Doug - I’m 70 and have been dealing with Parkinson’s Disease for over a decade now. My father recently passed away at age 99. He was a radio operator on a Merchant Marine ship in WWII. We never had much of a relationship but I do remember being allowed to sit next to him in our basement when I was 10 or so as he communicated with people around the world via CW. I got my Tech and Gen licenses so he and I would have something to talk about. He died shortly after I got my license. This disease makes it a bit more difficult for me to learn technical things without becoming easily frustrated. Sorry to write War and Peace, but I wanted you to know that your videos have helped me to set up the FT-710 that I purchased. I only operate “backyard portable” via battery because the idea of setting up a shack in the house was just too much for the monkeys in my head to deal with. So thank you very much for taking the time to create this content. I will become a Patreon supporter when I hit lesson 18!! Jim in Oregon K7NJL
Hi Jim! I’m so sorry about your battle with Parkinson’s. We’ve had that in our family too. It’s great that your dad passed along the bug to you (pun intended). It’s a shame you couldn’t have much of a relationship with you dad. My dad supported my interest in radio because he had seen the value of radio during his time in WWII. Congratulations on earning Tech and General! I look forward to you having access to the additional content on Patreon. Patreon’s main mission is for people to help offset the cost of the videos I’ve already created. But I do provide premium content and early viewing for the team members. The yearly S9 (VIP) members get the most, including the ability to ask me questions and even schedule personal consultations via Zoom. 73, Doug
Great explanation of the DSP chips and more importantly the programming! It's going to interesting to watch you put the FT-710 to the test in the wild!
I’m looking forward to trying out the 710. The DSP might be quite good or it might truly just be less expensive. NXP Semiconductors acquired Retune DSP. Retune DSP makes far-field pickup, always on, speech processors. I read that NXP has a facility in Austin, TX. When I lived in Austin, the Texas Instruments facility was across the street. So it’s interesting that NXP has a facility in Austin. I believe NXP provides the voice recognition technology for the Amazon Alexa. I’m definitely looking forward to getting the 710 “into the wild” as you say. I like that. 73, Doug
Doug, Yaesu gets so much right, but then falls short on something small. It’s usually something I can live without. Other manufacturers fall short too. There is just no perfect radio. But Yaesu is very close with their current lot. They must be proud to hold the top three positions in Rob Sherwood’s list. And they do it with transceivers that cost under $2,000. Even the FTdx101D costs much less than it’s dual-receive competitors. 73, Doug
Just hang in there, Matt. I’m supposed to get one in the next week or so. But you can’t go wrong with the FTdx10. It does edge out the FT-710 slightly. But the big question is going to be the DSP. The DSP will be more needed since the FT-710 doesn’t have the hybrid technology. If the FT-710 DSP is as good as the FTdx10 DSP, I will be happy. 73, de N4HNH
I have the 7300 & FT-710 & The FTdx10 and I prefer in every way the FTdx10. The FTdx10 is a SDR with a better frontend for filtering. the FT-710 and 7300 can't work the distant stations around the world like my FTdx10. There is also more chips in the Ftdx10 than just the DSP. I have become a radio collector and I await the Icom that replaces the Old IC-7300 . The Yaesu FTdx10 is my favorite . the few things I don't care for with the entry level FT-710 is it GUI and small size. the IC-7300 is a entry level radio to so it's replacement when its released probably won't compare to the FTdx10. for the Price pointe of the FTdx10 you get a lot of radio. and that's what the other radio manufactures need to do.
I’m glad to know that Edward. I guess my inner “nerd” is showing in this video. But a viewer actually asked. It will be interesting to see if Yaesu has found a new DSP chip provider that beats Texas Instruments. 73, Doug
This FT 710 is sounding better and better...and for $1049.95 until the end of the month...might just grab one up......... P.S.(audio seemed a little low....). Thanks for the Video..
"...the chips are different. They are not even from the same manufacturer." I wonder if the SOFTWARE inside the chip might have any effect on the comparison ? LOL...
Operating Features Parameter Value TT-710 uses a 300 MHz chip, the NXP, MRT685SFV Core: Number of cores (SPEC) 2 Core Type Arm Cortex-M33 Operating Frequency [Max] (MHz) 300 SRAM (kB) 4608 External Memory Supported FlexSPI,NOR FLASH FlexComm (UART/I2C/SPI/I2S) 6 Thanks for the video! 73 de WA3RSL
My 710 has a meter problem. The meter jumps up and down on SSB when there is no modulation. No RF in the shack at all. I thought there might be but I know there isn't because my Icom 7300 and Kenwood TS-2000's meters don't move when dead keying on SSB. I had just sold my FTdx10 and I didn't have the meter problem jumping all over the place. I also used a different power supply and put a external SWR meter in line and it didn't move. Stayed at 1.0 when I did modulate and the meter on the radio was still jumping all over the place.
