Yaesu FTdx10: Accessing the 60m Band (Video #10 in this series)
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- Опубліковано 26 бер 2021
- My good friend Joel, KC4WZB, loaned me his brand new Yaesu FTdx10. When I say loaned, I mean he picked it up at Ham Radio Outlet and brought it straight to me, so I could unbox it and shoot a series of videos, exploring the capabilities of this latest offering from Yaesu.
This is the tenth video in a series of videos I will be producing to show the capabilities of the Yaesu FTdx10. This video shows how to access the 60-meter band with the Yaesu FTdx10.
Subscribe and click the notification bell to ensure that you don’t miss the other videos in this series. I will be covering TX audio settings, CW operation, memory channels, accessing the 60-meter band channels, and more, in this series.
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73, de N4HNH - Наука та технологія
You continue to never disappoint with your videos. Thank you!
I’m glad you like the videos! 73, de N4HNH
Thank you so much for all of these videos... I have my FTDX10 Showing up on Monday... can’t wait.
You’re very welcome. I think you’re going to be pleased. Congratulations!
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I am sure I will. It’s going to be a huge upgrade to the IC-7100.
I dont have these on my radio over in the UK. I guess its something we cant get or don't need.. anyhow loving these videos you have done for this radio. I'm learning so much more about it.. thanks.. 👍
The UK has a 60-meter band. The frequency allocation is different than in the U.S.A. My understanding is that you can use the 5-meter band in VFO mode. We cannot do that in the U.S. But of course you still need to use only the frequencies and modes that are allowed according to your UK license. You can perform an Internet search for the 60-meter band frequency allocation in the UK.
73, de N4HNH
good one. listening to 5.405 as I type. Love the MPVD tip
I’m glad you like that, Doug. I think that outer dial was a very clever addition to the FTdx10.
73, Doug
Thanks for the info. The Yaesu company has hit a home run with DX10......it''s like nothing I've seen.
Indeed. There is no perfect transceiver but the FTdx10 is very close to it.
73, de N4HNH
Thank you so much for this video for my FTDX-10. Save me the time to ask Yaesu Customer Support about transmit on 60m. I am a subscriber to your channel. Stay Safe Ruben KD6CWI
The 60m band is fun. It forces us back to an even playing field, with 100W and a dipole. Yaesu helps us stay within the legal limits regarding bandwidth and carrier insertion point, by programming the channels into memory bank 5 at the factory.
I’m glad you found the video helpful.
73, de N4HNH
Great series Doug! I love my FTdx10. It’s the best rig I’ve owned and it will be with me for many years. Any plans to explore the NB and DNF functions as I’ve found these to be very good? I know you’ve done a video on reducing noise, but I don’t believe these were covered. Thanks again for all you do. Keep safe and be well. 73 de Will, M0LGW 👍🏻✅
Hi William! Thanks for your comment. I’m really enjoying the FTdx10. I did cover the DNF but not the NB yet. The power company eliminated my power line noise. If it starts up again I will need the noise blanker. Maybe I can show it in action.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio if you do touch on the NB function, recap what you covered in the past about reduced selectivity. The audience for the FTdx10 would probably love to have that knowledge as well. It was an eye opener for me and helps to know that. Some folks might otherwise run it all the time and think their radio is not very selective. Thanks Doug!
Good point, Joel!
I bought the radio specifically from watching your videos. I was going to get a 7300... but this radio seems to have so much going and you actually convinced me through what I saw in these videos. Buy once cry once right??
Hi John! I hope you enjoy your FTdx10. I’m going to hate to see this one go. Maybe I will hold it hostage. Hi! Hi!
I think you made a wise decision. The FTdx10 could last you a lifetime. I think its architecture represents the pinnacle of transceiver design.
73, de N4HNH
Sorry you have to let it go as well but your main rig is amazing :). I am hoping it lasts a good while, it's a big investment for me...I am still on a g5rv I'm new to general, so next step I guess would be figure out a tuner to get that to work on 80/40/20/10 if I could.. not sure how it will work out.
I use a ZS6BKW, which is a computer-optimized version of the G5RV. It needs no tuner for 6m, 12m, 17m, 20m, 40m, and the FM portion of 10 meters. With a good tuner it can also work on other bands, between 80 and 6 meters. I use mine for 30 and 60 meters. You could build your own ZS6BKW but Chris at NI4L.com does such a great job that it is well worth the price he charges, which was under $150 when I bought mine. Chris uses the finest materials too. And he tunes it perfectly.
