Yaesu FTDX3000 Sound card digital modes setup using internal USB interface

Back panel of FTDX3000
FTDX3000 USB Port

In my PSK31 travels I have encountered other hams also using a Yaesu FTDX3000 with an external interface such as a Signalink. As the radio has a built in interface I am somewhat shocked by this. And when I ask why are they not using the built in interface the most common answer is along the lines of I was not aware that the radio had it built in.

With this in mind I took a few pictures and documented a few settings and leveraging the power of the net and search engines everywhere. Hopefully this blog post on setting up the FTDX3000 for sound card digital modes will prevent a few from doing the hard way, and for those who have already gone the external interface route to change.

Preparation

DO NOT Connect the radio to the PC at this time.

Before diving in you will need a few things in addition to the radio and a PC.

  1. Visit the Yaesu website and download the USB Serial driver.
  2. Obtain but do not connect an appropriate length Type A to Type B USB cable. Your PC will have the rectangular plug and the back of the radio has square type B plug.

The driver pack on the Yaesu web site has instructions, follow them and install the drivers. Once installed and the radio is connected and powered up you will get various messages in the windows task bar that drivers and being installed and or have been installed and the device is ready for use. The driver install directions on the Yaesu website details all of this.

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In this next step we will check and confirm that the drivers are correctly installed.

Via the Windows control panel enter the device manager and expand the Ports and the Sound, video and game controllers section. Your port numbers may differ from mine which is ok. However if they are missing you have a problem and need to return to the Yaesu driver installation instructions.

Write down the port numbers for the Standard and Enhanced com port you will need these values when setting up the PTT.

2015-02-21 10_41_02-Device Manager

2015-02-21 10_44_34-Device Manager

Configure the Radio

Before we begin to setup DM780 to interface with the radio, we first need to setup the radio side of the connection. When using the 3000 for PSK and other sound card based digital modes. The data mode lets the radio use a different set of interfaces and configuration settings for example from SSB use. Which is nice as it allows you to flip between data and voice modes without having to reset a series of controls.

IMG_3495

Enter the menu system and change option #65 PC Keying to DTR.

IMG_3499

Change item #75 to USB, which tells the radio to source TX audio from the USB audio interface.

The next two items #76 and #77 is the gain settings internal to the radio between the internal sound card and the audio input of the transmitter and the audio output of the receiver. These are the values which work best for me.

IMG_3497

Change #037 to use the USB serial port and not the back panel port. Also ensure that CAT RTS #040 is enabled as this will permit hardware flow control with the PC.

Menu settings applicable to the serial port
Menu settings applicable to the serial port

When you setup HRD to connect to the radio ensure that the “Enhanced port” is being used and that the speed is the same as what was set in radio option #038.

Also as shown here ensure that DTR is unchecked and RTS is checked.

Typical serial port settings
Typical serial port settings

Setup DM780 – configure PTT

I will assume that you have already setup the radio control side of HRD to connect with the radio. It is important that when configuring HRD you use the enhanced port recorded above and not the standard port number.

Via the DM780 options screen.

I prefer the serial line DTR option over via the HRD connection as it is consistent with the CW keying mechanism used in the next section and pulling the USB cable will drop the DTR line. Where as pulling the USB cable or shutting down the PC will not send a TX stop CAT command, to counter the TX start CAT command that HRD would use to place the radio in transmit.

2015-02-21 10_53_51-Digital Master 780 - [BPSK-31]

Configure CW keying

2015-02-21 21_29_08-Digital Master 780 - [CW]

 Configure the Sound card

2015-02-21 10_45_40-Dashboard ‹ MorseTutor.com — WordPress

Set sound-card initial gain levels

Before taking it for a test drive on the air the initial gain level for the USB sound card which while physically inside the transceiver it is logically part of Windows. In my particular installation the FTDX3000 sound card shows up as Speakers “7-USB Audio CODEC” and Microphone “7-USB Audio CODEC”.

In your system the number may be different but the rest of the text will be the same. Right click on each device, select properties and levels. Start out will a low level around 10 for you initial trials. You can tweak the TX value in DM780, here in the logical device config, and in the radio menu settings as shown above in the radio configuration section.

2015-02-21 10_44_07-All Control Panel Items 2015-02-21 10_43_51-All Control Panel Items

That should be enough to get you on the air. Perform a few test transmissions to get the the audio levels in DM780, the sound card and in the radio setup options to achieve the ALC levels recommended for your mode. Normally you are striving for no ALC deflection. Set the carrier level in the radio either via the front panel or inside the menu system to the power level desired and have fun.

