Yaesu FT-991A: TX Audio Settings
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- čas přidán 6. 04. 2021
- #yaesu #ft991a #hamradio
I get requests to share my transmit audio settings. In this video I show some recommended transmit audio settings that can be used as a starting point for the FT-991A. Note that these settings were for my friend Joel's voice. You might use these settings initially and then tweak them to tailor the transmit audio for your specific voice. Also consider using the parameters from video #4 of the Ftdx10 series. Those are for my voice. The settings are also part of a menu optimizations PDF that I created. The PDF covers all of the menu changes I make to the FT-991A. There are other PDFs available for the other Yaesu radios featured on this channel. The PDFs are available as a "thank-you" for Executive and VIP Patreon team members.
Correction: I accidentally referred to the width setting as being 1 for narrow and 10 for wide. It is the reverse of that. 10 for narrow and 1 for wide. The width is actually a Q (Quality) factor. The higher quality filters are narrower.
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73, de N4HNH - Věda a technologie
This was GOLD my friend. It would have taken me 5 or 10 years with the manual and working with other hams to figure this out. DANKE!! 73
I’m glad you found it helpful. The Patreon team members made the video possible.
73, de N4HNH
Como nuevo propietario del FT-991a, voy a probarlos, gracias por el video
This has been a great learning experience. I played around with the setting tonight and used the mem and Ch1-CH5 to test and store each change and play them all back one at a time to determine the best clearest sound. Very happy with the outcome. Thanks very much!
You’re very welcome!
This is so helpful to a new 991a owner like me. Last week I was told by a friend to add more treble to my TX. Had no idea how...this is both timely and on point. Love your videos
Congratulations! The FT-991A is a great radio. It is so capable, on all levels.
73, de N4HNH
Great video Doug. I really appreciate you putting them out, I was looking at the DX10 but decided to go with the FT991A for my first radio. The 991A gets here Wednesday. Really looking forward to it. Once I feel somewhat comfortable with it I will be circling back around and purchasing a DX10 and watching more of your videos. Thanks again!!!
The operating techniques are the same for most radios. Knob, button, and menu style vary. You can learn techniques from the FTdx10 videos that carry over to the FT-991A. The first 39 tutorial videos are available via CZcams. There are 93 total at the moment. The others are available via my Patreon site. Yearly subscribers at upper tier membership can receive my menu optimizations guide for the FT-991A, FTdx10, FT-891, FTdx5000MP, FTdx101, or FT-710, delivered to their email. It covers more than just TX audio.
Wonderful indeed N4HNH as I did followed your settings with FT DX5000 and works great too with my FT DX1200. Many many many Thanks...
That’s great to hear Sonnyjr. The 1200, using the same DSP chip as the 5000, should work with the same parameters. I’m glad you got good results.
73, Doug
I gave it a try and surely your settings works great. very helpful video. Cheers...!
Thanks for letting me know Sonny! I appreciate knowing that I helped.
73, Doug
Thank You so much. Had Mic-EQ and Proc turned off! Lot's to learn with this rig. Thanks Again.
I’m glad you got it going. It is tricky. Great radio though.
73, de N4HNH
Just bought one yesterday to sit nice next to the DX10. I watched all your videos on ther radio and helped lots. Thanks
I’m glad you found my channel helpful. 73
As a new owner of the FT-991a, I am going to test them, thanks for the video
Congratulations Luis! The FT-991A is a great radio. All-mode on 70cm, 2m, and 6 through 160 meters. A world class receiver and great DSP. If I could only have one radio, it would be the FT-991A.
73, Doug
As a new FT-991a owner I am going to give these a try, thanks for the video
You might have to tweak a bit to tailor it to your voice. But I hope these settings get you close.
73, de N4HNH
Joel one additional question. If I am in a pile up and turn on the processor “PROC 30” should I leave the Mic EQ on ? I am thinking yes but wanted to make sure it wasn’t using the non P-eq settings
Thank you, I had already setteled on my Mic Gain=50 and Proc=30 by using the MEM/CH1,2, etc. to record and playback to test. You're settings make a great improvement.
I’m glad you found the video helpful and informative. Thanks for letting me know. 73, de N4HNH
Thanks, got very good reports after changing to this settings. 👍👍👍👍👍
I’m glad you liked the video.
Still relevant. I watched the video, adjusted my radio and broke thru a pile-up on the first station I called! This, despite hearing other radios at 9+! Thanks. 73 Tim KO4EZG.
That’s great to hear, Tim. I’m so glad you found the settings worked for you. They sometimes need to be tweaked slightly depending on the individual’s voice.
73, de N4HNH
That was excellent. Understanding the myriad of FT-991A features and capabilities is more daunting than studying for Extra exam. You probably saved me 6 months of trial and error. 73.
I’m glad you liked the video. 73
This was a GREAT video and helped get me off the ground using my 991A - and being new to the hobby! Willie KC3TXI
I’m glad you found the video helpful. The techniques I reach can be applied to most radios
You aren't making my decision for HF radio for me easier , your guidance in setting up and evaluating the 991A has been a great wealth of information. I've been tossing back and forth between the 991A and the IC-7300 which both seem to be fantastic radios for a first time base station purchase.
I hate to like Yaesu but the 991A has the better receiver and also covers 2m and 70cm. It has Contour, APF, and a better digital noise reduction too.
If you don’t care about having an all-in-one base station, and won’t be contesting or chasing rare DX, the IC-7300 makes a great casual use transceiver.
The 991A and 7300 are just two different classes of radio, each with its own distinction.
73, de N4HNH
I get a lot of compliments on my audio with my 991 on these settings.
