Hey thanks, Tim! Very kind of you to reference me. Some of the purists on QRZ have really raked me over the coals for my mic settings because they’re way out of whack with what they feel they should be. I get their point because the bandwidth settings do run counter to what the parametric EQ should do, but in the end, I just go for results and sound. Also, the signal has to remain clean enough, and keeping the ALC under control seems to handle that fine. I have made some adjustments to the Mic EQ settings for my FTDX 3000 post in recent months - The compression seems to react differently based on settings for that radio than the 891 does. I should also mention that I sold the 891 perhaps three years ago, so the information may be getting a little dated. It’s great to know it’s still working for you, though. Thanks for the shout! HL1ZIX, “The Stingy Ham.”
I've been a ham for a long time. In the past I just keyed up and talked, these days I have learned that there are variations for what your goal is in communicating, DX, contesting or rag chewing.
You’ll probably remember that I reached out to you for some advice before purchasing the 891 to replace my 450D. You also recommend these audio settings. I’m very happy that I followed your advice as I love this radio and get plenty of good audio reports with these settings. I also have to mention that the RX on this is also outstanding, so much of an upgrade on my 450D. Thanks for the advice and videos Tim. Top man.
Hi Tim I did my first portable activation today had a few reports of muffled audio. Ive just put those settings in so looking forward to getting back out. Thanks for sharing that.
So, after making these adjustment settings, how are things now? No more "muffled" reports? I'm getting one of these rigs in about a week for POTA, portable in my truck, and rv'ing.
I found this website a few years back and immediately applied the settings to my 891 and they certainly made a difference. 👍 Yes, it's a great radio straight out of the box and with so many menu driven settings to play with, the info was very helpful. 👍👍 The 891 is a great mobile radio, aided by the remote head unit and that's how I use mine. I also have an 897D which stacks up quite well against it's newer cousin, given it's age but there's no denying the 891's receiver is noticeably better, as you'd expect!😂 Will never sell my 897 though.
Tim, enjoyed the video. I set it up as mentioned. I did notice one thing that you and The Stingy Ham didn’t mention (or I missed it). I just stumbled on it really-in the FT-891’s Advance manual, it shows how to adjust these settings to the Parametric equalizer, then to actually enable them, you need to go to the “Function 2” menu and toggle on the MEQ.
Thank you for the info just recently brought the 891, my first hf radio went on 20m and first contact mentioned about my audio quality happy days so once again thank you for sharing the info much appreciated 👍
Great video as always!! Just received my new 891 and I'm curious if there's an easy answer for using compression vs not using it? I lean toward using it solely based on your personal preference, but I am curious why you choose to use it.
Thanks! I have just used those settings and get good unsolicited audio comments - if using compression keep your voice at a usual talking level, avoid shouting and keep the mic a few inches from your face. So far (for me) so good.
Good video Tim, not just for 891 users, but because few people highlight the importance of setting up the audio. When I 1st had my 991a I listened to myself calling CQ on Hack Green which is a few miles down the road, yes it was clear but also woolly and lacking definition. I sorted mine out with a cheap desk mic, EQ desk & a bit of processing in the 991a & without wanting to sound like I'm exaggerating, I get positive complements on my audio nearly every other QSO, yes it's loud, but doesn't overdrive or splatter & is very punchy. As a 2E0 limited to 50w I'd safely say the changes have been worth 200-300w extra equivalent to the old settings. People always say that yes I'm 5/4 or 5/6 but I sound 5/9 if they weren't looking at the meter. I know people think I run extra power then the 50w, I don't. It's just I spent time setting up the audio to maximise what I have. I think of it as like when I used to order a round in a busy pub back in my teens, whilst I can't elbow my way in front of a few rugby prop forwards, I can stick my hand up and shout clearly over the mumbling din & get served. 73 Tim de Jim 2E0HKM
VERY helpful...as always. I operate 99.9% mobile, FT-891 into an ATAS-120A, magnet mount on my Subaru Outback estate/wagon. I'm really a CW guy so I can use as much help as I can get with SSB, especially mobile! Hoping to get DXCC by the end of the year. Band conditions this summer have been up OR down but I'm hopeful. This video will do wonders for me! MANY thanks!! 73's de WB3CFN
My 857 suddenly gets no audio whatsoever. Everything else seems to function normally, but I can't even get a hiss out of the internal speaker. Any thoughts?
I'm about to buy a transceiver a Yaesu FT-891, so that information comes in the right time for me. Could you give me your advice abot antenna tuners for this transceiver? Is it true that many guys go to portable operation without a tunner at all? Thanks a lot.
Hi Tim, I have AN ft-891 (2 yrs old now and only used as a base rig) and I thought I would give these settings a try. Big mistake! I was on the ECARS Net, 7255 kHz and several ops mentioned that I didn't sound as good as I usually did (I was using the rig as set out of the box). Went back to factory defaults and reset the ALC gain to 2/3 scale for my voice (setting is 34) and all was fine again. Went back on and got great reports on the audio quality. I am using a Shure SM-48 vocals mic on a boom mount (shock mount), Heil XLR cable and a Heil hand switch. I guess it all depends on the mic used and the ops voice. Everyone's voice is different!
Hi Tim, Could you verify whether or not the Parametric Mic Equalizer (MEQ on Function - 2) needs to be enabled for these settings to function? Thanks!!
Nice video Tim.i have worked op,s using that radio and it always sounds punchy. I would say my ts 480hx is another excellent radio for mobile or home base. I have listened on sdr in zl and eu , whilst experimenting with settings, and found from day one, the stock settings are the best, and obviously from here, all my qso's are dx , zl to eu and most say my audio sounds like iam In the room with them. Of course the 200w helps, but for 12,000 mile qso's every day, I like the 480hx. Good weekend to you and your family, 73 brian.
Put the rig in a dummy load and listen with another radio like a IC705 with headphones. Every mic is different- The stock hand mic sounds better than any mic I have tried.
I keep seeing the reference to half or 1/4 ALC but don't know what that means. When I have the ALC meter selected a portion of the line is bolded is that the scale we are talking about? If so then half of that yes? Sorry, 891 newbie not something I had to spend much time worrying about with the G90.
I use very similar settings on my 891, I’ve never had a bad audio report and few people have recorded me and I have to say I sound like myself lol so all good.
Hola, no hablo ingles, pero sobre el video, lo unico que no entendi fue como reviso si mi alc esta bien , donde y como se hace eso?. Espero me ayude a clarificar ese tema para mejorar el sonido de mi radio yaesu ft-891
Your advised settings are horrible. Makes me sound like I'm talking through a toilet paper inner tube. Why would you want to sound narrow , pinched and muddy ? Terrible advice. Better off leaving it stock or better yet open up the audio with my settings.
the 891 is THE worst newly available radio, it has a low dynamic range and the SSB TX audio sounds likey mushy. that is not that much a problem when the signals are strong but at weaker signals it becomes a problem, please don't bother HF with that. if it has to be a Yaesu, the FT-710 is a much better radio compared to that 891. the Icom IC-7300 is the best radio.
