Unboxing the Yaesu FT-710 AESS (video #9 in this series)
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- čas přidán 10. 10. 2022
- #yaesu #ft-710 #hamradio #hf #sdr #tutorial
I’ve had a number of requests to shoot a video series about the Yaesu FT-710 AESS, similar to my FTdx10 series. Ham Radio Outlet loaned me a Yaesu FT-710 AESS for just that purpose.
In this video I will unbox the transceiver, set it up, power it up, and make some initial settings and observations. You might pick up an operating tip or two as well. You know me, I’m all about operating technique.
I did find something disappointing about the FT-710 AESS. I talk about it in the video. In future videos, we will go into more detail, especially critiquing the new NXR Semiconductors DSP. Hint: There seems to be improvement in one aspect of the DSP but a step backwards for another aspect of the DSP. There is no CW decoder.
I believe that the FPGA (SDR chip) used is the ARTIX-7, from the XC7A50T series, (p/n CSG324ABX2141) manufactured by AMD/XILINK.
Subscribe and click the notification bell to stay tuned for more information about the FT-710 AESS.
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73, de N4HNH - Věda a technologie
0:22 The delivery drivers around here are the happiest people of Earth. They're always genuinely smiling and pleased with how their day is going. When I grow up (LOL), I want to be a delivery driver.
N4HNH, Doug, really brings a critical eye and attention to detail that is needed in order to get the most out of these radios and make the right choice for us as buyers. I haven't had my hands on it, but all in all it seems like a pretty nice radio -- attractive, front firing speaker included and good sensitivity. If you want more knobs & buttons, as well as slightly more granular controls for not that much more money, I think you likely know who you are. I think this rig is likely to make a number of people happy this holiday season. Thanks for the Patreon preview--good work.
You’re very welcome! Thank you for your support!
73, Doug
I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you for an excellent series. I just bought an FT 710 and your videos are very helpful. I'm re-entering the hobby after 20 some years of being inactive. It's a bit hard for an old duffer who is not technically minded to get up to speed, but your videos are a great help. I also want to thank your Patreons. Hopefully, after I've saved some more money, I can become one of them.
73, KB9ITV
Welcome back! The VIP team members started our first Zoom gathering tonight. We just finished. We will meet every 4 to 6 weeks. I will pass your thanks along to them. Some might read it in your comment as well.
I hope to hear great things about your experience with the the FT-710. There is much radio in that little package. I will nitpick it some as well during the series. There is no one perfect radio. I nitpicked the FTdx10 as well. Many of the issues I pointed out in the videos were addressed in firmware updates. There have been three firmware updates since I started the series. I was able to update to the December update (2nd one) before I had to return the loaner I used for the series. The March 27, 2023 update improved the DNR and took care of some other minor issues.
I wish you well. Keep in touch.
73, de N4HNH
I'm been subscribed but never get any notice of new video's? This guy Doug, is the best of all the ham radio youtuber's. So thank you Doug and thanks to HRO
Thank you! Be sure to click the notification bell. 73, Doug
Thank You Doug, Glad I joined your group! Excellent video!
You’re very welcome, Gary.
Mine is coming this week. Thank you for the tips!!
Congratulations! I hope you find the video series helpful.
No flies on you Doug! Amazing work as always. John, 2E0SVB
Thank you, John! It's great to hear from you. How is everything across the big pond?
73, Doug
Great informative video. I just purchased an FT-710 last week. What a great radio. Why Yaesu, by default, puts the IPO1 amp on for each band I will never know. The first thing I did was to turn the IPO off on every band. That means I had to do it 30 times. Each band and each band stacking register. DUMB on Yaeus's part.
If you do a backup, then update the firmware and do a restore, the IPO is back on to IPO1 for every band. Had to do all 30 times again.
But, I really like the radio. You get a lot for your money.
Barry, KU3X
The FT-710 doesn’t have IPO1. Neither does the FTdx10 or the FTdx101D/MP. The FTdx5000MP has IPO1, IPO2, AMP1, and AMP2. Nevertheless, all of the Yaesu radios default to AMP1. They are aligned using AMP1. The S-meter is calibrated using AMP1.
