FT-891 Digital Modes Using The DigiRig

How to setup and use the DigiRig on a Yaesu FT-891 and a Windows laptop.
DigiRig - digirig.net/product/digirig-m...
Yaesu Cables -
digirig.net/product/yaesu-ft-...
WSJT-X - wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html
Links to my gear -
- k9emp.com/gear-links/
Links to my socials -
- www.k9emp.com
- k9emp
- Twitter.com/k9emp
- Facebook - / 100090626139048
Music by Alex_Kizenkov from Pixabay
#yaesu #ft891 #ft818nd #overland #adventure #hiking #prep #prepping #prepared #comms #comunication #hamradio #radio #ham

[@IdahoLife]

Hands down the best digirig/FT891 video out there. Keep 'em coming!

[@AlpineWarren]

Serial RTS PTT simplifies setup with just one cable with the Logic Levels DigiRig. CAT Control to NONE in WSJTX, Select RTS and your COM Port. I use the DATA MODE: Digital menu settings for the Ft-891 08-01 Data Mode: others 08-02 PSK Tone: 1500 08-03 Other Disp: 1500 08-04 Other Shift: 1500 08-06 Data LCUT Freq: 300 08-07 Data HCUT Freq: 2800 08-09 Data In Select: Rear 08-10 Data PTT Select: DAKY 08-11 Data Out Level: 50 08-12 Data BFO: USB (Data modes on HF are always USB) 16-03 HF PWR: 30 - Or desired 16-10 Data Mic Gain: 50 Front panel menu settings: Automatic Gain Control (AGC): Off Band Width (WDH): 3000 hz Processor (PRC): Off Digital Noise Reduction (DNR): OFF Front Meter (MTR): ALC

[@k.howard5927]

Excellent video. Exactly what I have been looking for to get me on the air. Thank you

[@ColbyHiggs]

Great video!

[@user-jk3sr6up9n]

Need setup instructions for HRD Software using the DigiRig! It is very hard for me to follow because you are fast for an old man of 80! Enjoy your videos!

[@k9emp]

Unfortunately, I've never used ham radio deluxe, but since it is a paid software, I would recommend reaching out to their support team. They should be able to help you out. It is entirely possible that they may need to release a software update to allow it to work.

[@elkabong6429]

Thanks!

[@TinyTJ04]

DigiRig offers a short USB A to USB C cable with ferrites on it now. It solved my RFI issue and is easier to store.

[@k9emp]

Thanks, I was thinking about trying some other usb C to usb A cables that I already have, but I will take a look at theirs.

[@o2bnov0307]

Thank you for the video. I would like to buy one of these for my FT-891. I have zero experience with this mode. I'm primarily a CW operator. But, I have been fascinated by digital modes, and want to give them a try. I'll be back to look at more videos. 73 de David AE4LH

[@o2bnov0307]

I have purchased the Digirig, watched hours worth of YT videos. Epic failure at the park today. My USB-C was one I had at home, but must not have had enough wires connected. I've ordered one with ferrites, and is made for the Digirig. Question: Can I NOT use the printer cable, use RTS, and not CAT?

[@Alex_556]

Since you're using CAT over USB cable, PTT should be set to "CAT" on port "COM4", and "Mode" should be "Data/Pkt" for digital modes. Also, it is recommended to increase the interface speed above 19200 bps in the software and on the radio, in most cases 38400 is the best, it provides very smooth operations and minimum delays. 73!

[@k9emp]

Tried that but could not get it to work with the DigiRig. The data packet mode doesn't matter a whole lot as long as you are using USB.

[@Alex_556]

@@k9emp Digirig has nothing to do with CAT over USB cable. That config works to me...

[@kd5you1]

I have mine setup the same as described in the video and it works fine, though I might try it on Data/Pkt so that I don't have to keep changing the power output when switching between voice and data.

[@matteng2332]

I’ve got one and I love it. 73

[@davidg5308]

Appreciate the video and sure makes it clear! However, now I need a dif laptop with at least 2 usb ports...oy. Time to find a used Dell or similar. Cheers and thanks!

[@k9emp]

Glad I could help

[@tekspeditionplanet9109]

Good video. What are the benefits of using the computer USB cable versus the green CAT cable that came with the Digirig?

[@k9emp]

I've only been able to get the cat control to work with usb cable on the 891. The green cat cable works just fine with my 818.

[@jarmojarvinen1585]

Is it the HF POWER which affect in digital mode?

[@buddys1702]

an addenda ... i am interested to know from anybody successfully using CAT with the 891/digirig combo .... what firmware versions you are running. i am on MAIN v01-07. thanks much.