That’s great to hear Andrew! Thanks for letting me know. 73, de N4HNH
I have added these settings to my yaesu ft-991a and they work brilliant, and added to my yaesu ftdx300 with comp at 30 and mic gain at 24 and I have had good audio reports from that. and thanks for the brilliant videos
That’s great Tony. Mic gain varies from radio to radio, and voice to voice. It’s a tough one to nail down. I had to run mic gain at 100 when I used my Heil PR-781 on my FT-920. The same mic on my FTdx5000MP works fine at a setting of 34.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio It's made a big difference as I'm only a M6 on 10 watts
@@n4hnhradio I have the 991A as well. I currently have the Yaesu M-70 microphone and get excellent reports but having an issue trying to get the PR-781 dialed in on the FT-991A. Dr. Heil currently has my PR-781 at his house and it tests out perfect so it has to be my Parametric EQ settings that need tweeked. My group on 75 meters say the 781 on my 991A doesn't sound quite right but I am a huge fan of the Heil Sound so I am determined to get it dialed in in this rig. Any guidance you may have would be appreciated. Thanks 73
Greg try the settings I show in this video:
czcams.com/video/wTY88ld0ZsI/video.html
I use a PR-781 with my FTdx5000MP. That should get you close. Heil mics take more work to EQ. They are full-range mics. You could use them to mic musical instruments. The Yaesu mics are tailored for 2-way radio and this have a narrower frequency range. They favor the spectrum of the human voice.
But, you can make a Heil sound great! I get nothing but compliments about my TX audio. My settings should get you close. Most newer Yaesu radios use virtually the same TX EQ design.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thank you Doug. Pretty cool that you are from Suwanee GA and I live in Suwannee County Florida .👍 I will try those settings when I get my 781 back from Dr. Heil. He truly is a great guy and I really love the Heil Sound that i hear from other operators and of course in the music industry. Quite impressive what Bob Heil has done in his lifetime.
Thank you again Doug. I have watched several of your other videos too. I made sure to like and subscribe as they are very informative. 73
Greg KT4RAM
Made the change to these settings a few days ago and ever since my received audio reports have been excellent. These should be in the instruction manual!
Great to hear! I receive occasional criticism about my settings. But I get way more thank-you comments, like yours. I think the complainers are trying to sound like an FM broadcaster. I gear my audio toward 2-way communications-quality. I want TX audio that can be heard in noisy band conditions or during emergency conditions. The broadcast audio isn't going to reliably cut through in those situations. My audio taper is a balance between rag chew audio and the type of audio needed to break a DX pileup. That way I don't need to change my audio between rag chewing or working DX. 73, de N4HNH
Spoke to K2TRD in New York this morning for 35mins. He said he has heard quite a few FT-991A’s on the air and mine was one of the best sounding. All thanks to you. 2i0ROC, 73’s.
That’s great! I’m glad I could help in a small way. 73, de N4HNH
Thank You very much.
You’re quite welcome!
73, de N4HNH
Thank you sir ♡♡♡
🤜🏻👍🤛🏻
Great info
Thank you! 73, de N4HNH
Thank You!
You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH
Another wonderful video Doug; thank you so much! John 2E0SVB
You’re welcome, John!
Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Thank you !!!!
You’re welcome!
Great video. Since I have received 2 or 3 years back a Heil HM-12 microphone with the purchase of my 991A, I am just now starting to take an interest in it and want to get it set up for the best comms possible. Most have said that it sounds decent but seems to be missing some of the mid ranges and highs. I will try your settings and see what happens. Sadly there is no videos that specifically show the Heil HM-12 microphone with the 991A
The settings in the FT-991A video are for the hand mic, with its switch set to 2 (high emphasis). They probably won’t work very well with a Heil mic. They usually work with a Ysesu MD-100 desk microphone though.
I’m afraid I don’t have an HM-12 to try. You could maybe try the settings I use for the Heil PR-781 with the FTdx5000MP and see how close that gets. There is a video about that in the playlist for the FTdx5000MP. In general, with a Heil, you run a bandwidth of 100-2900 or 200-2800, cut 200 Hertz, boost 900 Hz, and 2400 Hz. Use a bandwidth of 2 with the low and mid frequency parametrics. Use a bandwidth of 1 for the high frequency parametric.
After you configure the EQ parameters, ask a friend who knows your voice to listen and see if you sound like you. You might need to make slight tweaks. More highs or less highs, more mids or less mids, more lows or less lows.
The settings I use for my FTdx5000MP with the Heil PR-781 are:
Menu# Setting
104. 100-2900
152. 200
153. -4
154. 2
155. 900
156. 1
157. 2
158. 2400
159. 9
160. 1
161. 200
162. -4
163. 2
164. 900
165. 3
166. 2
167. 2400
168. 10
169. 1
Mic volume set at 34 (this is likely to be different with other Yaesu radios)
Processor set at 16 (this is another that will vary with other radios, but be careful not to go too high)
Hint: Menus 161 through 169 control the audio settings for when the speech processor is enabled. I only enable the processor when trying to break a DX pileup. Note that 900Hz is boosted to a level of 3, which will accentuate the midrange of your voice. This can be helpful when trying to break through a pileup.
73, de N4HNH
thank you and 73
You’re welcome. The Patreon team long-haulers deserve the credit. Without them this channel would have ceased in 2021.
You are the man
I don’t know about that, but I do my best to help people get the most from whichever transceiver they use. My channel is mostly about operating techniques that can be applied to most transceivers.
I thank the members of the Patreon team who fund this channel. They make the public videos possible as well as the videos and other content that are exclusively for them.
Thank you for your Video. I would add how to listen to your transmissions by using the MONI. See page 74 in the manual.
I’ve covered that in other videos but it isn’t representative of how you actually sound after you modulate the transmitter and get demodulated on the receiving end. What you hear in the headphones is directly from the DSP, pre-transmitter.
i know right out of the box the ftdx10 has settings that need to be changed.........what sounds settings should one change.
as soon as you get the radio , what is the first things one should do......your answers are concise.
