Yaesu FTdx10: IPO to the Rescue
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
- #hamradio #yaesu #ftdx10 #ipo
In this video I use Intercept Point Optimization to pull out a very weak signal while improving the S/N ratio of a stronger signal. Intercept Point Optimization enables a very low level of amplification in the first mixer stage of the receiver. The amount of amplification is optimized for signal-to-noise ratio. It’s just enough amplification to overcome insertion loss through the roofing filter, but not enough amplification to degrade the signal-to-noise ratio.
Note that the S-meter is calibrated at 14.2MHz, with AMP1 enabled. When IPO is enabled , the S-meter readings will be low. S-meter readings are relative though. If someone is judging their station by the S-meter reading I give them, I like to qualify the reading by telling them the type of antenna I’m using, and my transceiver model. If I have them at S9+10dB with a dipole, that’s one thing. If I have them at S9+10dB with a 4-element Yagi beam aimed at them, I’m doing some heavy lifting. So it’s all relative. I listen for the amount of background noise between words. I can do the same with SSB and CW. I generally consider full-quieting (no background noise between words) as S9. My QRP CW rig doesn’t even have an S-meter, so have to give signal reports completely by ear. My “by-ear” scale is as follows:
S1 = Barely readable
S3 = Readable but noisy
S5 = Easily readable but still noisy
S7 = Perfectly readable with only a slight hiss
S9 = Perfectly readable with no noise (aka full quieting)
For more information about S-meters, I recommend this video: • Decibels, S-Meters, Am...
I cover the many capabilities of the FTdx10 in the “Additional FTdx10 Videos” list on the Collections page of my Patreon site. There are nearly 100 tutorial videos, as of the release of this video. You can view the full series by becoming a supporter of my channel at: www.Patreon.com/N4HNH
Note that most of the operating techniques I show and teach on my channel can be applied to other transceivers, even other brands of transceivers. Some knobs or buttons might be labeled differently but he function is the same. I have no allegiance to Yaesu. No manufacturer makes a perfect radio. They all have strengths and they all have weaknesses. I like to point those out. Yaesu thinks that I am targeting them, but I am not. In fact, they generally have the fewest weaknesses. It’s just that I want my viewers to know the good, the bad, and the ugly, so they can make informed purchase decisions. I am able to be objective because I have no allegiance to a particular manufacturer. My work is supported by private donations, via www.PATREON.com/N4HNH.
At the end of this video, you will be able to see a listing of some of the supporters of this channel who made this video possible. These are people who have supported the channel via Patreon membership, as what I call long-haulers. Long-haulers have supported the channel on a long-term basis. There are 4 levels of Patreon membership, including S5 (Associate), S7 (Executive), S9 (VIP), and S9+ (VIP+). S9+ (VIP+) denotes an S9 (VIP) member who voluntarily chooses to give over and above the amount for S9 (VIP) membership. They help me continue to produce videos even though most people do not contribute toward the cost of my mission. Without their support, I cannot bring my viewers uncensored content.
I hope you enjoy this video and find it helpful. If you find my channel informative and entertaining, I hope you will consider joining my support group by clicking on: www.patreon.com/N4HNH There are 3 levels of support, including exclusive content. Visibility of premium content is determined by the level of membership you choose. The higher the membership level, the more content you have access to. VIP members are invited to participate in periodic Zoom meetings.
Most videos are visible to the Patreon team members long before they are released for public viewing. Some videos are never released for public viewing. Annual S7 (Executive) and S9 (VIP) members have access to the menu optimizations PDFs I’ve written for the FT-891, FT-991A, FTdx5000MP, FTdx101D/MP, FTdx10, and FT-710 AESS. Annual S7 (Executive) members can receive one menu optimizations PDF while abbual S9 (VIP) members can receive multiple menu optimizations documents, plus my FT8 configuration guide for either the FTdx10 or the FT-710 AESS. Future radios might be added. The documents are copyrighted. They shall not be divulged to anyone else without written permission from Doug McAlexander, callsign N4HNH.
