FT 8900R PDF

QUAD BAND FM TRANSCEIVER
FT-8900R
OPERATING MANUAL
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD.

4-8-8 Nakameguro, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 153-8644, Japan
VERTEX STANDARD
US Headquarters
10900 Walker Street, Cypress, CA 90630, U.S.A.
YAESU UK LTD.
Unit 12, Sun Valley Business Park, Winnall Close
Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 0LB, U.K.
VERTEX STANDARD HK LTD.
Unit 5, 20/F., Seaview Centre, 139-141 Hoi Bun Road,
Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
VERTEX STANDARD (AUSTRALIA) PTY., LTD.
Normanby Business Park, Unit 14/45 Normanby Road
Notting Hill 3168, Victoria, Australia
Contents
Introduction ...................................................... 1 CTCSS/DCS Operation .................................. 29
Specifications .................................................... 2 CTCSS Operation ......................................... 29
Accessories & Options ...................................... 3 DCS Operation ............................................. 30
Supplied Accessories ..................................... 3 Tone Search Scanning .................................. 31
Optional Accessories ...................................... 3 Memory Operation ......................................... 32
Installation ........................................................ 4 Regular Memory Channel Operation ........... 32
Preliminary Inspection ................................... 4 Memory Storage ....................................... 32
Installation Tips .............................................. 4 Memory Recall ......................................... 34
Safety Information .......................................... 5 Memory Offset Tuning ............................ 34
Antenna Considerations ................................. 6 Deleting Memories ................................... 34
Mobile Installation ......................................... 8 HOME Channel Memory ......................... 35
Transceiver Installation .............................. 8 Memory Only Mode ................................. 35
Mobile Power Connections ........................ 9 Hyper Memory Mode ................................... 36
Mobile Speakers ......................................... 9 Hyper Memory Storage ............................ 36
Base Station Installation ............................... 10 Hyper Memory Recall .............................. 36
AC Power Supplies .................................. 10 Scanning .......................................................... 37
Packet Radio Terminal Node Controller .. 10 Setting the Scan-Resume Technique ............ 37
Front Panel Controls & Switches .................. 12 VFO Scanning .............................................. 38
LCD .................................................................. 16 Memory Scanning ........................................ 39
Rear Panel Connections ................................. 17 How to Skip (Omit) a Channel
MH-48A6J Microphone .................................... 18 During Memory Scan Operation ..... 39
MH-42B6JS Microphone .................................. 19 Preferential Memory Scan ....................... 40
Basic Operation .............................................. 20 Programmable (Band Limit) Memory Scan ... 41
Turning the Transceiver On and Off ............ 20 “Priority Channel” Scanning (Dual Watch) ... 42
Adjusting the Squelch Setting ...................... 20 Smart Search ................................................... 43
Selecting the Operating Band ....................... 20 ARTSTM: Auto Range Transponder System .... 44
Selecting the Frequency Band ...................... 21 Basic ARTS Setup and Operation ................ 44
Frequency Navigation .................................. 22 CW Identifier Setup ..................................... 45
Tuning Dial .............................................. 22 DTMF Autodialer Operation ........................ 46
Direct Keypad Frequency Entry .............. 22 Internet Connection Feature ......................... 48
Scannig ..................................................... 22 Miscellaneous Settings .................................... 50
Transmission ................................................ 23 Time-Out Timer ........................................... 50
Changing the Transmitter Power Level ... 23 Automatic Power Off ................................... 50
Advanced Operation ...................................... 24 Programming the Key Assignment .............. 51
Lock Feature ................................................. 24 FM Bandwith & MIC Gain Control ............. 52
Keyboard Beeper .......................................... 24 DCS Code Inversionm ................................. 53
Channel Step Selection ................................ 24 Cross Band Repeater Operation ................... 54
Display Brightness ....................................... 25 Reset Procedure .............................................. 55
Band Linking ................................................ 25 Cloning ............................................................ 56
Audio Muting ............................................... 26 Menu (“Set”) Mode ........................................ 58
RF Squelch ................................................... 26
Repeater Operation ........................................ 27
Repeater Shifts ............................................. 27
Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS) .................. 27
Manual Repeater Shift Activation ................ 28
Changing the Default Repeater Shift ....... 28
INTRODUCTION
1 4
2 5 PWR
SQL SQL
VOL VOL
3 KEY2 6
LOW V/M HM V/M HM SCN

SCN LOW
The FT-8900R is a ruggedly-built, high quality Quad Band FM transceiver providing 50

Watts of power output on the 29/50/144 MHz Amateur bands and 35 Watts on the 430 MHz
band.
The high power output of the FT-8900R is produced by its RD70HVF1 Power MOS FET
amplifier, with a direct-flow heat sink and thermostatically-controlled cooling fan maintain-
ing a safe temperature for the transceiver’s circuitry.
Featuring 809 memory channels, full duplex operation with independent Volume and Squelch
controls, and built-in CTCSS and DCS encoder/decoder circuits, the FT-8900R includes
provision for remote-head mounting, utilizing the optional YSK-8900 Separation Kit, which
allows installation evening the most compact of cars.
We recommend that you read this manual in its entirety, so as to understand fully the many
features of your new FT-8900R transceiver.
FT-8900R Operating Manual 1

SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
Frequency Range: RX: 28.000 - 29.700 MHz, 50.000 - 54.000 MHz,
108.000 - 180.000 MHz, 320.000 - 480.000 MHz,
700 - 985 MHz (Cellular Blocked)
TX: 28.000 - 29.700 MHz, 50.000 - 54.000 MHz,
144.000 - 146.000 MHz (or 144.000 - 148.000 MHz),
430.000 - 440.000 MHz (or 430.00 - 450.000 MHz)
Channel Steps: 5/10/12.5/15/20/25/50 kHz
Modes of Emission: F3, F2, F1
Antenna Impedance: 50 Ohms, unbalanced (Antenna Duplexer built-in)
Frequency Stability: ±5 ppm @ 14° F ~ +140° F (–10 °C ~ +60 °C)
Operating Temperature Range: –4° F ~ +140° F (–20 °C ~ +60 °C)
Supply Voltage: 13.8 VDC (±15%), negative ground
Current Consumption (Approx.): RX: 0.5 A (Squelched)
TX: 8.0 A (50/430 MHz), 8.5 A (29/144 MHz)
Case Size (W x H x D): 5.5” x 1.6” x 6.6” (140 x 41.5 x 168 mm)
(w/o knobs & connectors)
Weight (Approx.): 2.2 lb (1 kg)
TRANSMITTER
Output Power: 50/20/10/5 W (29/50/144 MHz),
35/20/10/5 W (430 MHz)
Modulation Type: Variable Reactance
Maximum Deviation: ±5 kHz
Spurious Radiation: Better than –60 dB (29 MHz: Better than –50 dB)
Modulation Distortion: Less than 3%
Microphone Impedance: 2 kΩ
DATA Jack Impedance: 10 kΩ
RECEIVER
Circuit Type: Double-conversion superheterodyne
Intermediate Frequencies: 45.05 MHz/450 kHz (Left band),
47.25 MHz/450 kHz (Right band)
Sensitivity (for 12dB SINAD): Better than 0.2 μV
Squelch Sensitivity: Better than 0.16 μV
Selectivity (–6dB/–60dB): 12 kHz/30 kHz
Maximum AF Output: 2 W @ 8 Ω for 5% THD
AF Output Impedance: 4-16 Ω
Specifications are subject to change without notice, and are guaranteed within the 29, 50,
144, and 430 MHz amateur bands only. Frequency ranges will vary according to trans-
ceiver version; check with your dealer.
2 FT-8900R Operating Manual

ACCESSORIES & OPTIONS
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
Microphone MH-48A6J or MH-42B6JS (depending on transceiver version) ...................... 1
Mobile Mounting Bracket MMB-36 .................................................................................. 1
DC Power Cord w/Fuse (T9021715) .................................................................................. 1
Spare Fuse 15 A (Q0000081) ............................................................................................. 2
Operating Manual ............................................................................................................... 1
Warranty Card ..................................................................................................................... 1
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
MH-48A6J DTMF Microphone 1
MH-42B6JS Hand Microphone 1
YSK-8900 Separation Kit
MEK-2 Microphone Extension Kit 2
MLS-100 High-Power External Speaker
FP-1023 AC Power Supply (25A: USA only)
FP-1030A AC Power Supply (30A)
CT-39A Packet Interface Cable
Availability of accessories may vary. Some accessories are supplied as standard per local
requirements, while others may be unavailable in some regions. Consult your Yaesu dealer
for details regarding these and any newly-available options Connection of any non-Yaesu-
approved accessory, should it cause damage, may void the Limited Warranty on this appa-
ratus.
1: If you replace the microphone from the MH-48A6J to MH-42B6JS or vice versa, per-
form Menu #23 (MIC
MIC). See page 63 for details.
MIC
2: When using the MH-48A6J or MH-42B6JS microphone in conjunction with the MEK-2,
in some cases, the [P1] through [P4] functions may operate erratically.

INSTALLATION
This chapter describes the installation procedure for integrating the FT-8900R into a typi-
cal amateur radio station. It is presumed that you possess technical knowledge and concep-
tual understanding consistent with your status as a licensed radio amateur. Please take some
extra time to make certain that the important safety and technical requirements detailed in
this chapter are followed closely.
PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
Inspect the transceiver visually immediately upon opening the packing carton. Confirm that
all controls and switches work freely, and inspect the cabinet for any damage. Gently shake
the transceiver to verify that no internal components have been shaken loose due to rough
handling during shipping.
If any evidence of damage is discovered, document it thoroughly and contact the shipping
company (or your local dealer, if the unit was purchased over-the-counter) so as to get
instructions regarding the prompt resolution of the damage situation. Be certain to save the
shipping carton, especially if there are any punctures or other evidence of damage incurred
during shipping; if it is necessary to return the unit for service or replacement, use the origi-
nal packing materials but put the entire package inside another packing carton, so as to
preserve the evidence of shipping damage for insurance purposes.
INSTALLATION TIPS
To ensure long life of the components, be certain to provide adequate ventilation around the
cabinet of the FT-8900R.
Do not install the transceiver on top of another heat-generating device (such as a power
supply or amplifier), and do not place equipment, books, or papers on top of the FT-8900R.
Avoid heating vents and window locations that could expose the transceiver to excessive
direct sunlight, especially in hot climates. The FT-8900R should not be used in an environ-
ment where the ambient temperature exceeds +140° F (+60° C).

