------~~~~I------

The Yaesu FT-IOOOMPTransceiver

BY DOUG DeMAW' , W1FB

The Yaesu FT·I(J()()MP transceiver.

AreViewer of amateur equipment laces achallenge when attempting 10 describethe performance and countless fea­

tures of a complex transceiver such as thevaesu FT-l000MP. m-oeoin descriptions ofthe significant highlights would require manyCO paqesand this is not practical. I will locusmainly on the features and performance char­acteristics that make the FT-l000MP a trulyunique piece of equipment. I prefer to avoidcalling mese features "bells and whistles"Rather, let us consider them as practical toolstor the operation of the transceiver. Certainly,me FT-l000MP deserves more dignity thancomes With the use of catch phrases. A mun­dane repeat of the narrative in the operatingmanual will not be used here. Emphasis will beon performance characteristics,

My impression of this transceiver is that it isdesigned particularly for the dedicated con­tester and Dxer. It should appeal also to thecasual type of operator, I would classify thistransceiver as "user friendly" compared tosome other modern transceivers I have oper­ated, It required roughly four hours of my timeto feel comfortable with the many features ofthe FT-1QOOMP, even though Imay never needto use some 01 them.

The FT·1000MP ReceiverThe transceiver has what is called a SUB VFOor SUB RECEIVER, which in euect providestwo receivers in one box. Concentric AF gaincontrols permit stereo reception of two receivefrequencies at the same time, Thisis especiallyuseful for working splits. because the opera ­tor can listen to the OX station's frequency andhis or her own operating frequency to monitorpileups and choose the best moment to callthe OX station. Each receive system has itsown S-meter and digital frequency display.DiHerent modes and IF bancwmths can beused during simultaneous reception.

The receiver system covers from 100 kHz to30 MHz. The main receiver has IFs at 70.455MHz, 8.215 MHz, and 455 kHz. The SUBRECEIVER has IFsat47.21 MHz and 455 kHz.Whenever I test a roumore-cooversoo receiv­er, I want to know how well the manufacturerhas suppressed the spunous responses(birdies). A careful check was made of theamateur bands from 160 through 10 meterswith the antenna disconnected. I was able tolind but nine birdies (1882, 1892. 3586, 3686,3886, 7127. 7177. 28,170. and 28,835 kHz).Each of them was barely discernible, They didnot register on the s-rneter. These spurs arenot audible with the antenna connected Thisis a remarkable piece of design work,

The receiver dynamic range is specified as

P.D. Box 250, Luther, Mf 49656

14 • CO • April1996

108 dB at 50 kHz signal seoaratoo. with theprearopnner (IPO) turned off and the 5(X) Hz IFfilter engaged Measurement with my test set­up Yielded a Similar DR number (106 dB),Certainly, this receiver is designed to with­stand the onslaught 01 very strong signals fromnearby and afar, within and outside the ama­teur bands.

The receiver IS extremely sensitive on allbands. I was able to discern a 0.1 microvoltsignal from my URM-25 generator on all ama­teur frequencies With the receiver preampturned on and the attenuator turned ott. TheFT-1QOOMP attenuator has steps at 0, 6, 12,and 18 dB I noemauy operate wlth 12 dB ofattenuation when the preamp is turned on,Otherwise, the band noise will often hold thes-rreter at SSto sa, depending upon the ama­teur band I have chosen and the prevailingQRN level.

Notable among the appealing features 01the FT-l000MP receiver is the crisp, cleanaudio output. Although the audio output poweris rated at a modest 1.swans intoa 4 ohm load,there is no noticeable "square waving" (dis­tortion) at high audio levels when using thebuilt-in or accessory SP·8speaker. I could findno evidence of cross-over distortion (tuzzi­ness) at very low CW signa! levels

The receiver is equipped for the AM. SSB.CW,and FMmodes. A squelch circuit is includ­ed It functions in atl modes I measured thesquelch sensmvity at approximately 1.8micro­volts for AM, CW, and SSB. For FM, receptionis roughly 0,32 microvolt. The main and sub­receivers have independent squelch controls,

Receiver antenna selection is done from thetront panel The operator has the choice of an-

tenna A or B by virtue of a panel switch andseparate jacks on the rear ot the unit. A thirdoption (RX antenna) can be chosen at the frontpanel. It is activated during RECEIVE. but themain station antenna (A or B) kicks in duringTRANSMIT. This is an excellent feature forthose who use Beverage or loop antennas forlow-noise reception when chasing OX, Also,the A-B option is beneficial when changingquickly between two selected amateur bandsduring contests.

