Ftdx101 and tips on tuning a weak signal on SSB

[@KB2CWN]

When you had everything on I couldn't understand anything the dx station was saying. But when you turned off the notch he got clearer. I think you need to experiment more with that radio to get those settings at their best.

[@dcdell2008]

I've owned my FTdx-101D for just a year now and its nice to know these hidden extra features that I never imagine this radio can do--thanks for sharing

[@ham-radio]

AJ, I just bought an FTDX101D. Lots for me to learn. Thanks for the video. It helps. 73, Jim

[@aj2isotadxing]

You’re gonna love it. Best radio I’ve ever owned and I’m not just saying that because I have one. Let me know if you have any questions and congrats

[@ham-radio]

@@aj2isotadxing I will do that. There is a bit of story about the purchase that we can talk about another way. 73, Jim

[@frankjankovich3512]

Jim I was considering this radio or the kenwood TS-890S What’s your thoughts on this Yaesu radio?

[@mattbates6887]

I thought I would add a note about receiving those very weak CW signals on the FTdx101. I found the best settings which work for me are, roofing filter 3Khz or 600Hz, shift -120Hz, width 150Hz , contour set to 700Hz and AMP1 switched in. I set Contour in Operation setting, contour level 7 and width 6. The CW tone is 737Hz and works well for my ears and is pleasant to listen to. I could of course switch in the APF as well if needed, but with contour on it's very good. I am amazed at just how well the receiver on this rig pulls out those weak rapidly fading CW signals, the filters making them very easy to copy. Above all else of course, a low noise receive antenna helps a great deal as well.

[@n4shxradio]

Just to the FTDX101MP thank you for this video it's really helpful.

[@jcritch42]

Sorry. Could not hear the signal you were attempting to hear better.

[@f6dfzgeorges196]

Hi, what a mess ! Why use the notch if you have no carrier in your passband ? Why use the VRF as an attenuator when its job is to peak the signal you are trying to receive ? In doing so you can tune the center frequency of your VRF into more QRM. With too much gimmicks, the signal you are trying to receive loss all its intelligibility, exactly the contrary of what you are trying to demonstrate. Best regards, Georges F6DFZ

[@aj2isotadxing]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thx for watching.

[@kirklawrence4326]

heavily considering this rig. I have an FTdx1200 (have for several years) and it saved ham radio for me. Neighborhood HOA noise got incredibly hard to filter on my old rigs, so the 1200 made it possible to hang in there. I love the radio, but the noise seems to be picking up again, especially on 80 meter. This gives me hope that it would be possible to filter out a tad more with this newer and more selectable tool(s) and enjoy radio without giving up or moving. Thanks!

[@aj2isotadxing]

Look at my qrm eliminator demo

[@ChannelMaster720]

"HOA noise"??? 😯

[@rcas350pilot8]

I think I would just go find a stronger signal. After all those adjustments I still cannot hear any intelligible audio. Maybe I'm missing something.

[@McRocking]

It sounded a lot worse with the notch turned on IMO but that's the thing isn't it... we all hear things differently.

[@billrenfro7113]

Good video. Quick tip, you can reset the width and shift by pushing in the center knob.

[@DU1IVT]

which center knob pls?

[@billrenfro7113]

@@DU1IVT the shift and width control knob.

[@HamRadioLiveShow]

Nice video. A lot of time and effort went into this. I’d like to share it on my KZbin channel that helps to encourage people to come in to Amateur Radio. I had a request from a viewer who wanted to see some tips and tricks for an FTDX101. I’ll be sure to credit your channel and put a link to it in the description section of my video. Good DX! Larry de K7HN

[@aj2isotadxing]

Absolutely, that’s why I make these to help others

[@TheBrforsberg]

Good video, thanks. Another item that heps is that since the radio uses a splitter to share an antenna between Main and Sub receiver is to tune to another antenna port with the receiver that you are not using so that the receiver you are using has exclusive use.

[@aj2isotadxing]

Yes another good tip. Since learning that, I always have the second RX on ant 2. Unless I need it

[@smiffykuk]

Wow, excellent use of an excellent radio..