Pretty similar to what I show for the FTdx10. TX equalization first, then RX shelving, APF to narrow, NB to narrow, slow AGC to 2300ms. I cover these and many more, in much more detail, in the menu optimizations document available to Executive and VIP Patreon supporters.
73, de N4HNH
Hi Doug, I return back to this video after I found an uncovered a bug with the 991a radio. So check this out you set up your eq enable the eq and use the hand mic or any other mic connected to the mic port with the push to talk switch, all works fine as in you hear your EQ settings enabled. I run my radios in VOX most often with my mic on a boom. The bug I found is that when you Key this radio with your voice in VOX mode the EQ function even though enabled your EQ settings are completely flat as in the EQ is off even though they are selected on. I’ve written to Yaesu of course they wrote back and told me the old defacto reset my radio which I did set it back up again and I see the same issue. Basically you cannot use your EQ settings while using vox on the 991a. I’ve written back to Yaesu and ask them to reproduce this themselves and fix it in the next code release if they ever have one??? I first made this obvious observation using the radios monitor mode with headphones and then confirmed listening via another radios RX. Try it out if you still have the 991a. No EQ’d audio out while operating with VOX :(
Wow! I don’t have a 991A to try. I never tried VOX with it. I’ve used VOX with the FTdx10 and it works well. I was using the Heil Proset Elite 6 headphones.
I wonder if this is the first time Yaesu has been told about it? I mean, the 991A has been around a while. You would think this had been reported before.
Thanks for sharing. You might help solve someone else’s mystery.
73, Doug
Yes, at first Yaesu put me off as a novice user and replied with the preformatted “reset your radio” std response. I did this of course no change in issue. I detailed the issue for them on how to reproduce etc and they wrote back confirming the bug. We’ll see if they get a fix in and release it to us with others bug fixes. It’s a nice rig but does have bugs and oddities in operation. Of note EQ is completely non functional for FM 2m operation. Using a UR6QW V7 EQ box to get around it all for now which is an excellent all in one radio EQ BTW. 73’s Paul
I’ve looked at those EQs. I almost bought one for my FT-920. It has such limited EQ. But once I put the Heil PR-781 on it, I didn’t need the EQ.
73, de N4HNH
That Moni button will allow you to hear yourself. Best to find an unused frequency and some headphones. Works great.
The monitor can help get you in the ballpark. Transmit into a dummy load while setting. But the monitor is tapping into the audio circuit. It doesn’t provide an accurate representation of what you sound like at 2.8kHz bandwidth over a modulated/demodulated sideband signal.
The best way I have found to hear myself more accurately is to listen through headphones plugged into a separate radio. Disconnect the antenna from the receiving radio and turn on ATT and IPO. If the signal is a little too low, bend a paper clip and stick it into the center of the antenna connector. This method allows you to hear what you sound like after modulating a sideband transmitter and having that signal demodulated.
I have also recorded myself using one of the online web SDR sites. But I find those are not as accurate as listening through another radio.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thanks for the info, love your videos. 73 de N4EJM
Thanks for the video! As a new tech for just a week now I just received the 991A and am setting it up. At times it would really be nice to have a printed version of your settings for quick references. .....just a humble suggestion. KD9MSP
I will try to put that together and create a PDF for Patreons to download. I already have the glossary that explains some of the common terminology, Q codes, and all the knobs and buttons on a radio. There is also a SOTA Primer available. I will try to compile a list of the key settings I use for each radio.
73, de N4HNH
The document for the FT-991A is now available to Executive level and VIP level Patreon supporters of N4HNH Radio. If you are a current Patreon supporter the document is available as a downloadable PDF. Please do not share. It is a special perk for those who support my channel.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thank you loads sir!
Nice Video How about one on the rx audio of the FT-991a
Let me see what I can do. The FT-991A was a loaner. There are some receive audio tapering capabilities. I thought I covered that, but maybe not. Did you check the other FT-991A videos?
73, de N4HNH
Hi Doug, regarding the Three band TX EQ. An oddity is that with the “Q” setting for each band. On my ftdx-1200 and ftdx-3000 the Q number is actually the reverse of how you explained it here for the 991 but I’d bet the same for the 991 and 891 with 3 band EQ’s. Not sure but possibly unlike the ftdx-5000. You would thing a high number Q would actually broaden the application at a given frequency. It does not it narrows it. A setting of one is broad and a setting of 10 is narrow peaked at the selected frequency. How do I know this? One by ear and two if you load the yaesu control software and open the EQ section for adjust via PC you will clearly see in the parametric EQ graph just what I shared when rolling the Q from 1 to 10. Moving to 10 draws the selected level at a given frequency to a narrow peak at that selected frequency. An Q of 1 creates a very wide lazy slope out effecting frequencies left and right of selected frequency. Yes I agree this intuitively and logically seems backwards. Check it out yourself. Cheers.
Yes, I explained the discrepancy in one of the FTdx10 videos. Maybe I said it backwards in the FT-991 video. I don’t remember. Yaesu calls the control width, leaving one to believe that 1 is narrow and 10 is wide. That is not the case. Q relates to the “Quality” of a filter. The higher the number, the higher the quality, yielding a more narrow bandpass.
The Heil mics require the broad settings of 1 or 2 while the Yaesu mics need only a minor, targeted, tweak at 300, 1300, and 2400 Hertz for my voice. The Yaesu mics are already optimized for the AM/SSB communications audio spectrum, so the higher Q setting (10), more narrow is appropriate.
73, de N4HNH
Great and VERY useful video Doug!!! 👍 FT-991A is fantastic rig for mobile and I just bought HEIL Proset Elite with dynamic element HC6. Do you have and advice or experience for transmit audio settings??? Thank you for video and answer in advance! Best regards, S51X
I’m awaiting an adapter so I can connect the headset. I have the Proset Elite. But I need the modular adapter. Then I plan to shoot a video.
