Yaesu FTM-400XDR Basic APRS Setup - Ham Radio Q&A

[@jeterr999]

I watched this video a year ago…and…again today to fix my setup. Thank you for your videos and excellent teaching style. 👍

[@franssanders9536]

Thanks Micheal for the good informative videos you put on youtube, they are very informative. PD5FS from the Netherlands

[@w3tua]

Tone mode could be set to CTCSS tone of 100-Hz so 'Voice Alert' can be used. Then, if another APRS mobile is in receive range, you can hear them and initiate a contact.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Fantastic video. The radio screen with the computer screen to cover the programming was genius. Great work. Your desktop looks alot like mine! 😆

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thanks- I wanted to do something a bit different from the other videos out there. I usually do a better job cleaning the shack before I record, but I'm in the middle of reorganizing some equipment, so I had parts laying about.

[@cbarker1496]

@@KB9VBRAntennas REAL Hams... DO have parts laying around. It is what we do ! (You don't have to be squeaky neat. Parts don't bother friends.)

[@cbarker1496]

Thanks Michael ! - Last week I purchased a FTM-500DR and attempted APRS setup. The Yaesu manuals present the info, but leave me mostly confused. Partially because some instructions are simply wrong, or do not explain the benefit of a setting, material wanders off topic, and text material is often redundant. The radio is very nice; a solid A- (menus have room for improvement), yet the Operator and APRS manuals struggle to get a grade of C-. Although your video is for the FTM-400, your explanation of APRS settings helped me get APRS working on my FTM500DR ! Thank you ! (No, Chirp does not yet support the FTM-500 and I don't have the RT Systems software or cable).

[@WA-eg7ft]

Thanks Michael. I totally messed up getting set up on APRS this evening. First time ever using the rtsystems program. Not very difficult overall, but when I went to install the SD card I hit format... not a total mess up. So I just did a default reset to the radio and double checked my SD. Re inserted the card and pressed the right button this time. Everything transferred over perfectly. Thanks for spelling it out so well for us non rocket scientist. But I've watched your videos and knew that you had my back. A little refresh watching this video got me back up and better than ever. Keep doing the good work.

[@brucem1553]

Thank you so much. great help to get me on APRS fast in my truck using cell phone to watch the set up in the corner of the video and programing 400 while in parking lot.. Then stopped at Wally World and grabbed a cheap 32 gig class 10 SD card for 10 bucks and took it home and set it all up on the computer programming.. So thanks to you and this great video i was able to use both methods shown here.. Great work..

[@meteor8076]

very very nice, APRS is the future !

[@applejacks971]

I ordered my 400xdr today from GigaParts. It's gonna make a great mobile rig in the semi paired up with my Diamond 7900. My current Yaesu 8800 will be moved to the house as a base station paired up with the J-Pole I got from ya back in '14. Good stuff!!

[@TonyM7CVK]

I have just received this transceiver and will work through your videos to set mine up. Looking forward to having a play with the features in this Yaesu

[@Trump985]

Thanks for making this video! I just got one of these FTM400s and I was ripping my hair out trying to figure this out!

[@troyyoungman7167]

Thanks Mike for the video on setting up the Yaesu ft400xdr for APRS. I have had my 400xdr for about 2 years now and really like the radio. It's my first radio with APRS and I had really no idea how to use the APRS function. Your video help me to understand the foreign terminology. I am a HF dxer / comtester CW/ ssb ham so this new radio was a bit of a learning curve for me. 73. Troy K6PA dit dit

[@crash2332000]

Very nice, well explained. Been a tech since Oct 2018. I was just able to buy a mobile dual band (TYT 7800) in January this year. I would so love to upgrade to this radio, but being a single income home it's difficult. It's a very nice radio, I would love to have one in the car.

[@mikenester8868]

Another FANTASTIC video. Thank you

[@VE7VU]

Great video. One thing to mention is that rather than using aprs mute you can turn on voice alert. Which will mute the noise also but provide other functionality. Read up on voice alert.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I talk about APRS Voice Alert in the June 2019 Q&A video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGmQm6uDqdWeotk

[@bubbabill54]

Thank you for the help getting aprs up and running WC1PHW ( too new to know)

[@pmurphy12667]

good video. Having gotten my technician license 7 years ago I have not done much and now we are overlanding and I am planning on buying this radio. It might be overkill for my use but i always like to have the best and more than what I need. One thing is though I have a lot to learn here with radios as the technician test you don't anything about using radios. This channel is great and looking forward to learning more. KK6MRO

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The FTM-400 seems to be a popular choice with the overlanding crowd, and with good reason as it has an excellent user interface and reliable APRS tracking. As a fellow volunteer examiner always says to hams that just passed the test "now that you have your license, the real learning begins." Enjoy!