73, de N4HNH
Yes that was what I was going to get, seems like a great option. I guess as with all hobbies the more you learn the less you know ;) I'll keep working at it...seems likely that I can at the very least use the g5rv with the onboard tuner for 80/20...
I used a G5RV for many years. It performed fine. The ZS6BKW will still require a tuner for 80. You just won’t need the tuner for 40, 20, 17, 12, the top of 10, and 6.
73, de N4HNH
II can see the frequency when I read the radio via the computer but not when I enter the radio. The radio was purchased in the EU.
The EU versions are different than the U.S.A. version.
Take and copy the list and put it further up in the memory bank so you can access them and be visible ;)
I have to admit, having those frequencies in a memory slot is a good idea. I did the same to my Kenwood radios.
BUT....on my FT897D, those memories were also programmed but back then either two or three of the original frequencies were moved. NOW WHAT? You can't correct the problem without using software and Yaesu did not provide software for doing same. I was able to correct this problem using CHIRP. But CHIRP does not work with my FT991A.
Since you can update the firmware in these newer radios, I hope if this issue pops up again these frequencies can be modified via a firmware update.
I do like the idea of these frequencies being put in memory slots, it provides us with a degree of protection so we don't go where we are not suppose to be. I personally do not have each frequency programmed in my head so a mistake could easily happen.
Thanks for posting the informative video.
Barry, KU3X
Hi Barry! With my old FT-890 and FT-920 radios, which predate 60m, I did the MARS mod and programmed the 10 frequencies/modes into memory slots, in order of channel number.
73, de N4HNH
One thing I do on 60m is use it for FT8. What I have heard that is the FTDX-10 can not be set up for digital modes in 60m.
I think you have to use the USB mode channel. My brother operates FT8 that way on his FTdx5000MP. Maybe someone who is a FT8 expert will comment. I’m not into digital modes myself. If you’re on MeWe, try posting to one of the MeWe ham radio groups.
I’m sure there is a way. Yaesu makes mistakes but that would be monumental.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I am on the FTDX10 Groups.io and Facebook. I have heard that complaint. I have a Flexradio 6600 as my main rig and it does 60 Meters easily and I can set my mode including applying the digital configurations. Believe it or not, I am using the FTDX-10 as a POTA radio as I wanted a great receiver when I am in the field. Love the radio.
Doug if i could bother you one last time and thanks for your help. on the ftdx10 which one is the Treble mid"s and bass? I have the pr 781 heil and everyone says I sound Muffled like maybe to much bass and that i need to bring up my mid and Treble. thanks so much
You will definitely sound muffled with a Heil until you set the parametric equalizers and enable mic EQ. There are two sets of parametric equalizers, one for when not using the processor and one for when using the processor. Look for PRMTRC and P PRMTRC in the menu. Use EQ1 to set bass, EQ2 to set middle, and EQ3 for the high audio frequency. Each EQ filter has a center frequency setting, boost or cut parameter, and Q factor setting.
@@n4hnhradio Ok Doug thanks for the help 73's
I have a Palstar Hf Auto tuner and trying to use my 80 meter Double bazooka to use on 60 meter band first time time using my ftdx10 on 60 I Noticed it will NOT let me switch to Rtty to tune up 60 Meters is there a walk around stuck thanks for any help!
We aren’t allowed to change to LSB or AM for tuning on 60m. The channel parameters are preloaded by Yaesu, to ensure that our USB suppressed carrier point is 1.5kKz below the channel center, and our TX bandwidth doesn’t exceed 2.8kHz. There is a 3-part series all about the rules for 60 meters available on this channel. The videos are in the “Learning Ham Radio” playlist. Here is a link to the first video in the series: ua-cam.com/video/wyl_7eUBaR0/v-deo.html
I use one of the 60m CW channels to initially allow my tuner to find and record a match. I use CW ch3, since it is somewhat in the middle of the band.
I set the CW speed to 15WPM and use the “dah” paddle. After my tuner has found and stored a match, from then on, when I transmit on 60m USB or CW, the frequency counter in my Elecraft tuner instantly detects the frequency and loads the match. With the relay-based tuner, this happens in milliseconds. So, basically, I just change bands and start talking or sending CW.
I was able to use my Palstar AT-Auto in a similar fashion but the AT-Auto tracked the VFO during receive. As soon as it detected that I was on a 60m frequency, it rotated the motors to the memorized settings for that frequency. With your HF-Auto tuner, you will need to transmit a quick signal, so the HF-Auto can detect the frequency. You will then unkey and wait until it is able to recall the match parameters.