You could try the settings used in the video and then tweak according to your voice. I find that with Heil mics I usually must cut 200-300 Hz but boost 900 and 2400 Hz.
If you subscribe and click the bell, you will be notified when I upload a video. I hope to have the adapter within a week or two.
73, de N4HNH
Try these settings as a starting point. These are the EQ settings I used for the Proset Elite with my FTdx5000.
Set TX BPF to 200-2800.
Parametric EQ 1: 200Hz, level -4, bandwidth 2
Parametric EQ 2: 900Hz, level 0, bandwidth 2
Parametric EQ 3: 2400Hz, level +10, bandwidth 2
P Parametric EQ 1: 200Hz, level -2, bandwidth 2
P Parametric EQ 2: 900Hz, level +2, bandwidth 2
P Parametric EQ 3: 2400Hz, level +10, bandwidth 2
Try mic gain at 40 for AM, 35 for SSB, and 15 for FM. Set Processor level to 20.
You might need to fine tune for your own voice after these initial settings.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thank you Doug really! Super,yes with a pleasure will watch your next video.👍👌 Take care!!!
I want to thank you for your video on the 991A it was great SO what is the ALC and how do I set it up? is their a video on it?
ALC is “Automatic Level Control.” It is used in conjunction with an amplifier, to help prevent you from over-driving the amp. A cable connection between the amplifier and the radio provides a signal back to the radio to tell it to cut drive power when the amplifier is being over-driven.
The ALC meter can be used to adjust your mic gain to a setting that hopefully won’t over-drive your amplifier.
I don’t use ALC, even for my amplifier. It can cause problems too. The manufacturer of my solid-state amplifier recommends that ALC not be connected.
I ask a friend of mine listen to me over the airwaves and I carefully adjust my mic gain until I’m loud enough but not distorted. With most Yaesu radios, a microphone gain setting of between 20 and 50 will work. The optimum settings for my voice usually end up in the 30 to 40 range.
73, de N4HNH
You do know that you can record your voice and even hear your voice by using the MONI (monitor) function and hear how you sound with the mic eq on and the proc on and off. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Yes, I do. I’ve mentioned it in various videos while explaining that you can use that method to get close. But that is how you sound according to the DSP audio parameters. It isn’t how you sound after you modulate the transmitter and the receiving station demodulates your signal. My settings get you close, so you don’t need headphones. You need a friend you trust to listen and perhaps record you so you can decide if my settings are close enough for your voice.
Doug, I have a FTdx1200 would the FT-991a audio settings be the closest to the 1200? Thanks
The TX EQ for Yaesu radios is very similar. So yes, the FT-991A settings should get you fairly close for using a Yaesu mic. Then tailor to your own voice.
If you are using a Heil mic, try the settings I posted for my FTdx5000MP. It uses the same DSP chip as the FTdx1200.
73, de N4HNH
Can all this be done on a mixer instead or would you recommend setting the mixer setting neutral and using the radio settings first?
An external mixer is not necessary, and it adds another device/wires into the audio chain that RF can get into. The two 3-band parametric equalizers are more than enough to create stellar communications quality audio. After all, we are only needing to EQ a maximum of 3kHz of bandwidth. I use 2.4 to 2.6kHz maximum. Some radio manufacturers only provide a bass and treble adjustment for TX audio. It is usually enough, if you use a microphone made by the same company that made the radio.
I am using this radio with the optional MH-36E8J DMF Mic. I use this radio mostly for VHF & UHF FM modes. I use this DTMF Mic because I like to dial echolink nodes with it. Now other stations say I sound horrible with this mic (As compared to the standard MH-31A8J Mic) They say I have to much bass and am muffled. What page in the user Manuel do I go to, to adjust FM Mic transmit audio ?
There is no FM specific TX audio EQ, only the 3-band parametric equalizers for SSB/AM.
The MH-36 microphone uses a different element than the MH-31, so it will very likely sound different.
Some people have reported RF feedback issues with the MH-36, requiring snap-on Ferrite chokes.
You might find some additional helpful information here: www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=5833
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Unfortuntly the MH 36 is the only one with a DTMF key pad when doing Echolink on FM VHF UHF repeaters.
I'm considering buying an FT991a and want to use it to do the local 2 meter nets. I was wondering if the parametric eq affects the FM transmit audio or just SSB and AM.
Just SSB and AM. SSB and AM are kissing cousins. SSB is just one of the AM sidebands minus the carrier. So the EQ is shared.
Great video! I thought you had a video on your RX settings for the 991a and the 891?
The detailed settings for those two radios are available in PDF form, for the Executive and VIP Patreon team members. There is content available via Patreon that doesn’t appear here on the channel.
There are other videos about the FT-891 and FT-991A. They each have their own playlist.
Very smart idea! I did program my 891 with your receive settings and was that a big help this weekend when I did POTA and Winter Field Day at the same time!
Will be subscribing this weekend to your Patron for more great trips
Thank you
MATT N3VAN
I’m glad to hear of your Field Day success. I’ve heard from 3 others that the TX audio, receive settings, and filtering techniques I show in the videos, helped them have a more successful Field Day. One guy just told me that he used his FTdx10 next to a bunch of other radios and he was able to use the width and shift techniques to block interference from them much better than in the past . He then hooked up his KX3 and used the same techniques with almost the same degree of success. I’m so glad people are letting me know that I haven’t wasted my time doing this. It’s also nice that they are applying the techniques I teach to other transceivers with success.
73, Doug
Can you do a video on the best receive set ups on the 991A
The FT-991A was a loaner. I only had it for a limited time. However, I did capture the menu parameters that I use for TX and RX in a menu optimizations PDF that is available for those who help keep this channel up and running as Executive and VIP Patreon team members.
