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Yaesu FT-2900R Operating Manual
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The Yaesu FT-2900R is a deluxe, rugged FM mobile transceiver providing high power
output and outstanding receiver performance for the 144 MHz Amateur band. Included
in the FT-2900R's feature complement are:
75 Watts of power output, with selection of four power levels for every operating
situation.
Expanded receiver coverage: 136-174 MHz.
Keyboard entry of operating frequencies from the microphone.
Excellent protection from receiver intermodulation distortion, thanks to Yaesu's
renowned Advanced Track Tuning front end.
221 memories which can store repeater shifts, odd repeater shifts, CTCSS/DCS
tones, and 6-character Alpha-Numeric labels for easy channel recognition.
10 NOAA Weather Broadcast Channels, with Weather Alert.
Built-in CTCSS and DCS Encoder/Decoder circuits.
The Smart Search
frequencies into dedicated memory banks, is ideal for identifying active repeaters
when visiting a city for the first time.
Extensive Menu system, which allows customization of a number of transceiver
performance characteristics.
The Yaesu-exclusive multi-function LCD display.
Additional features include a transmit Time-Out-Timer (TOT), Automatic Power-Off
(APO), Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS), plus provision for reduction of the Tx deviation
in areas of high channel congestion. And an RF Squelch circuit allows the owner to set
the squelch to open at a programmable setting of the S-Meter, thus reducing guesswork
in setting the squelch threshold.
Congratulations on your purchase of the FT-2900R! Whether this is your first rig, or if
Yaesu equipment is already the backbone of your station, the Vertex Standard
organization is committed to ensuring your enjoyment of this high-performance
transceiver, which should provide you with many years of satisfying operation. Our
dealer network and technical support personnel stand behind every product we sell,
and we invite you to contact us should you require technical advice or assistance.
We recommend that you read this manual in its entirety prior to installing the FT-2900,
so that you fully understand the capabilities of your new transceiver.
FT-2900R Operating Manual
Introduction
feature, which automatically sweeps a band and loads active
TM
1
FCC ID:K6620393X50
IC: 511B-20393X50
Operating Manual

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Summary of Contents for Yaesu FT-2900R

  • Page 1 S-Meter, thus reducing guesswork in setting the squelch threshold. Congratulations on your purchase of the FT-2900R! Whether this is your first rig, or if Yaesu equipment is already the backbone of your station, the Vertex Standard organization is committed to ensuring your enjoyment of this high-performance transceiver, which should provide you with many years of satisfying operation.
  • Page 2 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Specifications General Frequency Range: TX:144 - 148 MHz RX:136 - 174 MHz Channel Step: 5/10/12.5/15/20/25/50/100 kHz Standard Repeater Shift: ±600 kHz Frequency Stability: Better than ±10 ppm (–20 °C to +60 °C) Modes of Emission: F2 / F3 Antenna Impedance: 50 Ohms, unbalanced...
  • Page 3: Installation

    FP-1030A (35 A) Installation This chapter describes the installation procedure for integrating the FT-2900R into a typical amateur radio station. It is presumed that you possess technical knowledge and conceptual understanding consistent with your status as a licensed radio amateur.
  • Page 4 +140 °F (+60 °C). Safety Information The FT-2900R is an electrical apparatus, as well as a generator of RF (Radio Frequency) energy, and you should exercise all safety precautions as are appropriate for this type of device.
  • Page 5 Operating Manual Antenna Consideration The FT-2900R is designed for use with antennas presenting an impedance of near 50 Ohms at all operating frequencies. The antenna (or a 50 Ohm dummy load) should be connected whenever the transceiver is turned on, to avoid damage that could otherwise result if transmission occurs accidentally without an antenna.
  • Page 6 Warning! Never apply AC power to the power cable of the FT-2900R, nor DC voltage greater than 15.8 Volts. When replacing the fuse, only use a 25-A fuse. Failure to observe these safety precautions will void the Limited Warranty on this product.
  • Page 7 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Base Station Installation The FT-2900R is ideal for base station use as well as in mobile installations. The FT-2900R is specifically designed to integrate into your station easily, using the information to follow as a reference.
  • Page 8 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual This key allows operation in conjunction with the Internet Connection feature. [MHz(SET)] Key This key allows tuning in 1-MHz steps (the MHz digits will blink on the display). If receiving on a memory, pressing this key the first time activates the Memory Tuning mode, and pressing it again enables 1-MHz steps.
  • Page 9 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual The main digits on the display may show operating frequency, memory name, or any of many parameters during Menu setup. Microphone Switches PTT Switch Press this switch to transmit, and release it to receive. Keypad These 16 keys generate DTMF tones during transmission.
