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concerns in reviewing the FT
DX
(see "Product Review," Mar 2006 QST). On
the other hand, all readouts are easy on the
eyes. The three subdisplays are crisp, organic
light emitting diode types. The multipurpose
meter has a D'Arsonval movement. As in
earlier Yaesu incarnations, a system summary
panel, part of the main display, shows basic
signal paths and settings for the main receiver
(VFO A) and the subreceiver (VFO B) per the
antenna, attenuator, IPO, roofing filter and
AGC settings.
A couple of things struck me. First, there
is no separate indication on the main display
to let you know when
is enabled, beyond
VOX
a tiny red LED on the
VOX
there is no main display
SPLIT
must instead pay attention to whether the
indicator adjacent to the
TX
illuminated. (You'll also see the
switch to VFO B when transmitting.).
The VFO A and VFO B subdisplays con-
tinue to show the set value, even after the
function is off. For example, if you turn off the
, the display dims, and turning the knob still
NR
changes the displayed setting while not affect-
ing reception. Enabling another function shifts
the subdisplay's focus to the new function.
Through menus, the operator can set indi-
vidual brightness levels for the analog meter,
main frequency display, subdisplays and
SM-5000 when the
switch is pressed.
DIM
Color and contrast are not adjustable. There
are several color choices for the SM-5000
screen, but color and contrast are not adjust-
able on the main radio displays.
The FH-2 keypad accessory can be used
for controlling the built-in CW memory keyer
and voice keyer, as well as for frequency
adjustments. At first I didn't figure the FH-2
would come in handy, but it turned out to be
just the thing for those times when you're
repeatedly calling a DX station that's gener-
ated a massive pileup (and you're running
200 W to wires).
A Problem Solved
Out of the box, our '5000 would not key
properly, especially with an external keying
source. We found dit shortening at 60 WPM,
which was not affected by the waveform
shaping menu or by adjusting the break-in
(QSK) delay. In addition, while using the
internal keyer in full break-in, unwanted
spikes materialized between dits above
33 WPM, possibly a result of some sort of
relay bounce. ARRL Lab Test Engineer Bob
Allison, WB1GCM, described these as "phan-
tom spikes" that looked "like triangles in the
blank spaces between dits, causing a not so
pretty keying waveform."
A Yaesu-provided circuit modification
fixed the problem. The manufacturer says
its production line incorporated the keying
modification starting with Lot 2, although
not all Lot 2 radios were modified. The
9000 Contest
problem has been corrected in all Lot 3
and later radios, however, and Yaesu says
it will fix any radios already in the hands
of customers.
A Problem Unsolved
So called "spurs" in the '5000's main
receiver generated considerable chatter
among owners and wannabes on the Yaesu
FT
5000 reflector. While Yaesu is looking
DX
into this issue, it remained unresolved as this
review went to press. Here's the thing: You
have to be looking for these artifacts (they are
not "spurs" in the true sense of the word) in
order to hear them. If the radio is set for 1 Hz
button. Second,
resolution and a signal — preferably a strong
indicator. You
one — is on or near certain frequencies in
certain bands, you can hear a faint blip as you
knob is
turn the VFO knob past certain other specific
VFO B
indicator
frequencies. They're easy to miss altogether
TX
and may give the impression of tuning past a
real signal very quickly, but there is no spur
that you can actually tune to. Some users
consider this a serious issue that's deserving
of Yaesu's attention.
High Fidelity
SSB enthusiasts will enjoy the FT
comprehensive transmit audio tailoring capa-
bilities using the three octave equalizer. There
are two tiers of settings — one for when the
processor is off, the other for when it's on.
The
PROC
steps, as indicated on the main display.
PROC
These settings allow you to adjust gain,
bandwidth and even Q for each bandwidth
range in the equalizer, punching up one range
of frequencies and tempering another to suit
your voice. This is akin to the sort of audio
processing broadcasters use on their studio
microphones to make even the most modest
voice sound appreciably more robust.
The equalizer can take some time to set up,
and for situations in which multiple operators
will be using the radio, you may just want to
go with the flat response defaults and trim
your audio using any adjustments available
on your mic or headset. The radio is capable
of enhanced SSB (ESSB) operation. The
FT
5000 offers similarly extensive audio
DX
tweaking capabilities for the receivers' audio.
Intercept Point Optimization
and Preamps
Yaesu employs
transceivers. The '5000's main receiver has
two IPO settings,
ceiver has just
point optimization, referring to third order
intercept point (IP3), a popular metric that
takes into account a receiver's sensitivity and
dynamic range (see Table 1). What the
buttons actually do is turn off any preamps,
which typically degrade dynamic range.
Pushing the
dynamic range on a band that has external
5000's
DX
button steps through
MIC EQ
buttons on its HF
IPO
and
; the subre-
IPO1
IPO2
. IPO stands for intercept
IPO1
button can improve the
IPO
Key Measurements
Summary
70
20
20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
70
2
2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
50
20
20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
50
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
-40
20
20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
and
-40
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
TX
-20
Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)
TX
-20
Transmit 9th-order IMD (dB)
PR053
Key:
**
Off Scale
Values shown are for Receiver A
with 600 Hz roofing filter.
Dynamic range and intercept values
with preamp off.
Intercept values were determined using
-97 dBm reference.
*
Blocking exceeded the levels indicated.
See Table 1.
‡ Class A operation.
Bottom Line
An extraordinary transceiver for
the discerning contester or DXer.
IPO
This one will become the gold stan-
dard for operators seeking the best
receive performance and best value
in its class.
From December 2010 QST © ARRL
136*
136*
140
136*
136*
140
109
114**
110
114**
110
32
41**
+35
40**
+30
-30
-43
‡
**
-35
-47
-72
‡
**
-70
80 M
20 M
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