Yaesu FTdx10: CW Decoder (Video #37 in this series)

My good friend Joel, KC4WZB, loaned me his brand new Yaesu FTdx10. When I say loaned, I mean he picked it up at Ham Radio Outlet and brought it straight to me, so I could unbox it and shoot a series of videos, exploring the capabilities of this latest offering from Yaesu.
This is the thirty-seventh video in a series of videos I have produced to show the capabilities of the Yaesu FTdx10. This video focuses on the CW Decoder that is a standard feature in the FTdx10.
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73, de N4HNH

[@Supernumerary]

N4HNH your videos are fantastic. Extremely helpful. I’ve been around ham radio for awhile now, and you are teaching me things that greatly improve my operations. I and my fellow hams have been doing many things wrong for decades. Your background in audio gives you unique insight. Thank You very much.

[@n4hnhradio]

I always hoped my background in audio would come in handy. Actually, I am still involved with audio, but in the music industry. I no longer install sound reinforcement systems, but I still own one, and I consult for churches and clubs. It is a different world 🌎 in music, since we cover the full spectrum of human hearing. Amateur radio only uses around 2 to 4 kHz of that spectrum. But there is definitely some overlap. 73, de N4HNH

[@ifrarrow7039]

Just wanting to thank you N4HNH for helping me understand so much about the FT-10DX. "You are the man"

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you! I’m glad you find the channel helpful. 73, Doug

[@roundtracker]

Great video thanks.. Im on the fence between the FTDX10 and the ft710... Mostly the decoder feature is why im so interested in the dx10.. I know it has other advantages but i appreciate the demonstration.. TU OM... 73

[@n4hnhradio]

There are definitely other niceties with the FTdx10.

[@cwqrpportable]

Thank you! Nice job; I appreciate your work putting this video together.....

[@n4hnhradio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@w7wv73]

Be an active ham off and on since the early 1970s after serving at a radio op for the Army. Bought this rig recently, the receiver and features are amazing compared to the many rigs I have had in the past.

[@n4hnhradio]

The FTdx10 packs a punch. It is a beast at CW, especially with the optional 300Hz roofing filter. It can pull out almost imaginary signals.

[@W6SFM]

This looks like a much nicer radio than I expected. The Sherwood Lab reports also put it up there with the best radios on the market as well. The only thing I would suggest to you is that you make use of your RF Gain. In order for DSP Noise Reduction to work properly you MUST remove the noise down to the noise floor level (IE. If you have Noise floor of S4 you need to lower the RF gain until the needle gets to S4-5, THEN turn on the NR.) If you operate the RG Properly all of that rumbling and echo in the background would have gone away, and the use of the APF would not even be necessary. In any case, great video and explanation on the operations of this feature.

[@n4hnhradio]

I do sometimes use RF Gain. But I prefer removing the noise floor first with IPO and ATT. That produces a better S/N ratio before I even resort to RF Gain. IPO also improves the cross-modulation characteristic of the receiver. IPO should always be to first go-to for noise reduction. Technically, the FTdx10 is number two in Sherwood’s list. Check out the footnotes. The Flex 6700 was a one-off. The best dynamic range rating for Flex is 99dB. The FTdx10 is 107dB.

[@brianumbrell4049]

Love my DX10. Thanks for the great videos. 73 de W3PDW

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH

[@samradioman3843]

In my opinion it's way better to learn to copy CW before learning to send. Like the days before decoders and keyboards when you had to test for the FCC examiners. Machines just don't do well with slight human errors or what we used to call a "swing". Like an accent in CW. Anyhow the part the decoder missed was "NOTCH ON BAND FIRST 40Khz". The human brain filter copies it just fine. Decoders are becoming more of a crutch rather than a tool. For that we could just run a form of RTTY or PSK. Just the thoughts of an old Op first licensed in 1978. On the abbreviations it's a way to double your CW speeds both for RX & TX. If you can say something with half the characters you have doubled your effective speed. Just like texting, say more with less sending or as we used to do long ago "short hand". Good demo of the radio, it's decoder, and the CW shorthand. I highly recommend mastering CW without machines. 73, Old Boomer

[@n4hnhradio]

