FCC ID: K6603770X30 HF/VHF/UHF TRANSCEIVER

HF/VHF/UHF ALL MODE TRANSCEIVER FT-818 Operating Manual Contents Introduction .............................................................1 Accessories & Options ............................................2 Supplied Accessories ............................................2 Available Options .................................................2 Plug Pinout ..............................................................3 Installation ...............................................................4 Connecting the Supplied YHA-63 Antenna ..........4 Connecting the Microphone .................................5 Shoulder Strap Installation ...................................5 Rubber Foot Installation .......................................5 Alkaline Battery Installation and Use ...................6 External Power Connections.................................7 SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack Installation and Use ........................................................................8 Front Panel Control & Switches ..........................10 Side Panel Switch & Connectors .........................14 Rear Panel Connectors .........................................15 Operation ...............................................................16 Turning the Transceiver On and Off ...................16 Supply Voltage Display ......................................16 Operating Band Selection ...................................17 Mode Selection ..................................................17 Adjusting the Audio Volume Level ....................17 Menu Quick Start ................................................18 Adjusting the RF Gain and Squelch ...................18 Setting the Operating Frequency ........................19 Stacked VFO System ..........................................19 Operation on 5 MHz Band (U.S. Version Only) .20 Clarifier (Receiver Incremental Tuning) .............21 Receiver Accessories .............................................21 IF SHIFT .............................................................22 AGC (Automatic Gain Control) .........................23 Noise Blanker .....................................................23 IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) ....................23 ATT (Front End Attenuator) ...............................24 AM/FM DIAL .....................................................24 Automatic Power-Off Feature ............................25 Transmitter Operation .........................................26 SSB Transmission ...............................................26 CW Transmission ................................................28 FM Transmission ................................................31 Digital Mode Operation (SSB-Based AFSK) .....36 Packet (1200/9600 bps FM) Operation...............39 AM Transmission................................................40 Split Frequency Operation ..................................40 Time-Out Timer ..................................................41 WeatherFax Monitoring ......................................41 Memory Operation ...............................................42 QMB Channel .....................................................42 Memory Operation on Regular Memory Channels .............................43 Memory Operation on HOME Channel Memories .............................46 Labeling Memories .............................................47 Spectrum Scope Monitor Operation ...................48 Smart Search Operation ...................................49 Scanning Operation ..............................................50 Dual Watch Operation ..........................................54 Operation on Alaska Emergency Frequency: 5167.5 khz (U.S. Version Only) ........55 Menu Operation ....................................................56 Cloning ...................................................................67 Installation of Optional Accessories ....................68 Optional Filters YF-122S/YF-122C/YF-122CN ...68 Power-on Microprocessor Reset Procedure ........69 Appendix ................................................................70 BAND DATA FORMAT .....................................70 Specifications .........................................................71 Introduction The FT-818 is a compact, innovative multiband, multimode portable transceiver for the amateur radio MF/HF/VHF/UHF bands. Providing coverage of the 160-10 meter bands

(include the 60 m band: USA version) plus the 6 m, 2 m, and 70 cm bands, the FT-818 includes operation on the SSB, CW, AM, FM, and Digital modes, yielding the most com-

prehensive performance package available for portable operation. Designed for use either from an external DC power source or internal batteries, the FT-

818 provides five watts of power output from a 13.8-Volt external power supply. When using the SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack or 8 AA Alkaline Cells (not supplied), the FT-818 automatically switches to 2.5 Watts of output power. Via the Menu system, High power may be selected during battery operation, providing as much as 6 Watts of output, depending on the operating frequency. The multi-function Liquid-Crystal Display includes Blue, Amber, and Violet backlight-

ing, which may be disabled for battery conservation. The display includes bar-graph indication of power output, ALC voltage, SWR, and modulation level. Also include are a number of operating status icons, as well as the function displays for the three operating function keys (

Among the advanced features of the FT-818 are many incorporated only in large base-station transceivers. These include Dual VFOs; Split-Frequency operation; IF Shift;

Clarifier (R.I.T.); IF Noise Blanker; AGC Fast/Slow/Auto/Off selection; RF Gain and Squelch control; IPO (Intercept Point Optimization) and a receiver front-end Attenua-

tor; AM Aircraft reception; AM and FM Broadcast reception; VOX; Built-in Electronic Keyer; Adjustable CW Pitch; Automatic FM Repeater Shift (ARS); Built-in CTCSS En-

coder/Decoders; ARTS (Auto-Range Transponder System); Smart Search Automatic Memory Loading System; Spectrum Scope; 200 Memories plus Home Channels and Band-limiting Memories; Alpha-Numeric Labeling of Memories; Automatic Power-Off

(APO) and Time-Out Timer (TOT) functions; Computer Interface capability; and Cloning capability. We urge you to read this manual in its entirety, so as to gain a full understanding of the amazing capability of the exciting FT-818 Portable Transceiver.

, and

).

, 1 FT-818 Operating Manual Accessories & Options Supplied acceSSOrieS Hand Microphone MH-31A8J SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack (9.6 V, 1900 mAh) PA-48B/C/U Battery Charger FBA-28 YHA-63 E-DC-6 Shoulder Strap Ferrite Core Rubber Foot Battery Case (holds 8 AA size Alkaline cells [not supplied]) Whip Antenna for (50/144/430 MHz) DC Cable available OptiOnS SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack (9.6 V, 1900 mAh) PA-48B/C/U Battery Charger YF-122S YF-122C YF-122CN MH-36E8J CT-62 CT-39A

: Depends on the transceiver version. Collins SSB Filter (2.3 kHz/4.7 kHz: 6 dB/66 dB) Collins CW Filter (500 Hz/2 kHz: 6 dB/60 dB) Collins CW Filter (300 Hz/1 kHz: 6 dB/60 dB) DTMF Microphone CAT Interface Cable Packet Cable 2 FT-818 Operating Manual MIC INPUT DC13.8V Plug Pinout MIC MIC GND

+5 V PTT UP GND FAST DOWN MIC DATA SP/PH SIGNAL GND ACC ALC SQL DATA OUT 9600bps GND DATA OUT 1200bps PTT DATA IN TX INH RX D TX D TX GND BAND DATA GND

+13.8V KEY KEY GND KEY NC GND DOT DASH COMMON DOT DASH COMMON 3 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation cOnnecting the Supplied Yha-63 antenna Your FT-818 is supplied with a three-section antenna, model YHA-63 which is designed for optimum performance on the 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 430 MHz. It also works well on the FM broadcast and other VHF bands. This antenna is intended for connection to the front panels BNC-type antenna connector. For HF and/or 50 MHz operation, most hikers carry their own dipole or collapsible ver-

tical antenna, fed by a small-diameter coaxial cable terminated in a type M (PL-259) plug, and these kinds of antennas may be connected to the rear panels antenna connector. The YHA-63 should be connected to the top panels BNC connector, using the follow-

ing guidelines:

For 144/430 MHz operation (only), connect the shorter cap section to the screw post on the top of the main antenna shaft, then screw the assembled YHA-63 onto the BNC connector, twisting it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure the antenna. For 50 MHz operation, unscrew the short cap section, and replace it with the long cap section. The long cap section will provide good results on 144/430 MHz, as well, but those owners not using 50 MHz may prefer the shorter total length of the YHA-63 when using the short cap on 144/430 MHz. For shortwave listening using a ran-

dom-length wire antenna for recep-

tion only, you may wish to consider connection of the wire between the main YHA-63 shaft and the cap, using a spade lug or similar lug on the end of the wire to provide a secure connection between the cap and the rest of the antenna. Menu #07 (ANTENNA) allows you to define which connector

(Front or Rear) is used on a particular band. See page 58 for details. C B A TRANSMIT/BUSY UP DWN HF/VHF/UHF ALL MODE TRANSCEIVER BAND MODE 4 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation cOnnecting the MicrOphOne To connect the microphone, plug its connector (latch side UP) into the MIC jack on the right side of the transceiver. Press it gently inward until you hear the click of the latch. SP/PH SP PH-

MIC PUSH To disconnect the microphone, press gently on the PUSH label on top of the microphone connectors rubber boot. While pressing on this spot, gently pull the connector outward from the body of the transceiver. Note: During Digital or Packet operation, it is not necessary to disconnect the micro-

phone, as activation of the PTT line from the DATA connector automatically cuts off the audio input from the MIC jack. ShOulder Strap inStallatiOn The convenient Shoulder Strap is designed for maximum comfort and security for your FT-

818 transceiver. Refer to the illustration, and connect the shoulder strap to the attachment tabs just behind the front panel of the FT-818. Be sure to have the shoulder strap aligned correctly, without twists in the straps. A convenient microphone hanger is locat-

ed on one end of the padded top section of the Shoulder Strap. When not in use, the microphone may be affixed here, freeing both of your hands for other tasks. MODE BAND C B A UP DWN FT-817 HF/VHF/UHF ALL MODE TRANSCEIVER TRANSMIT/BUSY rubber FOOt inStallatiOn Four Rubber Feet are provided with your FT-818, for ease of use when operating from a base station or camp table. Refer to the illustration, and affix the Rubber Feet in the appropriate locations. 5 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation alkaline batterY inStallatiOn and uSe The FT-818 is supplied with the FBA-28 holder for Alkaline AA cells. A fresh set of Alkaline cells should provide approximately 5.5 hours of reception under typical condi-

tions. 1. To install or replace the AA cells, first remove the battery cover from the bottom side of the transceiver. Slide the battery cover latch forward, as shown in the illustration, then fold the battery cover upward and set it aside temporarily. 2. Install the Alkaline AA cells as shown in the illustration, paying particular attention to the correct polarity of the batteries. 3. When all batteries have been successfully installed, replace the battery cover. Important Notes When the transceiver is to be stored for a long period of time without use (longer than ten days), remove the batteries from the FBA-28 holder, to avoid the pos-

sibility of battery leaking causing damage to the transceiver. Inspect the FBA-

28 battery holder occasionally for signs of corrosion or battery leakage, and remove the batteries immediately if any such damage is observed. The FBA-28 battery holder is designed for use solely with Alkaline type AA cells. Do not attempt to use Ni-Cd or other rechargeable cells in the FBA-28, because it does not contain the protection circuitry required when using re-

chargeable cells. When replacing batteries, replace all eight AA cells simultaneously with fresh batteries. When the battery voltage is approaching the value which indicates depletion is near, the small will blink, indicating it is time to replace the batteries. 6 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation external pOwer cOnnectiOnS The FT-818 may be connected to an external 13.8 Volt DC power source providing at least 3 Amps of continuous-duty current.. The supplied E-DC-6 DC cable may be used for DC connections. While connected to an external DC source, if you have installed the supplied SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack, the E-DC-6 connection to the external DC power source will allow operation of the FT-818 while charging of the SBR-32MH is in progress. When making DC power connections, be absolutely certain to follow the markings on the E-DC-6 so as to ensure proper polarity of the connection to the power supply. Connect the Red and Black or White and Black wire to the Positive (+) power supply terminal, and connect the Solid Black wire to the Negative (-) power supply terminal. FT-818 INPUT DC13.8V

:

GND V 8

. 3 1 C D T U P N I FP-1030A KEY DATA ACC ANT POWER SUPPLY FP-1030A 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 20 30 40 V A OVERLOAD CONTINUOUS CURRENT 25A 6A 25A 10A POWER ON OFF Supplied DC Cable (E-DC-6) RED/BLACK or WHITE/BLACK BLACK Notice Be extremely careful when making power supply connections. Use only a 13.8 Volt DC Supply, and carefully observe the proper electrical polarity. Serious dam-

age may result if these precautions are not observed. The Limited Warranty on this product does not cover damage caused by improper power supply connections, or improper power supply voltage. Important Note Occasionally, the 430 MHz transmit signal may behave abnormally when the FT-

818 is operated using an External Power Supply and the whip antenna, especially with the antenna in close proximity to surrounding metal objects. If abnormal transmitter operation is ex-

perienced, wind one turn of the E-DC-

6 DC cable around the supplied ferrite core, and snap its two halves together, per the illustration below. Install the core as close as possible to the DC plug, as shown. wind one turn, snap two halves as close as possible E-DC-6 DC Cable 7 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation Sbr-32Mh ni-Mh batterY pack inStallatiOn and uSe The supplied SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack provides 9.6 Volts of DC power for your FT-818, with a maximum capacity of 1900 mAh. Installation 1. To install the SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack, first remove the battery compartment 2. Lift out the FBA-28 battery holder, and disconnect the short cable connected to the 3. Connect the short cable to the mating connector on the SBR-32MH, and install the cover, as described previously. FBA-28, as shown in the illustration. SBR-32MH in the battery compartment. 4. Replace the battery compartment cover. SBR-32MH FBA-28 8 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation Charging Charging of the SBR-32MH requires the use of either the supplied battery charger (PA-

48B/C/U), or an external 13.8 Volt (15%) DC source. If the battery charger is used, the FT-818 must be turned off during charging; if an external 13.8 Volt DC source is used

(connected via the supplied E-DC-6 cable), then you may operate the FT-818 while charging is in progress. 1. Turn the FT-818 off, then connect the supplied battery charger DC connector to the INPUT: 13.8V jack on the rear panel of the FT-818. 2. Plug the battery charger into the nearest AC wall outlet. 3. Press the FT-818s 4. Press the 5. Rotate the key momentarily. switch for one second to turn the transceiver on. knob so that the function row containing [CHG, VLT, DSP] appears on the display. 6. Press the key to select the [CHG] option (the display will immediately revert to the regular frequency display). 7. Turn the FT-818 off. The display will indicate CHG TIME RMN and remaining time to indicate the time remaining be-

fore a full charge is achieved on the SBR-32MH. Important Note The PA-48 are not designed to power the transceiver for operation (reception or trans-

mission). Please be advised that the PA-48 may contribute noise to TV and radio reception in the immediate vicinity, so we do not recommend its use adjacent to such devices. 9 FT-818 Operating Manual Front Panel Control & Switches HOME ELS CLAR A B C F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF switch for one second to turn to the transceiver on or off. knob adjusts the receiver audio volume level presented to the inter-

PWR Switch Press and hold in the AF Knob The (inner) nal or external speaker. Clockwise rotation increases the volume level. SQL/RF Knob In the USA version, this (outer) knob adjusts the gain of the receivers RF and IF stages. Using Menu Selection 45, this control may be changed to function as a Squelch control, which may be used to silence background noise when no signal is present. In the other versions, its default setting is set to Squelch. LOCK Key Pressing this key locks the front panel keys so as to prevent accidental frequency change. V/M Key Pressing this key switches frequency control between the VFO and Memory Systems. TRANSMIT/BUSY Indicator This LED glows green when the squelch opens, and turns red during transmit. MAIN Dial This is the main tuning dial for the transceiver. It is used both for frequency tuning as well as Menu setting in the transceiver. F Key Pressing this key momentarily changes the display to show the operating functions available via the Press and hold this key for one second to activate the Menu mode. keys.

