How to get an external display on your Yaesu FT-991A

[@SummitBidTech]

I had no idea Dice Clay was a ham! Just kidding man. Great job! I’m inspired to experiment with this.

[@SlowGoose]

Ohh she got a bone of her own lol. Funny thing is my name is Andrew. Good luck setting it up. It will change the way you use your radios. I bought one for my father a few years ago and now he tells me he could never go back. No need to touch the radio any more

[@kb2uka575]

The other benefit is now you can open up the receive to a wider bandwidth! Great job.

[@SlowGoose]

Thank you. I take it you’re local? I’m on Long Island

[@kb2uka575]

@@SlowGoose it’s Doug lol.

[@SlowGoose]

Bahahaha. One day I’ll remember your call lol. Haven’t heard you on in a while

[@kb2uka575]

@@SlowGoose every day for a little at least.

[@SlowGoose]

On 40?

[@rbc1225]

Awesome video. So basically you connect the FT-991A to your computer and then combine the programs, Omnirig and your SDR program to create what you have. Is that it? Not sure how you are connecting the control of your radio to SDRConsole. I get the connection to the SDRPlay device but the control and video from your radio has me stumped.

[@SlowGoose]

Thank you. That’s pretty much it. But don’t forget you also need the sdr itself.

[@rbc1225]

Yes, I have the SDRDuo but still don’t understand how you are controlling the radio.

[@SlowGoose]

@@rbc1225I will make a video showing how to set it all up. But omnirig is what talks to the radio. Have you installed the yaesu drivers?

[@rbc1225]

That would be awesome, just a short video of setting Omnirig. When I load Omnirig and start it, all that shows up is 4 com ports, nothing else. I will google some help on it and see if I can work it out. As far as drivers, yes I have the Yaesu drivers, it works fine on my win4yaesu program, but I am interested in yours too.

[@f5svp]

Hello. Interesting video, but lacking in explanation. How do you configure with the cat câble? Omnirig settings? Connecting the box for PTT switching?

[@SlowGoose]

It’s hard to give a complete answer because it will vary for everyone. Depending on what port you have the radio plugged into on your computer Will determine the comport. Once you figure that out you just select your rig from the list. As far as the ptt line, on the 991a it’s a bit of a pain. Most radios have a dedicated send line or something of that nature. On the 991a you have to get an 8 pin din plug for the remote jack on the back. Then you need a line from pins 2 and 3. One is labeled as tx ground and the other is ground. It will short across when keyed. The cat cable itself can either be the usb or the serial port on the back of the radio. Drivers for the usb can be found on yaesus website and the serial cable (at least in my experience) will either come with drivers or a link to where to download. The antenna switch is just like hooking up a watt meter. Coax passes through and there is an sma jack that runs to the antenna input on the sdr. Hope this helps. Any more questions feel free to ask.

[@scramick]

Great video! I went and purchased all the items you suggested. The question, when using sdr-radio for my FT-991A, I cannot get the frequency on the SDR-radio to match my radio. It currently shows another frequency. Do you know of any links to help me with this? Thank you!

[@scramick]

Found the problem. You have to start Omnirig first and then SDR Console

[@AndrewPepper]

You'll have insertion loss from the RF switch/ splitter. Why not tap the IF?

[@SlowGoose]

Because that won’t mute the input on the sdr. If you tx while the sdr is receiving you will over load the front end of it.

[@AndrewPepper]

@@SlowGoose You can tap the IF (not RF) internally.

[@mjw_geek]

@@AndrewPepper True, I tapped my IF and it's a game changer!

[@sigfla1]

Ok so the computer is hooked up to the SDR via USB. The SDR is hooked up to your external antenna and the antenna input of the radio? The display is hooked up to the computer via HDMI or whatever compatible plug you have on the comp/monitor. The Omni program is controlling the radio via the computer and some form of additional cable connecting the 2? The SDR is a standalone radio box capable of HF,VHF, and UHF. Omni links the 2 together? Could you just use Omni and the software to control your 991 and avoid the SDR?

[@SlowGoose]

Correct as far as all the connections go. Without the sdr itself you can not have a visual output. The sdr is what converts the rf into a visual. I intend to do a more thorough video on the 991a but if you like I have another video of how to set it up generically using an icom 7000.

[@sigfla1]

@@SlowGoose I saw that one. Would love a 991a dedicated video like the one for the Icom. Using the same SDR in this video. Let me be sure though the SDR model has to be purchased in the correct band you want to use? They are either multi band (HF/VHF/UHF) or HF only?

[@SlowGoose]

@@sigfla1 from what I have seen most of the sdrs cover hf and vhf uhf. If you do get an rtl sdr it will cover all. I don’t recall how low it goes but I have never had an issue with it receiving down to 80m. I’m not set up to go any lower than that. I do plan to make a 991a specific video. It’s just a nightmare to pull it all out of my desk and pull all the wires out.