INSTALLATION
SAFETY INFORMATION
The FT-8900R is an electrical apparatus, as well as a generator of RF (Radio Frequency)
energy, and you should exercise all safety precautions as are appropriate for this type of
device. These safety tips apply to any device installed in a well-designed amateur radio
station.
Never allow unsupervised children to play in the vicinity of your transceiver or an-
tenna installation.
Be certain to wrap any wire or cable splices thoroughly with insulating electrical
tape, to prevent short circuits.
Do not route cables or wires through door jambs or other locations where, through
wear and tear, they may become frayed and shorted to ground or to each other.
Do not stand in front of a directional antenna while you are transmitting into that
antenna. Do not install a directional antenna in any location where humans or pets
may be walking in the main directional lobe of the antenna’s radiation pattern.
In mobile installations, it is preferable to mount your antenna on top of the roof of the
vehicle, if feasible, so as to utilize the car body as a counterpoise for the antenna and
raise the radiation pattern as far away from passengers as possible.
During vehicular operation when stopped (in a parking lot, for example), make it a
practice to switch to Low power if there are people walking nearby.
Never wear dual-earmuff headphones while driving a vehicle.
Do not attempt to drive your vehicle while making a telephone call on an autopatch
using the DTMF microphone. Pull over to the side of the road, whether dialing manu-
ally or using the auto-dial feature.

INSTALLATION
ANTENNA CONSIDERATIONS
The FT-8900R is designed for use with antennas presenting an impedance of near 50 Ohms
at all operating frequencies. The antenna (or a 50 Ohm dummy load) should be connected
whenever the transceiver is turned on, to avoid damage that could otherwise result if trans-
mission occurs accidentally without an antenna.
Ensure that your antenna is designed to handle 50 Watts of transmitter power. Some mag-
netic-mount mobile antennas, designed for use with hand-held transceivers, may not be
capable of withstanding this power level. Consult the antenna manufacturer’s specification
sheet for details.
Most all FM work is performed using vertical polarization. When installing a directional
antenna such as a Yagi or Cubical Quad, be certain to orient it so as to produce vertical
polarization, unless you are engaged in a special operating situation where horizontal polar-
ization is used. In the case of a Yagi antenna, orient the elements vertically for vertical
polarization; for a Cubical Quad, the feedpoint should be at the center of one of the vertical
sides of the driven element (or at a side corner, in the case of a diamond-shaped Cubical
Quad).
Note that this transceiver is designed with wide frequency coverage in the VHF/UHF spec-
trum. For general listening, you may wish to have a broadband antenna such as a discone
available, as a directional antenna such as a Yagi will have degraded performance outside
the Amateur band for which it is designed.
Excellent reference texts and computer software are available for the design and optimiza-
tion of VHF and UHF antennas. Your dealer should be able to assist you with all aspects of
your antenna installation requirements.
Use high-quality 50 Ohm coaxial cable for the lead-in to your FT-8900R transceiver. All
efforts at providing an efficient antenna system will be wasted if poor quality, lossy coaxial
cable is used. Losses in coaxial lines increase as the frequency increases, so an 8-meter-long
(25’) coaxial line with 1/2 dB of loss at 29 MHz may have a loss of 6 dB or more at 446
MHz; choose your coaxial cable carefully based on the installation location (mobile vs.
base) and the overall length of the cable required (for very short runs of cable in a mobile
installation, the smaller, more flexible cable types may be acceptable).

INSTALLATION
ANTENNA CONSIDERATIONS
For reference, the chart below shows approximate loss figures for typically-available co-
axial cables frequently used in VHF/UHF installations.
Loss in dB per 30 m (100 feet) for Selected 50-Ohm Coaxial Cables
(Assumes 50-ohm Input/Output Terminations)
CABLE TYPE LOSS: 144 MHZ LOSS: 430 MHZ
RG-58A 6.5 > 10
RG-58 Foam 4.7 8
RG-213 3.0 5.9
RG-8 Foam 2.0 3.7
Belden 9913 1.5 2.9
Times Microwave LMR-400 1.5 2.6
7/8” “Hardline” 0.7 1.3
Loss figures are approximate; consult cable manufacturers’ catalogs for
complete specifications.
In outdoor installations, be certain to weatherproof all connectors thoroughly, as water en-

tering a coaxial cable will cause losses to escalate rapidly, thus diminishing your communi-
cations effectiveness. The use of the shortest possible length of the highest quality coaxial
cable that fits within your budget will ensure the best performance from your FT-8900R.

INSTALLATION
MOBILE INSTALLATION
The FT-8900R must only be installed in vehicles having a 13.8 Volt negative ground elec-
trical system. Mount the transceiver where the display, controls, and microphone are easily
accessible, using the supplied MMB-36 mounting bracket.
The transceiver may be installed in almost any location, but should not be positioned near a
heating vent nor anywhere where it might interfere with driving (either visually or mechani-
cally). Make sure to provide plenty of space on all sides of the transceiver so that air can
flow freely around the radio’s case. Refer to the diagrams showing proper installation proce-
dures.
Transceiver Installation
Choose a mounting location with sufficient clearance for the transceiver. Using the mount-
ing bracket as a template for the mounting holes, use a 4.8 mm (3/16”) bit to drill the
mounting holes, and secure the mounting bracket with the supplied screws, washers, and
nuts (see diagram).
Position the transceiver in the bracket so that the holes in the side are aligned with those
in the bracket, and bolt the transceiver into place using the supplied short screws and flat
washers.

