Yaesu FT-991A
$$$$$
| Frequency | RX: 30 kHz - 56 MHz, 118-164 MHz (includes aircraft), 420-470 MHz, TX: 1.8-54 MHz (160m-6m) + 144-148 MHz (2m) + 430-450 MHz (70cm). Amateur bands only. |
| Bands | TX: 160m through 70cm (HF + 6m + 2m + 70cm). RX: wideband coverage. |
| TX power | 100 W (HF/6m: 100W SSB/CW/FM, 25W AM. VHF/UHF: 50W SSB/CW/FM, 12.5W AM. Adjustable power levels.) |
| Modes | SSB (USB/LSB), CW (built-in keyer, semi break-in, zero beat, contest keyer), AM, FM (with CTCSS encode/decode, ARS), C4FM digital (Yaesu System Fusion — AMS auto-switching, DG-ID group monitor), RTTY/DATA (Packet 1200/9600, PSK31, RTTY via built-in USB audio) |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) - 9.5 lb (4.3 kg). |
| Connector | two SO-239: HF/50 MHz (rear) + VHF/UHF (rear). Separate ports. |
| Year | 2016 |
| antenna hf | SO-239 (HF/6m — rear panel) |
| antenna vhf | SO-239 (VHF/UHF — rear panel. N-type on European version) |
| mic | 8-pin modular, RJ-45 style (MH-31A8J included — same modular family as the FT-857D/FT-891; round-8-pin desk mics need an adapter) |
| key | 3.5mm stereo (tip=dit/key, ring=dah) |
| usb | USB (built-in audio codec + CAT control — integrated SCU-17 functionality) |
| data | mini-DIN (DATA port — for external TNC or modem) |
| linear | rear panel (band data + TX relay for linear amplifier control) |
| tuner | rear panel (for optional FC-40 external ATU) |
| phones | 3.5mm (front panel headphone jack) |
| ext spkr | 3.5mm (external speaker) |
| dc in | fused DC power cord with open ends (included). 13.8V DC ±15%, 25A fuse. |
| power req | 13.8V DC ±15%. TX HF: ~22A. TX VHF/UHF: ~15A. RX: ~1.8A. Fused DC power cord included with 25A spare fuse. |
The only current production radio that covers HF through UHF all-mode including C4FM digital in a single compact box. 100W HF + 50W VHF/UHF. Built-in ATU, USB audio codec, TCXO, spectrum scope with waterfall, and C4FM System Fusion. The 3 kHz roofing filter and TMS320C6746 DSP provide serious receiver performance. Parametric mic EQ. Two separate antenna connectors. 60m band. Voice memory. Digital modes via USB cable — no external interface needed. Made in Japan. 3-year warranty.
It covers many bands but the VHF/UHF section, while competent, is not as good as a dedicated VHF/UHF rig. The superhet receiver (not SDR) has no dual receive or direct sampling. The menu system is deep, with a real learning curve. The 3.5 in display is smaller than the FT-710's 4.3 in. No DVI-D external monitor output. At 4.3 kg it is borderline for portable use. An IC-7300 plus a separate VHF/UHF radio may outperform it on HF while adding better VHF/UHF capability. C4FM infrastructure is less widespread than DMR.
An all-in-one HF/VHF/UHF radio. If you want one radio covering HF through UHF including C4FM digital, the FT-991A is the main option at this price from a major manufacturer. It does everything competently. For operators who need HF plus VHF/UHF in a single transceiver, especially for emergency communications, Field Day, or space-constrained installations, it remains uniquely positioned.
The Yaesu FT-991A is the classic "shack in a box": a single compact transceiver that covers everything from 160 meters up through 2 meters and 70 centimeters, in every common mode - SSB, CW, AM, FM, the digital data modes, and Yaesu's own C4FM (System Fusion) digital voice. It runs 100 watts on HF and 6 meters and 50 watts on 2 m and 70 cm, with a built-in antenna tuner and a 3.5-inch color touchscreen.
The "A" is the important part of the name. The original FT-991 had no real-time spectrum display; the FT-991A added a multi-color spectrum scope and waterfall, which is the single biggest reason to choose it over the older model. Underneath is a conventional triple-conversion superheterodyne receiver with a 32-bit DSP - not a direct-sampling SDR like an IC-7300 - so its scope is a bit slower and its receiver, while good, is not class-leading. For digital modes it is its own USB sound card: one cable to the PC, no external interface.
The appeal is breadth, not specialization. One radio, one tuner, and one box give you HF DX, 6-meter work, FM repeaters, and C4FM digital - which is exactly what makes it popular for emergency communications, Field Day, and stations short on space. The trade is that a dedicated HF radio will out-receive it and a dedicated VHF/UHF radio will out-perform its 50-watt V/U section.
For an operator who genuinely uses all those bands, little else at the price competes: the alternative is usually two radios. A pure-HF Icom IC-7300 is the better HF performer for similar money, and the VHF/UHF IC-9700 is the better satellite and weak-signal V/U rig - but the FT-991A does the job of both in one current-production box.