The hidden switch most FT-891 users don't know about - July 2022 Livestream Excerpt

[@4acae86]

Much better explanation than the manual.

[@TimSleppy]

You're better than the manual.

[@TM-gv6zv]

I have owned my ft-891 for approximately 4 years and I never knew that. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks sometimes LOL

[@erikas6874]

The FT-891 is a great radio. When lifting it up you understand that this is quality in every aspect :)

[@allandavis_AC4HI]

Thank Michael ! As you can imagine when I plugged in my headphones into the rear jack and got mono I thought what the the heck. KZbin pulled you all up on the first search when I looked for headphone issues FT891. You all saved me alot of time and got me squared away. I immediately subscribed to your page ! 73 Sir AC4HI

[@ke8wlw]

Thank you Micheal!! I went and flipped said switch and it works perfectly!

[@kroberts2812]

Thank you for the great videos on the functions of the 891. I just purchased the 891 and these videos are very helpful! Thanks for what you do within the HAM community.

[@frankelly8482]

Hard to believe that there is no mention of the side headphone jack in any of the Yaesu 891 literature. I thought it might be one so thanks for confirming. I just recently permanently mounted my 891 in my truck and the headphone cord all the way to the radio was a pain. The jack on the head is far easier! Thanks Mike. 73 KC1NDQ

[@livinggood4509]

Thanks for the tip. I am about to buy an 891 and the tip will come in handy!

[@eugenecbell]

Yes, I needed to know this and now I do. Thank you!

[@expert244]

Took me a while to figure this out, very frustrating. NOT in the manual.

[@kg4hlz]

COOL!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know about that extra jack. I was actually using a mono to stereo adapter.

[@Winstonsdad1956]

I just got my Heil BM-17, plugged in in and only got sound in one ear. I knew there was something I was overlooking so, youtube here we come. First search landed me on your channel and BOOM you answered my question in nothing flat! Thanks for the video and information!! 73 KO4TXN

[@Sparkfly88]

AWESOME! Just the info I was looking for.

[@allenmcgee9379]

Yet another FT-891 video that answered a question. I had no idea and somehow overlooked the side connection for headset. I have rarely ever used a headphone for ham radio but man it sounds great, and how can a person have a Yaesu FT-891 and not be happy? I was so happy with one I bought another one and I am even happier. I just did my first official POTA activation on the FT-891 with a 20 meter ham stick about 13 feet up with a magic carpet faraday cloth and,, YES it worked beautifully.

[@kingduckford]

Used to it on the Yaesu 5000. Each side is for each VFO. Nice for when you want to monitor or work to bands of frequencies at the same time. Check on two pile ups for an opportunity and all that. Also using both with two antennas to tune the sound.

[@jefft2553]

Very nice tip. Thanks very much 🙂

[@fredflintstone7961]

This also applies to the Icom IC-7000

[@garygraham2974]

Hi that was awesome bro

[@johnpeterson7264]

Interesting find !

[@yeahitsk]

If you're absolutely stuck with no option to make a mono output into stereo, they make mono to stereo adapters which are only a few dollars. You plug your phones jack into the adapter, and then plug the adapter into the mono port. Satellite operators often have this problem trying to put a recorder inline between the radio and headphones/headset

[@davidpatrick1813]

It is a good idea to choose 1 ear or 2 ear signal. One might want to listen to other radios etc. with the open ear.

[@timromankb9upy321]

Also situational awareness.

[@ivandubinsky1857]

As a rule, you shouldn't be plugging headphones into a speaker jack as the output is way too high and could damage your hearing or fry the phones. Some radios, such as the FT-817, have a toggle switch to change the output and impedance so you can use a speaker or phones from the same jack.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You are correct. Headphones shouldn't be plugged into the speaker jack precisely for that reason.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

It’s why I use Sennheiser headphones they are quality.👍❤️🎧

[@apunctg]

great video !

[@pixgeekphotography]

Do you do Morse Code at all? I need help finding what keyers I need to work with the 891. I am wishing to start working CW,

[@EricFullwood]

Yaesu HTs also use TRRS

[@StephenSwitzer]

The other trick with the FT-891 to get rid of the background headphone hiss is to set the monitor to ON but turn it's level all the way down to 0.

[@killerbites3963]

Does that work for the on board speaker hiss as well ?

[@StephenSwitzer]

@@killerbites3963 I think so. I'd have to go double check.

[@richarde735]

the BM-17 works great! I bought a mono to stereo adapter 🙄 why didn’t I check with you first.

[@Dabo082]

Joe you a Nerd. I love you man.

[@mikehorvath4780]

Love my FT-891! 73 K7NFO

[@LevyCarneiro]

Suggestion for a video: using a LiOn battery with the FT 891. Here in Brazil we can’t find LiFePo batteries yet so people use different batteries so maybe an interesting video idea. Thanks!

[@sultan2523]

Hi Lavy, Share your email

[@pnowikow]

I'm considering an 891 but it doesn't have a built-in tuner. I'm planning to keep a lightweight set-up and don't really want to carry a tuner if I don't have to. What antenna is a good match for lightweight portable operations?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I think the need for a tuner is oversold as transceivers with built-in tuners often only have a 3:1 which limits them to smoothing out a slightly elevated SWR. For example, your antenna is tuned to the bottom of the band you want a good match towards the top. I carry an external tuner with me (LDG Z-11 ProII) but I will only use it if I'm running a non-resonant antenna like an end fed random wire. Otherwise the most common antennas I am using are: end fed half wave, 1/4 wave vertical whip either with or without a Wolf River Coil, or an Off Center fed dipole. With each of those antennas, I'll run up to a 1.8:1 SWR on my FT-891 before I start to consider if a tuner may be necessary. Long story short, unless you are considering to use non resonant antennas, a tuner isn't necessary. And if you think you may need a tuner, you are better off with a wide range external one than to rely of the tuner built into the rig.

