Yaesu FTdx101MP: Unboxing and Setup (video #1 in this series)

[@rogershults5607]

Hello Doug I love my Yaesu FTDX 101 MP I used to own a ICOM IC 7610 I did sell this radio while back the YAESU FTDX101MP is 10 times the radio is the ICOM IC7610 73

[@n4hnhradio]

Hi Roger! It’s great to hear from you. I saw the video where you said you were going to sell the 7610. It’s a good radio but you’re right - It just isn’t at the level of the 101. 73, Doug

[@SGMPhil]

The FTDX-101MP is an awesome radio, I have had mine for a while now and love it. I have an FTDX-10 and a Flex 6700, and I hate to say that they rarely get powered on these days :)

[@n4hnhradio]

It’s a great radio. None are flawless, but the FTdx101D/MP excels where it counts.

[@arthurgumbus3969]

Looking forward to this series on the 101MP. I have had my 101MP for almost 2 years.... just totally love this rig and I do think, that over time, it will grow on you too. 73 Art W1SWL

[@n4hnhradio]

I like it. It has some nice “creature comforts”. I still favor the ergonomics of the FTdx5000MP. With the 5000, both speakers work when using VFO-A, and the SM-5000 has a phase reversal option that creates a surround sound effect, while listening to only one receiver. It sounds great! When I enable VFO-B, the right-hand speaker of the SM-5000 automatically starts outputting the audio of VFO-B. With the 101, I have to sync both receivers to get sound out of both speakers. It sounds great though. I will note that, when using headphones, the 101 functions the same as the 5000. The DNR is great, but falls shy of the performance level of the DNR in the FTdx5000MP and the FTdx10. That makes no sense. The flagship transceiver should beat the older radio and the little brother. But the DNR is better then it was when I tested the 101 in 2019. Back then, the DNR performance was the same as the FT-891. The 891 introduces digital artifacts that make it sound like you are listening under water, until you increase to DNR algorithm 9. The 101 was no different in 2019. The 5000, in 2019, had DNR performance that equals the FTdx10. To be fair, this MP doesn’t have the absolute latest firmware. But it was upgraded with a newer firmware than the 2019 firmware. So this DNR is improved. No watery sound, but not as effective as the DNR in the 5000 or the 10. I also miss the Super Narrow APF of the 5000 and the ability to adjust the AGC hold time. But alas, there is no one radio that has it all.

[@Floyd-KQ4EUV]

I’m looking forward to this series Doug. I love my FT-DX10, and I’m interested in learning what the feature upgrades come with the FT-DX 101 MP. 73!

[@n4hnhradio]

It’s a great transceiver, Floyd. Video #2 posted yesterday. It’s in the list of videos for the FTdx101MP, at the main page of my Patreon site: www.PATREON.com/N4HNH As a Patreon team member, you have access to all of the FTdx101MP videos. 73, Doug

[@wkboggs5]

She’s a BEAUTE!! NR7K

[@st.tammanyhumanesociety9550]

I see this is video 1 in the 101 series but I can't find any others, I watched your video on how to find and it looks like u tube has changed the layout. Can you tell me how to find the 101 series? KI5UPP

[@n4hnhradio]

The complete FTdx101 series is available to members of my Patreon support team who join at the S9 (VIP) level. www.PATREON.com/N4HNH

[@st.tammanyhumanesociety9550]

@@n4hnhradio JOINED!

[@pu2xbt74]

I sold my FTDX 5000 MP, I have regret, sadness about doing this..... it is the best HF Radio to date, the FTDX 5000 MP was unbeatable, a success that Yaesu could never achieve for the manufacture of this model... .. and if it produces again it will be the best seller again!!!!

[@n4hnhradio]

I totally agree. The 101 is quite good though, especially for scope watchers or those who operated digital modes. The FTdx10 is my backup, after the FTdx5000MP. The dx10 is a boss. The receiver is on par with the FTdx5000MP, but the FTdx10 is more menu driven and doesn’t have a RF preselector. Still, it competes with the 5000 on receive performance. I have comparison videos where I put them up against one another. It’s usually neck to neck.

[@n8wrl]

I had a FTdx101MP and it is a gorgeous radio. I also bought an extra speaker because, my error completely, I thought it would do what my FTdx5000 does - audio thru both speakers for a single VFO. Nope! Turns out the 2nd speaker is silent unless I operated split without headphones, which I rarely do. I even spoke to Tim at Yaesu about it.