Troubleshooting

If you have trouble getting the PC to talk to the CAT port on the Radio, I would suggest downloading from the Yaesu website the PCC-3000 package.

It presents a very simple interface to the radio and is simple to setup and less may be more by using this simple app to verify radio connectivity. Versus the more capable and more complex HRD Suite.

2015-03-08 15_48_46-PCC for FTDX3000

The PCC-3000 package is what you want, very simple to run no installation is needed.

25-July-2015 Update Note!, a later version of this package is now available on the Yaesu website. Use whatever version is available.

2015-03-08 16_32_44-Welcome to Yaesu.com

73’s until next time, Jay

113 Comments

  1. Thanks to Rick W5FKW for pointing this out.

    I missed a step, need to setup the radio to use the USB serial port for CAT control and not the back panel serial port. Will be inserting these steps into the guide.

  2. Thank you, Jay. I have been trying to figure this out for some time. Your configuration works great! Occasionally, I get an intermittent beep when using DM780 software. Have you experienced this? Do you know what causes the intermittent beep or how to correct the problem?

    • You are welcome, happy to hear that it helped. Where are you hearing this beep from, PC speakers, TX audio? First thing to check is that the default sound card is not the radio as you don’t want the various PC new mail sounds and such going out the radio.

      • Hello Jay, Thanks for the reply. I heard the sound from the radio monitor, it actually transmits a long tone of about one second.

        • A constant tone or with slight variation as in a Reed Solomon ID? Do you have RSID turned on? Also did you look in the windows sound setup and confirm that the default audio device is not the radio interfaces.

          • Hello Jay,
            It is a constant tone and the radio sound card (usb audio device) is not selected as default.

  3. I did a little more testing by shutting down all the HRD programs and still got the occasional long beep that transmits. When I completely disconnect the USB cable the symptom does not appear. It seems some setting on the PC side is wrong and or sending the signal causing the intermittent transmit. Thanks for all your help.
    Don
    KC5HCX

    • Do you have data VOX turned on (menu item #180)? Audio to the radio should not cause it to transmit as the PTT function is accomplished with the DTR line. Well I would shutdown your email and instant messenger or anything else that you have running. Once you confirm no more random transmissions, start to add them back on at a time to find the offending app.

      Good luck, Jay

  4. You have my many thanks for the work you have done in documenting this procedure, and making it available. I am up and running on PSK31 and I love it. I know I will be directing others to this site.

  5. I had to lower 077 to a 2 to stop overloading.
    Thanks for all the great Information.
    Any ideas for the SSTV mode on HRD?

    • Thanks Joe,

      That radio setting and the soundcard setting in windows interact, you might want to check the gain in Windows in order to not run the radio level so low.

      Once you have the soundcard setup for example PSK, you should be able to work SSTV. I have received images, just never have gone to the trouble of sending pictures of my cat 😉

      73, Jay

  6. Thanks Jay for this super write up! I used your steps to get my FT-991 interfaced to HRD by modifying some of the FT-991 menu items to match your description. The FT-991 menu *numbers* are not the same as the FTdx-3000 numbers but the setting *names* are the same. I’ll jot down what my FT-991 settings are and post a follow up comment next week.
    Thanks again! 73, Dave

  7. Very straight forward…One thing I’ve done is to rename the labels under sounds, once inside the Properties, to FTDX3000.

  8. Jay, thank you for the information. I don’t use Windows/HRD. I use Ubuntu/FLdigi. Using your guide I was able to set up the -3000 and FLdigi to receive transmissions. However, when I attempted to transmit the -3000 would go to Tx mode but there would be no output power. Any suggestions from anyone?

    Also, When using the internal sound card the 20M band was noisy. When I reverted to the SignaLink USB the band was not noisy. A puzzle.

    Dan
    K6FTD

    • Dan,

      Check the audio path from the software to the radio, is fld using the radio speaker device for tx? Are the levels midway as a start? Is the radio configed to use the USB as the mic in data mode and do you have the radio in a data mode such as DATA USB?

      As for noise on 20m I have not experienced this problem. Try putting a dummy load on the antenna port to determine if USB or PC hash is getting into your antenna system.