[@Terry4413]

Really appreciate your time and effort!

[@TyMoore95503]

Nice, quick setup video. Thanks!

[@N4EJM]

Another great video Michael. Can’t wait to get my FTM-400.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I know the Yaesu back order has been pretty long, but these radios are worth the wait. You'll enjoy it.

[@fnscooter]

Curious to see a demonstration of making use of APRS data from other motorists.

[@jcadwall]

Can’t like this video enough! Thanks and 73!

[@seaningram4434]

Just received my ftm400xdr, today. Gonna have to play with it before I install. Will be taking the ID 880H out and using it inside. 73s de Wb4ur :)

[@off-trailseeking3965]

Excellent video Michael! Being a newbie this will really help. Perfect timing too! My FTM400XDR is due to arrive via FedEx tomorrow from Gigaparts. After a 2 month wait. Looking forward to the next video on this rig.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I know you live close to me, so I'll email my programming file to give you a headstart on the things. You can cut and paste the channels into your file.

[@4428314]

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you, KG5OBD

[@tonydesanto3238]

Thank you for the video!

[@MonkeyProof1]

Comparing the 400XDR to the TM-D710GA, what are some of the Pros and Cons of each model?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Both are excellent rigs and either is an excellent choice. The key difference between the two is that the Kenwood TM-D710GA allows external access to the TNC. There is a serial port so you can connect a computer or other device to the radio for two way TNC control. So the radio can feed APRS information to a computer running an application or you can use it for packet radio communication. The FTM-400XDR is APRS only, you can't externally control the TNC- although the radio will output APRS packets via its control port, but this is a one way process. So packet radio and external control via an APRS application is out of the question. But the Yaesu has an excellent color display and the quality of information, along with the touch screen, makes up for that downfall. TLDR: If you require external control of the TNC or wish to run mobile with a computer or other device, then the Kenwood is for you. If you want the simplicity of APRS operation with a good high quality display, then go the Yaesu route.

[@moondog_radio]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I overcame that limitation on the FTM-400 by adding a mobilinkd TNC3. It works great and interfaces with a computer via bluetooth. It interfaces with the radio via a 6-pin cable coupled with a 6-pin to 10-pin adapter. And I believe I still retain all the cool APRS features of the radio in doing so. Of course having to shell out an extra $200 (including cables) just to get full functionality out of a radio... not the greatest.

[@joel6221]

Great video, but the all important details on how to save the file to the SD card is missing.

[@adampettus]

High quality info and production.

[@Overlanding_Exploring]

Loopings fwd to the next part

[@Private290]

Great video. Thank you

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

thanks for the Reply and sharing your knowledge sir! It is greatly appreciated! Next time u your in Vegas I'll buy you a beer!

[@ronaldlwilliams6839]

Hi Michael, I know this is a very simple request, but can you do a very short video on how to use simplex on the Yaesu 400d? I am totally lost. Thank you.

[@Moelover66]

Very well made video! Keep it up!

[@jakebueker5659]

If you need video ideas, I’d like to see your thoughts on APRS voice alert with the FTM-400. I bought one and am excited to get it installed and ready to use for longer trips and trail communications. Great video!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I don't have a video that exclusively talks about voice alert‚ but I do have the procedure listed in my June 2019 Q&A video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWrSlHuuh5uUeMk

[@jakebueker5659]

KB9VBR Antennas I’ll take a look! I appreciate it!