INSTALLATION
MOBILE INSTALLATION
Mobile Power Connections
To minimize voltage drop and avoid blowing the vehicle’s fuses, connect the supplied DC
power cable directly to the battery terminals. Do not attempt to defeat or bypass the DC
cable’s fuse – it is there to protect you, your transceiver, and your vehicle’s electrical
system.
Warning!
Never apply AC power to the power cable of the FT-8900R, nor DC voltage greater
than 15.8 Volts. When replacing the fuse, only use a 15-A fast-blow type. Failure to
observe these safety precautions will void the Limited Warranty on this product.
Before connecting the transceiver, check the voltage at the battery terminals while rev-
ving the engine. If the voltage exceeds 15 Volts, adjust the vehicle’s voltage regulator
before proceeding with installation.
Connect the RED power cable lead to the POSITIVE (+) battery terminal, and the BLACK
power cable lead to the NEGATIVE (–) terminal. If you need to extend the power cable,
use #12 AWG or larger insulated, stranded copper wire. Solder the splice connections
carefully, and wrap the connections thoroughly with insulating electrical tape.
Before connecting the cable to the transceiver, verify the voltage and polarity of the
voltage at the transceiver end of the DC cable using a DC voltmeter. Now connect the
transceiver to the DC cable.
FT-8900R Cabin Engine Room
Battery
RED: Positive (+)
BLACK: Negative (–)
Mobile Speakers
The optional MSL-100 External Speaker includes its own swivel-type mounting bracket,
and is available from your Yaesu dealer.
Other external speakers may be used with the FT-8900R, if they present the specified 8-
Ohm impedance and are capable of handling the 2 Watts of audio output supplied by the FT-
8900R.
INSTALLATION
BASE STATION INSTALLATION
The FT-8900R is ideal for base station use as well as in mobile installations. The FT-
8900R is specifically designed to integrate into your station easily, using the information to
follow as a reference.
AC Power Supplies
Operation of the FT-8900R from an AC line requires a power source capable of providing
at least 15 Amps continuously at 13.8 Volts DC. The FP-1023 and FP-1030A AC Power
Supplies are available from your Yaesu dealer to satisfy these requirements. Other well-
regulated power supplies may be used, as well, if they meet the above voltage and current
specifications.
Use the DC power cable supplied with your transceiver for making power connections to the
power supply. Connect the RED power cable lead to the POSITIVE (+) power supply
terminal, and connect the BLACK power cable lead to the NEGATIVE (–) power supply
terminal.
Packet Radio Terminal Node Controller (TNC)
The FT-8900R provides a convenient rear-panel DATA jack for easy connections to your
TNC. This connector is a standard mini-DIN connector. A pre-wired connector and cable
assembly option, model CT-39A, is available from your local Yaesu dealer.
The FT-8900R’s DATA jack connections are optimized for the data transmission and recep-
tion speed in use. In accordance with industry standards, the signal levels, impedances, and
bandwidths are significantly different on 9600 bps as opposed to 1200 bps. If your TNC
does not provide multiple lines to accommodate such optimization, you may still be able to
utilize your TNC, if it is designed for multiple-radio use, by connecting the TNC “Radio 1”
port to the 1200 bps lines on the FT-8900R, and the “Radio 2” port to the 9600 bps lines.
The pin connections of the Data connector are shown below.
DATA Jack Pin Out

Pin Label Note CT-39A Wire Color
Packet Data Input
PKD Impedance: 10 kΩ,
1 Brown
(DATA IN) Maximum Input Level: 40 mV p-p for 1200 bps
2.0 Vp-p for 9600 bps
2 GND Signal Ground Red
3 PTT Gound to Transmit Orange
9600 bps Packet Data Output
4 RX9600 Yellow
Impedance: 10 kΩ, Maximum Output: 500 mV p-p
1200 bps Packet Data Output
5 RX1200 Green
Impedance: 10 kΩ, Maximum Output: 300 mV p-p
Squelch Control
6 SQL Blue
Squelch Open: +5 V, Squelch Close: 0 V

INSTALLATION
BASE STATION INSTALLATION
Note that 9600 bps packet transmit-deviation adjustment is very critical to successful opera-
tion, and can only be accomplished using a calibrated deviation meter (such as that found on
an FM Service Monitor used in a communications service center). In most cases, the Packet
Data Input level (set via a potentiometer inside the TNC) must be adjusted to provide a
deviation of ±2.75 kHz (±0.25 kHz). Check with your packet node’s sysop if you have any
questions about the appropriate deviation level for your network. Note also that high through-
put on 9600 bps frequently requires strong signals, so you may wish to consider the use of a
directional antenna such as a Yagi for communication with high-speed packet nodes.
The setting of the 1200 bps Packet Data Input level is much less critical than it is at 9600 bps,
and satisfactory adjustment to the optimum (±2.5 ~ ±3.5 kHz) deviation can usually be done
“by ear” by adjusting the TNC’s 1200 bps TX Audio Level potentiometer so that the outgoing
packets (as monitored on a separate VHF or UHF receiver) are approximately the same level
as (A) the DTMF tones or (B) the 1750 Hz Burst tone produced using the microphone.
Finally, note that the Menu (“Set”) mode allows you to set the Packet data rate (1200 or
9600 bps) independently for each band, and set the Packet Receiving Band (Main band,
Right band, or Left band: The Paket Transmitting Band is fixed on the Main band). If you
have trouble getting your FT-8900R to respond correctly during packet operation, check to
be certain that you do not have Menu #26 (PCKT S) set to the wrong data rate, and/or Menu
PCKT S
#27 (PCKT
PCKT B B) set to the wrong receiving band.
ANT
13.8VDC
DATA DATA
EXT SP OUT IN PTT
DATA
DATA IN
GND
DATA OUT
(9600bps)
PTT
9600bps Packet Setup
ANT
13.8VDC
DATA DATA
EXT SP OUT IN PTT
DATA
DATA IN
GND
DATA OUT
(1200bps)
PTT
1200bps Packet Setup