I mostly use Intercept point optimization for 14MHz and lower, and sometimes I use it for 18MHz up to 24.990, if I happen to be working strong stations and thus do not need the extra sensitivity.
I might need AMP1 for CW, when working weak stations with a narrow filter setting. I have even shown scenarios in videos when I needed AMP2. I have another such video that I’m currently editing.
Note that such settings as IPO, AMP1, AMP2, ATT, AGC, and Function menu settings are saved when you save memories. They are not saved with the menu settings.
Great video Doug! The blue lights flanking the vfo look cool. I liked the cutting the grass reference. Good work. Look forward to more. 73-KC4WZB
Hi Joel! Those lights are blue when using VFO-A, green when using VFO-B, white when using memory recall, and red when using the Clarifier or working a split. That’s an “enhancement” over the FTdx10. But, the FT-710 doesn’t include the CW decoder. There are slight differences between the FT-710 and the FTdx10, both positive and negative. Of course the DSP chips are different.
73, Doug
Mine is on the way. Can't wait.
Have you watched videos 1 through 8? They provide some insight into the inner workings of the FT-710 and its receiver test data.
My first rig as a new ham last year. Thanks for the info. 73
You’re very welcome! Long-hauler Patreon team members made the series possible.
Well that was a little shot of what this unit can do. I really want this radio and the field unit is more versitile for me as I am new,not knowing whether I will be mobile or stationary. Thanks for the rundown,
The Field is the same, but it doesn’t come with the speaker. This video series was shot with a new FT-710, just after its release. Many of the bugs have been worked out. But Yaesu told me that, “you and your viewers should not compare it (the FT-710) to the FTdx10!”
Almost passed this vid up - unboxing vids are boring - then I noticed it was a longer one so watched anyway (fast forwarding thru the boring unboxing part)
Can't wait for your follow-up vids on the 710, my FT450D needs updating (would prefer the DX10 if I can rake the money up)
Nice job, Doug. If you have time next week, I'd like to get you onto my channel to go through this radio (I have one here)
Sure thing Jason. 73, Doug
Thanks for the video.
You’re very welcome, Bill! 73, Doug
Thanks for this. I just started out with ham radio, and this is my first radio, and I have no idea how to use it. It's a rough learning process.
Welcome to amateur radio! I hope you find the series helpful. The full series of videos is available on my Patreon site, along with my Glossary of Amateur Radio Terminology and Common Radio Controls. The glossary is packed with information that can help someone who is new to amateur radio.
Additionally, annual S7 and S9 members can request a copy of my menu options PDF for one of the main 6 HF transceivers I have covered in my videos. I have also written an FT8 configuration guide for the FTdx10 ace the FT-710.
Annual S9 members have direct access to me, for personal consultation via phone or Zoom.
73, de N4HNH
I think it'll be a good contesters radio for us little contest stations.
Yes, it might. The selectivity is on par with the FTdx10, except when a strong signal is 100kHz away, like my neighbor 2 blocks away operating at the same time as me. The FTdx10 wins that contest. The DSP is a different story too. That will be covered in future videos.
That’s a good point. There needs to be a chart with being able to copy a signal with using DSP. Radio a vs radio b , radio c. Using the tools of the radio. I would bet in todays climate that is more important then selectivity for the average surburban non contestor.
I just put them on the air and see which one performs best under actual operating conditions.
73, de N4HNH
@UCDleMElL0gbdi2x3seJb5VA i know everyone goes to the Sherwood list as the “standard” but that is just one component of a radio and lab data at that. Like you said , real world conditions are the most important. Comparisons to me are worth a lot more then a list when I’m shopping for a radio. Can 1 radio pull a guy out of the noise while the other can’t. The tools on these radios can make it happen, especially NR and countour and sometimes VRF/VC tune. Your channel is perfect for showing these features that many don’t know about or understand. I guess the answer could be , goto HRO with some headphones and go A,B,C,D,E. I didn’t understand you’d job comment etc. thanks Doug for doing this for the ham community!
I shared the job situation with the Patreon team. I’m removing it here (TMI for public consumption). It happened a few months ago. I would have had to remove this channel in order to take the job. The Patreon team is the reason I didn’t take the job.