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73, de N4HNH - Наука та технологія
Doug, I use 'S-Meter to the LEFT', RF Gain, IPO, and Attenuation on all my Yaesu rigs....best piece of guidance I ever received from you!
I’m glad to know that, Jeff. I like to help as much as I can. That you for your faithful support of this mission! I literally couldn’t do it without you long-hauler Patreon team members.
73, Doug
Good educational video no matter what radio you have. I use IPO most of the time. 73!
Thanks, Wendell!
Thanks to Doug I’ve adapted all of his techniques dealing with noise to all my rigs but also, my marriage;)
So do I add marriage counseling to my resume, Martin? No, I’m not qualified. I live in the doghouse.
Thanks Doug for another amazing video! 👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it.
Guess I could’ve waited one more sentence. I think you answered my question. Thank you.
It’s a good idea to watch the entire video and read the video description.
Brilliant as always glad to see someone else that understands what ipo is for this and rf gain are the first two things I use after tuning the antenna especially on the 817 . Just like mixing sound less is more.
Keep well friend de M0JFE
I will be mixing sound against tomorrow.
Its funny that I hardly ever used my DX10 until my finals popped on my 991A.... Now I am waiting on them to get here so I can replace them and I am forced to use the DX10. Having wrote that I find I am liking the DX10 much more. I believe the shack in a box was the sole reason I stuck to the 991A so much. If Yaesu would add the 2/70 and C4FM +DMR and 1.25 meters to the DX10 they would have an unbeatable radio....
The FTdx10 is the better HF transceiver but the FT-991A is no slouch. If I had your setup, I would use the FT-991A for VHF/UHF and as an HF backup, with the FTdx10 as the primary HF transceiver.
@@n4hnhradiothat was my original thought but as with all things actual practice got in the way and the 991a became my go to radio. I do turn on the DX-10 and the other radios I have just to make sure electrons can still circumnavigate the vast pathways of the circuit boards. I do have a problem with dust and a hearing issue for when my wife says to cover the radios...
GREAT VIDEOS DOUG..I RUN IPO ON 2,DNR ON 1-3 AND BACK OFF ON RF GAIN..
IPO ON 2 SEEMS TO BRING THE AUDIO ON VOICE UP.
THEN CLEANING UP THE TRASH WITHFILTERS..
HAVE YOU EVER TRIED THIS?73
My FTdx5000MP has IPO2. I use it often. It improves selectivity even more than the IPO setting on the newer radios. The FTdx10 and FTdx101 IPO is the equivalent of IPO1 in the FTdx5000MP. It also improves the selectivity, versus AMP1 or AMP2, but not as much as IPO2 in the FTdx5000MP.
I leave my FTDX10 in IPO unless I need AMP1/AMP2
That’s the best modus operandi.
Question on IPO and AMP 1. In theory, which gives you a proper Signal reading everybody has a very opinion. I love IPO myself. I’m not sure I’m getting a true Signal reading on the received station.
@ocmike176 The S-meter in a Yaesu transceiver is usually calibrated at 14.2MHz, using AMP1, for an S-9 reading (-73dBm). IPO will cause the meter to read low and AMP2 will cause the meter to read high. I rarely use AMP2. A published a video a few months ago about when to use AMP2.
Above and below S9 at 14.2MHz, the S-meter will not be perfectly accurate. It is especially not perfectly accurate on the higher frequency bands and the lower frequency bands. But it can be used to give an approximate reading. That’s why I use my “by-ear” scale. I’ve included that scale in the description text of certain videos.
The S-meter can be used for relative readings, such as the other station asking you to give him/her a reading of the difference between two antennas. He/She switches from one antenna to the other and maybe you say, “you’re 2 S-units stronger with the second antenna.
I didn’t know you could disable it except my selecting either AM1 or AMP2.
