Transmit fails on FT-891

1

My results are similar to many comments found online. When I first brought out my newly purchased FT-891 and DigiRig FT-8xx to the beach to “play radio”, I was only able to make one successful FT8 QSO (for which I received an eQSL card) and then the radios failed to transmit any signal.

I’ve tried connectivity with both an FT-817 and an FT-891, both individually connected thru a recently purchased DigiRig FT-8xx, to my Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet running Win10 and WSJT-X, Ver. 2.6.1. CAT control of the attached radios is confirmed, Yaesu frequency tracks the WSJT-X settings, WSJT-X displays received FT8, etc., signals but when the time window for TX comes, up, the attached Yaesu radio goes into TX mode (either in DIG or DATA mode depending on the attached radio) and there is a TX6 entry calling CQ in the WSJT-X right window, transmitted digital data audio can be heard in the local PC speaker (after the configuration for routing audio to the local speaker is made) but there is no audio received at the attached Yaesu radio (as monitored thru connected headphones to the Yaesu radio) and there is no output RF from the Yaesu radio (which has switched into TX mode).

Both radios are configured per the generally accepted settings I’ve gathered from other more successful operators:

FT-817 DigiRig Settings
Menu Value
3 9600 MIC 100
14 CAT 38,400
24 DIG DATA 0 Hz
25 DIG MIC 50
26 DIG MODE User-U
27 DIG SHIFT 0 Hz
29 FM MIC 50
45 SQL/RF-GAIN SQL
51 VOX GAIN 50

FT-891 DigiRig Settings
Menu Value
05-06 CAT RATE 38,400
08-01 DATA MODE OTHERS
08-02 PSK TONE 1500
08-03 OTHER DSP 1500
08-04 OTHER SHIFT 1500
08-06 DATA L CUT FREQ 300
08-07 DATA H CUT FREQ 2800
08-09 DATA IN SELECT REAR
08-10 DATA PTT SELECT DAKY
08-11 DATA OUT LEAD 50
08-12 DATA BFO USB
16-03 HIGH POWER 30
16-10 DATA MIC 50

FT-891 Front Panel Menu:
AGC OFF
Bandwidth (WDH) 3,000 Hz
Processor (PRC) OFF
DNR OFF
Front Meter (MTR) POWER

I have gathered these settings used for both the FT-817 and FT-891 in one place for user comparison/comment.

After my disappointing field trials, I came home and setup these radios into a dummy load to test out different settings, but without any success. The only difference between my field trials thru a SuperAntenna vertical on the beach and my bench into a 50 Ohm load was the addition of a new LDG Z-11 Pro II tuner for the FT-891 (the FT-817 already had an LDG Z-817 tuner).

I’m not colorblind and have connected the provided analog green and black submini plugs into the respective connectors on the DigiRig Serial and Audio jacks. The radios track the WSJT-X frequency settings and shift into TX when appropriate. There is audio sent to the radios from WSJT-X but not received (as monitored by radio-connected headphones). The DigiRig Mic Audio (Recording) is set to 35 in the Windows10 Sound Control Panel.

What am I missing? Do I have a defective DigiRig unit?

73

de David/KB1MSR

1 Like
2

David, let’s look into “transmitted digital data audio can be heard in the local PC speaker” situation. This should not be the case.

Please share the screenshot of audio tab of WSJT-X settings.

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image
image844×838 16.8 KB

This is the WSTJ-X Audio Setup window.

4

I would recommend “Left” for the channel selector of the Output device, but otherwise this looks good. The TX payload should be sent to Digirig and not to the default computer playback device (speakers).

Please give that another try to confirm. Please note if the radio keys up (red LED).

5

Dennis,

I confirm that when the TUNE function of WSJT-X is initiated, the attached FT-817 goes into TX mode, the S meter changes to PO, the TX LED changes from green to red, but there is no power output from the radio. Also, per the attached image, the PC is processing analog audio thru the DigiRig USB device:

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I’d previously set the WSJT-X Audio Setup for the DigiRig Soundcard Output to Left, as directed:

image
image850×841 21.9 KB

David/KB1MSR

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Please note that for the FT-817 (and FT-891), there is no way to select the Transmit Audio Source as Rear/Data vs Front/Mic.

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image853×838 35.2 KB

David/KB1MSR

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The radio knows to use the audio from the accessory port when the PTT is triggered from accessory port or via CAT control. I see from the green bar next to the Digirig’s playback device that the interface receives the audio. You can check if it leaves the interface by plugging regular headphones into the black socket as shown here:

If you don’t get the audio on the output then I’ll get your Digirig swapped out.

2 Likes
8

Dennis,

Thank you for your assistance. The following is the updated FT-817 configuration I’ve found to work:

FT-817 DigiRig Settings
Menu Value
3 9600 MIC 100
14 CAT 38,400
24 DIG DATA 0 Hz
25 DIG MIC 50
26 DIG MODE User-U
27 DIG SHIFT 0 Hz
29 FM MIC 50
38 OP FILTER OFF
45 SQL/RF-GAIN SQL
51 VOX GAIN 50

Note that I’ve added the OP Filter setting, as there are neither an SSB or a CW filter installed in my FT-817. After disabling this setting, I checked the Audio output of the DigiRig and got blasted out of my seat with RIGHT channel-only audio. I also noted that the FT-817 now transmits at the appropriate power level chosen for each TX cycle of WJST-X.

Now, on to getting my FT-891 to send data.

Thank you again, Dennis!

David/KB1MSR

1 Like
9

Dennis,

I’ve revisited my FT-8xx cabling and swapped out the green cable (serial) for the black cable (audio) and all now is operational for the FT-891.

Enabling TX on WSJT-X after cleaning up all of the Sound settings under the FT-817 and cloning that for the FT-891 (with the appropriate Serial COM ports) now generates the TX LED on the FT-891 with appropriate RF output displayed on the radio’s Power Meter and acknowledged by my external LDG tuner as below 1.5 SWR.

Again, my hat’s off to you sir!

David/KB1MSR

3 Likes
10

Congratulations! Thanks for letting us know the good news.

73 Constrainted

12

I am also going through the same problems spend a lot of time to fix it. Result is negative :pensive: very disappointed. Still using SignalinkUSB…

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Sanjith,
The issue discussed in the thread was resolved. If you would like help with your case, please describe the symptoms, the troubleshooting steps you took and the results you received.

1 Like
14

Hi Denis, The same issue with that gentleman KB1MSR explained. I decided to spend some more time to fixing it with available information. Thank you for your kind response.

TNX
73
De VE7JAI

1 Like
15

Thank you for the update, please keep us posted on your progress with this issue.

1 Like
16

Hi Denis, I am so happy to say that, finally I will fix all the problems with the Digirig Yaesu FT891 combination. It all happened with my bad. Spend a little more time with your explanations and dive deeper in it then fix all mistakes I made in the computer settings. Thanks again.

TNX
CUAGN on Air
73
De VE7JAI

2 Likes
17

Glad to hear you are all set with your DR-891.
Will see you on the air!