[@hamradiostation_M0UGE]

I also use the notch, if set to 1050hz at my QTH I not only take off the unneeded hash within the noise floor it also knocks 1 whole S point of the noise floor... THEN I use the Shift and Width to remove another S point of un needed 'noise'... people who don't have one of these radios won't get it until they actually have or use one, especially in a noisy neighbourhood like me, (S8 on 40 meters) They will just say "whats the point in using the notch etc etc" Good video sharing some valuable knowledge. 73

[@aj2isotadxing]

Yup. Very powerful tools. Especially in the my neighborhood with QRN everywhere. IPO on helps a lot too. No sense amplifying noise

[@andrewjo5739]

Nice video. Contour set to boost works best for me.

[@patrickbouldinkm5l143]

Correct, and use that instead of the manual EQ settings in the video with the low shelf, etc. It's all taste and preference. Curious why the notch filter, what was he trying to notch out? I didn't hear anything except some high pitched hash, but you would be eliminating that in general with the EQ.

[@aj2isotadxing]

@@patrickbouldinkm5l143 I will make another video explaining why I use notch. But yes to remove high p pitched hash

[@aj2isotadxing]

Contour is not As good as ftdx3000 or 891.

[@cesarea4is60]

@@patrickbouldinkm5l143 I'm also using in my FT2000 "boost contour" in menu adjust to boost human voice frequencies, better than cut contour. When the operator it's speaking, I move the button to receive the most clear intelligible voice moment in conjunction with Rf gain, VRF( similar VC-tune) attenuation, dsp nr levels, bandwidth, IF shift... And sometimes the paragraph notch

[@MW6PNW]

Excellent Information. Cheers mate

[@billcoyote1672]

Excellent video AJ, great rig BTW!.. 73 de ZS4L

[@aj2isotadxing]

Thanks William , good to hear from you. Hope all is well and will look for you in October on 20m

[@mikedrake5738]

I fucking love my FTDX 101D!

[@feeatlastfeeatlast5283]

You'd have to have quite an imagination to say there was any improvement in readability.

[@frankENZC]

I was surprised that the VC tune made such a good difference on such a weak signal! 73 de WA3RSL

[@m0bob]

Do you keep those settings in your radio and just use the VCTune, NB, DNR, Notch switches etc to turn them on and off? I am thinking of the scenario where I hear a weak signal and change all the control options, by that time the weak station has gone QRT or the band conditions have changed and they have disappeared.

[@aj2isotadxing]

Exactly. I set them as a baseline and turn them on as needed. It doesn’t take that long to use them, it just appeared that way in the video.

[@glennstevenson6242]

Well done, a great video!

[@sootmansphone]

Thanks for the video. I have just purchased a ft991a. I am having trouble programming repeaters. I know this comment / question don't have anything to do with this video but any help would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to use repeater book for programming 2 meter repeaters. The tone specified in repeater book is pl 100, when I look on my radio is see many choices but none are pl. Having some trouble learning about the type of tone to use.

[@aj2isotadxing]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaWmp3t6aa16bNU

[@SodaAnt7]

Are we supposed to hear any differences in that muddled background audio when you adjust the controls? I certainly couldn’t. What was the point of using the notch filter? That’s only useful for getting rid of hets and carriers, neither of which were present in the signal you were tuned to.

[@fullsaildigital]

The notch removes the high frequency hash that is useless noise and not part of the TX signal.

[@lucski5371]

Fine job 🙏

[@Mandala03]

Wonderfull radio

[@supermaurino1]

How can u display in this way? ( one vfo only ).

[@aj2isotadxing]

Push the multi button on screen

[@supermaurino1]

@@aj2isotadxing thank you 73’s

[@supermaurino1]

@@aj2isotadxing i tried but does not work

[@rl3kj]

Fantastic!👍

[@suou7938]

nice radio. i like those indicators on the buttons. wish i had the money to buy one and a location to put up a decent antenna... long way to go... is the display on the right from this radio? spectrum seems different.

[@aj2isotadxing]

Thanks I love it. Display on the right I have it hooked up to the sdr play as I like the pan adapter and waterfall better

[@racetrackphilippines3624]

How much like that?