Excellent video, thanks but I am confused by what you said regarding the Processor EQ3. "The bandwidth is set at "1" as we don't want things too wide."
I was (maybe mistakenly) under the impression that the "BWTH" setting was "Q". In which case a lower number produces increased bandwidth and a higher number, reduced bandwidth for that section? Maybe the opposite of what seems obvious?
Perhaps you can clear this up for me.
It is Q even though Yaesu calls it bandwidth. 10 is narrow and 1 is wide. It fooled Bob Heil too. I don’t think he has fixed his web site yet.
No matter, the settings I use are what I found work best for a Yaesu hand mic, adjusting as needed according to your own voice. But these settings should get close. The extra width is needed for EQ3. The TX BPF will keep the width from going outside the 3kHz courtesy limit.
Here is a video where I explained the confusion related to Yaesu calling this bandwidth and not explaining that 1 isn’t narrow but wide.
czcams.com/video/WO_MtIwUYN4/video.html
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thanks. Yaesu has a lot to answer for as this misinformation has spread more than COVID :-)
In all their manuals, they label the bandwidth as Q and in all their radios, they label Q as BWTH.
I agree. Manuals aren’t perfect; from any of the manufacturers. At least Yaesu gives us better EQ capabilities than most. But unraveling how to use it can be problematic. That’s why I made that video. Most people, including me, trusted what Bob Heil said about it. I wish he would correct it on his web site. It has caused confusion.
However, regardless of whether we call it Q or bandwidth, we just adjust until the audio is good. We know that Heil mics are going to require a low Q setting (1 or 2) in general.
73, de N4HNH
Tnxs try it for DX1200
Thank you very much , my question is, whether Yaesu FT-991A TX Audio Settings can also be applied to Yaesu FT-991 thank you in advance
The transmitter is the same on both versions of FT-991. So yes, the same TX EQ settings apply. In fact these TX audio settings came from a FT-991. I helped my friend Joel set it up. Then when he bought a FT-991A, he used the same settings from the FT-991.
But remember that these are only a starting point. You should then tweak to match your voice.
73, de N4HNH
Is it possible to turn up the volume on the FT-991A internal speaker? I must have missed that in reading the manual.
The AF Gain knob sets the volume.
Bass boost uses lots of your xmtr power, but actually decreases intelligibility... while mid and highs to 3000 or so carry the most information. It is very hard on the transmitter and amplifier to run boosted lows, and turns your signal into garbage under even moderately poor condx of qsb, multi-path phase distorton etc.
czcams.com/video/6p51OCW0VPc/video.htmlsi=yu4D6WnD2246ICIX
Normally I use the 991A on HF but tried VHF FM operation and discovered nothing seems to tell you proper set mic level in FM mode- Manual did not explain HOW to know setting for proper deviation level. Changing the MIC GAIN level is easy.... but knowing what value to set to becomes the question assuming you have no radio to monitor output. In HF mode USB is set using ALC and COMP settings on meter, so how can we determine proper settings for MIC GAIN in FM mode?
FM is frequency modulation so an ALC meter, wattmeter, and the like won’t help you. They are responding to changes in amplitude.
I usually just ask a friend to get on the air with me and see how I sound. I think with my FT-2980R I boosted the mic gain one increment. With my ICOM IC-880H, there are only two options for mic gain and the default works best for me.
It will be best to have someone who knows you listen over the air though.
My friend Joel uses his FT-991A as his VHF/UHF base station and as a backup HF base station. He sounds great using FM mode with the factory default settings. In fact, his FM audio is some of the best I’ve ever heard.
73, Doug
Hello Jonathan. I find your videos very interesting, especially on the FT991A that I recently purchased. So I just subscribed to your channel. My problem is that by making the settings as described, I noticed that after 90 watts to 100 watts of power from the FT991A, I have the ALC indicator which goes down to "0" . On the other hand, on the TRX PO indicator we can clearly see the normal power signal. For information I have an MD-100 stand microphone. Do you have a solution to my problem or is this normal? Kind regards 73. Joël/F8MGW.
Read page 62 of the FT-991A Operating Manual, especially the upper left paragraph. It's under the heading named "Advice". It starts with the words, "ALC meter deflection may be caused by excessive drive power, but also by reflected power detected in the antenna system."
Tks fer information. 73's. @@n4hnhradio
What settings do you recommend for someone who has Parkinsons? I'm trying to help another ham set up his FT 991A for HF. I got a radio check from another ham in Knoxville and said I sounded loud and clear. I handed the microphone over to the gentleman who I was helping and the ham in Knoxville could not hear him. He's soft spoken, which doesn't help out a whole lot.
I'm an Icom kinda guy, and trying to get up a Yaesu is a different animal all together. Yaesu isn't as user-friendly in my experience. Any advice would be great.
Thanks for the video. It's going to help me out the next time I get over there to help getting it up and running 100%. All most done with it, just need to have the radio set up for his voice.
73, W4ISB.
The settings in this video are for a Yaesu hand mic or MD-100 desk mic. They are tailored for my voice but I have been told by many that they worked them as-is. I don’t know why it should be any different for someone with Parkinsons, other than maybe increasing the mic gain of their voice is weak.
73, de N4HNH
I can't remember the mic gain settings. Next time I'm over there, I'll pull up this video and get the same settings put in. Hopefully, it'll work out for him.
My friend N7UG recommended this to me as i have the 991a. Thanks for the video...How well will these settings work with the M-1 ?
The M-1 has equalization. It isn’t really necessary, unless you want to equalize the electret condenser element separately from the dynamic element. I would set EQ to bypass. Use the dynamic element for rag chew. Switch the low-cut on for breaking pileups. If you haven’t purchased an M-1, save your money. You could buy a good antenna for $650. The M-70 is fine for any Yaesu radio, because of the parametric equalizers in the radio. And the M-70 was selling for $145 the last time I checked.
