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.