background image

1

FT-2900R O

PERATING

 M

ANUAL

The Yaesu 

FT-2900R

 is a deluxe, rugged FM mobile transceiver providing high power

output and outstanding receiver performance for the 144 MHz Amateur band. Included in
the 

FT-2900R

’s feature complement are:

ˆ

75 Watts of power output, with selection of four power levels for every operating situa-
tion.

ˆ

Expanded receiver coverage: 136-174 MHz.

ˆ

Keyboard entry of operating frequencies from the microphone.

ˆ

Excellent protection from receiver intermodulation distortion, thanks to Yaesu’s renowned
Advanced Track Tuning front end.

ˆ

221 memories (200 “basic” memory channels, 10 sets of band-edge memory channels,
and one “Home” channel) which can store repeater shifts, odd repeater shifts, CTCSS/
DCS tones, and 6-character Alpha-Numeric labels for easy channel recognition.

ˆ

10 NOAA Weather Broadcast Channels, with Weather Alert and a Volume Control for
the Weather Alert tone.

ˆ

Built-in CTCSS and DCS Encoder/Decoder circuits.

ˆ

The Smart Search

TM

 feature, which automatically sweeps a band and loads active fre-

quencies into dedicated memory banks, is ideal for identifying active repeaters when
visiting a city for the first time.

ˆ

Extensive Menu system, which allows customization of a number of transceiver perfor-
mance characteristics.

ˆ

The Yaesu-exclusive multi-function LCD display.

Additional features include a transmit Time-Out-Timer (TOT), Automatic Power-Off (APO),
Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS), plus provision for reduction of the Tx deviation in areas
of high channel congestion. And an RF Squelch circuit allows the owner to set the squelch
to open at a programmable setting of the S-Meter, thus reducing guesswork in setting the
squelch threshold.

Congratulations on your purchase of the 

FT-2900R

! Whether this is your first rig, or if

Yaesu equipment is already the backbone of your station, the Vertex Standard organization
is committed to ensuring your enjoyment of this high-performance transceiver, which should
provide you with many years of satisfying operation. Our dealer network and technical
support personnel stand behind every product we sell, and we invite you to contact us
should you require technical advice or assistance.

We recommend that you read this manual in its entirety prior to installing the 

FT-2900R

, so

that you fully understand the capabilities of your new transceiver.

I

NTRODUCTION

Summary of Contents for FT-2900R

Page 1: ...Walker Street Cypress CA 90630 U S A YAESU UK LTD Unit 12 Sun Valley Business Park Winnall Close Winchester Hampshire SO23 0LB U K VERTEX STANDARD HK LTD Unit 5 20 F Seaview Centre 139 141 Hoi Bun Ro...

Page 2: ...Tone Operation 30 DTMF Operation 32 Manual DTMF Tone Generation 32 DTMF Autodialer 32 Memory Operation 34 Memory Storage 34 Separate Transmit Frequency Memory Odd Splits 35 Memory Recall 36 Labeling...

Page 3: ...itch VOL KNOB Adjusts the audio volume level POWER SWITCH Press and hold for one second LOCK SWITCH Press and hold for one second to lock all key functions except the VOL SQL knobs and PTT switch FREQ...

Page 4: ...opera tion Selects the transmitter power output level Switches the frequency control between the VFO Memory Sys tem and the Home channel PRESS AND HOLD KEY Locks out the switches and knobs except the...

Page 5: ...eal for identifying active repeaters when visiting a city for the first time Extensive Menu system which allows customization of a number of transceiver perfor mance characteristics The Yaesu exclusiv...

Page 6: ...x 7 3 160 x 50 x 185 mm w o knobs Weight Approx 4 2 lb 1 9 kg Transmitter Output Power 75 W 30 W 10 W 5 W Modulation Type Variable Reactance Maximum Deviation 5 kHz Wide 2 5 kHz Narrow Spurious Radiat...

Page 7: ...d per local requirements while others may be unavailable in some regions This product is designed to perform optimally when used with genuine Vertex Standard accessories Vertex Standard shall not be l...

Page 8: ...ocal dealer if the unit was purchased over the counter so as to get instructions regarding the prompt resolution of the damage situation Be certain to save the shipping carton especially if there are...

