver. DSP noise reduction, beat removal, noise blanker, and adjustable bandwidth are all top-notch. With three antenna ports, it's easy to have my six meter antenna on one port so receiver B can monitor six meters while I operate receiver A on 17 meters. The third port has my super quiet loop that is strictly receive only. To top it off I have receiver A output directly to a small DSP receiver (RSP1) for another full-functional receiver.
The waterfall on the 7" color display works very well. Even the weakest signal with leave a trace which is perfect for hunting down a station running one of the many digital modes. The graphing component (upper half of the spectrum display) is very clear with many color combinations to suit my taste. However, it could use a little bit of averaging to make a little bit less jittery. Personally, I find the 3DSS display of little value. But, perhaps others will feel differently.
The main tuning knob is big and incredibly smooth. The secondary ring just behind it lets me tune receiver B conveniently. Very slick!
So, overall, the FTdx-101D is one outstanding transceiver and everything is nearly perfect - until you come to the menu system which is extremely complicated with odd behaviors like when you bring up a secondary menu where you have less than two seconds to make a selection before it mysteriously disappears. Timing out selection menus so quickly makes absolutely no sense. This behavior is carried over to the little brother FTdx-10 where it is much worse. For example, I want to change the function of one of the two simulated meters. I bring up the selection menu by touch the meter and before I've even read all of the possible modes, the selection menu disappears? Why? Why have any timeout at all? Why not just wait for the user to make a selection? This behavior occurs through many of the selection menus and makes no sense whatsoever.
Push the "Func" button to bring up the main menu and you are presented with a very large number of tiny menu buttons. Too many. These could be logically grouped into sensible categories. Let's just say that while you can work through the menu to find the various settings you need, other manufacturers organize their menus far better.
Bottom line: The best overall performance on the market today. To any one with a little experience with transceivers, the front panel is a near perfect design. Flawless receiver, outstanding transmitter.
But... the menu system could be vastly better. With experience you learn where everything is and you get used to it's complexity. I wish Yaesu would learn to field-test their products with actual end-users. Maybe then they would get to that last bit of refinement that would make this product truly outstanding.
23JUL21
If there was one single feature I could ask for it would to do something the Elecraft K2 could do 21 years ago. That is to provide some simple means of switching to a constant carrier with a selectable power output - say 10 watts. This would allow the adjustment of external tuners and amplifiers. The fact that this doesn't seem to be a consideration on any major transceiver is surprising. Once again, why doesn't Yaesu get actual input from active hams on what they need.
Another annoyance is - why in the world does Yaesu use a monophonic 2 conductor 1/4 headphone jack on the front panel? Can you even find a pair of headphones with a 1/4 plug? This is ridiculous. 1/8 stereo has been the standard headphone jack for decades. Why force the use to make or buy an adapter just to get headphone audio?
After several weeks of use I still find the menu a pain in the butt. I wanted to add DNR because a signal was dropping into the noise. Hit "Func", search through the tiles to find DNR, click it to assign DNR to the multi-function little knob, close the menu. Now you can adjust DNR. This is way too much work.
Too many buttons on the front panel are way too small. I really think transceiver design should be form follows function rather than what the 101 is which is function follows form. The 101 is pretty but it lacks true functional layout and engineering. Far too many features are buried in the complex menu.
USB ports are on the front rather than the back which means more wires to deal with. You'd think wireless keyboard and mouse would solve the problem. Nope. I tried 3 different wireless mice. None would work. The menu is much easier to use when you have a mouse attached. But, if there's a wireless mouse that will work with the 101, I haven't found it.
Still... A great receiver and transmitter. I give them 5 stars. Navigating the menu with it's tiny text on 29 little tiles - this I give 1 star. It could be so much better.
If you're the least bit sight limited - this is not the radio for you. Every label is very small.
Now one last thing: If you have a radio that can accept text from a keyboard - why in the world can't I have a terminal mode where I can type and send freeform text? The Icom IC-7600 could do it years ago. The ability to record certain bits into the transceiver's memory is of little value if I must use an external program anyway. The two leading digital interface programs provide memories for storing the usual bits of a QSO. Why would I switch and use what's in the radio?
If there was an ability to have freeform text, the 101 could operate without the need for a computer. This would be a really nice feature. |
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| VK3ZT |
Rating:      |
2021-06-17 | |
| Brilliant Transceiver! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I purchased my D model from a deceased estate and had it fully optioned out before picking it up. This radio replaced my much loved Orion II which was also fully optioned.
It is easier to drive than the Orion II and I think a better radio, though the Orion had an exceptionally quiet receiver.