[@allyburg7145]

I did not know that !

[@shandybrandy5407]

Hi Miachel, just wanted to know that will an external USB sound card like Sabreint work digital modes when connected with appropriate cable between the laptop and FT891? Thanx

[@Kody10538]

Hi michael, do you get any static or audio feedback on your headsets when transmitting? I'm experiencing this with my 891 and heil proset. Just a faint static when txing and even can hear a slight static feedback when going through menu options

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's not an issue I am having. But then again, maybe my hearing isn't what it once was, either. If it's prevalent, maybe a ferrite choke on the headphone cable might stop it.

[@JayN4GO]

What kind of voodoo cable to I need for the Heil to the 891? Ad1ym? Seems like it’s too fat to plug in and keep the faceplate on

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The FT-891 uses a modular 8-pin plug, so an RJ-45 ethernet extension cable, wired straight through, works for this purpose. I'm using a 12 inch cable that you can pick up online: amzn.to/3gTKcO0

[@JayN4GO]

@@KB9VBRAntennas thanks. So is your Heil cable need re wiring to work on this?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Nope. The Heil AD-1-YM adapter cable has a modular plug and works just fine with the extension cable.

[@jacobaccurso]

ORRRRRRRR…..you do what I do which is to use the back speaker port and insert the headphone plug until you get both ears to work. The beauty of this method is that you not only get dual mono into your headphones, but you also get to keep your external speaker function. But I guess if you want to eliminate that external speaker and enjoy dual mono into the headphones, you go with the switch discovery you made. Another fine video tutorial from Violation of the Basic Rule 😂

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Back when I was a kid I had to do that with my Walkman because it had a bad headphone jack.

[@rolnas21]

How to get rid of audio amplifier hiss ? I can hear it even when volume is down. That is probably because my headphones are so sensitive. On another headphone with volume knob I have to turn down it to get off this hiss.

[@traceyisom6681]

Do you use VOX or a hand switch to talk with you headphones?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I use a hand switch that I built. Here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGa6pmt4odeGfJI

[@traceyisom6681]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks Mike!!! I’d love to see a video on the foot switch. That’s what I’ve been look for for nearly a year to use with the FT 891. DE KD9QMI love your videos!!!!!!!!

[@fraserwilliamson7998]

Can you answer a question for me I have the FT891 but my receive signal is poor any ideas what it could be I run it Mobile with an Atas 120 Antenna

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

HF mobile can be a big challenge as there are many noise sources within the vehicle. First thing to check is if the transceiver and radio are properly bonded to the vehicle. Next is to work at eliminating noise sources within the vehicle that raise your noise floor. Here is a website with lots of great information for HF mobile operation: www.k0bg.com/

[@fraserwilliamson7998]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks

[@timelord1137]

The idea for the next video: a long cable for the remote panel. There is a YSK-891 separation kit for ~70 bucks, but it is quite possible to make it yourself, carefully following the pinout.

[@EricFullwood]

It's just a 6p6c RJ-11 telephone cable

[@petermajor4599]

I use that seperations kit

[@timelord1137]

@@EricFullwood Not really, the connectors should be positioned in a special way. In addition, there are reports that it is impossible to increase the length indefinitely - at some point the signal begins to get lost. It's simple, but not elementary.

[@travisdrake2940]

So for the 891 what headphones can I use? I know now to plug into the side and turn it to ph for headphones. I'm brand new to this and on a tight budget so I'm trying to figure out what I can and cannot use.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

If you are listening only, then any set of headphones you find comfortable will work. I've got an inexpensive set of JVC folding headphones in my kit for that purpose. If you want something with an integrated microphone for transmitting, then I recommend the Heil BM-17.

[@bradleyruhberg8626]

And now I can stop hating that feature of the ft891. Thank You!!’

[@danielmorrison7579]

I have a question about the Yaesu FT3DR. There is a small switch under the data connector (mini? USB). It has three positions, and is in the center position when stock. Does anyone know what that switch does?

[@noomnoom8469]

The hidden switch they didn't find out about when they read the manual.

[@omnisteverino]

Thanks for the tip. One comment - Joe's voice always comes across very muddy, somewhat unclear at times. Not sure if the mic is too far away, or it's the wrong mic, or setting, but it should be EQ'd brighter if possible.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

We think part of the problem is his broadband connection. He's waiting for when fiber is available in his neighborhood.

[@richsawyer1067]

Thanks Michael! Just the problem I was having, and the solution I was looking for (but couldn't seem to find elsewhere)! Appreciate the tip and the videos - 73! KQ4LEA.

[@EricFullwood]

And then there's the FTM-400 with a TRS 3.5mm audio jack whereby the tip is the main Rx audio and the ring is the sub Rx audio. (or vice-versa, can't remember)

[@frankwc0o]

The FT-857 does that same. :)

[@dogbarbill]

Excellent!! Now I can enjoy my headphones without having that one side be "deaf".

[@theElderberryFarmer]

Great tip, Michael - thanks very much! 73, KO4AZY

[@QSasquatch]

Just use a Strreo to mono jack

[@davidleaghty2943]

Ha! I only have mono hearing. I'm completely deaf in my right ear.

[@eugenecbell]

Yaesu needs to Wright better manuals.

[@SHTFchef]

Wow this saved me a lot of nonsense.

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

Good to know. KI5UHA

[@robertpoortvliet7764]

good info tnx 73 de pa3geo

[@turtlecreek4633]

73! w3rrm