[@n4hnhradio]

Yep! Not hearing sound from both speakers when using one receiver also bugs me. But I like the 5000 better anyway, for that and other reasons. What you can do with the 101 is long-press the Sync button and use both receivers simultaneously on the same frequency. One of the subsequent videos in this series covers that. But, when you sync the two receivers in the FTdx5000, it also copies filter and DSP settings to the second receiver. The FTdx101 doesn’t do that. You have to manually set the second receiver filtering and DSP to match. Little missed opportunities like that are unfortunate. Video #91 in my FTdx10 series will show another feature that the FTdx10 has that the FTdx101 doesn’t. The 101 is still a fine transceiver. I’m admittedly nitpicking. By the way, if you use headphones with the 101, you get sound out of both speakers, just like the 5000. I think the greatest setup is an FTdx5000MP as a primary transceiver and an FTdx10 for digital modes and backup. Plus, the FTdx10 is a fine CW rig, especially the optional 300Hz roofing filter installed. It can rival the FTdx5000MP on CW. 73, de N4HNH

[@n8wrl]

@@n4hnhradio I sold my '5000 shortly after buying the '101. A year later, I sold the '101 and went looking for a '5000. I found one locally and haven't looked back. I also have a Flex6600 and have to admit, the panadapter is the bees knees. I played with LPPAN on the '5000 and just didn't care for it.

[@robertvarner9519]

Great radio. I'll get one when I win the lottery.

[@n4hnhradio]

There is no need to spend $4,000. The FTdx10 hangs tough with the FTdx101D/MP.

[@M-13_Fab]

Really looking forward to seeing the series on the 101MP

[@n4hnhradio]

I released the 8th video today. They are available via Patreon.

[@cobraxspeed]

Beautiful bit of kit !

[@N4JAB]

I just bought the 101D so I'm excited to follow this series and possibly learn something.

[@n4hnhradio]

I will mostly focus on features of the 101 that are not included in the FTdx10. Most of the operating techniques are already covered in the FTdx10 playlist.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

​@@n4hnhradio Doug, comparisons with the FTDX5000MP would also be welcome. 73, John 2E0SVB.

[@n4hnhradio]

I wish I could, John, but I have no way to fit both on the desk. I will compare with the FTdx10, and I’ve already shot videos comparing the FTdx10 to the 5000. They are neck to neck. I still prefer the ergonomics of the 5000, Super Narrow APF, adjustable AGC hold, adjustable carrier insertion point, etc., that I’ve written about many times in comments. And there is the PDF on Patreon that goes into greater detail about why I chose the 5000 over the 101. 73 my friend! It’s great to hear from you.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@n4hnhradio I was thinking more from memory than direct 1:1. Super interested in this series nonetheless; Elecraft K4 or 101MP is a current thought process. To supplement not replace my FTDX5000MP. Best wishes from your biggest UK fan 😊🍻

[@n4hnhradio]

You will definitely hear commentary comparing the two. I’ve already written about some of it here, answering another comment.

[@martinvanek5951]

Excited. I really think you should a comparison video with the FTDX-5000 at some point. Thanks Doug. 73

[@n4hnhradio]

Hi Martin! I will be commenting in videos regarding the differences between the 5000 and the 101. I have no way to fit both on the desk though. I will compare with the FTdx10. And I’ve already shot videos comparing the FTdx10 to the 5000. You probably saw those in the FTdx10 playlist. They are neck to neck. I still prefer the ergonomics of the 5000, Super Narrow APF, adjustable AGC hold, adjustable carrier insertion point, etc., that I’ve written about many times in comments. And there is the PDF on Patreon that goes into greater detail about why I chose the 5000 over the 101. 73, Doug

[@davidc5027]

I am really looking forward to this series Doug. My Elmer and father in law has the 101MP, and he loves it. He also has the ICOM 7610 and loves that too, but I've managed to put a few hours of time on both radios and have opinions. I've often thought about selling the FTDX10 and buying the 101MP, but the Elmer says "Not so fast", so I'm really looking forward to your evaluation and comparison of the two radios. From those evaluations and comparisons, yet to come, I'm anxiously waiting to hear if what you have to say is going to line up with what my Elmer says. I suspect it will but time will tell.

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m editing such a video right now.

[@user-lp3cf5yn5b]

I'm on the verge of pushing the button on one now. What is pa in law Elmer saying? Do I need to not get a 101mp? That's a lot of money to spend on a rig, and I've heard there are some issues with the finals

[@davidc5027]

@@user-lp3cf5yn5b I now have the 101MP, and hands down, it is a stelar radio. However the FTDX10 is also a stelar radio. You really can't go wrong with either. Let your budget whisper in your ear what you can afford. Maybe it's the 101D, still is going to be a stelar radio. Keep in mind the MP is a beast heavy and large. The 101D is large and also a bit heavy. The FTDX10 is compact size, not nearly as heavy as the other 2. However, you do have to dig in the menu to change things where the 101D or MP, has more buttons to push or turn. I would say the 101MP seems to reject noise a little better than my FTDX10. I'm not sure why, but I can run the dish washer whilst I'm playing radio, but couldn't on the FTDX10 because it would trash several bands. One major difference is the 101D and MP have 2 VFO's, so they can be very useful if you get into that sort of thing. IDK, those are my thoughts and 2¢.