The VCTune units are in a word, brilliant. The latest firmware update adds more functionality and frees up the sub receiver to allow the main receiver to both TX and receive on two different antennas.
I can be working DX on 40 metres ssb on the main on two antennas whilst listening to 10 metres or what ever on the sub.
The waterfall display once setup is very functional and has made it possible to pick up a few extra otherwise missed stations.
Yes it takes a little while to learn though so does any radio in this price range or any other radio for that matter these days.
For memory programming I use RT Systems FT-DX101D Programmer for programming memories and settings using Windows 10 on top of Parallels on the iMac and WSJT-X native on Mac OS. One at a time.
There is plenty of help on IO Groups and Facebook to help with menu settings, YouTube for setting up the display 3D waterfall. I have recently flipped to the 2D waterfall and am undecided which I prefer. They both work great and I can understand the opinions offered here. Though using online resources and groups does help a lot. I keep the manual as a pdf on the iMac and find myself hardly touching it these days after 6 months of ownership.
Living with home ownership restrictions on antennas leaves me with a Diamond CP6S trapped vertical for TX and using a Parelectronics endfed SWL antenna for RX.
Did I say the VCTune units are brilliant. I can wipe off 9 S points of local noise using them in combination with the Contour control. As far as the filters are concerned I have used the 1.2kHz ssb filter and you would not want a tighter bandpass filter for ssb. The audio is intelligible though I have not had to use it as of yet other than for experimenting.
CW is not my bag though it is a project in the works and one day I do hope to go there. Though I am having too much fun working digital modes and the world and local and interstate Nets on ssb which would be considered DX in any other country. I am in Australia.
Would I recommend this to a friend, YES! Though I would advise to purchase the MP model, only because that is the max power the Diamond CP6S antenna can handle.
There is a plan to put up either a 40 metre or 30 metre dipole. Though that is another project in the works.
I have the optional M-100 microphone as I have far too many hand microphones (4) on the radio desk and have received wonderful audio reports from both the standard microphone and the M-100. The M-100 is nice to have though not necessary. Again, use the internet IO Groups or the Facebook group for radio settings to get you in the ball park. The ALC can be tricky to setup and I have one setting in the radio ssb audio and another using the volume slider in WSJT-X software package.
For digital I use the rear ports and have the M-100 plugged into the front microphone connection. There is no need to change any settings when going from one to the other. The only trick for WSJT-X is to use the transceiver in VFO mode and not memory mode.
I should clarify that with digital computer control and ssb. You can only do one or the other. You will have to close down the computer control, in this case WSJT-X software to resume front panel control for ssb.
I see no reason to complain about this radio. I prefer knobs and was deciding between this and a Flex. I purchased this as a to have a break from using the computer for everything. I do not use it for SWL and rely on my Palstar R30A for that.
This is an excellent amateur radio transceiver and that is what you are purchasing. Anything else is a bonus.
As far as interface cables for muting the Palstar or digital use. Everything is available on eBay or Amazon.
Purchase the MP, add the secondary VCTune unit and enjoy an excellent radio to cut through the noise. While the radio is in the shop, why not purchase the optional filters. They will be gone one day and you will wish you had.
My rule of thumb is to fully option my iMacs and my radios. I have never regretted this philosophy. No regrets 12 years later when parts are no longer available, as was the case for the Orion II. I think it helped me sell the Orion and sweetened the deal for the happy purchaser.
In a previous job I used to solder to NASA standards. These days my eyes are not as sharp and as I am happy to have my car serviced by a mechanic and have my radio options installed by a factory authorised technician. Who wants to purchase a radio from Joe Bloggs with his or her unknown soldering skills.
Almost forgot the tuner. I do wish it would have been a 10:1 as was the case for the Orion II. My CP6S is tuned for where I wish to go and the 3:1 tuner allows me to work the areas of the band where I wish to go a little further a field. It does everything that I require and looses no marks here. Just a last minute thought before I close this review. The tuner also remembers where it has been unlike the Orion II.
Well that's my two bobs worth on this excellent transceiver.
ENJOY!
