Yaesu FT-8900R Basic Setup & Review
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- #HamRadioTV #HamRadio #Yaesu #FT8900R #AmatuerRadio
Fiori Films Presents Ham Radio TV: Yaesu FT-8900R Basic Setup & Review
In this video Jason/ KM6FAK, how he likes his FT-8900R and how easy it is to use and setup.
The FT-8900R is a ruggedly-built, high quality Quad Band FM transceiver providing 50 Watts of power output on the 29/50/144 MHz Amateur bands, and 35 Watts on the 430 MHz band. It includes leading-edge features like cross-band repeat, dual receive, VHF-UHF Full Duplex capability, and over 800 memory channels. And its 10-meter FM coverage brings the possibility of world-wide FM DX-ing to you on your drive in to work!
Convenient Remote-Head Mounting Capability
Having trouble mounting your mobile radio in your compact car? With the FT-8900R and its optional YSK-8900 Separation Kit, mounting is a breeze even in the tightest locations. The YSK-8900 includes a 20’ (6 m) remote cable and a mounting bracket for the front panel, and the microphone jack is located on the side of the front panel, eliminating the need to run a separate cable.
Convenient Access to WIRES and other Internet-linking Systems
When six and ten meters are dead, you can still talk around the world with the FT-8900R! The front panel provides easy access to any WIRES™ (Wide-coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System) repeater, automatically sending the required single DTMF access code at the beginning of each transmission. And if you’re using another Internet linking system, one that requires a DTMF string to being up the link, you can easily configure the FT-8900R to store and send the required tone sequence, as well!
Quad Band Operation
The FT-8900R combines the “traditional” 144/430 MHz local-communications concept with the exciting capability for Sporadic-E or F2 DX on the 29 MHz and 50 MHz bands, for nationwide or worldwide FM communications from your car! The first Amateur Radio FM mobile transceiver providing this capability, the FT-8900R will make you wonder how you got by with a two-band transceiver up to now!
Wide Frequency Coverage
The FT-8900R provides extended receiver coverage beyond the Amateur bands, so you can keep informed of communication activities in the public safety, commercial, aircraft, and government communications ranges. Included is coverage of 28-29.7 MHz, 50-54 MHz, 108-180 MHz, 300-480 MHz, and 700-985 MHz (cellular frequencies are blocked and non-restorable).
High Power Output
To get your message through when it counts, the FT-8900R puts out a full 50 Watts of power on the 29/50/144 MHz bands, and 35 Watts on 430 MHz. To ensure thermal stability during long transmissions, a thermal sensor monitors heat sink temperature, engaging the rear panel’s cooling fan only when needed.
Over 800 Memory Channels
The FT-8900R provides a wide variety of memory resources, including 799 “regular” memories, six “Home” channels for favorite frequencies, five sets of band-edge memories, and six “Hyper Memory” memories, which store complete transceiver operating status, for maximum operating efficiency and convenience. Six-character Alpha-Numeric “Tags” (labels) may be appended to memory channels, affording instant channel identification. No transceiver can compare with the memory capability of the FT-8900R!
Cross-Band Repeat Capability
For emergency work, or to extend the range of a hand-held unit, the FT-8900R includes Cross-Band Repeat capability, similar to that pioneered on our popular FT-8100R Dual Band FM Mobile!
One-Touch Band-Pattern
To save valuable time while operating a transceiver with the versatility of the FT-8900R, the “Hyper Memory” feature allows you to store a complete set of configuration data for the two bands on which you’re operating. Besides the usual storage of frequency and tone data, Hyper Memory will store such setup parameters as Automatic Repeater Shift status, Packet parameters, Scanning mode, and VFO tracking, avoiding the need to change each of these functions manually on a regular basis.
Easy Setup for FM Satellite Operation
For operating on FM satellites like UO-14, the versatile memory system of the FT-8900R allows you to store a set of uplink and downlink frequencies that account for Doppler shift over the entire horizon-to-horizon pass, allowing you to select the optimum uplink/downlink combination effortlessly!