[@frankENZC]

Very good demo. Thanks. 73 WA3RSL

[@Kibwunga]

To me, all th intelligibility is in the upper range of the human voice. Emphasizing low frequencies muddies things. Fidelity and intelligibility are opposites in weak signal work.

[@aj2isotadxing]

I agree, however sometimes when you are attacking the front end of the radio, a cut is better then a boost. Sometimes boosting adds more noise and is harder to disguish voice. Whatever works for your ears.

[@artgumbus]

Just amazing... great job on showing these features of the receiver.... I cannot wait to get my FTDX101-MP.... how long was your learning curve to master this rig?

[@aj2isotadxing]

Far from mastered but it started to click about using for about a month

[@73radist]

Which antenna is used in this video?

[@aj2isotadxing]

73radist a Hexbeam

[@okhouri]

Dude, I have this radio. The VC tune is a gimmick, all the noise cancelling is from the DNR. The noise blanker is for something else and does nothing to static.

[@aj2isotadxing]

You’re wrong. Vc tune is used for adjacent qrm NOT noise reduction. However sometimes it can help with making a signal more prominent.

[@theobosters8487]

man o man, by the time you do all this stuf, the man who's transmiting is already in his bed by the time youre done ;-)

[@fullsaildigital]

Not really, it’s a set it and leave it exercise. I leave these settings on 90% of the time

[@biltztom2685]

Which number/algorithm do you set the DNR ? I learn now how to use my FTDX10 that is nearly the same excepting the VC tune if I am not wrong. Thank you.

[@aj2isotadxing]

Usually dnr to 3-5 depending

[@teashea1]

That is well done -------

[@yenaurapourtoulmonde]

excellent!

[@WildBillQRO]

only problem , the volume knob at 100%

[@aj2isotadxing]

Works better with headphones, used the speaker for the video

[@burlives3493]

That little speaker is the Yaesu SP8? Looks different online. Is there more than one peice?

[@aj2isotadxing]

The sp8 is on my desk not in the camera view

[@Scif64]

Nice filters, but does not make much difference if they cant hear you ;)

[@gerfmon1]

That's why you run a kilowatt and a beam. ;-)

[@Bernard-John]

Hi,interesting video,,,but can't take you seriously, are you using a 20 euros cheap plastic external speaker with such an expensive radio,,,,and you place it on the radio,,,big no no,do you even know if its magnetically shielded,,,,,,,do your self a favour get a quality speaker, first rule of Amateur radio, can't give a qualified report, with a cheap plastic speaker, well that's my 2 cert worth,,,,73s from Rotterdam, PA1LEG....ps why do the colours look washed out on the display 🤔🤔

[@aj2isotadxing]

I’ve bought a better speaker since this video. This video was meant to help others, not to showcase hifi cd quality audio.

[@Bernard-John]

@@aj2isotadxing Hi,I am not saying that the audio is cd quality, but surely such a quality radio deserves a quality speaker,,,,,at the end of the day its your radio room, I don't care what you use,it was an observation, more than a criticism,,,,how can you really help others with a cheap small speaker, with a cheap small sound,,,,,,,shame great radio,,,my Yeasu sp 9000 with installation kit was 400 euros, but for me pulling out the weak signals is important,,,,,anyhoo fine weekend 73s from Rotterdam 👍👍

[@martinbuinicki1056]

But pointless to call that guy 'cuz he'll never hear you!

[@aj2isotadxing]

Already worked him before making the video. When you're in the middle of nowhere, often you have a s0 noise level.

[@jameskaras4345]

just get an icom..hahahaha

[@aj2isotadxing]

@@jameskaras4345 hahahahahaha

[@_devjatov_]

я вижу денег пожалел на спикер )))

[@radioaustralia5070]

No need for all of that. DNR at 5 vctune on and rf gain at 2 to 1 clock works best

[@aarontooth]

I was with you until you said turn down RF gain.

[@radioaustralia5070]

@@aarontooth it's up to you what works best for your ears.

[@aarontooth]

@@radioaustralia5070 OK fair enough.