@@n4hnhradio thanks N7ZXG
Good video, could you do one with a Radio Sport headset?
I don’t have a Radio Sport headset. I have a Heil headset. But, you’re right. The EQ settings are typically very different for headset microphones.
I will try to get with Joel and see how close we can get with the Heil headset.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio such a shame your audio settings for the standard mic works really well
I need the best settings for VOX, menu numbers 143, 144, & 145 for SSB mode if you have them? Do you have a video on that or can you email mel the settings that work best with a Yaesu MD-100A8X desktop microphone to me at the email I have listed on QRZ? I don't use the parametric EQ because all my friends say I sound better without it. I do however use the Filter on the bottom of the MD-100 with High Emphasis on and Low Cut set to position 2. Thanks and "Very 73 de KU4GW".
The settings can vary according to your voice. I actually find that the default settings are pretty good, though I might turn the delay (Menu 144) down from 500msec to 300 or 400msec. Menu 142 will need to be set to Mic for SSB. You might need to adjust Menu 143 according to your voice. This is the VOX gain setting. The default is 50. If the VOX circuit is triggering reliably at 50, I would suggest leaving it alone. If it is sometimes missing the first word, or first syllable of a word, try a higher setting, in 5 percent increments. It shouldn’t take too much.
I hope this helps.
73, de N4HNH
how come my menu settings don't match up with yours? I'm about 1 or 2 off from your meneu settings
Probably a difference in firmware versions.
73, de N4HNH
Wondering please if you have audio setting for FT DX1200?
Thanks Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.. 🙏
The FTdx1200 uses the same DSP chip as the FTdx5000MP. I’m pretty sure I published a video about that in the FTdx5000MP playlist. But those settings are for a Heil PR-781. The DSP in the FTdx5000MP just loves the Heil PR-781.
For Yaesu mics, I set the TX BPF to 300-2700 and I boost 300, 1300, and 2400 Hertz, generally with a high Q factor. The Yaesu microphones are already tailored for 2-way radio audio frequencies, but equalization still helps.
73 and Merry Christmas, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Your wonderful. Grateful for this reply. 73
How does the 991 compare to the ftdx10 in your opinion. Is the price worth it.
I shot some comparison videos. The FT-991A is a strong contender on HF. It is no slouch at all. It covers all modes, from 160 through 6 meters, 2m and 70cm. It’s probably the ultimate rig for portable use, installed as a mobile, or as a base station when you can only have one radio. It also has backlit buttons, which is nice when mobile at night.
But for HF, the nod goes to the FTdx10. It has better sensitivity and selectivity, better digital noise reduction, a better display, and it can directly drive an external monitor.
But, to keep this in perspective, the FT-991A is better than any radio I know of for less than $1699. It’s receiver is world class. It is based upon the FTdx series receivers. It’s just that the FTdx10 is a little more advanced, with its hybrid architecture and newer DSP.
I hope this helps. I recommend that you watch all of the videos that feature the FT-991A.
73, de N4HNH
Great video. Thank you thank you thank you. Question; if I am setting up the M-1 microphone, how does that affect the settings on the 991A? Keep up the great work.i have just subscribed and liked and hit the bell Have fun, stay safe and stay healthy.
The M-1 has dual elements and a built-in EQ. It would be redundant to use much equalization from the microphone and also use the parametric equalization in the radio. I would use the radio’s parametric EQ first. If any additional “tweaks” are deemed necessary, then adjust the EQ on the M-1.
Using the parametric EQ settings in the radio first, as I show in the video, provides a good starting point for a Yaesu hand mic or Yaesu dynamic desk mic. Then, if needed, touch it up with the EQ in the M-1. Just remember that you can have too much of a good thing. Don’t boost too much. You really only need to be concerned with the frequency range of 300 to 3,000 Hertz. That’s the frequency range most occupied by the human voice. Boosting frequencies above 3,000 or below 300 Hz isn’t really necessary.
You might want to look for a video I posted about spectral density. That will provide some insight into maximizing EQ and bandwidth for SSB communications.
I hope this helps.
73, de N4HNH
Wow. Thank you for the quick response. I have not purchased the M-1 yet. I would like to have a decent desk mic that would provide some flexibility if need be.......Then I saw this video and was questioning myself if I need to purchase the M-1. I am interested in your thoughts and opinions. Thank you again.
I use a MD-100. It is plenty good. I think it has been replaced by the M-70.
73, de N4HNH
Thank you. I will use your comment as advice and get the 100 instead.
How come on my radio my SSB TX BPF is at 112,and yours is at 110?
I assume you are referring to the menu numbers. That can vary according to firmware version. The radio I was using was a loaner and the firmware might have been older, or newer, than yours.
73, de N4HNH
Question: If the radio's TX BFP is set to 300-2700, how would boosting 2800 by 8 have any effect if the radio won't even transmit it? Or maybe I missed something?
The filters aren’t a brick wall. There is bleed-through. Think of it as a type of hysteresis.
With other Yaesu’s I found 2400 was the sweet spot for my voice. As I recall, I was setting the FT-991A up for my friend Joel’s voice, strictly judging by how he sounded over the air. I normally boost 2400 for my voice. But, with the 991A and it’s hand mic, I guess 2800 worked well, to put the extra sizzle on the audio of my friend Joel’s voice. With the width set to 1, the Q of the filter is low (wide), affecting frequencies above and below the set frequency. I clarified that in the video description.
I suggest that you watch video #4 in the FTdx10 playlist to learn more about adjusting TX audio. I go into more depth in that video. The parameters in that video might even work better for your voice. They are the parameters I use, and, apparently, I have a very generic voice. Many people tell me that those parameters worked perfectly for their voice, without any modifications.