Page 9: ...ther Do not stand in front of a directional antenna while you are transmitting into that antenna Do not install a directional antenna in any location where humans or pets may be walking in the main di...

Page 10: ...you with all aspects of your antenna installation requirements Use high quality 50 Ohm coaxial cable for the lead in to your FT 2900R transceiver All efforts at providing an efficient antenna system...

Page 11: ...the supplied MMB 83 mounting bracket The transceiver may be installed in almost any location but should not be positioned near a heating vent nor anywhere where it might interfere with driving either...

Page 12: ...ation Connect the RED power cable lead to the POSITIVE battery terminal and the BLACK power cable lead to the NEGATIVE terminal If you need to extend the power cable use 12 AWG or larger insulated str...

Page 13: ...om your Yaesu dealer to satisfy these requirements Other well regulated power supplies may be used as well if they meet the above voltage and current specifications Use the DC power cable supplied wit...

Page 14: ...8A6J Hand Microphone to this jack PWR Key Press and hold this key for one second to toggle the transceiver s power on and off L Key This key allows operation in conjunction with the Internet Connectio...

Page 15: ...W LOW3 30 W HIGH 75 W To toggle the display between indication of the frequency and the channel s Alpha Numeric label press and hold in this key for one second while receiving on that memory channel...

Page 16: ...squelch systems P2 button S SRCH Press this button to activate the Smart Search feature P3 button C SRCH Press this button to activate the Tone Search feature P4 button WX CH T CALL In the USA versio...

Page 17: ...ANT Coaxial Socket Connect a 144 MHz antenna to this type M SO 239 socket using 50 Ohm coaxial cable and a type M PL 259 plug Make sure the antenna is designed specifically for use on the operating fr...

Page 18: ...ng frequency 2 To turn the transceiver off again press and hold in the PWR key for one second You can change the Opening Message DC supply voltage indication to any de sired message up to 6 characters...

Page 19: ...try it is possible that the channel steps are set to an incompatible value e g if you have 25 kHz steps set you cannot set a frequency of 146 520 MHz See page 19 to learn how to change the channel ste...

Page 20: ...tor will appear at the upper left corner on the dis play Changing the Transmitter Power Level You can select from among a total of four transmit power levels on your FT 2900R To change the power level...

Page 21: ...eather Alert Feature In the event of extreme weather disturbances such as storms and hurricanes NOAA the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sends a weather alert accompanied by a 1050 Hz...

Page 22: ...d TX not possible K P K P K P K P K P Both keys and PTT switch are locked out D P D P D P D P D P Both DIAL knob and PTT switch are locked out ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL All of the above are locked out 3 Pre...

Page 23: ...0 50 100 100 100 100 100 kHz 3 Press and hold in the MHz SET key for one second to save your new setting and exit to normal operation DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS The FT 2900R display illumination has been spec...

Page 24: ...OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF 3 Press and hold in the MHz SET key for one second to save your new setting and exit to normal operation The receiver s squelch will open based on the highest level set by the two...

Page 25: ...operation You also may program one of the Microphone s programmable keys P1 P4 to allow quick access to the above procedure See page 65 for details on the setup of the programmable keys With repeater...

Page 26: ...OFF OFF OFF OFF 3 Press and hold in the MHz SET key for one second to save your new setting and exit to normal operation To enable the ARS function again select ON ON ON ON ON in step 2 above CHECKIN...

Page 27: ...help keep your radio quiet until a specific call is received which may be helpful while operating in congested areas 1 You may notice a RV TN RV TN RV TN RV TN RV TN indication on the display while yo...

Page 28: ...You may use the Menu to re program one of the Microphone s programmable keys for quick access to Menu 52 TN FRQ from which you can perform the above setup pro cedure See page 65 for details on the set...

Page 29: ...L knob to select 49 SQL TYP 49 SQL TYP 49 SQL TYP 49 SQL TYP 49 SQL TYP 2 Press the MHz SET key then rotate the DIAL knob un til DCS DCS DCS DCS DCS appears on the display this activates the DCS Encod...

Page 30: ...l appear on the display 2 Press the Microphone s P3 key momentarily to start scan ning for the incoming CTCSS or DCS tone code 3 When the radio detects the correct tone or code it will halt on that to...