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, 10 FT-818 Operating Manual Front Panel Control & Switches FUNC Keys These three keys select many of the most important operating features of the trans-

key, the current function of that key appears above each ceiver. When pressing the of the knob

, scrolls the display through eleven rows of functions available for use via the keys (along the bottom of the LCD); rotating the

,

,

, keys. The available features are shown in chart on the next page. BAND(DWN)/BAND(UP) Key Pressing either of these keys momentarily will cause the frequency to be moved up or down by one frequency band. The selections available are:

1.8 MHz 3.5 MHz 7.0 MHz 10 MHz 14 MHz 15 MHz 18 MHz 21 MHz 430 MHz 144 MHz 108 MHz 88 MHz 50 MHz 28 MHz 24 MHz Recalling the 5 MHz band (U.S. model) requires different procedure. See page 20 for details. MODE()/MODE() Key Pressing either of these keys momentarily will change the operating mode. The selec-

tions available are:

USB CWR PKT LSB DIG CW AM FM

,

, keys of the transceiver. HOME Key Pressing this key momentarily recalls a favorite home frequency memory. SEL Knob This detented rotary switch is used for tuning, memory selection, and function selec-

tion for the CLAR Key Press this key momentarily to activate the Receiver Clarifier feature. When this fea-

ture is activated, the knob may be used to set a tuning offset of up to 9.99 kHz. The transmitters frequency is not affected by the setting of the Clarifier. Press and hold this key for 1/2 second to activate the IF Shift feature, which allows knob to adjust the center frequency of the IF filters passband you to use the response. ANT Jack Connect the supplied 50/144/430 MHz rubber flex antenna (or another antenna pre-

senting a 50 impedance) to this BNC connector. In its default setting, this jack does not function on the HF bands. If you want to en-

able this jack on the HF bands, recall and change the setting of Menu #07. 11 FT-818 Operating Manual Front Panel Control & Switches key A/B Press the key to switch between VFO-A and VFO-B on the display. key A=B Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to copy the contents of VFO-A into the VFO-B register, so that the two VFOs contents will be identical. key SPL Press the key to activate Split frequency operation be-

tween VFO-A and VFO-B. MW Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to transfer the contents of the VFO into a Memory register. STO Press the key to store the contents of the VFO into the QMB (Quick Memory Bank) register. RPT Press the key to select the direction of the uplink frequency shift (, +, or Simplex) during FM repeater operation. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #42 (for setting the shift frequency offset). SCN Press the key to initiate scanning (in the direction of higher frequencies). MC Press the key to des-

ignate the current Memory channel to be skipped during scanning. RCL Press the the QMB Memory. key to recall TAG Press the key to select the display type (Frequency or Alpha-numeric Tag) during Memory operation. PMS Press the key to activate the Programmable Memory Scan feature. REV Press the key to reverse the transmit and receive frequencies while working through a repeater. TON key to activate Press the CTCSS or DCS operation. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #48 (for selecting the CTCSS tone frequency). PRI Press the the Priority Scan feature. key to activate DW Press the the Dual Watch system. key to activate SSM Press the key to activate the Spectrum Scope Monitor feature. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #43 (for selecting the SSM sweep mode). IPO Press the key to bypass the receiver preamplifier, thereby activating Intercept Point Optimization for im-

proved overload characteris-

tics. The IPO feature does not function on 144/430 MHz. SCH Press the Smart SearchTM operation. key to activate ATT Press the key to engage the receiver front-end atten-

uator, which will reduce all signals and noise by approxi-

mately 10 dB. The ATT feature does not function on 144/430 MHz. ART Press the key to initiate the Auto-Range Transponder mode. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #09 (for selecting the ARTS Beep option). NAR Press the key to activate the Narrow filter mode in the CW (optional YF-122C or YF-

122CN required) mode. On the FM mode, it also selects the low-deviation mode re-

quired for HF FM operation on 29 MHz. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #38 (to Enable/Disable the optional filter during instal-

lation). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 12 FT-818 Operating Manual Front Panel Control & Switches key NB Press the key to activate the receivers IF Noise Blank-

er. Press the key to select the recovery time (F a S t, SlOw, autO, or OFF) for the receivers AGC system. key No function key AGC PWR Press the key to select the transmitter power output level (lOw 1, lOw 2, lOw 3, or high). VOX Press the key to enable the VOX (voice-operated transmitter switching system) in the SSB, AM, and FM modes. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #51 (for setting the VOX Gain level). CHG key to initiate Press the Battery Charging. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #11 (for selecting the Charging period). TCH key to initiate Press the Tone Search. MTR Press the key to select the display function of the meter in the transmit mode

(Power, ALC, SWR, or MOD indication). BK key to activate Press the CW Semi Break-in opera-

tion. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #17 (for setting the CW Delay time). At a setting of 10 ms, operation emulates full QSK performance. VLT Press the the current battery voltage. key to display DCH key to initiate Press the DCS Search. No function KYR key to activate Press the the built-in Electronic Keyer. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to recall Menu #21 (for setting the Keyer speed). DSP Press the key to switch the display between the Large Character and Small Charac-

ter modes. No function 8 9 10 11 12

* The Operating Function number in this column does not appear on the LCD. Display Icons Operating Mode Rear Panel Antenna Selected (page 58) LOCK Feature Active (page 10) FST Button MH-31

(

A8J

) Active Active (page 40) Low Battery!

Split Frequency Operation Low TX Power Selected Automatic Power-Off Digital Coded Squelch CTCSS Decoder CTCSS Encoder Repeater Shift Direction Dual Watch Active (page 54) Active (page 32) Active (page 32)

(page 31)

(page 26) Active (page 25) Active (page 34) S:

PO:

AL:

S-Meter TX Power Meter ACL Meter SW:

MO:

SWR Meter Deviation Meter

: This operation does not function in the FM Broadcast frequencies. 13 FT-818 Operating Manual

Side Panel Switch & Connectors SP/PH SP PH-

MIC MIC Jack Connect the supplied MH-31A8J Hand Microphone to this jack. SP/PH Jack This 3.5-mm, 2-pin jack provides variable audio output for an external speaker (4 -

16 impedance) or earphones. The audio level varies according to the setting of the front panels knob. When you insert an earphone plug into this jack, the SP-PH slide switch

(located to the right side of this jack) MUST BE set to the PH position, to prevent the possibility of injury to your ears. SP-PH Switch If you use earphones with this transceiver, move this switch to the PH position be-

fore inserting the earphone plug into the SP/PH Jack, to prevent injury your ears. 14 FT-818 Operating Manual Rear Panel Connectors INPUT DC13.8V

:

KEY DATA ACC GND ANT

) Jack (

INPUT:13.8V This is the DC power supply connection for the transceiver, used when operating the transceiver with an external power supply. Use the supplied DC cable to connect this jack to the car battery or base station DC power supply, which must be capable of supplying at least 3A @ 8 ~ 16 VDC. This jack is also used for battery charging (when using the supplied SBR-32MH battery pack). GND Terminal For best performance and safety, this Ground lug may be connected to a good earth ground using a short, heavy, braided cable. KEY Jack This 3.5-mm, 3-pin jack is used for connection to a CW keyer paddle or a straight key. DATA Jack This 6-pin, mini-DIN jack accepts AFSK input from a Terminal Node Controller

(TNC); it also provides fixed-level Receiver Audio Output, Push-To-Talk (PTT), Squelch Status, and ground lines. ACC Jack This 8-pin, mini-DIN jack provides a closure to ground during transmission, ALC, a transmitter-inhibit pin, and band data for connection to an external amplifier. It is also used for Transceiver-to Transceiver Cloning and for control of this transceiver using a personal computer. ANT Jack Connect your HF and/or 50 MHz antennas 50 coaxial cable to this M-type (SO-

239) connector. In its default setting, this jack does not function on 50/144/430 MHz bands. If you want to enable this jack on 50/144/430 MHz bands, recall and change the settings of Menu #07. 15 FT-818 Operating Manual Operation turning the tranSceiver On and OFF 1. To turn the transceiver on, press and hold in the switch for one second. 2. To turn the transceiver off, again press and hold in the switch for one second. The one-second delay helps you avoid accidental switching on (or off) of DC power. PWR F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF HOME ELS CLAR A B C SupplY vOltage diSplaY When you turn on the transceiver, the DC supply voltage is indi-

cated in the upper right corner of the LCD for two seconds. After this interval, the display will resume its normal indication of the operating mode (VFOa, VFOb, or Memory Channel Number). To view the supply voltage at any time during operation:

1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the Row 11* [CHG, VLT, DSP] on the display. knob to select Operating Function 2. Press the

(VLT) key momentarily to display the supply voltage in the upper right corner of the LCD.

(VLT) key. 3. To cancel the supply voltage display, again press the Remember, the Operating Row Number does not appear on the display. If you have not operated your FT-818 within the past week, we recommend that you plug in the Battery Charger, and perform a 10 hour (use for PA-48B/C/U) charge cycle, to ensure that the SBR-32MH is ready for operation when you are. 16 FT-818 Operating Manual Operation Operating band SelectiOn

)

(

BAND DWN BAND UP(

) This transceiver covers an incredibly wide fre-

quency range, over which a number of different operating modes are used. Therefore, this trans-

ceivers frequency coverage has been divided into different operating bands, each of with has its own pre-set channel steps and operating modes. You can change the channel steps and operating mode once you get started, of course, per the next section. To change the frequency band, press either the to the next lower or higher operating band, respectively. key to move or SQL/RF HOME LOCK CLAR PWR ELS AF F A B C M V 1.8 MHz 3.5 MHz 7.0 MHz 10 MHz 14 MHz 15 MHz 18 MHz 21 MHz 430 MHz 144 MHz 108 MHz 88 MHz 50 MHz 28 MHz 24 MHz 1) Recalling the 5 MHz band (U.S. model) requires different procedure. See page 20 for details. 2) VFOa and VFOb are independent VFOs, so they may be set to different bands. See the Stacked VFO System discussion on page 19 for details. MOde SelectiOn or Press either the key to move among the eight settings for the operating modes, respectively. USB CWR LSB CW AM FM DIG PKT MODE ( ) MODE ( ) F HOME ELS CLAR A B C V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF You can also set VFOa and VFOb to different modes in the same band, allowing you to have a Phone VFO and a CW VFO, for example. adjuSting the audiO vOluMe level knob to set a comfortable listen-

Rotate the ing level. When operating in the DIG or PKT modes, you may set the knob to any comfortable setting, or even all the way off, because the output from the DATA jack is a fixed-level audio signal. Start with the background noise on FM can be surprisingly loud)!

HOME ELS A B C CLAR F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF AF knob set fully counter-clockwise, especially when using FM (the 17 FT-818 Operating Manual Operation Menu Quick Start Many aspects of this transceivers configuration may be customized using the convenient Menu system, which allow you to configure many set and forget settings just the way you want to. A full discussion of the Menu system beings on page 56; for now, here is a brief discussion on how to change Menu settings:

1. Press and hold in the 2. Rotate the knob to recall the Menu item to be changed (for example, Menu #01, key for one second to enter the Menu mode. which Enables or Disables the Automatic Repeater Shift on the 144 MHz band). 3. Rotate the knob to set this feature (in this example, the default setting is EN-

knob to set this feature to DISABLE. key for one second to save the new setting and exit to normal ABLE, so rotate the 4. Press and hold in the operation. key momentarily again (to clear the function indications for the key to change an operating function, press

,

, If you have momentarily pressed the the keys) before engaging the Menu. V M C B A F AF ELS PWR CLAR LOCK HOME SQL/RF adjuSting the rF gain and SQuelch control is configured differently, depending on the country to which the FT-

The 818 has been exported. In the U.S. version, the default function of this control is RF Gain. The configuration of the control is set via Menu #45; see page 65 for details. If your transceiver is configured for RF Gain SQL/RF use, rotating this control fully clockwise in the SSB/CW/Digital modes will provide best sensitivity. To reduce the receivers RF Gain somewhat, rotate this control counter-clock-

wise slightly. You will observe an increasing number of bars on the S-meter as you rotate the control counter-clockwise; this indicates increasing AGC voltage, which is causing the front-end gain to be reduced. In the FM and Packet modes, this control will automatically be set to an Auto-Squelch mode, wherein the FM/Packet squelch thresh-

control still acts as an RF Gain control, how-

old is pre-set at the factory; the ever, and it normally should be set fully clockwise. If this control is configured for SQL operation, the FT-818s RF Gain will be set for control will function solely as a maximum sensitivity in all modes, and the Squelch control. In this case, rotate the control to the point where the back-

ground noise is just silenced; this will provide the best sensitivity to weak signals, while keeping the receiver quiet when no signal is received. The LED just above the Main Dial will glow Green when the squelch is opened by an incoming signal or noise. Note: Squelch operation does not function in the FM Broadcast frequencies. Battery consumption is significantly reduced if the receiver is squelched, as the audio amplifier stage is shut off when the receiver is muted. 18 FT-818 Operating Manual Operation Setting the Operating FreQuencY 1. In the SSB/CW/DIG modes, rotate the knob to set the frequency. Clockwise knob increases the oper-

rotation of the ating frequency. 2. In the AM/FM/PKT modes, rotate the knob to set the frequency. Clockwise rotation of the ing frequency. HOME ELS CLAR SEL F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF A B C DIAL knob increases the operat-