73, de N4HNH
Can’t wait to see if you can get the mouse to work. Some vids have it not functioning.
It works fine with my FTdx10. But I haven’t tried it with the 710 yet.
Wow that thing is small. It looks like it's a little bit smaller than my FT-991a. I like it though. I have a 101d. The 101d, the dx10 and the 710 are like father, son and baby radios. Yaesu made a little family of radios. Awwwww.
And they top Rob Sherwood’s 2kHz dynamic range list in order.
Greetings,
I am looking forward to your upcoming video! I am looking real hard at buying the FT-710. Also, alternatively at the FTDX10 - if the 710 has a DNR issue. I own a FT-991a. If you have time can please check the DNR on the FT-710 radio. I am looking forward to your thoughts about it.
On my FT-991a if I adjust the DNR setting it seems my receive audio is almost unreadable on some settings - It sounds like someone is trying to talk underwater. It’s okay at 1,2, or 3. And when I set to 9 it is okay too.
I have had two FT-710 owners who say they have this problem as well. I have talked to a few FTDX10 owners who say this doesn’t happen to their radios. I would like to see if this is a thing for all FT-710’s reference the DNR settings or it happens here and there and there’s a fix?
I found your channel and have been watching your videos. They are unbiased, factual and you have become my new go to person on CZcams for analyzing ham radio gear.
When you go over this FT-710 I would like to know if the DNR is smooth with no wobble or underwater artifacts? I have hearing loss and wear hearing aides. I take my hearing aides out when on the radio. I can hear this DNR issue on my FT-991a with or without my hearing aides - and it is bothersome.
Thank you in advance for your time, and 73,
Gary
AB4GH
I cover DNR in the FT-710 series, but not this week. For FT-891 and FT-991A, use algorithm 9 or higher. Algorithms 1 through 8 are useless. Yet the DNR in those rigs is better than the competitors.
I gave my Patreons an early insight regarding DNF and DNR. It is available as a post at www. PATREON.com/N4HNH
73, de N4HNH
6:15 "...focus on the receiver side..." Mr Sherwood himself (in one of his presentations) mentioned that the best receivers are now so good that it's time to turn our critical eyes on the spectral purity of the transmitters.
I hope the FCC vetted that during the Type Acceptance evaluation. But they have allowed dirty Chinese transmitters to the market for some reason.
Definitely an area that does need to be addressed sooner rather than later because it’s been allowed to slide for too long.
Excellent video although the lighting needs to be better, thanks. I would like to see the band scope in non-3D, I like to see the band scope. Also the IF pass filtering adjustment. On FTDX10 is single knob, a most useful feature. Also is the band scope in this FT710 in linear mode, seems peaks on all.
I’m not a professional camera man. Just a ham trying to help. The light makes the display colors appear washed out. You can see the waterfall mode in some of the FTdx10 videos. They use the same type of display. And no, there is no averaging. The FTdx10 is the better radio, even with the crowding of the controls.
@@n4hnhradio I had thought the light in the video was such so you could show the display. I have same issue when taking photos of my rigs. You did excellent job with the review, thanks. I was asking if it would have been better to put the band scope in non-3D. I dont use the 3D on my FTDX10 for it does distort the display. I was curious about the band scope on the FT710, it appears the signals were very strong as if the display was in a linear mode rather than a log mode as the S-meters are. The signals were very tall in the display. thanks again.
Scope sensitivity is adjustable, just like I show for the FTdx10. The sensitivity needs to be adjusted differently between 3DSS and non-3D waterfall.
I just remembered another reason I tend to order from DX Engineering, no packing peanuts! DX Engineering has nice reusable bubble wrap and those famous stickers that I keep finding things to put them on! LOL. I do wish HRO would get rid of the peanuts and move to bubble wrap or air pillows. However it won’t stop me from ordering from HRO and I will likely favor them on my next couple orders since they supplied this radio to you for evaluation so your Patreon support team did not have to.
Too bad on not having the backlit buttons as that would give this radio a dual purpose as a mobile or field radio.
Very cool how the SP-40 connects! Wish the SP-30 did that on the FTdx10.
So glad the operating system is similar to FTdx10. ICOM does that right with the IC-705/IC-7300/IC-9700/etc.