I agree with committing to learning CW without relying on a crutch. But it’s like learning to ride a bicycle. You want to reach the point where the training wheels are no longer necessary. And I believe that the best way to improve CW efficiency is on the air. But for someone who wants to get on the air while they improve their speed, the decoder provides some backup, even some confidence to help you decide to try to make on-air contacts in the first place. I did it the old way. I learned on the air. In 1982, I got on the air with a Hallicrafters SR-150, a J-38 key, and a home-brew 15m dipole. I banged at 5WPM and all I can say is, bless those hams who answered me. Hams today aren’t as patient. Many Old-timers are cranky and discouraging to new hams. We should be glad to see new hams who are interested in CW. And we should encourage, not discourage. I slowly improved with every operating session. I’m so thankful for those patient operators who endured my fist as I learned. But today, if you get on the air at less than 10WPM, you are libel to be ignored. I encourage getting on the air and mostly just listening, until you are comfortable at copying 10WPM. Practice sending without transmitting (BK-IN off) until you can send at 10WPM. Then get on the air. Use the decoder to build confidence as you work your first contacts. Try to increase quickly to 13WPM. Commit yourself to outgrowing the training wheels. You will eventually find that you no longer look at the decoder. From where I sit, I hear from so many new hams who have been discouraged by old-timers. Part of the impetus for me starting this channel was the number of new hams who were discouraged by their local club. And it’s not isolated incidents. I hear from new hams around the globe. They turned to Facebook, only to get treated badly for asking “dumb” questions. I’m ashamed of my generation of hams for being such kill-joys. I’m encouraged that a new ham will even attempt CW.

[@Supernumerary]

The abbreviation “DE” does not mean “from”. It is actually “This Is”. It’s a formal declarative statement to identify the station call sign.

[@n4hnhradio]

It’s like QRS. There are double meanings in CW shortcuts. It depends upon the context. QRS can mean “send more slowly” or it can mean “shall I send more slowly?” If someone is sending too fast to me and I send QRS, they understand that I am asking them to send at a slower speed. Conversely, if the other station notices that I’m sending at 18WPM, and they are sending at 25WPM, they might send QRS to ask if I would like for them them to send at a slower speed. de can mean “From” or “This is”. cwops.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/CW-Abbreviations.pdf

[@sporty05]

Thanks for this, I was wondering if it had a decoder, thinking about upgrading from my 590SG and I like using this feature as I'm learning code. C'mon Black Friday Sales!

[@n4hnhradio]

The decoder works well. You just have to guess the speed of the CW you’re listening to and set your CW send speed within a few WPM plus or minus. The decoder assumes that the speed you’re set to send is the speed you’re listening to. But it allows a wide margin of error. 73, de N4HNH

[@harrybatt998]

Sporty05, Your 590SG has a decoder, and it is much better than that of the FTDX10. I own both rigs and can honestly say that the TS-590SG has no problems decoding CW even with lots of noise. The FTDX10 on the other hand, needs noise reducing and filters narrowing to do an half decent job.

[@sporty05]

@@harrybatt998 Yes it's not bad, I just wish I could see more of it as it scrolls by. I've become a big fan of Yaesu's DNR from my FT-891, hoping to get more of that with the FTDX10 along with the CW decode.

[@harrybatt998]

@@sporty05 You'll be impressed with the FTDX10. I've only had mine for around a week & can operate & navigate through it easily. I'm really liking this Yaesu, but just hope I don't encounter any of the "insert firmware" message issues some people are getting on bootup.

[@homersaypian3798]

My biggest challenge has been trying to determine the decode level. A lot of the time I’m getting Es Fs and Hs.

[@n4hnhradio]

I left decode level at default. The key is to remove as much noise as possible in the front end of the receiver, and use the DSP parameters I teach in my CW videos to finish it off. Then you need to guess within +/- approximately 5WPM how fast they are sending to you and adjust your sending speed accordingly. Your sending speed gives the decoder a clue. It needs a ballpark guess at the speed it’s supposed to decode.

[@homersaypian3798]

@@n4hnhradio Thanks, I’ll keep this in mind. Also, I haven’t really messed with the notch or filter width, so that may be part of the issue as well. I’ve only had the radio a few weeks, so I’m still in the learning stage. In any case, thanks for the help here and the videos!!!

[@n4hnhradio]

Once you use ZIN and lock onto their exact frequency, narrow to 100Hz and enable APF.

[@bolovanro]

Ok...you convinced me...I ordered FTdx10...I hope that in one or two days will be here.

[@n4hnhradio]

I hope you enjoy it. It’s a fun radio.

[@bolovanro]

@@n4hnhradio I understand your hope...because if I am not pleased...I will tell to my wife that at your suggestion I spend almost 2000 USD (1600 euro) on the radio...

[@n4hnhradio]

You should tell her that the only radios that have a better receiver cost $7,000 (Flex 6700) and $3,200 (Yaesu FTdx101D). You saved money.

[@bolovanro]

@@n4hnhradio No...she is a woman...Dosen't care...I spend a lot of money for me without buying dresses for her HI! Any way...I just hope that I will have more success at hunting sota stations (the QRM here sometimes it's huge...I just hope and sometimes...with 7300 I just know that there is a station there...but I can't understand almost anything)

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m not touching that comment. I want to stay out of trouble. Hi! Hi!

