background image

 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Yaesu FT-8900R Operating Manual Expanded Edition (courtesy of W5JCK) 

Page 6 of 77 

Introduction 

 

The 

FT−8900R

 is a ruggedly-built, high quality Quad Band FM transceiver providing 50 Watts 

of power output on the 29/50/144 MHz Amateur band and 35 Watts on the 430 MHz band. 

The high power output of the 

FT−8900R

 is produced by its RD70HVF1 Power MOS FET 

amplifier, with a direct-flow heat sink and thermostatically-controlled cooling fan maintaining 
a safe temperature for the transceiver’s circuitry. 

Featuring 809 memory channels, full duplex operation with independent 

Volume

 and 

Squelch

 

controls, and built-in 

CTCSS

 and 

DCS

 encoder/decoder circuits, the 

FT−8900R

 includes 

provision for remote-head mounting, utilizing the optional 

YSK−8900 Separation Kit

, which 

allows installation even in the most compact of cars. 

We recommend that you read this manual in its entirety, so as to fully understand the many 
features of your new 

FT−8900R

 transceiver. 

Front Panel Controls 

 

(1) Left and Right 

 DIAL

 knobs 

These 20-position detented rotary switches are the tuning  DIALs for the left and right bands. 

Summary of Contents for FT-8900R

Page 1: ...Yaesu FT 8900R Operating Manual The W5JCK Expanded Version Courtesy of W5JCK Dual Band FM Transceiver November 2006...

Page 2: ...Muting Preference 20 Set the RF Squelch Level 21 Activate the Time Out Timer 21 Activate Automatic Power Off 22 Set FM Bandwidth and MIC Gain 22 Program Band Limits for VFO Mode 23 Operate through Rep...

Page 3: ...zed telephone number 53 To set the speed 54 To set a delay time 54 Internet Connection Feature 55 To access a WIRES repeater 55 To access other Internet Link Systems that use a DTMF string for access...

Page 4: ...E 70 Menu b 25 NAME 70 Menu h 26 PKT SPD 71 Menu h 27 PKT RXB 71 Menu 28 PG P1 71 Menu 29 PG P2 72 Menu 30 PG P3 72 Menu 31 PG P4 72 Menu 32 RF SQL 72 Menu b 33 RPT MOD 73 Menu 34 SCAN 73 Menu b 35 SC...

Page 5: ...dio manuals If you would like to make a donation please goto http w5jck jackswinden com manuals ft 8800r donations html If you have any questions or comments please email me at w5jck jackswinden com H...

Page 6: ...ntaining a safe temperature for the transceiver s circuitry Featuring 809 memory channels full duplex operation with independent Volume and Squelch controls and built in CTCSS and DCS encoder decoder...

Page 7: ...dio level Press this knob momentarily to switch the Internet Connection feature on and off 3 Left and Right SQL Knobs The SQL Squelch control is used to silence background noise on the adjoining recei...

Page 8: ...Feature When the adjoining band is set to the Memory mode press and hold in this key for second to activate the Memory Tuning feature Key Default Press this key momentarily to recall a favorite Home C...

Page 9: ...y for second to change the frequency shift direction RPT minus shift RPT plus shift RPT OFF simplex TONE Key while in Key Mode 2 Press this key momentarily to change the Tone Squelch mode ENC CTCSS En...

Page 10: ...lus Shift Odd Split Tone Encoder Tone Decoder Transmission in Progress Main Band Busy Channel or Squelch Off Memory Tune Mode Audio Mute Active Digital Code Squelch DCS AM Reception 9600 bps Packet Mo...

Page 11: ...NE VFO MR See Program the Microphone Buttons on page 13 for details button default setting is BAND function Press this button to switch the Main band between the Left and Right displays on the LCD scr...

Page 12: ...0 watts VHF UHF HIGH 50 watts VHF 35 watts UHF When the Main band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel press and hold in this key for second to switch the memory channel display between the Frequ...

Page 13: ...program the button select Menu 29 PG P2 To program the button select Menu 30 PG P3 To program the button select Menu 31 PG P4 3 Press the DIAL knob momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob to select the...

Page 14: ...for this button REV function Press the button to reverse the transmit and receive frequencies during split frequency operation Press and hold the button for second to select Repeater Shift direction...

