Yaesu FT-991

The FT-991 is an all mode, all band MF/HF/VHF/UHF transceiver with C4FM (System Fusion) Digital capability. The FT-991 includes multi-mode operation on CW, AM, FM, SSB, and Digital Modes (Packet, PSK31, RTTY and C4FM), with 100 Watts of HF/50mhz Capability (50 Watts VHF/UHF).

Full color 3.5" TFT Touch panel display, High Speed Spectrum scope with ASC (Automatic Spectrum-scope control) built right in. Internal Automatic Antenna Tuner.

This receiver has a feature to auto detect the repeater output and use the correct mode, analog or digital on a repeater.

review

I had a change to experiment with the FT-991 for an afternoon. The initial frustration I had is that when trying to use one of the many buttons clustered around the VFO my had would touch the knob and inadvertently change the frequency. To me it seemed the buttons were too small and too close with the VFO knob.

Yaesu Fusion C4FM digital sounds slightly better than D-Star. I think more of the voice spectrum is captured. Like all digital modes there is some individuality lost in the person's voice, where on analog I can tell who someone is by voice and can't with the digital mode without looking.

I am not a fan of touchscreen anything so trying to navigate the touchscreen menus was not easy for me.

Yaesu should include more channel memories. The 100 channel limitation is out of date.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a compact all mode digital capable receiver, this one will do the job. Due to an aggressive repeater marketing strategy it is likely that the number of Fusion repeaters will inevitably outnumber D-Star in many areas. If you're on a budget and are looking for an all mode transceiver that is digital mode capable, this one will fit the bill.