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS & SWITCHES
1 1 4
8
2 5 PWR
SQL SQL
VOL VOL
3 KEY2 6
2 LOW V/M HM SCN LOW V/M HM SCN

7
4 5 6
1 “Left” DIAL knob

This 20-position detented rotary switch is the tuning dial for the “left” band. Press this
knob momentarily to switch the “Main band” to be the “left” band.
When the “left” band is set to be the “Main band” in the VFO mode, press this knob to
enable rapid tuning (in 1 MHz steps) using this knob.
Press and hold in this knob for 1/2 second to toggle the operating band on the “left” side
as follows:
144 MHz 350 MHz 430 MHz 850 MHz 29 MHz 50 MHz 144 MHz ......
2 “Left” VOL SQL Knob

The inner VOL (Volume) control adjusts the speaker audio level form the “left” re-
ceiver. Clockwise rotation increases the audio level.
Press this knob momentarily to switch the Internet Connection feature “on” and “off.”
The outer SQL (Squelch) control is used to silence background noise on the “left”
receiver. 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.
3 Hyper Memory Buttons ([1] ~ [6])

Press and hold in one of these buttons for 2 seconds to store the current total configura-
tion of the radio into a special “Hyper” memory bank.
Press the appropriate button momentarily to recall the desired “Hyper” memory.

4 “Left” Side Keys
[LOW] Key
Press this key momentarily to select the transmitter power output level of the “left” band
(“LOW,” “MID2,” “MID1,” or “HIGH”).
When the “left” band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and hold in
this key for 1/2 second to switch the memory channel display between the “Frequency”
format and “Alpha-numeric Tag” format.
[V/M] Key
Press this key momentarily to switch the frequency control for the “left” band between
the VFO and Memory Systems.
When the “left” band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold in this for 1/2 second to
activate the Smart Search Feature.
When the “left” band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this key for 1/2
second to shift to the “Memory Tuning” feature.
[HM] Key
Press this key momentarily to recall a favorite “Home” frequency memory.
Press and hold in this key for 1/2 second to activate Priority Channel Scanning.
[SCN] Key
Press this key momentarily to activate the Scanner on the “left” band.
When the “left” band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this key for 1/2
second to set up the Scan Skip List or Preferential Scan List.
5 [SET] Key
Press this key momentarily to enter the Set (“Menu”) mode.
Press and hold in this for 1/2 second to transfer the contents of the “Main band” VFO
into a Memory register.

6 “Right” Side Keys
The “right” side ([LOW], [V/M], [HM], and [SCN]) keys may be set to either of
two function sets via Menu #20 (KEY.MOD
KEY.MOD). See page 63 for the setup proce-
KEY.MOD
dure.
[LOW] Key ([MHz] Key)
Key Mode “1” ([LOW] Key: Default)
Press this key momentarily to select the transmitter power output level of the “right”
band (“LOW,” “MID2,” “MID1,” or “HIGH”).
When the “right” band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and hold in
this key for 1/2 second to switch the memory channel display between the “Frequency”
format and the “Alpha-numeric Tag” format.
Key Mode “2” ([MHz] Key)
Press this key momentarily to allow tuning in 1-MHz steps on the “Main” band VFO.
Press and hold in this key for 1/2 second to allow tuning in 10-MHz steps on the “Main”
band VFO.
[V/M] Key ([REV] Key)
Key Mode “1” ([V/M] Key: Default)
Press this key momentarily to switch the frequency control for the “right” band between
the VFO and Memory Systems.
When the “right” band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold in this for 1/2 second to
activate the Smart Search Feature.
When the “right” band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this key for 1/2
second to shift to the “Memory Tuning” feature.
Key Mode “2” ([REV] Key)
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 1/2 second to change the frequency shift direction: RPT –
(minus shift), RPT + (plus shift), or RPT OFF (simplex).
[HM] Key ([TONE] Key)
Key Mode “1” ([HM] Key: Default)
Press this key momentarily to recall a favorite “Home” frequency memory.
Press and hold in this for 1/2 second to activate Priority Channel Scanning.
Key Mode “2” ([TONE] Key)
Press this key momentarily to change the Tone Squelch mode: ENC (CTCSS Encoder),
ENC.DEC (CTCSS Tone Squelch), or DCS (DCS) operation.

