Yaesu FT-891 Basic Field Setup

Description
I'll show you how I setup my Yaesu FT-891 when I take the rig out in the field. This includes a conversation on Anderson PowerPoles, a watt meter, lithium iron phosphate batteries, head phones and much more. If you use earphones with this transceiver, move this switch to the “PH” position before inserting the earphone plug into the SP/PH Jack, to prevent injury your ears.
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⏱️ Table of Contents:
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0:00 Introduction
0:15 Power Cable
0:32 Anderson Power Poles
1:47 Fuses on Power Cable
2:18 Bioenno Battery 12V & 12 Ah
2:46 Quick Manual for FT-891 & Manual
3:10 Installing your Microphone
4:00 Installing Face Plate
5:30 Connecting the Power Cable to the FT-891
6:03 Unplugging the Power Cable
7:20 Connecting the Watt Meter from Powerwrex
8:26 Antenna and Grounding
9:18 Powering the FT-891
9:38 How much power the FT-891 draws from the battery
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🌎 Gear For Powering Raspberry Pi
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Watt Meter from Powerwerx - amzn.to/3ibf1Mx
Powerwerx TRIcrimp for Powerpole - amzn.to/32ULdNI
Powerwerx 30 AMP unassembled Anderson Powerpole connectors - amzn.to/32WW0qE
Power Distribution Block - amzn.to/3gXeNah
301 Assorted Anderson Powerpole connectors - amzn.to/3lOIPk3
12 Gauge Red/Black Zip Cord from Powerwerx - amzn.to/2GmD78M
USBbuddy - amzn.to/3ia1sMY
Rubber Boot Covers for Powerpoles - amzn.to/31Y7SJq
GPS USB Dongle G72 G-Mouse Glonass GPS Receiver for Raspberry Pi - amzn.to/3lOJWAf
Raspberry Pi 4 - amzn.to/3iIRlyS
Raspberry Pi 3B+ - amzn.to/31X7B9V
BioEnno 12V 15Ah LiFePO4 - amzn.to/3gWTt4A
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🌎 Gear For Digital Mode
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Yaesu FT-891 - amzn.to/301F
BaoFeng UV-5R Amazon - amzn.to/2DXAuJR
Yaesu FT-3DR Amazon - amzn.to/2PXU5M8
Super Antenna MP1DXTR80 - amzn.to/31XH1wd
External Sound Card Sabrent - amzn.to/3kJY9xT
USB GPS G72 - amzn.to/3gZq8Hr
Short Extension - Cable - amzn.to/2Y38ifz
Ferrite Ring Cores - amzn.to/2Y3dqQI
Audio Interface 6-Pin Mini DIN Cable DC-42F for YAESU - tinyurl.com/yaesu857datacable
CAT Cable - tinyurl.com/yaesu857catcable
Raspberry Pi 4 - amzn.to/3iIRlyS
Raspberry Pi 3B+ - amzn.to/31X7B9V
BioEnno 12V 15Ah LiFePO4 - amzn.to/3gWTt4A
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📷 Gear Used To Make This Video
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Camera: Fuji X-T4 - amzn.to/2Y3jJUy
Camera: Fuji X100V Silver - amzn.to/3kLZq7w
Lens: Fuji 23 mm f/1.4 - amzn.to/31Y84qW
Lens: Fuji 16mm f/1.4 - amzn.to/31RbbRH
Microphone: Rode Video Micro - amzn.to/31SIeER
Recorder: Ninja V - amzn.to/31Y8qxM
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▶️ Frank’s KZbin PlayList
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Yaesu VX-6 - tinyurl.com/yaesuradiovx6
Baofeng UV-5R - tinyurl.com/baofengradiouv5r
Yaesu FT-991A - tinyurl.com/yaeuft991a
Yaesu FT3D - tinyurl.com/yaesuft3d
Fuji X-T3 - tinyurl.com/fujixt3
Fuji X-T2 - tinyurl.com/fujifilmxt2
Fuji X100F - tinyurl.com/fujix100f
Fuji X-E3 - tinyurl.com/fujifilmx3
Fuji X-H1 - tinyurl.com/fujixh1
Fuji X100V - tinyurl.com/fujix100v
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🛒Affiliate Links:
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Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase. If you have a different purchase in mind, you can also use these storewide links below.
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📘 Notes
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[@tolowo80]

Frank, thank you for this video. I just received my 891 (some of the decision making was helped by your videos) and it helped my setup the radio. I greatly appreciate it. Hope to catch you on the air..