If you don’t have a Morse paddle, just program your callsign and TEST into one of the the CW message memories in the FTdx10 and use the message memory when you are initially tuning 60m, while your HF-Auto seeks a match. Be sure to enable BK-IN.
73, de N4HNH
Will it work on FT8 (60m) ? FT8 requires you to vary your transmit frequency.
There is video about that coming up on the channel. Subscribe and click the notification bell and you will be notified when the video goes public.
It is possible to operate FT8 on the 60m band, even without performing the MARS mod. But you have to set WSJT-X the way I show in the upcoming video. Or just perform the MARS mod. Just be careful not to void your 3-year warranty. If you botch the mod and cause damage, Yaesu will not repair it under warranty.
The FT-710 AESS includes 5 additional 60m channels, set to DATA-U. For someone who works FT8 exclusively, that’s good. The FT-710 is weak in other areas, as I’ve covered in the FT-710 AESS series. But, the FT-710 AESS could make a good dedicated FT8 radio.
If someone one likes to work SSB, CW, FM, FT8, etc., I highly recommend the FTdx10. You can always pay the dealer to perform the MARS mod if you aren’t comfortable, yet you wish to operate FT8 on 60 meters without using the workaround I show in the upcoming video.
73, de N4HNH
Hello, I performed the Mars mod, but still do not see the 60m band in my memory bank as you show! Can you advise?
You do not need to perform the MARS mod to see the 60m channels. They are already in the radio at memory bank 5. By performing the MARS mod, you erased the 60m channels from memory. You will now be responsible for properly programming the 60 meter channel frequencies and modes into the radio. Be sure to get it right. We share that band with government agencies. You don’t want to get caught transmitting out of band or using the wrong mode. Look up the proper settings. The ARRL published them.
Another option is to undo the MARS modification and perform the factory reset. That should restore memory bank 5 and the 60 meter channels.
73, de N4HNH
If you want to program the 60 meter channels into memory positions yourself, I will provide the channel information below:
Note: These channel assignments are for the United States of America. For a Yaesu radio, these are usually stored in memory bank 5, positions 1 through 10.
Ch1 Mode USB, frequency 5.330.5
Ch2 Mode USB, frequency 5.346.5
Ch3 Mode USB, frequency 5.357.0
Ch4 Mode USB, frequency 5.371.5
Ch5 Mode USB, frequency 5.403.5
Ch6 Mode CW, frequency 5.332.0
Ch7 Mode CW, frequency 5.348.0
Ch8 Mode CW, frequency 5.358.5
Ch9 Mode CW, frequency 5.373.0
Ch10 Mode CW, frequency 5.405.0
Caution: Now that you have performed the MARS modification, your radio can transmit outside of the limits of amateur radio. Be certain that a non-licensed or inexperienced person cannot access your transceiver and thus intentionally or unintentionally transmit outside of the amateur band limits.
By programming the 60 meter channels into the radio at the factory, Yaesu added a layer of protection to keep our transmissions within the confines of the law.
I hope this helps.
73, de N4HNH
how do you engage your auto tuner on 60m?
I long-press the Tuner button.
Did you take down your FT-710 60m in VFO mode not transmitting video? I can not longer find it, although I found someone else's reference to it. My USA radio (region set to USA) has the same issue, it will not transmit in VFO mode, which breaks WSJT-X.
Sry to hijack FTdx10 video.
Some of the videos are only available for Patreon team members. The higher the level of membership, the more content is visible.
All Yaesu radios have the 60m channels programmed into memory bank 5. That ensures that our transmit frequency is 1.5kHz below the channel center for USB, with a maximum TX BPF of 2.8kHz. It also ensures that we use the channel center for CW.
We cannot transmit on the 60m band from VFO mode. The latest version of WSJT-X Includes a setting for the FT-710. With the radio selection set to FT-710, this version uses the DATA-U channels that are programmed into memory bank 5. In my videos, I showed a work-around for both the FTdx10 and the FT-710. Or you could perform the MARS modification. Yaesu will send you the instructions if you send them a copy of your MARS or CAP license. If you perform the modification, you will need responsible for setting the TX carrier point for USB and CW, and you will be responsible for maintaining a maximum TX bandwidth of 2.8kHz.
@@n4hnhradio thank you for the explanation! I saw "response" video in which they _could_ transmit in VFO mode, AFAIK w/o a MARS mod, I am wondering if they had a non-US region set for the radio. I am using the latest release candidate of WSJT-X w/ the 710 picked, for some reason it wasn't working for me (tho I can manually switch the radio to MEM mode and put it in the correct DATA-U channel and it works fine, I've made FT8 contacts).
