Specifications
From March 2008 QST © ARRL
PRODUCT REVIEW
Mark J. Wilson, K1RO
Product Review Editor
k1ro@arrl.org
Key Measurements
Summary
Reviewed by Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
Assistant Manager, Membership and
Volunteer Programs Department
Before the official opening of the JARL
Ham Fair in August 2007, hidden under a
black veil, Yaesu’s latest player in the mid
priced transceiver market waited for its
introduction to the world. This is where I
first saw the FT-950, the HF and 6 meter
amateur transceiver that is being touted as a
“baby FT-2000.”
The FT-950 may be a scaled down ver-
sion of Yaesu’s workhorse transceivers
but it certainly is not stripped down. With
100 W output on all amateur bands from 160
to 6 meters, general coverage receive, built-in
automatic antenna tuner and a host of other
features found in competition class transceiv-
ers, there is no doubt that this new radio will
fill a void in the company’s product line and
in the hearts of radio amateurs looking for big
rig performance in an economical package.
First Impressions
When the FT-950 is sitting side by side
with the FT-2000, the inherent resemblance
is striking but the similarity doesn’t stop at
facial features. The ’950 is packed with many
of the QRM-fighting and signal-enhancing
features that many operators have come to
know in the FT-2000 series and in Yaesu’s
flagship FTDX9000 series radios.
1
For
example, the FT-950 includes digital noise
reduction (DNR), which uses a variety of
algorithms to separate signals from noise. It
also has a CONTOUR control, used to enhance
the desired signal and distinguish it from
noise and interference.
The FT-950 is also capable of using
optional accessories such as Yaesu’s Data
Management Unit (DMU-2000) to provide a
graphic image of the rig’s operation. It’s also
got provisions for adding optional µ-Tune
units, precision motorized preselector circuits
that can enhance a weak signal or attenuate an
interfering signal.
2
I used the optional µ-Tune
units with the ’950 and they had an obvious
effect on received signals. Not being located
near a strong broadcast station or other source
of interference, I was unable to fully appreci-
ate the preselector’s performance.
Noticeably smaller than its big brother,
the FT-950 is still a substantial piece of gear
that makes a nice statement when sitting
on the operating desk. One reason for the
smaller form factor is the absence of an
internal power supply. This can be a benefit
to some people because many operators
already own a power supply that is used
to run several pieces of gear in the shack. I
found that the ’950 worked fine using a big,
heavy 35 A Astron analog supply or when
juiced with a lightweight Yaesu FP-1023
switching supply.
Weighing in at 21.6 pounds, the FT-950 is
not what many would consider a “portable”
rig, but with all of the big rig features in a
smaller package I would consider this a re-
markable field radio to be used in a variety
of situations such as DXpeditions, Field Day
or EOC operations. The front and rear feet
Yaesu FT-950 HF and
6 Meter Transceiver
The FT-950 HF/50 MHz trans-
ceiver fills a void in Yaesu’s product
line. It should appeal to radio ama-
teurs looking for big rig performance
in an economical package.
1
QST Product reviews, including the FT-2000,
FT-2000D, FTDX9000D and FTDX9000 Con-
test, are available on the Web at www.arrl.
org/members-only/prodrev/.
2
The DMU-2000 and µ-Tune units were discussed
in more detail in the FT-2000D Product Review
in October 2007 QST.
-20
-70
I
9
TX
Transmit 9th-order IMD (dB)
-35
TX
I
3
Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)
-35
-56
-40 +35
I
3
2
-40
+35
I
3
20
50
110
I
3
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
50
110
I
3
20
2
70
140
70
128
129
98
97
95
90
71
+21
+16
-4
140
20
20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
50
10
T-R
25
Tx-Rx Turnaround Time (ms)
80 M
20 M
Dynamic range and intercept
values with preamp off.
Intercept values were determined
using –97 dBm references.
Key:
pr028
-20
Bottom Line