3. You may also use the knob to adjust the operating frequency in the SSB/CW/

DIG modes. The knob provides faster tuning, ideal for making quick changes in frequency when you want to move across the band in a hurry. You can then use the knob to make fine frequency adjustments. 4. If you press the knob, you can now change the operating frequency in 1 MHz steps, allowing very quick frequency excur-

sions. This can be particularly helpful on the VHF and UHF bands. knob momentarily, then rotate the 5. In step 2 above, it was mentioned that tuning in the AM/FM/PKT modes is accom-

knob is disabled in these modes; if knob. By default, the knob in these modes, use Menu #04; see page 58. plished using the you wish to enable the 6. The synthesizer steps for the knob may be adjusted independently by mode. Use Menu #06 for AM, #30 for FM, and #47 for SSB/CW/Digital. See pages 58, 62, and 65 for details. The main knob synthesizers tuning rate (the number of steps per rotation of the knob) can be adjusted using Menu #33. See page 63 for details. Stacked vFO SYSteM 1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 1 [A/B, A=B, SPL] appears on the display. 2. Now press the

(A/B) key to toggle between the A and B VFOs. There are two such VFOs provided on each Amateur band, so you may set VFO-A to the CW sub-band, and VFO-B to the SSB sub-band, if you like. The operating mode will be preserved, along with the frequency information, on each VFO. 19 FT-818 Operating Manual Operation OperatiOn On 5 Mhz band (u.S. verSiOn OnlY) The FT-818 includes the capability for transmission and reception on the five spot frequen-

cies assigned to the Amateur Service in the United States. To operate on the 5 MHz band:

1. Press the V/M key once to enter the Memory mode (a memory channel number M-nnn will appear on the display in the space previ-

ously occupied by VFOa or VFOb). HOME ELS CLAR 2. Rotate the A knob to select the desired channel (M-601 through M-605), at the factory, with the permitted frequencies in the 5 MHz band. If you have partitioned your memory channels into Memory Groups via Menu #34, the memory channel numbers for 60-meter operation will be displayed as l - 001 ~ l-005. See page 44 for details regarding Memory Group opera-

tion, and page 63 for details regarding Menu #34. SEL 3. Pressing the or key momentarily, switches the operating mode between SSB and CW. 4. To exit from 60-meter operatin and return to the VFO mode, key (the memory channel number will be just press the replaced by VFOa or VFOb). The frequencies and operating mode for 5 MHz band operation are both fixed, and may not be changed. PSK Operation on 5 MHz Band F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF B C Memory Group OFF Memory Group ON CH No. Frequency 5.3320 MHz M-601 5.3480 MHz M-602 5.3585 MHz M-603 M-604 5.3730 MHz 5.4050 MHz M-605 1. Press the 2. Rotate the key once, if necessary, to enter the Memory mode. 605), at the factory, with the permitted frequencies in the 5 MHz band. knob to select the desired channel (M-601 through M-

or 3. Press the 4. When the transmit command is received from the TNC, the FT-818 trans-

mitter will be engaged. The microphone input is disabled automatically when transmitting the PSK signal. key to select the SSB mode. Likewise, the TNC receive command will cause the radio to revert to the re-

ceive mode. You can adjust DATA input level using Menu #25 [DIG MIC]. During PSK operation via the rear panel DATA jack, the front panel MIC jack is cut off, so you wont have a live microphone problem during data opera-

tion. Set the PSK sub carrier frequency of the TNC to 1.5 kHz. 20 FT-818 Operating Manual Receiver Accessories clariFier (receiver increMental tuning) The Clarifier (RIT) allows you to set an offset of up to 9.99 kHz of the receive frequen-

cy relative to your transmit frequency. To achieve a wider offset than this, you may use the Split operating mode, described later. 1. Press the switch momentarily to activate SEL the Clarifier function. 2. Turn the knob, which allows the receiver frequency to be varied over a range of 9.99 kHz. 3. When the receiving frequency is higher than F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF HOME ELS CLAR CLAR A B C transmit frequency, the icon will appear at the right of the frequency display. Similarly, when the receiving frequen-

cy is lower than transmit frequency, the icon will appear at the right of the frequency display. 4. When the receiving frequency is equal to transmit frequency

(Clarifier offset is zero) while the Clarifier is activated, the icon will appear at the right of the frequency display. 5. To turn the Clarifier off, again press the switch momen-

tarily. When you turn the Clarifier back on, the offset previ-

ously stored will still be applied. 6. To reset the Clarifier offset to zero, turn the Clarifier off, then knob by any amount. The Clarifier will reset turn the to zero after the first step of the knob.

[TX < RX]

[TX > RX]

[TX = RX]

If you leave the Clarifier on, moving the celled. knob will not cause the offset to be can-

21 FT-818 Operating Manual Receiver Accessories iF ShiFt The receivers IF SHIFT feature is an effective interference-reduction tool, which allows you to shift the passband response higher or lower without changing the pitch of the in-

coming signal. 1. Press the switch for one second to acti-

SEL vate the IF SHIFT feature. A icon will appear at the right of the frequency display to indicate the IF SHIFTs current po-

sition.

, , or 2. Rotate the knob, as needed, to reduce or eliminate the interference. F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF HOME ELS CLAR CLAR A B C 3. To turn the IF SHIFT feature off, again press the switch for one second. The last setting of the IF SHIFT control will be retained until you change it again. 4. If you wish to make a more permanent shift in the receivers IF passband, use Menu #54 (LSB) or #55 (USB) in the Ex-

tended Menu. This allows you to set up a higher or lower listening pitch, if you prefer such as compared to the default passband response. See page 66. Engaging of the IF Shift feature does not disable the set-

ting of the Clarifier control. With the IF Shift activated, press the switch momentarily to switch to Clarifier operation. 22 FT-818 Operating Manual Receiver Accessories agc (autOMatic gain cOntrOl) The receiver recovery time constant of the AGC system may be modified to match your operating needs. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 8 [NB, AGC] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(AGC) key to toggle the AGC recovery time constant among the follow-

ing selections:

AGCauto AGCfast AGCslow AGCoff AGCauto where AGCauto represents AGCfast on CW and DIG(AFSK), and AGCslow on the voice modes. If AGCoff selected, the S-meter (which monitors AGC voltage) will cease to function. nOiSe blanker The IF Noise Blanker may be useful in reducing or eliminating some types of impulse noise, especially noise generated by automotive ignition systems. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 8 [NB, AGC] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(NB) key to activate the Noise Blanker. The icon will appear at the right of the NB indication. 3. Press the

(NB) key again to turn the Noise Blanker off. ipO (intercept pOint OptiMizatiOn) The IPO feature bypasses the receiver RF preamplifier, thereby eliminating the preamps gain. This feature is not available on the 144 MHz and 430 MHz. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 7 [IPO, ATT, NAR] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(IPO) key to bypass the receiver input preamplifier. The icon will appear at the right of the IPO indication.

(IPO) key once more to re-activate the preamp. 3. Press the On the bands below 14 MHz, the input preamplifier is rarely necessary, and activation of the IPO feature will provide substantial protection against intermodulation and oth-

er problems associated with strong signal input to the receiver. Rule of thumb: so long as the S-meter is moving on background noise, additional front-end gain is not neces-

sary. 23 FT-818 Operating Manual

Receiver Accessories att (FrOnt end attenuatOr) The Attenuator will reduce all signals (and noise) by 10 dB, and it may be used to make reception more pleasant under extremely noisy conditions. This feature is not available on the 144 MHz and 430 MHz. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 7 [IPO, ATT, NAR] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(ATT) key to activate the Attenuator. The icon will appear at the right of the ATT indication. 3. Press the end circuit.

(ATT) key once more to switch the Attenuator out of the receiver front aM/FM dial knob. In the AM and FM modes, the knob is locked out (via the setting of Menu #04) so as to allow channelized tuning on these modes. To adjust the operating frequency, rotate the If you wish to enable the ting of Menu #04. See page 58 for details. The channelized mode of tuning on AM and FM automatically rounds off the fre-

quency to the next logical step when you rotate the knob one click in either direction. This eliminates the inconvenience of having to preset the frequency to an even channel. knob for tuning in the AM and FM modes, change the set-

24 FT-818 Operating Manual Receiver Accessories autOMatic pOwer-OFF Feature The APO feature helps conserve battery life by automatically turning the transceiver off after a user-defined period of time within which there has been no dial or key activity. The available selections for the time before power-off are 1 ~ 6 hours, as well as APO Off. The default condition for the APO is OFF, and here is the procedure for activating it:

1. Press and hold the 2. Rotate the 3. Rotate the knob to recall Menu #08 (APO TIME). knob to select the desired time period after which the radio will auto-

key for one second to enter the Menu mode. key for one second to save the new setting and exit to normal matically shut down. 4. Press and hold the operation. Once you have programmed a time interval, the APO countdown timer will start whenev-

er some front panel action (tuning, transmission, etc.) is completed. When the APO is activated, the icon will appear at the center bottom on the LCD. If there is no action by you within the time interval programmed, the microprocessor will shut down the radio automatically. Just press and hold in the an APO shutdown, as usual. switch for one second to turn the transceiver back on after 25 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation SSb tranSMiSSiOn Basic Setup/Operation 1. Press the

/

key so as to select either SSB (LSB/USB) mode. If you are operating on the 7 MHz or lower bands, select the LSB mode. If you are oper-

ating on the 14 MHz or higher bands, select the USB mode. 2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 9 [PWR, MTR] appears on the display, then press the

(MTR) key to select the ALC meter function (alc will appear at the right side of the MTR icon). 3. Press the microphones PTT switch, and speak into the microphone in a normal voice while watching the meter. The ideal audio input level to the transmitter from the mi-

crophone will cause a few segments of indication on the ALC meter. Release the PTT switch to return to receive mode. 4. If the ALC meter is too high, or too low, you may need to reset the Microphone Gain:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Close the PTT switch, and while speaking into the microphone rotate the key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to recall Menu #46 (SSB MIC). knob until the proper ALC indication is achieved on voice peaks. When done, press and hold in the Gain. key to save the new setting for the Microphone The [TONE] switch on the back of the MH-31A8J microphone provides adjustment of the microphones frequency response. Setting this switch to the 2 position will roll off some of the bass response, resulting in improved talk power in many instances. The 1 position is primarily used in countries like Japan, where vowel sounds are of critical importance in conveying information; in Western languages, consonant sounds

(which are rich in high-frequency components) are frequently more important. Adjusting the Transmitter Power Output Four power levels are available on the FT-818: 6 Watts, 5 Watts, 2.5 Watt, and 1.0 Watt. When using Alkaline batteries or the supplied SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack, the microprocessor, detecting internal battery use, automatically sets the power level to 2.5 Watts, which appears on the display as

. If you set the power to five watts, the power level icon is the same as for 2.5 Watt operation, but at 6 Watts the icon is blinking. For 0.5 Watt, there is one bar to the right of the L in the power icon, and for 1 Watt there are two bars displayed. The power level is easy to change:

Function Row 9 [PWR, MTR]. 1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob to select Operating 2. Press the

(PWR) key, as needed, to set the desired power level. The icon will change, based on the power level you have set. 26 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation VOX Operation The VOX system provides automatic transmit/receive switching based on voice input to the microphone. With the VOX system enabled, you do not need to press the PTT switch in order to transmit. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(VOX) key to activate the VOX circuitry. The icon will appear at the right of the VOX indication. 3. Without pressing the PTT switch, speak into the microphone in a normal voice level. When you start speaking, the transmitter should be activated automatically. When you finish speaking, the transceiver should return to the receive mode (after a short delay).

(VOX) key. The 4. To cancel VOX and return to PTT operation., again press the icon will disappear. 5. The VOX Gain may be adjusted, so as to prevent accidental transmitter activation in a noisy environment. To adjust the VOX Gain:

While still in Operating Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR], press and hold in the

(VOX) key for one second. This is a hot key feature which will instantly recall Menu

#51 (VOX GAIN). While speaking into the microphone, rotate the knob to the point where the transmitter is quickly activated by your voice, without causing background noise to activate the transmitter. When you have selected the optimum setting, press and hold the second to save the new settings and return to normal operation. key for one 6. The Hang-Time of the VOX system (the transmit-receive delay after the cessation of speech) may also be adjusted via the Menu. The default delay is 1/2 second. To set a different delay time:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Rotate the knob to select Menu #50 (VOX DELAY). knob while saying a brief syllable like Ah so as to set the de-

key for one second to activate the Menu mode. sired delay time. When your adjustments are complete, press and hold in the to save the new setting and return to normal operation. key for one second The delay time for return to the receive mode is set independently on CW and voice modes; for CW, use Menu #17 (see next section). 27 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation cw tranSMiSSiOn Operation using Straight Key/External Keying Device When using a straight key, an external electronic keyer, or a computer-generated keying device, please follow the instructions in this section. 1. Insert your keys (three-conductor) plug into the rear-panel KEY jack. 2. Press the key, as needed, to select one of the CW (CW/CWR)

/

modes. The CW mode utilizes USB-side carrier injection, while the CWR (Reverse) mode utilizes LSB-side injection. 3. Press the key momentarily, then then rotate the knob, as needed, until Oper-

ating Function Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR] appears on the display. 4. Press the

(BK) key, as needed, to activate Semi Break-In operation. The icon will appear at the right of the BK indication. 5. The CW hang time can be adjusted using Menu #17 (CW DELAY). To adjust the CW hang time:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Rotate the key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to select Menu #17 (CW DELAY). knob to select a longer or shorter delay time (default: 250 ms). This transceiver was not expressly designed for full QSK operation, the min-

imum (10 ms) setting of this Menu item (CW DELAY) will be very close to full break-in performance. When done, press and hold in the and exit to normal operation. key for one second to save the new setting If you are already in Operating Function Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR], pressing and

(BK) key for one second will instantly select Menu #17 (CW DE-

holding in the LAY). 6. To practice your CW sending (without transmitting), press the