[@mark12.31]

Setting the speed would be easier if you knew how to know what speed they're sending at...lol...knowing zero CW it's hard to know what it is. But that's just me. Appreciate the videos on this radio; very thorough and good.

[@n4hnhradio]

I agree. It would have been nice. But after a little practice, you will be able to guess close. You don’t have to be exact. It seems to be forgiving at approximately +/- 5WPM.

[@wmmilton]

The optimal 300Hz filter really helps.

[@n4hnhradio]

I’ve been thinking about ordering the 300, but the DSP width in the 5000 works so well that I can barely tell the difference between the 300 and the 600, once I narrow to 50 or 100 Hz digitally. But maybe I should order the 300, just so I can max out the FTdx10.

[@dougsmith9571]

I just bought one . I'll try it but hope I can read it lol . CW isn't easy

[@n4hnhradio]

It is always a better to learn to head-copy. Long Island CW Club does a great job teaching that. One of the hams I Elmered went from no CW to 18WPM head-copy in 4 months. But, it is nice to have the decoder as a backup while you work to become more proficient. Be sure to minimize the noise, using the techniques I show on my channel, working with IPO, ATT/RF Gain, and DSP, in that order. Also you must set your CW speed in the FTdx10 to a value that you believe to be somewhat close to the speed you are listening to. 73, de N4HNH

[@whippersnappercc]

Can you explain the rhyme and reason with the dB level on the cw decoder? Other than having one second to adjust it before it reverts back lol.

[@n4hnhradio]

Sensitivity. I find that the default setting of 50 works just fine after you minimize the noise with IPO, ATT, etc.

[@mrdonsmith]

The owners manual for the FTdx10 (which I own and consider it to be an incredible radio!) does not explain what CW-L and CW-U is exactly. Those two selections are listed repeatedly in the owners manual as being influenced by other settings, but there's nothing about why I should choose one or the other.

[@n4hnhradio]

Watch my video about CW-U and CW-L, from 2 years ago. It’s in the FTdx5000MP playlist. It’s also in my CW playlist. I teach different operating techniques with different radios. If you aren’t watching all playlists, you are missing information. Here is a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIq7eIWmmb6Crqssi=_PIvLUcT1mRBGsVu

[@nigelbrooks6756]

Great video please could you tell me if I purchase a keyboard for the ftdx10 could I type CW and transmit it and use the CW decoder , this could be a great method to get me on CW with the hope of learning the key in due course, thanks again

[@n4hnhradio]

The only semi-automatic way to send CW is to use the touchscreen keyboard to store up to 5 CW messages in the memory slots and send by clicking the mouse or touching the screen, as I showd in one of the videos. 73, de N4HNH

[@nigelbrooks6756]

@@n4hnhradio thank you

[@ScottBrown1406_Repair]

I have certainly contested with the decoder, and not knowing a stitch of MC;)

[@n4hnhradio]

It definitely works. I just chased a QRP CW station who was S0 (zero). I had to use AMP2. But the decoder only missed a couple of letters. Fortunately, there was no QSB to deal with. Thanks for stopping by! 73, de N4HNH

[@JohnVK5JAK]

I may have missed it in the video, but what is that 'P' in the filter window (below the '8' in 3.865)

[@n4hnhradio]

The “P” indicates a CW Passband is being displayed. RTTY will be indicated by an “M” and “S”. Data will be indicated by the letter “C”.

[@JohnVK5JAK]

@@n4hnhradio Oops. I found it in the manual just after asking the question.

[@marcinmichigan2772]

Have you been able to to do a side by side decoder with ftdx10 and elecraft K series ?

[@n4hnhradio]

No I haven’t. I don’t own a Elecraft radio. But I’ve seen a KX3 decoder in operation. All of the decoders seem to operate about the same, once you minimize the noise.

[@bojanrimanic6010]

Is there a way to decode your own code when sending? I see it if using meemory keying but when I send code using paddle there is no decoding of what I am sending. Tnx

[@n4hnhradio]

The decoder doesn’t display what I send with my Bencher paddle. The decoder only shows receive. But you are right about it displaying what you send from the memory keyer. It isn’t decoding at that point. It is displaying the memory content that it is sending. 73, de N4HNH

[@bojanrimanic6010]

@@n4hnhradio Tnx and FIY I am anther one guilty of buying FTDX10 becuse of your videos :) My IC7300 left the shack two days ago… Yaesu shoud give you percentage of the sells they make because your videos. :) Great work!

