Yaesu FT-710 FT8 - last try!

Having tried most things, I shall give my FT-710AESS one more try on FT8. 

So far, everything I have tried has failed. If it is something I am doing wrong, I have yet to find out what it is! All the drivers are installed, port selection is correct, port properties are correct, rig selection is correct, RTS is selected (as they say), but still CAT fails to work. 

If this fails, the rig will have to go back. I really hope I can crack it. It should not be this hard. If the rig is working, I fail to see why this popular mode is so difficult.

If you have one of these rigs, please tell me your FT8 settings both on the transceiver and WSJT-X. I thought mine were all correct, but obviously not.

FT-710 and FT8

This afternoon, I shall have a go at getting FT8 working on the Yaesu FT-710AESS.  It requires some drivers downloading first. There are several YouTube videos which should help.

FT-710AESS and 4m

Until today, I did not realise that 4m has to be enabled on this rig.  As it comes, both 70 MHz and UK 5 MHz bands have to be enabled. I thought these already were!

A very helpful phone call and email from Steve Venner at MLS explained how to do this (it was very easy), and I now have power on 4m. It is also meant to enable 60m UK allocations with the same mods although I have not yet checked.

I have still to test the rig fully. Steve is also checking the AESS functionality on the MLS demo rig. I must say, Steve was very helpful.

Apart from the AESS function, I am very pleased with the rig so far.

I traded in my IC-705, but have not yet received a credit on my card. I guess they have to check it all first. It is mint. It was a very good rig.

UPDATE 1529z: The 2m big-wheel and feeder does match on 4m (I am pleased to say) using the internal auto-ATU on the FT-710. No doubt a dedicated 4m antenna would be much better, but this is a start. I have not even started on the DSP and filter options! I hope to go on the 4m activity contest (March 15th) with this compromise antenna. I think this is a Tuesday.

Reset done on the FT-710AESS

Just now, I did a microprocessor reset on the FT-710AESS. Indeed the audio does come out of both speakers, but there still seems far more from the external speaker irrespective of the AESS balance. Overall, I am not impressed with this AESS "feature". The rest of the rig seems excellent.  At QRP levels, I doubt I shall hear the fan very often! In fact, I have never heard it yet!

UPDATE  1638z:   Must try the transceiver with FT8 soon.

FT-710 full reset

MLS have told me it is safe to do a full reset on this rig and I shall not lose 5 MHz and 70 MHz by doing so. Shortly I shall try this in the hope it fixes my issue with AESS not working.  

They also tell me the fan comes on only when necessary. At QRP levels, this should be very infrequently.

UPDATE 2053z:  Reset not yet tried.

Yaesu FT-710AESS first impressions

Yesterday, I fired up my Yaesu FT-710AESS for the first time. It is very highly rated on the Sherwood tests coming 4th. 

As a dedicated QRPer, it will be used mostly on its lowest power (5W), although I may run 10W PEP on SSB. It is capable of 100W on the HF bands. It does not cover 2m and 70cm, but does include 4m.  

Everything (I think) seems OK, although the AESS appears not to work, merely switching to the external loudspeaker irrespective of the degree of balance. 

The fan (which used to be on all the time in first versions) appears not to be on. I am not sure if this was changed to come on only when the rig is hot. I want to do a full reset, but want to talk with MLS first in case this loses me 5 MHz and 70 MHz bands.

I am hoping the AESS issue is "finger trouble", although I did everything as stated in the manual (I thought). If the reset does not fix the issue and I cannot find something simple that I am doing wrong, it will have to go back to MLS under warranty. Otherwise it is a good buy.

UPDATE 1546z:  I tried making sure the external LS was connected before turning the rig on, but sadly this did not change things. I have asked MLS about a reset and the fan. I hope the rig does not have to be returned under guarantee as otherwise it is a fine radio.