The AESS at 75% sounds very good in the recording.
I actually ended up turning down to 70% but it was splitting hairs. It still doesn’t sound as good as my modified SP-30. It just can’t produce enough depth of time without sounding overdriven and muffled.
73, Doug
Excellent video is there any averaging on the spectrum scope??
No. It doesn't bother me though. I like the instantaneous response. I cut the grass with the level adjustment, so I only see signal spikes.
73, de N4HNH
Doesn't bother me either as I have a dx10 also but considering buying a 710 too. Why? I don't know why I need this radio but I am a suckered for new radios!!!They beckon me lol. I mean I have an ic7300 too!!!
You might want to watch the next few videos in the series before making a purchase.
bro. great -)
The FT dx10 was third in the world. Now that that one that you're reviewing, is third, where is the dx10 positioned? I am curious
FTdx10 is number 2. It has been, since it was first released and tested. Like I said in the video series, read footnote “y” for the Flex 6700. Rob Sherwood uses the words, “no longer valid”. The production model Flex 6700 only tested at 99dB, versus 107dB for the FTdx10. The FTdx101D still tops the list.
I’ve said many times that any radio in the top 10 is great. You can pick based upon looks, brand loyalty, brand trust, ergonomics, etc. That said, a transceiver could be in the top 10 of Sherwood’s list and have awful DSP, terrible ergonomics, etc. The ranking is for dynamic range at 2kHz spacing.
Fortunately for Yaesu, the DSP in the FTdx101D and the FTdx10 is also superior. There is no perfect radio but Yaesu has has gotten extremely close to making the perfect transceiver. If you continue to watch the FT-710 AESS series, you will see a vast difference between the DSP in the FTdx10 versus the FT-710 AESS.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio when it was first released and tested, it was number three. Or am I in another dimension?. The whole reason why I bought the ftdx10, was cause it was number three. LOL not #2. Your incorrect when it was released on the Sherwood list. It was number three
FTdx10 was released in late 2020 and was tested and added to by Rob Sherwood’s list on 12/30/2020. My statement is not incorrect. The Flex 6700 is still second in the list, but, since it’s 108dB score was deemed as invalid, the FTdx10 is number two, at 107dB. Hi encourage you to go to Rob Sherwood’s test data web page. Be sure to read footnote “y”.
How does it perform on CW? Solid state QSK or noisy relay?
Keep watching.
Yes, it uses a relay. There are two schools of thought on that. PIN diodes have their positives and negatives and the relay approach has positives and negatives. Yaesu chose the relay approach. It doesn’t bother me though. I don’t like to listen between dits and dahs. I dial in 400ms of delay. So I only hear the relay at the beginning and end of a CW transmission. And actually, the popping sound from the FT-710 speaker overshadows the relay noise. The popping sound was supposed to be addressed in the firmware update a few days ago but I still hear it.
73, de N4HNH
does this have CW decode like the other do ?
No. It uses a different DSP chip than the others. The FTdx10 and the FTdx101D or MP can decode, as can the FTdx3000D, with the decoder module installed.
73, de N4HNH
how does the internal atu compare to the hyper crappy atu in the ftdx101mp ?
The antenna matching unit in most modern transceivers can only match between 16 and 150 Ohms impedance. That’s the norm. In an upcoming video for my FTdx101MP series, I show how the internal antenna matching unit was very effective at matching my doublet antenna system. That series is available at Patreon.com/N4HNH.
No one should make a purchase decision based upon an internal “antenna tuner”. The internal unit they put in the radios today amounts to a “touch-up” tuner, for an antenna that is already close. If you need more than that, I recommend a dedicated external antenna matching unit. The MFJ-939Y works seamlessly with most Yaesu radios, at up to 200W. If you run a linear amplifier, you will need a higher power external antenna matching unit anyway, like the MFJ-998 or the Elecraft KAT-500. The video at the following link shows what I call “Ultimate Automation.” Just change bands and transmit. Once you “Train Your Tuner”, you never touch the Tune button again.
