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Reviews For: Yaesu FTdx-101D

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FTdx-101D
Reviews: 50MSRP: 4000
Description:
The FTdx-101D is utilizing the latest SDR Technology and classified as our High-End HF line, the FTDX series, which amateurs have come to know represents quality, A Few Of The Remarkable Features Of The New FTdx-101D Are: YAESU High-Class HF/ 50MHz 100W Transceiver SDR Technology and Waterfall Display Large Touch Panel precision color display Active Band Monitor enables rapid band changes with LED illumination of the operating band Independent control of the Main and Sub Bands allows effortless operation for the serious contester needing to move quickly between the amateur bands High-Q VC Tuning Front-End Main tuning dial for Main and Sub Band frequency control includes an Outer Dial for clarifier, VC tuning, fine tuning or custom settings Hybrid SDRs (Narrow Band SDR & Direct Sampling SDR) 2kHz RMDR 123dB+ 2kHz BDR 150dB+ 2kHz 3rd IMDR 110dB+ 400MHz HRDDS (High Resolution Direct Digital Synthesizer) 2kHz Phase Noise -150dBc/Hz VC-TUNE (Variable Capacitor Tune) signal peaking 3DSS (3-Dimensional Spectrum Stream) visual display Narrow band SDR & Direct Sampling SDR Emphasizes Basic Performance and Hybrid SDR Functionality Includes Digital Processing Generated Real-Time Spectrum Scope In addition to the Narrow band SDR receiver, that boasts overwhelming Basic Performance, the Hybrid Configuration Digital Processing with Direct Sampling SDR permits inclusion of the superb Real-Time Spectrum Scope. *300Hz and 1.2kHz roofing filters (Optional) PC control software performed remote operation of the transceiver from a remote location via the LAN or the Internet is available.
Product is in production
More Info: http://yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=959169DE998192AB87295E90077D740D&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
54.4504.1
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.



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
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 .
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
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!
IZ8FFA Rating: 2019-12-25
Great Radio, but .... - Uptading at December, 5 Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
After several reports of malfunctions of my FTDX 101D, the Italian importer (tnx Marco) proceeded to solve the problems. Now the radio is fine and I think that with the next firmware the small problems related to the display will disappear. I repeat that the receiver of this RTX is truly exceptional and the listening quality is superb.


I waited several months before leaving my assessment.
Purchased in May, one of the first produced. Excellent receiver with very effective filters. Pleasant listening and overall I must say that the radio is also well done. But… .. several problems that even today, after more than 4 months of patient waiting, have not been solved. The negative judgments, all reported, there are the different problems related to the TFT screen with its functions. Even today it is not possible to use it with some programs such as the CW Skimmer. In CW mode, the panadapter is slow to display after the TX / RX switchover. Bump in the speaker during RX / TX switching in CW which makes it almost impossible to listen through headphones. In short, many small things to fix. But the reason why I leave a low mark is the unpleasant behavior by Yaesu. After spending over 3,300 euros for a radio that is not efficient, it doesn't seem polite to me. At this point we must wait until and if there is a remedy for the defects.

F6GYY Rating: 2019-11-12
Very good transceiver but Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Superb transceiver with top ergonomics and a very selective receiver.. Menu and sub-menus are well organized . The different colors on the main and sub-receiver are a big help...

The selectivity of the receiver is at top level with the combination of the roofing filter and the automatic preselector ... ( driven variable capacitor...)...
Also less noise ...


The AMC function is not very clear... There is a direct interaction between AMC and ALC....on SSB...
It is not explained correctly in the manual...!!!

If the equalizer is correctly set , you are getting a superb modulation... The mike gain should be reduced....

Have set AMC at 55 , microphone gain at 35 and processing as follow :
at 5 dB....for locals....
at 18dB …for DX......


Yaesu SSM-75G Speaker Microphone ...modified (see text) ...

Settings of the internal equilizer :
Bandwidth 100 Hz to 2900 Hz
P PRMTRC EQ1 FREQ 400Hz, LEVEL -10, BWTH 5
P PRMTRC EQ2 FREQ 1400Hz, LEVEL +5, BWTH 6
P PRMTRC EQ3 FREQ 2700Hz, LEVEL +10, BWTH 10

Attention ! The liitle mike joined with the transceiver , SSM-75G is faulty... it is not sensitive at all...and the modulation is disastrous....

Open it ...carefully...and remove the plastic membran covering the electret element, having a 1 mm whole on it...

Done in 5-10 minutes and you will see the difference...!!! See Equalizer settings above...

Results : a very plaisant modulation, well balanced on the mediums and on the high pitched tones...

My personal comment: it is absolutely not necessary to buy a " studio microphone..." which costs a lot of money...maybe later on...

Other problems : not really, but the PA fan switches on a bit quickly ...even after 3 minutes on SSB...

Fortunately at a low level...
NR6Q Rating: 2019-11-09
Good Radio_ Rotten as an SDR Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is one of the best performing RF rigs I have ever used. I have a 9000D and used the 5000 and various other rigs.