Page 15: ...ess and hold the button for second to shift to the Memory Tuning feature Select the Main Operating Band In the factory default configuration the FT 8900R operates in the Dual Receive mode During Dual...

Page 16: ...not shown or V V or U U modes shown below V V mode U U mode To switch the frequency band When in VFO mode press and hold in the left DIAL knob for second to cycle the operating band on the left side...

Page 17: ...equency To enter a frequency from the MH 48A6J keypad just press the numbered digits in the proper sequence There is no decimal point key on the MH 48A6J keypad so if the frequency is below 100 MHz e...

Page 18: ...storage LOW 5 watts HF VHF UHF MID2 10 watts HF VHF UHF MID1 20 watts HF VHF UHF HIGH 50 watts HF VHF 35 watts UHF During transmission the Bar Graph will deflect in the display according to the power...

Page 19: ...is receiving a signal Select the Channel Step The FT 8900R s synthesizer provides the option of utilizing channel steps of 5 10 12 5 15 20 25 50 kHz per step any number of which may be important to y...

Page 20: ...not inverted FM transponder the Band Link feature may be useful 1 Both sides of the FT 8900R have to be in VFO mode 2 Band Linking does not work with AMSAT AO 51 or similar satellites 1 Set both sides...

Page 21: ...s feature allows you to set the squelch so that only signals exceeding a certain S meter level will open the squelch When setting up the RF Squelch circuit for operation note that you may set the RF S...

Page 22: ...r is not scanning or engaged in priority monitoring the radio will shut itself off after the specified time period This feature is useful in minimizing battery drain in a mobile installation if you fo...

Page 23: ...h to set up a limit in North America of 144 300 MHz to 148 000 MHz so as to prevent encroachment into the SSB CW Weak Signal portion of the band below 144 300 MHz Here s how to do this 1 Set the FT 89...

Page 24: ...mory mode by pressing the key momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob to select Memory Channel L1 8 Press and hold in the key for second to start PMS operation the MT icon will appear on the display Tun...

Page 25: ...icons will appear on the LCD above the frequency when repeater shifts have been enabled Automatic Repeater Shifts The FT 8900R provides a convenient Automatic Repeater Shift ARS feature which causes...

Page 26: ...erent region you may need to change the default repeater shift so as to ensure compatibility with local operating requirements To do this follow the procedure below 1 Press the SET key momentarily to...

Page 27: ...DIAL knob momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob so that ENC appears on the display this activates the CTCSS Encoder which allows repeater access You may notice an additional icon appearing while you r...

Page 28: ...gh 4 above but rotate the DIAL knob so that ENC is displayed this will allow you to hear all traffic on the channel being received 2 You may select the Tone Squelch mode ENC ENC DEC or DCS on the Main...

Page 29: ...1 412 413 423 431 432 445 446 452 454 455 462 464 465 466 503 506 516 523 526 532 546 565 606 612 624 627 631 632 654 662 664 703 712 723 731 732 734 743 754 7 When you have made your selection press...

Page 30: ...detects the correct tone or code it will halt on that tone code and audio will be allowed to pass Press the DIAL knob momentarily to lock in that tone code then press and hold in the DIAL knob for se...

Page 31: ...cumstances this should not occur amplifier designs and industry standards take this into account if you find that your receiver squelch does not open when both you and the other station are using a co...

Page 32: ...frequency on each operating band Five sets of band edge memories also known as Programmable Memory Scan channels see page 23 labeled L1 U1 through L50 U5 Six Hyper Memory channels see page 38 Store a...

Page 33: ...desired letter number or symbol then press the DIAL knob momentarily to move on to the next character location If you make a mistake press the microphone s button to move back to the previous characte...

Page 34: ...channel 1 Store the receiving frequency using the instructions described in Store a Frequency in Memory on page 32 2 Turn to the desired transmit frequency on the Main band then press and hold in the...

Page 35: ...ou have recalled a particular memory channel you may easily tune off that channel as though you were in the VFO mode 1 With the FT 8900R in the MR Memory Recall mode select the desired memory channel...

Page 36: ...ve that it is now invisible 0 Once deleted the channel data cannot be recovered Set a HOME Channel for an Operating Band A special one touch HOME channel is available one for each of the six operating...