(BK) key to make the icon disappear. Now, pressing the key will cause the CW sidetone to be heard, but your radio will not be transmitting a signal on the air. 7. You can adjust the CW sidetone volume level via Menu #44 (SIDETONE). To adjust the CW sidetone volume level:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Rotate the the default value is 50. key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to select Menu #44 (SIDETONE). knob to select a new level; on the arbitrary scale of 0 ~ 100, When done, press and hold in the and exit to normal operation. key for one second to save the new setting 28 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation 8. You also can adjust the CW sidetone pitch using Menu #20 (CW PITCH). This adjust-

ment also controls the BFO offset (actual pitch of your transmitted signal relative to your current receive frequency). To adjust the CW sidetone pitch:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Rotate the knob to select Menu #20 (CW PITCH). knob to select a new pitch tone/BFO offset. The available offset key for one second to enter the Menu mode. range is 300 ~ 1000 Hz (default value is 700 Hz). When done, press and hold in the and exit to normal operation. key for one second to save the new setting Because the CW Pitch corresponds to the actual pitch of your transmitted signal, the si-

detone may be used in a CW Spot capacity. Just tune the pitch of the received signal to the same pitch as that of your transceivers sidetone, and you will be perfectly zero beat with the other station. The FT-818 can generate a CW Spot tone; just press and hold in the in the CW mode. key while 29 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation Operation using Built-in Electronic Keyer The built-in Electronic Keyer provides a convenient method of generating CW. The Elec-

tronic Keyer includes weight and speed adjustments. 1. Connect your keyer paddles cable to the KEY jack on the rear panel of the transceiv-

er. 2. Press the 3. Press the

/

key, as needed, to select the CW (CW/CWR) mode. key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR] appears on the display. 4. Press the

(KYR) key to activate the Electronic Keyer. The icon will appear at the right of the KYR indication. 5. The Keyer speed may be adjusted using Menu #21 (CW SPEED). To adjust the Keyer speed:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Press the key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to select Menu #21 (CW SPEED). knob if you wish to select display of cpm (characters per min-

ute) instead of wpm (words per minute). The cpm selection is based on the international PARIS standard, which stipulates five characters per word. Rotate the When done, press and hold in the and exit to normal operation. knob, while sending, to set the desired sending speed. key for one second to save the new setting If you are already using Operating Function Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR], press and hold in the [C](KYR) key to switch instantly to Menu #21 (CW SPEED). 6. The Dot:Dash weighting ratio may be adjusted via Menu #22 (CW WEIGHT). To ad-

just the Dot:Dash weighting ratio:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Rotate the When done, press and hold in the and exit to normal operation. key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to select Menu #22 (CW WEIGHT). knob to set the desired weight. key for one second to save the new setting 7. You may select normal or reverse paddle polarity via Menu #19 (CW PADDLE). The default setting for this feature is normal, whereby the Tip connection on the Key Plug is Dot and the Ring connection is Dash. To change the paddle polari-

ty:

Press and hold in the Rotate the Rotate the When done, press and hold in the knob to select Menu #19 (CW PADDLE). knob to select the new setting. key for one second to save the new setting key for one second to enter the Menu mode. and exit to normal operation. 30 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation FM tranSMiSSiOn Basic Setup/Operation 1. Press the 2. Press the microphones PTT switch, and speak into the microphone in a normal voice. 3. Release the PTT switch to return to the receive mode. 4. If you get reports that your modulation level is too high or too low, you may need to key so as to select the FM mode.

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key momentarily, then rotate the adjust the FM-mode microphone gain. The procedure is similar to that used on SSB:

Press the knob, as needed, until Operat-

ing Function Row 9 [PWR, MTR] appears on the display, then press the

(MTR) key to select the Deviation meter function (mod will appear at the right side of the MTR icon). Press and hold in the Rotate the Increase or decrease the setting of the FM Mic Gain, depending on the level cor-

key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to recall Menu #29 (FM MIC). rection required, then press and hold the key to save the new setting. Close the PTT switch, and while speaking into the microphone observe the meter indication; the proper setting of the FM Mic Gain will produce five bars of indi-

cation on voice peaks, slightly less on lower levels of speech input. When done, press and hold in the key to save the new setting for the FM-mode microphone gain. 5. The VOX feature is operational during FM transmission. From Operating Function Row 10 [VOX, BK, KYR], press the

(VOX) key to activate/deactivate VOX. Repeater Operation 1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 4 [RPT, REV, TON] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(RPT) key to activate repeater operation. One press of the

(RPT) key will have set the transceiver for Minus Shift operation. In this situation, you will observe the indicator on the display. The transmitter frequency will be shifted down by a default value so as to access the repeater input frequency. If your repeater

(RPT) key again; the + in-

uses a positive shift (instead of negative), press the dicator will replace the indicator on the display. 3. If the default repeater shift is not appropriate for your area, it may be set independent-

ly for each band. To change the repeater shifts:

Press and hold the

(RPT) key for one second. This instantly recalls Menu #42

(RPT SHFT). Rotate the When done, press and hold in the and exit to normal operation. knob to select the desired shift frequency. key for one second to save the new setting 31 FT-818 Operating Manual

Transmitter Operation 4. Press the

(TON) key to activate the CTCSS tone encoder, which provides a sub-

(TON) key will activate the CTCSS audible repeater access tone. One press of the tone encoder. In this situation, you will observe the indicator on the display. If you press the

(CTCSS Encode/

Decode), followed by

(Digital Coded Squelch, Encode/Decode). One addi-

tional press will disable all repeater-access tone systems. See the next section for a discussion of DCS operation.

(TON) key repeatedly, you will observe 5. If the default repeater access tone are not appropriate for your area, it also may be set independently for each band. To change the repeater access tone:

Press and hold the

(TON) key for one second. This instantly recalls Menu #48

(TONE FREQ). Rotate the When done, press and hold the exit to normal operation. knob to select the desired CTCSS frequency. key for one second so save the new setting and 6. Set the transceivers receiver to the repeater output (downlink) frequency. 7. Close the PTT switch and speak into the microphone. You will observe that the trans-

mitted frequency has shifted according to the setting of the

(RPT) key. 8. Release the PTT switch to return to the Receive mode. 9. With repeater shift activated, you can temporarily reverse the transmit and receive

(REV) key. The icon will blink while Reverse

(REV) key again to revert to the Normal shift direc-

frequencies by pressing the shift is activated. Press the tion. 10. When you are finished with repeater operation, you may wish to set the repeater shift

(RPT) key, and disable the CTCSS or DCS tone by to simplex by pressing the

(TON) key. pressing the 11. On many transceiver versions, the Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS) feature is enabled at the factory. This feature automatically activates the appropriate repeater shift when you are operating inside the designated 144 MHz or 430 MHz FM repeater sub-bands in your country. If you wish to change the settings for the ARS, use Menu #01 (144 ARS) or Menu #02 (430 ARS) (see page 58). If your local repeaters need a 1750-Hz burst tone for access (typically in Europe), press and hold in the front panels key to transmit the burst tone. 32 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation Tone Search Scanning In operating situations where you dont know the CTCSS tone being used by an-

other station, you can command the radio to listen to the incoming signal and scan in search of the tone being used. To scan for the CTCSS tone in use:

1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Op-

erating Function Row 12 [TCH, DCH] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(TCH) key to activate CTCSS Encoder/Decoder; (the icon will appear on the display) and start scanning for the incoming CTCSS tone. 3. When the radio detects the correct tone, it will halt on that tone, and audio will be allowed to pass. 4. Press and hold in the

(TCH) key for one second; the CTCSS tone detected will be stored as the current tone, so it may be used for memory storage pur-

poses, and you may now exit to normal operation. 33 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation DCS Operation Another form of tone access control is Digital Code Squelch, or DCS. It is a newer, more advanced tone system that is less susceptible to false triggering than CTCSS. A DCS Encoder/Decoder is built into your transceiver, and operation is very similar to that de-

scribed above for CTCSS. 1. Set the desired DCS code via Menu #23 (DCS CODE). 2. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 4 [RPT, REV, TON] appears on the display. 3. Press the

(TON) key three times to activate the DCS Encoder/Decoder (the icon will appear on the display). The receiver will remain muted until a matching DCS code is received on an incoming signal. 4. Press the

(TON) key once to cancel DCS operation (the icon will disap-

pear). DSC Search Scanning In operating situations where you dont know the DCS code being used by anoth-

er station, you can command the radio to listen to the incoming signal and scan in search of the code being used. To scan for the DCS code in use:

1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Op-

erating Function Row 12 [TCH, DCH] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(DCH) key to activate DCS Encoder/Decoder; (the icon will appear on the display) and start scanning for the incoming DCS code. 3. When the radio detects the correct code, it will halt on that code, and audio will be allowed to pass. 4. Press and hold in the

(DCH) key for one second; the DCS code detected will be stored as the current code, so it may be used for memory storage pur-

poses, and you may now exit to normal operation. 34 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation ARTSTM (autO range tranSpOnd SYSteM) Operation The ARTSTM system uses DCS signaling to inform you when you and another ARTS-

equipped station are within communications range. This can be especially valuable during search-and-rescue operations, as a base station can quickly use ARTS to alert a field unit that it is out of range; the field unit can then move to a better location to re-establish communications. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 6 [SSM, SCH, ART] appears on the display.

(ART) key to activate ARTS operation. 2. Press the 3. Your display will change to out range to indicate the be-

ginning of ARTS operation. Every 25 seconds, your radio will transmit a polling call to the other station. When that station responds with its return ARTS polling signal, your display will change to in range to confirm reception of the response. 4. To cancel ARTS operation, press the

(ART) key again (the out range or in range indication will disappear from the LCD). The ARTS feature offers a choice of beep options to alert you to the current status of ARTS operation. Use Menu #09 (ARTS BEEP) on page 59 to select the beep option that is best for your operating needs. CW Identifier Setup The ARTS feature includes a CW identifier. When it is activated, the radio will send DE

(your callsign) K in Morse code every ten minutes during ARTS operation. To program the CW IDer, use Menu #31 (ID), as described on page 62. And to activate the CW IDer, use Menu #18 (CW ID). 35 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation digital MOde OperatiOn (SSb-baSed aFSk) The FT-818 provides extensive capability for digital mode operation on the HF, VHF, and UHF bands. The use of AFSK (Audio Frequency-Shifted Keying) configurations al-

lows a wide variety of different communication modes to be utilized. The Menu provides for specific digital mode selections, which include custom BFO offsets to optimize the receive and transmit passbands for the mode selected. Before beginning Digital operation, you need to define which Digital mode will be uti-

lized. To do this, use Menu #26 as follows (in this example, we will set up RTTY as the Digital mode):

1. Press and hold in the 2. Rotate the 3. Rotate the 4. Press and hold in the Use this technique to set up any digital mode. RTTY (Radio TeleType) Operation The RTTY mode on the FT-818 is based on LSB-side carrier injection, in accordance with long-standing amateur practice. If you need USB-side injection for your application, see the User mode discussion below. 1. Connect your TNC (Terminal Node Controller) or terminal modem to the FT-818s knob to select Menu #26 (DIG MODE). knob to select RTTY. key for one second to save the new setting and exit. key for one second to enter the Menu mode. rear-panel DATA jack, per the illustration. 2. Press the key, as needed, to select the DIG mode (the DIG icon will appear on the display). Be certain to use the TX Audio line from your TNC, not an FSK Key line, for the transmit-data connection.

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3. Press the key, as needed, to select the DIG mode (the DIG icon will appear on the display). You should now be able to tune around the band, and any RTTY signals heard should be capable of being decoded.

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KEY DATA ACC ANT INPUT DC13.8V

:

GND PTT AFSK OUT AF IN Note Pin Label DATA IN Maximum Input Lebel:

PTT 1.0 V pp Impedance: 10 k Ground to Transmit DATA OUT Maximum Output Level:

300 mVpp Impedance: 10k 36 DATA OUT PTT DATA IN GND FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation 4. If the optional YF-122C 500 Hz filter has been installed, it may be used for RTTY

(NAR) work. Recall Operating Function Row 7 [IPO, ATT, NAR] then press the key to engage the narrow filter. 5. To set up the transmit side, be sure that the Meter is set to monitor ALC voltage. If knob to select to select Op-

(MTR) key so as to select not, press the erating Function Row 9 [PWR, MTR], then press the metering of ALC. key momentarily, then rotate the 6. Press and hold in the key for 1/2 second to enter the menu mode, then rotate the knob to select menu #25 (DIG MIC). 7. Following the instructions for your TNCs software, activate the transmitter from the computer keyboard; this should cause the AFSK output from the TNC to be sent to the radio. While transmitting, view the ALC meter; a few dots of ALC indication should be observed. If not, rotate the knob to adjust the AFSK level. Press and hold in the key for one second to save the new AFSK level setting and return to normal operation. You are now ready for RTTY operation. Because RTTY is a continuous-duty transmission mode, try to keep your transmission short when running on battery power, so as to minimize current drain. PSK31 Operation Two dedicated PSK31 modes are available, one each for USB-side and LSB-side injec-

tion. For BPSK work, the injection does not matter, but for QPSK the two working sta-

tions must use the same sideband. Connect the FT-818 to your computers sound card or interface. Setup for PSK31 operation is basically identical to that previously described for RTTY operation. As before, use the DIG mode. However, in Menu #26, select PSK31-L (for LSB injection) or PSK31-U (for USB injection). As with RTTY, Menu #25 may be used to set the drive to the transmitter. And the YF-122C 500 Hz filter may also be utilized, as described previously. 37 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation USER Defined Digital Modes Also provided in the FT-818 are two convenient USER Digital modes, one each pro-

viding USB- and LSB-side injection, which may be used for SSTV, Fax, Pactor, and other digital operating modes. Here is an example involving the configuration of the USER mode for RTTY with USB-

side injection (as opposed to LSB injection, used in the default RTTY mode):

