Yaesu FT-891 HF/50mhz radio review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- The new FT-891 by Yaesu features 100 watts on HF 160-6 meters, with several features making this a great upgrade choice to something like the FT-450D for base or mobile/portable operation. Available at www.gigaparts.com
Check out the video to learn more.
Support my channel and efforts at www.patreon.com/hamradioconcepts
![[TH] 2024 PMWC x EWC Main Tournament Day 3 | PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP x ESPORTS WORLD CUP](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3EM6gpHgLk4/mqdefault.jpg)
I just bought one. IT IS INCREDEIDABLE!
Not just for what it can do, but in such a small package..
Quick question from someone that just got into this. Would this be a good radio for someone who is starting to go down this rabbit hole.
@Corona8586 its a nuanced radio. It depends on how savvy you are when it comes to electronics. Its a good radio for mobile or portable ops and works well enough for me in my house, but it may be cumbersome if you only want to use it at your house. If that's the case, an "icom ic7300" would work better.
A local ham I know has one of these. He said it picks up weak signals better than his icom 7300 did. He ended up selling the 7300.
I know this video is close to 4 years old now, but I purchased one of these radios, & I am very impressed with the features it has. Most of all, I like the ATAS system, & I also bought the ATAS-120 antenna. One thing I did is set the fan to contest mode, so it starts up a few seconds after I start transmitting.
I figured they may of left the 2M and 70 CM bands out to have room to improve the performance of the HF band, I mean this has all the IF DSP filters and NB and the band scope without having to buy additional filters like the 857. It also has a superior receiver than the 857. Also I am sure they left out the other bands to help keep cost low. I believe other hams like myself would use this for the HF and only very little on the other bands. I like to monitor the 2 meter band while I am listening around on the HF bands. So I need two radios anyway. I rather have this radio with its exceptional HF performance than to have these exceptional features compromised just to cram in 2 meters and 70 cm..
I have a FT891 this is a very good radio. I have no complaints about it at all.
I just ordered an FT-891 today can’t wait to get it , great video Eric... KC2CLG “73”’
I'm impressed! I like small radios that do a big job and it looks like Yaesu hit a home run with the FT-891. Quite possibly MY next radio purchase. Good review Eric. Thanks buddy...73!
I also have been looking at the 857. But now I'm sold on the 891! Nice review! Keep up the great work! I watch all of your reviews!
Same here, it's priced below $600 now.
Another excellent review.
Nearly five years after this review, I just ordered an FT-891. I've only been a General for three months, so that's a good excuse I guess. This will be purely a mobile rig for me as I have a 7300 in my shack. I have a tiny (and no longer made) FT-90 as my mobile dual band. I picked it up used and in great shape (needed a new mic cable). Considered a 7100 (newer radio, has VHF/UHF SSB), but the head unit is too bulky for my vehicle and I'm not used to having SSB on VHF/UHF, so I won't miss it.
Great choice buddy!
Purchased one today
@3:20 is that the circuit board and components i see just past the heatsink? Not sure i like the open radio look vs. heatsink cooling effect :(
Love the video Just purchased this from Gigaparts also have the FC-50 antenna tuner on the way from them too. Really like the larger display of the 891 over the 857D, but I did like the ability to change the screen color on the 857D. In the future Yaseu needs to throw 2m and 70cm in this unit in the future!
Yes, 2m and 440 needed in this rig.
$60.00will get you a nice China dual band with extra HD battery,spkr mic and holster . Now you can listen to HF AND TALK ON 2 METERS AND CHASE DX BOB AF2DX
This a very good review! Nicely done. My FT-891 and AT-200 Pro tuner are on the way so I greatly appreciate your quick insights into some of the functionality. By the way, there is a 20 dollar pocket guide manual similar to an aviation checklist that outlines the vast functionality of this radio. Definitely worth it. -73 and Thanks!
Thanks for this great review! Could be my next rig.
Thanks just ordered it
I love this radio and allows me to go from 5 watts to 100 watts without a linear
Always excellent and insightful help
Excellent video, explanation, and quality wise.
