| KE4ZHN |
Rating:  |
2021-03-05 | |
| Great Radio |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I've had my 101D since last summer. I am very pleased with it's performance so far. The receiver(s) are excellent. Getting the transmitter to sound good is not that difficult, although I did experiment with mine a lot till I got it just right for my voice. The 3 band parametric EQ works great but you may find yourself tinkering with it just for fun. The display is bright and clear, easy on the eyes. The menu system is easy to navigate, much nicer than the other Yaesu rigs with the numbered menu system. Not a perfect radio but still a good solid performer. |
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| N4TL |
Rating: |
2021-02-23 | |
| Best radio I have owned |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought this radio because I wanted one that would work with other hams in the area that run high power. The radio is great. The other hams can be running full power and Yaesu does not have a problem. The only issue I had was that the manual does not describe 60 meter operation. You have to be in memory mode and select one of the 5-xx memories. For FT8 turn off CAT control in the WSJT software by selecting none for the RIG in the Settings, Radio, CAT control. Leave the radio in memory 5-03. After doing that FT8 works on 60 meters. I like the radio so much that I bought a MP version in January of 2021. Now I have to sell the D. |
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| N4KS |
Rating: |
2021-01-28 | |
| Overall good radio for its price point |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I am primarily a CW enthusiast, therefore my review reflects that. I have owned several other SDRs and I find the FTdx101D has the most pleasing receive audio. The controls and menu are easy to navigate. Microphone settings are tricky to set up. Myself and other users have come up with the following wish list:
1. CW tune indicator - remove jitter
2. CW ZIN/Auto Spot - needs improvement
3. The ability to deactivate the amp key relay when it is not needed (would allow for quieter CW operation when running barefoot)
4. RX audio level fluctuates (more noticeable in CW mode)
5. CLAR - provide selectable steps (1, 5, 10 kHz) to allow for more turns of the ring dial
6. Provide provision to turn the MIC bias voltage on/off as needed
7. Band scope averaging
8. Increase power adjusting rate. It takes way too many turns of the multi knob (or MPVD ring if CS is set to power) to go from low to high and vice versa. Ideally it would be logarithmic.
9. Make the long press of the Zin/Spot button toggle the side tone on, and if on, a short press to toggle it off. Right now, you need to keep holding it to hear the side tone, so it takes two hands to zero beat a cw sig, one to hold the button and the other to tune.
10. Add a numeric indication of filter Width that sticks on the display. Right now it pops up when you adjust it, but goes away after a second or so.
11. Increase the time pop-ups stay displayed: Power popup when changing power, monitor level popup after holding the monitor button, changing meter function, setting keyer speed, width and shift changes, APF width, etc....anything where holding a button or touching the screen pops up a setting. For me, they go away too fast.
12. Increase the size of the font for the frequency displayed along the bottom of the spectrum display.
13. Do the above, or make them user settable.
14. Sell filters that owners can install.
15. Use more reliable ribbon cable connections
16. Include power light on MP speaker/power supply
17. Include EXT.AMP.TUNING POWER like the ftdx3000 (It is very helpful with any type of power amplifier or external antenna tuner)
18. Store TX 'power per band' setting, so no need to change RF power setting on different bands with the same amplifier, or different amps.
19. Ability to alter the AGC slope characteristics - the RX close in performance of the 101 is excellent, however the pile-up handling performance i.e. the 'within the passband' performance need improvement, especially on CW.
20. Improve CW side tone sign wave |
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| W8NIC |
Rating: |
2020-12-07 | |
| Radio is Great if you know how to use it. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've only owned this for a few weeks but have spent 50+ hours playing with it. owners manual a little tough to understand for the average Joe. RX on this rig is one of the best I have ever experienced and I've had many radios in the past.
I've heard people say what a terrible radio this is because of this and that. Come to find out they simply don't know how to use it. Complaining about settings here, dnr this, apf that, cw this, sdr that and so forth.