1. Use Menu #26 to set the Digital mode to USER-U. 2. Press the key, as needed, to select the DIG mode (the DIG

/

icon will appear on the display). Menu mode, rotate the 3. Now use Menu #27 to configure the transceivers passband response. Once in the knob to select Menu #27 (DIG SHIFT), and rotate the knob to set the desired BFO offset (depending on how your TNCs tones are set up). For typical high-frequency tone use, a setting of about +2100 will be a good starting point. 4. Finally, depending on how you wish the display to respond, you may program in a corresponding display shift, using Menu #24 (DIG DISP). Remember to press and hold in the key for one second when exiting the Menu mode. 5. The setup of the AFSK drive level is identical to that described previously for RTTY operation. The USER-L and USER-U Digital modes should allow you to operate on any SSB-

based AFSK Digital mode. Note that the PSK31 configurations will also work well for many Digital operating situations. 38 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation packet (1200/9600 bpS FM) OperatiOn The FT-818 is designed for operation on either 1200 bps or 9600 bps packet, and setup is similar to that described previously for SSB-based modes. A separate Data input ad-

justment is provided, allowing you to optimize the deviation on the FM Packet modes separately from the SSB-based Digital modes. The RX-Data output lines are fixed-level outputs, not affected by the setting of the AF Gain control. 1. Connect your TNC to the FT-818s rear-panel DATA jack, per the illustration. Note that different connections are used for 1200 bps and 9600 bps Packet. 2. Use Menu #40 (PKT RATE) to select the desired Packet mode. Once you have entered knob to select either 1200 the Menu and have selected Menu #40, rotate the or 9600 (bps) as the Packet rate. 3. Press the

/

key, as needed, to select the PKT mode (the PKT icon will appear on the display). 4. You are now set up for reception on Packet. If you are operating on 1200 bps, try now to connect to another station or node; you may well find that the drive level needs no further adjustment. 5. If you are having trouble connecting due to insufficient or excessive drive from the TNC to the FT-818, use Menu #39 (PKT MIC) to set the drive. Use your terminal soft-

wares test protocol to send out test tones, and adjust the deviation by rotating the knob, which will vary the data input level to the FT-818s modulator. Remem-

key for one second when adjustments are completed, ber to press and hold in the so as to save the new setting for Menu #39. The 9600 bps Packet deviation setting is very critical to successful operation, and it can only be accomplished using a calibrated deviation meter; the optimum setting is usually 2.75 kHz (0.25 kHz). For 1200 bps, the optimum level is much less critical, with the optimum deviation being between 2.5 kHz and 3.5 kHz. KEY DATA ACC ANT INPUT DC13.8V

:

GND PTT DATA OUT DATA IN Pin Label Note DATA IN PTT DATA OUT 9600 bps DATA OUT 1200 bps SQL Maximum Input Lebel:

40 mV pp @1200 bps 1.0 V pp @9600 bps Impedance: 10 k Ground to Transmit Maximum Output Level:

500 mVpp Impedance: 10k Maximum Output Level:

300 mVpp Impedance: 10k SQL Open: +5 V SQL Clised: 0 V T U O A T A D

) s p b 0 0 6 9

(

DATA OUT

(1200bps) PTT D N G DATA IN 39 FT-818 Operating Manual Transmitter Operation aM tranSMiSSiOn The FT-818 utilizes low-level amplitude modulation of an early stage for transmission purposes. This capability is primarily provided for emergency use only, as low-power op-

eration typically utilizes more efficient transmission/reception modes. The AM carrier level is preset to 1.5 Watts during alignment at the factory, and should not require further adjustment. It is important to remember that AM transmission requires that power must be distributed among the carrier and voice sidebands; therefore, if excessive carrier power is used, there will be insufficient power available for the information-carry-

ing voice sidebands. The AM microphone gain is preset at the factory to a value which typically provides good audio. If you need to modify the microphone gain in the AM mode, use Menu #05 (AM MIC). See page 58 for details. Split FreQuencY OperatiOn This transceiver provides convenient split-frequency operation, using the VFO-A and VFO-B, for DX working and other operating situations requiring unique split frequency pairs. The example below will describe a typical split-frequency DX situation on the 20-meter band, with a DX station transmitting on 14.025 MHz, listening 10 kHz higher in the band. 1. Set VFO-A to 14.035.00 MHz CW (DX stations listening frequency). 2. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row [A/B, A=B, SPL].

(A/B) key momentarily to select VFO-B. 3. Press the 4. Tune the VFO-B frequency to 14.025.00 MHz (DX stations transmitting frequency). 5. Press the

(SPL) key momentarily. The transceiver will now transmit using the icon will VFO-A frequency, and will receive using the VFO-B frequency. The appear on the display. 6. To listen to the pile-up calling the DX station (so as to align your frequency more

(A/B) key to closely to that of the station being worked by the DX), press the reverse the VFOs. You will now be tuning in the vicinity of 14.035 MHz, and you can zero in on the DX stations listening frequency by tuning in on the station in QSO

(A/B) key again to return to reception on the DX stations with the DX. Press the frequency. 7. Press the

(SPL) key once more to cancel split operation; the icon will dis-

appear from the display. 40 FT-818 Operating Manual

Transmitter Operation tiMe-Out tiMer Most often used on FM, the transmitters Time-Out Timer (TOT) feature disables the transmitter after a user-defined period of transmission. This feature may be useful in pre-

venting a stuck microphone (accidental closure of the PTT switch) from causing inter-

ference to other users, and it will also force you to keep your transmission short, thereby conserving battery power. To activate the Time-Out Timer:

1. Press and hold in the 2. Rotate the knob to recall Menu #49 (TOT TIME). 3. The default setting for this feature is off. Rotate the key for one second to enter the Menu mode. knob to set a new time-

out setting (from 1 minute to 20 minutes). 4. When you have made your selection, press and hold in the key for one second to save the new setting and exit to normal operation. weatherFax MOnitOring Monitoring of HF WeatherFax broadcasts is easily accomplished using the FT-818. 1. Before proceeding, be certain that the WeatherFax demodulator is properly connected to Pins 5 (DATA OUT 1200bps) and 2 (GND) of the rear panel DATA jack. 2. Set the transceiver to the VFO mode, and set the operating mode to DIG, setting Menu #26 to PSK31-U, as described previously. 3. Now, select the operating frequency of the station transmitting the WeatherFax broad-

cast. Note that, in the USB mode, the frequency you should program onto the display is typically 1.90 kHz below the stations assigned frequency. Thus for a WeatherFax station assigned to 8.682.0 MHz, tune to 8.680.1 MHz. 4. When the WeatherFax broadcast begins, no further operator intervention should be needed from the transceiver standpoint. The audio level from the DATA jack on the rear of the transceiver is fixed, and cannot be adjusted. Fine adjustments in the gray-scale and the frame alignment are accomplished using the computer and software connected to your WeatherFax demodulator. 41 FT-818 Operating Manual Memory Operation QMb channel QMB Channel Storage 1. Tune in the desired frequency and set the operating mode and bandwidth. If this is an FM channel, set up any required CTCSS/DCS and repeater shift configurations. 2. Press and hold in the key until a double beep is heard. The second beep pro-

vides audible confirmation that the data has been stored into the QMB memory.

(A/B) key momentarily while in Operating Function Row 3 [STO, Pressing the RCL, PMS] will also store a frequency into the QMB register. QMB Channel Recall 1. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 3 [STO, RCL, PMS] appears on the display. knob, as needed, until Operating 2. Press the

(RCL) key momentarily to recall the QMB memory. QMB will appear 3. Press the

(RCL) key once more to return to the previous frequency (either a VFO at the upper right corner on the LCD. frequency or a Memory channel). knob or knob while in the QMB mode, you can change If you move the frequencies as if you were in a VFO mode. You also can change operating mode by key. When this is done, the MTQMB will appear pressing the

(RCL) key in the display, where MT represents Memory Tuning. Press the once more to return to the originally-stored QMB frequency. or 42 FT-818 Operating Manual Memory Operation MeMOrY OperatiOn On regular MeMOrY channelS Normal Memory Storage 1. Tune in the desired frequency, and set the operating mode and bandwidth. If this is an FM channel, set up any required CTCSS/DCS and repeater shift configurations. Stan-

dard (default) repeater shifts do not require you to utilize the split frequency memo-

ry technique, described later. 2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display. 3. Press the

(MW) key momentarily to enter the Memory Check mode, which is used to find an unused memory channel. The frequency stored (if any) on the current memory channel will be shown in the display. 4. Rotate the knob to select the channel number on which you wish to store the current frequency data. 5. Press and hold in the second beep confirms that the frequency information was successfully stored.

(MW) key for one second until you hear a double beep; the Split-Frequency Memory Storage You can also store Split frequencies, such as when operating on a repeater system not uti-

lizing a standard offset. This procedure may also be used for DX work on 7 MHz SSB, etc. 1. In the VFO mode, set the desired Receive frequency and mode. 2. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display. 3. Press the

(MW) key momentarily to enter the Memory Check mode, which is used to find an unused memory channel. The frequency stored (if any) on the current memory channel will be shown in the display. knob to select the channel on which you wish to store the receive fre-

4. Rotate the quency data. 5. Press and hold in the

(MW) key for one second until you hear a double beep, which confirms that the Receive frequency data is now stored.

(MW) key momentarily; do not rotate the 6. Now, set the desired Transmit frequency and mode on the VFO. 7. Press the 8. While the memory channel number is blinking, press and hold in the PTT switch;

(MW) key for one second. The double while holding it in, press and hold in the beep will confirm that independent Transmit frequency data is now stored. You may now release the PTT switch. knob!

In step 8 above, pressing the PTT switch does not activate the transmitter. It simply sends a signal to the microprocessor that an independent Transmit frequency is being stored on the same channel as a previously-stored Receive frequency. 43 FT-818 Operating Manual Memory Operation Memory Channel Recall 1. If you currently are in the VFO tuning mode, press the key once to enter the Memory mode (a memory channel number M-nnn will appear on the display in she space previously occupied by VFOa or VFOb). knob. 2. To select another memory channel, turn the 3. When your memory channels are partitioned into Memory Groups via Menu #34, it is easy to change Memory Groups;

knob momentarily (a Group Number (a press the

~ j) will blink), then turn the knob to step through the channels until you enter another. You may now press the knob once more to restrict memory channel access to Memory Group OFF the newly-selected Group. Memory Group ON 4. Once you are operating on a memory channel, you may tune off of the original-

ly-memorized frequency (as though you were in the VFO mode). Just rotate the knob; the Memory Channel Number will be replaced by one which indicates MTUNE, indicating that you have now shifted into the Memory Tuning mode. When operating the Memory Tuning mode, if you find another frequency you wish to

(MW) key momentarily, select store into another memory channel, just press the

(MW) key a new memory channel via the until you hear the double beep. knob, then press and hold in the 5. To exit the Memory Tuning mode, press the key as follows:

One touch of the A second touch of the key returns you to the original memory frequency. key will cause you to exit the Memory mode and return to the VFO mode (the memory channel number will be replaced by VFOa or VFOb). When operating on a Split frequency memory, a special on the LCD. indication will appear 44 FT-818 Operating Manual Memory Operation Masking Memory Frequency data stored on a memory channel can be deleted, if desired, from any memory channel except channel 1. The deletion process is not a hard erasure, so if you erase a channel by mistake using this procedure, the memory channel contents can be recovered. 1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display. 2. Press the

(MW) key momentarily, then rotate the knob to select the memo-

ry channel to be deleted. 3. Press the

(MC) key momentarily. The frequency display field on the LCD will go blank, and the memory channel number will blink. 4. Wait about three seconds; when the memory channel number stops blinking, the data will now be masked and will not be available for operation. 5. To restore the masked frequency data, repeat the above steps. However, if you store new frequency information on a channel containing masked data, the masked data will be over-written and lost. 6. Memory Channel 1 is used for Priority operation, and frequency information may only be over-written (not masked) on this channel. 45 FT-818 Operating Manual Memory Operation MeMOrY OperatiOn On hOMe channel MeMOrieS Four Special one-touch Home channels are available, for special frequencies you use often. Either simplex or split frequency/mode data may be stored in the Home channel locations. Special Home channels are available for HF (any frequency between 1.8 and 29.7 MHz), 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 430 MHz. These memories may prove particularly useful for monitoring propagation beacons, pro-

viding one-touch recall of the beacon frequency for a quick check of band conditions. HOME Channel Storage 1. Tune the desired frequency, and set the operating mode. If this is an FM channel, set up any required CTCSS/DCS and repeater shift configurations. 2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display.

(MW) key momentarily to enter the Memory Check mode. key for one second. This stores the frequency data into the Home channel location. As usual, you will hear a double beep to confirm the suc-

cessful storage of the frequency data. 5. If you wish to store a Split frequency pair into the Home channel, store the Re-

ceive frequency in steps 1 ~ 4 above. Now set the desired Transmit frequency. 6. Once more, press the 7. Press and hold in the microphones PTT switch; while holding the PTT switch, again key for one second. This stores the transmit frequency data

(MW) key momentarily. press and hold the into the Home channel location. 3. Press the 4. Press and hold in the HOME Channel Recall 1. Press the key momentarily to recall the Home Channel on the band group where you currently are operating (HF, 50 MHz, 144 MHz, or 430 MHz). The HOME indi-

cation will appear on the display. 2. Press the key once more to return to the previously-used frequency (either a VFO frequency or a memory channel). 46 FT-818 Operating Manual Memory Operation labeling MeMOrieS You may wish to append an alpha-numeric Tag (label) to a memory or memories, to aid in recollection of the channels intended use (such as a club name, etc.). This is easily ac-

complished using the Menu mode. 1. Recall the memory channel onto which you wish to appended a label. 2. Press and hold in the key for one second to enter the Menu mode. 3. Rotate the 4. Press the 5. Rotate the knob to recall Menu #35 (MEM TAG). knob to enable the programming of the label. knob to select the first character (number, letter, or symbol) in the knob clockwise to move to the next char-

name you with to store, then rotate the acter. 6. Again rotate the knob to select the next number, letter, or symbol, then rotate the knob clockwise to move to the next characters slot. 7. Repeat step 6 as many times as necessary to complete the name tag for the memory, key for one second to save the A/N (Alpha-Numeric) then press and hold in the name entry and exit to normal operation. During Memory operation, press the key momentarily, then knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row rotate the 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display. Press the

(TAG) key momentarily to activate the alpha-numeric Tag. Repeatedly pressing this key will toggle operation between Frequency dis-

play and Tag display. You can recall Menu #35 (MEM TAG) instantly by pressing and holding in the

(TAG) key for one second. Frequency Display Tag Display 47 FT-818 Operating Manual Spectrum Scope Monitor Operation Note: This operation does not function in the FM Broadcast frequencies. The Spectrum Scope Monitor allows viewing of operating activ-

ity on 5 channels above and 5 channels below the current operat-

ing channel in the VFO mode. When the Spectrum Scope Mon-

itor is activated, the display indicates the relative signal strength on channels immediately adjacent to the current operating frequency. Two basic operating modes for Spectrum Scope are available:

CONT: In this mode, the transceiver sweeps the current band repeatedly until the Spec-

trum Scope is turned off. In this mode, the transceiver sweeps the current band one cycle every 10 seconds. CHK:

Setting the Spectrum Scope Mode 1. Press and hold in the 2. Rotate the 3. Rotate the 4. When you have made your selection, press and hold in the knob to select Menu #43 (SCOPE). knob to select the desired sweep mode (see above). key for one second to enter the Menu mode save the new setting and exit to normal operation. key for one second to Activate the Spectrum Scope 1. Set the transceiver to the VFO mode in the desired band. 2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 6 [SSM, SCH, ART] appears on the display. knob, as needed, until Operating

(SSM) key momentarily to engage the Spectrum Scope. 3. Press the 4. When the Spectrum Scope is in operation, the relative signal strength of stations on channels immediately adjacent to the current frequency will be indicated on the dis-

play. 5. To disable the Spectrum Scope, press the The receivers audio output and S-meter are disabled when using the Spectrum Scope.

