Yaesu FC-50 Antenna Tuner with the FT-891
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- Опубликовано: 3 янв 2021
- Philip, one of my subscribers, asked if I would shoot a video showing the Yaesu FC-50 antenna tuner in action and explain how I use it. Philip specifically asked if I keep the tuner enabled while tuning around a band. In this video I answer Philip’s question and offer additional tips related to the Yaesu FC-50 antenna tuner.
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73, de N4HNH 
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Doug -- Thank you so much(!) for the video explanation of the 891 / FC-50 combo. Wishing you and yours a Blessed 2021.
You’re quite welcome Philip! I hope the video helped. 73, Doug
I really like your videos on the Ft-891.
Very informative and I have learned so much as to how to get the most out of mine.
Now I have to get one of those tuners, currently using an MFJ993B in my 18 wheel mobile.
Great content.
73, K4RRC
Thanks for letting me know, Randall! I’m so glad to hear that you found the videos helpful. 73, Doug
Interesting to see just how different it is to the ATAS120a. My FT891 in the car (likely to come inside soon to an FC-50) is on the ATAS and a press of the tuner literally tunes that frequency rather than an on/off and long press like you have here. I love the FT891 in the car.
Best FC-50 video on RUclips!
Thank you Jeff! 73, Doug
Agree
Love this radio!!!
It’s a great radio.
thanks 73 from kb2uew
You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH
Is the FC50 a good choice for portable ops with the FT891 Doug? Taking away on family holidays and operating from a cottage for example? I use a resonant antenna with my FT891 most of the time (Slidewinder DX), but it would be nice to just be able to touch it up instead of having to go out and manually adjusting it all the time. And what are your thoughts on the FT818? I have found a store in the UK with a couple left and thought it might be nice to grab one while I can.
Hi John! Yes indeed! The FC-50 can transform up to a 3:1 SWR to 50 Ohms, so the FT-891 will deliver its full power to the antenna system. Before I got the ATAS-120A, the FC-50 touched up my ham stick antennas, because the SWR at the band edges would reach well over 2:1.
I hope you have a great holiday.
73, Doug
Two questions: I currently have my 891 mounted on my dashboard using the mounting bracket that came with the radio. If I attach the FC-50 auto tuner to the 891 with the brackets that come with the tuner, will I still be able to mount it to the same place on my dashboard with the bracket that came with the radio?
Also, when using the FC-50 auto tuner, do I need to go into the menu on the FT-891 and change auto tuner to external or Lamp? TNX
The bracket for my radio is still there. It is holding the assembly to the gooseneck mount, just like it did before the FC-50 was added. The bracket that comes with the FC-50 simply serves to make the radio and FC-50 become one.
There is a TUNER SELECT menu (#16-15) to set the FT-891 to use an EXTERNAL tuner.
73, de N4HNH
Doug: For instance (given the exact same frequency), say we're on 20-meters and the SWR reads 1:2. In another situation, what would make that SWR drastically change to another reading? 🤔 Thank you.
Same frequency as before with 1.2:1? Assuming mobile. Check coax connection at both ends, especially the end connecting to the antenna. Mine is exposed to the wind that passes over the roof of my truck.
If you’re using a ham stick, you will need to tune the band edges, especially for 7MHz and lower. The ham sticks aren’t broad enough to cover the entire band at under a 2:1 SWR.
73, de N4HNH
I like this tuner but i am having trouble deciding between it and the LDG Z-100PLUS, which can do 10:1 and draws only 200mA when tuning, 100mA on idle.
I would decide based upon the antenna system I plan to use, or the price. I use Ham Sticks, one per band. The FC-50 touches up the band edges. It is what I call a touch-up tuner, since it only matches up to a 3:1. If you plan to use non-resonant antennas, you will need the wider-range tuner. It just isn’t as convenient as the FC-50.
A long-press of the Tuner button, I assigned to key A, is all I have to do to let the tuner find and store a match. After that, I do nothing. As I rotate the VFO, the FC-50 tracks the frequency changes and recalls the appropriate match. It is fully automated.
I can tap the Tuner button, that I assigned to the A button, to toggle the tuner on or off. I leave it off until I’m ready to transmit. This saves the battery, if operating on emergency power. I don’t worry about it while driving in the truck.
73, de N4HNH
Great video! Thank you for it. I run the 891 with the FC 50 also for portable operation using a Super Antenna the MP1. Question: How can I cancel all of the saved tuned freqs? Thanks
With the FC-30 it is dip switch S1003, position 4, but the FC-50 manual warns not to touch any switch except position 8 of S1003. Switch position 8 enables or disables RX tuning.
That said, there are 200 memories. If you use up all 200, it should begin over-writing as needed. I never think about it. I just long press the TNR button when my SWR is above 1.5:1 and I let the tuner handle it.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Thank you for your reply. I still have alot to learn with the 891 and 50. I like the radio. I'm gradually getting versed in learning all the menu options. Again thank you...73. Harold
You’re very welcome Harold! The FT-891 doesn’t seem to get the credit it deserves. It’s hard to believe that’s so much technology is in that small housing.