[@1crazynordlander]

Great video! I have the Yaesu FTM-100DR that has APRS. I have not played with it. I know I only have one VFO on that radio. I wanted the 400 but HRO and others were BOed on that model. I take that the FT-2DR has the same features? I will have to look into these settings on my radio. I know you can somehow monitor a second channel with the 100 on like a five second or maybe adjustable interval. I did not realize you had Yaesu also. I just set my FTM-100DR on PDN Direct mode connection with my PC and have been on the air with that. I also with your help go my Ailunce to talk with someone on a repeater 30 miles away using my Mag mount Diamond antenna. I am finding this craft to be so interesting and educational. It's been a good thing for an old guy to keep his brain sharp...maybe not that sharp...Thanks! Kevin Ke0UXC I listen to the Wires-X DARC room listed in Little Falls MN with my PDN attached radio.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'm not very familiar with the FTM-100DR as I don't have one, but I believe that since it is a dual watch and not a dual VFO transceiver that the rig will cut away from the main channel to transmit an APRS packet. I'll have to read the instructions to acquaint myself more with it. The FT-2DR is dual VFO so you can dedicate the B band to APRS. I'm glad you got your HD1 running, and that you are having fun with amateur radio. We'll have to connect sometimes.

[@GeoBigJon]

Great video, thanks for the info.

[@tittiger]

Wide 1-1, wide 2-1 does not get you three hops. If it hits a fill-in repeater that then is caught by a wide area repeater you've got two hops maximum. If this routing hits only a wide area repeater then you have one hop.

[@KA4UPW]

My S-List does not populate, however the M-List populates fine. Any idea what i screwed up?

[@kd4nqy]

Can you change the repeater off set to a different one,i have the European version and is not 5mhz like the usa model/?????

[@ferdinanlebron4375]

Greetings. I ask. Why is it that after programming the radio with its cable, the APRS does not work for me

[@emesselt]

Just watched this and there is are several discrepancies between the menu programming. Can you do an update? W8ESM

[@skiphorni]

I know this is old. But I cannot get ADMS-7 to read my dat file. I get an error every time. The RT software reads it but not hardly any of the options you show are in the settings pane.

[@johntegan7927]

Fantastic video. Thanks so much for putting this together. Extremely helpful. I'm planning a drive to Alaska from Florida soon and wanted to set this up for my journey to be able to stay in contact in the very remote areas. Is this a feasible option for such a trip?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Possibly. It would depend on what type of APRS infrastructure is available along your route. I'd use APRS.fi to look at how prevalent APRS digipeaters are for where you are traveling. Then you can make the determination if this could be part of your communication plan

[@johntegan7927]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks for the answer, Michael. I appreciate you taking the time. I'll check it out!

[@kevinokeefe7796]

Off topic question Can I use iPhone wired earphones to listen on the 400 Not the mic I know that won’t work I just want to listen through the earphones with out hurting the rig. I do have the adapter jack that comes with the rig A y help appreciated

[@HKey_Root]

Can these APRS transmissions be decoded by packet TNCs please?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes they can. APRS uses standard AX.25 packets, so any TNC will decode them, and with the right software also communicate into the APRS network.

[@toddhoffmaster6057]

Like Ham Radio Crash Course stated - fantastic video. Very easy to follow along with and to actually see it on both screens was truly genius. Thank you for the excellent work on this video. KJ7CRJ

[@johnmiller3109]

At about the 6 minute mark you added -9 for mobile tracker radio devices. Any chance you have a bit more info about this? There seemed to be several other options.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I have a whole series on APRS, this video is the one that gets into SSIDs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i33HdICGqrZrpbs

[@manosmargaronis]

For Greece APRS frquency is 148.000 When i press PTT it shows TX ERROR.Do i have to unlock FTM 400? Thx

[@alancohen7801]

Looking forward to future videos.

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

Should i get a yagi antenna for satellite work ? or have a base staion at the house like the 4000xdr and have my ft3d for when im out?

[@remingtonkevin65]

Great video, I believe you skipped over digipath setting. Do I just select the wide1-wide2 already imputed in the setting? Do I need to select another digipath in the other settings like digi1 digi2 digi3 digi4? or just use the setting it came with and leave those alone? Thanks KJ7CRM

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

In my introduction to APRS video I go deeper into path settings. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roKphKB_g7-kebs For mobiles I usually recommend Wide1-1‚ Wide2-2 which is the default setting for the FTM-400

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

have the ft 3d what should i buy next?