[@williampeacock9473]

I like the Yaesu FT-891 for the compact size . And it is not hard to setup in the field . I am using the Wolf River Coil and a homebrew clamp mount. And I want to get a MFJ 1979 telescopic antenna. 73 AE4OY William Peacock EM-81UF (OldYella)

[@alan4441]

Great video. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@kd5you1]

I have the same Powerwerx power meter, and its been really great until recently. About two months ago it started showing lower current draws and wattage than I was really drawing. The small plug on the side of the power meter is to accommodate an alternate power source. In some instances there might be a need to have the meter powered with a constant 12v while it is measuring a much lower voltage, but that would not really apply to us hams that need 12v all of the time.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks, Frank Great video 73

[@alvarogaitan2529]

terrific review Frank from kb2uew

[@Fmaj7b5]

When I take off the power cable from the radio, I use a small flat head screwdriver to push in the tab on the top which releases the cable connector. Sometimes I use the center conductor of the PL-249 to push in the tab.

[@frankwc0o]

Good idea. I now use my pocket knife’s flat screwdriver.

[@KTK_Rockstar]

Push the plug on and then squeeze the plug followed by pulling it out. Works every time with any connector of any kind ever made. From automotive to tool batteries thats how they work

[@gregn3gds172]

I decided immediately to cut down on the length of that power cable. I wish that they put the fuses much closer to the radio side. The metal par of the power poles can be bought pretty cheaply from Mouser electronics, the plastic housing is the expensive part. The speaker/headphone switch is the thing I don't like about this radio. I have rails on mine, so it's a pain to switch between them.

[@dandypoint]

In general, running a home radio to a ground rod that is simply driven in the ground is probably not a good idea even though all the manuals have been saying that for as long as I can remember! The ground wire from the power panel is, or should be connected to the ac power supply. That is connected to the power system ground, connected to the ground rod at your service entrance. Another ground rod any distance away that may be connected to your radio could, in the event of a lightning strike nearby, be at a significant difference in potential from the power ground and cause serious problems with anything connected to it. That radio ground rod should be connected to the power ground rod at your service entrance so they both stay near the same potential. When using a battery there is no safety need to ground the radio. Indeed what hurts you is always a difference in potential. What is the difference in potential between the radio chassis and the ground when connected to a battery? Probably zero volts in almost all cases. My home radio station does not have a separate ground rod. I also disconnect my antenna when not on the air. Lightning could hit my antenna and if I did have a ground on the radio the ground would not help protect it. Grounding is often misunderstood, even by the people who write the manuals!

[@ggggg4030]

Is there a menu function that display the source voltage? I only see voltage flash once when I power up the radio

[@frankwc0o]

I don’t it has one. Not like the ft857

[@shandybrandy5407]

Hi Frank, really appreciate your video. Just wanted to know that if it is possible to work the FT891 efficiently without an Antenna Tuner and also not damaging the rig. If yes, then it would be great to hear how to go about it. As a manpack the the ft891 can then become superp during hiking. Hope to hear soon 73 & Cheers!

[@frankwc0o]

Hi Shandy. I used to have the FT-891. You can have a resonating antenna on the FT-891 without a tuner. Best thing to do when you are not familiar with the antenna is to check it with an antenna analyzer. There are plenty of options in price and options available for ham operators. Ya, about the manpack, can't wait to see it.

[@shandybrandy5407]

@@frankwc0o thanks-za-ton for the response. Cheers!

