FTdx9000 Mark 2, Yaesu USA released its PEP-9000 Performance Enhancement Program for all FTdx-9000 radios

FTdx-90000 PEP-9000 Version (aka Mark 2), Yaesu USA released its Performance Enhancement Program for all FTdx-9000 radios. La sfida delle performance degli apparati “flagship” si riaccende con questo evento!!

Anteprima, in Maggio 2008: Dal BOLLETTINO DI VENDITA - Divisione Prodotti Radioamatori N. 08-0513b del 13 maggio 2008. Si annuncia ai soli rivenditori il Programma Yaesu per il miglioramento delle prestazioni dell’FTdx 9000. “Il meglio del meglio ancora migliore”!  omissis …… “Questa notizia attesa da tempo  sarà di grande interesse per tutti gli esistenti e potenziali acquirenti della nostra radio ammiraglia FTDX 9000 serie”

Finalmente, a Novembre 2008: In USA l’Upgrade “PEP-9000″ ha inizio dopo mesi di test presso la casa  del produttore in Giappone! Notizia ufficiale da Vertex Standard del 10 Ottobre 2008 (riveduta il 20.11.2008): Si inizia il programma di rafforzamento delle performance per i proprietari della serie FTdx9000 il 10 novembre 2008 ….  La “PEP-9000 Version” ( Also Known As: Mark 2), Negli USA la V/S Yaesu ha rilasciato il suo programma di miglioramento delle prestazioni per tutta la serie dei Transceiver FTdx-9000. Ciò include l’inserimento dei nuovi firmware dopo la sostituzione/modifica di varie schede: CNTL-UNIT; TX-DSP-UNIT, SCP-UNIT, RX-1-UNIT, RX-2-UNIT (per il D e MP), e lo strumento Power Meter. Il progetto sarà offerto per un anno e scadrà il 31 dicembre 2009. Vertex Standard (Yaesu USA) fornirà tutti i pezzi di ricambio e la manodopera per i miglioramenti a sue spese negli USA per soli proprietari residenti negli Stati Uniti.
(I Proprietari fuori degli USA devono contattare i rispettivi Uffici Intenazionali della Yaesu Vertex Standard).

The firmware addresses the following items (Il nuovo firmware migliora i seguenti punti):
DNR… superior SSB mode noise reduction
DNF…greater reduction of beat tones
AGC… attack time fine-tuned
Digital Filter… increased Sharp/Soft differentiation
SSB speech processor audio augmented
Higher Band Scope refresh rates
Faster CAT COMMAND communication
CW side tone clarity ( Side tone più limpido in CW)
Activate RTTY monitor while transmitting
Ringing during CW super narrow receiving

This modification includes replacement of the items below: CNTL-UNIT - TX-UNIT - DSP-UNIT - SCP-UNIT - RX-1-UNIT - RX-2-UNIT (for D/MP version) - Power Meter. Note: The number of boards replaced is dependent on each Radio.

ENG: Official news by Vertex Standard 10/28/08 (Revised 11/20/08): We will begin the Enhancement upgrade for owners of the FTdx9000 radios on November 10, 2008….
The PEP-9000 Version (aka Mark 2): Yaesu USA released its Performance Enhancement Program for all FTdx-9000 radios. This includes all new firmware and replacement/modification of CNTL-UNIT, TX-UNIT, DSP-UNIT, SCP-UNIT, RX-1-UNIT, RX-2-UNIT (D/MP), Power Meter. The project will only be offered for one year and will expire December 31, 2009.
Vertex Standard will provide all parts and labor for the Enhancements at our expense, for owners within the continental United States. (Owners outside the United States should contact their respective International Yaesu or Vertex Standard Office.)

FT-450 disponibile Update Software Ver. 0165

ENG: The software version is available on the LCD display: Hold the Mode Down button; press the Power switch to turn the transceiver On (this is possible from the update ver. 0109).

28.05.2008: There is a new firmware available at Vertex Stand/Yaesu website HD024_v0165.
You will need a serial cable RS-232C, DB9F to DB9F straight cable to connect the FT-450 transceiver to your computer. If you use the USB to serial adaptor you might need to change the COM Port. It depends on your computer. Locate the program switch thru the access hole on the bottom at the front left corner of the radio. Carefully move the switch to the right (program position). See the V/S procedure information; Ver. 0165 implements improvements: Improve KEY CLICK. Also includes all previous updates.

Link to: V/S Yaesu official Update information (Download 137KB .pdf)
Link to: I0GEJ’s Ham Radio News FT-450 page

The FT-450 is a sturdy and competente purpose radio in the under $1000 class

ENG: FT-450, includes a Morse code trainer. As the Op. Manual suggests: you can improve yourCW proficiency whether or not the bands are open.
The frontpanel’s DSP button stepsthrough CONTOUR, NOTCH, DNR and WIDTH settings, and these are reflected viaa graphic display.
The FT-450 does not have an automatic notch filter, but the manual notch is very effective. With the FT-450’s contour and notch capabilities, it’s possible to do some rather creative filter shaping! DNR works very well, there are n. 11 algorithm settings. IF SHIFT control lets you shift the center of the receive passband and the NOTCH, WIDTH and SHIFT functions clearly operate within the AGC loop (see the S-meeter) The WIDTH function sets the IF bandwidth, and it’s mode dependent. The DSP filters seem to work well and the bandwidth offers just three fixed settings per mode. In SSB these are 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 kHz. On CW, the choices are 500 Hz, 1.8 kHz and 2.4 kHz. For AM, you can select 3.0, 6.0 or 9.0 kHz, and on FM, 2.5 and 5.0 kHz.

Video: Yaesu FT-450 Review by VE3RFP - > Thanks for the nice video review

FT-450 Yaesu - Nuovo HF 50MHz 100W