Is The Yaesu FT-891 Really A Great Portable Transceiver?

There are a lot of ham radio ops using the Yaesu FT-891 with success in the field. But how well matched is the 891 to this task? Here are my thoughts.

[taganize]

This video production was clean, crisp and clear. The author did a great job explaining the radio, pros & cons, while giving a cross reference into Yaesu history and ham expectations for features contained in future product releases. The author gave sound criticism that helped me stop and think some more. This was a very honest video review of the FT-8921worthy of your time to watch.

[jumpit]

The receiver on the 891 is outstanding ..a BEAUTIFUL LITTLE RADIO :)

[KXUL]

You made some very good and accurate observations of the FT-891. I bought one 2 years ago and was very impressed with it. It's a lot of radio for the price. I even used mine as a base while my main rig was out for repair. I also considered owning 2 of these rigs, 1 for base and 1 for portable/mobile. I like small rigs that do a big job. The current drain is an issue though. I had sold my FT-897D to buy the FT-891 and quickly missed my ole' trusty FT-897D where current drain was concerned. I recently purchased another FT-897D but still kept my FT-891. I love that radio. Although the FT-891 uses more battery it is still small, lightweight, full powered, has good filtering and has a larger screen than the FT-897D. I agree with your closing thoughts...well said! 73 my friend!

[reidlanham]

My biggest complaint about the 891 is the radio's inability to free up time in my life so that I can get out and use it!! Thanks for the very good video!

[bhambhole]

The 891 was first modern appliance I could afford and I enjoy it very much. Thanks for tip on the advanced manual . Great review!

[stevewarner]

Your video is well thought out and makes valid points. I have a 891 for camping use primarily and have found it very capable indeed. I’m primarily a CW operator and it’s ZIN and DNR functions are great. Things I would like to see in a updated version of this radio; color display, real time band scope and built in tuner. Having said that I still believe the 891 at its price point is a high quality transceiver for any Ham to have

[TXLorenzo]

Tracy, nice run down. I own two FT 891s, one for the SUV and one in a manpack. When the sunspot cycle was down, the manpack version with higher output really paid off, but with a higher battery requirement. I think the FT891 is a great POTA radio with the potential on tap for higher power than your standard QRP rigs. My main beef is the clunky menu system and the initial problems setting up digital. However, once sorted out, the FT891 is a good portable/mobile rig. All things said, that DSP audio is still one of the best in the business.

[davidsradioroom]

1. I always look forward to your videos. I like your motto of "Get outdoors and on the air." Current conditions prohibit me from doing so, so I get out vicariously through your videos. 2. I think your review of the 891 is fair and balanced.

[jaceizzonn]

I've assembled a Lithium Ion battery pack from a number of 1.5v cells and the lightness for energy ratio is 2nd to none and three times what I used to get from my 2 x 12v/7A battery pack!
Your portable station is nicely set up & done!

[barrykery]

Great video, as usual. No ATU? No problem. Like me, I always use only resonant matched antennas. Great point on operating at 20 watts out to conserve on current drain from the battery. For portable, I run either 40 watts or 5 watts. By running lower power out, you can use antenna antenna with a little bit higher SWR. Most of the time you can go up to 2.5 to 1 SWR and not effect the finals and get your 20 watts out when using a radio that's designed to output 100 watts. I wish the FT 891 and FT991A had a version that would only allow up to 25 watts out. By biasing the finals down to 25 watts on a 100 watt radio, you still draw high current off of the battery. If the radio was designed properly to operate at no more than 25 watts, the radio would not draw high current like a 100 watt radio does when the power is turned down.
Going back in time, Kenwood made a TS120V and a TS130V that was designed for lower power output and less current drain on a battery.
You pointed out a lot of valuable point in your video, well done.
Barry, KU3X/QRP

[theElderberryFarmer]