      73, Jay

  9. The selected sound device is PCM2903B Audio Codec, digital output and digital input.
    The levels are close to midway.
    The rig is set to DATA USB at 14.070 MHz.
    How do I know if the radio configed to use the USB as the mic in data mode?

    Thank you for your help.

    Dan

    • Dan,

      Hmm, pull the USB cable to ensure that you have the correct devices selected. USB is selected as the Data input via menu option #75, and data mic gain is #76 a value of 20 is a good place to start.

      Jay

      • Dan,

        What I have discovered is in addition to the other settings there is a Fldigi setting which is key.

        Fldigi configuration
        Audio
        Right Channel
        Enable “Mono audio output”

        That did the trick for me, audio makes it to the radio.

        73, Jay

  10. I have Fldigi 3.23.01 and Flrig 1.3.22 on Ubuntu 14.04. Configure/Audio/Right channel does not have “Mono audio output”. I tried:
    Modem signal on left and right channels,
    Reverse left/right channels,
    PTT tone on right audio channel,
    CW QSK signal on right channel,
    Pseudo-FSK on right audio channel.
    No luck. Now the waterfall is frozen. I’ll stick with the SignaLink USB.

    Thank you for your help.

    73s

    Dan

    • Dan,

      Sorry you could not get your setup to play. Running Ubuntu 15.04 and installed Fldigi via software Center and got 3.22.04.

      Using Hamlib FTDX5000, PTT via Hamlib command. I had to add my user to the dialout group to get this to work, hamlib was unable to open the port.
      Audio is using PortAudio and playback device is USB Audio CODEC
      Audio right channel tab, enable “Mono audio output”

      And it plays just fine.

      Update:

      Updated to Fldigi 3.23.01 via link below and sure enough it stopped playing. Had to enable “Modem Signal on left and right channels” to get it playing again.

      http://www.w1hkj.com/LaunchpadInstall.html

      73, Jay

  11. Well, Jay I got the system to work. Enable “Modem signal …” helped. I’ll send you the complete steps I used.

    Thanks again.

    73s
    Dan
    KK6FTD

  12. Thank you, my material was very helpful, I avoided an expense in addition to a new interfta everything works in the best conditions. The information is really useful.

    Thanks again.

    73s
    Calin
    yo5pcb

  13. Well done Jay, couldn’t be any clearer… My question is can you use the computer speakers to hear your SSB phone communications? I have not been able to get audio from my FTDX-3000 to my Corsair computer speakers… Any information would be greatly appreciated.
    KF7ZVG

    • Rob,

      Sure you can easily listen to the audio out of the radio on your PC speakers or PC headphones whatever is the default Playback device. Enter the sound settings in Windows and in the properties page for the Recording device which is the Radio. This is normally a “USB Audio CODEC”, I have named mine Yaesu. Select the listen tab and check and apply the “Listen to this device” option. Any audio received on this recording input will be shared to your “Default” playback device. This is a good question, I will take some screen shots and post a quick article.

      73, Jay

      • Made the changes, initially it didn’t take even after a reboot. I ran the trouble shoot utility in Windows 10 and it fixed the problem.

        Wondering if there are some other settings to make the sound better. The sound is clipping (a strong raspy sound from all the voices). The speakers are Corsair SP2500’s and the audio quality for music is just astounding (HD quality) so i expected much more on the audio from the radio… I did adjust the levels from 10 and up and didn’t make any impact, sound is still clipping… Any suggestions? I know this might be getting out of your realm of things but I thought I would ask!

        Thanks
        Rob

        • Rob I would check the gain levels from the radio all the way to the speakers as it sounds like you might be experiencing clipping somewhere in the audio path.

  14. A question about using for example logger 32 and MIXW at the same time connection (frdx3000) to the pc has been made with an USB cable? I can’t use the 2 programs at the same time with the same serial port.How can i fix this?I’ve tried setting up extra com ports and bridge those but not sucessfull so far.
    73’s Alain

    • Simplest solution is to use Ham Radio Deluxe, another option is to try the two serial ports which the Yaesu driver presents as standard and enhanced. Server software packages being released are beginning to offer a config option to use HRD to command the radio. The JT65 package WSJT is an example which comes to mind.