73, Doug
@@n4hnhradio AGREE absolute
Doug, did you configure DIP switch 8 in the tuner which enables the tuner in recieve per setup instructions.
No need to set the DIP switch for RX since this is a mobile installation. For base station I would. I don’t need the extra sensitivity for mobile use. There is already power line noise, traffic lights, burglar alarms, door openers, engine noise, wind noise, etc. I run IPO most of the time, so I definitely don’t need more sensitivity. NOTE: I’m no longer using the FC-50, since I switched to the ATAS-120A. I shot a series about that changeover. Since the ATAS-120A actually tunes to the exact frequency, it is sensitive on RX, thus I use IPO even more.
Good job!
Thank you! I appreciate you visiting my channel.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I am not quite certain about the concept of the tuner only acting as a "fine tuner" but let me watch this a few more times and I think I'll get it. You see, I am in the market for exactly the set up you have (not for mobile use, however) And, since I only have so-called compromise antennas, I really do need a tuner. If I have more questions, I'll send them along to you if you don't mind. '73 de WA2TVN
I call it a touch-up tuner because most antenna tuners included in radios today can only match up to a 3:1 SWR. They are not wide-range tuners. For that you have to look at MFJ, LDG, Palstar, etc. The “touch-up” tuner can touch up an antenna that exhibits a 3:1 SWR or less, or is already resonant in a portion of the band it is designed for and you need to touch-up the other areas. It’s difficult to make or buy an antenna that maintains a SWR of less than 2:1 across 160, 80, or 40 meters. A touch-up tuner will make the band edges appear acceptable to the radio.
That said, the tuner in my 1991 era Yaesu FT-890/AT can match a 10-meter Hamstick antenna for use on 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 meters. It has a wide-range ATU built into the radio. But as the radios have gotten smaller, the “antenna tuners” are limited.
For base station operation, I like the ZS6BKW or an OCF dipole. They exhibit less than a 3:1 on multiple bands. The ZS6BKW from NI4L.com exhibits less than 2:1 on 40, 20, 17, 12, and the FM portion of the 10-meter band. The “touch-up” tuners can usually match it on a couple more bands, including 80-meters.
I hope this helps.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio I cannot thank you enough for your exteneded reply. Thisis the kind of information that is hard to come by where I live since most of the older hams that I knew passed away ...and the youngsters either are not interested and would rather play video games. My directo email is poncepr@gmail.com and I am listed in QRZ.com as well. It's a long story but, I used to have access to a nice 40ft tower wtiht a 3-element beam. No longer. So I have to string wires this Spring. The weather where I live doees not get human until April (it's snowing right now, for example) Let's keep in touch. '73 LMC WA2TVN
I have never had a tower or beam. I use mostly wire antennas. I am proof that you can enjoy amateur radio with wire antennas.
Doug: What Yaesu desk mike is compatible with the FT-891 (M-70?), perhaps. Have you ever used a desk mike on the 891? Thank you.
I covered the subject in the FT-891 playlist. Yes to MD-100 and M-70.
Doug: I'm thinking of going "back-to-basics".....what cross-needle manual antenna tuner would you recommend to accompany a Yaesu FT-891?? Is it feasible, worth the effort, sensible, etc.??
I’m not a fan of MFJ normally but I have had very good results from their antenna matching units and their dummy loads. I use an MFJ-989C, aka VersaTuner V. My exact model is no longer available but MFJ still makes a VersaTuner product line. My advice is to buy one rated for twice the power you expect to run.
If you aren’t using an amplifier, the MFJ-939Y can handle up to 200W and match up to a 32:1 SWR. But it’s an automatic tuner. I featured it in this video: ruclips.net/video/7tDSIURusS8/видео.htmlsi=u7TPmqLfZyMNYwWC
I have the LDG Z-11 Pro but haven't installed it or the radio yet. Is there an advantage of running the FC50 over an LDG? I went with the LDG since it was $150 and the FC50 was $300.
Good vid!
The FC-50 mates up to the FT-891, so the two become like 1. It is convenient because it is controlled by one button on the FT-891. I assign my A button to the tuner.
The LDG is a broad range tuner. The FC-50 can only touch up an SWR of 3:1 or less. I use ham stick antennas, one for each band. The FC-50 touches up the SWR at the band edges, which is necessary for 40, 60, and 75 meters.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Very nice. I'll mainly be running the ATAS120 on my semi and was thinking the Shark ham sticks would work on my Suburban when I have the 891 in that while home. I sure like the looks and efficiency of the FC-50!
By the time I get an antenna switch, 2 ham sticks (20m/40m) and a tuner, I may be $$ a head just just get another ATAS120 that would work 6-80? Like they say, money will buy anything!
2 Hamsticks would look cooler than one ATAS120 :)
Did you open the tuner up and set the DIP switches to receive as stated in the manual?
