AB4BJ

As I mentioned on the main page, I use the FT-2000 with a Signalink USB for PSK31 operation on 20 meters.  A while back I was looking at the HRD forum and found this helpful post about FT-2000 menu and front panel settings for optimizing PSK31 performance.  Thanks to Henk, PD5DP for posting this information.  Here’s his post:

Hi,

I have a Yaesu FT-2000 and here are my findings about my ideal settings for PSK31 and maybe all other digital modes.

First: set menu option one at the lowest rate. That’s 20. Menu option two has to be set to 0. This setting guarantees the most optimal performance for the receiving of the signals. There is no need to turn the AGC off in this case, because the FT-2000 AGC behaves very fast with this settings, because the low rate and mainly the hold setting which we set to 0 (menu option 2). Be sure that the AGC is set to FAST by pressing the AGC button. Look at the display for that. ATT = OFF, IPO = AMP2 and R.FLT = 6khz. or AUTO.

Second: PSE turn off all DSP except VRF. This means DNF, DNR, Contour and the NOTCH. All of this influence the quality of the signal received. VRF will keep unwanted signals from outside the bandpass ‘out the door’. This works fine and this way we do not have unwanted splatter and other signals created by the FT-2000 in our bandpass due to strong signals elsewhere on the HF.

Third: be sure that the IF is in the default position and set the WIDTH to the maximum. This ensures us to have to maximum passband to use for RX. This is almost a flat 4khz. Be aware that if you go to TX that the FT-2000 is capable to use this bandwith only to about 3khz. After that you have change the frequency a little up if you want to work that station.

Fourth: Set the power to maximum and if you TX listen to your own audio by turning the MONI know clockwise after you pressed the MONI button. Set the meterknob in the ALC reading position and increase the audio in DM780 till you have the disired power output without an ALC reading. A signal with an ALC reading will be a bad wide signal…so be aware of that. Also do not drive a full maximum power. It can costs your radio the finals. Not more than 50% of the maximum power will be fine. I use 25% all the time… this is 25 watts and I am not allowed to use more.

Fifth: I connected my radio to the soundcard through the packetconnector at the back of the radio. After that I had to make some adjustments in the radio menu. I increased menu item DATA OUT LVL to 100 (at the moment that is menu item 69) and menu J3E MIC SEL is changed to DATA (menu item 84 at this moment). DATA OUT LEVEL is the audio from the radio to the soundcard. J3E MIC SEL will route the TX audio from the soundcard via the PACKET connector in the radio. Some people set the radio in the PACKET mode, but there is no need to. In packet mode the passband width is smaller then in normal USB mode.

I hope this will help some people and maybe I forgot something. I am glad to hear any findings.

If you want to read his post at the forum, click here.

I am by no means an “expert” when it comes to adjusting the audio settings in the FT-2000, but through a lot of trial and error I’ve adjusted mine to the point where I get pretty good audio reports.  All it really takes is some patience and helpful hams on the air to get great sounding audio out of the FT-2000.  It also helps to benefit from those who have plowed the ground before you.  Through a lot of reading on the FT-2000 Yahoo group listserve (particularly the contributions of K3UR) and some excellent resources on the web (one of the best is by VK6HZ), I’ve at least become satisfied that my audio is in good shape.

Now, before you adopt what I’ve found to be the best settings (or what anyone else has reported), be aware that the quality of your audio is directly dependant on the quality of your voice.  The audio characteristics of your voice will in large part determine the optimal settings for your equipment, so be prepared to experiment.  That’s the nature of amateur radio anyway, right?

There are a large number of audio components designed for amateur radio and others adapted from studio use, but I’ve kept things relatively simple.  My audio chain consists of four components.

1. Apex-215 Dual Ribbon Studio Microphone (I have also used the Heil Goldline GM-4)
2. W2IHY 8 Band Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate
3. W2IHY EQplus
4. FT-2000 Internal Mic Equalization Settings

You should always start with the obvious: Read the manuals and follow the instructions therein!  It will save you a lot of grief. 

