FT-891 and its Identity Crisis - Review

[@ModernHam]

Sorry again for the audio quality. I almost decided to not post it. But I decided it was better being here than not.

[@Francois_Dupont]

also having the camera overexpose the Yaesu screen didnt help either.

[@mononcyoyo]

Thank you, I appreciate your willingness to post !

[@moss-ccw7971]

Sometimes dimming the room lights will cure the wash out on the display.

[@KaL_Terow]

@ModernHam Love that chair. Got a similar one on a garage sale and I really enjoy it. But mine is missing that headrest and the left armrest. Where did you buy yours and what's the name brand? Tnx

[@fernandoscrenci4874]

This radio Has such a clean wattage output it blows my mind !! And I use it as a base station only with a diploe Antenna !!! This radio fits my needs perfectly !! No complaints at All !!! Best buy for the money !!!!

[@KaL_Terow]

Same here. I have a TS-570D that now stays off most of the time. The reception on the 891 is outta this world!!!🎉

[@MrTommy001]

Just got my new 891 last week. Once I get through setting up various menu items I doubt I'll have to spend much more time wading through those infernal menus. Turn it on and get on the air. I bought it for portable use (RVing, POTA, and just having fun outside the shack). Too much nitpicking here.

[@M-13_Fab]

I got the 891 for my first HF radio. It is a superb radio and I do not regret getting it one bit. I have used it as a base until next week when my FTDX 10 arrives. Then the 891 will become my portable radio.

[@KaL_Terow]

I have a similar plan. Debating between DX-10 and a 7300. How's your DX-10 so far?

[@M-13_Fab]

@@KaL_Terow I really like and enjoy using the DX10. It’s a superb radio. Now if you are or are going to be a serious contester I’d go with a 101. But for your average person you will not go wrong with a DX10. I’d buy another one tomorrow.

[@KaL_Terow]

@M-13_Fab Nah... I'm an occasional DXer and 20M lover. I'm watching the prices this hamvention weekend. The DX-10 is just a few bucks over the 7300, and I even have a keyboard, mouse and monitor laying around. Hey, tnx for responding and 73 ! A WP4 @SATX

[@M-13_Fab]

@@KaL_Terow yeah having the mouse and the keyboard is great. I forgot that the 7300 doesn’t have that feature. 7300 is a great radio, but the newer technology that’s in the 10 blows it out of the water. 7 3.

[@Manticore2024]

I have two of these FT 8 91s. One in my truck for mobile use, with the Yaesu. ATAS… and one in my base station. I needed a radio without the thousands of bells and whistles that I not only don’t understand, but never used. I’ve used these radios for SSB, as well as CW with great success. It really does pack a punch, frequently getting me through pile ups to DX stations. 👍

[@ea4hwt]

There is no denying that one option may be superior to another. I understand your perspective, but ultimately, the key is to find a radio that brings you joy and enhances your hobby experience. 73 from EA4HWT

[@manvirjudge8156]

New ham here, trying to get into Hf recently. I have bought this radio to serve as my base station, once my antenna is up. Great video!

[@earnestmatlock9694]

For the price point, it's ideal for ham's without deep pockets, who wants to get on HF without spending 💰 also don't want to risk buying used equipment, that could have problems. It's an awesome little rig, just add the ldg budget tuner and an appointment size switching power supply with noise shifting capabilities. Connect up to a laptop and ft8 capable software suite and a good antennas. You then have an HF base with excellent field capabilities as well (add batteries for portable use). Display is much easier to see and operate vs previous models ft-857/ft-897 and d variants. This radio is much less menu monster 💀, and a definitely a step in the right direction. I plan to get one myself for an spare and portable use. I have a Kenwood TS-480dx that plows through noisy conditions, but uses massive amounts of power in doing so; (not battery friendly at all). I take my old trusty Yaesu ft-840 and a manual antenna tuner to field day as it deals well with front end overload somewhat well and is extremely easy to operate. The older generation love the old ft-840 for simplicity of operation. For a budget get on the air new HF rig, the ft-891 is the leader of the pack. 73 Earnest K5EWM.

[@juanfgonzalez2039]

Can you make a video of your gobox and setup .. are you running ground wire for your 891?

[@HowToHam_Tom]

I'd highly suggest purchasing a "Nifty Mini Manual" . I have one for my FT60-DR, FT-8900, FT-817ND, and this radio. I am a huge Yaesu fanboy, and just live with the dreaded Yaesu menus. But the Nifty manual is a MUST. And ABOLUTELY, Yaesu has the best audio. I work in Flight Operations at an airport, and although there is an ATC radio in my office, I have MY Yaesu FT-250A set up in here JUST because it has FAR superior audio. Good thought-provoking video. Thanks for all your hard work!!