  • Page 10 R.F. Says: Hi! I’m R. F. Radio, and I’ll be helping you along as you learn the many features of the FT-2900R. I know you’re anxious to get on the air, but I encourage you to read “Basic Operation” section of this manual as thoroughly as possible, so you’ll get the most out of this fantastic new transceiver.
  • Page 11 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual When you turn on the FT-2900R, the current DC supply voltage is indicated on the LCD for 2 seconds. After this interval, the display will switch its normal indication of the operating frequency. To turn the transceiver off, again press and hold in the PWR key for one second.
  • Page 12 DIAL knob one click in the counter-clockwise direction while the FT-2900R is scanning. The scanning direction will be reversed. To revert to scanning toward a higher frequency once more, rotate the DIAL knob one click clockwise.
  • Page 13 Operating Manual Changing the Transmitter Power Level You can select from among a total of four transmit power levels on your FT-2900R. To change the power level, press the [LOW(A/N)] key (or the microphone’s [C] key to select one of four power settings. These power levels will be stored, in memory registers, at the time of memory storage (see page 30 for details on Memory operation).
  • Page 14 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual PTT: The PTT switch is locked (TX not possible) K+P: Both keys and PTT switch are locked out D+P: Both DIAL knob and PTT switch are locked out ALL: All of the above are locked out OFF: The Lock feature is disabled To lock out some or all of the keys, use the “Set”...
  • Page 15 Full Scale on the S-meter. In this case, the Noise Squelch overrides the action of the RF Squelch. Repeater Operation The FT-2900R includes a host of convenience features which makes operation on amateur repeaters both efficient and enjoyable. This transceiver offers three methods of setting up split-frequency operation on...
  • Page 16 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual repeaters: Manual selection of preset repeater shifts (Standard Repeater Shift); Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS), providing automatic activation of repeater shifts during designated repeater frequency subbands; and Independently stored transmit and receive frequencies (typically not corresponding to established repeater frequency shifts).
  • Page 17 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Automatic Repeater Shift The ARS (Automatic Repeater Shift) feature in this transceiver allows easy and convenient repeater operation by automatically activating the repeater shift function whenever you tune to a standard repeater subband. The ARS function is preset at the factory to conform to the standards for the country to which it is exported.
  • Page 18 DIAL knob in this step; this means that the Reverse Tone Squelch system is active, which mutes your FT-2900R’s receiver (instead of opening the squelch) when it receives a call from the radio sending a matched CTCSS tone. The “T SQ”...
  • Page 19 CTCSS to control access to the repeater, but don’t pass it along when transmitting. If the S-Meter deflects, but the FT-2900R is not passing audio, repeat steps “1” through “3” above, but rotate the DIAL knob so that “TONE” appears - this will allow you to hear all traffic on the channel being received.
  • Page 20 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Tone Search Scanning In operating situations where you don’t know the CTCSS tone or DCS code being used by another station or stations, you can command the radio to listen to the incoming signal and scan in search of the tone being used. Two things must be remembered in this regard: You must be sure that your repeater uses the same tone type (CTCSS vs.
  • Page 21 Press and hold in the [MHz(SET)] key for one second to lock in that tone/code and exit to normal operation. R.F. Says: The FT-2900R does not recognize the order of the 1st tone and the 2nd tone. In other words, for example, the FT-2900 considers both CTCSS pairs “10, 35” and “35, 10”...
  • Page 22 DIAL knob to select “OFF” in step 2 above. CTCSS/DCS/EPCS Bell Operation During CTCSS Decode, DCS, or EPCS operation, you may set up the FT-2900R such that a ringing “bell” sound alerts you to the fact that a call is coming in. Here is the procedure for activating the CTCSS/DCS/EPCS Bell: Set the transceiver up for CTCSS Decode (“Tone Squelch”), DCS, or EPCS...
  • Page 23 Select the desired operating mode from the selections shown above. DTMF Autodialer Operation Nine DTMF Autodialer memories are available on the FT-2900R. These DTMF Autodialer memories can store up to 16 digits of a telephone number for repeater autopatch or other use.
  • Page 24 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual When entry of all digits is complete, press the [MHz(SET)] key. If you wish to store another DTMF string, repeat steps 2 through 6 above. Press and hold in the [MHz(SET)] key for one second to save the new setting and exit to normal operation.
  • Page 25 Memory Operation Memory Storage A wide array of memory resources are available on the FT-2900R. A total of 221 memories are available, and each may be appended with an alpha-numeric label of up to six characters, for quick channel recognition.
  • Page 26 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual memory channel number appear on the display; this indicates that the “Memory Recall” mode is now engaged. When more than one memory has been stored, use the DIAL knob to select any of the programmed memories for operation. Alternatively, the microphone’s [UP] or [DWN] button may be used to step or scan through the available memories.