AGC selections are OFF, FAST, SLOW, orAUTO, In the tatter mode the receiver sell­adjusts lor the normal AGe characteristic,depending on the selected mode (fast for CW,slow lor SSB. etc.). I keep this control set atAUTO.

The available receiver IF bandwidths are250 Hz, 500 Hz, 2,0 kHz, 2.4 kHz. and 6 kHzThe FT·l00QMP arrived with filters for 5(X) Hz.2.4 kHz, and 6 kHz, Optional fitters tor otherbandwidths may be purchased and Installedby the owner, The 5(X) Hz CW filter is a Collins­Rockwell mechanical type, Filters may beinstalled for 8215 MHz and 455 kHz,therebyproviding improved skirt selectivity and wide­band noise reduction by virtue of the secondor "tail end" filter. I installed the optional pairof 2.0 kHz IF filters to narrow the SSB band­width on receive. As is true of all narrow ssefilters, the fidelity is reduced (lows are restrict­ed) somewhat. but not nearly as muchas whena 1.8 kHz hiler IS used. Reception at the 2,0kHz bandwidth is acceptable with regard toaudio-output quality when QRM is presentHowever, f prefer to use the 2,4 kHz bandwidthfor routine operation.

Yaesu has Included a wide-range RX/TX

Say You Saw It In CO

-

The Yaesu MD- 100A8X desk microphone.

Built-In DSP CircuitEnhanced Digital Signal Processing (EDSP) ISan important state-of-the-art feature at the FT­HXx>MP, It can be used in both the transmitand receive modes, II operates at audio fre­quencies. The filter characteristics can be pro­grammed to SUit the operator's needs, or theuser can use the delault semncs thai exist atthe time of purchase.

Four microphone audio responses can beselected bv using the menu procedure Thisfeature enables the operator to tailor the trans­mit audio for his voice characteristics and/orthe response at the microphone The choiceson transmit and receive are bandpass. lowpass, high pass, and "mid cut: The latteroption allows empnasrs on the high and lowends 01 the audio range.

During receive, all utter responses otherthan bandpass are preset The user can pro­gram the bandpass characteristics for the low­and hlgh-cutoH limits heprefers The SSBhigh-

antenna The greater the EDSP noise reduc­tion level, the more pronounced the reductionof the receiver aud io hdellty (not orstorucoj.

IF SHIFT and IF WIDTH are standard fea­tures in the transceiver The Width control func­tions in all modes but FM, This con-or does notshape both slopes of the IF response at thesame time (other receiver width controls do).Rather, the user has the option of pulling In theupper or lOwer skirt by rotating the WIDTH con­trol left or right to reduce CRM trom the upperor lower Side of the receive frequency

The SHIFT coouot is used to reoosmco thereceiver IF passband with respect to the dis­played frequency in all modes other than FM.The passband Irequency may be increased orlowered in accordance With the knob settinq.The SHIFT control can be used in combinationWith the WIDTH cootrolto further reduce CRMfrom signals that are close to the receive fre­quency. Both of these controls operate in aneffective manner with minimal impairment 01the audio quality,

noise in my area. The slower the repetition rateof the noise pulses the more ettecnve theblanker becomes,

The EDSP filter has four noise-reductionposi tions that are especially helpful for takingthe raw edges off noise pulses I preter the firstposition to reduce the annoymq effec ts of loudatmospheric hiss noise that arrives via the

incremental tuning (CLARIFIER)cirCUII In bothmodes the All can be offset by :I: 10 kHz bymeans of a slOw tuning control knob. The on­set progression is d isplayed on a bar-graphtype of readout. which shows where zero off­set occurs For many DXlng applications theuser may prefer to utilize the Rli rather thanthe separate SUB VFO for nensrmtnnq orreceiving during split operation.