[SCN] Key ([SUB] Key)
Key Mode “1” ([SCN] Key: Default)
Press this key momentarily to activate the Scanner on the “Right” band.
When the “Right” band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this key for 1/2
second to set up the Scan Skip List or Preferential Scan List.
Key Mode “2” ([SCN] Key)
Press this key momentarily to make the next key you press act on the “Sub” band (the
“ ” icon will blink on the “Sub” band).
7 VOL SQL Knob (Right)

The inner VOL (Volume) control adjusts the speaker audio level from the “right” re-
ceiver. Clockwise rotation increases the audio level.
Press and hond in this knob for 2 seconds to turn the radio “on” and “off.”
The outer SQL (Squelch) control is used to silence background noise on the “right”
receiver. 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.
8 DIAL knob (Right)

This 20-position detented rotary switch is the tuning dial for the “right” band.
Press this knob momentarily to switch the “Main band” to be the “right” band.
When the “right” band is set to be the “Main” band in the VFO mode, press this knob to
enable rapid tuning (in 1 MHz steps) using this knob.
Press and hold in this knob for 1/2 second to switch the operating band on the “right”
band between 144 MHz and 430 MHz.

LCD
“Left” Band Memory Channel “Left” Band Memory Channel
“Left” Band Frequency “Right” Band Frequency
“Left” Band S- & PO Meter “Right” Band S- & PO Meter
Icons
: Preferential Memory Channel
: Skip Memory Channel
: Minus Shift
: Plus Shift
: Odd Splits
: Tone Encoder
: Tone Decoder
: Transmission in Progress
: “Main” Band
: Busy Channel (or Squelch Off)
: Memory Tune Mode
: Audio Mute Active
: Digital Code Squelch (DCS)
: AM Reception
: 9600 bps Packet Mode
: Low TX Power Selected
: Middle TX Power Selected
: Automatic Power-Off Active
: Keypad/DIAL Lock Active
: Menu (“Set”) Mode
: Key Function Mode is selected to “KEY-2”

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS
4 3
ANT
13.8VDC
EXT SP
DATA
1 2
1 Antenna Jack
Connect your antenna here, using a type-M (PL-259) plug for USA version or type-N
(for EXP version) plug and coaxial cable.
2 DATA Jack
This 6-pin mini-DIN connector provides simple interfacing to a packet Terminal Node
Controller (TNC) for 1200 bps or 9600 bps operation. The pin connections are shown
on page 10.
3 EXT SP Jack
This 2-conductor, 3.5-mm mini phone jack provides audio output for an optional speaker.
The optimum load impedance is 8 Ohms. Inserting a plug into this jack disables the
audio path to the transceiver’s internal speaker.
4 13.8V DC Cable Pigtails w/Fuse

This is the DC power supply connection for the transceiver. Use the supplied DC cable
to connect this pigtail to the car battery or base station DC power supply capable of at
least 9 Amperes (continuous duty). Make certain that the Red lead connects to the Posi-
tive (+) side of the power source, and that the Black lead connects to the Negative (-)
side of the power source.

MH-48A6J MICROPHONE
1 PTT Switch 6
Press this switch to transmit, and release it to receive.
2 Keypad
These 16 keys generate DTMF tones during transmission.
In the receive mode, these 16 keys can be used for
1 5
direct frequency entry and/or direct numeric recall
of the Memory channels. 2 4
3 [P1]/[P2]/[P3]/[P4] Buttons
[P1] button: Press this button to switch the “Main”
band between the “Left” and “Right” displays on the LCD 3
screen. This is the best and easiest way to set the “Main” band DTMF MICROPHONE
MH-48
to the side you prefer.
Pressing and holding in this button for 1/2 second moves op-
eration to the next-highest frequency band on the “Main” band.
[P2] button: Press this button momentarily to switch the frequency
control for the “Main” band between the VFO and Memory Systems.
When the “Main” band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold in this button for 1/2 second
to activate the Smart Search Feature.
When the “Main” band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in this button for 1/2
second to shift to the “Memory (offset) Tuning” feature.
[P3] button: Pressing this button repeatedly allows selection of the CTCSS or DCS mode
on the “Main” band. The selections available are:
ENC ENC.DEC (Tone Squelch) DCS OFF ENC ......
[P4] button: Press this button momentarily to select the transmitter power output level on
the “Main” band (“LOW,” “MID2,” “MID1,” or “HIGH”).
When the “Main” band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and hold in this
key for 1/2 second to switch the memory channel display between the “Frequency” format
and “Alpha-numeric Tag” format.
You can reprogram the [P1], [P2], [P3], and [P4] buttons for other functions, if desired.
See page 51 for details.
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 [UP]/[DWN] Button
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) “Main” band DIAL knob.
MH-42B6JS MICROPHONE
The MH-42B6JS is similar to the MH-48A6J, but the MH-42B6JS does not include a DTMF
keypad and its illumination switch.
1 PTT Switch 4
Press this switch to transmit, and release it to receive.
2 [ACC]/[P]/[P1]/[P2] Buttons
[ACC] button: Press this button to switch the “Main”
band between the “Left” and “Right” displays on the 1 3
LCD screen. This is the best and easiest way to set
the “Main” band to the side you prefer.
Pressing and holding in this button for 1/2 second moves
operation to the next-highest frequency band on the “Main”
band. 2
[P] button: Press this button momentarily to switch the fre- CONDENSER MIC
MH-42B
quency control for the “Main” band between the VFO and
Memory Systems.
When the “Main” band is set to the VFO mode, press and hold in this
button for 1/2 second to activate the Smart Search Feature.
When the “Main” band is set to the Memory mode, press and hold in
this button for 1/2 second to shift to the “Memory (offset) Tuning” feature.
[P1] button: Pressing this button repeatedly allows selection of the CTCSS or DCS mode on
the “Main” band. The selections available are:
ENC ENC.DEC (Tone Squelch) DCS OFF ENC ......
[P2] button: Press this button momentarily to select the transmitter power output level on
the “Main” band (“LOW,” “MID2,” “MID1,” or “HIGH”).
When the “Main” band is set to the Memory mode or Home Channel, press and hold in this
key for 1/2 second to switch the memory channel display between the “Frequency” format
and “Alpha-numeric Tag” format.
You can reprogram the [ACC], [P], [P1], and [P2] buttons for other functions, if desired.
3 LOCK Switch
This switch locks out the Microphone buttons (except for the keypad and PTT switch).
4 [UP]/[DWN] Button
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) “Main” band DIAL knob.
Notice: If you replace the microphone from the MH-48A6J to MH-42B6JS or vice
versa, perform Menu #23 (MIC
MIC). See page 63 for details.
MIC