Connecting the equipment is just as important as tweaking the settings.  My outboard components interface with the rear panel RCA audio jack on the FT-2000 (FT-2000 Manual, page 32, item 15).  I find this gives better results than going through the front panel 8 pin microphone connector.  The front panel mic connector is empty.  I have a PTT line running to the rear PTT jack (Manual, page 32, item 14) for use with a foot switch, etc.

After you get the radio’s ALC where it needs to be (mine is just below the peak of the ALC meter), then move into the adjustments of your internal EQ and outboard audio equipment.  Another great word of advice from K3UR and others: Don’t eat your mic!  You should try to stay about 3 inches or so away from the mic when adjusting your settings.

After all of the above and many QSOs where adjustments were made, here’s where I ended up with my settings:

FT-2000 (PEP version with latest updates)

With the outboard equipment in line, I leave the internal speech processor OFF (don’t confuse the speech processor with the internal mic eq).  I have placed my mic gain at level 55.  I then entered the internal menu system and made the following settings (Note: Once you make these settings, the “MIC EQ” display will light on the FT-2000 front panel.  There is no “on/off” switch for this.  It is active once you apply the EQ to your audio).

• Menu 85 = 3000
• Menu 125 = 100
• Menu 126 = 10
• Menu 127 = 2
• Menu 128 = 800
• Menu 129 = 3
• Manu 130 = 3
• Menu 131 = 2100
• Menu 132 = 8
• Menu 133 = 1

Note: the above menus are for your transmit audio when the speech processor is off.  Menus 134-142 adjust transmitted audio when the processor is active.  Again, I do not use the internal speech processor in my set-up.

W2IHY 8 Band

After the above, I made the following adjustments to the W2IHY 8 Band:

• 50 = +6
• 100 =+4
• 200 = 0
• 400 = -4
• 800 = -6
• 1600 = +2
• 2400 = +4
• 3200 = +7

W2IHY EQplus

Here are the final settings to the EQplus:

• Bass = 10 o’clock
• Treble = 2 o’clock
• Comp/downward expander = on
• Compression = 12 o’clock
• DE Level = 12 o’clock
• Output Level = 2 o’clock
• Mic = 200
• Mic Power = off
• Gain = 7 o’clock (or a little less)
• Effects = off

These settings are used for my day-to-day rag chewing and are not designed for any specific application such as contesting, chasing DX, busting pile-ups, etc.  When I want to add a bit more punch to my audio, I generally adjust the FT-2000 internal menu 85 to give the characteristic I am looking for.  For this reason, I keep the C.S. front panel button programmed with menu 85 as its shortcut.  This simplifies quick and easy audio adjustments from that menu.

As stated at the start of this post, I don’t profess to be an expert at the intricacies of FT-2000 audio processing with outboard equipment, but these settings have served me well.

I look forward to comments anyone wishes to share about this topic.   Hopefully, the more we experiment with these settings, the better we’ll sound.

Join the members of the DARC for the free Prater’s Mill Swapfest on September 12, 2009.  The DARC does not provide tables or a roof over your head for this swapfest, but bring your tailgate and table and sell your gear for no cost to you. 

The Swapfest starts at 7 a.m. and ends when everyone has sold out or is just too tired to continue.  It’s a great opportunity for fellowship with hams from around the region.

If you need directions, try one of the local repeaters and someone will probably be there to talk you in.

Here’s a map to Prater’s Mill:

Map to DARC Parter's Mill Free Hamfest

Here’s James Jordan (K4FLG) and others at last year’s event:

K4FLG is Horse Trading...

There are a number of great repeaters in the area.  Here’s a list of the most active along with information about local nets.

• 147.135(+) N4BZJ – ARES Net Sundays at 9:00 p.m. eastern
• 145.230(-) W4DRC – DARC Net Sundays at 9:30 p.m. eastern
• 146.745(-) K4WOC – CCARS Net Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. eastern
• 146.805(+) KC4AQS
• 224.680(-) N4BZJ
• 224.740(-) N4KVC
• 224.160(-) KC4JNN
• 443.000(+) W4DRC
• 442.175(+) N4BZJ
• 443.675(+) K4WOC