Page 37: ...his may be particularly useful during public service events where a number of operators may be using the radio for first time and ultimate simplicity of channel selection is desired To place the radio...

Page 38: ...s you can only have one configuration setup However the FT 8900R has six Hyper Memory channels thus allowing you to set up six unique configurations See the table below for the types of data that are...

Page 39: ...ain band Memory mode only VHF repeaters 144MHz band when in VFO mode Hyper Memory Channel 3 Use to operate on local RACES ARES Skywarn repeaters Left Side start on Regular Memory channel 1 use as Sub...

Page 40: ...rate on the local HAM repeaters you will press Hyper Memory key If a RACES activation occurs you will press Hyper Memory key When you get ready to work an Amateur Radio satellite you will press Hyper...

Page 41: ...TO and MANUAL AUTO If set to AUTO whenever you recall a Hyper Memory through the current configuration for your FT 8900R will be automatically stored in Hyper Memory channel Any configuration already...

Page 42: ...not take action to disable scanning within five seconds scanning will resume even if the stations are still active This is the default setting BUSY In this mode scanning will pause on a signal it enc...

Page 43: ...Press and hold in the key to disable the VFO Priority mode 0 Memory Priority To activate Priority Channel Dual Watch operation 1 Store the frequency you wish to be the Priority Memory Channel into Me...

Page 44: ...42 for details 3 To cancel scanning press the key momentarily again or press the microphone s PTT key 0 1 When you start scanning the FT 8900R will scan in the upward direction If you want to change...

Page 45: ...on the FT 8900R to perform either a Standard Memory scan default or a Preferential Memory scan when pressed Types of Memory Scans Standard default All Memory channels not flagged to be skipped SKIP wi...

Page 46: ...you wish to be scanned during Standard Memory Scan 3 Press the key for second twice to select OFF skip off and exit to normal operation 0 To configure the FT 8900R for Standard Memory Scan This is the...

Page 47: ...ry channel Preferential Memory Scan During Preferential Memory Scan scanning will pause on any signal encountered that is strong enough to open the squelch scanning will then resume according to the S...

Page 48: ...ration 0 Now only the channels which have the icon displayed will be scanned To initiate Preferential Memory Scan 1 Configure the FT 8900R for Preferential Memory Scan if necessary 2 Press the key mom...

Page 49: ...quencies for you To activate Smart Search operation 1 Set the radio to the VFO mode by pressing the key if necessary 2 Press and hold in the key for second to cause the radio to scan upward on the cur...

Page 50: ...ue until you de activate ARTS Every 10 minutes moreover you can have your radio transmit your callsign via CW so as to comply with identification requirements When ARTS is de activated DCS will also b...

Page 51: ...ion the radio can be instructed to send DE your callsign K if this feature is enabled The callsign field may contain up to 6 characters To program the CW Identifier 1 Press the SET key momentarily to...

Page 52: ...xpanded Edition courtesy of W5JCK Page 52 of 77 12 Press the DIAL knob momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob to select TX ON to enable the CW Identifier 13 Press the DIAL knob momentarily to save the...

Page 53: ...next number in this current DTMF Autodialer memory register 7 When you have selected the correct digit press the DIAL knob momentarily 8 Repeat this steps 6 and 7 for each remaining digit in the telep...

Page 54: ...tate the DIAL knob to select Menu 14 DTMF S 3 Press the DIAL knob momentarily then rotate the DIAL knob to select the desired speed 50MS High 20 digits per second 75MS Mid 13 digits per second 100MS L...

Page 55: ...ow the access numbers in the network 0 With the WIRES capability activated the FT 8900R will generate a brief 0 1 second DTMF tone according to your selection in step 2 This DTMF tone is sent at the b...

Page 56: ...quency field The int icon will then be displayed in the memory channel field on the Sub band while the Internet Link System access feature is engaged 8 Rotate the DIAL knob while pressing and holding...

Page 57: ...ub bands and use the FM simplex portion of each band Contact your area s frequency coordinator for guidance Remember that the transmit duty cycle will be much higher during repeater service so we reco...

Page 58: ...ight DIAL knob on each radio to select CLONE START then press the SET key The display will disappear for a moment then the CLONE notation will appear on the display 4 On the destination radio press th...