I did not enable the RX tuning, if that is what you are referring to. There is no need for that with a ham stick antenna. The antenna is already close to resonance. The FC-50 is only a “touch-up” tuner. Plus, I’m using this in my truck. I don’t need extra RX sensitivity with a mobile. There is always road noise with a mobile, plus noise from power lines. I use IPO. So I’m already lowering the sensitivity to improve the S/N ratio.
I'm just getting into ham and have this combo on order. How neccesary is the tuner?
The use of the tuner is optional. If you have an antenna that is resonant for every band you intend to use, the tuner will not be needed. Generally though, on 40 meters, 80 meters, and 160 meters, even a resonant antenna is only resonant on a specific region of the band. If you will operate SSB only, in the General Class portion of 80 meters, tune your antenna for the lowest SWR on 3.9 MHz. For 160 meters tune for 1.925 MHz. For 40 meters tune for 7.200 MHz. For 20 meters and up, if you tune to the center of the band, the SWR should remain low enough to cover the entire band, though it may get close to a 2:1 on the band edges of 20, 15, and 10 meters.
A tuner like the FC-50 is what I call a touch-up tuner. It can take up to a 3:1 SWR and drop it well below 1.5:1, which is ideal. My mobile setup uses a separate “ham stick” antenna for each band. I use the FC-50 to touch up the SWR for the upper and lower portions of each band. But for 20m and up I don’t need it.
For a base station, a common antenna is the Off-center Fed Dipole, which is below a 2:1 SWR on 6, 10, 12, 17, 20, and 40 meters. With a tuner the antenna can usually be used on 15, 30, 60, and 80 meters. Another antenna I recommend is the ZS6BKW. You can build one but it’s hard to build one better than the one available from NI4L.com. This antenna works on the FM portion of 10 meters, all of 12, 17, 20, and 40 meters without a tuner. With a tuner it works on the other bands except 160 meters.
The FC-50 is not a wide range tuner. It’s the same as most tuners that are built into the larger modern radios. It can touch a nearly resonant antenna. For antennas that have a 4:1 or higher SWR, a wife range tuner will be required. But if you purchase a OCF Dipole or the ZS6BKW for base station use, the FC-50 can help you operate the full range of most bands except 160 meters. 160 meters requires a longer antenna.
You didn’t specify mobile or base so I thought I would cover both.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio Wow, thanks for the reply. Im using it as a base station and have an ocf dipole up in the attic. Currently just listening in on the bands as I study for my license. Eventually I'll probably get another unit and transfer this for mobile use but right now it's my base station.
@@Gilbertmk2 I am in the process of the doing the same thing. Can I ask what antenna you are using ? Did you buy or make your own ? Thanks.
Hiya! i have one of these radios and i'm trying to learn my way around it. i'm on channels from Maritime HF SSB Simplex Channels guide as i'm here on my sailboat. When i key up i get no indicator that i have any pwr output. inversely, i have a friend in texas keying up and i can't hear him. lastly i have the at-40 hooked up to the radio and only part of the time will it adjust when using the TNR function. the rest of the time it gives a little double beep sound and i'm guessing i'm doinog this wrong! haha. i'd sincerely love an assist! halp?
The double-beep usually indicates that the tuner cannot find a match. If you also can’t hear your friend in Texas, it might indicate that the antenna SWR is too far above a 3:1 SWR.
73, de N4HNH
@@n4hnhradio the not finding a match thing - thats super curious to me. i installed a professionally made ant that stretches 35 feet up the backstay of my boat (isolated of course), with a KISS ground plane, both connected to the at40, which then has the standard coax and data connector to the ft-891. I'm at a loss as to what else i might change hardware wise to get this system online. I also have a rigexpert ti-3000 set up and it is doing a fantastic job giving me weather fax images and navtex, i just can't communicate with it :P I'd love to know what i did wrong, or maybe even that i have to buy another at40 maybe (i've heard it auto tune 3 or 4 times but not every time) or maybe i'm not configured right. i dunno. but i'm at a dead end and trying to figure out what to do with this thing before i just uninstall it from the boat and leave it in a box on the side of the road.
It might be worth a phone call to Yaesu. I don’t have an AT-40 to try. My FT-891 is used with ham stick antennas. The FC-50 easily touches the up so I get a 1.1:1 across the band.
If you can borrow an antenna analyzer it might reveal the issue. Since you can’t receive well either, it sure seems to point to an insufficient counterpoise. The KISS should provide that. Maybe double-check every connection
73. De N4HNH
Are these radios any good on am?
I’ve used mine on AM and it works fine.
73, de N4HNH
What does IPO mean on the display?
IPO is intercept Point Optimization. I cover that extensively in other videos.
💎💪🍀👋👋👋👋
I love this one just because of the "air capacitor". Sorry it is the FC-20, NOT FC-50 HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
so boring
TNX, 73. TA1BP
You’re very welcome! 73, de N4HNH