Truly Independent Two-Channel Operation
Basically operating as two radios in one, the FT-8900R may be configured in a number of ways. For example, you can set up the "left" side of the rig for operation on 29, 50, 144, or 430 MHz operation, while setting the "right" side either to 144 MHz or 430 MHz. And, if you like, you can configure the FT-8900R for 144-144 MHz or 430-430 MHz Dual Receive operation, so you'll never miss out on the action!
I just bought and installed this radio, partly due to your video! I appreciate the time you took to show us around!
Alrighty! Very cool, glad to hear it helped. You are welcome!
@@HamRadioTV TY. I almost, I'm saying moments ago, purchasing the wannabe 8900.
Just picked mine up our local ham club estate sale. This video will be handy. Thanks for taking the time to make this.
Just another note for those watching that may not know. The 6 "memory" buttons next to the screen are actually called hyper memories. A lot of people get confused about what they do. They are not channel memories. They are complete rig setup/status memories. Each hyper memory can remember which channel/vfo frequency is on which side, wether either side is set to memory or vfo, which side is set to MAIN, which and if either side is currently scanning, or if both sides are scanning, which bank is selected on either side and if its in bank mode on either or both sides or not. I have repeatera programmed for all over my state but dont want to scan or monitor ones Im too far away from. If I drive 50 miles to the coast, I only want to scan and monitor certain repeaters. Also, I almost exclusively use one side to monitor one specific repeater and the other side to scan. I also a lot of times use the scanning side as a scanner to listen to police and fire. If I drive 50+ miles in another direction, I may want to monitor a different specific frequency while scanning a whole different set of other repeaters/public service. Setting all this up in hyper memories saves me the steps of having to change banks on one side, then change banks on the other side, and then initiate scan on that one side, which is a lot of button presses. Being able to hit one button and have the radio go into an entirely different function and "state" with entirely different channels/banks/frequencies and modes is great!
Yes, great point! Those buttons are very handy. Thanks for sharing your example.
I have been mini binge watching your videos and really appreciate the time and your thoroughness to detail. I bought this radio awhile back along with yaesu's dual band. this is one of my favorite videos due to the detail of the radio, your antenna setup and your explanation of the crossband repeat function. Thank you! 73, KC0ROE
I bought this radio a few years ago. It's been sitting in a box because of the antenna. My buddy gave me the Diamond CR 8900, but I realized the antenna is stronger than my body panels, and had more of a chance of ripping a panel than breaking the antenna if it smacked in to something. Decided to just not use the 10 and 6m bands, so I'll finally install it tomorrow after I pick up my new dual band antenna. This video answered a few questions, so thanks for taking the time making it.
Good deal, I'm glad it helped you!
Thank you for this walk-thru! I have this radio in my Duramax and have been using it for mostly monitoring local fire and police simultaneously. It's been a while since I put in my repeater frequencies, so I forgot the process - this quick video is a great refresh tutorial! The only thing I dislike about this unit is the speaker, which is very weak when compared to my FT-857d, but that is easily remedied by an external speaker, which I keep on the dashboard. 73!
Thank you very much for the kind words! Yes, I also run an external speaker too.
How do you like the 857 compared to the 8900?
THANK YOU!!!! Awesome explanation. I am about to buy my first radio and this helped me out quite a bit.
Happy to hear it! Thank You for watching!
The 8900 was my first mobile radio as it was "A quad band radio!!". I didn't read the fine print as I was a new ham and didn't realize it wasn't SSB also. Oh well. The crossband repeat function is one I have never used but after watching your video I thought of a way to extend the life of my Kenwood TH-74. I can put the 8900 on crossband repeat, it is hooked up to a 35 aH battery. The battery charge is maintained by a solar panel laying on the dash of my truck so the radio doesn't run the battery down. With that setup I could have the Power Hungry Kenwood on extreme low power .005 watts and still hit the repeater using the 8900. Thanks for the video!!
Very cool use of the cross band repeat. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for having this video out there. I've been wanting one for several year to work local events, but they aren't generally available any more. I want to use the cross-band repeat function because I live in hilly terrain and most times, 5W is not enough whereas 50W gets through to our repeaters. MTC just made some Yaesu B-Stock available, so I grabbed one. I do have the TYT knock-off of this, but I like Yaesu HT's and mobile rigs, especially for their durability, plus, one is none, as we well know. I noticed you don't post much anymore. I hope life leads you back to being able to create some more videos.
Excellent demonstration video. Much better than reading the manual. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
love the setup and very informative thanks I really like the section about the crossband repeat I have been trying to figure out how to do that for a while now but thanks to you I know how to now. KF5POB, Dallas Texas 73's
I have that same radio and really like it. Researched several for a bit n wanted this one.
Right on! Thanks for checking my channel out!
Great 100 Outstanding Video!!! I loved the information !
Great video Jason (I guess I'm only 4 years late to the party). I just ordered an 8800 model off eBay and am looking forward to dual VFOs and the repeat function!
Many thanks for this quick review about 8900r. Thinking buy a new one transceiver, now I see this Yaesu is esasy to operate. The old one I have is a really relic transceiver (Yaesu FT290R), up today on order, so I need others functions to operate over the repeaters around my QTH, with subtones, CTDSS, etc , and others characteristics, and a little more power just if I'm on this way to buy a new transceiver. I like very much the possibility tx on simplex to 8900R and it send over other frecuency like a repeater a very good option for me, with the walky i can tx with this sistem and hear with second vfo because the reception is no problem, just the transmit with 5W is not enougth to activate the repeater in South Iberian Peninsula from Ceuta, North of Africa. Already convinced, just order the 8900R. Best regards from EA9GT, QTH Locator IM75IV. 73' & BEST DXs see'u on CW (Suscribed 😉)
Best simple to follow demo. Thnx
Nice job. Interesting video.
Thanks for the review. Very comprehensive
Thank You! Now I'm trying to figure out what to put in my 08' Wrangler I just picked up.
Thank you i found my FT 8800 it has been in a cupboard for about 2 years i spent 2 days trying to Set it up your CZcams video help me to get it setup thanks
Great to hear!!
I installed my FT 8900 in my 2015 Ford Fusion. The only real challenge was getting through the firewall, but I found the grommet where the main wiring harness enters the cabin. There was lots of space there, I just drilled through and pushed a #10 ground wire through as a fish wire, it came in behind the glove box. All of the trim, kickplates and sill plates just popped off, I ran the 10 gauge wires back to the trunk, then spliced on to the power cord, so the fuses are in the trunk, I ran a speaker wire back along with the remote wire. The base unit is mounted in the trunk to the body by the spare tire well. The trunk on the Fusion is not bonded to the body, so I installed a bonding strap. Right now I’m using the magnet mount antenna I was using with my Baofeng, but I’m looking for a better option. The the Fusion has a nice compartment/storage shelf under the climate/radio stack, so the head is Velcro-ed there, and the speaker is Velcro-ed in the storage tray. The only wires visible anywhere is about 4” from the storage tray to where the wires run under the glove box and above the kick plate. It’s s pretty slick install. I’m really liking the FT-8900, but I have not even scratched the surface of what it can do.
Very Cool! I wish CZcams would allow pictures in comments. Sound like you did a great job!
AWESOME JASON THANKS FOR THE INFO. I JUST GOT ONE OF THESE RIGS FROM A HAM THAT PASSED. 73 BRUCE BISSELL KE7LGD SOUTHWEST UTAH
Good review Pal, glad you rate this radio, have you an opinion on taking it out of the car and using it for portable trips?
Barnie.👍🏼
Great video, thank you. My question is about the mount for the screen. From the photos I've seen it's hard to tell. It looks like there are mounting holes on the faceplate mount on both sides of the large hole in the center. If so, does it look like I would be able to mount a diamond ball mount from Ram Mount on this? If unsure, if I could get the measurements of these two holes I'll see how it would mount up to Ram Mount. Thanks again.
Hi ive had one of these for years. Couple of things, if you have reports of a noisy signal ( sounds like wind noise) after its been in cross band mode put it back in to cross band mode and then take it out of cross band that usually cures it . I run mine with a triband 2m 6m and 70cm antenna and use a duplexer to separate the 10m . I use a dv27 cb antenna for that band if theres a good lift on i can get into the new york repeaters on mid power . Im in Yorkshire England
Great job! Showing all the features that you did and the way you explained it was so refreshing to me..thanks for all the time you spent..
Mike KC0KVO
Thank You! Glad it was helpful! These radios can be tricky!
There’s the fan staying on after Xband repeat is used once, and something I found out recently, the fan comes on just for a 10 Watt APRS Beacon that lasts a second.
Outstanding vedio Sir, great review
Thanks a ton
GREATJOB VERY ORGANIZED
A great demonstration / review of this radio - thanks. Seems to meet my needs :) I have had my callsign for many years but just getting back into the hobby. In the past I have mainly been HF, but now looking more at 2/70, so a bit to learn. I am tossing up between this radio or the FTM 100R. Any preference or suggestions on the two appreciated.
Thanks! The FTM-100 is a great radio and several of my friends have it. It's a newer radio that is very feature rich. It is a single VFO only, which most people don't mind. For me, I love having a dual VFO in the car. This allows me to monitor my favorite repeater/national call, while on the other VFO having a QSO.
muchas gracias
Thanks !!
Good radio, mine still made in Japan - 9W2UMU 73
Just recently installed an 8900 in my car. Thanks for the video too. Any chance you could make a tutorial on how you programmed the Hyper Memory for the cross band repeat? That would be great. Hyper Memory is a big mystery to me at this point. Thanks!
Very cool! Thank you for watching and I'll put that suggestion into my list of things to film.
Hi there. I'm tossed at which radio to get - the FT-8900R or FT-857D. I'm working on getting my license but don't want to purchase multiple radios. I'm planning to run it as a mobile setup, not a base setup. Does it pay to purchase the 857 and call it done then just work on getting the additional class for HF, etc. or just get the 8900 to get used to ham, etc. Thanks, great videos you put out.
Great video buddy thank you. Very useful. Can I ask what car you have? Looks cool.
Thank you! The car is just ok, lol. It's a 2012 Prius as I drive 100 miles a day for work.
Where do I put the second Chanel into the repeater?
So far the best tutorial about this radio! At a scale from 1 to 10 how good is the TYT TH9800 compare to this one? I've heard many people says that TYT may be a clone of Yaesu....
I know a lot of people running the TYT clone of this and they work find for them. Thanks for watching!
Is it possible to add a key up tone on this radio?
Great video!
As far as the mag mount antenna on the roof of your vehicle, any issue with paint scratching? Any way to avoid it that you know of? Thanks again!
Thank You! I haven't seen any scratches from the Diamond pancake mag mount yet. The bottom has some nice rubber on it. I have noticed a little color difference/fading. But, I'm assuming a wax job should clean that up.
make sure you keep it clean! especially if you take the antenna on and off the car.
You can turn on/off the VOLTAGE METER on either display side. Pick which side to be your primary side. Momentarily push in and release the volume knob on the LEFT SIDE of the radio. You should now see a voltage displayed on the right display screen. It will stay on until you release it by redoing the same process to toggle it off. On/off toggle to your pleasure.. Its sometimes really nice to quell the insanity of two active sides talking at once.
If your only using the Left side VFO Like I use on my TYT TH-9800 (basically the same as your radio with some menu changes), you can push the left vol knob (short press) and send it in to left VFO with Voltage displayed on the right side, Maybe it is the same for the Yeasu.
Im using mine as a basestation as most full size basestations are out of my price range.
Couple of questions since I just got the radio...
1. Is there a way, while in Memory Mode, to set up one side of the radio to just show Freq. for all repeaters??
2. I have over 200 repeaters programmed, so when I go into VFO mode on one side, its to do Simplex. Is there anyway of setting VFO mode to default to Simplex and Not repeater mode??
3. Can you do a video addressing : Hyper Memory, Home Memory, MH-48 mic control, Scanning a Band
Thanks for watching! I can answer your questions 1 & 2, how I understand the radio. That said, there might be more tricks to it, then I'm aware of. As for question 3, I will put that on the to do list.
1) No. How I understand the channel system is it's one memory bank that both sides of the radio access. Making a change to a memory channel will effect how both sides see it, whether it's the frequency or a repeater name you put in.
2)Turn off Menu #2 ARS and adjust Menu #33 as needed.
Hope this helps!!
Love to see repeater setup step by step as it is impossible to follow correctly from the manual that is obviously a bad translation from the Japanese language. Maybe, a separate instruction video by you would be a good solution. What do you think???
czcams.com/video/JcGcQxLiTsY/video.html this link will take you to the part of the video I show how to program in a repeater and save it to a memory channel. Perhaps I can do more videos on this, but this radio is also discontinued.
Can you tell me which K400 mount I should use? I'm really new to radio and I have a Kenwood TM-D710GA I want to install. I need a NMO style mount but there's the K400CNMO and the K400SNMO and I don't know the difference. Thank you for this video. Super excited to do this on my own Prius but I want a fixed mount where I can put all the cords and wires inside the car. I bought a short 3" NMO antenna like police vehicles have. I want to know the range/effectiveness of that compared to the antenna you have. Basically I was looking to join the club but still keep a low profile look on the car. I don't think I can mount my D710 between the cupholders quite like you, though I do what to see if I can get something 3D printed for that same area. Thanks in advance!
How's the install going? I haven't bought a K400 style mount yet. They look nice, but I just put a magnet mount on the roof and it's been working great.
What kind of antenna do you recommend for xband repeat mode, id like to use it for hiking with an external battery hooked to the 8900? What do u recommend
I recommend the Diamond NR770HB 144/440 MHz Dual-Band. This is a radial-less structure and doesn't need the traditional ground plane. I also run this one on my car and move it to my RV's ladder when we go on trips.
Link to PDF: www.diamondantenna.net/pdfdocs/NR770HNMO%20Instructions.pdf
Link to Amazon: www.amazon.com/Diamond-Original-NR770HB-Dual-Band-Antenna/dp/B00MANF3L6/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3C30SHQ76MDSK&keywords=diamond+dual+band+antenna&qid=1564932701&s=gateway&sprefix=diamond+dual+band+ante%2Caps%2C391&sr=8-10
I'm going to have to rig something that will hold the Avmap as the magnets that are supposed to hold it to the mount are not strong enough and I've already lost one Avmap because it fell off and shattered the glass. Avmap not around and it's made for APRS on my 710 Kenwood
Dang, sorry to hear about the broken glass. Mag-mounts can be tricky.
Nice video, what camera's are you using to shoot your video?
Goober Crow Thanks! I’m using the Canon 5D Mark IV. I just move it around. But, if I could do it again I would get the 6D Mark II. I hate not being able to see myself/framing. No flip out screen.
Ham Radio TV Audio is good also, what did you use for a mic?
@@goobercrow198 Thanks, I'm still figuring audio out. In this video I used a Purple Panda Lavalier mic plugged into a Zoom H4N Pro. That's what you see in my shirt pocket, lol.
@@HamRadioTV audio sounds great in my opinion all around great video and audio imho
Nice video thanks. Do you still use the radio? How has it performed until now?
Thanks! Yes, I use it daily and it has not given me any problems yet.
@@HamRadioTV thank you for responding
Antenna suggestion for F-150 antenna? Aluminum not too good for magnetic mount 😳
I’d use a glass mount.
Strange I could hear but you couldn’t hear me. I was outside so maybe going through stucco was a problem?
You have to love the CA stucco... I grew up in PA and miss all the brick and stone houses.
Does the backlight color changes from the radio menu? UR7WKH
Not that I'm aware. I've seen some Icom's that can do that.
I could not find an antenna coupler. I live in Turkey. Can you send me a link from the Chinese site?
I don't know of any Chinese websites. Here is another link to Amazon for the duplexer: amzn.to/3m2nDHP
Please setup tone squelch (decode) on the 70cm during crossband so that other transmissions that could happen on that frequency don’t tie up the repeater!
Yes agreed, thanks for sharing that tip.
Hi, would this be any good for satellites? Can you adjust the Doppler shift in 1Hz increments?
Yes, you can use it as you can use a lot of radios. There is nothing too fancy about it.
Thanks James, great comment to Adrian!
@James Babcock Many thanks for this!
Hi I am trying hard to decide between Yaesu 8900R and IC 7230A. Need some light between the two.... Can anyone advice.
Geez, they will both get the same job done. Does the 7230A come with a mounting plate for the removable face? The 8900 comes with all the parts to run it on the body or mount it remotely.
Theres a menu item to show dc volts all the time. But U lose the sub band.