[@user-lp3cf5yn5b]

​@@davidc5027I'm running a 1000MP now, and I fell in love with the dual receivers. Which I suppose I could still accomplish somehow with a so2r setup, but it's so nice to have one rig that has two tuners in it. The 101 is definitely the whiz bang rig compared to anything else that Yaesu is selling. The only way to get close with Icom is to drop a couple more thou on a 7610 if I'm remembering correctly. The only thing that aggravates me with Yaesu is if they ever quit selling a rig don't bother asking questions from CS because they love to point you to the internet. Icom tends that way too a little bit not as bad as Yaesu has for me though. So I am going Yaesu for bang for buck, but with the knowledge that once they quit selling them it seems you're pretty much on your own.

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

I'm very happy that you are doing videos on the 101MP because I have one! Many, many thanks for your great channel, I really have learned a lot from you. Robert K5TPC (This is my wife's account.)

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m glad you like the channel, Robert! Thanks to KC4WZB for the loan of his radio. 73, Doug

[@kaydenchristensen5011]

Cannot wait Doug

[@jerryklr]

What happened to your other videos in this series? I was watching them last week. I swear they were yours anyway. Maybe I'm mistaken. LOL! But now that I have this radio in front of me, I came back to watch them as to learn things a little easier with your help and I don't see them. :( ???

[@n4hnhradio]

Only video #1 is public. The rest of the series is available for S9 (VIP) Patreon team members.

[@JohnTrefethen]

Thanks for all of your excellent info, my friend. I am on the fence about the 101 vs. 10 and was excited to see you reviewed the 101. But I am disappointed that this is the only video in the series. Did you decide not to go any further with your review of the FTDX101?

[@n4hnhradio]

The series is at Patreon.com/N4HNH. The description of this video explains about it. There is also an FTdx10 series and an FT-710 series. And there is an article that covers how to decide between the FTdx101, FTdx10, or FT-710.

[@JohnTrefethen]

@ are you suggesting I need to pay you for access to the review?

[@n4hnhradio]

It is only available for those who help fund this channel. They have access to over 200 posts and over 150 videos. The premium content at Patreon.com/N4HNH is for those who are responsible for the content across the 62 playlists on KZbin.

[@JohnTrefethen]

@@n4hnhradio Thanks for the clarification. I was referring to your comment at 4:44 when you stated the series would become available for non-patreon financed folks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZiypoZraLp_aNUsi=S4sgReBzxOd4utYZ&t=284

[@n4hnhradio]

I figured if someone can afford an FTdx101, they can chip in toward the cost of video production. I can't afford an FTdx101 myself. The one in the videos was donated for me to shoot the series with. The Patreon members who chip in the most have access to the series. Without them, none of the 700+ videos would exist. The Patreon team members make it possible for others to watch the public videos for free. So, the highest tier Patreon members have access to over 200 exclusive posts and over 150 additional videos. It's actually not fair to them. They provide 96% of the financial support for this channel. They should have exclusive access to 96% of the content, and only 4% for everyone else.

[@geoffvk3sq113]

Great new series, when will the next be done and how often do you produce them? 73 de Geoff

[@n4hnhradio]

I thought I wrote all about it in the description. I will have to double-check. The rest of the series is available via: www.Patreon.com/N4HNH 3 videos and 3 shorts have been released thus far. The series will continue to unfold over on the Patreon portal.

[@limester757]

Excited

[@n4hnhradio]

Hi Mark! I assume that you have a FTdx101. Video #2, Setting TX Audio, published today at PATREON.com/N4HNH 73, Doug

[@oe5pop320]

Wich TX is better ? 5000 or 101? mny tks.

[@n4hnhradio]

That is subjective. They are both great. The decision boils down to operating style and ergonomic preferences. I favor the 5000 for ergonomics and I like the sound of the receiver. But, if you work much digital, you will probably prefer the 101.

[@oe5pop320]

@@n4hnhradio 90% cw. 10% ssb. No digital . I can not to this.

[@n4hnhradio]

Both are great at CW. The 101 costs less in the long run. By the time I bought the SM-5000 and the three mu-Tuning preselectors, I could have bought half of a 101 again. But the 5000 has a Super Narrow APF setting, which the 101 doesn’t have. That helps with CW. The 5000 also has better DNR. And I like the knob and button placement better on the 5000. Update: The August 2023 firmware update improved the DNR in the FTdx101D/MP. It is on equal footing with the FTdx10 and the FTdx5000MP now, as far as DNR goes.