Page 31: ...to select 34 PAG CDR 34 PAG CDR 34 PAG CDR 34 PAG CDR 34 PAG CDR for the Receiving CTCSS Tone Pair or 35 35 35 35 35 PAG CDT PAG CDT PAG CDT PAG CDT PAG CDT for the Transmitting CTCSS Tone Pair 3 Pre...

Page 32: ...y the 100 MHz digit of the frequency display Paging Answer Back When you press the PTT switch to respond to a page call the FT 2900R transmits the Transmitting CTCSS Tone pair This tone pair will open...

Page 33: ...or one second then rotate the DIAL knob to select 7 BELL 7 BELL 7 BELL 7 BELL 7 BELL 4 Rotate the DIAL knob to set the desired number of rings of the Bell The available choices are 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 3...

Page 34: ...e the new setting and exit to normal operation When the Split Tone feature is activated you can see the following additional parameters following the RV TN RV TN RV TN RV TN RV TN parameter while sele...

Page 35: ...31 FT 2900R OPERATING MANUAL NOTE CTCSS DCS EPCS OPERATION...

Page 36: ...e available on the FT 2900R These DTMF Autodialer memories can store up to 16 digits of a telephone number for repeater autopatch or other use To load DTMF Autodialer memories use the following proced...

Page 37: ...ANUAL MANUAL MANUAL MANUAL MANUAL in step 2 above The speed at which the DTMF digits are sent can be changed Two speed levels are avail able Low 10 digits per second and High 20 digits per second defa...

Page 38: ...l 2 Press and hold in the D MR MW key for one second A memory number will appear in the bottom right hand corner of the display If the channel number is blinking there currently is no data stored on t...

Page 39: ...the display The Odd Splits feature can store separate CTCSS DCS functions for the receive and transmit frequencies When you recall a memory channel which contains indepen dently stored CTCSS DCS infor...

Page 40: ...le memories When using the microphone s buttons press the button momentarily to move one step up or down press and hold in the UP or DWN button for one second to begin memory scanning Memory Recall fr...

Page 41: ...the A N entry mode rotate the DIAL knob to select characters pressing the LOW A N key will move the character s entry loca tion to the right 4 Rotate the DIAL knob to select the desired number letter...

Page 42: ...ory channel when doing so MASKING MEMORIES There may be situations where you want to Mask memories so they are not visible during memory selection or scanning For example several memories used only in...

Page 43: ...channel into several Memory Banks 2 The PMS memory channels L0 U0 through L9 U9 may not be assigned to a Memory Bank Memory Bank Recall 1 Press the D MR MW key if needed to enter the Memory mode 2 Pr...

Page 44: ...MHz SET key for one second then rotate the DIAL knob to select 9 BNK NM 9 BNK NM 9 BNK NM 9 BNK NM 9 BNK NM 2 Press the MHz SET key momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob to recall the memory bank on...

Page 45: ...and other data just the way you do for normal memory channel storage 2 Press and hold in the D MR MW key for one second then press the REV DW key to store the displayed data into the Home channel The...

Page 46: ...of operators may be using the radio for first time and ultimate simplicity of channel selection is desired To place the radio into the Memory Only mode turn it off Now press and hold in the D MR MW ke...

Page 47: ...43 FT 2900R OPERATING MANUAL MEMORY OPERATION NOTE...

Page 48: ...red memory channel respectively Scanning pauses when a signal opens the squelch and the decimal point on the display will blink You can choose one of three scan resume modes described later To halt th...

Page 49: ...resume In the 3SEC 3SEC 3SEC 3SEC 3SEC 5SEC 5SEC 5SEC 5SEC 5SEC 10SEC 10SEC 10SEC 10SEC 10SEC mode the scanner will halt for the selected resume time after which scanning will resume whether or not th...

Page 50: ...select 47 SKIP 47 SKIP 47 SKIP 47 SKIP 47 SKIP 4 Press the MHz SET key then rotate the DIAL knob so as to select SKIP SKIP SKIP SKIP SKIP The current Memory Channel will now be ignored during scannin...

Page 51: ...pressing the D MR MW key repeatedly if necessary 2 Rotate the DIAL knob to select the Memory Channel which you wish to add to the Preferential Scan List 3 Press and hold in the MHz SET key for one se...

