Detection frequency precision of CW-DET.

Add MENU #87 and #90 (Available Values:  APF/CONTOUR/APF&CONTOUR).  

Press the [CONT] switch for 2 seconds to activate the APF (Audio Peak Filter) which provides a very narrow audio filter in CW mode.

Ver. 11.50 (EDSP)  15-Feb-2009

Corrects a low audio problem found in Ver. 11.45. 

Corrects the CW-DET indication problem found in Ver. 11.45.

Ver. 0512   31-Mar-2009

When AFP is active the control LED can be selected to blink or steady. The timing of the AFP blinking indicator can be selected MENU # 023 (STEADY ON or BLINKING 1 ~ 60 sec).   (Al's note....if you set the value to 5 it will blink every 5 seconds)

The CW-DET indication is improved.

Corrects the CAT MG command.

Falsing of LEVEL INDICATORS is improved.   (Al's note...corrects display of erratic speed display as reported by Bob KW4CQ)

Frequency or Level display is shown instantly when the VFO knob or level adjustment knob is rotated (Level items turned on listed in MENU 22).

Ver. 0513   2-Apr-2009

Correct the PC keying.

Change the adjustment characteristic of the TX power control. (After installing V0513, you should verify your TX power level settings)

The level indication requires a quicker knob rotation to activate, before making fine adjustments. A slow knob rotation may not activate the display

Ver. 0514   9-May-2009

- Improve response time of the values indicated on the VFD display.  (CW Speed display, DNR, etc now displays more rapidly....Al's note)

- Correct the PC-keying.

- Correct the INDICATOR VOX-DELAY.

- Correct the AM reception GAIN.

- Correct the MEMORY KEYER output.

Ver. 11.53 (EDSP)  9-May-2009

- The DNR algorithm is not reset between TX/RX, to eliminate the increased receive noise after a transmission.

- Increase the response of the compression level meter in conjunction with the PROC knob. (Max up to 12dB).

Ver. 0515   23-Jul-2009

- The REC (Record Function) setting will be recalled when the power is turned on if REC was turned on before power was turned off

-  The CAT MW command is corrected

- In the QMB-MT mode, when the VFO frequency is moved, the memory channel indication is cleared to 0.000.

 -The DSP firmware write mode may be accessed by pressing [CONT] + [DNR] while pressing Power On.

- Holding of the [down]F6 or [up]F7 keys will permit scrolling through the DMU [MCH-LIST], when the DMU-9000 is installed.

- The FH-2 [down][up] keys are made the same function as the MIC-UP/DN keys. 

- In 30-500 kHz BAND operation, the IPO is always ON.  (LED does not light)

- When there is no SUB receiver installed, the SUB-DNR, and SUB-CONT level indicators will not be displayed.

Ver. DMU 420   18-Aug-2009

Ver. 0518   30-Nov-2009  (Al's note....there is no V516 and V517)

• The CW MEMORY KEYER MESSAGE TEXT save is corrected.

• The FH-2 [<-][->] keys are made to increment the frequency at 100kHz up or down.

• CW carrier is corrected to change LSB ⇔ USB when the indication is changed on VFO B.

• Correct the CW Auto Mode.

• DMU Band Scope Display Signal Peak Frequency is centered.

Ver. 11.54 (EDSP)  5-APR-2010

The current release is EDSP V11.54 for current production units for the FTdx9000, FT2000 and FT950. Between 11.53 and 11.54 there was a slight correction of the FM transmit frequency offset. We have released this on the website however there is really no necessity to install this version as all other performance is not affected. 

CHANGE: Corrected FM TX for a slight frequency offset.

Ver. 0519 24-Apr-2010

KEYER: The extraneous “dot” memory is eliminated during rapid keying when the dash output starts.

CAT: Correct the 1.5 kHz shift when CAT “FA” command is used to change frequency on the 5MHz band. 

SCOPE: The right edge signal position on the display is corrected. 

SCOPE: The left edge signal is corrected when the frequency is changed on the display.

SCOPE: The 1.5 kHz SSB shift in DUAL MODE is corrected.

Ver. 0521 28-Aug-2010  (Al's note....there is no V520)

SPLIT MODE: In Split different mode operation between VFO-A and VFO-B, the DMU display is corrected

to show operation.

POWER: Stabilize initial power on display.