With the FTdx10, I never turn the processor off. So I run a “best overall” type of equalization parameters in the P-Parametric category. I also turn the speech processor down to 15 or 17, 20 maximum.
@@n4hnhradio Thank you so much, I forgot that this isn't a brick wall as you say. If I'm not mistaken the cutoff frequency for a filter is the -3db point so there should be some bleedthrough
Not only the filter pass-through, but my friend Joel arrived at these settings as I listened and made suggestions. These settings worked well for his voice. The science gets us close but then we tweak for the individual’s voice. I have helped numerous S9 (VIP) Patreon long-haulers adjust their audio to best match their voice. That is a perk that S9 (VIP) long-haulers get.
Just hooked up a 991a today.. but it doesn't seem yo transmit. I get the red icon yo indicating it's transmitting, but no power going out it seems... any thoughts?
If the red LED is blinking, you might be on a frequency that doesn’t fall within an amateur band. You didn’t say which mode you are using, but you won’t have any SSB power output unless your mic gain is turned up. Even better, equalize the TX audio as I show on this channel.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I think that was my problem!
First time trying the 991 and was listening in on a local CB frequency. Tuner wasn't working as well
But things seem fine on 20 m Band.
Thank you for the quick reply!
You’re very welcome! Yaesu helps keep us from losing our license by preventing transmit outside of the amateur bands.
73, de N4HNH
What about any receive audio adjustments. Rx audio on mine sounds tinny. 73
I cover more details in the PDF that is available for download at: www.PATREON.com/N4HNH
There are some audio shelving filters that can help.
73, de N4HNH
on mine PRMTRC EQ2 band width only shows 9 is that the same as 900 in yours?
my mistake I was at the wrong setting
Glad you found it. 73, de N4HNH
Great video!!! I have ftdx5000mp limited and heil pro 7 headset and your video helped me get everyone my modulationt say she is perfect ! Is it possible for you to make a new video with the ft991a and the same Heil Pro 7 headset settings so that the voice be perfect on that station as well, because the 991a serves me for field work and when i go in the mountains... 73 de 9A1MC
The Heil settings are covered in a document that I give to annual S7 or S9 Patreon members. It is called FT-991A menu optimizations.
I got my FT-991A since two days and I noticed that my SSB mic gain/ALC meter reading differs per band. Is this normal? My other radios don't do that and since the mic gain setting is global, changing it when switching bands is kinda weird (I use a dummy load for setting proper ALC levels).
Philipp, that seems strange. There are different settings for mic gain according to mode, but not band. Is the processor engaged?
73, Doug
@@n4hnhradio No, it's not enabled. I ran the same test on my FT-891 and it behaves as expected. On the FT-991A, for example on 7.100 MHz a mic gain of 20 is good, on 14.200 I get the same ALC meter readings at 25 :/
@@n4hnhradio Also on 50.150 MHz my ALC meter reads zero on CW/FM at 100 W. Haven't seen that either. Slightly reducing power or increasing the freqeuncy fixes that
I notice slightly less output power on 20m and higher, versus 40m, on most radios in general. The radios are aligned at 14 MHz, but the finals are more efficient at 7 MHz.
You might want to talk to Rodger at Yaesu technical support. He personally owns a FT-991A. Call (714) 827-7600, extension 1223.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio thank you. I contacted my dealer here in Germany about it now, but I will keep that in mind. I measured the power levels with a pep hold meter and that looked OK... 73 de DL6PT
Need you as an elmer. Can't seem to get my 991A set correctly. About ready to get rid of it. My voice is deep and raspy so that does not help me.
Are you using the settings from this video? They are for the stock Yaesu hand mic. And they might only get you close. You have to tweak for your own voice.
I don’t suggest getting rid of your FT-991A. That transceiver has more than enough capabilities for tailoring TX audio. It has two separate sets parametric equalizers, one for when you are using the speech processor and one for when not.
If your voice is deep, don’t boost the low frequencies as much. Be sure that the BPF is set to 300-2700 (menus 110 thru 112). Don’t boost 300 Hz too much (EQ1 or menu 119). Try a width (Q factor) of 1 or 2 for your deep voice. I don’t know your voice so it is hard to guess. You might require a more focused filter. So also try a width of 8 to 10.
You can try boosting either 900, 1200, or 1300 Hz by 2 or 3 for more clarity, using EQ2 (menus 122 thru 124). It depends on your voice but many find 1300 to be a “sweet spot”. Use a width of 2.
Also try boosting in the range of 2000 to 2400 Hz at 7 to 10 to add more intelligibility, using EQ3 (menus 125 thru 127). This will help for breaking a pileup. Try a width of 8 or 1. It depends upon your voice. 8 is high-Q or narrow width. It will focus more on the frequency you choose. Get a friend to listen. Once you decide which frequency between 2000 and 2400 works best for your voice, decide whether you need a width of 1 or 8 for your voice. With a deep voice, 1 might be better. 1 is is low-Q or wide. It will affect more frequencies above and below the frequency you set in EQ3.
Be sure to make these settings for both EQ sets. If you use the speech processor, the TX audio equalization will come from menus 128 through 136. If you will only use the processor to work DX pileups, set 2400 Hz at level 10 with width at 8 (menus 134 thru 136). Set 129 and 142 to 0 (zero); no boost or cut.
Hopefully these adjustments will get you close.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Started with these setting and moved up & down. Using Heil Pro Set Elite headset. The more I adjust the worse it seems to get. I can email my setting to you - email address on QRZ KO4DZZ.
The settings in my video are for Yaesu mics. They won’t work with Heil at all.