More Receiver FeaturesI should meonco thai the FT-l000MP has anexcellent notch filter. 11 can be adjusted to nullany heterodyne that is within :I: 1.2 kHz of thecenter of the IF passband . When the ED$P fil­ter is activated . it can be used as a multiplenotch filter to seek out and null any number ofinterfering heterodynes As new beat notesappear, it finds them and notches them out. Idetected minimal degradation of the receiveraudio quality while using the EDSP notch lea­ture. The automatic notch circuit works only inthe SSB mode.

The transceiver has two noise-blankerchoices. Oneol them is lor short-duration puls­es The other is lor aneouannq long-durationpulses. A noise-blanker threshold control islocated on the Iront panel. It may be adjustedlor both NB l and NB2 operation. The FT·1()(X}fy1P noise blanker creates the same proo­lems as most other blankets do when the blank­ing level IS increased srqmtrcantly. Signalsbecome distorted and oft-frequency strongsignals are heard on the receive frequency,owing to degradation 01 the receiver dynamicrange, I have lound the blanker to be veryeffective in auenuatmq certain types ot line

16 • CO • April 1996 Say You Saw It In CO

Save Your Copies Of CQ MagazineOrder Your Biuders Today! Call Jesse Jones Industries.

Call Toll FREE 7 days, 24 hoursI -800-825-6690

Buill-In KeyerCW operators will be impressed With the FT­1000MP keyer. If may be used in the break-indelay (VOX) eM" fuu-Osx modes at the flip of aswitch. In the QSK mode it is necessary to usethe transceiver "barefoot" if the linear amplifi­er is not designed or modified feM" full break in .The keyer can be programmed to operate inthe IAMBIC 1, IAMBIC 2, or BUG formats. Thedot-dash weighting can also be programmedto suit the user's taste. The default dot-dashratio is 3: 1, Keyer delay may also be changedby using the menu system. The switching time01 the CW earner waveform can be pro­grammed from 0 to 30 milliseconds.

A four-digit number can be programmed forcontest work. There are front-panel provisionsfor matching the CW sicetone to the pitch ofthe other station's CW note alter you have ittuned in.

two optional master reference oscinatorTCXOs are available tothose who demand theutmost in high stability for special applications.such as long-term HFpacket monitoring underwide variations of temperature. The TCXD-4provides :t2,0 ppm stabili ty from 0 to +50degrees C. whereas the TCXO--6 is rated at:to.5 ppm over the same temperature spread.

Speech ProcessorIncorrect operation of the FT-1OOOMP speechprocessor will result in the same dreadful sig­nal quality that comes from other HF trans­ceivers wilen the operators fail to use the cor­rect setup or when the y Insis t on usingexcessive compression. However, I have beenable 10 obtain reports 01 good signal qualitywhen I fo llowed the set-up instructions in theYaesu manual. I try to use no more than 5 dBof compression feM" any application. I general­ly hold the compression to 3 dB-just enoughto give the signal a touch of "presence. "Correct processor operatiOn requires settingthree controls for the prescribed rruc ga in, theAlC level, and compression magnitude. Ad­justments are made while observing theappropriate bar-graph displays. These selec­table readout scales make proper adjustmenttooproot. (When all else fails . read the manu­au) The bu ilt-In transmitter monitor can beused with earphones to check the quality 01your SSB signal when adjusting the processoror the microphone frequency response.