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you so much for watching my videos. Congratulations on getting a FTdx10. I’m chasing CW SOTA stations right now with mine. Well, I think Yaesu doesn’t care what I’m doing. If I give any criticism whatsoever, they get defensive. That’s why I often say that I hate to like Yaesu. But they simply make the best radios, even though they aren’t perfect. 73, de N4HNH

[@cchimozmin]

I wish they’d add a CW decoder in the firmware for the 991A. Is it likely they’d add that?

[@n4hnhradio]

Doubtful. The hardware might not have sufficient memory. But, knowing how Yaesu discontinues perfectly good radios before they have a replacement, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 991A phased out soon. 73, de N4HNH

[@n4hnhradio]

Don’t be a CW snob. Some people are learning CW, and the display can help them gain the confidence to get on the air and improve their skills. Since CW is optional now, we need to encourage those who show interest, instead of brow-beating them. My channel exists to encourage. Get that or get lost.

[@cchimozmin]

@@n4hnhradio The decoders are really handy for learning- for instance I can now recognise the “TEST” phrase at 40wpm dah-dit-diddleit-dah. 😂 (using the QRP Labs QCX mini). I’d love the FTDX-10 but the brilliantly use local Morse practice net is on 2m ssb so need a radio with all mode uhf/vhf. The 991A is the answer I think. I can use the Morserino 32 as a reader for safety 😊. Also the Catknobs is a great addition to the 991 adding 6 programmable knobs (www.catknobz.com). Sending is relatively straight forward- I can comfortably send at 20wpm with a paddle or 12wpm with a straight key. Head copy is a different matter - starting to recognise the odd phrase at 20wpm but if I want to catch it all it’s got to be about 10wpm. The decoder helps with recognising and memorising phases.

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

Does it decode rtty too ?

[@n4hnhradio]

Not that I’m aware of 73, de N4HNH

[@elanpaim33]

any video how to set it to cw decoding ?

[@n4hnhradio]

From the main menu you press Decode, at the bottom right. That is all you do to enable the decoder. 73, de N4HNH

[@elanpaim33]

@@n4hnhradio well I know that however it say in t he user menu to seg the speed as well what speed your set on can you do shot video on how to set what parameter

[@n4hnhradio]

I will add your request to the list. The manual can be confusing. You just need to guess the sending speed of the station you wish to decode, and set that as your CW speed. It doesn’t have to be precise. Plus/minus 8WPM or so seems to work fine. Other than that, just use a combination of ATT, IPO, RF Gain, roofing filter, and DSP to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. This helps the decoder do a more precise job. 73, de N4HNH

[@TheEa4sv]

@@n4hnhradio thanks, i was wondering why ir does not work

[@tomsktrials]

im new to cw and that makes no sense to me, where can i learn cw sort hand

[@n4hnhradio]

longislandcwclub.org/cw-online-classes/ 73, de N4HNH

[@n4hnhradio]

There are numerous shorthand terms. Below are some samples: de = from CQ = Seek You (seeking someone to talk to) WX = Weather DX = Distance GM = Good Morning GA = Good Afternoon UR = You Are (usually precedes a signal report, i.e., UR 599) RST = Readability Signal Tone (signal report - you can send RST? to ask for a signal report) 5NN = shorthand for 599 57N = shorthand for 579 AGN = Again (can be used for please repeat your last transmission) ABT = About HR = Here HW = How CPY = Copy (i.e., HW CPY) FER = For (faster to send than FOR) TNX = Thanks TU = Thank You BK = Back to you RR = Roger Roger or Received Received The LICW club will teach you how to understand the shorthand but you ultimately end up learning how to hear entire words instead of letters. Many of their students go from zero to 15WPM in a matter of months. 73, de N4HNH

[@tomsktrials]

@@n4hnhradio thank you so much for that comprehensive list, that makes things much easier to follow 73

[@n4hnhradio]

You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH

[@donaldbeck8182]

I wish you would have shown the proper set up prior to showing the various filtering you just jumped in with no set up directions

[@n4hnhradio]

The setup directions are, enable the decoder, per the operating manual.

[@carlosgarcia-yu4ye]

la version UK dice que realiza TX en 70 mhz en españa tenemos autorizados los 70 mhz que le pasa a yaesu no conoce las reglamentacion internacional kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnu4dqOOaL-Cjs0

[@bernardjesson1046]

Fb😅

[@MrWhaatay]

Couldn't you have spent 5 hours showing us how the decode doesn't work with weak signals? There isn't a single person that came here to see it not work yet that is what you showed us. A minute in and still showing us how it doesn't work with weak signals and wasting our time. Thumbs down.

[@n4hnhradio]

The purpose of the video was to show what can cause the decoder to not work. At 3 minutes into the video you see it working, after I showed how to improve the S/N ratio. I’m not advertising the capabilities of the radio. I’m teaching how to get more performance from the radio. If you can’t understand that, then this is not the channel you are looking for.