BASIC OPERATION
Hi! I’m R. F. Radio, and I’ll be helping you along as you learn the many features of
the FT-8900R. I know you’re anxious to get on the air, but I encourage you to read
the “Operation” section of this manual as thoroughly as possible, so you’ll get the most
out of this fantastic new transceiver. Now. . .let’s get operating!
TURNING THE TRANSCEIVER ON AND OFF

1. To turn the transceiver on, press and hold in the “right”
VOL knob for 2 seconds. 4
When you turn on the FT-8900R, the current DC sup- 5

SQL
PWR
VOL
ply voltage is indicated on the LCD for 2 seconds. KEY2 6
After this interval, the display will switch its normal LOW V/M HM SCN
indication of the operating frequency.

2. To turn the transceiver off, again press and hold in the “right” VOL knob for 2 seconds.
ADJUSTING THE AUDIO VOLUME LEVEL

The audio volume level is set independently for the “left” and “right” sides of the trans-
ceiver. The “left” VOL knob provides adjustment for the “left” side of the FT-8900R, while
the “right” VOL knob provides adjustment for the “right” side of the FT-8900R.
ADJUSTING THE SQUELCH SETTING

The squelch is also set independently for the “left” and “right” sides of the transceiver. The
“left” SQL knob provides adjustment for the “left” side of the FT-8900R, while the “right”
SQL knob provides adjustment for the “right” side of the FT-8900R.
A special “RF Squelch” feature is provided on this radio. This feature allows you to set the
squelch so that only signals exceeding a certain S-meter level will open the squelch. See
page 26 for details
SELECTING THE OPERATING BAND

In the factory default configuration, The FT-8900R operates in the “Dual Receive” mode.
During Dual Receive operation, the “Main” band frequency ( on which transmission is pos-
sible) will be indicated by the “ ” icon.
To establish the “Main” band, simply press the microphone’s [P1] key (MH-48A6J, [ACC]
key: MH-42B6JS), or press the DIAL knob for the “left” or “right” side momentarily, as
appropriate. 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.

BASIC OPERATION
SELECTING THE FREQUENCY BAND
Press and hold in the “left” DIAL knob to move the operating band on the “left” band
144 MHz 350 MHz 430 MHz 850 MHz 29 MHz 50 MHz 144 MHz ......
Press and hold in the “right” DIAL knob to switch the operating band on the “right” band
between the 144 MHz and 430 MHz.
1) You may select the operating band on the “Main” band by pressing and holding
in the microphone’s [P1] key for 1/2 second.
)
2 The FT-8900R may be configured to operate either in a V-V or U-U mode, if needed.
VHF-VHF (V-V) Operation UHF-UHF (U-U) Operation
Notice
The FT-8900R may receive very strong signals on the Image frequency, and/or the receiver
sensitivity may be somewhat reduced by the combination of the “Left” and “Right” band
frequencies while Dual Receive operation is engaged.
If you experience interference that you suspect may be coming in via an “Image” path, you may
calculate the possible frequencies using the formulas below. This information may be used in the
design of effective countermeasures such as traps, etc.
(“Left” band freq. ± 45.05 MHz) x n1 – (“Right” band freq. ± 47.25 MHz) x n2 =
“Left” band IF freq. or “Right” band IF freq.
(“Left” band 28 MHz freq. + 45.05 MHz) x n = “Right” band freq.
(n is an integer: 1, 2, 3, …)

BASIC OPERATION
FREQUENCY NAVIGATION
1) 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-8900R to be tuned to-
ward 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 ex-
tremely useful for making rapid frequency excursions over the wide tuning range of the FT-
8900R.
2) Direct Keypad Frequency Entry (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, so if the fre-
quency is below 100 MHz (e.g. 29.480 MHz), any required leading zeroes must be entered.
Examples: To enter 29.480 MHz, press [0] [2] [9] [4] [8] [0]
To enter 433.000 MHz, press [4] [3] [3] [0] [0] [0]
3) Scanning
From the VFO mode, press the [SCN] key momentarily to initiate scanning toward a higher
frequency. The FT-8900R will stop when it receives a signal strong enough to break through
the squelch threshold. The FT-8900R will then hold on that frequency according to the
setting of the “resume” mode (Menu #34 (SCAN
SCAN); see page 65).
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-8900R is scanning. The scanning direction will be reversed. To revert to scan-
ning toward a higher frequency once more, rotate the DIAL knob one click clockwise.
Press the [SCN] key again to cancel scanning.

