A new DigiRig for the Yaesu FT-891 - DR-891

In this video, I will walk you through how I configure my Yaesu FT-891 with the new DigiRig DR-891. A big thanks to Denis from DigiRig for sending it my way.
DR-891
digirig.net/product/digirig-d...
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0:00 Introduction
0:42 My History with the FT-891
1:59 My History with the DigiRig
3:38 The New DR-891
7:31 FT-891 Digital Settings
12:56 Linux Settings - CAT Control
16:14 Linux Settings - Audio
16:28 Linux Settings - JS8Call
#thetechprepper #digirig #yaesu

[@raithjames860]

Gaston, I have been following you for sometime. I appreciate the insight your videos have provided. I did consider the 891 momentarily, but it's a power hog, requiring heavy battery/solar to support it in the field. Previously, I operated the VX-6, FT-818 and the FT-857. I sold them to finance two other radios which are a better fit for the way I operate. American and Japanese radios only. What changed my modus operandi was the epiphany that 5-10 watts on digital will outperform SSB on 100 watts everytime. No more need for the big power hungry radios, wire mess or external batteries. Complete kit less windows tablet in a small fanny pack. For extended deployments a powerfilm Lightsaver Max will power the kits indefinitely.

[@TheTechPrepper]

You nailed it on the head. I'm training daily with voice, but digital is king even if it adds complexity. I'm making targeted contacts on 2.5 and 5 watts regularly on the 818 with JS8Call.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I recently purchased an 891 because the noise floor is so much lower than my 857. I saw the email and purchased that new digirig adaptor. Looking forward to getting mine in.

[@TheTechPrepper]

My experience matches your experience. I prefer the receiver over my 857. Don't get me wrong, my daily driver is still the 857 and 818. Enjoy your new DR-891.

[@kg4gav]

I think it’s be cool to see the DR891 as a raw board that could be installed inside the 891 so you could use the factory USB connector and all the wiring and the DR board would be internal. I am working on a similar setup for my G90 to essentially bypass the problematic cat connector and any external cables. Just need more time to work on projects.

[@timevans239]

Just ordered and already shipped 😮. Thank you Gaston. It'll make a nice addition to my 4 radios.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Same same lol

[@TheTechPrepper]

Hey, bud! It's great to see you in the comments. 73

[@TheTechPrepper]

The DR-891 is a long overdue accessory for the digital operator. Enjoy!

[@_onthemike_]

Thank you, Gaston. I have had issues with the original digirig and my 891. I put the digirig aside and haven’t done digital modes on my 891 since. Because if your video, I will look into the DR891 and try it out. Thank you for making a video on this explaining in detail.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad it helped. Report back after you get it working. ping me on IG.

[@drivingsouthwest6895]

That's an excellent solution. I've been running my 891 mobile for the last few years with the standard digirig with very few issues, but that's so much more elegant.

[@TheTechPrepper]

You nailed it. Elegance for the win. There's something satisfying about minimal cable mess, right?

[@drivingsouthwest6895]

@@TheTechPrepper 100%

[@EcoGeekify]

I've been using my 891 with a Digirig and Ubuntu on a Thinkpad for some time. It's an awesome combination.

[@baconwhiskey821]

I only watched 1 or 2 videos explaining digital mode settings on any radio that were as polished as this. Nicely done! I appreciate hearing about the DR-891 👍

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Thanks Gaston! The field cards are clutch!

[@TheTechPrepper]

I'm pleased with the way they turned out. Let me know if you run into any typos.

[@chrisdavis9318]

Thanks for sharing sir. Very much appreciated. Always enjoy your videos.

[@kn6vbw]

One thing you did not go over was setting the ALC on the 891. Very important to get a good signal out.

[@markt.3454]

I was pondering an 891. I appreciate you explaining the peculiarities. I might still get one, but much of the rest of my group uses 857Ds. I'm going to have to revisit that radio.

[@TheTechPrepper]

You're very welcome. It's a good rig given the quality, size, features and price point. I'm still an 857 fanboy when it comes to 100 watt portable rigs. They're just very expensive on the secondary market.

[@dylanschulz2404]

There are some odd things with the 891. That being said, what a great radio for the money. It still is by far the best rig out there for the price point. The receiver and output signal quality are top notch. I have used mine on digital modes plugged directly into the computer soundcard with good results. Then I put that cable back in the bag as I really don't care much about digital modes! Now that being said, thanks for the video as this will be a nice accessory.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I completely agree. The 891 is a great 100 watt transceiver for the price point. I've always been a fan of the DSP and digital noise reduction. It's an excellent starter radio for anyone wanting to go portable as well as in the shack. 73

[@fnordist]

Lol, if you call the hissy noise of the 891 "quality" it is horrible.

[@dylanschulz2404]

@@fnordist music to my ears? Really have no clue what you are talking about unless you have issues with your radio, antenna system, or lack the knowledge of how to run this fine piece of equipment! lol

[@nathanziegman9262]

The info is appreciated, especially for a new general wanting to have a good in-production radio for operating styles similar to yours.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad it was helpful! I figured this would help some of the newbies coming into the hobby. Good luck!