(SSM) key once more. 48 FT-818 Operating Manual Smart Search Operation Note: This operation does not function in the FM Broadcast frequencies. The Smart SearchTM feature automatically stores frequencies where activity is encoun-

tered on the current band. When Smart SearchTM is engaged, the transceiver quickly searches above your current frequency, storing active frequencies as it goes (without stopping on them even momentarily). These frequencies are stored in a special Smart SearchTM memory bank, consisting of 50 memories. This feature available on the FM and AM modes. The Smart Search feature is especially helpful when traveling, as you can instantly store active FM repeater frequencies without having to look up the frequencies in a refer-

ence book. 1. Set the knob to the point where background noise is silenced. A typical set-

ting, for effective Smart SearchTM operation, will be at 12 oclock or slightly clock-

wise from this position. 2. Set the VFO to the frequency on which you wish to begin the search (the Smart SearchTM feature is available on the VFO mode only). 3. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 6 [SSM, SCH, ART] appears on the display. 4. Now press the

(SCH) key momentarily; the blinking SRCH indicator will ap-

pear on the LCD, and the transceiver will sweep upward on the current band, loading channels on which it encounters a signal strong enough to open the squelch. 5. All channels where activity is present (up to 50 channels) will be loaded into the Smart SearchTM memories. Whether or not all 50 memories are filled, the search will stop after one sweep. 6. Now you can turn the knob to select from the just-stored Smart SearchTM mem-

ories. If you find frequencies you wish to store into a regular memory, just follow

(SCH) key while storing the procedures described previously; just dont press the these memories, because this will disable Smart Search operation (see step 7). 7. To disable Smart SearchTM operation, press the The Smart Search memories are so-called soft memories; they will be lost if you initiate a new Smart SearchTM sweep of the band.

(SCH) key momentarily. 49 FT-818 Operating Manual Scanning Operation Note: This operation does not function in the FM Broadcast frequencies. This transceiver contains a wide variety of scanning capabilities. Whether you are in the VFO mode or one of the memory modes, scanning operation is fundamentally identical in all configurations, but with the following differences:

In the VFO mode, scanning causes the transceiver to sweep up or down the band, pausing or halting on any signal encountered;

In the Memory mode, the scanner will scan the programmed memories, and can be instructed to skip certain memories during scanning;

In the Programmable Memory Scan (PMS) mode, the scanner will scan the band within user-programmed frequency limits. Scanning Operation 1. Set the knob to the point where background noise is silenced. A typical set-

ting, for effective scanning operation, will be at 12 oclock or slightly clockwise from this position. 2. Set the transceiver into the operating configuration in which you wish to scan (VFO or 8. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Memory; PMS will be described later). Function Row [SCN, PRI, DW]. 3. Press the

(SCN) key momentarily to start upward scan (toward higher frequen-

cies or higher memory channel numbers). 4. Rotate the knob or knob counterclockwise to toggle the scanning direc-

tion downward. 5. The scanner will now cause the transceiver to increment in the chosen direction until a signal is detected. When a signal is encountered which opens the Squelch, In the FM/

AM modes, the scanner will pause until the signal disappears (at the end of the other stations transmission), at which point scanning will resume. While the transceiv-

er is in the Pause condition, the decimal points in the frequency display area will blink. See Scan-Resume Choices on the next page for details of how to customize the resumption of scanning, In the SSB/CW modes, the scanner will slow down (but doesnt stop). 6. Press the PTT switch on the microphone to cancel scanning. You may also press and hold in either the [UP] or [DWN] key on the microphone for 1/2 second to initiate upward or downward scanning, respectively, if Menu #37 (MIC SCAN) is set to ON. 50 FT-818 Operating Manual

Scanning Operation Scan Skip Programming (Memory Mode Only) Among the memories you have programmed, there may be some stations which you do not wish to scan. For example, broadcast signals (which are transmitted continuously) will cause the scanner to stop, and such channels may be skipped so as to avoid this in-

convenience. To remove a channel from the scanning loop:

1. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display. 2. Recall the memory channel to be skipped. 3. Press the

(MC) key momentarily. The hyphen in the memory channel number will change to become a dot; this shows that this channel now is not included in the scanning loop. 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as many times as necessary to skip all the channels you do not wish to scan. 5. Initiate memory scanning; you will observe that the channels you marked to be skipped are not included in the scanning loop. Memory Skip OFF Memory Skip ON 6. Press the PTT switch to stop the scan; you may now use the knob to step through the channels manually - one at a time - and you will observe that the Skipped channels are, nonetheless, available for recall by manual means. 7. You may restore a previously-skipped channel to the scanning loop by selecting the

(MC) key momentarily so that the dot channel manually, then pressing the changes to become a hyphen. Scan-Resume Choices Scanning operation requires that you have the transceivers audio squelched. The transceiver then assumes that the opening of the squelch corresponds to the dis-

covery of a signal you may wish to listen to. Once the scan has been halted, the transceiver pauses on the signal and stays locked on its frequency for five seconds (default pause time). Thereafter, scanning will resume whether or not the other stations transmission has ended. The scan resume interval can be set to 3/5/10 seconds, or off ( whereby scanning quits when a signal is received) via Menu #41 (RESUME); see 64 for details. 51 FT-818 Operating Manual Scanning Operation Programmable Memory Scan (PMS) Operation To limit scanning (or tuning) within a particular frequency range, you can use the Pro-

grammable Memory Scanning (PMS) feature, which utilizes special-purpose memory pair

(M-PL and M-PU). The PMS feature is especially useful in helping you to observe any operating sub-band limits which apply to your Amateur license class. PMS setup is simple to accomplish;

1. Store the upper and lower frequency limits of the desired range into the PMS memory pair (M-PL and M-PU). 2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 3 [STO, RCL, PMS] appears on the display. 3. Press the

(PMS) key. The PMS indication will appear at the upper left corner of the LCD, signifying that the PMS feature is engaged. Tuning and scanning are now limited within the range between the selected PMS memory pair, keeping operation inside this programmed range. Example: Limit tuning & scanning to the frequency range 144.300 - 148.000 MHz 1. Press the key, as necessary, to recall the VFO mode. Tune the knob or knob to 144.300 MHz. 2. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the Function Row 2 [MW, MC, TAG] appears on the display.

(MW) key momentarily, then turn the 3. Press the knob, as needed, until Operating knob to select memory 4. Press and hold in the

(MW) key for one second to write the VFO frequency into 5. Now, tune the 6. Press the knob or knob to 148.000 MHz).

(MW) key momentarily, then turn the knob to select memory

(MW) key for one second to write the VFO frequency into channel M-PL. M-PL. channel M-PU. 7. Press and hold the M-PU. 8. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the Operating Function Row 3 [STO, RCL, PMS]. knob one click clockwise to recall 9. Press the

(PMS) key momentarily. Tuning and scanning are now limited to the key to return to memory or 144.300 ~ 148.000-MHz range until you press the VFO operation. 52 FT-818 Operating Manual Scanning Operation Note The frequency resolution for these sub-band limits is 100 kHz, although the chan-

nel resolution of the sub-band limit memories in whatever you have selected as the current step size. As a result, the frequencies stored in these special memories

(M-PL and M-PU) are both rounded down to the nearest 100 kHz for their roles as sub-band limits. Therefore, in the above example, any frequency between 144.300 and 144.399 MHz may be used to store a lower tuning limit of 144.300 MHz in memory M-PL. 53 FT-818 Operating Manual Dual Watch Operation Note: This operation does not function in the FM Broadcast frequencies. Dual Watch is similar, in some respects, to scanning. In Dual Watch, however, the trans-

ceiver monitors (squelched) on the VFO-A frequency while periodically checking VFO-B for activity (or vice-versa). A typical example might be for you to set VFO-A to 50.110 MHz, watching for DX stations who might call CQ on that frequency, while periodically checking 28.885 MHz for stations reporting band openings on 6 meters. To activate Dual Watch:

1. Set up transmit and receive operation on VFO-A, establishing your primary monitor-

ing frequency. Set up the frequency to be checked periodically on VFO-B. 2. Recall VFO-A, then rotate the control until the background noise is just si-

lenced. 3. Press the key momentarily, then rotate the knob, as needed, until Operating Function Row 5 [SCN, PRI, DW] appears on the display. 4. Press the

(DW) key momentarily to activate Dual Watch operation (the DW icon will appear at the bottom left corner of the LCD. 5. The transceiver will continue to monitor (squelched) on the current (VFO-A) frequen-

cy, but every five seconds will switch briefly to VFO-B frequency, looking for activity. 6. If a station is detected on the VFO-B frequency, the transceiver will pause on the VFO-B frequency (the decimal point in the frequency will blink).

(DW) key again to cancel Dual Watch operation (the DW icon will 7. Press the disappear). Note that pressing the PTT switch on the microphone does not cancel Dual Watch op-

eration. 54 FT-818 Operating Manual Operation on Alaska Emergency Frequency: 5167.5 khz (U.S. Version Only) Section 97.401(d) of the regulations governing amateur radio in the United States permit emergency amateur communications on the spot frequency of 5167.5 kHz by stations in (or within 92.6 km of) the state of Alaska. This frequency is only to be used when the immediate safety of human life and/or property are threatened, and is never to be used for routine communications. The FT-818 includes the capability for transmission and reception on 5167.5 kHz under such emergency conditions via the Menu system. To activate this feature:

key for one second to activate the Menu mode. 1. Press and hold in the 2. Rotate the 3. Rotate the 4. Press and hold in the knob to select Menu #28 (EMERGENCY). knob to select ON. key to exit the Menu mode. Emergency communication on this spot frequency is now possible:

key, as necessary, to enter the Memory mode, then rotate the Press the knob to select the emergency channel (M-EMG), which is found between channels M-PU and M-001. Note that the receive-mode claRifieR functions normally while using this frequency, but variation of the transmit frequency is not possible. Activation of Menu #28 does not en-

able any other out-of-amateur-band capability on the transceiver. The full specifications of the FT-818 are not necessarily guaranteed on this frequency, but power output and receiver sensitivity should be fully satisfactory for the purpose of emergency communica-

tion. If you wish to disable operation on the Alaska Emergency Frequency, repeat the proce-

dure detailed above, but set Menu #28 to OFF in step 3 of the procedure. In an emergency, note that a half-wave dipole cut for this frequency should be approxi-

mately 453 on each leg (906 total length). Emergency operation on 5167.5 kHz is shared with the Alaska-Fixed Service. This trans-

ceiver is not authorized for operation, under the FCCs Part 87, for aeronautical commu-

nications. 55 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation The Menu System allows you to customize a wide variety of transceiver performance aspects and operating characteristics. Once you have gone through the various Menu customization procedures initially, you will find that you will not have to resort to them frequently during everyday operation. Menu Operation 1. Press and hold in the key for one second. The Menu Item number and a brief title knob to select the Menu Item you wish to work on. for the Menu Item will appear in the display. 2. Rotate the 3. When you have chosen the desired Menu Item knob to change the number, rotate the value or condition for the Menu Item. 4. When you have made your selection, press and key for one second to save the hold in the new setting and exit to the normal operation. HOME HOME ELS F F V M LOCK AF PWR SQL/RF CLAR A B C SEL C DIAL In step (3) above, if you press the key momentarily, it will reset the setting of thatMenu Item to its factory-default value. In step (4) above, if you press the key momantarily, you will exit to normal op-

eration without saving the new setting. Menu Item 01 144 ARS 02 430 ARS 03 9600 MIC 04 AM&FM DL 05 AM MIC 06 AM STEP 07 ANTENNA 08 APO TIME 09 ARTS BEEP 10 BACKLIGHT 11 BATT-CHG 12 BEEP FREQ 13 BEEP VOL 14 CAT RATE Function knob on the AM and FM Activate/deactivate the Automatic Repeater Shift when operating on the 144 MHz band Activate/deactivate the Automatic Repeater Shift when operating on the 430 MHz band Adjust the audio input level from the TNC during 9600 bps Packet operation Enabling/disabling the modes Adjust the microphone gain level for the AM mode Select the tuning steps for the mode Select the antenna connector to be used on each oper-

ating band (HF/50/144/430 MHz) Select the Auto Power Off time (time before power goes off) Select the ARTS beep mode Select the LCD lamp mode Select the battery charging time Select the beep frequency Select the beep volume Set the transceivers circuitry for the CAT baud rate knob on the AM 15 COLOR Select the illumination color for the LCD illumination 16 CONTRAST 17 CW DELAY 18 CW ID 19 CW PADDLE Setting of the display contrast level Set the receiver recovery time during pseudo-VOX CW semi-break-in operation Enables/disables the CW identifier during ARTS operation Select the keyer paddles wiring configuration 56 Available Values OFF/ON OFF/ON 0 ~ 100 ENABLE/DISABLE 0 ~ 100 2.5/5/9/10/12.5/25kHz FRONT/REAR OFF/1h ~ 6h OFF/RANGE/ALL OFF/ON/AUTO 6/8/10 h (hours) 440/880 Hz 0 ~ 100 4800/9600/38400 bps COLOR1 (Blue)/

