I worked DX on all 5 bands in the ARRL phone DX contest. Also figured out
the two VFO's enough to work some DX split on 40 SSB.
With the help of a neighborhood ham, I set up the Custom Settings switch so
that it puts me on Menu number 72, for adjusting the dynamic noise
reduction. Since you change menu numbers by means of the detented Select
knob, you can count up or down from 72 to adjust other menu settings. Menu
adjustments themselves are done using the clarifier knob, which does not
have detents, and does perhaps 8 increments or decrements per revolution. I
recommend having someone watch the rig's display for setting some of these,
but have adjusted the transmit bandwidth, processor level and noise blanker
level. For all settings, if you turn the clarifier knob far enough
counter-clockwise, you will be at the minimum menu setting; clockwise for
maximum; further turns in the minimum or maximum direction do not cause
further changes. In other words, the settings on any particular menu item
do not wrap. Using the Custom Settings switch is important, though, because
the menu selection process does wrap, and it can be adjusted either with the
detented Select switch or with the main tuning knob, which is not detented
and gives you no indication when you have jumped from one menu item to
another.
So far I like the receiver's sensitivity, selectivity options and dynamic
range. I like the noise blanker, but have not found the dynamic noise
reduction to be all that useful.
This is not a simple radio, and I'm going to enjoy it more when I get on CW
with it. I have more to learn, including how to make the best use of Ham
Radio Deluxe and other control software. Later.
73,
Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, Maryland
Home: http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work: http://www.loc.gov/nls
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lloyd Rasmussen [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 11:14 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: RE: FT-950 Status
>
> I now have the computer interface working. I can read frequency, mode, S-
> meter reading and some other parameters in Ham Radio Deluxe. I don't know
> yet how to control anything, nor how to get into the 950's menus. Still
> more later.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:BLIND-
> [log in to unmask]]
> > On Behalf Of Lloyd Rasmussen
> > Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 10:36 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: FT-950 Status
> >
> > My Yaesu FT-950 arrived last week after a minor hassle with UPS. So far
> I
> > have listened a lot, worked my brother on 20 meter SSB, and TI and 6Y5
> on
> > 75. I have to do some more wiring to get a keyer paddle hooked up.
> >
> > There are 58 pushbuttons and 9 knobs on this rig. It is easy to get
> into
> > a
> > mode where you are running split, are transmitting on the wrong VFO, or
> > other things. But I currently have the hang of entering frequencies
> from
> > the keypad, adjusting bandwidth, IF shift, attenuation, preamps, AGC and
> > more. I am happy with the receive performance so far, and my brother
> says
> > the Heil mike sounds especially good.
> >
> > My first attempts to connect to the rig using Ham Radio Deluxe have been
> > unsuccessful. I am trying to do it through a USB to serial adapter.
> Much
> > more to learn and many more experiments to do. And I'm not sure that
> HRD
> > can currently show me my menu settings, which is one of the things I
> want
> > to
> > be able to do. So I don't have the dynamic noise filter set as a custom
> > setting, and the VOX sensitivity is too high to be useful until I get
> into
> > that menu.
> >
> > More info later.
> >
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