Folks, if you can't handle technology then I suggest you stay away from this radio. Get yourself an icom ic-718 or an alinco dx-sr8t, these are simple radios and will be right down your alley. Don't bad mouth a fine piece of radio equipment because you don't understand it.
Check Sherwood's opinion. |
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| EA8KW |
Rating: |
2020-08-06 | |
| Just WOW! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have used many radios: K3, Icom 7851, Yaesu FTDX5000, FTDX3000, Icom 7300, Icom 7610, ... and I have to say FTDX101D is just a step ahead.
The receiver is just EXCELLENT. I'm a contester and I'm used to work with totally crowded bands and must say this radio has the best receiver I've ever used by far. Its dynamic range is just magical. Period.
I think the hybrid concept Yaesu has put on the table with this model is maybe the best solution nowadays for having a great receiver (with real physical filters) and nice spectrum scope.
The DSP functions are also very good and Yaesu is constantly improving them by new firmware releases.
Now I'm looking ahead and thinking about buying a second one in order to use them at my SO2R contest station.
Well done Yaesu!.
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| AJ2I |
Rating: |
2020-07-25 | |
| Great NR, DSP and QRM/QRN Control |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've had many radios over the years like everyone. Flex 6400, FT950, Ten Tec Eagle, TS590s, FT1000MP MKV Field, the list goes on.
What sets this radio from the rest of the list is the ability to use DSP to really enhance a signal. Weak signal, adjacent QRM, notching a birdie or annoying QRN. The 101 has the power to do it. I was able to almost completely remove a strong adjacent station 1khz away from an adjacent weak signal. I was never ever able to do that before. I realize many don't always believe the sherwood data or understand the need, but when you can notch out a signal 1khz away on SSB, it's amazing. I've only had this radio a few weeks but can see the power already.
The Display panadapter/waterfall isn't great. I don't use it, I hooked up an SDRplay via the RX out and use that instead, much more resolution and easier to interpret signals. Especially weaker ones.
Operating tip: If you are only using 1 receiver primarily, make sure you change the antenna Input to something different on receiver 2. This will give you approx 5dB more sensitivity.
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| KL4QG |
Rating: |
2020-04-22 | |
| NEEDS HELP ,NR ,hard get Mic settings correct |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After having 101D weeks I am not very happy,
My 3000 was easier set up mic setting ETC .
101D NR/NB took step backwards ,NR has wobbly sound not good at all.
Also 101D receiver to easily affected by RFI ,
MY Flex 6400M was a much better radio on all fronts .
I am in process of using Flex trade in program 101D for a Flex 6400M or 6600M.
I should never sold Flex 6400M for 101D
Perhaps Yaesu new firm updates will correct all of this in future.
Joe KL4QG |
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| MM3PTS |
Rating: |
2020-04-04 | |
| What a radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Like most these days I live in a very noisy qrn environment .I took the leap and bought a 101 D and ok it may not be perfect , what radio is but it's great at pulling signals out of the noise level .Nice clear display and the menu system is mostly easy to navigate around .Updating is easy after the first time .Takes a few folks a few attempts to load the firmware onto the SD card correctly . I personally do not like the 3D display but that's not issue with the radio , that's my choice .
I live at least an 800 mile round trip to my nearest ham dealer so it was mail order and it's staying here .If I could give a rating of 4.95 I would so even with the little niggles it's a 5 from me .
If you guys get the chance to try one before parting with your cash go for it . |
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| NQ2T |
Rating: |
2020-02-19 | |
| Great design, advance receiver |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I owned a lot of rigs, I am not a particular Yaesu lover,but the FTdx 101D is the best radio I ever used, it has all you need for any operation taste, best receiver in the market in my view.
