Updated! FT-991A WSJT-x Setup with FT8 Demo

For those of you been following me for a while, you're probably aware that I have released a previous video on how to do FT8 with your FT-991A. This is not a duplicate of that video.
In the several months that have gone by since doing that video, I've done a lot more research, played with all three of my radios, and got a bit more experience with this mode and all of the modes in the WSJT-x suite. Enough, that I really felt it was time to present an updated version.
Links:
Watch this first: Setting your FT-991A for ALL Digital Modes - • Setting your FT-991A f...
Yaesu driver download: www.yaesu.com/...
Chapters:
00:02 Introduction
01:35 Where to download WSJT-x
03:14 WSJT-x Settings
12:15 WSJT-x Main Page Setup
17:48 Demonstrations
20:18 Summary and End-Notes
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
Front Panel and Function Settings
Set MODE to DATA-USB (unless DATA LSB required by software)
NAR/WIDE = W 3K
NB = OFF
AGC = AUTO
ATT = OFF
IPO = AMP 1
NOTCH = OFF
CONT = OFF
DNR = OFF
DNF = OFF
SHIFT = 0Hz
WITCH = 3000Hz
MOX = OFF
VOX = OFF
Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to Like, Share, Comment, and consider subscribing.
73 de Tom, ND3N

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Tom, I really appreciate your videos on the 991A. You do the best job of all the KZbinrs. Thanks.

[@ND3N]

Glad you like them!

[@KX4UL]

Good info. I am a big fan of Yaesu radios, especially the FT-991A. Now subbed!

[@KD2ZTA]

Thank you. You present in a way that really helps!

[@ND3N]

You're very welcome!

[@FrankBarker-nl1pt]

Hi Tom I like your video sharp and concise. Which is great. I do have a question. I run the Yaesu ft 991 and in the notes section at the bottom of your video you put the yaesu driver download site which happen to be for the 991A page. Is there a page for the 991 page? To be honest I have looked and I cannot find one. Thank-you in advance. Frank MI6JZO

[@ND3N]

Hi Frank - do a google search on FT-991 (no "A") and look for the result for the Yaesu Site. It will open that radio's page, then click on the "Files" tab - you should find what you're looking for... This is a tinyURL version of the liink, because the full version was pretty long - tinyurl.com/3j2hct9t Here's the full version - www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=D24F60F33816ED8BE5568D7E2B5E2131 Enjoy - 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@riverjames53]

What settings do you recommend for 106 thru 109, Tom? Defaults or something else?

[@hyperionsixzeroeight5064]

There seems to be a problem with your setup for digital modes and you can try to see if you get the same results. Go to 10m FM on your FT-991A and tune to 29.600 simplex. Key the mike and all works ok. NOW, leave the radio on and then turn off your computer. You will notice that the 991 keys and stays keyed no matter what you do. It locks up keyed. I find you have to turn the computer back on to get out of the catch-22 situation. Can you address this? I suspect it has something to do with the keyer menu settings. Thanks.

[@ND3N]

I don’t use FM on 10 meters, but I will check it out and see if I can figure out where the glitch is. Thanks

[@richardedwards3098]

Hey tom! I did everything you said, but the program isn’t keying the rig! It goes silent, but no output! It will put out when i physically key the mic, but the program is supposed to key the radio as well, correct??

[@ND3N]

Check your rigs menu settings. 70 should be set to REAR and 71 should be DAKY. Set up your WSJT-x settings, Radio Tab just like what was shown in the video. Once set up, press the Test CAT button and the button should turn green. Then press the Test PTT button. The button should turn Red, and your rig should key. Under the audio tab, make sure your codecs are selected from the pull downs. Let me know if that works for you. 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@ND3N]

BTW, I just confirmed all this on my 991A

[@richardedwards3098]

@@ND3N I finally got it figured out! Thanks! Great video

[@ND3N]

Great. I look forward to working you on FT8

[@thomashenderson603]

Tom, I have both 991 and 101MP, 991 is set to your specs and works awesome. 101MP works awesome too, but I have to use USB instead of Data-U, if i choose Data-u, it will switch back to USB, Would you have any ideas? Thanks Tom K1CXS

[@ND3N]

I’ve never used a 101MP, so can’t speak with any knowledge about it. As you’ve probably found, USB will work fine with WSJT-x. I like using data mode because I can have a DSP set for data mode and another set for SSB. Did you select data in the settings for WSJT?