Mitch. |
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| KC0TRK |
Rating:     |
2021-06-16 | |
| New Rig-New Learning Curve |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Read the reviews here. Nuff said. Have just received this 2nd hand rig. Out of box, on my table and operating in less than a half hour. Enjoying it. Coming from a FT-2K, used to Yaesu's human engineering. I like the ease of operation so far. I operate with the manuals for my radios close at hand and use them. More as I gain more experience. |
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| KC1KWX |
Rating:      |
2021-06-16 | |
| Use the radio for a year before rating it |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| So many here are whining about the radio having a difficult menu system and so-so waterfall display. Its a great radio, period. If you take the time to learn the proper setup and learn your way around the menu system, operating it will become second nature. The radios display is fully customizable and looks great. I use it as a quick reference to see whats going on when I don't have my full size bandscope on. If you expect to be able to plug it in and attach an antenna and have it magically set itself up you will be disappointed. RTFM and practice using its many great features. Realize that it will take time to learn how to use all of them. I also see people here are comparing it to full SDR radios which isn't fair. This is a standalone radio which has a smaller built in screen. It's a real radio with awesome RX and TX audio. It does not require a computer to operate. Attaching a computer to it can make it only a little easier to use. Maybe I'm just old school but I want a radio that has knobs and buttons that I can turn and push, not a screen to click on. This radio has the best of both worlds and I couldn't be happier. |
|
| NO9E |
Rating:      |
2021-06-15 | |
| Powerful SSB transmit audio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| With good antennas I work many stations on SSB. Some stations have good audio and some require extensive equalization for good readability. With same S-meter reading, some signals sound weak and some sound loud, a measure of efficiency of speech processor. Some have perceptible distortions and some sound linear. But one radio stands out where the transmit signal is crystal clear yet punchy. It is FTDX101D. If you want your audio to be a few times more effective than the average, to be heard in pileups and keep your run frequency in contests, this is it. |
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| K6VOX |
Rating:  |
2021-06-05 | |
| Great Receiver buuuuuuut |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Bought one to side by side compare with an ic-7610. Without a doubt best receiver I have ever heard. using it was painful or worse, several reboots required from multi internal software bugs( had latest firmware). The menu system is painful to use. The display is enough to give you a seizure! Its like a strobe light, and the 3d display is horrible in person. Granted it tops the list with Sherwood but that's it as far as my time with it. in some cases, the ftdx was a clear winner as far as weak signal and fine selectivity. however, I could still work them on the 7610. The waterfall on the 7610 that you can average and slow down in a "smoothing" setup plus add any color is soo nice and a ton less fatigue |
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| K1GUY |
Rating:      |
2021-05-19 | |
| THE MASTERPIECE OF RADIOS |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Having owned Icom, Kenwood and other brands, I went back to Yeasu as it has the fidelity that makes all others sound robotic. There is no user fatigue. The layout takes a bit of getting used to, but soon an operator realizes why the layout works so well. The filtering is superb and the scope is a pleasure to look at....great colors and crystal clear. I added an external monitor as the scope is really a show piece. The VC tuning and super quiet and effective front end, puts this radio in another league. There is good reason that the Yaesu 101D is at the top of the list at Sherwood Engineering. A good FT-8 performer and perhaps, arguably the best SSB rig ever produced, bar none. The tuner is lightning fast as always gives a great match. I rarely use the noise reduction as the VC tuning is so effective for band noise at my QTH, but when I do, it's the best I ever experienced. Thank you Yaesu for producing a masterpiece. If I buy another radio, it will be the 200w version, as my close friend has one, and raves about it as well. Thank you Yaesu ! |
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| WD7R |
Rating:     |
2021-05-05 | |
| Very Good Offering with some minor gripes. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
4.5 out of 5. Really like the rig overall. The innovative 3DSS is very useful when the “grass level” is set correctly. Couple of gripes: The “Multi” Knob is too close to the Main AF/RF Gain knobs. This is an ergonomic nightmare IMHO.
Also I wish the S-Meter can be a “bar” meter with peak hold feature like on the FTDX-3000. |
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| AB9QU |
Rating:   |
2021-04-27 | |
| Not so happy with this radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I really like Yaesu radios. I own several VHF/UHF HT's and mobiles and an FT-1000D and an FTDX-3000D so the FT-101D was my first choice. I got the radio in mid March
and right away discovered I could not work split. Both receivers can not be on the same antenna. I let Giga Parts know about the problem and they said contact Yaesu. I have had several phone conversations with the tech at Yaesu and when he asked for pictures of the settings I sent them to him and a video showing just what was happening. Last contact I had with Yaesu was March 31. I have asked a couple of questions since but have not got a reply. So last week I ordered a Kenwood TS-890S and I like it a lot better. The FT-101D is sitting on the floor.
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| IK0OZD |
Rating:  |
2021-04-10 | |
| sold after 20 days |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| just two lines are enough to describe it, very good receiver, very inconvenient to use, ergonomics less than zero, many software errors and bug ,I was ashamed to use the waterfall in 3d, the most useless thing ever seen on a radio |
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