While there are lots of different definitions for SDR, I think Flex, Apache Labs, SDR Play and other SDR manufactures have defined what is a "SDR". While this radio may have a FPGA in the lower IF and uses such to perform various functions, the "SDR" experience is about building your radio in software, or using your computer to control and define filters etc. Displaying different slices etc on your computer screen.

Yaesu missed the mark on this one, period!!

It is a great radio, however so is the 5000 and the 9000 and I am running the 9000 right next to the 101D and they play just about the same. The 101D has a better DNR system than the 9000, but add a CLR DSP to the 9000 and they are about the same.

I will l run Sweeps next week. I have both radios hooked to receive and I will transmit on the 101D. I will then get a better idea how each performs in a jammed RF environment, but thus far they seem about the same.

Yaseu just dropped the price of this rig from 4K to $3400. Racing to the bottom on price??

Take off the front panel, put all the filters in the radio.
Build a great software interface that can run under windows and Mac and sell it for 3K. You will make a mint.

Add the front panel as a $1000 option.

Make a versatile SDR out of this platform and you will do well.

Make no changes and your just another radio in the bunch racing for the bottom on price.

GM0ELP Rating: 2019-11-03
Brilliant! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First the bad:
1) 3DSS is absurd, present signals are hidden by the messy past and the past signals are hard to find exactly in the present due to the slant perspective. Just because its possible to do 3D doesn't make it a good idea.
2) No averaging function for conventional 2D view.
3) Sub VFO ring is hard to rotate without knocking the main VFO with your knuckles.
4) A bit of a faff to set up transmit audio to properly drive the PA.
5) No mouse scroll wheel function.
6) Most controls aren't responsive during transmit except bandwidth.
7) Fan startup noise sounds like a light saber from star wars (might change this to a good thing), not loud but noticeable in a quiet shack.
8) Stupid upgrade implementation which means you have to buy the radio with all wanted options fitted or return the radio to get options fitted...nuts!

Now the good:
1) Weak signals just seem to to be clearer!
2) The RX DSP functions all work and work well!
3) RS232 and USB provide simultaneous CAT for 2 applications.
4) Best dual receiver implementation with clear on screen representation, control layout and led status feedback so you never get confused. Very intuitive, well laid out radio making it ideal for contesting. Nice horizontal split of controls between main and sub with colour coding.
5) Mouse control for every on screen function means you don't need to get the touch screen messed up with finger prints.
6) Spectrumscope is plenty fast, good resolution and sensitive. There is no discernible time lag between scope and audio.
7) Scope tuning modes of fix, center and cursor allows all operating styles. I use 'fix' for CW (bottom 50KHz of every band) and 'cursor' for SSB as I don't like the trails moving all the time on the scope as I'm tuning (center).
8) Loads of options for tailoring the scope content like 'expand' which allows more realty for scope than meters.
9) External monitor output means when the radio display eventually fails you can still operate the radio.
10) 70MHz included.

I've owned a lot of radios over the last 33 years, my previous main radios were a Flex 6500 and before that a K3, the FTDX101D is by far the best radio I've ever owned.
K7FD Rating: 2019-10-15
CW issue with sideswiper key Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I love my FTdx101D but I and other sideswiper/cootie key users have run into a slight problem. The maximum speed of sideswiper keying is limited to approximately 23 to 25 wpm. Above that speed and dits turn into dahs and dahs turn into even longer dashes making the CW unreadable. This problem occurs over the air even though the CW heard in monitor sidetone sounds perfect. The operator is unaware of the jibberish going out on the airwaves unless they are listening on a separate receiver. Yaesu is aware of the problem but so far is laying blame on the type of key used.

If you are a high speed sideswiper/cootie operator you may be disappointed in the FTdx101D unless Yaesu acknowledges the issue and comes up with a firmware fix.

73 John K7FD

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K7FD on 2019-05-04

I will leave a detailed review to the more technically minded owners. This review is an overview of my first 24 hours with the FTDX101D.

Coming from the Icom world I found a bit of a learning curve requiring a good read of the Yaesu manual. The onboard menu'ing of the '101D is very logical...once I got the hang of it, hi. No complaints.

First impression, well built. Like a tank. Quality. The TFT display is crisp and clear. Initially I thought the 3D spectrum scope would be more of a novelty than useful. Whether it's useful I'm not sure yet, but I LOVE IT! You can't take your eyes off of the 3D display; even static crashes look great!

So the display is top notch. Next, the DNR digital noise reduction is excellent; best I've used. On both SSB and CW. Really takes your breath away. And noise.

So far, I have only had the rig on CW driving a small amp. No troubles. I work 99% CW but will venture onto phone later. I suspect the included hand mic sounds like most...but it might surprise me, like the hand mic with the IC-7300. We'll see.

Dual receive works great and the ergonomics gets a big thumbs up. MAIN and SUB controls and buttons are color coded making it easy to use.

This is my first Yaesu HF rig since the FT-101F and the FT-303. Those go back a few years! The new FTDX101D has made a favorable impression.

John K7FD