  • Page 27 “Unmask” them for normal use. (except the Memory Channel “1,” Priority Channel, and Home Channel). With the FT-2900R in the Memory Recall mode, press and hold in the [D/MR(MW)] key for one second, then rotate the DIAL knob to select the memory channel you wish to delete.
  • Page 28 Memory Bank Operation The large number of memories available in the FT-2900R could be difficult to utilize without some means of organizing them. Fortunately, the FT-2900R includes provision for dividing the memories into as many as eight Memory Banks, so you can categorize the memories in a manner convenient to you.
  • Page 29 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Memory Channel number will appear on the display, indicating that you are now in the “standard” Memory Recall mode, without utilization of the Memory Banks. The memories stored in the various Banks will remain in those banks, however; you do not need to store them again.
  • Page 30 To return to normal operation, repeat the above power-on procedure. Scanning The FT-2900R’s scanning capability provides the operator with many convenient methods of rapid frequency navigation. Basic Scanner Operation Before activating the scanner, make sure that the Squelch is set to silence the background noise when no signal is present.
  • Page 31 Scan-Resume Options Three scan-resume modes are available on the FT-2900R: In the “BUSY” mode, the scanner will remain halted for as long as there is carrier present on the channel; after the carrier drops at the end of the other station’s transmission, scanning will resume.
  • Page 32 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual scan-resume mode. Press and hold in the [MHz(SET)] key for one second to save the new setting and exit to normal operation. Memory Skip Scanning When you have some continuously-active channels in memories, you may wish to skip them for scanning, but still have them available for manual selection.
  • Page 33 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Set the radio to the Memory Recall mode by pressing the [D/MR(MW)] key repeatedly, if necessary. Rotate the DIAL knob to select the Memory Channel which you wish to add to the Preferential Scan List. Press and hold in the [MHz(SET)] key for one second, then rotate the DIAL knob to select “47 SKIP.”...
  • Page 34 [D/MR(MW)] key momentarily. Priority Channel Scanning (Dual Watch) The FT-2900R’s scanning features include a two-channel scanning capability which allows you to operate on a VFO, Memory channel, or Home channel, while periodically checking a user-defined Memory Channel for activity. If a station is received on the Memory Channel which is strong enough to open the Squelch, the scanner will pause on that station in accordance with the Scan-Resume mode set via Menu mode “41...
  • Page 35 NOAA Alert Tone while operating using VFO scan or Memory channel scan. When the Weather Alert Scan feature is engaged, the FT-2900R will check the Weather Broadcast Memory Channels for activity every five seconds while scanning. If you watch the display carefully, you’ll observe the scanner periodically shifting to the...
  • Page 36 R.F. Says: 1) When the Weather Alert Scan feature is engaged, the Scan-Resume mode is fixed to “HOLD.” 2) If you are just scanning the Weather Broadcast Channels, the FT-2900R’s receiver will remain muted indefinitely unless the Alert Tone is received. This yields a long period of monitoring time, as no power will be consumed via audio output while scanning for the Alert Tone is in progress.
  • Page 37 To return to normal operation, press the [D/MR(MW)] key. R.F. Says: Smart Search is a great tool when visiting a city for the first time. You don’t need to spend hours looking up repeater frequencies from a reference guidebook: Just ask your FT-2900R where the action is!
  • Page 38 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Internet Connection Feature The FT-2900R can be used to access a “node” (repeater or base station) which is tied into the Vertex Standard WIRES (Wide-Coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System) network. Details found WIRES-II site: http://www.vxstd.com/en/wiresinfo-en/.
  • Page 39 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual register (F0 ~ F9) into which you wish to store the access code. Press the [LOW(A/N)] key momentarily. The first digit will blink. Rotate the DIAL knob to select “F” (representing DTMF “#” the first digit of the DTMF string).
  • Page 40 1 - 3 above, selecting “SRG” in step CW Training Feature The FT-2900r provides a CW Training feature, which sends random Morse Code via the sidetone (heard in the speaker), so you can improve your CW proficiency.
  • Page 41 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Packet Operation The FT-2900R may be used for 1200 bps Packet operation, using most all commonly-available Terminal Node Controllers (TNCs). Connections between the transceiver and the TNC are accomplished via the front panel Microphone connector and rear panel External Speaker jack, per the diagram below.
  • Page 42 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual key for one second to save the new setting and exit to normal operation. If you wish to disable the Password feature, repeat steps 1 - 3 above, now rotate the DIAL knob to select “OFF,” then press and hold in the [MHz(SET)] key for one second.
  • Page 43 BCLO will inhibit transmission if a station is on frequency but not transmitting the proper tone; BCLO will thus prevent you from interfering with the other station’s transmission. Programming the Key Assignments Default FT-2900R functions have been assigned Microphone’s [P1]/[P2]/[P3]/[P4] buttons at the factory.
