Yaesu FT-8800R User manual

Yaesu FT-8800R
Operating Manual
The W5JCK Expanded Version
Courtesy of W5JCK
Dual Band FM Transceiver
November 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 2 of 83
Table of Contents
ABOUT THIS MANUAL...........................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION
Introducing the FT−8800R...............................................................................................................................6
Front Panel Controls ........................................................................................................................................7
LCD Display Screen........................................................................................................................................11
MH−48A6J Microphone Overview ...............................................................................................................12
COMMON TASKS
Program the Microphone Buttons.................................................................................................................14
Select the Main Operating Band....................................................................................................................17
Change the Frequency Band..........................................................................................................................18
Change the Frequency....................................................................................................................................19
Transmit...........................................................................................................................................................20
Activate the Lock Feature..............................................................................................................................21
Activate the Key/Button Beeper.....................................................................................................................21
Select the Channel Step ..................................................................................................................................22
Set the Display Brightness..............................................................................................................................22
Activate the Band Linking Feature ...............................................................................................................23
Select the Audio Muting Preference..............................................................................................................24
Set the RF Squelch Level................................................................................................................................25
Activate the Time-Out Timer.........................................................................................................................25
Activate Automatic Power Off.......................................................................................................................26
Set FM Bandwidth and MIC Gain ................................................................................................................26
Program Band Limits for VFO Mode...........................................................................................................27
OPERATE THROUGH REPEATERS
Operate through Repeaters............................................................................................................................28
Automatic Repeater Shifts .............................................................................................................................28
Manual Repeater Shift Activation.................................................................................................................29
TONE CODED SQUELCH
CTCSS Tone System.......................................................................................................................................30
DCS Tone System............................................................................................................................................31
Tone Search Scanning ....................................................................................................................................33
DCS Code Inversion........................................................................................................................................34

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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REGULAR MEMORY
Regular Memory Overview............................................................................................................................35
Store a Frequency in Memory .......................................................................................................................36
Create a Name Tag for a Memory Channel..................................................................................................36
Store Independent Transmit Frequencies.....................................................................................................38
Recall a Stored Memory.................................................................................................................................38
Tune from a Stored Memory .........................................................................................................................39
Delete a Memory .............................................................................................................................................39
Set a HOME Channel .....................................................................................................................................40
Use Memory Banks.........................................................................................................................................40
Activate Memory Only Mode.........................................................................................................................42
HYPER MEMORY
Hyper Memory Overview...............................................................................................................................43
Store a Hyper Memory...................................................................................................................................45
Recall a Stored Hyper Memory .....................................................................................................................45
SCANNING
Scanning Overview .........................................................................................................................................46
Set the Scan-Resume Preference....................................................................................................................46
Priority Channel Scanning (Dual Watch).....................................................................................................47
Scan in VFO Mode..........................................................................................................................................48
Scan in Memory Mode....................................................................................................................................49
Standard Memory Scan..............................................................................................................................50
How to Skip a Channel During Memory Scan...........................................................................................52
Preferential Memory Scan .........................................................................................................................53
SMART SEARCH.....................................................................................................................55
ARTS
Auto Range Transponder System Overview.................................................................................................56
Set Up/Operate ARTS ....................................................................................................................................56
Set Up the CW Identifier................................................................................................................................57
OPERATING THE DTMF AUTODIALER..........................................................................59
INTERNET CONNECTION FEATURE...............................................................................61
OPERATE AS A CROSS-BAND REPEATER......................................................................63
TRANSFER DATA BETWEEN TWO FT−8800RS .............................................................64
RESET YOUR FT−8800R........................................................................................................66

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MENU ITEMS
Menu (Set) Mode Overview............................................................................................................................67
Menu Quick Reference Table ........................................................................................................................68
Menu Items......................................................................................................................................................70
Menu #1 APO............................................................................................................................................70
Menu h 2 ARS ...........................................................................................................................................70
Menu h 3 ARTS.........................................................................................................................................70
Menu h 4 BAND........................................................................................................................................71
Menu #5 BEEP ..........................................................................................................................................71
Menu b 6 CLK.SFT ...................................................................................................................................71
Menu #7 CWID .........................................................................................................................................72
Menu #8 CWID W.....................................................................................................................................72
Menu #9 DIMMER.................................................................................................................................... 72
Menu b 10 DCS.COD................................................................................................................................72
Menu #11 DCS.N/R................................................................................................................................... 73
Menu h 12 DSP.SUB................................................................................................................................. 73
Menu #13 DTMF D ................................................................................................................................... 73
Menu #14 DTMF S....................................................................................................................................73
Menu #15 DTMF W .................................................................................................................................. 74
Menu #16 HYPER.....................................................................................................................................74
Menu #17 INET.........................................................................................................................................74
Menu #18 INET C .....................................................................................................................................74
Menu #19 INET M .................................................................................................................................... 75
Menu #20 KEY.MOD................................................................................................................................75
Menu #21 LOCK .......................................................................................................................................75
Menu #22 LOCKT.....................................................................................................................................75
Menu #23 MIC...........................................................................................................................................76
Menu #24 MUTE.......................................................................................................................................76
Menu b 25 NAME .....................................................................................................................................76
Menu h 26 PKT.SPD .................................................................................................................................77
Menu h 27 PKT.RXB ................................................................................................................................77
Menu #28 PG P1........................................................................................................................................77
Menu #29 PG P2........................................................................................................................................78
Menu #30 PG P3........................................................................................................................................78
Menu #31 PG P4........................................................................................................................................78
Menu #32 RF SQL..................................................................................................................................... 79
Menu b 33 RPT.MOD................................................................................................................................79
Menu #34 SCAN .......................................................................................................................................79
Menu b 35 SCAN M..................................................................................................................................79
Menu b 36 SHIFT......................................................................................................................................80
Menu b 37 SKP.MSM................................................................................................................................80
Menu b 38 STEP........................................................................................................................................80
Menu #39 SPCONT...................................................................................................................................81
Menu b 40 TONE F ...................................................................................................................................81
Menu b 41 TONE M..................................................................................................................................81
Menu #42 TOT ..........................................................................................................................................82
Menu h 43 VFO.TR................................................................................................................................... 82
Menu b 44 WID.NAR................................................................................................................................82
Menu #45 X-RPT.......................................................................................................................................82
Menu b 46 AM...........................................................................................................................................83
Menu h 47 AUT. AM.................................................................................................................................83

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 5 of 83
About this Manual
LATEST UPDATE: 15 November 2006
I made the following improvements to the Yaesu FT−8800R Operating Manual:
•Reformatted the material to make it easier to read and locate information
•Reworded some of the more difficult to understand passages and key terminology
•Greatly expanded the Hyper Memory section
•Clarified and expanded the Scanning section
•Reorganized the material into a more logical order
•Updated some of the artwork to make it more presentable
•Added cross-references
This manual is absolutely free. However, if you like, you can donate a small amount to help
defray the cost of developing this (and other) HAM radio manuals. If you would like to make
a donation, please goto http://w5jck.jackswinden.com/manuals/ft-8800r/donations.html.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at [e-mail].
Happy reading! Jack Swinden, W5JCK
Conventions are used in this manual
•The "Main band" is the side of the FT−8800R on which you can transmit. This band is
indentifed on the FT−8800R's LCD screen by the symbol.
•The "Sub band" is the side of the FT−8800R on which you can receive only.
•The " DIAL knob" is the DIAL knob on the side of the FT−8800R currently set as
the Main band.
•Menu items and key terms are shown in bold Arial text, and menu names (functions)
and menu options or shown in monospace text.
For example: "Menu #21 LOCK can be set to OFF or ON."
•Notes are presented as below:
This is a sample note. Notes typically contain extra information designed to
clarify the information presented in a topic. Sometimes they contain
CAUTIONs or WARNINGs.

INTRODUCTION
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Introducing the FT−8800R
The FT−8800R is a ruggedly-built, high quality Dual Band FM transceiver providing 50 Watts
of power output on the 144 MHz Amateur band and 35 Watts on the 430 MHz band.
The high power output of the FT−8800R is produced by its RD70HVF1 Power MOS FET
amplifier, with a direct-flow heat sink and thermostatically-controlled cooling fan maintaining
a safe temperature for the transceiver’s circuitry.
Featuring 1054 memory channels (527 channels each for Main and Sub band), full duplex
operation with independent Volume and Squelch controls, and built-in CTCSS and DCS
encoder/decoder circuits, the FT−8800R includes provision for remote-head mounting,
utilizing the optional YSK−8900 Separation Kit, which allows installation even in the most
compact of cars.
We recommend that you read this manual in its entirety, so as to fully understand the many
features of your new FT−8800R transceiver.

INTRODUCTION
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Front Panel Controls
(1) Left and Right DIAL knobs
These 20-position detented rotary switches are the tuning dials for the left and right bands.
•Press the adjoining knob momentarily to switch the Main band to the side where the
knob is located.
•When in the Memory mode, press this knob to enable rapid tuning (in 10 channel
steps) using this knob.
•When in the VFO mode, press this knob to enable rapid tuning (in 1 MHz steps)
using this knob.
•When in the VFO mode, press and hold in this knob for ½ second to toggle the
operating band as follows:
144 MHz 250 MHz 350 MHz 430 MHz 850 MHz
(2) Left and Right VOL Knobs
The VOL (Volume) control adjusts the speaker audio level for the adjoining receiver.
•Clockwise rotation increases the audio level.
•Press this knob momentarily to switch the Internet Connection feature on and off.

INTRODUCTION
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(3) Left and Right SQL Knobs
The SQL (Squelch) control is used to silence background noise on the adjoining receiver.
•Clockwise rotation decreases the squelch level.
•It should be advanced clockwise just to the point where the noise is silenced (and the
indicator on the display turns off), so as to provide the best sensitivity to weak
signals.
(4) Hyper Memory Buttons …
•Press and hold in one of these buttons for 2 seconds to store the current total
configuration of the radio into a special Hyper memory bank.
•Press the appropriate button momentarily to recall the desired Hyper memory.
(5) Left and Right Side Key
Left Side Keys Right Side Keys
The left side keys function
as LOW, V/M, HM, and
SCN.
The right side keys may
be set to function as
LOW, V/M, HM, and SCN
(default) or as MHz, REV,
TONE, and SUB ( ).
Left Side Keys (always) and Right Side Keys when in Key Mode 1
Key: (Default)
•Press this key repeatedly to toggle the transmitter power output level of the adjoining
band:
LOW MID2 MID1 HIGH
•When the adjoining band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and
hold in this key for ½ second to switch the memory channel display between the
Frequency format and the Alpha-numeric Tag format.

INTRODUCTION
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Key: (Default)
•Press this key momentarily to switch the frequency control for the adjoining band
between the VFO and Memory Systems.
•When the adjoining band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold in this for ½ second
to activate the Smart Search Feature.
•When the adjoining band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this key for ½
second to activate the Memory Bank feature.
Key: (Default)
•Press this key momentarily to recall a favorite Home Channel on the adjoining band.
•Press and hold in this for ½ second to activate Priority Channel Scanning on the
adjoining band.
Key: (Default)
•Press this key momentarily to activate the Scanner on the adjoining band.
•When the adjoining band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this key for ½
second to shift to the Memory Tuning feature on the adjoining band.
Right Side Keys when in Key Mode 2 ( )
To set the right side keys to Key Mode 2:
1. Press the SET key momentarily to enter the Set mode.
2. Rotate the DIAL knob to select Menu #20 KEY.MOD.
3. Press the DIAL knob momentarily, then rotate the DIAL knob to change the
setting to KEY 2.
4. Press and hold in the DIAL knob for ½ second to save the new setting and exit
to normal operation.
When set to Key Mode 2, the indicator is displayed and the keys function as follows:
MHz Key: while in Key Mode 2
•Press this key momentarily to allow tuning in 1-MHz steps on the Main band VFO.
•Press and hold in this key for ½ second to allow tuning in 10-MHz steps on the Main
band VFO.

INTRODUCTION
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REV Key: while in Key Mode 2
•Press this key momentarily to reverse the transmit and receive frequencies on the
Main band during split-frequency (i.e. Repeater) operation.
•Press and hold in this key for ½ second to change the frequency shift direction:
RPT – (minus shift) RPT + (plus shift) RPT OFF (simplex)
TONE Key: while in Key Mode 2
•Press this key momentarily to change the Tone Squelch mode:
ENC (CTCSS Encoder) ENC.DEC (CTCSS Tone Squelch) DCS (DCS
operation)
SUB Key: while in Key Mode 2
•Press this key momentarily to activate the Sub band function (the icon will
blink on the Sub band). When the Sub band function is activated, any keys you press
act on the Sub band.
•When the Sub band function is activated (the icon is blinking on the Sub band),
press this key momentarily to deactivate the Sub band function.
(6) SET Key
•Press this key momentarily to enter the Set (Menu) mode.
•Press and hold in this key for ½ second to transfer the contents of the Main band VFO
into a Memory register.

INTRODUCTION
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LCD Display Screen
Icons
: Preferential Memory Channel
: Skip Memory Channel
: Minus Shift
: Plus Shift
: Odd Split
: Tone Encoder
: Tone Decoder
: Transmission in Progress
: Main Band
: Busy Channel (or Squelch Off)
: Memory Tune Mode
: Audio Mute Active
: Digital Code Squelch (DCS)
: 9600 bps Packet Mode
: Low TX Power Selected
: Middle TX Power Selected (No Icon
indicates High TX Power)
: Automatic Power-Off Active
: Keypad/DIAL Lock Active
: Menu (Set) Mode
: Key Function Mode is set to
KEY-2

INTRODUCTION
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 12 of 83
MH−48A6J Microphone Overview
(1) PTT Switch
Press this switch to transmit, and release it to receive.
(2) Keypad
The 12 number keys generate DTMF tones during
transmission.
In the receive mode, these keys can be used for direct
frequency entry and/or direct numeric recall of the Memory
channels.
The A, B, C, and D keys serve no function on the FT−8800R.
(3) Programmable Buttons
You can program any of the Programmable buttons for the following functions: BAND, HOME,
LOW, MHz, PRI, REV, RPTR, SCAN, SQL.OFF, TCALL, TONE, VFO/MR.
(See Program the Microphone Buttons on page 14 for details.)
button: default setting is BAND function
•Press this button to switch the Main band between the Left and Right displays on the
LCD screen. This is the best and easiest way to set the Main band to the side you
prefer.
•Press and hold this button for ½ second to move operation to the next-highest
frequency band on the Main band.
button: default setting is VFO/MR function
•Press this button momentarily to switch the frequency control for the Main band
between the VFO and Memory Systems.

INTRODUCTION
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•When the Main band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold in this button for ½
second to activate the Smart Search Feature.
•When the Main band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this button for ½
second to activate the Memory Bank feature.
button: default setting is TONE function
Press this button repeatedly to select the CTCSS or DCS mode on the Main band:
ENC ENC.DEC (Tone Squelch) DCS
button: default setting is LOW function
Press this button repeatedly to select the transmitter power output level on the Main band:
•LOW: 5 watts VHF/UHF
•MID2: 10 watts VHF/UHF
•MID1: 20 watts VHF/UHF
•HIGH: 50 watts VHF, 35 watts UHF
When the Main band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and hold in this key
for ½ second to switch the memory channel display between the Frequency format and
Alpha-numeric Tag format.
(4) LAMP Switch
This switch illuminates the Microphone keypad.
(5) LOCK Switch
This switch locks out the Microphone buttons (except for the keypad and PTT switch).
(6) / Buttons
Press (or hold in) either of these buttons to tune (or scan up or down) the operating frequency
or through the memory channels on the Main band. In many ways, these buttons emulate the
function of the (rotary) DIAL knob.

COMMON TASKS
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Program the Microphone Buttons
Default FT−8800R key functions have been assigned to the MH−48A6J Microphone ,
, , and buttons at the factory. These may be changed by the user, if you wish to
utilize another function on one of these keys. (See MH−48A6J Microphone Overview on page
12 for details.)
To program the function assigned to a key:
1. Press the SET key momentarily to enter the Set mode.
2. Rotate the DIAL knob to select the Menu Item to be configured:
•To program the button select Menu #28 PG P1
•To program the button select Menu #29 PG P2
•To program the button select Menu #30 PG P3
•To program the button select Menu #31 PG P4
3. Press the DIAL knob momentarily, then rotate the DIAL knob to select the
function you wish to assign to the button you selected in the previous step.
4. Press the SET key to save the new setting, then rotate the DIAL knob to
select another programmable button to modify, if desired, and repeat the above steps.
5. Press and hold in the DIAL knob for ½ second to exit to normal operation.
Programming Options for the Buttons
BAND function (factory default for button)
•Press the button to toggle the Main band of operation between the Left band and right
band.
•Press and hold the button for ½ second to switch operating band on the Main band.
HOME (HM) function
•Press the button to switch operation to the Home Channel on the Main band.
•Press and hold the button for ½ second to activate the Priority Scanning.

COMMON TASKS
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LOW function (factory default for button)
•Press the button to select the transmit power output level on the Main band.
•When the Main band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and hold in
this button for ½ second to switch the memory channel display between the
Frequency format and Alpha-numeric Tag format.
MHz function
•Press the button to allow tuning in 1-MHz step on the Main band VFO.
•Press and hold the button for ½ second to allow tuning in 10-MHz step on the Main
band VFO.
PRI function
•Press the button to activate the Priority feature on the Main band.
•No press and hold function for this button.
REV function
•Press the button to reverse the transmit and receive frequencies during split-
frequency operation.
•Press and hold the button for ½ second to select Repeater Shift direction on the Main
band.
RPTR function
•Press the button to select Repeater Shift direction on the Main band.
•No press and hold function for this button.
SCAN function
•Press the button to activate the Scanner on the Main band.
•When the Main band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold the button for ½
second to shift to the Memory Tuning feature.
SQL.OFF function
•Press the button to open the Squelch on the Main band to allow un-muted reception.
•Press and hold the button for ½ second to open the Squelch on the Main band to
allow un-muted reception.

COMMON TASKS
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 16 of 83
TCALL function
•Press the button to activate 1750 Hz Tone Burst.
•Press and hold the button for ½ second to activate 1750 Hz Tone Burst.
TONE function (factory default for button)
•Press the button to activate the CTCSS or DCS operation on the Main band.
•No press and hold function for this button.
VFO/MR function (factory default for button)
•Press the button to switch frequency control between the VFO and Memory modes on
the Main band.
•When the Main band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold the button for ½ second
to activate the Smart Search Feature.
•When the Main band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold the button for ½
second to activate the Memory Bank feature.

COMMON TASKS
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 17 of 83
Select the Main Operating Band
In the factory default configuration, the FT−8800R operates in the Dual Receive mode.
During Dual Receive operation, the Main band frequency ( on which transmission is possible)
will be indicated by the icon.
You will observe the icon lighting up alternate sides of the display as you switch Main
bands from the left side to the right side, and vice-versa. (The following illustration shows the
Main band on the left side and the Sub band on the right side.)
To establish the Main band, momentarily press one of the following:
•The left or right DIAL knob
•MH−48A6J microphone’s key
To switch the frequency band, see Change the Frequency Band on page 18 for details.

COMMON TASKS
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 18 of 83
Change the Frequency Band
In the factory default configuration, the FT−8800R operates in the Dual Receive mode.
The following illustration shows UHF–VHF (U-V) mode of operation.
The FT−8800R can also be configured to operate in V-U mode (not shown), or V-V or U-U
modes (shown below).
V-V mode U-U mode
To switch the frequency band:
•When in VFO mode, press and hold in the left DIAL knob for ½ second to cycle the
operating band on the left side to the next-highest frequency band.
144 MHz 250 MHz 350 MHz 430 MHz 850 MHz
•When in VFO mode, press and hold in the right DIAL knob for ½ second to cycle the
operating band on the right side to the next-highest frequency band.
430 MHz 850 MHz 144 MHz 250 MHz 350 MHz
To switch the Main band, see Select the Main Operating Band on page 17 for details.

COMMON TASKS
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 19 of 83
Change the Frequency
Navigation using the Tuning Dial
Rotating the DIAL knob allows tuning in the pre-programmed steps established for the current
operating band. Clockwise rotation of the DIAL knob causes the FT−8800R to be tuned toward
a higher frequency, while counter-clockwise rotation will lower the operating frequency.
On the Main band frequency, press the DIAL knob momentarily, then rotate the DIAL knob, to
change the Main band frequency steps to 1 MHz per step. This feature is extremely useful for
making rapid frequency excursions over the wide tuning range of the FT−8800R.
Direct Keypad Frequency Entry using the MH-48A6J
Microphone
The keypad of the MH−48A6J DTMF Microphone may be used for direct entry of the Main
band operating frequency.
To enter a frequency from the MH−48A6J keypad, just press the numbered digits in the proper
sequence. There is no decimal point key on the MH−48A6J keypad.
Examples:
•To enter 146.480 MHz, press 1 4 6 4 8 0
•To enter 433.000 MHz, press 4 3 3 0 0 0
Scanning
From the VFO mode, press and hold the key for one second, then rotate the DIAL knob to
select the bandwith for the VFO scanner. Now, press the key momentarily to initiate
scanning toward a higher frequency. The FT−8800R will stop when it receives a signal strong
enough to break through the squelch threshold. The FT−8800R will then hold on that
frequency according to the setting of the Resume mode (Menu #34 SCAN).
If you wish to reverse the direction of the scan (i.e. toward a lower frequency, instead of a
higher frequency), just rotate the DIAL knob one click in the counter-clockwise direction
while the FT−8800R is scanning. The scanning direction will be reversed. To revert to
scanning toward a higher frequency once more, rotate the DIAL knob one click clockwise.
Press the key again to cancel scanning.

COMMON TASKS
Yaesu FT-8800R Operating Manual (courtesy of W5JCK) Page 20 of 83
Transmit
Transmitting
To transmit, simply depress the PTT (Push To Talk) switch on the microphone.
The FT−8800R will transmit only on the Main band. During transmission, the icon will
appear at the upper right of the Main frequency field on the display.
Changing the Transmitter Power Level
You can select from among a total of four transmit power levels on your FT−8800R.
To change the power level, press the key to select one of the four power settings. These
power levels will be stored in memory registers at the time of memory storage.
•LOW: 5 watts VHF/UHF
•MID2: 10 watts VHF/UHF
•MID1: 20 watts VHF/UHF
•HIGH: 50 watts VHF, 35 watts UHF
During transmission, the Bar Graph will deflect in the display, according to the power output
selected.
You may change the power level on the Main band using the MH−48A6J microphone’s
key.