FT991(A) Link - comprehensive CAT control for Yaesu FT-991 and FT-991A

FT991(A) Link is an advanced computer program designed for amateur radio operators using transceivers Yaesu FT-991 a FT-991A. Jeho cieľom je poskytnúť plnohodnotné a komfortné ovládanie rádia prostredníctvom CAT rozhrania, odstrániť niektoré nedostatky pôvodného firmvéru TRX a zároveň pridať množstvo užitočných funkcií, ktoré v samotnom rádiu chýbajú.

Connection to the radio and basic concept of FT991(A) Link

The program allows connection to the radio either via COM port, alebo cez USB rozhranie. Autor odporúča použiť USB kábel, pretože jediným prepojením zabezpečí:

• CAT radio control

• sound card function (RX/TX audio)

Pre správnu funkciu je potrebné v rádiu zvoliť Enhanced port and set the correct communication speed (Baud Rate):

• položka 029 for RS232C cable

• položka 031 for USB cable

Recommended communication speed is 38400 bps.

Main window of the FT991(A) Link program

The main window of FT991(A) Link provides plné ovládanie rádia vrátane:

• switching bands, modes and VFO

• working with memory channels

• complete access to the TRX menu

Veľkou výhodou je možnosť uložiť menu rádia do súboru and later reload it back. During menu editing, it is possible to change the communication speed - the program will automatically adapt to it.

If the USB cable is disconnected, the program will notify about it in the status bar. Upon reconnection, parameter reading will automatically resume.

Audio functions and signal analysis

Program podporuje receiving audio from the radio to the computer. Používateľ má k dispozícii:

• listening to RX audio on PC

• zobrazenie spectrum of the audio signal

• measurement CTCSS tónu

• signal analysis using cursors directly in the graph

Jednou z najzaujímavejších funkcií je rýchla detekcia CTCSS tónu – trvá približne 0,1 sekundy and works both in the main window and in a separate RX Audio window.

Recording received stations

FT991(A) Link umožňuje automatic recording of received stations:

• recording starts after opening the squelch

• is tied to the SQL function

• records shorter than 1 second are not saved

Files are saved in the format WAV, do priečinkov pomenovaných podľa dátumu. Názov súboru obsahuje:

• date and time of the start of the recording

• frequency

• channel name (if available)

• mode

• signal level

• CTCSS tone

Records can be quickly viewed using the button „Show“.

Fixes and new features of FT991(A) Link

The program author has resolved several known issues of the FT-991/991A transceivers, such as:

• unwanted frequency changes when switching modes

• issues when switching between VFO and memories

At the same time, it added new, very practical features. When scanovaní pamäťových kanálov program zobrazuje poslednú prijatú frekvenciu alebo názov kanála, čo samotné rádio neumožňuje.

System notifications

Program dokáže zobrazovať systémové notifikácie with information about the currently received station. This feature is disabled by default and can be enabled in the menu by the item „Show RX notification“.

Memory channels - complete management

FT991(A) Link ponúka full programming of memory channels:

• display of all memories at once

• switching, adding, deleting, and editing

• funkcie cut, copy, paste, delete (menu or shortcuts)

• option to save memories to a file and later upload them back to the radio

• import memories from the program Win4Yaesu

Pamäte označené oranžovou farbou are excluded from scanning.

TX equalizer and microphone signal processing

Kliknutím na tlačidlo „TX Equalizer“ a window will open with detailed settings for the transmission audio chain:

• equalizer graph (processor on/off)

• bandwidth setting for SSB

• turning on/off the processor and equalizer

• shaping of the microphone characteristic

• finished filters with the option to save and load from a file

Synchronization and other tools

The program menu has the function available:

• synchronization of radio date and time with PC

• saving user callsign

• recording the current location

Nastavenie enkodéra is activated by the button next to the displayed RX frequency. If CTCSS and DCS are off, the button shows the status „ENC OFF“.

Semi-REV function

Since CAT commands for FT-991(A) do not contain a direct command for the button REV, autor pridal softvérovú funkciu „Semi-REV“. Tá umožňuje počúvanie vstupnej frekvencie prevádzača:

• works only within the program

• behaves the same as REV on the radio

• requires setting offsets for individual bands

Default values:

• 2 m: 0.6 MHz

• 70 cm: 7.6 MHz

Settings are available via the button „S“ vedľa Semi-REV.

Appearance and compatibility FT991(A) Link

The program supports:

• svetlý a tmavý režim (dark mode from Windows 10 and above)

• interface scaling

The author recommends dark mode, which is pleasant for the eyes and well-readable.

FT991(A) Link je 32-bitová aplikácia and has been successfully tested on systems Windows XP až Windows 11.

Development, support, and availability

Program je neustále vyvíjaný and may contain errors. The author welcomes problem reports and suggestions for improvements - the contact email is provided in the menu „Info/Update“.

The program is always available:

• ako installer

• alebo ako ZIP version without installation

Downloading is checked by Google antivirus. Links to najnovšiu verziu, screenshoty a changelog sú dostupné v sekcii Info/Update, ako aj na úložiskách:

• Google Drive

• Mega.nz

Conclusion

FT991(A) Link by Dariusz SP4UBW is an exceptionally successful tool that significantly expands the capabilities of transceivers Yaesu FT-991 a FT-991A. Ponúka komfortné CAT ovládanie, detailnú správu pamätí, pokročilé audio funkcie, analýzu signálu a množstvo praktických vylepšení, ktoré ocení každý aktívny rádioamatér – či už pri každodennej prevádzke, alebo pri práci cez prevádzače a skenovaní pamäťových kanálov.