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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-990

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-990
Reviews: 141MSRP: 1995 ac 1795 dc
Description:
Yaesu FT-990
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/yaesu.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
251414.8
ON5MF Rating: 2003-02-27
Great transceiver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this rig in 1995 as my first HF transceiver and am still loving it ! Most of my operating times are during contests (used to be SSB, now mainly RTTY).
Running full power (100W) on RTTY (in contest) has never been a problem, the rig stays really cool.
A few weeks ago I had my first technical problem ever with this TRX : the backlight of the S-meter went out...
AD5EM Rating: 2003-02-13
Fantastic Transceiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought my FT-990 DC model used about 2 months ago. It was a package deal with the SP-6 w/DSP-59Y and MD-1 microphone. I was running a Kenwood TS-850SAT (and still own that radio) at the time. I have switched back and forth between these two fine radios and prefer the Yaesu, by a narrow margin. The only thing I like better, on the Kenwood, is that it does have the monitor circuit, which is nice. But, I get consistent comments on the nice audio from the Yaesu, so who really cares? Performance-wise, the Yaesu is a dream and easy to use. This is probably the radio I'll keep for a long time. Anybody need a TS-850?
KJ7WY Rating: 2002-12-19
Enjoyable Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The FT-990 to some, might be considered the little brother of the original FT-1000(D). It shares many of the same internal circitry and many of the same front panel lay-out. My rig is of 1995 vintage and come with PIN diodes (production installed)and I use my rig primarly for DXing, CW, with the occasional SSB QSO or contest. Most of my previous radio experience comes from the TS-830 & FT-101ZD.

I find the reciever to be outstanding and the rig has great selectivity. I like to cruz the bands with my filters wide, the FT-990 has the abilty to lock weak signal DX by using the SCRF (digital) and notch filters. Filtering set-up reminds me of the TS-830 but much better.

The recieve antenna option is very nice but wish the fantastic internal antenna tunner worked with this antenna too. The internal code keyer is very good but wish the side tone had an easier adjustment. It would be nice to have had a couple of memories but... The AM general coverage preformance was better than I thought and the audio preformance beats my Kewood. On transmit the rig runs cool and the fan quite. The radio is very easy to use.

This is one of the nicest radios I've experienced. The FT-990 is built very solid (unlike the FT-920) and preforms as well as an FT-1000MP (not as easy though,with fewer bells & whistles). Overall, what I think makes this rig great is the preformance to cost ratio. Yeah - I'd like a Mark V or 756pro but for what I could afford this radio fits the bill very nicely. A very enjoyable rig!

73's Pete KJ7WY
W1RPG Rating: 2002-08-03
Reliable & enjoyable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the FT990 since 1993 buying it new after using a Kenwood TS940S/AT. After using the TS940S/AT for a few years and having it take trips to the west coast for needed R & R a few times within the same year, I searched for a replacement. Not being able to swing the price for a FT1000D, I was happy to see the FT990 introduced shortly thereafter.

I traded in the TS940S/AT for the FT990, SP6 and MD-1 and have never regretted it. I still use it. I don't have any other HF rig here. It has been very reliable and solid.

I only wish Yaesu could have designed an audio monitor circuit into it, along with selectable PL tones for using 10m FM repeaters. The FT990 only has one standard PL set at the factory. (I only mention that here for the purpose of my review. I tend to like operating direct when using FM and not on a repeater.)

The transmitted SSB audio is adjustable to suit your operating preferences and microphone. The 90 memories are more than enough for my needs.

The built-in switching power supply is quiet and reliable and the automatic antenna tuner will tune up almost anything you put into it.

The low level hiss you may hear on 10 meters when the band is quiet or dead, is easily taken care of by activating the SCAF (aka Digital Filter). The notch filter is easy to use and is very effective when needed. Oh yes one other thing. It has a REAL meter on it that's a swinger. Nothing against the new rigs with the christmas lights for a meter, but I like to see the meter swinging.

I have used the FT990 for everyday rag chewing, contests, special events, ham radio demos with the cub and boy scouts and have had flawless operations.

I feel that I will always hold onto this rig even if I ever buy anything else.