[@dcsng3]

This is such a great video! Could you post the links to the products you used? 73's

[@frankwc0o]

Just go back to the video, you will see most in the comments section.

[@richarde735]

what’s the 1-1/2” of stripped back wire?

[@k5wxp22]

It comes that way from Yaesu. No idea why it's so long.

[@poitevienphilip]

hello Frank ,The blue battery you have, how long does it last for you transmitting at 100 watts with the yaesu ft 891?..73

[@frankwc0o]

Hello Philip. The longest I've used it was for about 8 Hours, but it wasn't a constant 100 watts. It was intermittent use. The battery is 144 Watt-Hour which is a hefty battery for that radio.

[@poitevienphilip]

@@frankwc0o thanks 73

[@alvarogaitan2529]

FRank thanks nice video 73 happy new year2021from kb2uew

[@LevyCarneiro]

What's the name of the plug/connector on the end of your power cable (after the fuses) ? It doesn't come with the radio, correct? Thanks!

[@frankwc0o]

The connector for the radio is standard. The connector will be on the wire. As for the connector for the battery, you need to create it.

[@LevyCarneiro]

@@frankwc0o thanks for replying. Do you know what type of connector is needed for the battery end of the cable? Thanks.

[@frankwc0o]

@@LevyCarneiro Watch the beginning of the video, it's a Anderson PowerPole. You may view my video on how to install it at kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYbWn3Wwp72SmbM. Note, you don't have to use the sam tools that I use, you may use other tools to install the PowerPole, so look at other videos as well. Good luck.

[@LevyCarneiro]

@@frankwc0o thank you, sir, I appreciate it.

[@LevyCarneiro]

@@frankwc0o thank you, sir, I appreciate it.

[@enriquediaz7547]

Do you mention which battery you use? Or link?

[@frankwc0o]

You can use the Bioenno 144AH battery: www.bioennopower.com/collections/12v-series-lifepo4-batteries/products/copy-of-12v-12ah-lfp-battery-pvc-blf-1212w. They are well worth the money.

[@rugby.7]

What coax connector does the 891 use?

[@frankwc0o]

On the back of the radio it's an SO-239 "The female" plug. While the coax would be the PL-259 plug on the cable "The male" plug.

[@rugby.7]

@@frankwc0o Thank you very much that clears up alot of confusion!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Thanks fantastic tips 73 from kb2uew

[@frankwc0o]

thx

[@Kori114]

Oh... So like.... Getting the radio... working? Cool.

[@BlackHamRadioUniversity]

8:56 Get shocked from what?

[@frankwc0o]

It's possible that the surface of the radio receives charge from a source and it's good for that charge to leave via the grounding of the radio. It's a preventive way of you not getting "shocked" when you touch the radio's body or sometimes even the mic.

[@BlackHamRadioUniversity]

@@frankwc0o So even if its grounded there is still a good chance and risk of electrical shock? Wow that that makes me not want a radio now. Thats dangerous.

[@frankwc0o]

@@BlackHamRadioUniversity There is a risk. Especially if there is an electrical storm or wind that has charge on it. When you have an antenna, you are taking in that charge to the radio via the cable. It's not dangerous, be prepared. I would do more research on this issue. One thing, for field setup, you don't need a ground, but some people do.

[@jimbrown4135]

Am I missing something? All you did was attach the power cord. You moved the switch from PH to SPKR on the face plate but didn’t say why.

[@steveinkentucky]

Yeah... Talk about the radio and not simplistic stuff like how Powerpoles go on or which is the top of the molex connector...

[@kd5you1]

My Icom has the same type of switch, and I believe it is used to adjust the impedance and/or audio power output of the jack to be used with either a speaker or headphones.

[@MotorjockMike]

You have great info but your audio volume is always extremely low.

[@richarde735]

send that $30 crimper back and solder the pins on

[@forgetyourlife]

nah crimp is better for this use case.

[@alexdokic5567]

I think crimping is better, if done correctly