Page 52: ...K 8 BNK LNK 8 BNK LNK 8 BNK LNK 3 Press the MHz SET key momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob to select the first Memory Bank b1 b1 b1 b1 b1 b8 b8 b8 b8 b8 you wish to sweep using Memory Bank Link Sca...

Page 53: ...ize this feature use the following steps 1 Store the lower edge of the desired scanning tuning range in memory L0 L0 L0 L0 L0 and the upper edge in memory U0 U0 U0 U0 U0 or alternatively in memories L...

Page 54: ...4 Now set the FT 2900R for operation on another memory channel Home channel or on a VFO frequency 5 Press and hold in the REV DW key for one second The display will remain on the VFO the selected memo...

Page 55: ...Weather Alert Tone volume level to maximum regardless the VOL knob setting using Menu item 58 WX VOL 58 WX VOL 58 WX VOL 58 WX VOL 58 WX VOL See page 82 for details 1 When the Weather Alert Scan featu...

Page 56: ...current band once in each direction starting on the current frequency All channels where activ ity is present will be loaded into the Smart Search memories whether or not all 31 memories are filled t...

Page 57: ...stored into the Smart Search memory bank without causing the sweep to halt 5 Depending on the mode you set for Smart Search operation SINGLE SINGLE SINGLE SINGLE SINGLE or CNTNUE CNTNUE CNTNUE CNTNUE...

Page 58: ...ing to your selection in step 2 This DTMF tone is sent at the beginning of every transmission to establish or maintain the link to the local WiRES node operating in the SRG mode 4 To disable the Inter...

Page 59: ...aracter 13 If you make a mistake press the REV DW key to back space the cursor then re enter the correct letter number or symbol 14 Repeat steps 11 and 12 to program the remaining letters numbers or s...

Page 60: ...link then press the PTT switch momentarily to lock in the selected access number 6 Once the Internet Connection feature is activated per step 4 above you may now press the key while you are transmitti...

Page 61: ...reviously in non ARTS operation If you move out of range for more than one minute four pollings your radio will sense that no signal has been received three beeps will sound and the display will rever...

Page 62: ...l option of turning them off so as to alert you to the current status of ARTS operation Depending on your location and the potential annoyance associated with frequent beeps you may choose the Beep mo...

Page 63: ...e back to the previous letter number s slot then re select the correct letter number 7 When you have finished entering your entire callsign and it contains less than 16 charac ters press the MHz SET k...

Page 64: ...eric characters only Repeatedly 1An 1An 1An 1An 1An Sends five Alphabet Numeric and characters Mixed An An An An An Send Alphabet Numeric and characters Mixed Continuously in group of five 4 Rotate th...

Page 65: ...o the TNC may be adjusted by using the VOL knob as with voice operation The input level to the FT 2900R from the TNC may be adjusted via Set Mode Item 27 MCGAIN 27 MCGAIN 27 MCGAIN 27 MCGAIN 27 MCGAIN...

Page 66: ...0 9 9 9 9 9 A A A A A B B B B B C C C C C D D D D D E E E E E substitute for and F F F F F substitute for 5 Press the LOW A N key to move to the next digit 6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 to program the remai...

Page 67: ...POWER OFF APO The Automatic Power Off APO feature will turn the radio completely off after a user defined period of PTT or key button inactivity If you do not press any front panel keys or buttons ro...

Page 68: ...MHz SET key for one second then rotate the DIAL knob to select 5 BCLO 5 BCLO 5 BCLO 5 BCLO 5 BCLO 2 Press the MHz SET key momentarily to enable adjust ment of this Set Mode Item 3 Rotate the DIAL kno...

Page 69: ...reception WX CH WX CH WX CH WX CH WX CH Switches operation to the Weather channels bank S SRCH S SRCH S SRCH S SRCH S SRCH Engages the Smart Search operation C SRCH C SRCH C SRCH C SRCH C SRCH Engage...

Page 70: ...n to wide bandwidth and deviation repeat the above procedure selecting WIDE WIDE WIDE WIDE WIDE 5 kHz Deviation 15 kHz Bandwidth in step 2 above MIC GAIN SETTING At the factory a microphone gain has b...

Page 71: ...ent is defective In certain amplifier configurations the output signal phase is inverted from the input Small signal or power amplifiers having an odd number 1 3 5 etc of amplification stages may resu...