[@gregmalonewa3gm680]

Did you make any other changes to your radio? I find it hard to believe there were not some other settings in the radio that had to be changed.

[@k9emp]

The main thing in the radio to set is the baud rate. It is menu option 5-6. It doesn't really matter what it is set at, but you need the baud rate to put into WSJT-X. If you will be running 30m to 160m, you also need to set the side band to USB. That is menu option 11-7. As far as I remember, those are really the only menu options that I have changed for the DigiRig to work. I was using a signalink, and there are a few other options that have to be changed for that to work. I don't use the data mode when I do digital because the 891 has several other options that have to be played with in the menu. I've just found that ssb mode works the best for me when using digital modes in WSJT-X.

[@WillemvanderHouven]

Great ! which cat config digirig do i need for the FT891 ?

[@k9emp]

You'll need the logic levels config for the DigiRig, and you have to buy the cables separately.

[@kd5you1]

The short USB cables sold by Digirig have ferrites on each end already. It might actually help with RFI to use the shorter cables. I've been using the short USB-C to USB-C and have added no ferrites to any other cables & have no RFI issues. I wonder what antenna you are using with your FT-891. I use a linked inverted V for 80, 40, 30 and 20 meters. 73 KD5YOU

[@k9emp]

I'm using an EFHW. At the time I bought my DigiRig, all they had were the coiled cables, which don't appear to have ferrites on them already.

[@ethancarr5869]

What is the case you have under your 891 I have been looking for a way to protect mine while in a backpack.

[@k9emp]

It's the Amazon basics large carry case. I dropped the affiliate link below. It's a semi hard shell case. I pulled the foam out of the case so the radio would fit. I can also slide my mic, power cord, and coax in it. I could probably fit more in the case if I wanted to. amzn.to/44HpeZn

[@cchalfantusa]

That case beneath your FT-891 looks perfectly sized, do you recall the name and model or have an affiliate link?

[@k9emp]

amzn.to/44HpeZn That's the link to the case. You'll have to remove the foam from the inside. I also have links to some of my other gear on my website. k9emp.com/gear-links/

[@spudhut2246]

Why do you add the Ferrite couplers? It would be nice to get an explanation for the new guys. Why do you have one on some cables and two on others?

[@k9emp]

The ferrites stop RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) from getting into my laptop and causing weird problems. That's just the amount that I had of them on hand.

[@buddys1702]

thanks for a great video. luckily i had enough ferrite beads, however i cannot get CAT to work. only with radio set to NONE does ft8 work. what version of firmware are you running? that is the only variable i have not varied. thanks much.

[@k9emp]

I am on v01-07. Make sure to triple check your settings with what I have in the video. Also, make sure to check what COM ports are coming up when you plug in your 891 in device manager.

[@swenner64]

Why do you need the digirig I run mine off the computer audio

[@mhpreach]

Let me give you a challenge. Get a digirig working with a G90 running Ham Radio Deluxe. This has been a challenge. Who is up for that one?

[@k9emp]

Unfortunately I don't have a G90 or Ham Radio Deluxe

[@MrJimmy440]

You don’t set the Audio to CAT ?

[@k9emp]

No, the way the DigiRig is set up it has to be set to RTS. I believe it is just the way it is designed.

[@davidbinkowski4825]

@@k9emp Yeah, I almost blew an entire trip to my first POTA activation (which I planned to do FT-8 on) assuming it worked just like my external sound card I originally used at home for FT-8 on the 891 I went ahead and did the activation on SSB instead and I'm kinda glad I did, since I had more fun than I thought doing it in phone mode. I bought a digirig for portable, and used my old Y-harness with the 6-pin DIN on it, and left the WSJTX settings for PTT method set to "CAT". Thinking the digirig was just a different external sound card with better RF isolation. Well, my 891 lit up when I tried to transmit, but no power output... I played with it and restarted the software and the radio and nothing changed. I then watched a couple videos (like this one) and realized the PTT method has to be RTS for digirig. And I ordered a new cable also (that does't have a Y-harness to combine two seperate audio cables) because originally I thought that was the problem and I ordered the cable first. Its possible the problem is both, and I need the digi-rig cable, AND the RTS setting, but I'll test that. I'm sure glad Yaesu stopped short of putting an external sound card in the 891. I'd hate to have spent $10 more on the radio. I would have missed out on all this fun I have had puttering with external sound solutions.

[@denelson83]

Functionally not much different from a Signalink.

[@Dimensvlz]

Agree, don’t see any difference between Signalink and Digirig. There is one advantage for Digirig portability.