DIGITAL FflEOUENCY READOUTFOt _ a'IIIIOlI i . • ..TK·l ~_T__',"15

HARD TO FIND PARTS

o. • o:IltF Tr. r _.° Clolp e- · _ ATC· _ Ic.... __ c...--~

° AIICOISPflAGUE Trimmel CapoaIoraWo can9&' ..,RF i a ,c:.r..b' -.-' _ "' _ ,...

modes by virtue of the FSK provision , The FSKshift frequencies are 170, 425, and B50 Hz.Maximum FM deviation is :t2,5 kHz . Packetshift frequencies are 200 and 1000 Hz.

Power output is adjustable up to 100 watts.On AM , the power output is limited to 25 watts.Although manual power control can be oooefrom the front panel. the user may invoke themenu system to set the output power for aselected maximum level.

The FT-1CXXlMP has excellent spectral puri­ty of the output signal. All harmonics are atleast 50 dB below peak power at 100 watts. Ilive in a rural area where the nearest TV sta­tion is 30 miles distant My recepton is by wayof a rotatable Yagi. I have experienced zeroTVI. even though Channel 13 is 90 miles away.SSB earner suppression is better than 40 dBbelow peak power. A check of the unwantedsideband suppression yielded a number of-52 ea

Although I am unable to observe fhe slight­est suggestion of frequency drift with the trans­mitter or receiver sections of this transceiver.

AT'lOown~

IKII OtW_ .....T~

_ "TV·3j42l)-450)(Go AS · FET)$.491l5NJ995_ ,lTV-4 (902·926)

(G&AS - FEnS59 95/179,95

_"'50 ....~_~Il':r.:!"llCommunication~ConceptsInc.~ )'1011>1""", Om'.. ' B.-a,....-.n".'~, OhIO 4;;.1..1+-5I<4O1""""-' (513) 4UH11oOO • FAX (513) 429-3811

CIRCLE 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD

~50 MHz "mpIiIiera

(SS8-floI-ATV)l00w · Model KEee1 , 115995

IK' I '" " ,"'" Mol T..l<'d l35W-ModeI335A. IJ'911M10ll9575W - _ 875,/1,. 1119951S159 95

,-,"""(l -AAVI(l·''-'W),~.,

(JolJ"1(.100W)

(:lOOW),­<1('" W,

AOOITJQNAL ITEMS_ S;;;; IIGiO<Q_W _ _ (liS'" ' IT' I .e"). $.2<000~e-Sf> ,. (8 .. .. , 3or). $.2<0 00Low _ _ (",, 10 300W) """'wc'"SQe<>ly 10M. 15M. 2QI.l . 4OM. 80M Ot 1050MItF ........ _ Co"'..... . up 10 2KW

side cutoff range is 1000 t0450Q Hz The SSBlow-side range is 100 to 1800 Hz. The CWbandwidth (bandpass mode) can be set for50, 120, or 240 Hz. The default setting is 240Hz. The bandwidths are similarly adjustable forthe AM and digital operating modes, The filterresponses, once programmed by the opera­tor for the various modes. come up automati­cally when c hanging the operating modes.

Having used an outboard receive-only OSPfilter with a onrereot transceiver for somemonths prior to acquiring the FT-1000MP, Igreatly appreciate the convenience of havingEDSPasan integral part of the transceiver. Theability 10 use the filler on transmn is an addi­tional convenience, The EDSP filter operatessmoothly and eHectively in all o f its modes.

Transmitter FeaturesAnd PerformanceOperating modes for the FT- l 000MP trans­nutter are AM , CWo FM, FSK. and SSB. Theuser can operate in the RTTY and packet

LINEAR AMPLIFIERS

~-~.-PC __ :""''-_~IorHF.''-i__''"'" _ .........-__ E>......,~..-A"''1'l9I1,,~

AN ] (,l,~,

,,~

..... sseAlOn' WA£B](I4"~\-F

-=tIER.... ICEY• Individuaf locking adjustments for arm

height, tension and contact spacing......:. Oil imprf(jnated pivot beanngs_ . Nonskid rubberfeet

• Solid steel base comes InlPla<:kor chrome finish.