COLOR2 (Amber)/

COLOR3 (Violet) 1 ~ 12 10 ~ 500 msec OFF/ON NORMAL/REVERSE Default 1 1 50 DISABLE 50 1 1 OFF RANGE AUTO 880 Hz 10 50 4800 bps COLOR1 5 250 msec OFF NORMAL FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 20 CW PITCH 21 CW SPEED 22 CW WEIGHT 23 DCS CODE 24 DIG DISP 25 DIG MIC 26 DIG MODE Function Setting of the pitch of the CW sidetone, BFO offset, and CW filter center frequencies Set the sending speed for the built-in Electronic keyer Set the Dot:Dash ratio for the built-in electronic keyer Setting the DCS code Define the displayed frequency offset during DIG

(USER-L or USER-U) mode operation Adjust the audio input level from terminal equipment

(such as a TNC or PSK-31 sound card) during DIG

(Digital) mode operation Select the mode and sideband (if applicable) in the DIG

(Digital) mode Define the carrier frequency offset during DIG (USER-L or USER-U) mode operation key s tuning speed knob on the FM Channel, 5167.5 kHz (USA Version only) Adjust the microphone gain level for the FM mode Select the tuning steps for the mode Store your callsign into the CW identifier Select the operation of the front panels Setting of the 27 DIG SHIFT 28 EMERGENCY Enable Tx/Rx operation on the Alaska Emergency 29 FM MIC 30 FM STEP 31 ID 32 LOCK MODE 33 MAIN STEP 34 MEM GROUP Enable/disable the memory grouping feature 35 MEM TAG 36 MIC KEY 37 MIC SCAN 38 OP FILTER 39 PKT MIC 40 PKT RATE 41 RESUME 42 RPT SHIFT 43 SCOPE 44 SIDETONE 45 SQL/RF-G 46 SSB MIC 47 SSB STEP 48 TONE FREQ 49 TOT TIME 50 VOX DELAY 51 VOX GAIN 52 EXTEND 53 DCS INV 54 R LSB CAR 55 R USB CAR 56 T LSB CAR 57 T USB CAR 1: Depends on transceiver version. 2: Depends on operating band and transceiver version. Store Alpha-Numeric Tags for the memory channels Enable/disable CW keying by the microphones [UP]/

[DWN] keys Enable/disable scanning access Enable the optional filter (CW or SSB) Adjust the audio input level from the TNC during 1200 bps Packet operation Set the transceivers circuitry for the Packet baud rate Set the delay time for scanning resumption Set the magnitude of the Repeater Shift Select the Spectrum Scope mode Adjust the CW sidetone volume level Select the configuration of the front panels knob Adjust the microphone gain level for the SSB mode Select the tuning steps for the mode Setting the CTCSS Tone Frequency Select the Time-Out-Timer time Set the hang time for the VOX circuitry Set the gain of the VOX circuitrys input audio detector Enable/disable the extended Menu Items (#53 ~ #57) Select Normal or Inverted DCS coding Set the Rx Carrier Point for LSB Set the Rx Carrier Point for USB Set the Tx Carrier Point for LSB Set the Tx Carrier Point for USB knob on the SSB Available Values 300 ~ 1000 Hz 4 wpm ~ 60 wpm/

20 cpm ~ 300 cpm 1:2.5 ~ 1:4.5 104 Std DCS codes

-3000 ~ +3000 Hz Default 700 Hz 12 wpm

(60 cpm) 1:3.0 023 0 Hz 0 ~ 100 RTTY/

PSK31-L/PSK31-U/

USER-L/USER-U

-3000 ~ +3000 Hz OFF/ON 0 ~ 100 5/6.25/10/12.5/15/

20/25/50 kHz DIAL/FREQ/PANEL FINE/COARSE OFF/ON OFF/ON OFF/ON OFF/SSB/CW 0 ~ 100 1200/9600 bps OFF/3/5/10 seconds 0 ~ 99.99 MHz CONT/CHK 0 ~ 100 RF-GAIN/SQL 0 ~ 100 1/2.5/5 kHz 50 Std CTCSS tones OFF/1 ~ 20 min 100 ~ 2500 msec 1 ~ 100 OFF/ON Tn-Rn/Tn-Riv/

Tiv-Rn/Tiv-Riv

-300 ~ +300 Hz

-300 ~ +300 Hz

-300 ~ +300 Hz

-300 ~ +300 Hz 50 RTTY 0 Hz OFF 50 2 YAESU DIAL FINE OFF OFF ON OFF 50 1200 bps 5 sec 2 CONT 50 1 50 2.5 kHz 88.5 Hz OFF 500 msec 50 OFF Tn-Rn 0 Hz 0 Hz 0 Hz 0 Hz 57 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 01 [144 ARS]

Function: Activate/deactivate the Automatic Repeater Shift when operating on the 144 MHz band. Available Values: OFF/ON Default: ON (depending on transceiver version) Menu Item 02 [430 ARS]

Function: Activate/deactivate the Automatic Repeater Shift when operating on the 430 MHz band. Available Values: OFF/ON Default: ON (depending on transceiver version) Menu Item 03 [9600 MIC]

Function: Adjust the audio input level from the TNC during 9600 bps Packet operation. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 04 [AM&FM DL]

Function: Enabling/disabling the Available Values: ENABLE/DISABLE Default: DISABLE Menu Item 05 [AM MIC]

Function: Adjust the microphone gain level for the AM mode. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 06 [AM STEP]

Function: Select the tuning steps for the Available Values: 2.5/5/9/10/12.5/25kHz Default: 5 kHz (depending on transceiver version) Menu Item 07 [ANTENNA]

Function: Select the antenna connector to be used on each operating band (HF/50/144/430 MHz). Available Values: FRONT/REAR Default: HF: REAR, 50/144/430 MHz: FRONT When select the REAR antenna connector, the R icon will appear on the display Menu Item 08 [APO TIME]

Function: Select the Auto Power Off time (time before power goes off). Available Values: OFF/1h ~ 6h Default: OFF knob on the AM and FM modes. knob on the AM mode. 58 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 09 [ARTS BEEP]

Function: Select the ARTS beep mode. Available Values: OFF/RANGE/ALL Default: RANGE OFF:

No alert beeps sound; you must look at the display to determine current ARTS status. RANGE: A high tone beep will sound when the transceiver first detects that you are with-

ALL:

in range, and a low beep will sound when the other station goes out of range. A high tone beep will sound every time a polling transmission is received from the other station, and a low beep will sound once when the other station goes out of range. Illuminates the LCD lamp continuously. Menu Item 10 [BACKLIGHT]

Function: Select the LCD lamp mode. Available Values: OFF/ON/AUTO Default: AUTO OFF: Disables the LCD lamp. ON:

AUTO: Illuminates the LCD lamp for five seconds when any key is pressed. Menu Item 11 [BATT-CHG]

Function: Select the battery charging time. Available Values: 6/8/10 h (hours) Default: 10 h Menu Item 12 [BEEP FREQ]

Function: Select the beep frequency Available Values: 440/880 Hz Default: 880 Hz Menu Item 13 [BEEP VOL]

Function: Select the beep volume Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 14 [CAT RATE]

Function: Set the transceivers circuitry for the CAT baud rate to be used. Available Values: 4800/9600/38400 bps Default: 4800 bps Menu Item 15 [COLOR]

Function: Select the illumination color for the LCD illumination. Available Values: COLOR1 (Blue)/COLOR2 (Amber)/COLOR3 (Violet) Default: COLOR1(Blue) 59 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 16 [CONTRAST]

Function: Setting of the display contrast level. Available Values: 1 ~ 12 Default: 5 Menu Item 17 [CW DELAY]

Function: Set the receiver recovery time during pseudo-VOX CW semi-break-in opera-

tion. Available Values: 10 ~ 500 msec Default: 250 msec The recovery time may be adjusted in steps of 10 msec. A longer delay may be preferable if you pause frequently while sending. Menu Item 18 [CW ID]

Function: Enables/disables the CW identifier during ARTS operation. Available Values: OFF/ON Default: OFF Menu Item 19 [CW PADDLE]

Function: Select the keyer paddles wiring configuration. Available Values: NORMAL/REVERSE Default: NORMAL NORMAL: Keyer paddle polarity is normal. The tip plug connection produces dots, and the ring plug connection produces dashes. REVERSE: Keyer paddle polarity is inverted. The tip paddle produces dashes, and the ring paddle produces dots. Menu Item 20 [CW PITCH]

Function: Setting of the pitch of the CW sidetone, BFO offset, and CW filter center fre-

quencies. Available Values: 300 ~ 1000 Hz Default: 700 Hz The CW pitch may be adjusted in steps of 50 Hz. Menu Item 21 [CW SPEED]

Function: Set the sending speed for the built-in Electronic keyer. Available Values: 4wpm ~ 60 wpm/20cpm ~ 300 cpm Default: 12 wpm (60 cpm) You can set the sending speed according to either of two units of speed (wpm: words per minute; cpm: characters per minute). To switch units between wpm and cpm, just press the knob. 60 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 22 [CW WEIGHT]

Function: Set the Dot:Dash ratio for the built-in electronic keyer. Available Values: 1:2.5 ~ 1:4.5 Default: 1:3.0 Menu Item 23 [DCS CODE]

Function: Setting the DCS code. Available Values: 104 Standard DCS codes Default: 023 DCS Code 023 074 165 261 356 462 627 025 114 172 263 364 464 631 026 115 174 265 365 465 632 031 116 205 266 371 466 654 032 122 212 271 411 503 662 036 125 223 274 412 506 664 043 131 225 306 413 516 703 047 132 226 311 423 523 712 051 134 243 315 431 526 723 053 143 244 325 432 532 731 054 145 245 331 445 546 732 065 152 246 332 446 565 734 071 155 251 343 452 606 743 072 156 252 346 454 612 754 073 162 255 351 455 624

-

Menu Item 24 [DIG DISP]

Function: Define the displayed frequency offset during DIG (USER-L or USER-U) mode operation. Available Values: 3000 ~ +3000 Hz Default: 0 Hz Menu Item 25 [DIG MIC]

Function: Adjust the audio input level from terminal equipment (such as a TNC or PSK-

31 sound card) during DIG (Digital) mode operation. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 26 [DIG MODE]

Function: Select the mode and sideband (if applicable) in the DIG (Digital) mode. Available Values: RTTY/PSK31-L/PSK31-U/USER-L/USER-U Default: RTTY RTTY: AFSK RTTY operation on the LSB mode PSK31-L: PSK-31 operation on the LSB mode PSK31-U: PSK-31 operation on the USB mode USER-L: User-programmed costume operation based on LSB mode USER-U: User-programmed costume operation based on USB mode In the USER-L and USER-U modes, you can define the display frequency offset and carrier frequency offset by menu Items #24 (DIG DISP) and #27 (DIG SHIFT). 61 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 27 [DIG SHIFT]

Function: Define the carrier frequency offset during DIG (USER-L or USER-U) mode operation. Available Values: 3000 ~ +3000 Hz Default: 0 Hz Menu Item 28 [EMERGENCY]: USA Version only Function: Enable Tx/Rx operation on the Alaska Emergency Channel, 5167.5 kHz. Available Values: OFF/ON Default: OFF When this Menu Item is set to ON, the spot frequency of 5167.5 kHz will be enabled. To get to this frequency, use the knob to navigate; the Alaska Emergency Channel will be found between the Memory channel M-PU and M-001. Use of this frequency is restricted to amateurs operating in (or within 92.6 km of) the U.S. State of Alaska, and it is to be used for emergency communications only (involving the immediate protection of life or property). Menu Item 29 [FM MIC]

Function: Adjust the microphone gain level for the FM mode. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 30 [FM STEP]

Function: Select the tuning steps for the Available Values: 5/6.25/10/12.5/15/20/25/50 kHz Default: 5 kHz (depends on operating band and transceiver version) Menu Item 31 [ID]

Function: Store your callsign into the CW identifier. Up to eight characters may be stored. The storage procedure is as follows:

knob on the FM mode. 1. Press the knob momentarily to initiate callsign storage (an under-bar will appear below the first character location of the callsign). 2. Rotate the knob to select the first letter/number of your callsign, then rotate knob one click clockwise to save the first letter/number and move to the the next entry position. 3. Repeat the previous step as many times as necessary to complete your callsign. 4. Press the Default: YAESU knob to save your completed callsign and exit. 62 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 32 [LOCK MODE]

Function: Select the operation of the front panels Available Values: DIAL/FREQ/PANEL Default: DIAL DIAL: Locks FREQ: Locks front panel keys and knobs related to frequency control (such as knob only key. and key,

(A/B) key., etc.) key) key and knobs tuning speed. PANEL: Locks all front keys and knobs (except Menu Item 33 [MAIN STEP]

Function: Setting of the Available Values: FINE/COARSE Default: FINE You may choose between two speeds for the the tuning rate compared to the default value. Menu Item 34 [MEM GROUP]

Function: Enable/disable the memory grouping feature Available Values: OFF/ON Default: OFF When this Menu Item is set to ON, the 200 standard memory channels are partitioned into ten Memory Groups, each holding up to 20 memory channels. Menu Item 35 [MEM TAG]

Function: Store Alpha-Numeric Tags for the memory channels. Up to eight characters may be stored. The storage procedure is as follows:

knob. Selecting COARSE doubles 1. Recall the memory channel on which you wish to append a label. 2. Recall this Menu Item [Menu #35 (MEM TAG)]. 3. Press the knob momentarily to initiate storing of the Tag (an under-bar will appear below the first character location). 4. Rotate the knob to select the first character (number, letter, or symbol) in the knob clockwise to move to the next name you with to store, then rotate the character. 5. Again rotate the knob to select the next number, letter, or symbol, then ro-

tate the knob clockwise to move to the next characters slot. 6. Repeat step 5 as many times as necessary to complete the name tag for the memo-

ry. 7. Press the knob to save the A/N (Alpha-Numeric) Tag and exit. 63 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 36 [MIC KEY]

Function: Enable/disable CW keying by the microphones [UP]/[DWN] keys. Available Values: OFF/ON Default: OFF When this Menu Item is set to ON, press the microphones [UP] key to send a dot, and press the microphones [DWN] key to send a dash (while the built-in electronic keyer is engaged). Menu Item 37 [MIC SCAN]

Function: Enable/disable scanning access via the microphones [UP]/[DWN] keys. Available Values: OFF/ON Default: ON Menu Item 38 [OP FILTER]

Function: Enable the optional filter (CW or SSB) path. Available Values: OFF/SSB/CW Default: OFF After installing the optional filter, set this Menu Item to define the signal path correspond-

ing top the filter you have installed. Menu Item 39 [PKT MIC]

Function: Adjust the audio input level from the TNC during 1200 bps Packet operation. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 40 [PKT RATE]

Function: Set the transceivers circuitry for the Packet baud rate to be used. Available Values: 1200/9600 bps Default: 1200 bps Menu Item 41 [RESUME]

Function: Set the delay time for scanning resumption. Available Values: OFF/3/5/10 seconds Default: 5 sec When this Menu Item set to OFF, the scanner stops (without restarting) until you press the Menu Item 42 [RPT SHIFT]

Function: Set the magnitude of the Repeater Shift. Available Values: 0 ~ 99.99 MHz Default: Depends on transceiver version, and the band in use. Each bands repeater shift (HF/50/144/430 MHz) may be set independently.