[@jolebole-yt]

The Nifty mini menus are very cool and I have a few..the downside is most text is a bit too small for my eyes now. I'd rather have a PDF ver of the manual on my iPad. Works great too.

[@buzzsah]

I have had mine for years, since they came out, I used it in the van, with FC50 tuner, and the Moto antenna. While driving in CT. on I-95 rearing Rhoda Island, I would talk to others everyday in Gulfport Mississippi. 2 years ago I put it on the shack as a backup.

[@AzPauly]

I also have an Alpha Moto...don't mobile much, but it has performed well..

[@buzzsah]

@@AzPauly I am thinking of using the Moto as a base system. 60ft of wire my do it. I may try it this year.

[@brianmatthews232]

As you rightly say audio receive and noise reduction/processing is excellent

[@jdnboyy]

I've been looking at this radio for a mobile/base application along with its availability to pickup gmrs as that is what everyone in my holler uses but would still be able to ham chat with my brother in the state above me. What are your thoughts on my perspective?

[@ModernHam]

This radio won't pickup GMRS, but will do ham and receive CB. If thats what you mean, this would probably be a great option.

[@juanfgonzalez2039]

Where did you get the Shelves for your gobox

[@timbookedtwo2375]

You can adjust the tx power output down to 5 watts. I usually use max 50w when I take my FT-891 portable . 20w would probably be okay too, and save battery on tx. On rx the radio draws about 1A. On my meter it's a little less. Keep that in mind when operating portable. With a 12Ah LiFePO4 battery I get a couple hours of portable fun. With a solar panel attached, of course much longer fun.

[@sunnysidegardeners7163]

Great little radio in combination with the FC-50 ATU. Love my FT-891, the only fault I can throw at it at the moment is the rubbish internal speaker! I’m having to use a set of JBL headphones.

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

Is that case 6U? Nice!

[@Paul876Yorkshire]

On am my ALCon the 891 never moves I tried factory reset still very low

[@W6IWN_Radio]

Thanks for the review. Excellent radio 👍👍😊

[@jolebole-yt]

What type of box/rack is the one you have your radios mounted in? Thx

[@edtruthseeker3337]

Hi. I am Ed, KM4MMD. I enjoy watching your videos. I have a question about the Radio Case that is behind you in the video. I would like to build something like that myself. Can you give some information about it and where you purchased it?

[@ModernHam]

Hey Ed, I've had that question a lot. It is a 6Ubsercer rack case I bought on Amazon. I'm going to do a video about it in the next week or two

[@ShaneKI5GBU]

Great video>

[@Atomshamradio]

Great topic thanks for the information iam thinking on getting one for portable 📉👍🙂

[@thebugg333]

Interesting perspective. Seen a lot of different opinions. Yours are valid, but the radio is without a tuner, battery and buttons as designed for outside operations not a base unit. Yes you can use this as a base unit and there are other portable HF radios but the quality and output power of those other radios on the market in the same class does not come close to the 891. Could they have added a tuner and battery to this unit...yes but if you put in quality parts with a battery that would last more than 15 minutes you are more than doubling the cost, size and portability. I purchased a Xeigu QRP and I have nothing but issues with the software and I cant get a reply to my CQ...trying to add a 100w amp on top would cost me the same as my base DX10 with all of the buttons on the front. This radio, not to defend it, is targeted and any compromise is intentional for the core operations of the unit. I do not generally touch settings for audio or gain when I am on the air..they are configured and "tuned" to my use. If I am still playing with settings deep in the menu, I either do not know how to use the radio or got a radio not suited for my needs; radios like this I tend to sell or return. I did everything I could NOT to buy this radio, but since I have a decent base unit, given the price and availability of other units my 891 should arrive in a couple of days. Right now, I have a big happy Yeasu family...have others like icom and moto but Yeasu hardware seems to fit my needs best when it comes to quality and audio sensitivity.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I plan on getting a yeasu ft-891 just to be portable antenna shove in a 2 To 20 Meter Portable 7 Band by alpha antenna to make calls to reach out and play with cw while being portable pota when I pass the general KQ4HCU

[@brianmatthews232]

£5 usb stick soundcards can be picked up that work very well.

[@daveN2MXX]

I agree...this is a great mobile transceiver. There are now much better options for a large go box or base station, and still other better choices for a truly portable transceiver.

[@Atomshamradio]

Cw memorys is for the beacon mode which is handy i sometimes i like to run a beacon

[@jolebole-yt]

Yeasu - phenomenal radios, but very out of date, confusing and complex menu system. If they simplify and improve their menu system, they will outsells the ICOMs. Making small Q cards with the menu options you use the most helps a bit in the field.

