Yaesu FT-991a Review Overview Demonstration HF/VHF/UHF/C4FM 

I am an 80 year old disabled Vet first licensed in 1956. Imagine my surprise when I bought the 991A. I am still in the dark ages, Analog, and Simple hand key CW is my Forte'. I have unboxed this sweet little magic box and have it on-the-air. Programmed it with RT Software on my Apple IMAC. "Ca-Ching"! I am now using the manual and looking at You Tube for guidance. I did not need a tutorial on unboxing. Even at 80, I did this well. I stumbled on your Video and am reading the manual and watching your tutorial--pausing step by step to read then operate. Thank you for simple clarity and a comfortable voice pace. Too early to assess my ability to learn digital modes and advanced Receiver tuning technique. I already made the fatal error of tuning off frequency on an HF Net thinking I was in RIT. So much for nubby rig protocol. My first challenge seems to be remembering receive audio options. They built it and I will learn. I hope I can ask some dumb questions in comments for a while. First look: IMPRESSIVE

Good video. I was looking at many radios for my first, and I finally settled on this one. This video and others I have watched convinced me that this is the radio for me. So many features and I love the water fall to see where the action is. Perfect radio.

I love gigaparts ! Past 12 years I got all my rigs from them . I have a savings account with that rigs name on it . It's much smaller than I thought it would be.

Exciting video, Sir. You’ve helped me make-up my mind, as to which my next purchase will be- Yaesu FT-991A. Thanks for all the effort you put into your videos!

Awesome video, thanks very much! I've been interested in this radio since the original 991, but everyone I know has been so keen on the Icom IC-7300 that they wouldn't even talk about the Yaesu! But especially now with the 991A, I'm really loving this rig. I'd better start saving my pennies!

Nice video, Eric. You really cover the highlights very well! I picked up a slightly used 991A from the gentleman that creates the Nifty Guides back in February. He had it long enough to make a guide for the 991A. I agree with you that there is so much to this radio, but it was easy to get up and going out of the box. And that's coming from a ham who's only been at this hobby for just over two years. I tend to over research things, and as it went, I was looking into an upgrade to my Yaesu 450D. I would drive the 30 minutes to my local HRO and play with all sorts of radios. Then they put this out. I was hooked. Features, benefits and price were all in my wheelhouse. I have had no issues except having to buy a certain brand of USB cable and a USB 3.0 card to get the radio and my PC to talk to each other. No big deal. Love this thing and glad I made the jump. 73s -Mark K7MWJ

Eric; Love your videos, always tons of information from you. I love the Yaesu 991A. Thanks to you. Randy. California.

Wish you made every radio video. Great cadence and no BS. Gigaparts should send every new rig your way.

991A is the best HF radio I have had. I sold my FTDX1200 and bought this just for the C4FM I like it so much I got the FTM-100 and the FT1XD HF is clear and easy to use not a lot of tuning to clear up distant stations. Programming 2m/70cm is easy and to store and recall is very simple. No problems so far. 73

Eric, very good video you put together. I just recently bought a new FT-991A and love the radio. Many features but I am going to read every word in every paragraph in the manual so that I can learn it! 😀. I just became a ham and this radio might be too much for me but I will take my time. Thank you,,

Excellent review. This is now at the top of my wish list.

Well done great film on the 991a very well put over thank you, Regards from the UK.

Great video!!! Thank you. Found my next radio for sure!

Excellent review!

Every day's a school day. Great stuff. Thanks.

Subscribed. Thanks for the videos Eric!

Just bought this rig....havent even hooked it up. Great vid!!!

IT IS WELL PASSED 2:00 A.M. ON THIS 01-18-2010, AND I AM WATCHING THIS FOLLOWING YOU IN LEARNING ON THIS NEW FT-991A HOW TO OPERATE ON WIRES-X,, I GOT A CONTACT ON AMERICA LINK TO A GUY IN FORT MCCURRY ALSTRAILA.. THAT WAS SO COOL.. I FEEL I WILL HAVE EVEN MORE FUN WHEN I GET THAT DANG HF TICKET.. I BETTER GET BACK TO MY STUDY MANUEL.. 73S..FROM N3NDX..

Awesome demo. I just got this rig and I know I'm gonna be on it a lot.

Just got the 991A and love it!

