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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-950

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-950
Reviews: 277MSRP: 1840
Description:
The Yaesu FT-950 is an HF/6m transceiver which features IF DSP as well as 3 kHz, 6 kHz and 15 kHz roofing filters. The transceiver can be interfaced with the DMU-2000 to add additional functions such Band Scope, Audio Scope, X-Y Oscilloscope, World Clock, Rotator Control, and extensive transceiver status displays, in addition to station logging capability. The optional RF µTuning Kits may be connected via the rear panel, providing improved selectivity to protect the receiver from close-in interference on a crowded band.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/0950.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
152774.6
S57WJ Rating: 2011-01-06
Worth the price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used an FT-767 GX for over 10 years. Switch to a DSP radio as FT-950 was a bit painful. When first heard the sound of CW it was very strange, but...
After carefully reading the manual and trying various settings find it very good and got used to it.
I had one fear, since the FT-767 GX was a bit higher class radio of its time than the FT-950 now, it did not have a good dynamic range. On lower bands the RX got "stuffed" on the crowded bands. The final test for FT-950 was my first CQ WW CW in 2009. After few hours spent on 80m all my fears were gone: clear reception, with narrow filtering I was able to hear weak signals on my Inverted V antenna.
The rig stays cold even after a longer calling in contests.
The only thing I miss on FT-950 is an RX antenna conector. This is the only reason of rating 4, otherwise would be 5.
KR4J Rating: 2010-12-22
Great Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Being a ham since 1974, I have owned several radios. Every once in a while, a rig surfaces that is exceptional in price, options, and quality. I have found that in the FT-950. The quality of the build and the features reminds me of another transceiver that I purchased in 1983, the IC-745. For its time, it was functional, came with lots of options, and was easy to operate. The FT-950 reminds me of that rig and the fun I had operating it. After a few years of being idle in Amateur Radio, I purchased the IC-718 earlier this year. This was a great radio, but I simply desired more features. After about three months of comparing reviews and features, I chose to go with the FT-950. The folks at AES were great in answering myquestions when comparing the 950 to the TS-2000, and the re-issued IC-746. For the price, and up to date features, I went with the TS-950. This is a larger radio, and I can work the switches and dials with my big hands with ease. On the air, I have received excellent audio reports with minimal adjustments of the equalizer. The receiver is great, and I have no problem pulling out weak signals with all of the filtering options. I purchased the MD-100MDa8x to complement the radio. The antenna tuner works great for me in fine tuning my rig to safely operate with my dipoles. (do not expect the tuner to tune a piece of wire. It is not designed to do that.) I hope to write a more technical review after a few months of operation. Highly recommended...so far.
K4FLH Rating: 2010-12-10
WOW!!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My first week with my new 950 and all I can say is why would you buy an Icom, TenTech or any other brand radio when there are Yaesu FT 950's. Yes I have tried,listened to or owned others.

If the heart and soul of the 9000 is in the FT 950 the only thing that could surpass it would be the 2000/5000/9000 series.

If something comes along to change my mind,I will let you know but don't hold your breath!!!

73
Bill/K4FLH
IZ0PXT Rating: 2010-12-10
Excellent ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After one year, I am very satisfied with this RIG, also thanks to Yaesu that has developed a lot of firmware updates for the radio.
Very good receiver on SSB and CW, and good layout and ergonomy.
For the money you cant get better rig.

73 de IZ0PXT
K2FOX Rating: 2010-12-10
Great Rig!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned my FT-950 for just a few weeks and I am VERY satisfied with my decision to buy. The receive is awesome after tailoring the settings to my particular needs. I usually have local noise which now poses no problems. I did have an rf feedback problem when using a HEIL PR-781, but that was caused by the HEIL cable. Once I rewired it, no rf feedback. Highly recommended.

73,
Jay
KG4GLI Rating: 2010-12-09
Keep Coming Back To FT 950 Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
For some reason, I play one for awhile and end up selling and trying something else thinking I am going to find something better, but I always end up getting another one back. I guess I would be better off just keeping the FT 950. The rigs really sound great on receive and transmit as well, you can adjust the audio any way you want. It will transmit 2.9 kc wide plenty wide enough. There are many bells and whistles but the auto notch really can't be beat. The DSP filtering is great as well Yaesu put out updates every so often. The rig really is by far the best for the money. Try one, I think you will like it. Don't be like me, and sell and have to try to find another one, get one and keep it.
DL6AN Rating: 2010-11-20
Good for Me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi there,

i'm just a happy user of this radio, i operate psk31, phone, cw, sstv, for all this i don't have any problem, compared to the price it's a good performer. I also use with sdr spectrum to have a sdr radio in combination with Powersdr IF-Stage.
Of course there is always something to complain, but for me it's ok, the Fan is very quiet, that's a + for me too,the antenna tuner is just ok, nothing special here,work's only for transmit, but as you know thats always a compromise.

73 de Martin
AC8JD Rating: 2010-11-02
WOW!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My summary title says it all! I have been a Ham operator for 6 months now and started out on a iCom 706 MKII with just the standard SSB IF shift filter. Keep in mind that is all I can compare the FT-950 to.

I chose the ft-950 because of the phenomenal reviews I kept reading about the DSP filtering. I also like the fact that Yaesu seems to put out firmware updates that improve the radio's TX and RX performance on a regular basis. I understand that Kenwood does for the TS-2000 but not as frequently. (My decision for an HF radio was between a Kenwood TS-2000 and the FT-950).

The first thing I noticed once I received my FT-950 was how much better the RX is compared to that iCom 706. I could hear so many more stations than I could before. The second thing I noticed was that on the lower frequencies like 40 and 80 the static noise was quieter than the iCom 706. This alone for me was worth the upgrade to the FT-950.

The second thing I noticed was how easy it was to TX. I can now finally talk normally into the mic and not swallow it to get my TX across. I got so tired of raising my voice louder and louder as stations would ask me to "come back again". I constantly get told (without inquiring) "your audio sounds great"! That is another thing I think most FT-950 owners will attest to.

The last thing is I cannot say enough about the digital filtering. If your a CW guy you can literally notch out qrm on the top and bottom. For SSB you can paly with 15 different Digital Noise Filtering settings which I have found I can remove almost all the static on the lower frequency bands.

If you have been hesitant about getting the FT-950 all I can say is get it! Read the manual thoroughly. I have found a couple of "gotchas" like the default setting being 9400 baud rate which I set to 9600 for Ham Radio Deluxe. You can fine tune so many things about the FT-950 it will literally take weeks to get through it all. I have not even touched the options to fine tune the TX audio. I want to wait until I get a Heil PR40 Mic to do that!
SV9OFO Rating: 2010-10-09
about DNR Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
People blame the DNR function as useless and troublesome, especially on digimodes and CW. As for CW, you should know that it can do wonders. Turning the BW to a *very* narrow setting, like 200hz, and opting for some DNR algorithm, check out what it does when a fading signal is behind.

Ringing due to narrow filter is eliminated, as punch is restored. Noise is eliminated and what is left is a truly clearer CW signal to copy than trying it without DNR.

It is all about the current over-the-air noise profile. Proper filter selection can dig signals out of the mud, improper sel can actually ditch them into it. Give it a try!

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by SV9OFO on 2010-09-03

Hey, I can zero-beat either visually or audibly in no time with this!!!

I had my CW skills left behind due to the lack of a narrow CW filter in my 706mkIIg. Well, now I have all the filters I could ever want.

Roofing at 3KHZ-6KHZ or 15KHZ selectable, from a $1500 rig?!?

This rig is awesome.
KD8LUJ Rating: 2010-09-28
Great Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not one complaint about this radio. Does everything that they say it will do. Highly recommended.