I have the FT-891 and also the IC-7300 and the 891 winds hands down for noise reduction, it just sounds so much better than the 7300. I love the 7300 but the Audio is quite harsh compared to the 891 and the DNR really helps pull out weak signals. Headphones really make the 891 shine.
I completely agree with you! It cannot be repeated with a headset!
How much does it draw if you turn down the transmit power to 10 or 20 watts?
Got a repack from MTC. Love it!
Placed an order for one, can't wait to get it!
me too! Not in stock.... Damn!
Recently got my AE, but still haven’t purchased an HF rig. I guess mainly because I enjoy a very active 2m group locally, as well as just RX-ing through an SDR with two dedicated antennas. As I tune in HF frequencies, mainly 20 and 40 meter, I can type in call signs into QRZ and sometimes even send an email out to whomever I was monitoring.
So....QUESTION.....I tend to lean more toward mobile type units, such as the IC-2730a I use in both my truck and a second one in my shack.
Would this 891 be a good overall choice for my first HF rig....or should I go with something like an Icom 718, or maybe even the 7100?
Thoughts?
I was thinking of using it in a similar way. It has a detachable head do it should work well.
@hamradioconcepts did you like the Icom 7100 better that the 891?
Well according to BOTH my service monitor and frequency counter, my 891 is 1 kHz off frequency right out of the box. I had to go into the internal menu to adjust it. YEAH I Know some one will say just set the VFO dial 1 kHz higher, but you should not need to do that. I worked on 20 year old Moto Mitreks (with crystals)that came into the shop and they were right on. On a positive note, the receiver sensitivity was exactly what Yaesu claimed. All in all, the radio is a keeper.
It's been 3 years since this video. How is the 891 holding up?
It was a loaner. The Signal Search channel purchased his and he loves his. I'm thinking of getting one, too.
JS8 guy says to turn off ALC.
How?
Danke für das tolle Video.73,von Jozef,S56CJG.QTH Wien,Österreich.😊😊😊
I see Yaesu improved the FT-450 with the FT-450D Have you reviewed that one? I am guessing they made the receiver sound better.
I used FT-450D and FT-891. The 891 transceiver has better reception due to the chipboard.
Thanks for this video I just found. This just might be my first HF/6M base. 😁 73, KN4TAK
There’s about twice as many features than I thought. Have not heard about the band scope. How good is the antenna tuner in the radio? Do I need an external tuner?
You'll need an outboard tuner with this radio.. It don't have one.
I just watched Jerry Koch's video review of FT-891 and sent him this comment. I decided to copy and past it here in hopes of a response from you as well. Thanks for putting the videos out for everybody. 73 W8LMC...
"...Loved the video, thank you. I recently bought an FT-891 with the FC-50 tuner. I have it hooked up to a Buddistick. I have an MFJ Switching PS and 50' of RG58/U. All I get is white noise. I am assuming a settings issue, and have asked for advice and haven't received much of a response. I made a 20m dipole from some 14 gage stranded and got the same result. I'm watching your video here wondering what I am doing wrong because I am not getting the great reception you are getting in this video. I am not genius level and haven't very much experience with HF, (despite my license class. I have a long story). I would be beyond grateful for any advice. -PS I have an IC737 setting on the floor of a closet that I had the same result with. I had a radio professional check it out and ended up putting 7 trimmer capacitors for a chunk of change. Same result. It's gotta be operator error. What am I doing wrong?"
Try hooking it to another antenna if you have one available. Most likely you have some operator error with the radio settings however. I own an 891 and a service monitor. My service monitor in signal generator mode indicated that the receiver sensitivity Yaesu claims in the manual agrees with my measurements.
Hey Lawry. Did you figure out the white noise issue?
The FT 450D has an internal antenna tuner. The FT 891 does not. Add the Yaesu SCU-17 and you have USB control and audio in/out with one cord.
Does this Yaesu FT-891 have a hook up for balanced line (Ladder Line)? Couldn't tell from the video...
No, coax only. You will be hard pressed to find a modern radio that has a balanced output.
When was the last time in you saw a rig with a hookup for balanced ladder line.? Just asking.