      Good luck, Jay

      • if you make a RS232 connection between radio and pc do you need to connect an optional audio/data cable or is the rs232 serial cable enough?i can’t get the audio working.Maybe my souncard setup?I’ m a newbe in the hobby 🙂

        • Using the USB connection is the simplest approach as it provides a virtual serial connection as well as the audio connections. If you are looking to operate any of the digital modes then you will need an audio path between the PC and the radio. If you just want to control the radio from your PC then a serial connection either via the RS-232 9 pin connector or via the virtual serial port presented via the USB connection. Hope this helps, feel free to ask followup’s.

          73, Jay

  15. Hi Jay, Doug– AA0DW here… I first commented in July to say “thanks” for a great tutorial. Thought I would share that I just finished installing a new mobo/cpu into the shack computer. As I attempted to get the set up working again, I was getting frustrated in that everytime I tried transmitting a digi mode with dm780,it would begin xmit and then abruptly stop,causing the software to lock up. I determined after much toil that my usb cable was at fault! Once I switched to a cable with better shielding and a toroid,all was well again! So to anyone just beginning the process–MAKE SURE YOUR USB CABLE IS WELL SHIELDED AND INCLUDES A TOROID!

    • Thanks Doug, yeah if you have high RF levels in the shack it can play havoc with all sorts of things. Glad you got it working.

      73’s, Jay

  16. Doug Thanks again,
    I am running HRD and NAP3. I used to be able to run both at the same time,
    They will work independently ,but I get a error DDE 13694.
    It did work at one time. I cannot figure this out.
    Any help would be worth trying

  17. Jay,
    You mentioned setting the radio CAT control to USB instead of the rear serial port. Does that mean that you are now unable to use an external tuner (which use that RS232 port)? Or can you still use the USB port just for audio and PTT via CAT?

    • From my experience the USB and DB-9 cat port are mutely exclusive, they will not work in parallel. If you have an external device which depends on the DB-9 CAT port it will need to provide a pass-thru in order to gain access for computer control. And yes from experience you can use the DB-9 serial for CAT and the USB for the sound card.

      73, Jay

  18. Thank you Jay,

    I still have issues with transmit on the FTdx3000 in all MARS digital modes. I use FLDigi, MS-DMT, MARS-ALE. I can receive using the internal sound card, but cannot transmit at all. I’m sure there has to be a menu setting but I just have not been able to find it yet. The signalink worked most of the time. I would just rather use the internal sound card in the 3000 if possible.

    • Pat,

      Happy to help however need more data. Assuming that you have configured the radio per blog post. What is your rig control config in FLDigi and what serial ports is the radio presenting, look in control panel->device manager->ports. FLDigi presents several options for Rig control, RigCAT, Hamlib etc first step help me understand your setup.

      Jay

      • Jay,

        I did not find the setup in the blog posts for internal sound card so need to look at that first I suppose. As for FLDigi, I’m not actually using it with the CAT but just sending MT-63, Olivia, and other digital messages. The only CAT use will be for MARS ALE. All programs work with the signalink, but it apparent has some RF issues at times and has given me port audio errors, so I’m attempting to by-pass it and go the internal sound card.

        Pat

        Pat

        • Pat,

          This blog entry you are posting a comment to contains the setup instructions. Just ignore the Ham Radio Deluxe parts. If you do not have the CAT working then I am not surprised at the problems you are having as CAT commands or the CAT port is how the PC tells the radio to transmit.

          Jay

          • I do have the CAT working, or at least it worked fine with the signalink. It just does not automatically change frequencies or scan in the ALE program (yet). I’m sure it is a configuration issue in ALE, or perhaps a menu item in the 3000. Yaesu provide a bit more information. I can now transmit by using similar commands in your blog for right and left channels. I used the following menu items: 065-OFF;067-PSK; 068-1000Hz; 075-USB; 077-50; 085-FRONT; 103-FRONT; 180-DATA; 181-40ms; Radio SSB and select VOX-ON. I also have the FLDigi settings if needed.
            Thanks for your help,

          • Pat,

            With the above settings you are using VOX on the data path, setting 180 should be set to Mic so VOX works with your front panel mic. FLDigi, HRD or whatever will command the radio to TX via a CAT port command. You should also put the radio in DATA-USB when working digital modes. This tells the radio to use the inputs defined for DATA (MODE DATA in the menu). You have many of the options setup correctly just don’t have the radio in the correct operating mode.