Thanks again!
Can we transmit on the Alaska Emergency Frequency 5.1675 MHz it is not on the list on 60 meters?
Only under specific emergency conditions. The frequency has to be enabled in the menu. It’s all covered on page 77 of the operation manual.
I have done that now and found another problem with the programming software of the RTS management for the PC. I have snt them the problem, when we use it to write to the radio to fill all the memory with our new selections it overwrites this frequency with a different one, making the frequency unusable on the FTDX-10 this frequency is set up at the end of the memory of the channels and the program should not be replacing it. If wet set up the frequency inside the memory from the PC it will not transmit at all@@n4hnhradio
Today i learned from Yaesu technical support that Digital modes (FT-8) are not available on 60m when using the FTdx-10 !
that's a real bummer. Any thoughts?
My brother used an $8 sound card to operate FT8 with a FTdx5000. He fed the audio to/from WSJT-X through the rear port and used USB mode. I would think that could be accomplished with the FTdx10. Since I have no interest in FT8, I haven’t explored it.
I guess you spoke with Tim Factor. He told me the same thing last year. That is unfortunate news if Tim is correct. I haven’t tried to confirm it with Yaesu in Japan. They are the best source for information.
My thoughts? Things like this are why I hate to like Yaesu radios. They get close to perfection but not quite, because they don’t pay enough attention to their customers. They still make the best transceivers, IMHO, but even they could do better with a nip and tuck here and there - if only they would listen. A year ago I was asking to change frequency by scrolling my mouse wheel and I suggested that we be able to right-click our mouse to bring up the Function menu.
That said, an IC-7300 is good enough for FT8. The main reason I would have for purchasing a FTdx10 is the superior SSB and CW receive capabilities.
73, de N4HNH
You have to do the MARS mod. Yaesu radios have been like this for a long time. My FTDX-3000 was the same way. It had 60M preprogrammed in but would not work with WSJT-X digital modes. The problem is your computer needs to change the frequency slightly and this is not allowed with the radio in "factory" amateur mode. I think this has to do with FCC type acceptance since 60M is a channelized band. Doing the MARS mod will enable the computer to change the frequency. It's not that you will be transmitting out of the channel bandwidth.
You can make it work. You have to set WSJT-X to no radio and use CAT keying. But it isn’t as clean as operating after the MARS mod. The FT-710 includes 5 DATA-U channels and the newest version of WSJT-X works with those channels.
Can you tell me how to tune up on 60M? I have a MFJ-989D.
I go to channel 3 CW mode. I set the CW key in the menu to straight key mode. I then use my CW key to transmit the radio. This lets the auto-tuner find a match and store the setting. I then set everything back to normal. When I go back to 60m next time I go to channel 3 USB and whistle a steady tone for a couple of seconds, so the auto-tuner detects what frequency I’m on. It then loads the match from memory.
I hope this helps. Tuning 60m can be a challenge with preprogrammed channels.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thx. 73
Hi Doug! Rick here (N4RAH)
Ive done everything you show on my dx10 and I still get red flashing tx LED and no output... got any suggestions?
Hi Rick! If you are accessing the 60 channels via memory bank 5, it should transmit. It just won’t transmit if you tap Band and select from the menu.
Other things that can cause a flashing red LED are a stuck PTT switch on a microphone. This would happen on any band, when powering up. A stuck CW key cash cause the same thing during power up.
Keep me posted, Rick.
Does not address FT8 Digital mode. That requires the Mars Mod....It would be nice if Yaesu would allow FT8 operation in the memory selections...
Yaesu added 5 DATA-U memory channels to the FT-710 memories for 60m.
@@n4hnhradio I have an FTdx101D and an FTdx3000 and am thinking about selling the 3K and getting the 10 or 710 so if Yaesu has added FT8 on 60 that will definitely influence my decision. Thanks for the info.
Many people operate FT8 on 60m with the FTdx10. FT8 is just a USB signal modulated with 8 tones.
U can not do FT8 on 60m without doing the Mars mod using WSJT-X.
I don’t know. I trust you. I don’t operate FT8. I thought it could work with USB. My brother puts his FTdx5000 on USB and uses the rear microphone input.
@@n4hnhradio The default setting is USB-D, using the REAR USB connection on the 10 for FT8 to the PC plus CAT control. It could probably be done but would require a complete reconfigure of WSTJ-X for USB plus PTT. A step backwards for 60M FT8 operation.
You should maybe talk to Tim Factor at Yaesu support, extension 1513. The main reason for the new firmware is in support of FT8.
73, de N4HNH