How To Setup the Yaesu FT-818/FT-817 With Digirig for WSJT-X

[@randygc3704]

Good video. I've been using a DigiRig for about a year with my IC-706MKIIG in my truck for Winlink. Love it. Doing an FT8/4 POTA activation is on my to do list.

[@mrbigmatt]

Great tutorial Mike! The only suggestion I would make is to NOT set the devices to Default because if you do that the Windows OS sounds will play through the DigiRig. It's not needed anyway since you specify the audio device in WSJT-X. Keep up the great work, appreciate the content!

[@hamradiotube]

Interesting. That's what the instructions say. digirig.net/setting-audio-levels-for-digital-modes/

[@meltcom]

Read further down: "It is common for Windows to flag the newly detected audio interface as default for the system. After connecting Digirig, restore your previous configuration by right clicking listings for your regular PC speaker and microphone and selecting them both as system default and communication default."@@hamradiotube

[@hamradiotube]

@@meltcom Well paint me purple and call me Shirley, I read that wrong. Thanks for the correction. I'm going back to my Mac now lol!

[@PaulaBean]

I got wsjtx working on ubuntu linux, also with an external usb sound 'card'. I made the cables myself ;-)

[@Merhart]

thanks, usefull and must be easy, ordered the digirig just a few seconds ago and the great waiting has been started.

[@douglofreddo7886]

I have this same setup but on my 857. Works great! WSJT-X was super easy to configure.

[@rodmurrayVA3MZD]

Thanks for this. I muddled through this exact setup on my own, first on my MacBook Pro then on a Windows PC. There are steps you’ve shown with the audio settings in Windows that I missed altogether and will have to revisit. This will be very helpful. I’ve always just readjusted the RF gain every time I change bands to get the right input level around 70db to get good decodes.

[@hamradiotube]

I did make one mistake in this video. You actually DO NOT want to make the Digirig the default device, lest all your Windows sounds will be transmitted over the air. I've heard windows sounds from other stations while operating before and wondered what the heck was going on. I don't think it's an issue with Mac though.

[@samuellourenco1050]

It is better to set the PTT method to RTS, so the PTT control is done via Digirig. Therefore, if you lose USB, your rig won't be stuck transmitting.

[@Bob814u]

Menu 26 on the 8XX. In the back of my mind I knew there was a step I was missing. You have to change the Menu 26 to USER. Mine was on RTTY. Didn't work till I changed it. THEN I went in and corrected all the other settings in JS8, HRD, and FLDIGI.

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

Nice video, masterfully done! Now I wish I had a Yaesu to try it on LOL

[@hamradiotube]

sounds like you just got your reason to buy another radio 🤣

[@alekseygrachev4025]

Also make sure you have correct digital mode set. Menu #26 - PSK31-U or USER-U

[@n3vmt126]

this also includes the Yaesu ft-857d ( i own this radio) run it on both Windows and Linux PC's

[@la7yka]

I presume that if we set the data rate to 38400 baud, we can still use a Z-817 antenna tuner with CAT control between radio and the Digirig. Thanks for sharing, I've learned a lot here.

[@vandedn]

Thanks for the video. Very useful but could you show how you plug the different cable between ft818, ldg 817 and the digirig ?

[@DellFargus]

I could hear the "ick" in your voice while you use a Windows computer. Fun fact: the Evolves don't have reverse polarity protection. I smoked mine hooking it up to my LiFePO to recharge...backwards. In my defense, alcohol was involved.

[@hamradiotube]

Lol! Well, so long as alcohol was involved...

[@RadioExpeditionProject]

Thank you Mike. 🤝

[@Screamingtut]

Mike on the power level how much power are you transmitting? 4 watts??? I got an ft-817nd & an ft-891 (which is still in the box have not taken it out because I had no antenna up at the house until a few weeks ago), now I have an S9+20 noise level at the house and have not gotten a ground rod sunk in yet. got a guy from Washington State from a contractor of PPG that finds where I get noise from (I got an underground transformer right in front of my house they checked the ground on the transformer Wednesday)

[@hamradiotube]

Well oh high power with the 818 I'm supposed to be putting out about 6 watts but I've measured it at about 4, maybe 4.5 watts.

[@jamesknotts1546]

Wondering if you are making a video for the Belton ham fest?

[@motorcityman8982]

Good video and new channel.

[@hamradiotube]

Thank you very much!

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

First🎉 let's go! Digitizing get down!

[@paulbreau789]

Great video, thanks

[@MrCofresipirate]

Excellent video!!!!!….getting into FT8 these settings will work in the Yaesu FT100 ?

[@hamradiotube]

I hope so. I've not had the pleasure of using the FT100 so I can't say for sure.

[@jolebole-yt]

You can go 38400 on the baud rate on the FT-818 and same for WSJT-X

[@danielzdanowicz6899]

Mike... Have you had any luck setting up the FT-818 (aka FT-817) using Digirig... to key the radio on CW with Fldigi? I can't seem to get it to key via the CAT/data line no matter what settings I have tried with Flrig, or Hamlib or Rigcat. If you have had success I'd like to know. It might be a good subject for a video. Your postings are very informative. Best 73s Dan K1YPB - On the air since 1962

[@hamradiotube]

That I have not tried. I'm not a CW guy.

[@kevink526]

Is FT8 the only digital mode it’s useful for?

[@hamradiotube]

You can us it for any digital mode.

[@alekseygrachev4025]

Digirig's site says "Windows assigns recently added sound card as a Default Device and Default Communication Device. This designation should be moved from Digirig back to the computer’s regular microphone and speakers so the unrelated audio doesn’t end up on the air."

[@k6kwi]

Have you been able to get this setup to work with VRA HF & WinLink?

[@kd5you1]

Its basically the same setup for VARA HF and Winlink. I have both the Digirig and the Ft-818, and both work very well together. 73 KD5YOU

[@k6kwi]

Yes, as soon as I was done with the video I tried WinLink. It’s working great. Nice connections to two gateways in Hawaii with 5 watts from my FT817 👍. Thanks for the video. It’s a great resource!!

[@hamradiotube]

I appreciate you assuming I know how to use those modes lol! But no, I wouldn't even know where to start. Good to hear you got it working.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

🎉

[@williammitchell6065]

does dig rig work with apple ? KO4YIU

[@Chriswilsie]

FT-891? I could use that!

[@fotografm]

My wsjtx receive input level indicator is always in the red even with zero "microphone" gain on windows 10. I tried everything but cannot reduce this. Any suggestions ?

[@softcomplex]

Check that AGC is unchecked in control panel as shown in this video. If nothing else works, you can activate the attenuator on the board.

[@DonzLockz]

Digital? Do you ever APRS Bro?😂

[@hamradiotube]

What is this APRS you speak of?

[@DonzLockz]

@@hamradiotube 🤷‍♂️😆

[@nutsnproud6932]

Sorry hard to hear what you say with that twangy music in the background.

[@ZeroHarry]

Mike you like to fake it?

[@DonzLockz]

😆👍

[@hamradiotube]

Fake it until you make it