CAl l OR WRITE FOR FREE BROCHUREI

BenCHe R, inc.B31 N. Central A'll! . WOOd 0 . It. /00191 LISATEl: 108-H8-IIU fAll708-2J8-l l "

MADE IN USA

Built-In TunerThe FT-1000MP inCludes an antenna matchingci rcui t that operates over a range 01 20 to 150ohms (3:1 SWR points). This is not only benefi­cial wnenoperating directly Into an antenna, butwhen using a linear amplifier; the tuner com­pensates for the mismatch that may be pre­sented by the amphlier input circuit After youuse the tuner once on your tavonte band or fre­quency. the system reca lls the previous set­tings Irom the memory during reception when­ever you tune to the same part 01 the bandagain. There are 39 tuner memory ch annels

Memory StructureThere are memories galore in the FT-1OOOMP.You have 99 regular memories to work with,plus nine special programmed limit memoriesand five "quick memory bank" (OMB) memo-

CIACL€ 18 ON READER SERVICE C"RD

20. CO • April 1996 Say You Saw It In CO

KPC-9612 MonitorsPOCSAG Paging

Kuntmnics has updated the KPC­9612 firmware, now V7.0. tomonitor 512 and 12(x) bps numericand alphanumeric RPC I (pocsag)paging messages. V7.0 also supportspage transmissions and a packetpaging server. Ten new pagingcommands are added. Users mayconnect to MYPAGE @ 12(X) or9600 to initial a page. A Pagerlogand Pagebook may be established inRAM. assisting the sysop inmaintaining and the remote operatorin using the page server. ThePagerlog logs all pages sent and thePagebook stores callsign and pagercapcode pairs. Paging operationsrequire a 9ffX)...like "data ready"radio which attaches to the 96(X) portof the KPC-96I2.

Data Sheets From ourWebsite

To receive data quickly on pagingwith the KPC-961 2. version levelon the Kpc·) or KAM Plus. orproduct data sheets. browse ourI NTERNET w e b p a g e :www.kantmnics.com. E-mail formsme available at the site too. New tothe web? Then reach our page withyour browser by clicking on FILE.clicking on OPEN LOCATION.typing in www.kantronics.com. andhitting return. If your browser pro­gram supports file downloads. youcan retrieve numerous applicationarticles too, Or. just check in to see"what's new:'

tronies1202 E 23. Lawre nce. KS 6604691 2 -X42 · 7745 fax 9 13 ·X42·2<H I

22 • CO • April 1996

-nes. The 99 memories can be arranged in fiveindividual groups if you wish to program thesystem in that manner. The lithium memory­back-up battery has an expected life span offive years, Each stored frequency retains theparameters you select for that frequency, suchas the filter bandwidth and the AM, USB, lSB,or CW mode

The memory system has countless otheroperating features that are described in themanual. Each stored frequency, when re­called. allows the operator to tune above orbelow the memory frequency (as when usingthe VFO) without the stored frequency beingdisrupted, The memory system allows you 10copy from VFO A or VFO B. All 99 rnemofYchannels may be scanned, and you can pro­gram for the scanning rate you prefer. Memorystatus, along with all other significant trans­ceiver functions, is displayed brightly in the11/4' x 10'/2' readout window on the trent panelof the FT-1OOOMP.

The memory system allows operating con­veniences for keyer control during contests.For example. the kever otters six CW messagememories You can store a four-digit contestOSO number that automatically increments!decrements after each call. You can includeyour callsign (up to 20 characters) and fouruser messages (each noes up to 50 charac­ters). There is a CO memory that stores up to20 characters, such as 'CO CO CO de W1FBK,- There are other keyer memory functonsthat are especially useful for contest ing,

Menu SystemMenu selection and performance settings areaccomplished easily by consulting the menudata pages in the instruction manual. You canprogram 79 transceiver sellings with the FT­1OCX)MP menu system. This is done by press­ing the FAST and ENTER buttons at the sametime, then rotating the MEMNFOchannel knoband observmq the memory display letters andnumbers as they appear in the readout win­dow, The knob is turned unlll the desired func­tion, per the menu listings. appears in the dis­play window. Some of the settings operate asorvott SWitches for changing the turctoosOthers are adjusted by the operator to obtainspecific operating characteristics. I find thissystem easy to comprehend and use.