[@thomashenderson603]

@@ND3N Thank you Tom! since I installed the 991, 101mp usb not working with computer. Thinking of getting a separate computer for ham stuff. 73's Tom

[@thomashenderson603]

@@ND3N I have one more ?, so using multiple rigs for ft8, how do you address that? do you plug the one in that you are using or keep them both plugged in at the same time?

[@thomashenderson603]

for the computer end

[@peter-tt4he]

Before downloading the latest wsjr version do I delete my existing version first? Or does simply downloading the latest version automatically keep all my personal call sign and changes etc, saving me the trouble of having to populate the new programme? Peter M0HSG

[@ND3N]

The new version will overwrite the old version. Just be sure to have your old version shut off when you install the new. When you turn it back on it will come up in the new.

[@airborneranger187]

Sorry, but you should HOLD your transmit frequency. WSJT-X decodes across the entire passband so there is no need to move to their frequency in order to have a QSO. I find a slot and I stay there and have QSO's all day long. The only time I move is when someone moves in the the slot I'm operating on. Too many times I call CQ, someone moves to my freq, then they park their and our comms clash. Please make a follow up to this. You do not need to move to the stations slot in order to QSO with them.

[@KX4UL]

I agree. My experience exactly!

[@Leonards_life]

Since I worry about it and didn't hear you mention it. If I double click on a cq, how many times should the transmitter keep trying to contact tha call I clicked on? It seems to me it doesn't stop unless I click on tx enable button. N6ZKI

[@ND3N]

I usually give it 3 to 5 tries before moving on. You can stop the contact attempts by clicking the TX Enable button to disenable it, or initiating a new contact attempt with another station calling CQ by double clicking their call. Hope this answered your question... 73 de Tom ND3N

[@robcarnaroli269]

Great video. I found it trying to troubleshoot an issue with upgrading to 2.6.1. Looks like it may be an issue with hamlib. I've been running 2.5.4 for almost 2 years and made 800+ contacts. Installed 2.6.0 and 2.6.1 and both fail to control my 991a. Went back to 2.5.4 and it was working again. I heard there's a hamlib update coming out so I may try it again in a few. Rob KC3SWZ 73

[@billkarsell7029]

Hi, Tom! Thank you for your two excellent FT8 setup videos for the Yaesu FT-991a. I used them to set up my system and then went through them a second time to make sure I did everything correctly. The WSJT-X software is controlling the radio, but it shows no signals under Band Activity. I've tried 20 and 40 meters. Can you think of anything not covered in your tutorials that could cause this? Thanks for any suggestions you might offer. -Bill K1BP

[@ND3N]

Hi Bill. Sounds like there may be a problem with the sound. First, under settings, verify that your CODECs from your computer are selected under the audio tab. If that’s good, then check your computer audio settings to be sure they’re set to the codecs for WSJT-x …. Let me know if that helps or if I need to do some more researching. 73 de Tom

[@billkarsell7029]

@@ND3N Thanks for your quick reply, Tom! The Audio settings tab in the WSJT-X software shows -- Input: Microphone (USB Audio CODEC) and Output: Speakers (USB Audio CODEC). They're the only choices that include the word CODEC. I'm not sure how to do the second thing you recommended, which is "check your computer audio settings to be sure they’re set to the codecs for WSJT-x". I plunged around in the audio settings, but didn't find anything that looked like what you're saying. I'm really a Mac guy and only bought a PC for my new ham shack. It's very kind of you to help me with this.

[@anthonydefallo9295]

@@billkarsell7029 fighting the same issue now with mine! Did you ever get this to work?

[@billkarsell7029]

Nope! Never did. Lost interest in FT8. I prefer voice interaction. Moved on to YSF and DMR, which have been very fun. Good luck!

[@hamtalker2007]

I can't get my yaesu 991a to pass the cat test , I think my computer is wanting a USB driver , I'm kinda lost on this one I'm not a really computer savvy person but it was receiving cq stations

[@ND3N]

It sounds like your drivers didn't install correctly. Here's the process. Turn your rig and power supply off, then go to the Yaesu product site. tinyurl.com/3nrs7mzs - - - open the files tab and scroll down to the "Amateur Radio / Software section and download the " FT-991A USB Driver Virtual COM Port Driver (Windows 11/10)" file. Now, on your computer, open the Downloads folder and click once on the driver program and then select Extract All at top of the folder. On the pop-up, select "Extract" and all the files will appear. Run the application program ending in x64. Once the installation completes, turn on your rig and open your menu. On menu item 031 (CAT RATE) select the speed you want by highlighting the item then pressing "Select" the use your multi knob to scroll through the selections. Many people will use 9600, but you can select any value you want. Press ENTER to select the value. Next, on Menu 032 (CAT TOT), change the default from 10msec to 100msec. Then exit the menu settings... Turn off your rig and power supply On your computer, open the device manager (do a search from the start menu) and open the Ports (COM & LPT). Review the listed drivers. Then turn your rig's power supply on (not necessary to turn on the rig, but won't hurt if you do). The device manager will reset and two new drivers will appear. Double click on the one labeled as "Enhanced" and on the pop-up window, select Port Settings. Set the data rate at whatever you selected on the rig. Data bits: 8, Parity: None, Stop bits 2: Flow control: None - then click on OK to close that window. Repeat this for the "Standard"" Com Port. Note the COM# numbers for the two ports. At this point you should be able to work with WSJT-x and get your CAT to turn green.

[@mattstosh6960]

Thank you.

[@ND3N]

Welcome!

[@jcullipher01]

Thanks for the videos, always enjoy them. Jim KI5VCD

[@riverjames53]

And should 72 be set to USB?

[@ND3N]

Hi Scott. 106-109 are for when your in the SSB modes. This Video uses the Data-USB mode, so 106-109 are not applicable. 72 should be set to USB, which is the USB connection to your computer. The other option (DATA) is used if you’re using the RTTY/DATA port on the back of your rig. Hope this helps…. 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@0thundr0]

I leave my DT Gain set at 50 on my 991A, and I adjust ALC with the Pwr Slider in WSJT-X. That way I don't have to adjust anything on the radio, but rather in the software. With this, I rarely have to deal with the radio itself, and can stay focused on the computer.

[@ND3N]

That works too!

[@ropnjessi]

From all the info I've gathered the majority say not to show any ALC on the meter. However your video mentions ALC should be at 1/3 or half. I'm curious how you arrived at that setting? Its very hard to have no ALC and maintain power for me anyway.

[@robcarnaroli269]

@@ropnjessi I find I run about 1/3 to 1/2 alc to get the set power output to show on the meter with my 991a.

[@ND3N]

The folks who developed VARA HF recommend 1/3, but I like a bit of flexibility, so added the extra room for adjustment. As you note, zero ALC will affect your output power. Full scale ALC will clip your signal, causing distortion, and when doing digital modes distortion will make it hard for the receiving station to decode.

[@billloveless6869]

Good info. However video is out of sync with the audio. 😀

[@eagle1ron]

Menu 72 DATA PORT SELECT. ---> USB

[@ND3N]

Good catch

[@MrJimmy440]

Good content , but the music is a bit loud and distracting

[@ND3N]

That was an early effort and I’ve not used background music for a long time

[@DiyHomeUK]

hi from G6JNY

[@billkarsell7029]

Not so far. Hoping that a SharkRF engineer will see me post and take pity on me. 😊

[@MikeG-js1jt]

video is a little washed out...

[@ND3N]

Naw…. I was a little washed out…. Hihi

[@Andy2e0ree]

Great show I always enjoy watching your shows de 2e0ree

[@Leonards_life]

Thank you for your replies. Very helpful! 73 N6ZKI

[@ND3N]

You are welcome!