Page 59: ...adio on 3 Rotate the Right DIAL knob to select the Reset menu SETMOD RESET Resets the Menu Set mode settings to their factory defaults HYPER RESET Clears the Hyper Memory settings to factory defaults...

Page 60: ...ect the Menu Item to be adjusted 3 Press the DIAL knob momentarily to enable adjustment of the selected Menu Item then rotate the DIAL knob to perform the actual adjustment 4 After completing your sel...

Page 61: ...023 11 DCS N R Selects Normal or Inverted DCS coding TRX N RX R TX R TRX R TRX N h 12 DSP SUB Selects the Sub Band display format FREQ CWID DC IN OFF FREQ 13 DTMF D Sets of the DTMF Autodialer Delay...

Page 62: ...ets the RF SQL threshold level OFF S 2 S 5 S 9 S FULL OFF b 33 RPT MOD Sets the Repeater Shift Direction RPT OFF RPT RPT RPT OFF 34 SCAN Selects the Scan Resume mode TIME BUSY TIME b 35 SCAN M Selects...

Page 63: ...urned off See Activate Automatic Power Off on page 22 for details Values OFF 0 5 H 12 0 H in 0 5 hour multiples Default OFF Disables the APO feature Menu h 2 ARS Function Activates deactivates the Aut...

Page 64: ...the other station and a low beep will sound once when the other station goes out of range Default The value for this Menu Item is to be applied separately to each Hyper Memory Channel Menu h 4 BAND Fu...

Page 65: ...FT ON SFT OFF Default SFT OFF 1 This function is only used to move a spurious response birdie should it fall on a desired frequency 2 The value for this Menu Item is to be applied separately to each H...

Page 66: ...es DIM 1 DIM 2 DIM 3 OFF Default DIM 1 Menu b 10 DCS COD Function Sets the DCS code See DCS Tone System on page 28 for details Values 104 Standard DCS codes Default 023 The value for this Menu Item is...

Page 67: ...s Menu Item is set to any selection other than the FREQ the Sub band receiver will be disabled 2 The value for this Menu Item is to be applied separately to each Hyper Memory Channel Menu 13 DTMF D Fu...

Page 68: ...tic Writing feature The Hyper Memory data changes automatically when the radio s configuration is changed such as Mode change Band Change etc Default MANUAL Menu 17 INET Function Selects the Internet...

Page 69: ...Values KEY1 KEY2 KEY1 left and right side keys function as LOW V M HM and SCN KEY2 left side keys function as LOW V M HM and SCN right side keys function as MHz REV TONE and SUB Default KEY1 Menu 21...

Page 70: ...re TX Reduces the audio level of the Sub band whenever you transmit on the Main band RX Reduces the audio level of the Sub band whenever you receive a signal on the Main band TX RX Reduces the audio l...

Page 71: ...for Packet operation Values MAIN R FIX L FIX MAIN Packet can be operated on the Main band R FIX Packet can be operated on the right band only L FIX Packet can be operated on the left band only Defaul...

Page 72: ...ent See Program the Microphone Buttons on page 13 for details Values BAND VFO MR SCAN SQL OFF TCALL RPTR PRI LOW TONE MHz REV HOME Default TONE Menu 31 PG P4 Function Programs the MH 48A6J microphone...

Page 73: ...n Resume mode See Set the Scan Resume Preference on page 42 for details Values TIME BUSY TIME Scanning will halt on a signal it encounters and will hold five seconds If you do not take action to disab...

Page 74: ...is to be applied separately for each Operating Band Mode Menu b 36 SHIFT Function Sets the magnitude of the Repeater Shift Values 0 00 99 95 MHz 50 kHz step Default Depends on the band of operation Th...

Page 75: ...peaker only external speaker is off Default EXT Menu b 39 TONE F Function Sets the CTCSS Tone Frequency See CTCSS Tone System on page 27 for details Values 50 Standard CTCSS Tones Default 100 Hz The v...

Page 76: ...Feature on page 20 for details Values ON OFF Default OFF The value for this Menu Item is to be applied separately to each Hyper Memory Channel Menu b 43 WID NAR Function Reducing the MIC Gain and Devi...

Page 77: ...the AM mode Values ON OFF Default OFF The value for this Menu Item is to be applied separately for each Operating Band Mode Menu h 46 AUT AM Function Selects the receiving mode Values AUTO OFF Defaul...

Reviews: