CAT with FT-891 on Windows 10

Windows 10 does not like Yaesu's COM driver. I believe this is because it only works on USB 1/USB 2 ports and this machine only has USB 3.0.

FT-818ND no power indication bars while transmitting on 6 meter, but these bars are there when transmitting on 2 meter or 70 cm - - is there something wrong with this radio?

I tried calling CQ several times on the calling frequency and noticed something interesting: the screen lights up with "PO" but shows zero bars alongside it like it does in 2 meters or 70cm. If you watch the first 5-10 seconds of this video, you will see that he is speaking in a normal voice and this causes the bars to move on 6 meters. Apparently this question has been posted before by other users of the FT-817/818 [1]. On 6 meters USB, speaking into the microphone does not display any SWR or ALC bars.

My settings for the 818ND are as follows:

• Operating from a fully charged 6Ah battery.
• Band is set to 6 meters, USB mode.
• Power is set to 6 watts.
• Speaking in a very normal voice directly into the microphone, PO is displayed on the screen but zero bars alongside it. (On 2 meters, several bars appear).
• SSB Mic gain is at 80.
  
• Menu 7 the antenna is set to FRONT and I'm transmitting through the YHA-63 (50/144/420 MHz antenna).

Of course, the band is dead here so nobody can respond to me to let me know whether my signal is even getting out. At the moment, I'm waiting for my mast to arrive to get my EFHW antenna up to see if this same problem appears on 20m or 40m. Has anyone encountered this issue on either the FT-817 or 818? Is there something wrong with my new radio? I've posted this in a couple of different places but no solution has been found. 

[1] Sources: Other people reporting the same problem

Need help/tipp for my FT-817ND - only very faint SSB signal

 

FT-817 zero power - ideas before I repair? 

 

[2] Updates

 

I posted this at several locations with no solution. An e-mail was sent to Yaesu. I also called and left a message with them. Not long after, I received a call back from tech support. They said it was normal for no PO bars to be displayed while operating USB on 6 meters. They could not explain why the video I sent them, showing someone with the same settings I have set, shows PO bars on TX. 

Polarity of DC cable for FT-818

 I'm not sure what the polarity is of this cable. Asking the wise folks @ QRZ and Yaesu FT-818 group! Edit: A continuity test was required. Place the probe on the outside of the barrel and another probe on one wire at a time. The wire the beeps is the negative wire. In this case, the wire on the left in the photo below is positive. 

 

 

FT-8900R beep on/off

The beep is annoying on this radio because it is significantly louder than L/R VOL. Disable the beep by pressing [SET][ITEM5] Rotate until it reads OFF.

Installing the SLMOD6PM module into the SignaLink USB SLUSB6PM

For the Yaesu FT-891. It wasn't terribly difficult after reading the instructions! Just make sure you're wearing an anti-static wrist band.

Yaesu FT-891 has been ordered!

After a long time figuring out what I should order, I finally picked the FT-891 and ordered it. I also ordered two dipoles from Radiowavez, the 40 meter and the 20 meter. Not sure what antenna tuner I'll choose, but I'm thinking about going with the LDG Z-100 Plus. I'm very excited!

Almost everything you need right here!

From my QTH the radio will be powered by a Yaesu FP-1030A power supply. Ordering an antenna tuner and a SignaLink USB soon. 

Yaesu FT-450D

Yaesu FT-450 HF and 6 Meter – QST – ARRL Product Review

REVIEW: IF tap adds bandscope to FT-450D