computer ControlThe Computer Aided Transceiver (CAT) pro­vision allows you to control the trequency,VFO, memory. and other settings by means ofan personal computer. The transceiver con­tains a built-in level converter that allows adirect connection from the CAT jack to the ser­ial port of your computer, The instruction man­ual contains many pages of detailed informa­tion about how to use your computer to controlthe FT-10cx)MP,

Physical DescriptionI could shorten this report by saying the YaesuFT-1 DOOMP is a fairly large and attractive blackbox. Actually, it measures (HWD) 5"H x 16Wx 131/2"0 (135)C 410 x 347 mm), The weight is33 pounds (15 kg). The cabinet is black, andthe control labels are light gray or off-whitecolor. The display window has readou ts thatare green, orange. red, and yellow. The frontlegs 01 the transceiver are adjustable to per-

mit level or tilted access to the front panelI was happy to rote that front-panel head­

phone access has 3,5 mm and standard 1/4Inch jacks in parallel to accommodate bothtvoesot phone plugs. Also, there are key jackson the front and rear panels of the unit. I pre-­fer large transceivers lor home-station use(even though the FT-ll)OMP can be used formobile operation), OWing to my large handsand aging eyes. The FT-1OOOMPdoesn't "walkabout" on the desk when it is bumped or whenthe switches are pushed

AccessoriesYou may want to purchase the matching MO­100A8X 600 ohm desk mic ($ 139) to use withyour FT-1(XXlMP, It is cosor-cooromateo andstyled to match the transceiver, This mic hasswitches under the base that permit insertionof a filter which has high boostand low-cut pro­visions. A spring-loaded up-down scanningring is located atop the rruc lor changing theoperating frequency and switching betweenthe memories, Although I have an exception­ally bassy voice, all of the amateurs whO knowme have reported excellent quality from theMO-1 00 and FT-1000MP,

The user may also purchase the matchingSP-Bloudspeaker ($179). It measures 51/4"Hx S"Wx 12'0 Switches are located on the frontof the SP-8 to allow engaging the built-in pas­sive audio filter. This filter can be adjusted forspecific bandpass responses. Included is aswitch that allows the speaker to be shared bytwo receivers. Audio quality from the SP-8 ISexcellent with or without the filter switched in.Yaesu can also provide a set of YH-77STAlightweight stereo headphones ($55).

Contesters should be interested In the op­tional OVS-2 digital voice recorder accessory($329) It may be used as a continuous receiv­er recorder for instant pushbutton playback.The OVS-2 can be used also as a microphoneaud io recorder for multiple on-the-air playbackrca contest: etc.]. All data are stored eec­troolcany. There are no moving pans,

Also available are the TCXO-4 ($119) andTCXO--6 ($249) master reference oscillators.

SUbjective Closing RemarksAlthough I try tcremem entirely objective whenpreparing a product review, Imust break strideand say that despite having reviewed more(nan 100 pieces of amateur gear over theyears, I am unable to report finding even apicky fault with the FT- 1000MP. I've alwaysmaintained that nothing in this world is perfect.and that there has 10 be something negativeabout each piece of amateur equipment. I def­initely struck out this time, at least with respectto my personal expectations for a transceiver.

If there is a shOrtcoming. it may be thatYaesu does not offer blin d amateurs a "talker"that can be interlaced with its equipment. TheFT-1000MP is no exception. W80lR. KEBBW,and some other blind ham friends would liketo buy FT-1000MPs. but cannot justify the pur­chase withOut having a "digital talker" to aid insetup and operation. Perhaps some dayYaesu will make that important accessoryavailable I give the FT-1000MP an A·l rating

The manufacturer is Yaesu USA, 17210Edwards Rd., Cerritos, CA 90703 (310-404­27(0). Price class is $3300 without built -inpower supply ($3600 with power supply). •

say You Saw It In CO