            73 Jay

  19. Hi. I have been using FTDX-3000 for a couple of months now. I have been using rig mode (USB) rather than rig mode DATA USB. This is because DATA mode puts a positive shift if 1000Hz to the audio spectrum. Thus if I want a base frequency of 7.040MHz I have to set my radio to 7.041MHz. There is a menu setting (menu item 068) which permits to change tis offset, but unfortunately there is no zero offset; only 1000, 1500 and 2000Hz. Where am I going wrong?
    Keith – G3WGE

    • Keith,

      Menu item 68 affects the center frequency for the built in decoder, you can see this if you put the radio in PSK decode mode. The “C”enter in the AF-FFT window will move around if you change the value of 068. As for the offset this is only true if you have setting 067 set to other which is intended for Packet use. If set to PSK then the carrier center frequency is what is on the VFO display and the audio offset as set in DM780 as an example. And where you transmit is the sum of the two when using the typical DATA-USB mode, Carrier + Audio Offset.

      Jay

      • Thanks for the quick response Jay. Unfortunately, my offset problem occurs with Menu Item #67 set to PSK and I can’t reduce the offset – only increase the offset further with Menu Item #68. There are just three setting in Menu Item #68 : 1000, 1500 and 2000Hz. A setting of zero Hz would be useful. The manual doesn’t shed much light on PSK operation. I personally think the 3000 is a great rig but the on screen decode is just a sales gimmick. My current workaround (it may not be correct or as Yaesu intended)) is to set Menu Item #67 to OTHERS and then take the offset out by setting Menu Item #69 Mode Data Other Disp (SSB) to 1000Hz. Of course I have exactly the same problem with JT 65, JT 9 and WSPR data modes. I find the manual very confusing if Data is only referring to packet data. Another related issue is that the Data High Cut filter settings only reduce from a bandwidth defined by the WIDTH control of 2400Hz, yet the manual implies this bandwidth should be capable of setting up to 4000Hz. I have no problems setting up data modes with my FT897D.

          • Keith,

            This thread started with a request for help and I have attempted to explain what you have incorrect and the need to return to the proven setup guide. If you prefer to follow another path then
            congratulations you found someone else who has chosen to create their own solution best of luck to you both.

            73, Jay

        • Keith,

          If you follow my setup guide and operate the radio in DATA-USB mode no audio offsets are applied and camping on 1000hz in DM780 will result in 1000hz offset from the carrier out of the radio. You can see this if you enable “moni” and enable the audio portion of the waterfall and transmit a test message. The two will track no offsets are applied.

          To use a US term you are getting wrapped around the axle with this, follow the setup guide ensure the radio is in DATA-USB when you operate PSK.

          067 Data mode, PSK and ensure that the radio is DATA USB mode when operating PSK. If you have this set to “Other” that is for packet operation which is a completely different kettle of fish. If you do not have the radio in “DATA” mode the the MODE-DATA Group settings do not come into play.

          The following setup items are not applicable when the radio is in data mode, do not be distracted by them.

          068 PSK Tone, This affects the built in radio decode center frequency. No impact to applications using the sound card.
          069 Other DISP, leave this at the default 0, not applicable to PSK
          070 Other Shift, leave this at the default, not applicable to PSK

          73, Jay

  20. Hi. I have been using PSK31 with DM780 and FTDX-3000 for 2 months now. I have to use rig mode (USB) for correct operation. If I use rig mode (DATA USB) then my audio spectrum is always shifted by 1000Hz which is the default PSK tone set by menu item 68. There is no zero PSK setting (only 1000, 1500 and 2000Hz) to counter this offset. What am I doing wrong in my setup?