[@tomw5vlt119]

Bought this and questions after use... 1 ) it doesn’t seem to have a built in SWR meter? Is that correct? That would be REALLY helpful when used as a mobile unit it seems to be marketed as. It screams “high end mobile” but doesn’t show SWR? 2 ) am I correct in deducing that when using the scope feature with VFO A, that the APRS function on VFO B ceases to function? If so, that seems a miss, too, that a touted feature like APRS ceases to function just because one is viewing the scope for monitoring activity (of course we are using it to monitor activity), seeming to make one choose APRS vs Scope; never both? Thanks!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You are correct. The FTM-400 does not have a built in SWR meter. Frankly‚ I'm not really sure of any VHF/UHF mobile that has an SWR meter. Usually you see that in HF rigs as when using narrow-banded antennas‚ SWR becomes more of an issue. With VHF/UHF you usually install an antenna‚ set it‚ and forget it. The antenna has enough bandwidth to cover the band. As for the second question‚ when you turn the scope on the radio disables the VFO on the B channel. The 2nd VFO is being used for the scope function so APRS or monitoring a frequency on the B channel will not be available while the scope is active. I guess that's a tradeoff the manufacturer had to make in order get the scope functioning and not interrupt activity on the A channel.

[@tomw5vlt119]

KB9VBR Antennas Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

[@revadan]

had 2 tmd710GA before and sold it, it decodes most of the strong packets it hears, BUT having 400xdr for 2 years am still wondering why the radio receives a strong signal but seldomly decodes it.. you can see the display it shows full bars of signal but no decodes.. hate it.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'm pretty sure the radio is decoding all the packets, but it may not always show them on the screen. The FTM-400 filters out duplicate packets, so if it receives identical packets from two digipeaters, it won't display both. Also stationary objects are filtered out if the radio received a packet from them in the last 30 minutes. Try erasing the Heard List and you'll get a flurry of stations pop up on the screen as the radio decodes them.

[@Radiomate]

Great video! Thx :)

[@JamesDougherty]

Thank you for the video. Can you do APRS on the B channel in the background and voice on the A channel? Can it be a TNC?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes, you can do APRS on the B channel and voice communication on the A channel. The FTM-400 has two VFOs so it can handle voice and APRS simultaneously between the two channels. The TNC in the radio is not accessible externally (unlike the Kenwood TM-710GA). The radio can output APRS packets via the interface port so you can show them on an external display, but it can't take input from an an external device, so a computer can't control the radio. That means no packet radio or APRS control via a computer.

[@JK-ug7rm]

APRS is reallly cool. This video is only a get started video. Theres txt msg you, can txt around the world, can send email, see yourself on map, satellites. the tech is open, no proprietary digital limiting tech.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've got three other APRS related videos that I did last fall, you can find them if you scroll through my back catalog of videos.

[@JK-ug7rm]

Can the radio change band freq from a rcv msg text? example: I received a msg or beacon text from someone I want to communicate via voice. Will the radio capture the freq so I can easily and quickly change to the frequency on the non-APRS band? This would be ideal when driving hands free. I think this might be the QSY/Tune feature.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes, if there is a frequency in the BTEXT you can press the QSY/Tune button when the message screen pops up and the radio will load that frequency into the VFO. I'm planning to cover that feature in my FTM-400 Advanced APRS video.

[@robertchambers5821]

Are you aware of, or have you installed an external mapping solution, allowing two way messaging using the FTM-400XDR threw APRS? Great Video!!! 8P6RC

[@off-trailseeking3965]

So the APRS frequency is 144.39. What is picking up that frequency? A repeater, a satellite?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The APRS frequency is 144.390 Mhz. There are digipeaters that help propagate the traffic and I-Gates that funnel the packets to the Internet. My into to APRS video will explain the workings of the system: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roKphKB_g7-kebs

[@applejacks971]

For general purposes, what size mini sd card would you recommend? Great vid!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The FTM-400 won't recognize a card larger than 32 gig. It's kinda a fussy about brand, but I haven't had any problems with Lexar or Sandisk cards. I usually check the clearance rack for cheap, small, cards and purchase them for radio purposes.

[@TraumaRNKen]

This was a great video, really helpful. Your computer screens are a little different than mine. I’m on a Mac with version 6.1.5. Is your version an older version now?

[@seaningram3285]

Same comment about the screen, I am running Windows current version and FTM 400 programmer by RT Systems Ver 5.00.79

[@va7dgp]

I'm not up Yeasu radio. Since the Kenwood D 710 is like finding hen's teeth. Will this do Winlink Express? All I do is plug the 6 pin din into the head for the TNC.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Unfortunately no. The downfall of Yaesu's implementation of APRS is that it doesn't allow external devices to use the TNC. The TNC in the FTM-400 and other APRS equipped Yaesu transceivers only functions internally within the radio.