The FT-710 has a metering issue when set to COMP. I haven’t noticed any other metering issues. I showed the COMP meter’s erratic behavior in one of the videos in the FT-710 AESS playlist. Just keep watching the videos in numerical order.
the Icom DSP is better, it doesnt make that watery sound. Icom IC-7300 is best. i set the NR and NB to max, RX Treble to max and then in 20m SSB (speech) very weak signals become intelligible, 2/1 signals become then 3/1 or even 4/1 (RS Report). you cant do that with the yaesu ft710, ftdx101mp or ftdx101d when these make that watery sound when they make that watery sound.
You’re right. The IC-7300 DNR doesn’t produce the watery-sounding digital artifacts. It just isn’t very effective above algorithm 8. I’ve shown that in other videos. The ICOM has a Texas Instruments chip, similar to the Yaesu FT-891, FTdx10, and FTdx101D/MP. Not the exact same chip but similar. But the programming is better in the Yaesu radios, especially the FTdx10. The FTdx10, and updated versions of the FTdx101D/MP, don’t produce the watery-sounding digital artifacts. The FT-710 has a different DSP chip. It’s from NXP Semiconductors. Even though it introduces digital artifacts above algorithm 3, algorithm 3 is about equal to the best the DNR in the IC-7300 can do. Plus,the Yaesu audio amplifier doesn’t exhibit the high frequency hiss that the IC-7300 audio amplifies does. That hiss can be misinterpreted as atmospheric noise. There are good things about the IC-7300 too. The squelch is far better than the Yaesu squelch. The IC-7300 is also easier to learn, making it a great beginner radio. But, once an operator progresses in their skill and decides to contest or chase ghost stations, the IC-7300 will fall short. So the operator will spend money again to upgrade to a more capable transceiver. I just prefer to spend money once and be done. There is more of a learning curve for the Yaesu radios but they are more capable in the long run. Now, for the operator who is only interested in rag chewing, the IC-7300 is all the radio they will ever need.
Doug - I’m 70 and have been dealing with Parkinson’s Disease for over a decade now. My father recently passed away at age 99. He was a radio operator on a Merchant Marine ship in WWII. We never had much of a relationship but I do remember being allowed to sit next to him in our basement when I was 10 or so as he communicated with people around the world via CW. I got my Tech and Gen licenses so he and I would have something to talk about. He died shortly after I got my license. This disease makes it a bit more difficult for me to learn technical things without becoming easily frustrated. Sorry to write War and Peace, but I wanted you to know that your videos have helped me to set up the FT-710 that I purchased. I only operate “backyard portable” via battery because the idea of setting up a shack in the house was just too much for the monkeys in my head to deal with. So thank you very much for taking the time to create this content. I will become a Patreon supporter when I hit lesson 18!! Jim in Oregon K7NJL
Hi Jim! I’m so sorry about your battle with Parkinson’s. We’ve had that in our family too. It’s great that your dad passed along the bug to you (pun intended). It’s a shame you couldn’t have much of a relationship with you dad. My dad supported my interest in radio because he had seen the value of radio during his time in WWII.
Congratulations on earning Tech and General! I look forward to you having access to the additional content on Patreon. Patreon’s main mission is for people to help offset the cost of the videos I’ve already created. But I do provide premium content and early viewing for the team members. The yearly S9 (VIP) members get the most, including the ability to ask me questions and even schedule personal consultations via Zoom. 73, Doug
Great explanation of the DSP chips and more importantly the programming! It's going to interesting to watch you put the FT-710 to the test in the wild!
I’m looking forward to trying out the 710. The DSP might be quite good or it might truly just be less expensive.
NXP Semiconductors acquired Retune DSP. Retune DSP makes far-field pickup, always on, speech processors.
I read that NXP has a facility in Austin, TX. When I lived in Austin, the Texas Instruments facility was across the street. So it’s interesting that NXP has a facility in Austin.
I believe NXP provides the voice recognition technology for the Amazon Alexa.
I’m definitely looking forward to getting the 710 “into the wild” as you say. I like that.
73, Doug
Very interesting Doug, will look forward to further 710 videos?
73 Rob
I hope to be able to get started soon, Robert. Judging by Rob’s numbers, Yaesu now has the best performing pure SDR available.
73, Doug
Another great video. You have a gift to teach. Yaesu continues to make themselves known as a force to be reckoned with.
Doug, Yaesu gets so much right, but then falls short on something small. It’s usually something I can live without. Other manufacturers fall short too. There is just no perfect radio. But Yaesu is very close with their current lot. They must be proud to hold the top three positions in Rob Sherwood’s list. And they do it with transceivers that cost under $2,000. Even the FTdx101D costs much less than it’s dual-receive competitors.
73, Doug
I love mine for HF Mill Air Comms.
Man, wish you had the 710 to test. Need to get my first hf rig
Just hang in there, Matt. I’m supposed to get one in the next week or so. But you can’t go wrong with the FTdx10. It does edge out the FT-710 slightly. But the big question is going to be the DSP. The DSP will be more needed since the FT-710 doesn’t have the hybrid technology. If the FT-710 DSP is as good as the FTdx10 DSP, I will be happy.