@@n4hnhradio I agree, i do indeed have external tuners, i just think they should make them better/wider impedance range. Elecraft, now they have great internal tuners :)
73
OY1R
And it's no big deal the speaker that comes with it there's no buttons for filters or it's just a plain Jane speaker they're not giving you a bargain I promise you 👍
You don’t need any filters in the speaker. I have a speaker with filters. They aren’t needed with this radio. The radio has all the filtering needed. It even includes a 3-band receive equalizer and audio shelving filters. Plus Contour and APF. Filters in the speaker would not be needed.
Laugh Doug!! Your smiley is also called loudness. Which IS actually what smashed the glass in the original Is It Live or Is It Memorex advert. had nothing to do with recording quality. Yaesu are bringing them out like a baker with a new bun. Another good constructive video. Tnx Doug. Bw the KFT Mike.
Thank you, Mike! I remember Memorex.
73, Doug
At 27:55, you mentioned a phenomenon, "ionason"? "It checks propagation" Could you please explain that to me or direct me to a site that can? Thank you - always wondered about that!
The Ionosonde technology dates back to 1925. It was invented by Gregory Breit. The transmitter can automatically send a signal across multiple bands. Remote receivers track this signal. These days, computers analyze the results to determine the propagational prospects of the various frequency ranges.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thank you for the explanation and helping me fill in the blanks!
You’re very welcome!
Gdmorning from Philippines 73.…..
Good morning from Georgia!
73, de N4HNH
DVID to HDMI connectors cause damage to the radio? makes no sense to me at all... on the DX10 also?
Yes. Current draw. FT-710 less susceptible than FTdx10. $800 repair if not in warranty.
How is the Display re averaging?
Thanks Doug
73 Rob G3RCE
I haven’t noticed an option for averaging. It works just like the FTdx10 scope. It doesn't bother me though. I like the instantaneous response. I cut the grass with the level adjustment, so I only see signal spikes.
73, de N4HNH
Thanks Doug
this is why I prefer other radios like the IC-7610 which has 3 Display averaging settings
resulting in a nice smooth display
Rob
They have had some time to fix whatever the problem is with dvi to hdmi adapters but time will tell if they did I guess.
I doubt they did anything. The problem is the adapters sending voltage into the port.
@@n4hnhradio Right however it seems to be a Yaesu problem. The 7610 hasn’t had this issue. I think there is another radio out there with a dvi-d port as well I’ve only heard it with Yaesu and they were really slow about validation of the early claims. Now HRO even has a warning on the adapter if you scroll to bottom of the dx10 page.
Sorry but some important issues were left out. How does one adjust the IF bandwidth on the FT710. On the FTDX10 there is a knob for setting. Any good operator uses the bandwidth features on both SSB and CW, especially CW. Seems N4HNH was more interested in the display. The display dont help you communicate. I now wonder about his knowledge of radio operations. Was good video, but so much left out. sorry.
Nope. Unboxing video with some initial setup.
Love your reviews, but what's up with outdated usb connectors on new rigs? Genuinely curious.
It’s the same with the DVI-D monitor port. The newer technology is overkill for this application so I think Yaesu saved money by purchasing old stock. I’m okay with that. Might be why the transceiver costs $1,299.95 instead of $1,349.95.
@@n4hnhradio I understand that, but by the time my 705 is a few years older, adapter plugs may be the only means to connect, especially when the "c" seems like it will be around forever now that they will legislate iPhones to switch to them.
You should voice your concern to Yaesu. It is best to use the Contact Us page on their website. That is viewed in Japan. I don’t work for Yaesu. I’m critical of them too. But they still make the best transceiver, especially the best for the money. No radio is perfect though. Yaesu could get there if they would pay more attention to their customers.
@@n4hnhradio thanks again, I realize in the grand scheme, it's a tiny gripe, I'm more concerned with the complains I read about the DX10 as far as user friendliness and lack of intuitive controls, it seems icom has that part figured out.
I'm still considering this or the DX10 as a second rig to my 705. Thanks again for your continued efforts, 73.
I had a viewer a couple of weeks ago who made a profound observation after switching to a FTdx10. He said, “A Yaesu is a thinking man’s radio. It takes a bit more time to master it, but it is more capable than most of the competitors.” I would have to agree with that. I was able to operate the FTdx10 with ease after a few months of use. I even appreciate the ganged knobs now that I’ve used the FT-710 AESS and I keep having to go to a menu to make DSP adjustments, when those adjustments were made with knobs on the FTdx10.
