Yaesu FT-991A Ham Radio Review

The Yaesu FT-991A represents one of the most versatile and capable transceivers available for emergency communications and preparedness. As an all-in-one radio covering every amateur band from 160 meters through 70 centimeters, it offers unparalleled flexibility for operators seeking a complete communications solution in a single package. After extensive testing in both everyday and simulated emergency conditions, we've found it to be an exceptional choice for those serious about communications preparedness, despite a few limitations.

The most impressive aspect of the FT-991A is its comprehensive frequency coverage and operating modes. Unlike most transceivers that focus on either HF or VHF/UHF bands, this radio seamlessly covers all amateur allocations from 1.8 MHz to 450 MHz. This means you can communicate locally via VHF/UHF repeaters or simplex, while also maintaining the capability for regional or global communications via HF when local infrastructure fails. During our testing, we were able to quickly switch between monitoring local emergency nets on 2 meters and checking in with stations hundreds of miles away on 40 and 20 meters—all without changing radios or reconfiguring equipment.

Power output is substantial, with 100 watts available on HF and 6 meters, and 50 watts on 2 meters and 70 centimeters. This provides enough power for reliable communications in most scenarios without requiring external amplifiers. The built-in automatic antenna tuner for HF and 6 meters is a significant advantage for emergency operations, allowing quick adaptation to different antennas or changing environmental conditions. While not as capable as some dedicated external tuners, it easily handled our test antennas with SWR ratios up to 3:1, making it suitable for field-expedient antenna systems often deployed during emergencies.

The receiver performance of the FT-991A deserves special mention. With a triple conversion superheterodyne design and 32-bit digital signal processing, it offers excellent sensitivity and selectivity across all bands. During our crowded band testing, the radio successfully pulled out weak signals even with strong adjacent transmissions. The digital noise reduction and automatic notch filter were particularly effective at improving readability in challenging conditions. The real-time spectrum scope provides valuable visual indication of band activity, helping to quickly find clear frequencies or identify active stations during emergency operations.

For digital communications, the FT-991A includes Yaesu's C4FM System Fusion digital voice mode, which provides remarkably clear audio quality even in marginal signal conditions. While limited to the C4FM standard (not compatible with D-STAR or DMR systems), we found System Fusion repeaters increasingly common in many areas. The radio also easily interfaces with a computer via USB for popular digital modes like FT8, JS8Call, and Winlink email—all valuable tools for emergency communications when voice transmissions are difficult. The built-in sound card functionality eliminates the need for additional interface devices, simplifying the station setup considerably.

Physically, the FT-991A strikes an impressive balance between capability and size. At 9.7 pounds and roughly the size of a thick laptop, it's compact enough for transportation in emergency scenarios while providing a full-featured control surface. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen is bright and readable in various lighting conditions, though we found the touch sensitivity occasionally required multiple presses for activation. The front panel layout is generally intuitive, with dedicated buttons for commonly used functions, though the extensive feature set necessarily means some functions are buried in the menu system.