[@point177]

The 891 is a fantastic radio especially for the small package

[@frankwc0o]

That HF radio changed you, to what you do today. I'm surprised you brought it back. The DigiRig just WORKS for most radios..

[@TheTechPrepper]

Technically, it's going into a go-bag for long term storage. I'll pull it out in six months to see if I can perform a meaningful radio operation. Then it will go back into the bag

[@PhilG8PJH]

Never had any trouble with mine, but ordered mine anyway. No problem with two usb on my laptop

[@realbaconproductions]

This is great! I've been running the two cable setup, it'll be nice to have it simplified to one port for my Steam Deck mobile setup.

[@TheTechPrepper]

It's amazing how clean the setup is now with the shorter cables and single USB interface. I posted a short video on Instagram with the setup in a manpack.

[@thuff3207]

I have one that has been sitting for a while because Yaesu made the menus for digital modes more complicated than necessary. Thank you and sure I will gladly buy you more coffee for a copy of your cards. Note my Linux setup will be a raspberry pi.

[@DK5ONV]

Happy Weekend into the Grand Canyon State, Gaston! 💯👍🙋‍♂

[@TheTechPrepper]

Happy weekend. Are you doing anything for Field Day? 73 from Arizona.

[@woo1517]

Preordered it. I’m hoping I can figure out digital modes with this digirig and your video walking through setup.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Excellent. Digital modes can be tough. Take your time. I personally struggled with them early on. Good luck and enjoy your new DR-891.

[@vironpayne3405]

Its always nice when you can pull a radio out of the time-out corner. If I didn't have a FT-897D, the FT-891 would be at the top of my list. I am not a digital person but I do digital for ECOM value. Someone gave me a uSDX+ V3. If it checks out I'll try to set it up to run digital with my Android Samsung phone. I'm quite impressed that the uSDX only draws 90ma on RCV. It has potential.

[@TheTechPrepper]

That is a great feeling. I felt guilt as that radio has only been used a couple dozen times in the last 4+ years. I've heard good things about (tr)uSDX. It would be nice to have for ultra-light travel or backpacking. 90mA is impressive. 73

[@genemcphee8053]

Hello from Killeen Texas

[@TheTechPrepper]

Hey, Gene! Hello for AZ. Stay cool.

[@williaml.bulson7325]

I like the book you set your FT-891 on.

[@MrJohnchacowitz]

What book is that?

[@williaml.bulson7325]

@@MrJohnchacowitz Partisan Opertator Journals by Ammron founder John Jacob Schmidt. All about a geek radio hero. A really fun and instructive book. I recognized the back cover under his FT-891!

[@MrJohnchacowitz]

Thank you! ​@@williaml.bulson7325

[@TheMomentumOfLight]

Howdy from Round Rock, Tx.

[@TheMomentumOfLight]

You can sell it to me!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Cheers from AZ!

[@cendrillon1978]

Why not just use a $10 audio interface from Amazon, mini din cable and VOX? Works great with a laptop, iPad or iPhone and bypasses the need for CAT completely. Just remember to switch VOX from mic to rear.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I've done that in the past, but I have some special software that I have written that manipulates all my radios on the fly using CAT control. For example, I built a system that use on-board GPS, offline maps, and geocoded repeaters to automatically change my VFO on the fly depending on where I am located. I also have support for doing the same thing with Winlink gateways. I am trying to bring ham radio modern and make radio more seamless to use by the average operator. This nerd stuff is getting out of hand.

[@pnwgeek]

Some modes rely on CAT for ease of use, and some situations an interface using CAT triggering is more reliable than VOX, etc. Yes you can just add a USB cable, but he makes the point that many situations (phone, tablet, etc) only have one USB port. That being said, did as you described and it worked fine for me in my situations, other than a couple times when RFI was causing issues that an interface with audio isolation would have fixed.

[@k5wxp22]

Perfect timing, Gaston! I have an 891 that I plan on using in a go-kit. Bought the digirig some time back and never got to fiddling around with it. Time to re-visit! 73, and have a great weekend! Brett K5WXP

[@superhtml9463]

I run 891 in my portable manpack and I'm gonna upgrade to this digirig.

[@TheTechPrepper]

It cleans things up. Which bag are you running your manpack in?

[@superhtml9463]

@TheTechPrepper Condor pack insert. I'm kf0lar. I've got the Transceiver strapped with velcro to it.

[@RandomWire107]

You can save a lot of frustration by using regular SSB and set the mic to rear. No need to set cutoffs and adjust bandwidth.

[@TheTechPrepper]

That's an excellent tip. Thanks for sharing. I

[@KentuckyWindage]

Is extra cables the only downside to running audio directly into the mic/headphone jack(s) on the computer and using the usb for cat control?

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

If i had found out that you were selling your 891, i probably would have bought it. I'm more of an ssb operator. I should work more js8 call to be familiar I have been looking at another hf radio so that i can keep one in the shack.