  21. I am only reporting what I observe Jay. I am sorry if I have offended you as that was never my intention. I was simply referring you to observations and advice from a fellow ham on this same topic. I respect your views as I respect the next person’s views.
    I am following your entire guide, except that for success with my station, I adjust Menu Items #67 to OTHERS and Menu Item #69 to 1000Hz. In my previous comment I omitted to say that the radio was operating DATA USB mode. Sorry for that omission.
    When I do as you suggest (in your guide and comments) I do see a real 1000Hz offset in DM780 spectrum display. I know this for sure, because I observe the WSPR signals between 1400 and 1600Hz above the WSPR carrier VFO /DIAL frequency of 7.038.600MHz. The WSPR signals are transposed from the usual 0-200Hz up to 1000-1200Hz on DM780 display and the PSK waterfalls are also transposed up by the same 1000Hz on the DM780 display.
    I agree 100% with you, that if I camp on 1000Hz then I observe my signal on the 1000Hz marker of the AF-FFT display. The AF-FFT display is relative to my VFO/Dial frequency and will only shift on this display if I change the PSK Tone using menu #68. My problem is that my VFO/DIAL Frequency has been shifted 1000Hz by the default setting of Menu Item #68. If I could change #68 to 0Hz then I would, but that is not possible. It is only possible to shift up to 1500 and 2000Hz.
    Menu Items #67 to #79 are all Data Mode Items. The Yaesu manual does not define “OTHERS” so far as I can see. I am using latest Jan 26th 2016 software with my rig.
    Jay, your guide and comments have certainly helped me so I thank you sincerely for that.
    With your help, I can now get the PSK mode (and all other data modes) to work in the rig’s DATA USB mode. I am following your entire guide except that for success with my station I adjust Menu Items #67 to OTHERS and Menu Item #69 to 1000Hz. I also set Menu Item #76 to MCVR which enables front panel transmit drive level control. Not sure what the acronym MCVR actually stands for! I’ve googled it, but all I get is Yaesu Handbook references to it!
    73 Keith (G3WGE) aged 68 years and a hard boiled reactionary! Or, you can never teach an old dog new tricks.

    • No worries Keith the issue you raise is a complex one as the DATA mode can and will be used for multiple modes. Some of which will be a bit cumbersome with the 1khz PSK mode enabled. This feature can be disabled via setup option 067 and 070. I was able to set aside time to capture all of the screen shots and such and created a post on the subject. Thanks for raising my awareness to this “feature”.

      http://morsetutor.com/2016/03/ftdx3000-psk-audio-offset/

      73, Jay

  22. I just sent you a email in reference to my power out problem, not being able to adjust it down far enough to clear up the ALC reading. But for that, I followed the instructions you laid out and, out of the box, the radio and HRD/DM780 worked as you described. Thanks for the information and all the time and effort you put into the mod. It’s truly a great mod and free’s up the Navigator for my new FT-450-D. Thanks so much Jay.

    • Rick,

      While not technically a mod I do appreciate the feedback. Was is your value for #076 data mix gain? I run mine at 25 and run the level on the “speaker” in HRD at around 20 percent.

      Jay

  23. Jay, I run #076 at 30 and the speaker at 15, so we are both basically the same. Instead of just setting it and forgetting it, I ran many combinations and found those settings to be right for my 3K, but they may, and probably will, change depending on the owner taking the time to try the many. It’s very time consuming but I learned a lot by doing it. I know that in the strictness of definitions it’s not a modification, but at this time that’s the best term I could come up with. I am in the process of wiring the digital interface cable for my 450, and since no electronics store in Round Rock or Austin has one, waiting anxiously for the Dongle I had to order off E-Bay. I’ll keep you posted.

  24. I am trying to get Ham Radio Deluxe and my FTDX3000 to work with the USB cable alone.
    It is doing fine on the Radio side with all the receive and such, but when I bring DM780 up and try to use CW I can receive all fine there, and if I do a connect using my Com Port 7 it sends my marker tone out and keys the radio up.
    I can also key all up with using Break in or my Mox button in HDR, but cannot get a tone out when using DM780 in manual or auto mode.
    Any ideas or help?

    • Jeff,

      Let me first understand your setup, have you configured your radio and HRD per the instructions in this post http://morsetutor.com/2015/02/yaesu-ftdx3000-digi-setup/ ?

      If you do and place the radio in CW mode it will work with DM780 in CW mode if the instructions are followed. You mention the lack of tone be sure you are using “CW” mode in DM780 and not one of the other options such as CW (SSB). The setup is not to send a SSB modulated tone, rather just a CW carrier.

      73, Jay

  25. I think I followed all the setups to the T. All seems to be working fine in HRD, I can transmit a CW message when I hit the Moni key. When I go to DM780 is when the problems seem to come about.
    I can hit connect and it sends a tone out, and power also, it is when I hit a auto or manual message, it flashes the transmit, but doesn’t send any tone out for such. As I said before, I have this going through only a USB cable and all seem to be setup ok. Not using an extra sound card. I am using CW, but there is something it is just not doing right.
    73’s Jeff

  26. Jay, did a lot of messing around with things last night, to MAKE sure all was set right, and low and behold things started working. Made a few contacts to Spain from the States, thanks for the help, and pushing me to make it work.
    73’s Jeff