(SCN) key (or the microphones [UP]/[DWN] keys). 64 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 43 [SCOPE]

Function: Select the Spectrum Scope mode. Available Values: CONT/CHK Default: CONT CONT: The Spectrum Scope sweeps continuously. CHK: The Spectrum Scope sweeps one cycle every 10 seconds. Menu Item 44 [SIDETONE]

Function: Adjust the CW sidetone volume level. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 45 [SQL/RF-G]

Function: Select the configuration of the front panels Available Values: RF-GAIN/SQL Default: Depends on transceiver version Menu Item 46 [SSB MIC]

Function: Adjust the microphone gain level for the SSB mode. Available Values: 0 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 47 [SSB STEP]

Function: Select the tuning steps for the Available Values: 1/2.5/5 kHz Default: 2.5 kHz Menu Item 48 [TONE FREQ]

Function: Setting the CTCSS Tone Frequency. Available Values: 50 Standard CTCSS tones Default: 88.5 Hz knob. knob on the SSB mode. CTCSS Tone Frequency (Hz) 97.4 94.8 91.5 88.5 74.4 69.3 85.4 82.5 79.7 77.0 71.9 67.0 100.0 103.5 107.2 110.9 114.8 118.8 123.0 127.3 131.8 136.5 141.3 146.2 151.4 156.7 159.8 162.2 165.5 167.9 171.3 173.8 177.3 179.9 183.5 186.2 189.9 192.8 196.6 199.5 203.5 206.5 210.7 218.1 225.7 229.1 233.6 241.8 250.3 254.1 Menu Item 49 [TOT TIME]

Function: Select the Time-Out-Timer time. Available Values: OFF/1 ~ 20 min Default: OFF Menu Item 50 [VOX DELAY]

Function: Set the hang time for the VOX circuitry. Available Values: 100 ~ 2500 msec Default: 500 msec

-

-

65 FT-818 Operating Manual Menu Operation Menu Item 51 [VOX GAIN]

Function: Set the gain of the VOX circuitrys input audio detector. Available Values: 1 ~ 100 Default: 50 Menu Item 52 [EXTEND]

Function: Enable/disable the extended Menu Items (#53 ~ #57). Available Values: OFF/ON Default: OFF Menu Item 53 [DCS INV]

Function: Select Normal or Inverted DCS coding. Available Values: Tn-Rn/Tn-Riv/Tiv-Rn/Tiv-Riv Default: Tn-Rn n = normal iv = inverted Menu Item 54 [R LSB CAR]

Function: Set the Rx Carrier Point for LSB Available Values: 300 ~ +300 Hz Default: 0 Hz Menu Item 55 [R USB CAR]

Function: Set the Rx Carrier Point for USB Available Values: 300 ~ +300 Hz Default: 0 Hz Menu Item 56 [T LSB CAR]

Function: Set the Tx Carrier Point for LSB Available Values: 300 ~ +300 Hz Default: 0 Hz Menu Item 57 [T USB CAR]

Function: Set the Tx Carrier Point for USB Available Values: 300 ~ +300 Hz Default: 0 Hz 66 FT-818 Operating Manual Cloning You can transfer all data stored in one transceiver to another set by utilizing the handy Cloning feature. This requires a user-constructed cloning cable which connects the ACC jacks on the two transceivers as shown below. To clone from one transceiver to another, use the following procedure:

1. Insert the Clone Cable into the ACC jack of each transceiver. 2. Turn both transceivers off, then press and hold in the keys on each radio while turning the power on again. The CLONE MODE notation will ap-

pear on the display. and 3. On the destination radio, press the 4. Now, on the source radio, press the key. Data will now be transferred to the Destination radio from the Source radio. key. 5. If there is a problem during the cloning process, Error will be displayed. Check your cable connections and try again. 6. If cloning is successful, turn the destination radio off. Now turn the source radio off. Distination radio Source radio Remove the clone cable. Channel and operating data for both radios are now identical. They both may be turned on now for normal operation. When the radio is Large Character mode, the radio does not display the CLONE MODE which indicates the clone mode. However, the clone operation is the same method. KEY DATA ACC ANT INPUT 13.8V

:

GND KEY DATA ACC ANT INPUT 13.8V

:

GND D X R D X T D N G D X R D X T D N G 67 FT-818 Operating Manual Installation of Optional Accessories OptiOnal FilterS YF-122S/YF-122c/YF-122cn 1. Turn the transceivers power off by pressing and holding in the switch for 1/2 second, then remove the FBA-28 Battery Case or SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack from the transceiver. Additionally, disconnect the DC cable from the INPUT: 13.8V jack on the rear panel of the transceiver, when operating the FT-818 with a DC power supply. 2. Referring to Figure 1, remove the shoulder belt bracket and its two screws from both side of the transceiver, then remove the five screws affixing the top case of the trans-

ceiver, and remove the top case; disconnect the speakers connector when you remove the top case. 3. Refer to Figure 2 for the mounting locations for the optional filters. Position the filter so that its connectors are aligned with the mounting pins on the board, and push it into place. 4. Replace the top case (remember to replace the internal speakers plug), and connect the FBA-28 Battery Case or SBR-32MH Ni-MH Battery Pack (and/or attach the DC power supply), and turn the transceiver on by pressing and holding in the switch. 5. Change the setting of Menu #38 (OP FILTER) to SSB (if installing the YF-122S), or CW (for the YF-122C/YF-122CN). 6. Filter installation is now complete. Figure 1 Figure 2 68 FT-818 Operating Manual Power-on Microprocessor Reset Procedure Some or all transceiver settings can be reset to their factory-default states using one of the following power-on routines:

+ POWER on: Reset all memories and following menu setting to factory-de-

fault. Menu #06 (AM STEP), 23 (DCS CODE), 30 (FM STEP), 35 (MEM TAG), 42 (RPT SHIFT), 47 (SSB STEP), and 48 (TONE FREQ).

+ POWER on: Reset all menu setting (except following menu) to factory-default. Menu #06 (AM STEP), 23 (DCS CODE), 30 (FM STEP), 35 (MEM TAG), 42 (RPT SHIFT), 47 (SSB STEP), and 48 (TONE FREQ).

+ POWER on: CPU master reset for all memories and menu setting. Some menu mode items are not initialized unless turn the power switchoff and on after having performed Menu Mode Reset or All Reset. 69 FT-818 Operating Manual Appendix band data FOrMat The FT-818 BAND DATA Format (available on the ACC jack) is presented below. The BAND DATA line provides a stepped voltage, which denotes the current operating band. This data may be interpreted by an external device (such as an antenna switch or amplifi-

er)to provide automatic band switching. BAND 1.8 MHz 3.5 MHz 7 MHz LEVEL 0.33 V 0.67 V 1.00 V BAND 10 MHz 14 MHz 18 MHz LEVEL 1.33 V 1.67 V 2.00 V BAND 21 MHz 24.5 MHz 28 MHz LEVEL 2.33 V 2.67 V 3.00 V BAND 50 MHz 144 MHz 430 MHz LEVEL 3.33 V 3.67 V 4.00 V Use shielded cable for interconnections to external devices, so as to prevent RF interfer-

ence. 70 FT-818 Operating Manual Specifications 2 Meters 70 Centimeters (Amateur bands only) 5.1675 MHz Alaska Emergency Frequency (USA only) Receive: 100 kHz-30 MHz 50 MHz-54 MHz 76 MHz-154 MHz 420 MHz-470 MHz Transmit: 160-6 Meters (USA: includes 60 meters) A1A (CW), A3E (AM), J3E (LSB/USB), F3E (FM), F1D (9600 bps packet), F2D (1200 bps packet) General Frequency Range:

Emission Modes:

Synthesizer Steps (Min.): 10 Hz (CW/SSB), 100 Hz (AM/FM) Antenna Impedance:

Operating Temp. Range: 10 C to +60 C (+14 F to +140 F) Frequency Stability:

Supply Voltage:

Current Consumption:

Case Size (W x H x D):

Weight (Approx.):

phone 0.5 ppm from 1 min. to 60 min after power on.

@25 C: 1 ppm/hour Normal: 13.8 VDC 15 %, Negative Ground Operating: 8.0-16.0 V, Negative Ground FBA-28 (w/8 AA Alkaline Cells): 12.0 V SBR-32MH (Ni-MH Battery Pack): 9.6 V Squelched: 250 mA (Approx.) Receive: 450 mA Transmit: 2.4 A (HF/145 MHz), 2.7 A (430 MHz) 135 x 38 x 165 mm (5.31 x 1.5 x 6.50) 1.17 kg (2.58 lb) w/Alkaline battery, antenna, w/o Micro-

50 Ohms, Unbalanced (Front: Type BNC, Rear: Type M) 6 W (SSB/CW/FM), 1.5 W (AM Carrier) @13.8 V SSB: Balanced Modulator AM: Early Stage (Low Level) FM: Variable Reactance TransmiTTer RF Power Output:

Modulation Types:

FM Maximum Deviation: 5 kHz (FM-N: 2.5 kHz) Spurious Radiation:

Carrier Suppression:

Opp. Sideband Supp.:

SSB Frequency Response: 400 Hz-2600 Hz (6 dB) Microphone Impedance: 200-10k Ohms (Nominal: 600 Ohms) 50 dB (1.8-29.7 MHz) 60 dB (50/144/430 MHz)

>40 dB

>50 dB 71 FT-818 Operating Manual 0.25 V 0.25 V 0.2 V 0.125 V Double-Conversion Superheterodyne AM 32 V 2 V 2 V 2 V FM 0.5 V 0.32 V 0.2 V 2nd: 455 kHz SSB/CW 100 kHz-500 kHz 500 kHz-1.8 MHz 1.8 MHz-28 MHz 28 MHz-30 MHz 50 MHz-54 MHz 144/430 MHz

(IPO, ATT off, SSB/CW/AM = 10 dB S/N, FM = 12 dB Specifications receiver Circuit Type:

Intermediate Frequencies: 1st: 68.33 MHz (SSB/CW/AM/FM); 10.7 MHz (WFM) Sensitivity:

SINAD) Squelch Sensitivity:

Image Rejection:

IF Rejection:

Selectivity (6/60 dB):

AF Output:

AF Output Impedance:

1.8 MHz-28 MHz 28 MHz-30 MHz 50 MHz-54 MHz 144/430 MHz

(IPO, ATT off) HF/50 MHz: 70 dB 144/430 MHz: 60 dB 60 dB SSB/CW: 2.2 kHz/4.5 kHz AM: 6 kHz/20 kHz FM: 15 kHz/30 kHz FM-N: 9 kHz/25 kHz SSB (optional YF-122S installed): 2.3 kHz/4.7 kHz (66 dB) CW (optional YF-122C installed): 500 Hz/2.0 kHz CW (optional YF-122CN installed): 300 Hz/1.0 kHz 1.0 W (8 Ohms, 10% THD or less) 4-16 Ohms SSB/CW/AM 2.5 V 2.5 V 1 V 0.5 V FM 0.32 V 0.2 V 0.16 V Specifications are subject to change without notice, and are guaranteed within amateur bands only. Frequency ranges vary according to transceiver version; check with your dealer. 72 FT-818 Operating Manual 1. Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by YAESU MUSEN could void the users authorization to operate this device. 2. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions; (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference including received, interference that may cause undesired operation. 3. The scanning receiver in this equipment is incapable of tuning, or readily being altered, by the User to operate within the frequency bands allocated to the Domestic public Cellular Telecommunications Service in Part 22. This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Le prsent appareil est conforme aux CNR dIndustrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. Lexploitation est autorise aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) lappareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) lutilisateur de lappareil doit accepter tout brouillage radiolectrique subi, mme si le brouillage est susceptible den compromettre le fonctionnement. DECLARATION BY MANUFACTURER The Scanner receiver is not a digital scanner and is incapable of being converted or modified to a digital scanner receiver by any user. WARNING: MODIFICATION OF THIS DEVICE TO RECEIVE CELLULAR RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICE SIGNALS IS PROHIBITED UNDER FCC RULES AND FEDERAL LAW. Copyright 2018 YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD. All rights reserved. No portion of this manual may be reproduced without the permission of YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD. YAESU MUSEN CO., LTD. Tennozu Parkside Building 2-5-8 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0002 Japan YAESU USA 6125 Phyllis Drive, Cypress, CA 90630, U.S.A. YAESU UK Unit 12, Sun Valley Business Park, Winnall Close Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, U.K. 1707M-IS Printed in Japan

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