Thanks GigaParts for helping with the radio for this review!

You certainly sold me. Nice video.

awesome review. I'll be getting this radio after I get my license.

Love this rig.

This rig rocks! Very intuitive!!!

What a beautiful and well laid out rig. Love the fact that it has a spectrum scope " pan adapter, waterfall display what have you " and even tho I wouldn't run it for transmit at all.....I would so love to have one just to use it as my receiver. Great review man. Love your work

I got one of these in June and absolutely love it. The only "major" thing I hope they can address in a future software update is the complete omission of 222.

Just ordered one,this radio does everything I need it to, superb!!!

Exxon video Eric I'm glad you touch down the power output on VHF and UHF 7/3 from W9 you KK Mervyn's St Croix

Great video. I really want this radio

The back panel introduction is very important, great video always you did it.

Awesome video thank you I’m considering to buy one of this FT991

Just bought one. On the edge of my seat waiting. With shipping it's $1820 AUD Looking forward to better and easier access to the sky.

Great video, so thanks for posting! Interesting, my UK version came with a pl-259 for HF and a n-type for vhf/uhf inputs. Also, I'm not sure if you are all aware, but you can swap the 4 large shortcut buttons visible on the screen within each band for any of the "F" (function) buttons in the function menu, which is really quite good. Lastly, just to note, you said they (other wires-x users) will know your location "IF" you have a GPS. Well, you can also manually enter your coordinates in the setup and they will see your location without a GPS (which is great assuming you are not moving around of course). It also allows you to see the distance they are from you on the display - which is pretty neat.

Thank you for the review. I've been on the fence on a new rig but you just made it easy. Ordered mine an hour ago. I have the FT-857D and it will be going up for sale. Thank you again for your video's.

Eric, Many autotuners will take several seconds to tune a frequency for the first time, but once remembered takes only a second or two. Most likely the 991A had not seen that frequency, so needed more time to tune and store into memory. That feature is great if you only have one HF antenna per band. 73 WB3BJU

your best video -----nicely done

Ive got the USB connected to SDRPlay via OmniRig, and use the audio out to connect to a HEIL PRAS. Really happy with this setup

I have wanted the Yaesu FT-991A from the first time i ever saw one about 6 months to a Year ago Before I Even Had My License(just got them last Week) But Their is just something about that radio that i really Like !

great video

I swear that guy said KD4WMX I bet that was “Ken from Quiet Lodi where the cows aren’t mooing and the roosters aren’t crowing because he took their song books away”… great guy he checks in on my county’s Net often and I hear him when I check in on one of his local nets. I can’t believe I came to watch this review and he’s the guy you contacted. LOL small world. 73 to everyone. KB4BGZ

It's either the Yaesu 991A or the ICom IC 9700. The IC 9700 has SHF which I will never use. I've made up my mind, I want the 991A Yaesu "shack in a box". I really want a 2 meter sideband and AM. I also want a 6 meter radio, so the Yaesu 991A is the best choice. Plus the fact that the IC 9700 is about $500.00 more than the 991A. Thanks for the videos on each radio. It helped me make up my mind. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

If this radio had crossband repeat it would be the best radio ever. I can't believe it doesn't have that functionality. Great video.

I love it FT 991A👍👍👍

Very nice radio. I’ve never had an HF rig. Had a icom 207H years ago. Shame on me 11 years without HF KE5MUG

This is the only new radio that has HF/VHF/UHF built in so you can do SSB on VHF and UHF. This make the best way to work all bands.

Nice video..Great radio as I bought one..

I can't afford one either BUT I just ordered one anyways. Who needs food?!!! I will be moving my FT-891 to the mobile. Thanks for the great video(s).

Just ordered one from DX Engineering! Was supposed to not be in stock until about July 29th, but was refreshing tabs and 5 popped into stock. Still out everywhere else. As of 6:59 PM Pacific 6/08/2022 there are two left. Hope I like it. Very little chance I wont.

I am really considering buying this radio, however before I go out and purchase it I want to make sure that I will be able to listen on the air band without the Mars mod. Thank you, 73s!

Eric, Hi from Palm Bay FL. Thank you for the great review on this rig. I think I’ve made up my mind on buying this rig. One question do you think it would be good for an apartment dweller? Thanks again de KC1FLG!

En super radio❤️🇩🇰

I ha e considered some cheaper options, but feel I should hold out and save money for something better. I am looking at the FT 991A and the Icom 7300! Thanks for the video it helped with my research.

Picked up the 991 (not A version) from a local operator for $700. Hooked it up through the RSP1A SDRPlay. My personal opinion os that, for me, the waterfall isnt of benefit since I dont take it in the field and the SDR is much better than the display on the radio. Really nice radio. Am kind of an Icom fan, but this radio is really a good addition to the shack. One thing I will say is that I like the Menu setup. Radios like the Icom can be a bit of a search as to where a particular setup item might be. Its like trying to think like the software engineer that decided what sub-menu setting went under what menu. With this radio is it all in one list.

Like this radio so much that Im considering a second to monitor one antenna oriented for N/S and one for E/W orientation. Which ever has the better RX and/or TX is the one I will use

Your reviews of the ICOM IC7300 and the Yaesu FT991A were very interesting and very detailed. Considering that both units are basically on the same price level, if you would have to pick one for mainly DX activities, which one would be your choice?

Good Review! My only CON is that it doesn't have an external monitor port for a bigger display. Other than that, this radio is golden! Excellent for new General Glass Hams, field day, or POTA.

Nice demo. I am using Alinco hf rig with external Signalink modem. But stuckup with digital modes since most of the software are not free. My question is, is FT 891A is with builtin software also so that i can straight operate digital modes like psk 31, rtty, etc. ?

I hope after a great review & promotion that they let you keep that rig! =) I'm buying one slightly used from a fellow HAM 73's

Go to HRO or another dealer and look at the 7300 and 991A side by side. I bought the 991A after going to HRO in NH, seeing and testing both.

I'm seriously considering purchasing the 991A for my base 2 meter/70cm band TX/RX and RXing in general after this great walk thru video. Two questions - What do people se up a home Power supply and is this chirp programmable?

Absolute fantastic 👍 video thanks Erick 73 from kb2uew

❤ LOVELY! BRAND NEW, SIMPLE AND EASY TO OPERATES

Im new to ham, but seriously considering this radio as a primary shack radio for long term use and continued growth capabilities. Currently using ic-2730 as my uhf/vhf shack unit, as well as in our vehicles. Love the 2730 so much that we have 3 of them. Looking ahead to the hobby though, this 991 seems like a good option. Got my tech ticket a couple months ago, and am taking my general exam two weeks from today. Is this a good choice in radio for someone so new? Or is it too much?

Thanks for the demo. Good video. I think the FT991A is a great little do all radio. For basic functions, it's easy to use. BUT, I found the memory channels not laid out well as well as the menu functions. I think Yaesu could have done a better job with this radio. Barry, KU3X

Very Nice radio =)

Right on! Yaesu finally caught up with the IC-7200 with the internal sound card. The Yaesu SCU-17 has operated fine for my 1200 but it is an additional cost and multiple wires. Ham Radio Deluxe does not operate SPLIT for my radio and they have known for two years and still no fix for the problem. HRD will make the radio split but the waterfall will not operate split. Wonder if this radio will work with Ham Radio Deluxe and actually properly send a split signal and see it in the waterfall?? Yaesu has a great punch for audio. The internal tuner is slow the first time used on a frequency and new antenna with the FTDX-1200. Is the waterfall on this 991A better or the same as the FTDX-1200?

Man talk about coincidence! I'm taking your ham course online up here in Virginia but I grew up near you in Sebastian! 73 -Brian

Thanks!

Ty for showing me the back

Thanks for the video. I am thinking about getting this radio for 2M/70cm SSB and HF portable work. Though I am mainly interested in VHF/UHF SSB.

My only complaint now is I AHAVE TO GET ONE .... thank you for your video, sir, it really presented me with the information I needed to make my choice. Now to find the $$$ to make the purchase.

Nicely done Eric. New general here and this is at the top of my shortlist

I got this radio and its a great radio! Love it! KB9HGI

What power supply are you using with the 991a? Thanks for another great video!

Kenwood's TS 2000 is also a "shack in a box" with 100w on 2m and more antenna ports. How is this better? Shopping for a newer rig.

Nice job

thank you for record video. 73

Hi Eric, I am thinking on Buying the Yaesu FT991A when you used C4FM on this Radio where you using a Hot spot or was it Direct to the Repeater, THanks .

KJ4YZI from N2JZS... Hey, I've really been liking your videos since I found you through RU-vid's suggestions. You are really down to earth, easy going, very easy to follow, not over our heads. I just got a 991A myself, just started looking into videos about it to learn about the functions and such. Great overview! I'm wondering if you've gotten a 991A yet? If so, have you produced any further, more in-depth videos of your personal rig? That was great that Gigaparts loaned you one back in 2017 but there's only so much you can get into with a loaner rig. Your video just now is the very first time I've ever seen WirseX demonstrated, actually the first time I've heard of it beyond "Oh, this one has WiresX" - to me that sounded like some kind of antenna tuner without an explanation! Anyway, I'm going to keep watching your videos now that I've subscribed. Wish you the best with your channel, and 73s in real life and OTA. Take it easy, man. Zach, N2JZS - God Bless

Great review Eric! Other than the 2m/440 and wires, which do you like better for just HF. The FT991A or IC-7300? I recently got my general and when I save up, I want something similar to these two radios. Thanks and 73, K4TDT

I cannot find a video on the cat control of this radio. Please make one!

Great vid, I've been curious of this model also. In preparation for when i upgrade my ticket. Thank You, and 73. Ke0kkt.

Im thinking about adding a point in France (no more actually than à dozen in France I think). I have a FT100 spare for it. Is the horizontal polarity an habit for such points ? Thanks for your help as in France all the "normal" repeaters are vertical and thus horizontal polarity wont waste the bandwith.

Thank You for your video! I was also trying to decide between the Yaesu FT991a and the Icom 7300! I already own the FT891 and love that rig for mobile use and it has fantastic DNR, but I ended up going with the Icom7300 and I am really glad I did! It's a beautiful rig with an absolutely beautiful display!! And it is so easy to use and operate without being so menu driven like the Yaseu Radios. And I think the waterfall display on the 7300 has many great features over the 991a. I love GigaParts I have purchased both of my HF rigs from them (891 w/FC50 & 7300)! It will be interesting to see if Yaseu comes out with a SDR radio of their own! I am looking forward to seeing what the Icom 7610 can do and how it sounds! I have not tried or used Fusion so that might be a big sway towards the 991a for those that use and like it. Thanks Again for all your videos 73

the UK one has Ntype on the back for vhf/ uhf . i see that one has 2 so239 .i use the mk1 ft911 iv not got the A . and its still a great radio, and i can not justify the cost of updating it to a 911a just for a live waterfall. its almost £500 for the update ,crazy

How can you stand reviewing this rig and not being able to keep it?? This is a great rig, I got mine 3 days ago and the HAM experience just got so much better.

After all this time, do you have a preference between the IC 7300 and this FT 991A? I lean to the 7300 because of the more, IMHO, informative waterfall. The 7300's seems really usable. I can see what is on a band at one look. I can't, that I know, do this on the 991A. I like the VHF/UHF but it seems easier to manipulate a dedicated (FTM400 for example) radio.

Were you able to keep the radio long enough to make any attempted contact via WinLink system? Simply curious if it would do well in that system. I like digital modes and want to be able to do everything this rig seems to offer.

Hey Eric, brand new to HAM radio and purchased a Yaesu FT991a. Can you make a video about how to use Winlink with the "radio" internal sound card, via USB cable ? I've watched about 90 % of your videos. Great stuff ! KE0THO

Super

I think I’m looking at my next home base station.

love that radio..... nice job brother........... WIRES-X i'm gonna look into that

God I would love to test drive one

How do you enter frequencies? I didnt see a keypad.

can you point me to the 2 antenna you mentioned at the beginning of this video?

Can you show how to connet the yaesu ft-991a to Imac please, and which software do you use? Thanks so much

Between this and the FT-891? one is cool for desk and the other great for mobile..both are somewhat expensive...which one to choose???????

I'm looking real hard at this but one question, what antenna do you recommend? it has 2 ports but the antenna i'm looking at is a 9 band, do i need to have a switch to go from one port to another or will it all tune thru one port? Any help is appreciated.

So interested in getting in to ham. Wow it sounds so overwhelming