  • Page 44 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Press the [MHz(SET)] key, then rotate the DIAL knob to select the function you wish to assign to the button you selected in the previous step. The available choices are: ARTS: Engages the ARTS・operation. SQLOFF: Opens the Squelch to allow un-muted reception.
  • Page 45 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual To return to wide deviation, repeat the above procedure, selecting “WIDE (±5 kHz Deviation, 15 kHz Bandwidth)” in step 2 above. DCS Code Inversion The DCS system was first introduced in the commercial LMR (Land Mobile Radio) service, where it is now in widespread use.
  • Page 46 (press any other key to cancel the Reset procedure). Cloning The FT-2900R includes a convenient “Clone” feature, which allows the memory and configuration data from one transceiver to be transferred to another FT-2900R. This can be particularly useful when configuring a number of transceivers for a public service operation.
  • Page 47 Turn both radios off and disconnect the cloning cable. “Set” (Menu) Mode The FT-2900R Set (Menu) mode, already described in parts of many previous chapters, is easy to activate and set. It may be used for configuration of a wide variety of transceiver parameters, some of which have not been detailed previously.
  • Page 48 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Available Values: 25SEC / 15SEC Default: 25SEC 4 ARS Function: Activates/Deactivates the Automatic Repeater Shift feature. Available Values: ON / OFF Default: ON 5 BCLO Function: Enables/Disables the Busy Channel Lock-Out feature. Available Values: ON / OFF Default: OFF 6 BEEP Function: Enables/Disables the key beeper.
  • Page 49 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Available Values: ON / OFF Default: OFF This function is only used to move a spurious response “Birdie” should it fall on a desired frequency. 11 CW ID Function: Enables/Disables the CW identifier during ARTS Operation. Available Values: ON / OFF Default: OFF 12 CWTRNG...
  • Page 50 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual 17 DT A/M Function: Enables/Disables the DTMF Autodialer feature. Available Values: MANUAL / AUTO Default: MANUAL 18 DT DLY Function: Setting of the DTMF Autodialer 痴 TX Delay Time. Available Values: 50 / 250 / 450 / 750 / 1000 ms Default: 450 ms 19 DT SET Function: Loading of the DTMF Autodialer Memories.
  • Page 51 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Connection feature. Available Values: MANUAL / AUTO Default: MANUAL 25 INT.SET Function: Selects the memory register for an Access Number (DTMF code) for non-WIRES Internet Link System access. Available Values: F0 - F9 Default: F1 26 LOCK Function: Selects the Control Locking Lockout combination.
  • Page 52 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual last-stored memory channel. LOWER: Stores the data into the lowest-available “Free” channel. 30 NM SET Function: Programming an Alpha/Numeric label for a Memory Channel. See page ** for details. 31 OPN.MSG Function: Selects the Opening Message that appears when the radio is powered on. Available Values: DC / MSG / OFF Default: DC DC supply voltage...
  • Page 53 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual & Code Squelch function. Available Values: ON / OFF Default: OFF 34 PAG.CDR Function: Setting the Receiver Pager Code for the Enhanced CTCSS Paging & Code Squelch function. See page ** for details. 35 PAG.CDT Function: Setting the Transmitting Pager Code for the Enhanced CTCSS Paging &...
  • Page 54 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Default: Set mode item #47 SKIP 40 PSWD Function: Programs and activates the Password feature. Available Values: ON / OFF Default: OFF 41 RESUME Function: Selects the Scan Resume mode. Available Values: BUSY / HOLD / 3SEC / 5SEC / 10SEC Default: BUSY BUSY: The scanner will hold until the signal disappears, then will resume when the carrier drops.
  • Page 55 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual SINGLE: The transceiver sweeps the current band once in each direction, starting on the current frequency. All channels where activity is present (up to 15 in each direction) are loaded into the Smart Search memories. Whether or not all 31 memories are filled, the search stops after one sweep in each direction.
  • Page 56 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual TONE: CTCSS Encoder TSQL: CTCSS Encoder/Decoder DCS: Digital Coded Encoder/Decoder RV TN: Reverse CTCSS Decoder (Mutes receiver when matching tone is received) Note: See also Set Mode Item “48 SPLIT” regarding additional selections available during “Split Tone”...
  • Page 57 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual Default: FAST 56 VFO.SCN Function: Select the VFO Scanner Width. Available Values: ±1MHz / ±2MHz / ±5MHz / ALL Default: ALL ±1 MHz, ±2 MHz, ±5 MHz: The scanner will sweep frequencies within the selected bandwidth.
  • Page 58 FCC ID:K6620393X50 IC: 511B-20393X50 Operating Manual...