WSJT-X FT8 Yaesu FT-891 Data & CAT Conttol tutorial

Hello Operators
Many of you have asked for a Yaesu FT-891 tutorial for the digital mode settings with software such as WSJT-X. In this video we go through setting up the Yaesu FT-891 digi mode settings, configuring the audio interface to work with the 891, and configuring the rigs CAT Control settings to work seamlessly with WSJT-X.

My Configuration in the video
- Yaesu FT-891
- DigiMaster MiniProSC Audio interface
- HP Laptop running Windows 10
- Non-tandard shielded USB Cables

The setting in this video work for all the mode supported by WSJT-X: FT8, WSPR, JT65, JT9, ... The rig dide of the settings will work with most digitsl mode packages eg, WinLink, PCALE, FSQ, FLDigi, APRS Messenger, ... Time permitting, I'll also release a similar tutorial for the Raspberry Pi running Raspian & FT-891.

Video url:

73
Julian oh8stn

 

Thanks for this tutorial Julian! I'm getting ready to attempt this with my 891. Following your channel by the way.

 

You need to run your bandwidth as wide as possible, Not narrowed down. and you need to set split to fake it.

 

Julian,
Are you using these same settings for WINLINK?

73s,
Larry
IU3JNT

 

I've been using the 891 for FT-8 for the past year. HRD software with WSJT-Alert will log all entries to the HRD log and I also have it set to auto log to eqsl and QRZ. It uploads to LOTW with just a couple of clicks in the HRD software.
Sweet! I also use the 891 as my mobile HF radio with a scorpion antenna mounted in the truck when I go camping. Double Sweet!!

73,
AI6MC

 

yes

 

Why complicate your station configuration with HRD?
73

 

I agree.

 

i can't see the url

 

Thanks Julian. Awesome video and instructions..as usual.

73

 

I have Digipan running on Win 7 VIAO laptop. data in, data out work fine but no PTT.
I can get PTT by plugging up mike and hitting Mike PTT when I transmit DigiPan. Why
does the Y-891 CAT line not work like they show it should work in the 891 data. This is not
brain science or rocket surgery. RST for PTT? How hard can that be? I used to write
cashregister interrupt and ops for RS232 running CashDrawer. No, I do not have audio in audio out
problems, I have a "CAT" port (mini-USB socket on the 891) problem that is suppose to see PTT on the RTS high?
DigiPan acts like it sees the RTS sig. when I look under "Serial Ports... & PTT Interface. The hookup
is shown on P.64 of the Y-891 Advanced Manual.
Any ideas?
I could build a Vox detect on the audio (Data In) that kicks in a killer voltage that will shift the PTT or die trying.
But, I hate to start carving on a 1 mo old rig.

 

Do you have the ability to use 60m? I can't seem to get that working on digital with cat control.

 

Sure. you'll just have to add 60m manually to wsjtx. It is not in the band list by default.
73
Julian oh8stn

 

It is on JTDX, but when I try and transmit the light blinks off and on, which I believe means it is not transmitting. Have you had that happen?

 

Im wondering why cat control won't put the radio on Upper sideband when you switch to 40 meters or lower? I dont like using data mode on the 891 it sounds very narrow and doesnt work well.
This radio makes no sense. Any other radio will change from lsb to usb when wsjt-x tells it to. Maybe there's a way? This radio has some pretty awful menu designs. Ive had 3 of these radios and i always get rid of them after a short time. I remember why now. But i need something compact that does 100w hf so there's the compromise.
Hopefully someone knows a way to make it select usb on 40m without going into the menu when cat control should be able to do this on its own.