I agree that not having UHF/VHF is not a big deal as "everyone" has an HT or dual/monobander. It is for HF enthusiasts, that's for sure. I wish it had an internal ATuner but externals are compact and cheap.
Great display. I have an FT817ND and am looking at this rig for high power mobile work from local parks.
I'm interested in the 891 for remote operation, using battery power and was hoping you can provide more details about the 891's power consumption. What kind of batteries were you using, Amp/hr size, how long did the batteries last etc? I'm putting together a mobile rig and I liked the modern design of the 891 but I also need to figure out the battery size. Did you use the fc-50 antenna tuner?
I just go mine from HRO paid $630, the next day Gigaparts lowered to $599. I requested an adjustment like store credit, but I didn't get an answer, my problem I guess next time I'll order from Gigaparts.
@@carlossantini3605 Still going down it's $584.95 at HRO & G'parts.
NOW I want one and will probably get it! Gigaparts seems to have them at a nice price!
If I have an mfj manual tuner (971) do I need to turn on one of the tuner settings in the menu or is that strictly for auto tuners
I've loaded cattle in Smiley Tx before! What a small world!!
Starting to spark an interest in ham again and after watching this video I realized why I left it in the 1st place. Nothing but equipment talk. I got this radio, I got this antenna. My antenna is bigger than your antenna. 🙄
Yeah, that is how they find out if you cool. They wanna insure you are running a safe setup. If you wanna cut to specific topics and politics, consider chatrooms, or talk to yourself blog. ✌
I am enjoying my FT-891!
OMG this is what i need for camping..
i want to know what the idle current is for running off battery's
Never did get driver loaded until I bought SSU 17, which is the equal to Signal link. Now driver loaded and works great
I just got mine today and I have a question that I hope you can help me with. When I connect my radio to a battery and (occasionally) when I change a simple setting in the menu, I hear a "click" sound coming from within the radio. I don't think I've ever heard the "click" in any of the TH-cam videos so it is making me a little nervous. Is this normal ???
I'm a yeasu guy myself. 817ND & 897 I own . my dream unit is 991A tho'. ..73s - KE0NAZ. .
many of the features in the menu 1 and simply accessed from the front panel of the 450 .... I like the video, it looks like it would make a great mobile/go rig but it would never take the place of the 450 in my shack
Love your videos. Been licensed 44 years as a "taken the CW test at the FCC" Extra and always seem to pick something up. Thanks for sharing !
Excellent video. Thanks.
It was a toss between the 857 and 891 for my van, It looks like this would be the way to go. Thanks
The FT-857/897 has one of the worst receivers I have ever used. The noise floor is so high compared to something like a KX3 that were not even comparable. The FT-891 is a great choice.
No Inbuilt tuner ??
Thanks from the future .
How does next week look for me?
I would like to know how easy it would be to interface to a KAM XL and the functionality?
Wow, nice radio. You can't beat Yaesu's receiver quality and RX audio.
Andrew Ivanov Aa
I miss my FT-100
Are you able to transmit while in the scope mode?
How is this radio on AM for shortwave reception?
SW is wideband AM, rarely sounds great through a laser focused recieve ham rig.
Yaesu could bump out an amazing communications and broadcast reciever, like home stereo 7.1 surround, and hdmi the scope and settings to the flatscreen with a remote with the huge spinny knob.
It costs so much to keep the shortwave broadcast transmitters powered up, that as soon as a tube dies or lightening fries it's huge transformer, it is shut down, sold to a cb freak, and station is moved to a website, yt, fb, tk tk, ect.
Would not be a good endavour for Yaesu.
They should loosen licensing for AM broadcast 530-1710khz, because it is dying down, too, and would be nice to have a reliable short skip band available, besides worldwide at noon cb 27mhz. Most popular AM stations have an FM band 88-108mhz station broadcasting duplicate, and have been streaming online for years.
mode button (AM FM LSB USB)
Great review. Magazine ads just don't/can't show this type of detail or explanation. I've been considering the 857, but after seeing this video, the 857 isn't even an option for me anymore. If only the price of the 891 would come down some.....