I am not going to go to details of the Radio , there is plenty of good comments about it. I would wish Yaesu update the software and expand the parametric EQ to 8 band to better the possibility of tx audio. That is my taste,most people don't ask for it/ great radio, best in the market.sorry 9000 can't beat the 101D |
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| K4TK |
Rating: |
2020-01-07 | |
| It's everything I hoped for |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I had an FTDX1200 for about 4 years and an FTDX3000 for about 2 years. Both....were great rigs. The 3000 being even a bit better than the 1200.
But, this was worth the wait. I traded BOTH those two former rigs in (and some cash) and bought the 101D when it went on sale (for Christmas) at a little over 3200 bucks. There was initially a tiny learning curve....coming from the FTDX3000. The menus are laid out differently (but better). Of course, there are many more features and capabilities. Let me "enumerate" some of those features/observations/comments:
1. the Mic EQ seems to be EXACTLY the same EQ as the 1200...and the 3000 (and I suspect, the FTDX 5000 too?). That's neither a negative or positive....just an observation. I set up my 101D with the exact same settings I used on my 1200 and my 3000.
2. the AMC.....I'm not sold on it yet. I tried some direct comparisons to the AMC vs using the standard processor. I got mixed reviews. But most said it sounded BETTER running the processor vs. the AMC. The AMC seemed to be noticeably limiting the audio, and some mentioned it didn't sound "natural" running the AMC. I also noticed it took a little more mic gain and processor settings with my PR781 and MD100 mics than my old 1200 and 3000. Like 45 for each setting....to get similar COMP and ALC readings as opposed to 30 for both settings on my 1200 and 3000.
3. you need to adjust the 3DSS (and for that matter, the regular waterfall) with enough gain to see it well. i run my at about 22-22.5 on the gain setting. then, it looks SUPERB!
4. I love the versatility of the outside tuning ring. I usually set mine (with the CS button) to control RF so I can adjust my RF easily on CW and keep my amp at a level I like. But there are many different functions it can be set to operate. Likewise, I like how they have the four buttons around the corners of the outer part of the big tuning knob to do Fine tune, VC, Sub/Main, Clarifier.
5. Not sure about VC tuning yet, really haven't used it and don't fully understand what it does yet
6. I love the multi knob.....and how you can adjust something like 17 different things with it. I like how you can hold in buttons ...like Monitor....Noise Blanker....and then use the multi knob to adjust those features quickly and efficiently.
7. Love the external display of the TFT screen. i have mine hooked up to a 24 inch monitor hanging on the wall in behind and above my rig. TOO COOL! Makes the bandscope/waterfall VERY useful....especially using the mouse to click on signals i want to go check out!
8. Speaking of the mouse, love having the mouse to get around the TFT screen. I'm using a wireless mouse....with the mouse over on a roll around table that has my laptop on it. No wires to clutter stuff up....the wireless mouse works perfectly (though I did have to try a couple of different models I had laying around to find one that worked ....some don't work I'm guessing because the rig probably doesn't have the needed to driver to run them?).
9.I like that you can adjust things like the Noise Blanker "on the fly"....by pressing the button (and holding it)...and then adjusting the multi knob. I've been able to eliminate things like power line noise on the fly....just adjusting NB or NR for instance....and adjusting the level until the noise was gone! My 1200 and 3000....you had to go into a menu....set it....try it....go back into the menu...etc. Those were time consuming and often did NOT get all the interfering noise out. This works like a champ!
I could go on. But suffice to say, I love the radio. Looks good. Works good. Split operation is intuitive. Dual receivers is a joy (have worked several 10 meter openings by simply having Sub RX on 10 and watching the meter for the second RX to show activity). RX is wonderful (it helps I have 3 quality speakers hooked up to it of course). Works flawlessly with my 998 auto tuner, my Ameritron 1306 SS Amp, DX4WIN logging radio control. There are rig files for Omni rig, DX4WIN and many other common software apps.
Best Christmas present I've given myself.....since I bought my ALS 1306 for Christmas two year ago! |
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