[@MulligansDen]

I owe you a beer!

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

just got a yaesu ft3d . Do i neded to get a ftm 4000xdr and use that as my pdn. or just splurge? is there anything new coming from YAESU?

[@Sam1986E]

Thank you for the video! I got inspired and started to study for my technician licence. I bought the Yaesu ftm-300dr and i am trying to turn it on to "listen" only (no transmit) but its asking me for my callsign which i dont have. Is there a way around this?? Thanks in advance

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

the callsign is necessary for you to get onto the System Fusion network. If you are just listening to analog, you can use something like KX9ABC to start. Just remember to change it to your actual callsign when you are ready to transmit.

[@duerst76]

I figured out a way to transmit and receive APRS packets and messages with a FTM-400XDR with APRSIS32 with an external TNC. The FTM 400XDR is NOT a one way APRS radio.

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

Ahould i buy the RT programming software from RT?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I use the free Yaesu ADMS software with my radios. It works well for me. I think the only advantage of the RT systems software is that if you own multiple brands of radios‚ RT Systems makes it easier to move programming files from radio to radio

[@ivanrouco863]

Which program are you using and where can I get it?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Software used for programming the radio? I use the free ADMS-7 application that is provided by Yaesu. It's available on their website.

[@aaronlabranche2977]

Hops I gate??? What's that 🤔

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

In my introduction to APRS video I go deeper into path settings‚ hops‚ and igates. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roKphKB_g7-kebs

[@JK-ug7rm]

does radio do smart beaconing?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes it does and it is adjustable.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yes it will. Smart Beaconing will be one of my topics in my FTM-400 Advanced APRS video.

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

nit a wizard at aprs but want to get to be badass at yaesu wires x and pdn

[@SaravanaKumar-tw7yc]

What price... India rupees

[@ScottSimmonsSaltSpringRE]

Thanks, Michael another fantastic video VA7EFZ

[@Palosrob]

Hi Michael, I really enjoy your KZbin channel and I watch every episode all the way through. But it really is time to change the Periwinkle wallpaper in your Shack. It really is.

[@N4EJM]

Oh dear! 😁

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yeah, the wallpaper. . . The basement was finished sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. Its got a wet bar along with a beer keg-a-rator. I think the previous owners loved to party. The house is 100 years old this year- they sure don't make them like they used to.

[@dj_ath]

KB9VBR Antennas keep it original. I like the old school.

[@tonofcol7103]

Hey Michael, I emailed you a while ago and you never responded. Did you get my email. Nice video by the way

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Sorry I missed it, it may have gotten overlooked or lost. Please send your message again.

[@tonofcol7103]

KB9VBR Antennas Thanks

[@lourubens7886]

Outstanding video Michael. de KJ3LR

[@tittiger]

I am using the RT software on an FTM 300dr, in the beacon status text trying to set the frequency or the frequency and repeater shift took me close to an hour because it did not want to save. Just one of about a dozen bugs I found in the RT software. If not bugs they're absolute crappy design choices. When you call RT systems and try to give them some constructive criticism all they do is offer to refund your money not a well-run company at all and it's not surprising by my experience with their software but then the first day there were three or four major failings in it that should have been solved by any Junior neophyte programmer. For instance you cannot select comments and paste them into another column and RT software. That means when you read things from the radio into a blank file you don't have comments and you have no damn way to add them thanks to RT systems thinking things through so clearly. Suggesting changes like this to a shittyly run company like RT systems rather than take your criticisms to Heart they offer to refund your money as I previously stated.

[@alastairunderwood]

nice video, full of good help, Alastair gw0aju

[@lawrencemayfield9669]

where should i spend my next 600 dollars?

[@aaronlabranche2977]

So basic and advanced hmmm how about just show everything in one video for say the average ham that covers all of it lol start to finnish Why the need to break into basic and advanced

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Because then it turns out to be a really long video and people are more likely to watch two shorter videos than one long one.

[@duerst76]

I figured out a way to transmit and receive APRS packets and messages with a FTM-400XDR with APRSIS32 with an external TNC. The FTM 400XDR is NOT a one way APRS radio.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

You can certainly connect an external TNC to the FTM-400 for two-way APRS. In that regard it functions like any other VHF radio. APRS interaction is then done on your device running APRSIS32 and not on the radio itself