COME DOWN IN PRICE MORE? Heck,even China qrp rigs are getting more then this 100 watt rig
dogbarbill I just picked up one from hro with the mars mod. For $721
@@davedavis4285 It's $584.95 now at HRO. Great time to buy!
Iakwe from Matshall island can the radio go on 7mhz and 8mhz?
I appreciate E!! I used this to decide a purchase. Hosting your vids on my channel N0rthwestradio
Did I hear right that this is bigger than a 857d? Considering the age of the 857, this looks (relatively) like a step backwards.
Wolf Plato HRC was mistaken on the size. The 891 is smaller. They are identical height and width they actually use the same mobile bracket. However the 857 is .6 in longer!
Very good ....from iran... ep2fa...
I'll probably call HRO next week and get one on the way! Excellent video!
73
De W4NZX
Nice video, however still lots to say as for example one would like to know the consumption (not the figures in the catalogue) as someone mentioned , the selectivity, the sensitivity, how the DSP works (NR, NB...), quality of audio TX and RX, how does it output in SSB, quality of modulation in AM, SSB and FM... This would not be a 9 minute video though...
Christophe Barbe power consumption on receive ist 0.9 to 1.1 Amps. By TX is nearly the same as FT-857D or FT-450D.
I like the detachable face. If I could afford it, this would probably replace the Kenwood TS 50 in the mobile which would go on the bench as a secondary to my 450D.
Can you use digital modes with this radio?
requires driver thats not compatible with win 10. some of the FT and Jt modes will work without driver but no PSK, WINLINK, FSQ
@@phurla1 Not true. The serial driver works fine with windows 10. BUT there is no build in modem in the rig, you will have to use an external soundcard, Not a huge deal as usb soundcards are about 10 bucks, but it is what it is.
At about 5:26 of the video:Handles are for the CB Radio.We have names or personal's in Amateur Radio.
I agree but the story is "handles" actually came from Ham Radio and it migrated to CB. That's what a SK told me some years ago.
WW5RM
Handle is more than appropriate on amature radio
If this thing could talk on cee bee, it bee like havin a leeenyeeer!!!
The "beagle band", always a person whistling, saying audio, one guy said tone a dozen times, and ra-jo, hello, check, check, to hear it themselves.
Does ICOM have anything like the 891? I am aware of the 7100.
Thanks,
Brad
The ICOM 7000 blows away the 7100 so I am sure it would do the same for this one as well.It is by far the best all purpose mobile ever built by any company.The addition of D-STAR to the 7100 is not a bonus in my opinion.The 700 sounds better on transmit & receive & has a far better display with ease.
@@1OFGODSOWN
the DSP of the ic7000 is from what i have heard in these videos useless, the 891 has better DSP, from what i have heard in the videos, i would go with the 891. beside that, i have heard about heat issue of the ic7000, they said it gets hot even when only receiving.
I just bought one but still waiting for my tuner to arrive before unboxing:)
With a small mod it's also a 100w CB
Good to know. Do you know if this radio can transmit at lower power settings, say 5 watts?
I have one coming in the mail. My regret is that the mic doesn't connect to the face.
Powerconsumption in receiving mode seems to be only 950 mA....
That is about what I measured.
really, only 950mA rx powerconsumption?? i read of guys who wrote it takes 1.5 to 2A when receiving.
@@DonauweIIe That's with audio being produced by the speaker. If it has a morse decoder, you could work stations display only, if not, turn reciever gain down until the pulse s-meter, and really decypher.
If I were to say you are either working for or part owner of GiGaParts what would you say?
No amplifier receptacle on back?
Very informative video shame there is no built in atu and no 2m or 70cm.
Other than that sounds like a good radio.
73's Alan in the UK.
Alan: it would be neat if it had all those features built in but then you would have an ft 991a. I have one of those too and I’m not crazy about the auto antenna tuner. My little LDG tuner does better job over wide range of SWR. This, with a very few accessories, is a great SOTA or POTA rig. I just wish I could easily make the menus simpler. MikeinMinnesota N0WDM
@@MichaelSmith-yy8fw To save a "profile" of settings would be nice. Like if you switch from 15m weak station cw, and then to 80m local, yet QRO COMP net, you gotta do alot of function button conjunction.