Comes in handy tho. I lost my alternater belt once and had about 15-20 miles to make it home. I switched off sub and ran dc volts to watch my battery voltage as I limped home.
Oh, no kidding. Thanks for the info, I will look into that. I hate that most cars out there don't give you a voltage gauge. I found this cool volts and temp meter that plugs into the cigarette lighter, which I use in the car now and the motorcycle.
I have yaesu ft-8100. How do I get into the settings?
Not sure, I've never used that radio. I took a quick look in the manual and I don't think it has a "settings menu" like the FT-8900R radio. Here is a link to the manual: www.qsl.net/kb8qeu/ham/FT-8100R_OM.pdf
I like your vid, but what about your swr?
Thank You! The SWR is great on the Diamond antenna. It's right around 1.4. It's always good to check your antenna, but I know a lot of people that just buy the name brand antennas for their vehicles, never check it and it runs great for years. Most people are just chatting on their local repeaters. ~73 KM6FAK~
I'm a Ham newbie & just got my Tech license, & bought a Yaesu FT8900R. Is there a way to turn off the Dual Receive mode?
Congrats on getting into this great hobby! If I understand your question correctly, you don't want to receive two different frequencies at once. I would just turn down the volume and squelch to the side from the radio you don't want to hear from. I'm not familiar with a way to turn it off and my guess is you can't.
@@HamRadioTV thanks for responding and the suggestion. I'm going try your suggestion
You can turn off the sub main. In the menus look for something that sayd "sub". I believe you have the options of dc volts, on and off.
looking to buy one of these radiios. can u tell me where i can get one of these
This might be tricky as Yaesu has discontinued this model now. Take a look at the Yaesu FTM-300. I like shopping at these places: www.mtcradio.com/ or www.dxengineering.com/
Hello , q: I have yaesu2400 speak and received calling from distance 180 km in area mountain without repeator ,so how maximum distance by reapeator or without it can we it use?
There is no simple answer. It will depend on the terrain, radio output, type of antenna and frequency. But, for every watt you get 5 miles on flat ground as a general rule for VHF/UHF.
@@HamRadioTV thank you for replaying
Many Thanks! Cheers/73 de JB/k8os
Can you read this S-Meter? Where is S-3 or S9 on this display?
The S-Meter on this radio are the 9 bars at the bottom. But, S-Meters can very from radio to radio. It can be a good reference tool for signals but not a definitive way to measure signal strength.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💎
Is there are base station version of this radio?
No, not just a base. People do use this as a base and it works great. The FT-911A will be your closes Yaesu base radio.
How moch price
It's works in 11 meters?
No. It's TX range on 10 meters is: 28.000 - 29.700 MHz, FM Only. CB's are AM.
What kind of car is that???
Global Mobile 01 It’s a 2012 Toyota Prius. Please don’t judge, as I have to commute to work. Haha
LoL I was thinking it was a tesla from the inside😀😀😀...
KM6WYK
"...film..." LOL!
HA!
Bro. Dont be that guy that kerchunks the repeater. At least give your call sign and say testing.
Good call!
Nothing I just watched made sense. Time to learn what 127 meand
Oh, that's interesting....Are you a Ham?
@@HamRadioTV im trying to be
The menu......46 options of what the hell does that mean. Try to find out the terminology just gets deeper. Nothing but alphabet chaos.
O yeah...But, if this hobby was easy everyone would do it. And, we might not want "everyone" on the air.
O volume desse radio não é linear e sim digital por etapas o som aumente por pulos, sem contar que qualquer toque no botão o volume dispara chega a ser irritante, é um lixo esse ardio, o x repeat é cheio de interação não funciona só entrando por uhf pra ter algum resultado, menu todo confuso, os receptores tem sensibilidade diferente as memorias são compartilhadas nos 2 lados , comprei um lixo desses e joguei fora depois de uma semana , radio que não vale nem 10$ , Yaesu só fabrica lixo, esses vhf paracem com tudo menos como um radio
O radio mais lixo que já vi, Yaesu tem se tornado um lixo , material barato radios cheios de problemas
The very rig I have in the car. Separate antennas for all bands too with diplexers!
HaHa, very cool! It makes a great rig for the ride!