Setting your FT-991A for ALL Digital Modes

This covers the needed settings for your FT-991A to run virtually all digital modes.
This video, albeit an experiment, will serve as the basis for updated and upgraded future videos about the wide array of digital modes available to the modern ham.
Chapters:
00:01 Introduction
02:04 Menu Settings
04:16 Synchronizing your Time and Checking Serial Ports
07:29 Radio and Function Settings
09:16 Summary and End Notes
Settings:
Put your rig in the DATA-USB mode, unless your software recommends LSB
Menu Settings
002 AGC MID Delay = 700 (default)
031 CAT RATE = Make Note
032 CAT TOT = 100 mSec
033 CAT RTS = Disable
060 PC Keying = OFF
062 Data Mode = Others
064 Other Display = 1500
065 Other Shift = 1500
066 DATA LCUT Freq = 100 Hz
067 DATA LCUT Slope = 18 dB/Oct
068 DATA HCUT Freq = 3000 Hz
069 DATA HCUT Slope = 18 dB/Oct
070 DATA In Select = Rear
071 DATA PTT Select = DAKY
Function Settings:
MOX = Off
VOX = Off
NOTCH = Off
CONT = Off
DNR = Off
DNF = Off
SHIFT = 0 Hz
WIDTH = 3000 Hz
NAR/WIDE = W 3k
NB = Off
AGC = AUTO
ATT = Off
IPO = AMP 1 (flexible)
Thanks for watching. Please remember to Like, Share, Comment - and please consider subscribing.
73 de Tom, ND3N

[@wb416]

I just got the new 991A yesterday, and today your settings got my rig quickly setup for interface to FLRig, etc. Thank you! 73, KE8DIE

[@ND3N]

Great to hear!

[@wb416]

@@ND3N Also looks like we are only about an artillery shell away from each other as well. Have a good one!

[@KX4UL]

Very easy to understand and follow. Nice work!

[@AI5HV]

I love how detailed your videos are regarding the menu settings. I was surprised to see that you left out settings for VARA-FM out of your list. Menu 76 FM PKt PTT Select must be set to DAKY and Menu 77 FM Pkt Port Select must be set to USB.

[@ND3N]

Glad it was helpful!. This was done shortly after I started using VARA-HF. I don’t have an FM link within range, so I haven’t crossed that line yet, but I will keep checking to see if one pops up, then after a bit of experience and experimenting will do a video. Thanks and 73 de Tom, ND3N…

[@AI5HV]

@@ND3NI was able to use your other settings. But adding those two settings that I mentioned will let VARA FM work correctly on the Yaesu FT-991A using the Data-FM Mode.

[@mattstosh6960]

Thank you for a presentation regarding a radio that I own. I use the free Dimension 4 utility to keep time synchronized. you NEED to keep the time - otherwise you will never acquire the very weak signal stations - which I enjoy working.

[@ND3N]

Thanks Matt.

[@BowWowPewPewCQ]

Enhanced CP2105 UART port is not always the lower one.

[@ND3N]

True, but I was going by the info I had at the time. After a few months I found out it wasn’t fully correct and too late to make it right without deleting the video and doing it over. Congrats though, you’re the first to let me know. My 991A is currently part of a go box. I purchased a new computer just for it and when I make a video about the setup there, I’ll be sure to put the right info in.

[@tonybarnett508]

Tom have been watching your videos and others since i started this hobby to help me sort things out and has been great help recently purchased a MFJ 939 Y AND MFJ 5114Y for my FT 991A but cannot see any info on settings for radio can see it for plenty of overs but not 991a i know one setting should be extternal tuner but dont know of any others ? have looked up manuals but no help as mentioned for FT 991A in particular Tony VK5ADB

[@georgesalinas7206]

FABULOUS!! Thank you for the information you are providing. If that is a Kenwood TS 890 in the background I wonder if you could provide the information for that rig? George KD4FJ

[@ND3N]

I’d be happy too. It’s my primary station rig, and it certainly deserves some time in the limelight..

[@fyrearm]

Thank you for the video; it was very well done. I have had no problems doing FT8 in USB mode, but I had never tried it in DATA-USB mode before. Most videos I have watched on this topic usually only cover USB. However, after following your guide, the DATA-USB mode seems to be working just fine. However, I have noticed that the WIDTH function keeps resetting to 500 when I switch between bands, although this does not happen every time. Have you encountered this issue before?