Is the TX power variable??
I would like to know the same thing.
yes, 1W step.
Yes, from 5 watts to 100 watts in 1 watt steps
YES it is. You have to go into the menus to change it however.
At 5:24 of the video that CB Operator is giving his Handle? In Amateur Radio we have Names NOT Handles.Also you should know there is no Contesting on Any WARC Band and that includes 17 meters.I am an ICOM Man but I like that this radio has not got the Useless Touch Screen like the Crap that ICOM keeps building.
Nice but why not 144 and 432mc :(
Thanks for sharing, 73 kc1ero
looks like Yaesu is coming out with more SDR radios to replace the 891 and the 991.Reason? It's cheaper for them to do this.
Get an FT 891 and a seperate dual bander.
Buy a cheap sound card and some cables and do "digital" if you must. I don't feel the need.
RF works when tshtf. I stick with what works
can this use my md 100 mic?
Glynn H yes, its compatible.
I sold my FT-450, I hated it........I bought the FT-891 to replace it. I love it! Very strong RX/TX. I like it better than my FT-857. I wish Yaesu would update the FT-857 to new SDR technology and give us this radio, but with VHF/UHF also.
Microphone sound muffle may be radio ALC set too high, turn down and radio check K8WTX
I bought this but I know I'll upgrade to the next generation which hopefully has a decent waterfall display.
Holy Fish Finder, BATMAN!!!
That radio doesnt compare to the ft857d ...
Its a shame 2m ssb is fun. I wish more radios would include this.
They prolly came so close to just adding simplex only 2m cw, ssb, but people would gripe so bad about not having offsets, ctcss tones, channel memories, so there is ability to use repeaters. This appears to be a firmware rig, so that hard pass saved drive memory for audio quality, recieve sensitivity, and resolution processing of digital generated audio, so grab an ht to bring with, if you get that bored.
FYI there are NOT any Contesting on 17 meters or on any WARC Band Thank God.
When I say "legalize it"
I mean ssb on 30m.
60m was a kind gesture, but still stuffy about voice, to prolly keep "nets" from forming, just contacts, and brief qso.
I had this radio for 1 month and sold it. The Scope and menus must have been designed in the 90s. DNR was good if you have a strong signal but didn’t work good on weak signals. 100 watts is nice. Receiver was just okay compared to my Chinese SDR(Xiegu G90). Build Quality was excellent. Basically it felt a little outdated. Would be a great radio in 2010.
I HATE when Ham Operators say they have a handle when we have a call Sign & a name.It's NOT CB.
Tuner build in isnt
i am not sure what I want yet. Situation I drive Truck they are not mine I need a radio thats small in size. tough yet can operate not idea antenea situations... dont like a faceplate that can become dislodged... I need a portable antennea that works with it somthing that can clamp on
Ελληνικά
Ελληνικια
Digital modes require driver that's not compatible with win 10. Waste of $
Nope, not so.. Driver works fine with windows 10.
The first ALL MODE, ALL FREQ radio WITH APRS and DSTAR gets my cash. I want ONE radio, not MULTIPLE. Big mistake by Yaesu.
Sounds like you want the 991A.
@@richegan7381 No DSTAR on the 991A but yeah, it will do pretty much everything else but make coffee
857 is better
Not it's faulty Display!
Fred Suero- Great report. Thanks...
I am do not speak Inglish
Gotta laugh at you people who are impressed. The radio is not very good at all. You would be better buying an older rig if you are using this as your main rig. The receiver is terrible just like the ft 857 891 junk. If you want a headache listen to that receiver all day. Go buy a 991 or better yet 7300 big diff in receivers. I had the rig from new with a screwdriver and the rx was never satisfactory. I brought it into the studio and no difference its junk. The tx sounds fine but, who cares when you a rx that can be beat by a swan 350!.
I miss my FT-100
still have a FT-100