  27. Thank You Jay for a great write up . I used this to get HRD working and follow all your steps. I used DX5000 for thr version of free HRD software 5.240.38 . the panel layout is not quite the same but I’m happy with it. I had to reused the procedure again when I did a software update, I loss the original setting so I ‘m glad your procedure was still on the web. 73 & again tnx Smitty K8VYA

  28. Hi Jay, having just bought my 3000 I’ve found this very helpful in setting up my radio.
    As digi modes is my main mode of operating I appreciate this very much.
    Thank you for your help.
    73 Gary GM7USC

    • Sandy,

      All of the radio setup guidance remains applicable. On the PC side download and install this driver http://morsetutor.com/2016/01/yaesu-usb-driver-update/ and I think you are there. I tried is once perhaps with the intent to document, don’t recall the specifics. I do have a half written post on running FLDigi on a Raspberry PI, it was underwhelming performance wise so I did not finish it up and publish.

      Give the driver a try and report back please.

      73, Jay

  29. What cable(s) are needed to connect the FTDX3000 to laptop to use FLDIGI or HRD DM870?
    For the life of me I cannot find any cables for this. Manual tells me to use the RTTY plug.

    • Dirk,

      In the post the cable type is mentioned, easy to miss. I have added an Amazon link, if you need to purchase.

      Obtain but do not connect an appropriate length Type A to Type B USB cable

      73, Jay

  30. Hello friends. I’m from Argentina, and I have a big problem that I can not solve. I have always used my FTDX3000 connected to my computer via USB with HRD without problems. Days ago it did not work anymore. The problem is that it does not create the COM ports. The audio is received without problems, but the communication by COM ports disappeared. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the USB-COM drivers that are on the website of Yaesu and also probe with the Silicom, all updated, but it does not work. I’ve tried it with 2 computers with Win 10 and Win 7 and it’s the same. The parameters of the Menu are the same as the ones I see you use. Can it be something of the transeiver? Sorry for my English. 73 by Juan LU3ARE

    • Juan,

      In windows Device Manager enable View->”Show Hidden Devices” and take a look. Do any of the ports show up with an error icon?

      Jay

    • I tested if setting menu item # 037 to RS232 would result in the problem you are seeing. I was not able to reproduce the issue you are seeing. I would contact Yaesu tech support it may need to go back for repair.

  31. Jay, Great article…It made setting up a breeze! One thing that I do since I use my laptop for connectivity to multiple radios is change the name of the speaker and microphone interfaces to the name of the radio or USB device (FTDX3000, SL706mkiig, etc)

    73

  32. Thanks for the info. I am having a problem, every time I connect my radio to DM 720 it keys my radio. I have made sure I have followed your instructions but I can not figure it out. The radio just stays keyed without sending anything.

  33. I’m not able to get audio to my 3000. I followed your instructions and still have the problem.

    One thing I noticed is that your picture of the Sound Playback shows Realtek High Definition Audio , Default Device. my PC shows this choice greyed out. I have mine set to Speakers Audio CODEC, Default Device.

    Is Realtech etc, choice supposed to be available?

    I love your write-up. Very easy to follow. I hope it’s my issue with not having the Realtech choice available.

    • Bob,

      Don’t let the Realtek devices distract you, these are the built in speakers and microphone devices on my PC’s motherboard. Your PC may be different and whatever device names you PC has this is what you should be using for the Windows default speaker and microphone. The radio sound devices are never used.

      I need additional information before I am able to diagnose your issue, let’s start with some basics.

      1) Did you install the Yaesu drivers prior to plugging in the USB cable to the PC.
      2) What application are you attempting to use with the radio? HRD, WSTJ-X, Fldigi
      3) What sound devices have you selected in the application?
      4) You mention that you “not able to get audio to my 3000”, RX works then just a TX problem?

      Jay

  34. The one thing that got me at first was not hanging the audio input from the mic jack on the front to the USB port.

  35. You need to use the USB port as input if you are using and input from your computer, data or Computer generated CW.

  36. How are ya all setting your AGC, The Yaesu manual states to use “Fast” for data. Is that what’s best for FT8? I’ve tried fast and off and it does not seem to matter. K7KSH

    • Factory default is where I leave it, fast would help in some situations but my experience is similar to yours does not seem to have much affect.

