Setting Up Your FT-1000MP
By default, many of the advanced performance features of the FT-1000MP are turned off
when the transceiver first comes out of the box. A few simple changes to several of the
menu items will drastically enhance the performance of the radio, both on transmit and
receive. Many of the changes described below take effect in transmit or receive mode when
the EDSP button is engaged. Holding the FAST key while pressing the ENTER key will place
the FT-1000MP in menu mode. Page 85 of the operating manual will instruct you as to the use
of the controls for the menu items. All the original values can be restored by holding in
the "29/0" key while powering up the unit. The following list is a suggested starting point
to get things up and running. You may wish to make some minor changes to these settings for
your own personal preferences.
1.3 Main VFO tuning Step Size: CW operators should set this for 0.625 or 1.25 and use the
shuttle jog control for coarse or high speed tuning. SSB operators may prefer a setting of
2.5 or 5.
1.4 Sub VFO tuning Step Size: Set this to 10 for quick tuning in dual rcv or to quickly set split freq
2.9 IF Notch Mode: Set this to "AUTO DSP".
This will allow normal "IF Notching" when the notch button is engaged. It will also allow
the EDSP system to provide filtering of multiple heterodynes automatically whenever the EDSP
is activated.
4.4 TX EDSP: Unless you're using an external mic preamp/equalizer, change this setting from off to "3".
This microphone equalisation position tends to sound best with every mic I've tried. When you transmit
with EDSP on and 4-4 set to "3", the 8-9 TX EDSP settings have no effect. That is why I don't bother
modifying the xmit carrier offset settings. Some voices might sound better with a setting of "4", so
everyone should experiment. If you are using external equalization, change the 4-4 setting to "off",
but xmit with the EDSP switch (green LED) "on", to enable the 100-3100hz bandwith (dsp), rather than the
xtal filter bandwith. I've actually measured useful output down to 60hz.
4.5 EDSP Filters: As the filters remain active while the radio is in "Menu" mode, you
can hear the effect of any changes being made, so it is best to make changes while listening
to a QSO. For the following settings, be sure to have the EDSP engaged and the contour control
set to the "band pass filter" position. The mode key for the mode being adjusted must also be
selected. [To be honest however, I rarely (if ever) use the EDSP rx bandpass filters.]
A) SSB LPF: Generally 1700 - 1900Hz will aid QRM rejection and maintain intelligibility.
Adjust for personal preferences.
B) SSB HPF: 300Hz is a good starting point for most operators. This will roll off the low
frequency response and distortion.
C) CW BPF: These EDSP filters are fairly sharp. Experiment and find the setting you prefer.
Some CW ops prefer 60 or 120 Hz, although I prefer 240 Hz. However, I must admit to hardly ever using the
DSP filter. The extremely fine (0.625) VFO resolution as set earlier will assist in tuning theses narrow filters.
7-7 EDSP Modulation, SSB TX: Ragchewers should change this to a setting of 100-3100 to give your
voice that great full fidelity sound.
7.7 EDSP Demodulation SSB RX: For Hi Fi audio, change this from "OFF" to 100-3100 for use
in conjunction with 6.0 xtal filter selection for widest rcv bandwith plus 100-3100hz EDSP filtering.
These settings are the suggested starting point for the advanced features of the EDSP system.
Once you become familiar with the menu system you will find many other features that can be
tailored to enhance your operating system.
Suggested Initial Setup
Menu | Function | Normal Setting** | SSB Contesting | CW Contesting |
1-3 | A STEP | .62 - 2.5 | 2.5 | .62 |
1-4 | B STEP | 10 | | |
1-9 | Clar STEP | 2.5 | | |
2.9 | IF NOTCH | AUTO DSP | | |
4-4 | TR EDSP | 3*** | off | |
4-5 | SSB LPF | 1700 | | |
SSBHPF | 300 | | |
A1 BAND | 240 | | |
5-9 | t Filter | 6.0 | 2.4 | |
7-7 | SSB R | 100-3100 | off | |
SSB T | 100-3100 | off | |
CW R | off | | |
8-9 | R LSB CAR | -0.100**** | -0.200* | |
T LSB CAR | 0** | -0.060 | |
R USB CAR | -0.100**** | -0.200* | |
T USB CAR | 0** | -0.060 | |
* extra rcv carrier offset for ssb contesting to better accommodate characteristics of INRAD 1.8khz filters
** with EDSP switch on during xmit, the settings of 8-9 have no effect so there is no need to adjust
*** if external equalization is used, set 4-4 to "off" but xmit with "EDSP" switch on (green LED lit)
**** with 6.0 filters selected with "EDSP" switch on, this setting has no effect
N1EU Operating Notes
On the N1EU MP, which is paired with the Heil HC5 (dx'ing) or Marshall MXL 2003 (rag chewing) mics, I've
been using the menu settings shown above with excellent results. EDSP is engaged for rag chew ssb
transmission. A huge improvement in fidelity is noticed. If I need to bust a pileup, I'll engage
PROC and turn off EDSP. Mic gain and PROC level are both set around 10 o'clock.
For ssb reception in the least crowded band condx, use 6.0Khz filters and EDSP switch on (100-3100 DSP
filtering). Menu setting for 7-7 SSB Rcv should be 100-3100hz. For reception in slightly crowded band
conditions, use the 8.2 filter in the "thru" position, the 2.4 filter in the 455 if, and EDSP switch on.
With only the 455khz mechanical filter engaged, the actual receive bandwith is about 2.8kHz. It's a
pleasure to enjoy the outstanding ssb receive audio of the FT1000MP to its fullest, and this is how to do it!
I also occasionally operate on 10M and 75M AM, and the FT-1000MP is an outstanding AM rig, both in terms
of receiving and transmitting. Please refer to my AM Setup page for additional info.
For those so inclined, you can use your PC's soundcard and the freeware audio spectrum analyser
program SR5 to directly observe the effects of filter and EDSP settings. |
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