[@ND3N]

I haven’t seen that before. Check out my new video on setting the 991A up for digital modes. It’s the most up to date one I have and it came out a week ago.

[@KX4UL]

I don’t think the width setting is global and covers all bands at once. I think each band remembers what you set the width at. You’ll have to set the width on each band you use.

[@thomaskwan1572]

Tom, Thanks for the video. I have a question about using the FT991A for Winlink via VHF packet. The Winlink popup after a session is opened does not have a setting for the 991A radio. Do you know the proper settings to use to be able to send a message through Winlink via VHF packet. It does for ARDOP, but there are no ARDOP stations close enough to me for a connection. Thanks in advance. Tom KN6VFB

[@ND3N]

I have the same problem. No nearby VHF RMSs. So I can’t help with that. There are a few videos on YT where people describe the process, and it seems pretty straightforward. 73

[@thomaskwan1572]

Would you point me in the direction of such a YT video? I am using soundmodem software as the interface, but can't find the CAT.dll file for the Yaesu 991A. @@ND3N

[@mtfmusic11]

Unfortunately, this did not work for me. They keep telling me that my comports had no drivers. I followed your instructions precisely, but I couldn’t continue without the drivers and for some reason they just want to look on the computer not on the Internet.

[@ND3N]

You need to download the drivers from Yaesu.com. Go to the product page, open the files tab, scroll down to the bottom and you’ll see the drivers and instructions for installing them.

[@user-yv3xb7to1z]

HI Tom I myself only have Mac computer do you know anything about sharing the screen to another display ie MacBook Pro regards Allan G6TMO

[@ND3N]

Unfortunately, no. I’ve always been a PC/Windows guy, though I have played with Linux. But, Mac OS has a lot of capability and I’m sure there is something available.

[@hamspud35]

I like your videos, but the little clips are annoying Thanks

[@dougstrong696]

NOT to me

[@Leonards_life]

Tom, you did not set 700hz AGC anywhere in menu as you mentioned. Also why the moni setting. Is that for hearing signal while transmitting? 73, N6ZKI

[@ND3N]

I kept the AGC (MID) on the default of 700 and set the AGC IN THE FUNCTIONS to AUTO. When using Data modes, the rig uses the MID setting. Yes, the moni setting is for monitoring your transmitted signal and can be set to your comfort level.

[@ulrichwalter3018]

Hello, I need your support. I use an FT 991A and do WSJT-X via HAM Radio Deluxe. I set up the connection properly and the sound card also works. I control PTT via RTS. My problem is that when I go on air the MODE switches from D-USB to USB by itself. What could this be and do you have a solution? THX

[@ND3N]

While I have HRD, I’ve not used it to control WSJT-x. From a wsjt-x pov. Don’t use rts for PTT, rather use CAT. Make use you have the latest 991A drivers, and select packet/data for your mode. 73

[@nsmaid]

Tom … while interesting this isn’t helpful in that each of these applications has its own set of settings that must match what’s been chosen here. FLDigi, JC8CALL and WSJT-X need to be configured in such a manner that these settings above actually function. On top of that some of these vary by the band. I don’t see for example the setup for FLDigi that matches these radio settings for sending via FLMsg over say 10M, 6M and/or 2M FM. Did you do a video on that as well?

[@ND3N]

That’s something I’ll have to take a look at. Hopefully I provided enough to at least give folks a starting point.

[@rondvaartpraamverhuurleeuw3750]

PA1FRJ

[@super66craig]

Agreec with others, the pop culture tv clips are irritating and break the flow of information for us ADHD type guys. Who actually watchs these inane sitcoms anyway? I like seeing the screen shots from the radio and pc. Too many guys rattle of menu settings like most of us are Yaesu menu setting gurus. Im certainly not so what your showing is essential. Skip the intro chat and pop culture tv clips and you will be the very best of teachers brother. 73! Kd9uqe

[@ND3N]

Thanks for the advise

[@sidneyshusterman6076]

@@ND3N I agree. the video inserts break the line of concentration especially while trying to follow the pace of the menu movements and settings. The nice part is I can stop the video as often as needed to capture that nuance or subtle mention. Thanks Tom!

[@markhypno7920]

Cut the intro, you waste valuable info