{"id":157,"date":"2016-10-27T06:23:18","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T06:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.n1rwy.org\/?p=157"},"modified":"2024-01-05T07:39:29","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T14:39:29","slug":"ft-991-setup-for-digital-modes-with-only-a-usb-cable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.n1rwy.org\/?p=157","title":{"rendered":"FT-991 setup for digital modes (with only a USB cable)"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPDATED 6\/9\/2020\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Ok,
\nSome of you might might be new to digital communications on the ham bands, so let me start from the beginning.
\nHams who are running PSK31 or JT65 or FT8\/4 or some other digital mode are using a computer connected to an audio interface that is then connected to the radio.<\/p>\n

The software on the computer generates audio that goes from the computer sound card to the radio as well as from the radio to the sound card.<\/p>\n

COMPUTER <–>INTERFACE <–>RADIO<\/p>\n

There are several different types of interface devices that you can purchase to make this connection. Buxcom<\/a>, West Mountain Radio<\/a>, Signalink<\/a>, and even MFJ is getting into the market with their own audio device<\/a>. I have tried the Buxcom, the West Mountain Radio (The M8, yeah.. a while ago!<\/em>) as well at the Signalink.<\/p>\n

However!<\/strong>
\nThis post is about setting up digital communications with the FT-991\/991a, with only<\/strong> a USB cable. No external device required.
\nYes folks, it is true. CAT control as well as PTT via one USB cable from the computer to the radio.
\nSWEET! <\/strong><\/p>\n

No USB to Serial converter needed, so additional interface boxes – just a USB cable (*Note, see farther down in the post as to which cable you want to purchase. Not all cables are made the same!<\/em>)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

The FT-991 comes with a built in<\/strong> sound card. Some say it is the same sound card that is in the Yaesu SCU-17,<\/a> Yaesu’s equivalent of the Signalink device.\u00a0 However, the FT-991 also do FSK RTTY as well as CW, (with its built in sound card) something that the Signalink cannot do.<\/p>\n

“So, the FT-991 has a built in sound card. Neat Jay.. do I just connect a USB cable and go?”<\/p>\n

Not quite cowboy, you have to take a minute (or in my case about 40) and do some research, find the right directions online and then follow them to make sure everything is setup properly.\u00a0 The FT-991 packs a TON of features, and this can be confusing.<\/p>\n

In this blog post, I did the research for you, and once you get all the software loaded, the right boxes selected and menu items changed it works!<\/p>\n

So lets dive in here and get to it.<\/p>\n

SET UP for the FT-991 using the internal sound card<\/strong>
\n(These directions are based on a Win 7 OS.\u00a0 I have been told that in Win 8 and W10, you do NOT have to install the drivers first, but I think it is good practice to install the drivers before connecting the radio. To be safe, always install the driver before connecting the radio to the computer.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Step 1. Read this post from start to finish
\nStep 2. Read it again
\nStep 3. Follow the steps below and do them in order
\nStep 4. If something isn’t working, revert to step 1<\/p>\n

A. Do not connect a USB cable from your computer to the FT-991 until you load the drivers listed below. (See my comments above).<\/p>\n

B. Go to the Yaesu web site<\/a> and download the drivers for the FT-991.\u00a0 The drivers you are looking for are the: FT-991\/ SCU-17 USB Driver (Virtual COM Port Driver)<\/a> \u00a0(3.74 MB).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some users might have a USB to serial converter based on the
\nchips (Prolific, FTDI).\u00a0 These drivers will not work with the 991\/991a.\u00a0 You need to download and install the Yaesu drivers.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Download the FT-991\/ SCU-17 USB Driver (Virtual COM Port Driver)<\/a> and follow the directions to install them on your computer. (Just follow the prompts of the software during install and you will be fine.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

What will happen is that you will end up installing:<\/p>\n

TWO (2) COM ports.<\/p>\n

One is an ENHANCED COM port (in my<\/strong> case COM 4)
\nthe other is a Standard COM port (in my<\/strong> case COM 5)<\/p>\n

Now that you have installed the drivers, now you can connect a USB cable from the PC to the 991.\u00a0 You might even hear the PC making some system beep noises as it realizes that it has been connected to an external USB device (the radio).<\/p>\n

With the 991 connected<\/strong> you can check that these COM ports were installed on your machine by going to Control Panel<\/strong>, then Device Manager<\/strong>, and look under the “Ports (COM & LTP)<\/strong>” drop down.\u00a0 You should see two newly added ports:<\/p>\n