Page 72: ...ESET PUSH D ALL RESET PUSH D MR KEY MR KEY MR KEY MR KEY MR KEY notation will scroll on the display 3 Press the D MR MW key momentarily to reset all settings to their factory defaults press any other...

Page 73: ...does not matter CLONE CLONE CLONE CLONE CLONE will appear on the displays of both radios when the Clone mode is successfully activated in this step 4 On the Destination radio press the D MR MW key WA...

Page 74: ...cates the DC Supply Voltage Setting of the DCS code Enables Disables Inverted DCS code decoding Setting of the front panel display s illumination level Enables Disables the DTMF Autodialer feature Set...

Page 75: ...ch threshold level Sets the Repeater Shift direction Enables Disables the Priority Channel Revert feature Selects the Smart Search Sweep mode Sets the magnitude of the Repeater Shift Selects the Memor...

Page 76: ...Selects the method of selection of channels for Memory Storage Programming an Alpha Numeric label for a Memory Channel Enables Disable the Band edge beeper while scan ning Selects the Memory Scan mod...

Page 77: ...he microphone gain level Programs and activates the Password feature Adjusts the RF Squelch threshold level Enables Disables the Priority Channel Revert fea ture Selects the Smart Search Sweep mode Se...

Page 78: ...sound 3 AR INT Function Selects the Polling Interval during ARTS operation Available Values 25SEC 15SEC Default 25SEC 4 ARS Function Activates Deactivates the Automatic Repeater Shift feature Availab...

Page 79: ...15 17 20 24 30 40 WPM OFF or 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 75 85 100 120 150 200 CPM Default OFF Note To switch units between WPM and CPM just press the MHz SET key 13 DC VLT Function Indicates the DC...

Page 80: ...1000 ms Default 450 ms 19 DT SET Function Loading of the DTMF Autodialer Memories See page 32 for details 20 DT SPD Function Setting of the DTMF Autodialer Sending Speed Available Values 50 high speed...

Page 81: ...Available Values 1 9 Default 5 28 MEM SCN Function Selects the Memory Scan mode Available Values TAG1 TAG2 ALL CH Default ALL CH ALL CH The scanner sweeps all Memory channels TAG1 The scanner sweeps...

Page 82: ...A N key momentarily to save the first letter number and move on to the next character 4 Repeat the previous step as necessary to complete the message up to six characters 5 If you make a mistake press...

Page 83: ...S SRCH C SRCH SCAN T CALL or one of the all Set mode items except Set mode item 36 through 39 initial setting is Set mode item 16 DIMMER Default S SRCH 38 PRG P3 Function Programming the function ass...

Page 84: ...ion Enables disables the Priority Channel Revert feature Available Values ON OFF Default OFF 45 S SRCH Function Selects the Smart Search Sweep mode Available Values SINGLE CNTNUE Default SINGLE SINGLE...

Page 85: ...CTCSS tone and Decodes a DCS code D TONE Encodes a DCS code and Decodes a CTCSS tone 49 SQL TYP Function Selects the Tone Encoder and or Decoder mode Available Values TONE TSQL DCS RV TN OFF Default...

Page 86: ...unction Selects the VFO Scanner Width Available Values 1MHz 2MHz 5MHz ALL Default ALL 1 MHz 2 MHz 5 MHz The scanner will sweep frequencies within the selected band width ALL The scanner will sweep all...

Page 87: ...U SELECTION DETAILS 59 W N DV Function Reduction of the Microphone Gain Deviation and receiver bandwidth Available Values WIDE 5 kHz Deviation 15 kHz Bandwidth NARROW 2 5 kHz Deviation 6 kHz Bandwidth...

Page 88: ...84 FT 2900R OPERATING MANUAL NOTE...

Page 89: ...quipment is incapable of tuning or readily being altered by the User to operate within the frequency bands allocated to the Domestic public Cellular Telecommunications Service in Part 22 WARNING MODIF...

Page 90: ...0905m 0E Copyright 2009 VERTEX STANDARD CO LTD All rights reserved No portion of this manual may be reproduced without the permission of VERTEX STANDARD CO LTD Printed in Japan E H 0 3 9 N 1 0 0...

Reviews: