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Yaesu FT-891

Best for: Yaesu FT-891, typically paired with a Digirig (DR-891) interface for CAT and audio.

The settings below are the community reference setup for the FT-891 with a Digirig DR-891. For connection-method background, see Radio Setup.

Connection settings

  1. Add a new rig → select Serial CAT (Kenwood) (details)
  2. Choose the CP210x COM port
  3. Set the baud rate to 38400 (matching 05-06 CAT RATE)
  4. Click Test Connection, then Save

Tip: If the test fails, toggle Disable DTR/RTS on connect — adapters differ, and this checkbox resolves connection failures in both directions.

  • Linux: prefer Serial CAT over the Hamlib path with this radio. Add yourself to the serial group (sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER, then log out fully) and make sure no other app (FLRig, a logger) is holding the port.
  • macOS: pick the /dev/cu.* serial device. Serial CAT direct to the port works; if you want Hamlib, bridge through FLRig at 127.0.0.1:12345 instead of pointing Hamlib at the serial port.

Radio menu settings

MenuNameSet to
05-06CAT RATE38400
05-07CAT TOT3000
05-08CAT RTSDISABLE
07-12PC KEYINGOFF
08-01DATA MODEOTHERS
08-05DATA LCUT FREQOFF
08-07DATA HCUT FREQOFF
08-09DATA IN SELECTREAR
08-10DATA PTT SELECTDAKY
08-11DATA OUT LEVEL50
08-12DATA BFOUSB
16-03HF PWR40 W
16-14DATA GAIN50

CW keying

Warning: The FT-891’s KY CAT command has no free-text form, so CW text macros key the transmitter but produce zero RF on this radio (same limitation as the FT-991A). This is a known open limitation.

For working remote CW, key the radio’s DTR line instead of CAT:

  • Wire a cheap FTDI/CH340 USB-serial adapter to the radio’s KEY jack and select it as the CW Key Port in POTACAT Settings.
  • Make sure break-in (BK-IN) is enabled on the radio, or it will sidetone without transmitting.

Audio & digital modes

  • The DATA menu settings above (08-01 through 08-12) route digital-mode TX audio through the rear port — required for JTCAT/FT8 through the Digirig.
  • 11-06 SSB OUT LEVEL directly sets how loud ECHOCAT’s RX audio is.
  • 11-05 SSB MIC SELECT picks the SSB TX audio source: if it’s set to MIC, the hand mic — not your remote audio — is what transmits when ECHOCAT keys the radio.

Known quirks

CAT-level facts about this radio (useful with Rig → Custom Command):

  • RF gain over CAT spans 000–030, not 0–255 as the CAT manual states — POTACAT’s rig profile accounts for this.
  • TX power range is 5–100 W; the rig clamps at 5 W minimum.
  • ATU: send AC002; alone to start a tune cycle (AC001; AC002; together fails); AC000; turns the tuner off.
  • Filter width is SH01xx; — SH0xx; is IF shift, a different control.
  • Split is ST1;, not FT1;.