Ver. 524 8-Oct-2011  (Al's note: there is no 522 or 523)

Long press the [RX-B] button, to access TRACKING MENU; long press the [RX-B], again to toggle back to normal.

The beacon setting MENU time is changed. The new setting is up to 690 seconds.

Corrected the DMU (SCP) FIX mode, upper band limit out of range.

Ver 525 3-Mar-2012

 - The USA 5MHz (60m) channel frequency change US3 (5.368MHz to 5.3585MHz).
- Permit CW transmission on the USA 5MHz (60m) channels US6 - US0.
- Changed the MIC-GAIN level indication of AM/FM to the MENU setting value.
- Disabled the PROC function in AM/FM.

NOTES: After installing main software;
- For US1 - US5 channels the USB mode is fixed. For channels US6 - US0 the CW-USB mode is fixed.
- PKT-PTT transmissions will disconnect the microphone.
- The TNC (PSK sub carrier) setting must be 1.5 KHz.

FTDX9000 Serial Number Format

This is not new - it's just for reference.   Use this conversion table to decode your serial number. 

CAT control Software

Lou / N2TU

A little history is in order here...if you do a search in the FTDX9000 forum archives, you will see that some developers had problems with their programs due to a mis-definition of the FT command in the Operations Manual. In order to get around this, they ingeniously developed programs to accommodate the FT command and the pre-PEP processing slowness.

When the PEP 9000 was released with its updated CAT FT structure, there needed to be some "tweaking" of the CAT, which has been successfully completed by Japan. Additionally, the developers of the above mentioned software were made aware of these changes and either have, or will be, modifying their rig files or programs. The third possibility is that no change is required because their program works with the existing CAT FT command.

Basically, Yaesu has now aligned the CAT FT commands for the 9000 PEP, 2000 and 950. I am unaware of any revisions to the pre PEP CT Command structure.

The purpose of my testing was to make sure the PEP would work some current logging and contest programs.  Seeing I am only familiar with a few, DX4WIN, DX Labs and N1MM, those were the ones I chose for my "test". Test was in quotes because, I did not test all of the functions of these programs, only their ability to function with the PEP on simplex and split spots.

The FT Commands are exactly the same as the current FT-2000/D and the FT-950.

FT0 Command is the same as TX-VFO-A button on the radio
FT1 Command is the same as TX-VFO-B button on the radio 
(FT0 and FT1 are used to toggle between the TX-A and TX-B VFOs)
FT2 Command is for VFO A-TX (no toggle)
FT3 Command is for VFO B-TX (no toggle)
FT0 – FT3 should not affect any RX functions A or B VFO:

And more great news! The CAT Operations Manual for the FT9000PEP is going to be revised next week to reflect the above, along with the FT2000 CAT manual (there were some minor omissions).

Contour Function Enhancements

Summary of enhancements

► Whether the Contour function operates in the peaking or nulling mode depends on the value set in menu item #86. 

► The negative values have a very noticeable and increasing effect as you move towards the maximum of -40

► The positive values provide peaking as the value is increased to a maximum of +20. 

► The contour control determines the frequency for the peaking or nulling and is displayed on the screen as you move the contour control. 

► Menu item #22 determines whether the frequency is displayed (or not) for this control as well as other user selected controls. 

► AutoPeaking mode only works for CW mode

► The contour control does not do anything when in AutoPeaking mode  (except the frequency on the display changes which could lead you to think you are doing something)

► AutoPeaking overrides the normal action of the contour function and takes effect regardless of whether the normal action is peaking or nulling

► The amount of peaking is fixed (it's a special mode and it does not matter what you have set in menu 86)

► The function of the AutoPeaking mode is to significantly narrow the AUDIO bandwidth which reduces the level of nearby signals and noise.   This reminds me of the audio DSP on the FT-920 which I really liked.    Easy listening for most CW signals. 

► Menu item #23 controls whether this mode is identified with a steady or blinking leg starting with V512.

Power Meter

A small number of early production FTdx9000 power meters did not have the log power scale.   As part of PEP they will be replaced with new ones that have the log scale on them to permit easier reading between 0 to 100 watts. 

Please see the photo.  The new meter is on the left....note the addition of 10 & 50 on the power line.

They are both RMS reading, not PEP.