If you are looking for a good, reliable, cost effective HF rig as a first time ham or seasoned vet, you can't go wrong with the FT990.
73 Bob
KX2T Rating: 2002-07-14
Great Rig!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned two of these rig over the past 12 years, one was a 94 vintage and the other a 96 serial number. This is one radio that is a solid performer, reliable with solid contruction. The newer rigs like the MP's are better in some area's but not built to the same feel as this rig. This rig is selective, the scaf is as good as any dsp out there, it just does not have the auto notch but its manual notch performs well. Stable, does not move at all, I feel the newer rigs may be a hair more sensitive but only on a band like 10 meters that you would tell a difference. Its about 90% of an MP or 1000D performance at about half the cost and a great buy in the used market for between $800 to $1K depending on serial # and condition. A classic design that still holds its own even with all the new fancy faces.
AC5XP Rating: 2002-01-27
Maybe the best HF radio Yaesu ever made Time Owned: N.A.
I originally had an FT-1000 when the FT-990 just came out. I was hooked right away when I saw the ads, because it was conceptually built using plug-in cards on a motherboard, which I love. Very rare for a Ham radio, only professional radios use this.
Reading the specs I noticed it was actually an FT-1000 without all the "fuss" so I sold my FT-1000 and bought the FT-990. I have never regretted it.
As one might have notice reading other radio reviews on this site, I have owned MANY HF radios and I am extremely critical. This radio is so good, I have not been able to find ONE weak area. The only thing I would have liked is a diecast front-panel like the FT-1000 had, but I realize that this is trivial.
Everything is just perfect on this radio. Great, solid flywheel tuning, tuning steps per revolution are just right (mode dependent), very smooth DDS without any "birdies", easily modified for general coverage TX, great user and technical manual, narrow filters selectable in SSB for digital modes, excellent receiver performance (I have never found an IM product using my longwire where many other radios have stumbled in the past). More goodies: Build-in whisper- quiet switching power PSU great ergonomics in the control layout, excellent switched-capacitor AF filter, very fast switchover for the digital modes, very good modulation, excellent built-in automatic antenna tuner.
Also, my radio is within 2 Hz accurate against the reference signal at 20 MHz from Boulder, Colorado. And it stays like that from the moment I switch it on. It was this accurate from day one, straight out of the box, I have never tweaked it myself. And I do not even use the high-stability oscillator.
Last but not least, I never had a problem with it from a reliability standpoint, it still works like new.
I still own this radio today after almost 10 years and will probably never sell it. Sometimes it is almost a bad thing that I can't find anything wrong with it because it doesn't give me an excuse to buy a new radio... Just kidding of course. But I might still buy that new IC-746PRO if it survives the QST review. However, I will keep the FT-990, momatter what!
If you can get a nice one at Dayton, go for it. You can't go wrong on this one.
W6SZG Rating: 2002-01-13
This is the one Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got active again in July of 2001 after 30+ years off the air. Messed around with a HW-101 (didn't really know much about solid state and that was a "dream rig" of my youth) then a TS-520se. After I passed my Extra class I bought the FT-990 on the basis of the reviews here and features/price ratio. Mine has the 0.5, 2.0 and 2.4khz filters. For about $1000.00 for the AC model I couldn't be more pleased. Tuner loads my G5RV (tower and yagis coming this Spring) from 80-10 (including the WARC) with no trouble. Great results on the DX I like to work on CW and SSB. I added an IR 250hz filter, which works great but is not really needed. Works well with the FL-7000 amp I also added this Christmas. I've tried the new high end stuff out at the stores and really was not tempted to trade up.
WA4AL Rating: 2002-01-13
The Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased my used FT-990 in 1996. Did not use it very much until June of 2000.
I did not work much DX but I wanted to get the ARRL DXCC Millenium Award. By September I had work over 100 countries. To date I have worked 269 countries with the help of my FT-990. I could not ask for much more in a HF rig. I have had Kenwood, Icom, and other Yaesu rigs but this is the one for me. I have worked DX station that where so far in the mud that other stations around town could not hear them. I love this rig.
AA8YO Rating: 2002-01-12
Excellent Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my Yaesu FT990 since receiving it as a Christmas present from my wife in 1996. Mine came from the factory with a 500hz CW filter and built in switching power supply. I have never had a single problem with this rig. The SCAF filter works great - actually, you don't even need the 500hz CW filter - I use the SCAF just as frequently, if not more so. Overall, I am exceptionally pleased with this fine rig, and consider myself extremely fortunate to have gotten a brand new one while they were still available. Yep, the XYL did a great job !
WB4M Rating: 2001-11-05
Been a great digital rig. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After owning an FT-757GX for 10 years, I traded to a new FT-990 in April of 1994. To my disappointment, it died on 2nd day of operation. I sent it to Yaesu in California for warranty repair, and to my surprise, it was back in exactly 2 weeks to the day, and I'm in North Carolina!
I added the optional 250 and 2.0 filters, but with the digital hi/low filter, I really didn't need them after all.
I operate the digital modes exclusively, and this rig has been a fantastic digital radio. Controls are well placed and the front panel well designed for easy use. The auto-tuner has worked well for me and tuned anything I wanted to tune. I plan to own this radio forever.