73, de N4HNH
Every review highlights the 3d spectrum display, practically I don't think it's of any use to hams.
Same information - different views.
Would like to have had the option of not purchasing the external speaker, I always use headphones de K8MH
If you don’t care for an external speaker, get the FTdx10.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio my point is, why spend money on something that could be an optional accessory, and offer the same radio at a lower price point. I would choose this over the ftdx10 due to the smaller size and lighter weight to use for portable work.
The FT-891 is best for portable work. It has better DSP too.
The FT-710 is an IC-7300 “me too” with a better receiver. But it isn’t at the performance level of the FTdx10.
I know people who use the FTdx10 for POTA. Portable Zero makes protective side rails for the FTdx10. With its tight front end, it is the perfect Field Day transceiver.
The smaller size of the FT-710 means the internal speaker has less of a resonance chamber. The AESS is intended to compensate for that. I doubt that you would be happy with the sound of the FT-710 with only its internal speaker. If you plan to use headphones, then you’re okay.
I like to sit in the dark that's sad that buttons and lights don't go on except for the vfo knob and the display I take the icom 7300 over that radio any day I think the 7300 is much much better for the price point
I sit in low light but I keep a lamp on so I can see to type into my logging software. So I can take or leave the backlit buttons for a base station. For mobile operation I absolutely prefer backlit buttons, which my FT-891 has.
Nice of you to point out things like the SO239, as I had no idea. It's an unboxing, sorry.
Huh? It’s an unboxing and initial setup video.
Aess CF= center freqency HNY all
It is a crossover frequency, like the crossover point with a sound reinforcement system, dividing between the mains and the subs. Yaesu might call it a Center Frequency, but it acts as a crossover frequency. In the manual Yaesu calls Q factor width, which has caused much confusion for those setting up their TX audio. Keep watching the series and you will learn about it.
Someone left one of these with me, May of this year 2023, to check to see if anything quick was wrong with it. He did not want to go through the inconvenience of shipping it back to Yaesu. I found nothing wrong with the radio but settings. However, I have heard nothing of the owner of the radio since he left it at the beginning of May. The telephone number is disconnected, as well as the cellular phone. The emails go unanswered. The radio is boxed and stored. But temptation is getting agonising. It will not harm the radio to plug it in and just listen to it. I do not even have a real antenna. All I have is a length of wire hoisted up a very tall flagpole. I use it for connecting radios to it to listen to the receive capabilites of various radios people leave me to repair, modify, programme, or convert. I am not an amateur radio operator. I can not transmit, save into a dummy load for repairs. I would love to connect the seemingly abandoned radio to listen to it. I doubt it could even transmit on just a length of wire, without a tuner. There are no plans for me to connect a tuner to it, since I can not transmit. Maybe I can borrow A1ACW. (I am sure real amateur radio operators would recognize th significance) It is a really cool callsign, if someone has it. If one pick their own callsign, and this one is not taken, I would love it! . I do not know enough about amateur radio to know what can, and can not be done, save that I need a license to transmit.
73 de A1ACW (borrowed)
--... /... --
I’m not a big fan of the current crop of small form factor HF rigs
Look for a good used FTdx9000 or FTdx5000. Or an IC-7851, or a Hiberling PT-8000A. Big rigs.
@@n4hnhradio Thanks ,,, the newer ones are just too small and fiddly for me . Great for mobile I guess ..
No back lit buttons so I would not buy it.
To have a receiver that good, I will use a flashlight.
A you tube infomercial for Ham Radio Outlet, really!! For what purpose. HRO makes enough money, they certainly don's need any help from you. I will not buy any product from HRO, after what they did to me. Everyone needs to be cautious. Biggest ripoff artists on the planet.
Wow! You sure don’t get me. I thanked HRO for loaning the radio. The only company to ever do so. But they won’t loan me another. I certainly didn’t intend to buy an FT-710 AESS. So this video series wouldn’t exist without HRO. But please don’t watch the rest of the series. That would make your boast an empty one.
Great video! de W2CSI
Thank you. 73, de N4HNH