FT DX 9000 Options and Accessories

City Names & Custom City Names

The DMU/TFT option provides a number of graphical screens that you can configure.  The default city name on the screens and world map is Tokyo.   You can change the primary city and add a second city that will appear on most of the screens.  You can add up to 9 more cities to the MAP screen.   The documentation in the TFT manual has been improved but this process can be confusing.  Below is a snapshot of page 9 from the TFT document with a few notes that may help. 

If you want to enter city name that is not on the list of factory supplied names, you can do that.  You need to connect a keyboard to the rig before you power it up so it will be ready when you get to step #7.   Note prior to getting to the point of editing in your city name, in step #6, just pick one that is in the same country (and state if possible) and the time information will probably be correct with having to make additional edits.

OCXO Xtal oven failure

There have been a few cases of the oven failing.  Here are the symptoms, how to verify the failure and replace the oven.  If you need a new OCXO, it is very easy to replace. There are four screws and two connectors. No alignment is needed.

Symptom:

If the oven fails the frequency always goes low. Normally at 50 MHz the frequency should be within 10 Hz. You can check the oven by removing the right side cover. Then you will be able to see the OCXO, it is a 2 inch square metal can (Please see the below image for the OCXO location). Turn on the main power and after about 10 minutes touch the OCXO and it should feel warm, about 100 degrees. If the OCXO is not warm it must be replaced.

Replacement Procedure:

1.  Remove the four screws from the corners of the OCXO assembly board.

2.  Remove the Red and Black wire connector form J3501 on the top of the OCXO assembly board

3.  Remove the coax cable from J3502 on the bottom of the OCXO assembly board. Please see the image below.

4.  Install the new OCXO assembly by reversing the above procedure.

5.  Do not align any adjustments. The OCXO is factory aligned.

The new part number for the OCXO is REF-Unit board, Part CB3075001 as (H9500870) has been discontinued

FAQs

Q - External Monitors -  What is a good size for the external monitor?  What is the resolution?  What about that 1.5 inch black band on the bottom?

A - Standard aspect ratio external monitors in the 15 - 19 inch range work fine.  (see the pix in the gallery above of my 17 inch monitor).   The resolution is fixed at 800 x 600.  There is a blank band at the bottom of the display.  (the actual display area  appears to be about 800 X 500 and correlates to the aspect ratio of the internal TFT) .   Using a wide screen display does not eliminate the band.   If anyone has different information about this, please send me a pix and the details and I'll post it here.

Q - I plugged in my external monitor but it's not working.  What now?

A - There are no special menu settings needed but the DMU has to "see" the new monitor.  Turn off the main power switch (not just the front panel switch).  Wait one (1) minute.  Turn the main power back on.  Power up the rig from the front panel.   The monitor should be working now. 

Q - Software updates -  Do I have to install any updates I missed to get all of the enhancements or can I just install the latest one?

A - Each update contains all of the previous changes so you only have to install the latest one.

Q - uTuning option - I'm ordering  a contest model.   Are the uTuning options worthwhile?

A - In many cases they reduce or eliminate the problems associated with a nearby (and strong) station that could overload the front end.   They are not in-expensive but do work well and I use them frequently.  

Q - On the contest model, can I add the options like the uTuning units or DMU later if I don't get them initially?

A - Yes, the options can be added but it requires a trip back to the service center.  They are not user installable per Yaesu.  However, for the uTune units see the section above regarding self installation. 

Q - Dual receive on the contest model - Can I listen to both VFO-A and VFO-B at the same time on my Contest model?

A - Yes, but only if you have the optional second receiver installed.  Otherwise it is one signal at a time.  Without the second receiver, you can receive on one VFO and transmit on the other.  You can also toggle between the VFOs.

Q - Menu 21 & 22 display options - I'm trying to turn off the display on some of the options but when I rotate the selector the the options just scroll by. 

A - Use the ENT button to toggle the ON/OFF setting for the specific option.

Q - TX problem - When I turn on radio the TX led is flashing but the rig won't transmit....what is going on?

A - Try disconnecting you microphone, key or any other accessory/cable that may be stuck "key down."   The rig will not let you accidentally transmit when one of the transmit switches is set in the transmit mode at power up.   Transmit is locked out until the problem is corrected and the transceiver is powered up again.

Q - Software version - After I finished my software update and used the 50, GEN, ENT salute to see the software version, all I see is 7.0000MHZ.  What is going on?