Very nicely done and well-balanced review, Tracy. I have an FT891 that I use as my primary home radio, and it works very well for me in that role (I don't have a room permanently dedicated as a shack, so I need to move my radio out to my screened porch for use, then back inside when I'm done). I can definitely see where the points you've highlighted would be shortcomings for doing truly portable operations. While not show-stoppers they do add a bit of annoyance that could have been easily addressed at design time. 73, KO4AZY

[phils]

A very useful review here Tracy from a seasoned radio outdoorsman😊 I have both an 891 and (my favourite really) 897. I have the 891 mounted in the car and would say it is a better mobile radio than a fully portable one. The face-off facility helps here for mobile mounting and there is less of a power issue when vehicle mounted with generally bigger batteries on hand. Hands down the 891 is a better performer with enhanced receive and filtering functions but I just LOVE the form factor of the 897 and the superior menu layout as you pointed out here. A hybrid 897/891 radio with the pro's of both, now THAT would be a portable radio to die for👍. Over to you Yaesu!

[TheTechPrepper]

This is perhaps the best overview of the FT-891. Nicely done! I've taken my FT-891 on several SOTA activations along with a much larger 12Ah LiFePO4 battery to handle the current draw. It's portable, but it's pushing the limits on comfortable man-portable operations. The receiver quality and DNR are amazing. My only complaint is the the lack of 2m/440. This would have been the logical successor to the FT-857D. I always look forward to your well-thought out videos. 73 de KT1RUN

[johnpawlicki]

Great video. The plusses and minuses all make sense to me. I use a Volt Tattler to monitor my voltage both portable and at home. I don't have to watch the reading all of the time.

[DKONV]

Hello Tracy, good to see you are back again. Even me as a non Yaesu Fan were eye balling with that sneaky lil FT-891 because of its small rugged size. And the little Display with a great readout impressed me at the 1st Look. My eyes are not the very best anymore. But Uncle Guenter is still happy with his IC-7200 (6yrs now) and the IC7300 (15month new). I am a very humble guy who doesn't need to have every new radio got thrown on the Market. Thx for the neat Product Info & hope to make the Contact on air with you this Year. Stay safe Tracy & 73 de Your Friend Uncle Guenter

[jerutley]

Excellent Review, Tracy. I recently picked up an 891 for my own portable ops (POTA and camping). For me, one of the plus factors was the full 100W output in a small form factor. My prior portable rig was a KX3, and to get 100W with it, you also need the KXPA100 amplifier - which means a whole lot more cables to hook up. I'm also a pretty big digital modes guy, so I like the simplified hookup to the computer for that purpose as well - wish Yaesu had integrated a USB Sound card with the radio like the 705/7300. I never noticed the power draw being a negative - but then again, for POTA I'm usually only on-air for a few hours tops, and if I do an extended portable operation, it's usually at a campground that has AC capability, so I can bring along a power supply to run it off mains.

[thuff]

Thank you for your very good description of the 891. Mine is in my jeep and I agree not having the voltage displayed is an issue that I have not resolved. It is a good radio but not my favorite for field use.

[USXPOP]

I recently won a 991A in a raffle. Best $50 USD I've ever spent. I keep the manual close at hand to find the features available. I do like the way Yaesu has kept the menu items listed and the ease of setting it up. If you know the 857D or the 897D, the 991A is like greeting an old friend.

[mikes]

Food for thought! I do t own one but have been drawn close to buying one. I own an Elecraft KX3 that I’ve had for nearly 10 years now if on certain bands I can turn the wick up to 15 watts. Outdoors I don’t need 100 watts, but occasionally it would be nice to say have 50 watts at my disposal but I’d be defeating one of the main reasons I go outdoors on low power. The debate will continue no doubt. Thanks for posting and igniting the debate. 👍🏻

[Blue-Collar-Radio]

Great review. I personally like how the menu is grouped. It took a little bit of practice to get used to navigating, but it's pretty much second nature, for what I do with mine. I don't mind not having a built in tuner. As I run an EFHW, dipole, or a screwdriver antenna in the field. I do have a manual tuner in the shack for my 9:1 if I want to use it at home.
I think it's a good all around radio. I really do like the FH2 controller. Comes in handy for POTA or contests.