Yaesu FT-891: Easy Band/Mode Changes using Memory Tune

[@AB1Vampire]

Got one a few months ago. Menu driven takes a lot to learn. Station almost complete, will begin using soon. Thanks for the upload enjoyed watching.

[@n4hnhradio]

Underrated. 73, de N4HNH

[@K4MJV]

I made the mistake of selling my 891 a couple years back. Now that I am regularly activating parks I wish I still had it. I ordered another and will be installing it in my truck but it will be easily removable for portable work. I never had a problem using the menus but your memory setup is perfect for mobile operation and I will be implementing it in my setup. Thanks for the tip!

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome, Mike. I’ve had a great deal of fun with my FT-891. It’s been backpack portable, base station, and mobile. 73, de N4HNH

[@baddogwaterfowl7302]

With a lot of pausing this should help me get my 891 set up.

[@n4hnhradio]

The 891 has a bad reputation regarding band/mode changes. But the complaints are unwarranted. People don’t know about memory tune.

[@thuff3207]

Good idea that saves a lot of looking to get to were you need to operate.

[@n4hnhradio]

It has made mobile operating much more streamlined. 73, de N4HNH

[@jonizornes5286]

I did the same thing for my IC-718 for years and already had a template of frequencies to put into my newly acquired 891. Both radios have about 99 channels of regular memory. Channelizing through the bands makes things much easier. I also use channels 61 - 99 for shortwave listening band edges and frequencies.

[@n4hnhradio]

Yes, the naysayers who think the FT-891 just aren’t setting it up and using it effectively. I have no problems using mine as a mobile.

[@KX4UL]

Good info and ideas! I really love my FT-891. 73!

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you! 73, de N4HNH

[@tomm899]

Thanks for sharing the am freq on each band.

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome. Those aren’t assigned. They are simply common frequencies where I hear AM operators. AM can be fun at times. Just be sure not to transmit with more than what your amplifier is allowed to. For a AL-80B, don’t dead key over 200W. I hold mine at 150W. The AL-80B tube isn’t actually rated for 1kW. It’s rated for more like 800W SSB, which isn’t a 100% duty cycle. So I usually figure I will dead key no more than 20% of the SSB rated power of my amplifier, to be safe. 73, de N4HNH

[@ryanzink5048]

I do something similar for CW but for sideband I use the 891's PMS memory banks to set the upper and lower frequencies for the General class band plan. Those seem like an underappreciated feature and since I'm usually chasing SOTA/POTA where there aren't really designated "watering holes" on SSB like there are for CW it makes sure I don't transmit outside my privileges! It's been a long time since I've had to switch bands manually.

[@n4hnhradio]

Great idea, Ryan! 73, Doug

[@allenjames2k]

top tip - thanks !!!

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome ! 73, de N4HNH

[@imaflatpicker3066]

Maybe you can do a video on 10M FM repeaters? Using my very first HF radio and tower I hit the Boston repeater. I’m not sure why that fascinated me but it did. I don’t think many operators are doing much of that anymore but it sure was neat to get a clear signal to one of those long distance stations.

[@n4hnhradio]

That’s a great idea. I’m hoping the 10m band will become active soon. Sunspot cycle 25 is getting off to a slow start. 73, de N4HNH

[@StealthGTI]

Excellent tips! I had seen a similar video and saved a lot of my popular frequencies. I am mobile-only. My display is mounted in such a way that I cannot quite see the top buttons. When I use the dial to move away from my saved frequency, I have been using the "V/M" button to go back to Memory mode. Sometimes I miss and press the "V>M" button and goof up my memory setting. DOH! Your tip for pressing the Multi function knob will save me some headaches! I appreciate that! On another note, I see a lot of folks using IPO and ATT. As a mobile station who's mostly a SSB and D-U user, I'm inclined to think that I need as much receiver as I can get. So, I usually leave IPO and ATT off. Is that wrongful thinking? Am I missing something? Thanks for your advice! -Scott, KE4WMF

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m glad you found the video helpful. I use IPO when mobile. Sometimes I add ATT. If the S-meter is above zero with noise, turning off IPO is only going to make reception worse. It hampers the ability of the receiver to discern signal from noise. Mobile operation is already prone to noise, from the engine, the power lines, traffic lights, etc. Always use IPO before using ATT. IPO improves the cross-modulation characteristic of the receiver. I also roll the RF gain back until the S-meter rises to equal the noise floor. If I’m in a QSO, I roll RF gain back until the S-meter is 1 S-unit below the level of the signal I’m listening to. I might disable IPO when I get to 18 MHz or higher, where there is less atmospheric noise. Again, I will use RF gain. 73, de N4HNH

[@StealthGTI]

@@n4hnhradio - Thanks for the explanation! I guess I had figured that turning off IPO was increasing both the noise AND the signal, giving me more to work with. And I haven't found a good reason to reduce RF gain except for when I had overbearing signals on FT8. I probably have misunderstood both of those functions for a long time. I'll have to experiment with this new understanding.