[@sigfla1]

@@SlowGoose gotcha. Such a beautiful setup Yaesu needs to come out with a 991b with monitor out. Your video really shows the advantage of a larger display over the one on the unit.

[@SlowGoose]

@@sigfla1I would love to see it on a newer version of the 991. But in reality using the sdr in this capacity gives you much more use ability. As far as I understand it a radio with an external monitor is just a mirrored display not actually functional.

[@azarellediaz4892]

Will this setup work with the FT-891?

[@SlowGoose]

It should. As long as you can connect to a computer via the usb port. The tx ground should be picked up from the tune/linear din plug on the back. Not sure if the pin out on the din plug is the same as the 991 but it will work

[@peterbaker7963]

The only question is the camera moved around so dam much do you supply the sick bags for free.. because I couldn't watch it without felling sick

[@SlowGoose]

Unfortunately the puke bags are 2 for a dollar.

[@gcopter1963]

Ok, so, my 991a, is seen by the RSPdx in uno. I can change frequencies in Uno and my 991a responds. What I'm missing is seeing the waterfall with the signals. All I see in Uno is just regular waterfall but no discernable signals. What am I missing? I see in your video a cable connected to the "Ref In" jack in the back of the SDRPlay. I don't have that. Is that what I need? What cable is it? Thanks.

[@SlowGoose]

The line at reference in is the usb cable between the sdr and the computer. If you are not seeing signals on the waterfall you may need to adjust the gain on uno. If that doesn’t work try installing another sdr software and see if the problem continues. If it does try different antenna ports on the sdr and make sure the correct antenna is selected in the program. You may have over driven the front end of the sdr. I had that problem and it was because I had my antenna switch disconnected so the sdr never was blocked from my tx power. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions

[@maxasaurus3008]

@@SlowGooseand if you have over driven the front end, we have to replace it right?

[@SlowGoose]

@@maxasaurus3008 It has protection diodes that usually pop and it stops there. sometimes you can do more damage

[@jhayes6188]

Holy Hell - I've never seen a setup like that. I'm jealous. That must have cost you a fortune.. Can you do a video of your full setup?

[@SlowGoose]

I appreciate that very much. It’s been a long go getting it to where it is. I’m not sure if you looked but there are a few short videos of the shack. It’s hard to be comprehensive in one video. Too many things and I get side tracked lol. Hope you enjoy the videos.

[@daytonstrongrecovery101]

Works well at 100w or less on the 991A. Anything more the switch won't handle it. For guys running amps forget it, buy a true SDR rig like a FT-71O that allows an external monitor then your good with added power without worry. If your ok with 100w then your good.

[@SlowGoose]

I can run legal limit. You just run it before the amp. It never sees more than 100 watts.

[@daytonstrongrecovery101]

@@SlowGoose makes sense & good to know.

[@ManuelPinner]

I have Both of these SDR Play United!

[@SlowGoose]

The sdr play models are some of the best I’ve used so far.

[@momfacebook]

Gibt es eine Anleitung? Habe das Kabel in den USA bestellt, komme aus Deutschland

[@SlowGoose]

What cable have you ordered?

[@momfacebook]

AEcreative CAT Schnittstellenkabel

[@SlowGoose]

I am trying to get another video together this week. I want to break down everything. Will probably do it in sections.

[@momfacebook]

❤ Top

[@roxleyldc]

Is this Windows only?

[@SlowGoose]

I believe sdr console will work on windows and mac. That being said, I just checked the downloads page for it and I am only seeing a windows option.

[@michaelwenmanK7USN]

so all this and you did not show at all how to get the 991A to have an external display using sdrplay. would have more expected to see what wire goes from the radio to this to that etc.. basically a road map.

[@jackplace5665]

This is a confusing and somewhat annoying video. Just get to the point and show how to hook this stuff up.

[@SlowGoose]

A more comprehensive video is in the works. I’m not thrilled with all the movement in this video myself.

[@Smash-n-Grab]

​​@@SlowGooseThr DVT SDR dongle "Not as sensitive " those dongles are extremely sensitive and rather their downfall...yes the sdr play has a bit more filtering

[@SA5OHR]

This video was just click bait. Sad if there will be another video about this function as me as many other hates click bait videos that just steal your time for nothing other than the creator fools you to help him get view minutes to start gain income. But that was a bad move as ofcourse this leads to me blocking the channel so no more minutes from me mate.

[@TnEMTP18325]

This video made my dizzy.

[@SlowGoose]

Yeah it was a bit much with all the back and forth. I plan to make another one a bit more refined.

[@scvd5010]

Yet no real explanation on how to do the setup...just a bumch of blabbing!

[@SlowGoose]

Wahhh I can’t figure out how to make a cable.

[@scvd5010]

That's the point no real explanation