      73, Jay

  37. Jay, at the beginning you talk about being surprised by people not knowing the internal interface was available. That was what drew me to the FTDX-3000. After reading all the posts which were informative, I still am not sure if I can use the internal interface for other modes than what is listed in the manual. MARS-ALE, MT_63 and modes that are not specifically mentioned. I do have a Signalink set up with my current radio but would like a definitive answer on the other modes before I pull the plug on a 3000.

    • Ed, your question is will the 3000 support my modes which are X and Y. The answer is maybe does the software which supports mode X and Y sound card based and does it speak Yaesu CAT commands. If the answer is yes then you have a solution. I would also consider the Icom 7300 I have both and for the money the 7300 may be the better buy.

      What is the name of SW for these modes?

      73, Jay

  38. IN AFMARS we use primary mode of M110A using Station Manager for the computer. Other modes are Olivia and MT-63 using FLDIGI. I believe you said FLDIGI works with the internal interface so that shouldn’t be a problem. The 110A is the one curious to see work with it. I currently use the SignaLink with an FT-897 so I know it speaks Yaesuese.

    • Ed,

      If it is a PC based sound card app it make no difference if the sound card is in the signalink or inside the radio. Should work just fine for you to go direct to the radio.

      73, Jay

  39. I am having comport issues, which I’ll eventually figure out, my question is why is there no START button for sending a message when everything looks good?

    • What software are you using, with JTDX and WSJT-X the “Enable” button will start sending the currently selected message. To answer a CQ ensure option enable when clicked is enabled in the settings. And the lasts best option is to review the manual for whatever software you are using.

      73, Jay

      • Jay, I hate to admit this, but I simply had to expand the right side of the box an inch and there were the start, stop, and cancel butttons. Thanks for the quick reply to an old article, 73
        Dale
        K7MPZl

  40. Hello , name here is Wayne KD1NN
    im have the FT DX 3000 and im trying to run FT8 & FT4 modes from the rig however what is the menu settings that allow me to run this mode with a program called WSJT-X free,
    Or do I need to purchase a new signal link usb device in order to perform a qso in these two modes . . Thanks for your help

  41. Hi, Jay! Great site with lots of useful information! Quick question, HRD recommends setting up the FTDX3000 with the data output level set at 1. Someone else said to set it at 2. This is a much lower than what you have recommended. Could you help put this difference into perspective for me? Again, thanks for your contributions to the hobby. We really appreciate it. Thanks, and 73!
    Bill Neely, KE5K

  42. Hello Jay, Thanks for the info you have provided! My question isn’t really related to digital comms but I will ask anyway. I have tried and tried to get PCWFistcheck to monitor the CW side tone on the FTDX3000 via the USB cable but have been unsuccessful. I want to do this to practice my manual CW. The program has no issue monitoring and decoding incoming signals but is deaf to my side tone when keying. Do you happen to have any suggestions? Thanks es 73 Kenny AF4QK.

    • As sidetone is for Humans, doubt very much Yaesu sends it out the USB virtual sound card. Better luck taking the headphones output into a separate USB soundcard.

  43. If there is someone in the year 2023 able to read this, any help will be so appreciated.

    I have the cable running from my FTdx3000(rear) directly to my Windows 10 computer. Using FLdigi. I have had no trouble until now, where I cannot get it to power out 45w unless I wind up the ALC to about 40 or so. I presume it’s a lack of gain, but I need a clever person like you to advise me. I’m just an old doddery retired back country cop.

    • Hello Jim, I sold my FTDX3000 a long while ago but, thinking about your issue, I’m just wondering whether this could be something to do with your Windows audio settings? It might be worth looking at this to check that the output levels are optimum. Right click the speaker icon in your system tray (bottom right hand side of your screen) and select Sounds. Select the Playback and/or Recording tabs and double click on the default devices to see their respective properties. Click on the Levels tab for each and just make a note of the settings – Try and increase the levels a bit and see if that makes any difference with your output to FlDigi. Good luck with this, 73, Jonathan, M0XXJ

      • Kia Ora, Hello Jonathan. ( I am very pleased you still remember the FT3000).
        I want to say how much I appreciate you taking the time to reply.
        Jonathan, I have looked at this at an earlier time, I played around just in case the output wasn’t reading right, but alas, it was all good.
        It’s harder than finding a burglar 🙂 But again, many thanks
        If you should think of anything else look up ZL2BMH in QRZ. coz
        I’ll really appreciate it.
        Ka Kiti Ano, Kia KAHA, bye bye for now, 73’s Jim.

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