The settings for a Proset Elite are included in the menu optimizations PDF for the FTdx10. They can apply to other Yaesu transceivers. There are four such documents, one for FT-891, FT-991A, FTdx5000, and FTdx10. But these downloadable documents are only available to Patreon supporters of the N4HNH Radio CZcams channel. They are one of the benefits I make available as a thank you for those who make my channel possible.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio OK Thanks
Let me help point you in the right direction for the Heil Proset Elite. Cut the lows, boost the mids a bit, and boost the highs a lot.
73, de N4HNH
SALUT J AI mon ft-991a qui a l'analyseur de spectre que j'arrive pas à faire fonctionner.73 François.
My MIC-EQ and PROC buttons are grayed out.
What frequency? Which mode?
@@n4hnhradio 2m FM
Mic EQ and speech processing are for SSB. The mic EQ also affects AM because AM uses both sidebands.
If a choice is grayed out, it means it isn’t applicable for the mode you are using.
Doug do you have some sort of relationship with Yeasu? You are so loyal to their brand. Just wondering.
No relationship whatsoever. I hate to like Yaesu. In fact, I had a “disgustion” with a Yaesu guy two days ago. It became heated. You would think I called his baby ugly. I don’t want to like Yaesu. I’ve addressed this several times on this channel.
When I was looking for a new base station in 2019, I walked in to buy a brand other than Yaesu. I had already decided on a particular radio, based upon research and testimonials. But I wanted to try it for myself at my local HRO. As I tried out the radio, I noticed a FTdx5000MP sitting nearby. I decided to try it. I was pleasantly shocked at how low the noise floor was and how well it pulled out the same weak signal as the other radio, but with less noise and more clarity. So I decided to thoroughly test the other radios in the store before making a final decision. After 8 months of sitting there for 2-3 hours every 2-3 weeks, trying every radio against the other, listening to the same signals using the same antennas, I walked out with the FTdx5000MP. I still believe it to be the pinnacle of HF radio. I think it is best ever made.
Sadly, Yaesu discontinued the FTdx5000MP a couple of months ago. I don’t completely blame Yaesu for discontinuing it. The new buzzword is SDR and Yaesu has jumped on that bandwagon. But, in the credit where credit is due department, they have made SDR better with their hybrid architecture. I still prefer superheterodyne, but I won’t go into that here. I’ve covered it before. But I will say that I prefer the 5000 over any SDR, and even over the Yaesu hybrids, though the hybrids are my second choice.
I hope to grow this channel to the point where manufacturers, like Yaesu, will take note and listen when I pass along comments and suggestions from my viewers, rather than acting like I called their baby ugly, which is what happened two days ago. But, even if there is room for improvement, when I am spending my money, I usually get the most for it from a Yaesu radio.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I agree with you that the 5000 is the best radio on the market. Also 200W is very nice to have. I'm new to your channel so do not know the back ground of which you speak. In best value for the money the questions remains, is the FRDX10 worth a 70% cost premium over the 7300?
Hi Lee! I shot comparison videos of the 7300 and the FTdx10. They really shouldn’t be compared. I did it at the request of some viewers. They are two different classes of radio. The 7300 is a great radio for the casual operator. The FTdx10 is contest class. It can pull the weakest signals out with clarity and it can handle crowded band conditions like a boss.
The digital noise reduction is as good as the FTdx5000. The weakness is the DNF. It can introduce some distortion. The NB is good, but like all noise blankers, it can degrade the receiver if set too high. It is best to stop noise at its source though. Noise blankers and DNF should be used as a band-aid only, until the noise source is cleared.
Sherwood Engineering lists the FTdx10 as the 3rd best receiver ever tested. Technically, it is number two. If you read the footnotes, the Flex 6700 they tested was a one-off at 108dB RMDR. All Flex radios since then, including the 6700, have tested at 99dB. The FTdx10 is a consistent 107dB. Number one is the FTdx101D, it’s big dual-receive brother.
I shot a series of videos all about the FTdx10. Look for the FTdx10 Playlist on my channel.
And yes, the 200W from the FTdx5000MP is nice. I often don’t even turn on my amplifier.
73, de N4HNH
Lee, I forgot to answer the best value question fully. I believe the FT-991A is the best value in all of amateur radio. The receiver holds up well against the FTdx5000MP and the FTdx10, and the FT-991A is all-mode, from 160 through 6 meters, 2 meters, and 70 centimeters.
The display isn’t as nice as the one on the IC-7300 but, this is radio - signals need to be heard more so than viewed on a screen. If a receiver cannot pull the station out of the noise or separate it from QRM, seeing it on the display is useless. The FT-991A has a very similar receiver architecture to that of the FTdx5000MP.
73, Doug
@@n4hnhradio Thank you for your thoughts on the 991A. I'll check it out.
Look at my mic in the dark, lol
I’m sorry you didn’t find the video helpful. Maybe someone else has a better video of what your looking for.
73, de N4HNH
Got horrible reports about the FM audio.
These settings are for SSB and AM. They have nothing to do with FM.
Getting bad reports about FM audio sounding muffled and low.
Try setting the mic switch to position 2.
2.4k is to narrow. 2.8 is getting better. 3.0 is velvet
2.4kHz yields the best power spectral density while still delivering good 2-way communications audio. 2.6 is as wide as I ever go. Beyond that is unnecessary. It gets too close to the 3kHz separation we are supposed to afford one another.
I understand, when the band is crowded but this day in age the bands are relatively empty. I go 3k and never get complaints. When I need the extra oomph I got to a secondary setting which is 2.6 which does the job for dx and weak signal comm
Enjoy!
Too much emphasis on voice processing
Most hams run only 100w or less. You have to make those watts count. That’s where processing comes in. 100w with proper EQ and processing will beat 100w without. Ceteris paribus of course
Yak Yak Yak. Tired of Ham expert guys telling their entire life story before any possible real info.
You will definitely be happier watching videos on a different channel.