[@n4hnhradio]

Think of RF gain as a fine tuning of IPO. But RF gain can also be used when IPO is off. Remember that IPO means the RF amplifier (first stage of signal boost in the receiver) is off. IPO stands for Intercept Point Optimization. It takes the incoming signal from the antenna and optimizes it for signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. There might be a small amount of amplification to the signal but extremely small; just enough to compensate for losses through the subsequent filter stage, but not enough to boost the noise. Transceivers these days are almost too sensitive for HF, especially at 7 MHz and below, but also quite often at 14 MHz. When the noise floor is above zero, you don’t need an RF amplifier. My rule of thumb is, work the S-meter to the left, not the right. It improves the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. 73, de N4HNH

[@marcinmichigan2772]

I noticed some of the lower band CW's were CWU - was that intentional ?

[@n4hnhradio]

CWU is a default. It doesn’t really matter which band. It determines whether the BFO generates a frequency that will be offset above or below the operating frequency. You can toggle between CWU and CWL to combat interference from a another station up or down the band, close to the signal you are trying to receive. This video goes inti more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIq7eIWmmb6Crqs 73, de N4HNH

[@patrickeugenegiyan2148]

Hi, i'm a new ham and i have a problem. My radio is new i can't tune in anyting on the radio except am radio. what do you have to do hear talk on this radio?

[@n4hnhradio]

Have you learned how to change bands? Then you rotate the VFO knob to change frequency.

[@mrkopecky]

Memory mode looks like a great time saver. I just got a FT 891 for portable use. Any 1st things I need to do? Thanks for sharing 73. KZ4OY

[@n4hnhradio]

Memory mode/tune is great. Make sure you’ve got a decent antenna, too. It’s very important! Get your TX audio parameters dialed in. That is critical. There are receiver techniques I cover in other videos. S7 and S9 Patreon members who subscribe annually can request a menu optimizations guide.

[@Meurdar]

Can you help me add memory groups please? I only have 1 7 and 8 on mine and manual doesn't say .. if no channels have been assigned to a particular memory groups, that group cannot be accessed.. can't figure out how to assign. Thanks in advance!

[@n4hnhradio]

Check out pages 53 and 54 in the Advance Manual, available at Yaesu.com. It explains how to enable Memory Groups and how to assign memories to specific memory groups. You won’t find this information in the Operation Manual.

[@Meurdar]

I quoted the advance manual in original post .. I finally found the fix ... if you have memory groups enabled but no channels saved it only goes up to 19 channels to save . If you disable memory groups 05-09 it opens up to the 99 so you can save them then add groups . The manual does not explain that

[@n4hnhradio]

I didn’t see a quote from the Advance Manual. Glad you got it worked out. Most people who ask me questions aren’t aware of the advance manual. The Operation Manual barely mentions Memory Groups, so I figured that might be why you were asking me.

[@w4mkh]

Is there a playlist for the 891? I can only find 2 of your videos covering the FT-891

[@n4hnhradio]

Yes, there are 42 videos in the FT-891 playlist. Enjoy. I hope you find them helpful and informative. 73, de N4HNH

[@jburchm1]

Good technique, and works for the 818, 897 and 857 too. Does MTUNE work the same on the 991a?

[@n4hnhradio]

Yes. Same concept, Jonathan. Using memories and tuning away is a traditional workflow for transceivers without band-stacking. 73, Doug

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

Funny we have to do work arounds to use a radio they can fix in the firmware... Why when I change the mode the Freq changes???