73, de N4HNH
I have the 7300 & FT-710 & The FTdx10 and I prefer in every way the FTdx10. The FTdx10 is a SDR with a better frontend for filtering. the FT-710 and 7300 can't work the distant stations around the world like my FTdx10. There is also more chips in the Ftdx10 than just the DSP. I have become a radio collector and I await the Icom that replaces the Old IC-7300 . The Yaesu FTdx10 is my favorite . the few things I don't care for with the entry level FT-710 is it GUI and small size. the IC-7300 is a entry level radio to so it's replacement when its released probably won't compare to the FTdx10. for the Price pointe of the FTdx10 you get a lot of radio. and that's what the other radio manufactures need to do.
Well articulated, Jay.
Learn something new and interesting.every time.
I’m glad to know that Edward. I guess my inner “nerd” is showing in this video. But a viewer actually asked. It will be interesting to see if Yaesu has found a new DSP chip provider that beats Texas Instruments.
73, Doug
WOW, keep them coming!!!
I will do my best. 73, Doug
This FT 710 is sounding better and better...and for $1049.95 until the end of the month...might just grab one up......... P.S.(audio seemed a little low....). Thanks for the Video..
I suggest that you start with video #9 and work your way forward. There will be around 34-35 before I finish.
"...the chips are different. They are not even from the same manufacturer." I wonder if the SOFTWARE inside the chip might have any effect on the comparison ? LOL...
I expect it will. That’s why I pointed out the difference between the FT-891, FT-991A, FTdx10, and FTdx101, all using the same chip.
Operating Features
Parameter Value
TT-710 uses a 300 MHz chip, the NXP, MRT685SFV
Core: Number of cores (SPEC)
2
Core Type
Arm Cortex-M33
Operating Frequency [Max] (MHz)
300
SRAM (kB)
4608
External Memory Supported
FlexSPI,NOR FLASH
FlexComm (UART/I2C/SPI/I2S)
6
Thanks for the video! 73 de WA3RSL
I wonder why the Yaesu brochure shows 594/198 MHz clock speed?
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio good question.
@@n4hnhradio The 300 MHz is the chips operating frequency, not the clock frequency.
Interesting.
The 594/198 might be some Yaesu trickery to avoid birdies.
Audio level on vid a bit low
You will just have to turn up your volume. The audio level was above 0 VU. Besides, once it’s uploaded to TH-cam it can’t be edited.
My 710 has a meter problem. The meter jumps up and down on SSB when there is no modulation. No RF in the shack at all. I thought there might be but I know there isn't because my Icom 7300 and Kenwood TS-2000's meters don't move when dead keying on SSB. I had just sold my FTdx10 and I didn't have the meter problem jumping all over the place. I also used a different power supply and put a external SWR meter in line and it didn't move. Stayed at 1.0 when I did modulate and the meter on the radio was still jumping all over the place.
The FT-710 has a metering issue when set to COMP. I haven’t noticed any other metering issues. I showed the COMP meter’s erratic behavior in one of the videos in the FT-710 AESS playlist. Just keep watching the videos in numerical order.
the Icom DSP is better, it doesnt make that watery sound. Icom IC-7300 is best. i set the NR and NB to max, RX Treble to max and then in 20m SSB (speech) very weak signals become intelligible, 2/1 signals become then 3/1 or even 4/1 (RS Report). you cant do that with the yaesu ft710, ftdx101mp or ftdx101d when these make that watery sound when they make that watery sound.
You’re right. The IC-7300 DNR doesn’t produce the watery-sounding digital artifacts. It just isn’t very effective above algorithm 8. I’ve shown that in other videos. The ICOM has a Texas Instruments chip, similar to the Yaesu FT-891, FTdx10, and FTdx101D/MP. Not the exact same chip but similar. But the programming is better in the Yaesu radios, especially the FTdx10. The FTdx10, and updated versions of the FTdx101D/MP, don’t produce the watery-sounding digital artifacts.
The FT-710 has a different DSP chip. It’s from NXP Semiconductors. Even though it introduces digital artifacts above algorithm 3, algorithm 3 is about equal to the best the DNR in the IC-7300 can do. Plus,the Yaesu audio amplifier doesn’t exhibit the high frequency hiss that the IC-7300 audio amplifies does. That hiss can be misinterpreted as atmospheric noise.
There are good things about the IC-7300 too. The squelch is far better than the Yaesu squelch. The IC-7300 is also easier to learn, making it a great beginner radio. But, once an operator progresses in their skill and decides to contest or chase ghost stations, the IC-7300 will fall short. So the operator will spend money again to upgrade to a more capable transceiver. I just prefer to spend money once and be done. There is more of a learning curve for the Yaesu radios but they are more capable in the long run.
Now, for the operator who is only interested in rag chewing, the IC-7300 is all the radio they will ever need.