[@haxwithaxe]

The separate power levels makes sense for swapping back and forth when you have limitations imposed by other hardware like a tuner that can handle 100W SSB but only 50W digital. If you don't switch back and forth or similar it's pretty useless and possibly needlessly confusing. It would be nice to have an option to lock them all together.

[@AndrewK4OTT]

Ok, digi rig just got my business. I didn’t want one because of non cat Control. When I seen the title I was hoping that they had fixed the cat control to work on one usb.

[@TheTechPrepper]

This single USB cable interface for the 891 was long overdue. Enjoy.

[@daveruff47]

Worked fine with Ham Radio Delux

[@robertengel8342]

Do you have any hints as to if Armoloq will be making a kydex mount for this beauty? It's nice to see the 891 getting some love. Im biased because I have one.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I do not believe they will be making a kydex mount for the new, smaller enclosure. Check out my Instagram feed or my last KZbin short. I walked through the my new FT-891 manpack configuration as well as mounting of the DR-891.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

I just velcroe my digirig to the armoloq

[@K7OI]

Been watching your channel for awhile. I run a HF 300baud and varahf BBS and node including RMS and chat. BPQNODE in Meadview Arizona. I use a ft891 and signalink but considering a digirig. Easy access with UZ7HO's easyterm and soundmodem 114. 73

[@TheTechPrepper]

Very nice. Which frequency on HF?

[@K7OI]

[1202]

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

I am looking at one of these digirigs

[@TheTechPrepper]

Just make sure you research it to ensure it meets your operating needs.

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

​@@TheTechPrepperi already have the mobile. I would get this one for cat control. I don't like having two cables coming into the computer.

[@fredthorp6741]

I try to appreciate digital and I get the benefits but it seems like the complexity and added points of failure are the dealbreakers for me when I’m wanting a bulletproof Zombie Apocalypse comms tool. I lean to an 891, a dipole, and a battery/solar panel… but I continue to watch.

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

I am a straight up greenhorn rookie getting into comms…I was wondering if there is a radio unit that you can recommend that I can purchase and turn it into a manpack to be compatible with my UV-5R’s. Or are my UV5R’s ok to use with say an FT6000 for example?Just need one for comms within the family and small prepper community and may further than that for now.🙏

[@TheTechPrepper]

Take a look at my FTM-6000 or AnyTone 578 manpack videos. These are good VHF/UHF options to work alongside an HT. Just search my channel page for "manpack"

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

@@TheTechPrepper THANK YOU! I just discovered your Manpack series. Shazam! Again,Thank you…lots to unpack here.

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

@@TheTechPrepper Is the AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Plus the same one you are mentioning?

[@TheTechPrepper]

@@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170 Roger. That's the one. By the way, it supports DMR and encryption. That's what I use for secure comms with my business license.

[@elitecombatfitnesscentral6170]

@@TheTechPrepper it’s in my cart. Thank you for the quick response!

[@C--2]

I just use an FT-991a. Problems solved.

[@user-yw4hr6kn2p]

What do you think of a prc 152a

[@TheTechPrepper]

Unfortunately, none as I do not have any direct experience with it.

[@user-yw4hr6kn2p]

@@TheTechPrepper roger that thank you

[@dougtaylor7724]

They sold me an original digirig with cables for a 891. It would work, then not work. I tried every way I could find to use it but gave up and parked the digirig in the junk box. I know several people that use a 891 with the original digirig with no problem. Why do some work and other do not ? Why did digirig sell the original for a 891 knowing they do not work all the time?

[@willian.direction6740]

Thanks Gaston I have my config with win10 and scu17 and of course the 2 cables. That is a neat setup thanks for explaining it. Hpe cu on js8 agn sn. regards vk5cz ..

[@kb6lcw99]

😊

[@fnordist]

I don't understand why so many people still buy this device. My 891 has such a high noise level, completely unusable for weak signals. Even my ancient TS-50 has cleaner and more dynamic audio without distortions like the 891. Because of this, I had to get an SDR panadapter. Transmitting-wise, the 891 produces splatter over 50W. As I mentioned, even the TS-50 has a much cleaner signal than this 891.

[@dylanschulz2404]

@@fnordist I think you got a problem radio. Mine has none of these issues. Makes me want to buy another one and test it!

[@TheTechPrepper]

I would agree. My issues with the rig are just related to a high current draw on receive and an unfriendly menu system. I've always found this rig to have an excellent receiver. The DSP and DNR are great. It's quality gear at a good price point.

[@PhilG8PJH]

Linux? Turned off.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Did your Windows computer reboot for an update? ;-)

[@late_fee]

Nice video. What's your opinion on which in production radio to get for someone new coming into HAM/EMCOM? G90, 891, something else? Thanks!

[@TheTechPrepper]

It all depends on your needs. I was burnt by the G90, so I am not advocating for it due to multiple quality issues. If you're looking for a no frills portable radio, with good build quality, a good receiver and capable of 100w, then the FT-891 is worthing look at. If you plan to operate from the home (the shack) there are a lot of options on the table. Take a look at the IC-7300 or FT-991A for the shack. My only complaint with the 891 is the higher current draw on receive compared to my other radios.