It’s always one of the three so can’t be disabled, yes?
Disable what?
@@n4hnhradio ha! And oops. Sorry, IPO. In the beginning of the video you say IPO can be “enabled”. IPO is one of three settings which must be selected, yes?
That is you can’t enable IPO and then disable it. One of the other filters must be selected.
Sorry if it sounds pedantic or semantic but I was wondering if I could experiment by disabling IPO but seems it has to be one of three.
@SummitBidTech IPO is enabled unless you select AMP1 or AMP2. The FTdx5000 has the ability to disable all preamplifiers. That setting is called IPO2 (signal fed directly to 1st Mixer and roofing filter). I covered it in a couple of the FTdx5000 videos. Yaesu confuses the issue by calling the menu selection IPO, instead of preamp selection. I suppose that IPO is short and sweet, for the menu. But neither AMP1 or AMP2 optimize the intercept point of the first IF. IPO provides a very low level of amplification, optimized for S/N ratio. Think of IPO as the least level of amplification, with AMP1 next, and AMP2 representing maximum amplification. 73, N4HNH
Any new radios from Dayton my friend?
I don’t know, John. Rumor has it that Flex is supposed to introduce something new.
@@n4hnhradio That's right. The 8000 series. Not for me. Have a good weekend, Doug.
another great real world video. Jerry KB2GCG
Glad you liked it, Jerry. 73, Doug
Hello I am Jan from the Netherlands I am a SWL is the 5000 a better radio then the Yaris ft 10 DX
JAN
The 5000 is my favorite, for my operating style. I like the ergonomics. The FTdx10 is my second favorite. Both perform about the same. If you like to work digital modes, the FTdx10 is the better choice.
Thanks fore the info but I like 19” radio’s but
I have ft10dx en I am happy with it
Jan
From the Netherlands
Why did you ask me which is better if you already prefer a 19-inch?
@@n4hnhradio when the receiving is better than the ft10dx I try to get a 5000 en also it’s big.
Jan
The FTdx10 has a fine receiver.
Thanks for the video but if you weren’t talking over that QSO I would have copied every word. QSB is just a part of the hobby. 73 N9XY
The weak station was the focus and QSB wasn’t the issue. The issue was noise.
Amp1 to the Rescue!! I was having a hard time hearing anyone the other day. Switched to Amp1 from IPO. BOOM!! S0 to S3. Volume went up 30db. But as stated already IPO is the norm.
You only need AMP1 or AMP2 for ghost stations, or to offset insertion loss through a tight CW roofing filter.
I started with an FTDX1200. Now on IPO I could hear stations very well AMP1 was the go too on the 1200. But the FTDX10 is a whole new level. I love the IPO setting!!
Great video!! 73
I’ve operated the FTdx1200, and its big brother, the FTdx3000D. Both are good transceivers. They use the same DSP chip as my FTdx5000MP, which is my favorite transceiver.
The IPO function in the FTdx1200 is very similar to the IPO of the FTdx10. Always use IPO, unless you are trying to pull in an extremely weak station. I would only use AMP1 or AMP2 if I’m trying to pull out an extremely weak signal. But keep in mind that AMP1, and especially AMP2, tend to amplify the noise more than they amplify the weak signal. If you already have a noise floor that is S2 with IPO enabled, AMP1 or AMP2 is only going to make matters worse. AMP1 is mainly applicable for 17 meters and higher. AMP2 might be necessary for 10 meters and 6 meters. But even with those bands, I don’t use AMP1 or AMP2 unless necessary.
@@n4hnhradio precisely what I said without all the rest of mumbo jumbo.
@Rusted_Link If you think my answering someone with a thorough answer is “mumbo jumbo”, this is not the channel for you. This channel is intended to educate. Rudeness isn’t allowed. Interact positively or be banned. I mainly only answer Patreon members anyway. You have reminded me again to stop answering public questions.