[@gary6212]

I was thinking about getting this radio to put in my truck with a screwdriver antenna.

[@MrTpeak]

Can you do a video on your go box

[@ModernHam]

It's changed a bit, but it get one done here soon!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

great job terrific transceiver 73 from kb2uew

[@Dave-kq7gv]

I get the feeling that mobile VHF/UHF isn't really your thing, but what do you recommend for car setups?

[@ModernHam]

Honestly, I used to have from FTM-100D but realized I wasn't using all of the fancy functions. I now go with the RT-95. It's a budget knockoff, but it's rugged, compact and does the job without the bells and whistles.

[@Dave-kq7gv]

@@ModernHam oh sweet, I hadn't heard of that radio but just checked it out...looks like just for what I"m after. I recently got a new car so was eyeing the FTM-500DR just because its new. Fancy functions != functionality. Thanks for the reply/tip!

[@andrewhamop6665]

Great to see some coverage on this underappreciated powerhouse wearing the clothes of the 857. (Same chassis lol) I wouldn't necessarily call myself an 891 expert, but I've had mine for almost 3 years and I'm well accustomed to the copious menu items and little quirks that bug people. I agree with your end result Billy, the 891 is a fantastic radio with an identity crisis. It doesn't have the large button rich front panel or large color touchscreen to be considered a proper modern base station, nor does it have the super low idle current draw or internal antenna tuner to be a true Swiss army knife portable radio. It has the robust 100 watt output and insane magic DSP of a base station, while also being small and light enough to carry portable. It's somewhere in between a basic base station and a feature-rich portable radio. I've used mine in dozens of outdoor activations, several different contests, and obscure digital modes. For the most part the FT-891 does it all, or so that saying goes. Jack of all trades or Master of none, (people forget this part) but sometimes better than master of one. Yes the menus are a pain. Yes the lack of an internal sound card is ridiculous in 2023. Yes the filter settings aren't easily accessible in a QSO. But the main point is it can do all of these things. Your new Chinese QRP radio doesn't have a setting you need? It's in the 891 somewhere... Want a filtered sound interface? Plug it in. It's got all the filters you need, just set them beforehand. I have shamelessly ran my 891 cranked up all the way to max power when I'm really working at a rare DX station on FT8, the 891 just heats up a little bit and shrugs it off. Mine's not in the best of shape cosmetically anymore, but it works just as well as the day I bought it. Speaking of that, one thing you might have forgotten to cover. Radio pricing right now is insane and the 891 is going for $889 MSRP. I think I paid $650 for mine, brand new from HRO. If you're spending 800 bucks on a radio, save for another two weeks and buy a used 7300 unless you really like pota. Over 2000 contacts and several different continents in, and my 891 is performing like a champ. Oh and one more thing, when the solar cycle starts going down the market will be flush with QRP radios that are useless without an amplifier, but us 100 W operators will just shrug and turn up the power. Great video as always Billy, 73 de W8IJC

[@bryceettwell9537]

Not once in this rant did you mention anything about or relating to MOBILE Use. I will challenge you to try and fit a FT-450D or and ICOM IC-7300 or any other similar sized rigs into a vechile. Also I would think this radio would be an excellent Field day / Portable option. Only drawback for me is it does not have 2m or 70cm.

[@Atomshamradio]

Heres the #1 question is heat in a small package.

[@jorgeguzman9955]

I think adress has cleaner everything when compare to ft891

[@kiteflys8942]

FT991 audio reports say low and muffled on FM uhf vhf cant use it

[@darrinpearce9780]

fT891 is rather odd. Modern radio with no inbuilt sound card and no software supplied by the manufacturer to program it. #WTF. Tuner I can do without but these two items make you have to think hard about it. 73 and thanks for posting.

[@rayslinky]

It wants to be the everything radio without a sound card on USB. 🙄

[@LouiseBrooksBob]

HF power is CW power

[@mich777]

Show this radio in action

[@forgetyourlife]

There 100’s of other videos on that.

[@samuellourenco1050]

In 2023? Why? Because this radio is not 2008, but 2000 and late?

[@exploringearth3223]

I hate how your pronouns stuff it’s so bad I can’t even watch your videos. You need to work on your speech

[@damanera181]

i had one for 3 mounts then i get rid of it. i keeped here the old ft857, much more better

[@jozefbezan2501]

Danke für das tolle Video.73 de Jozef OE1CJG,(S56CJG).😊😊😊

[@ncphotos]

Great video! de W2CSI