A - Most likely one of the buttons was not depressed.   After doing an update the default band on startup is 7.0000 MHZ and if you aren't holding all three buttons down this is what you will see.

Q - CW Speed display - How can I tell the current keyer speed setting?

A - The speed is dispayed momentarily when you adjust the SPEED control.  You can also cause the speed to be displayed by pressing and holding the KEYER button.  It will "double beep" and then display the current speed for as long as you hold the button.   This does not toggle (or turn off) the keyer if you have it engaged.   It does not toggle (or turn on) the keyer if you don't have it engaged.  It merely displays the keyer speed setting. 

Q - PEP Packing slip - What does "DO NOT USE PER MIKI MARUYA "  on the packing slip mean?   Is there a problem?

A - No problem, the phrase "DO NOT USE" is for internal use ONLY. It just means that those parts are for the PEP-9000 upgrades, and NOT to be used for the regular repairs.

Q - I'm looking for one of the older versions of the software for my 9000.   Where can I find it?

A - All of the older versions of the software, manuals, etc are available on the Yaesu "Owners Corner."   Click here for more from section on software updates. 

Q - Are there any options to save, share, and restore the menu and memory settings (other than using the CF card)?

A - The very useful and FREE FTdx9000 Memory & Menu Manager Software by HB9ZS for Storing, Backup, Managing, Saving, Emailing, Restoring, is available at: http://www.qslnet.de/member/hb9zs/ft9000/

Q - Is there any way to use the 2 receivers for diversity reception?

A - Yes, here are the steps.  Set the 2 VFOs to the same frequency (press the A=B button).   Set the menu item "tracking" (#40) to "freq."   Now, when you tune VFO A, VFO B will follow.  Tnx to Gaby/F5PSI for the info.   

Joe / K2XX adds he has been using diversity reception with the 9000D on 80M with different antennas on each VFO. It works well, but if you accidentally hit the VFO B knob, you can lose synchronization. It can be restored easily with the A=B button, but you have to be aware that the antenna connected to VFO B will also be changed to the same as VFO A. The original antenna on VFO B has to be manually restored.

Q - Why does the CW auto mode not work sometimes? 

A - Here is an explanation. 

1. If you go into the SSB mode and BRK-IN was previously enabled in the CW mode, all is OK....the rig goes to CW as described in the Manual as soon as you tap the CW key. (Menu 53 must be set to ON.)

2. If you go into the SSB mode and BRK-IN was not previously enabled in the CW mode, CW Auto does not work...the rig does not go into CW as described in the Manual. Regardless of the setting of Menu 53.

So be aware, CW Auto Mode will only work if BK-IN was set in the CW mode **before** switching to the SSB mode. Paul/W3GQ and Jon/W5AEM noticed this anomaly with the CW Auto Mode operating procedure in the FT2K series.   Lou / N2TU worked with Yaesu and advises this also affects the 9000 & 950 series.  Yaesu will update the manual with this information.

Q - Where can I find a copy of the Service Manual?

A - Google  "FTDX9000 Service manual" and you will find several sources.  The manual is about 40 mb and in the .pdf format.  Here is one URL:

Q - Why are there 2 different versions of DMU software?   (for example 4.20 and 5.10)

A - There are 2 different versions of the CPU used so that is why there are 2 different versions of the BIOS.  Click for more information at the software history section for the DMU 420 update.

Q - Why is the fan running even when I first turn on the radio?

Info provided by Atsu/ JE1TRV.   Per Yaesu Service in Tokyo.  There are two fan modes depending on when the radio was made.   Also different thesholds are required for some country's (I didn't ask country names applicable)

[Power Supply Fan]
Mode 1: runs always.
Mode 2: runs only when temperature gets up a certain threshold.

[Main Fan - TX Fan]

Mode 1: runs from 20deg C then speed increase by 20C step.
Mode 2: runs from 40deg C then speed increase by 20C step.

The modes are NOT configurable from the operator menus and don't appear to be available from the service menus either.  Atsu had his rig set to mode 2 by returning it to the factory and reports good results and quiet operation now.

Note: The questions and answers above are based on emails I've received and feedback I've gotten from various sources.  They are not official replies from Yaesu so please take my "answers" for what they are worth.  If you have any Q&As you think might be helpful to others, please send me a note and I'll post them.