[@n4hnhradio]

When switching from SSB to CW or vice versa the frequency will change based upon your sidetone selection. Yaesu packed virtually all of the features of the FT-991A, sans 2m/70cm into a mobile chassis transceiver. And the FT-891 will stand up to the FT-991A. The amount of room for knobs and buttons is limited on such a small transceiver, so tap and long-press allow the same button to serve multiple purposes. There is no Band button that can be used to cycle through band stack registers, so there are no band stack registers. So I just operate from memory tune mode. It works very well. I seldom touch anything but the multiknob and VFO. 73, de N4HNH

[@robduncan599]

I thought i invented this method. I use the same method on my ic7300 7200 and ft897 makes life easier. Unfortunately doesn't work so well with the ft3000 , if you tune away from a memory, it throws a hissy fit . With the ic7300/ic7200, you don't even need to press the multi ,just turn the multi to the desired channel band/mode and you are good to go .

[@n4hnhradio]

I find so many operators who don’t use the memories. So much time can be saved. And the 60 meter channels are preloaded into Yaesu transceivers, in memory bank 5. I’ve known people who performed the MARS mod to get 60m, yet it was there already. 73, de N4HNH

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Thanks for the upload as always my friend. I have pondered about an ATU for my FT891 a few times; is the FC-50 you are using there a good option? Or is there something better? 73, John 2E0SVB.

[@n4hnhradio]

Hi John! The FC-50 is a "touch-up" tuner. It can correct up to a 3:1 SWR. It isn't a wide-range tuner, such as would be necessary to match a doublet antenna, or for trying to use a multiband antenna on a band it isn't resonant on. 73, Doug

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@n4hnhradio Perfect, I might grab one then to use with my DX Commander when I am on holiday. It's fairly resonant, but one of the bands was up to 2.0 SWR. I must have another look at it in the summer and perhaps rebuild the elements now I know which bands I like and those I don't.

[@n4hnhradio]

The FC-50 shouldn’t have any problems correcting a 2:1 SWR. I use it for my ham stick mobile antennas, to touch up the band edges. The FC-50 comes with brackets and screws that allow you to mount it under the FT-891, so they become one unit. 73, Doug

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@n4hnhradio Thanks Doug! &3, John

[@chetenov]

В моем аналогичном устройстве светодиод может гореть либо красным либо зеленым цветом. Видимо в американской версии вместо зеленого - синий. Интересно почему так сделано. Не знаете?

[@n4hnhradio]

I have no idea. That’s a question for Yaesu. I don’t have the greatest relationship with them.

[@chetenov]

@ спасибо за ответ. Оказывается у меня тоже есть синий свет, он включается в меню zin led

[@n4hnhradio]

Oh yeah. I remember having to enable the ZIN led. I’m pretty sure I covered that in a video a few years ago. I set mine and have never changed it back.

[@chetenov]

@@n4hnhradio да. Уже посмотрел это видео

[@kd4kzz]

What antenna are you using mobile?

[@n4hnhradio]

I use ham stick type antennas. Each one covers a single band. I have a triple magnet mount on top of the truck. I use quick-disconnects to switch out antennas quickly. Look for the video on the channel entitled, “N4HNH Antenna Farm.” 73, de N4HNH

[@kd4kzz]

@@n4hnhradio thank you

[@n4hnhradio]

Don’t expect to be overly impressed with the antenna farm. I’ve never owned a tower, or even a beam, for ham radio. I like to think that I show how to have fun with amateur radio when one has limited options for an antenna system. I literally work the world with wire. You will hear people say to compromise on the radio but get the best antenna. But for those who live in a neighborhood with antenna restrictions, or who cannot afford a tower and beam, I am proof that a better radio can make up for the compromised antenna. Plus, a better radio, with better selectivity and superior DSP, can filter signals that the lesser transceiver with a better antenna might not. 73, de N4HNH

[@MrPcsmasher]

Nice video on memory operation but no info to switch modes except as they're sadness in your memory channels.

[@n4hnhradio]

I mainly cover topics that the manual doesn’t cover or doesn’t cover in a clear and concise manner. The manual takes you through the steps to change band and mode and store it into a memory. This video shows how to use the memories to change band and mode, and avoid needing to use the button again.

[@kellonpascall2666]

What mobile antenna are you using in this video?

[@n4hnhradio]

I use ham stick type antennas. Each one covers a single band. I have a triple magnet mount on top of the truck. I use quick-disconnects to switch out antennas quickly. Look for the video on the channel entitled, “N4HNH Antenna Farm.” 73, de N4HNH

[@kellonpascall2666]

@@n4hnhradio thanks for your reply. Have a great week and keep safe.