BASIC OPERATION
TRANSMISSION
To transmit, simply close the PTT (Push To Talk) switch on the microphone.
The FT-8900R 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-8900R.
To change the power level, press the [LOW] key to select one of four power settings. These
power levels will be stored, in memory registers, at LOW MID 2 MID 1 HIGH
the time of memory storage (see page 32 for details 5 W 10 W 20 W 50 W
(35 W: 430 MHz)
on Memory operation).
During transmission, the Bar Graph will deflect in the display, according to the power out-
put selected.
You may change the power level on the “Main” band using the microphone’s [P4]
key.
Notice
The FT-8900R may receive very strong signals on the Image frequency, and/or the receiver
sensitivity may be somewhat reduced by the combination of the “Left” and “Right” band
frequencies while Full Duplex operation is engaged.
If you experience interference that you suspect may be coming in via a frequency “Mix,” you
may calculate the possible frequencies using the formulas below. This information may be used
in the design of effective countermeasures such as traps, etc.
“Right” band 144 MHz TX freq. – 100.35 MHz = “Left” band IF freq. or “Left” band 2nd IF freq.
Image
“Left” band 28 MHz TX freq. – 11.7 MHz = “Right” band IF freq. or “Right” band 2nd IF freq.
Image
“Left” band 50 MHz TX freq. – 58.5 MHz = “Right” band IF freq. or “Right” band 2nd IF freq.
Image
(“Right” band 144 MHz RX freq. + 47.25 MHz) x n1 – (“Left” band 28 MHz TX freq.) x n2 =
“Right” band IF freq. or “Right” band 2nd IF freq. Image
(“Right” band 430 MHz RX freq. – 47.25 MHz) x n1 – (“Left” band 50 MHz TX freq.) x n2 =
“Right” band IF freq. or “Right” band 2nd IF freq. Image
(“Left” band 50 MHz RX freq. + 45.05 MHz) x n1 – (“Right” band 144 MHz TX freq.) x n2 =
“Left” band IF freq. or “Left” band 2nd IF freq. Image
“Right” band 144 MHz TX freq. – (“Left” band 50 MHz RX freq.+ 45.05 MHz) x n1 =
144 MHz TX freq. x n1 – (430 MHz RX freq.– 45.05 MHz) x n2 =
144 MHz TX freq. x n1 – (430 MHz RX freq.– 45.05 MHz) x n2 + 11.15 MHz = “Left” band IF freq.
or “Left” band 2nd IF freq. Image
“Right” band 430 MHz TX freq. x n1 – (“Left” band 50 MHz RX freq.+ 45.05 MHz) x n2 =
± “Left” band IF freq. or “Left” band 2nd IF freq. Image
430 MHz TX freq. x n1 – (144 MHz RX freq.+ 45.05 MHz) x n2 =
FT-8900R Operating Manual
“Left” band IF freq. or “Left” band 2nd IF freq. Image 23
ADVANCED OPERATION
LOCK FEATURE
In order to prevent accidental frequency change, the panel switches and DIAL knobs may be
locked out.
To activate the Lock feature:
1. Press the [SET] key momentarily to enter the Set mode.
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #21 (LOCK
LOCK
LOCK).
3. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily, then rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob
to change the setting to “ON
ON
ON.”
4. Press the [SET] key momentarily to save the new setting and exit to normal operation.
5. To unlock the panel switches and DIAL knobs, select “OFF
OFF” in step 3 above.
OFF
KEYBOARD BEEPER
A key/button beeper provides useful audible feedback whenever a key/button is pressed.
If you want to turn the beep off:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #5 (BEEPBEEP
BEEP).
to change the setting to “OFF
OFF
OFF.”
4. Press and hold in the “Main” band DIAL knob for 1/2 second to save the new setting and
exit to normal operation.
5. To back on again the beep, select “ON
ON” in step 3 above.
ON
CHANNEL STEP SELECTION

The FT-8900R’s synthesizer provides the option of utilizing channel steps of 5/10/12.5/15/
20/25/50 kHz per step, any number of which may be important to your operating require-
ments. The FT-8900R is set up at the factory with different default steps on each operating
band which probably are satisfactory for most operation. However, if you need to change the
channel step increments, the procedure to do so is very easy; remember to get set up on the
desired band before making any changes, as different steps may be programmed for each
operating band.
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #37 (STEP
STEP
STEP).
to select the new channel step size.

ADVANCED OPERATION
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
The FT-8900R display illumination has been specially engineered to provide high visibility
with minimal disruption of your “night vision” while you are driving. The brightness of the
display is manually adjustable, using following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #9 (DIMMER
DIMMER
DIMMER).
to select a comfortable brightness level: DIM 1
1, DIM 2 3, or DIM.OFF (no illumi-
2, DIM 3
nation).
BAND LINKING
For operation on Amateur satellites which use a “normal” (not “inverted”) FM transponder,
the Band Link feature may be useful.
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #42 (VFO.TR
VFO.TR
VFO.TR).
ON
ON.”
As you rotate the “Main” band DIAL, you will observe that both bands’ frequencies are
changing together. When you are done with this operating mode, select “OFF
OFF” in step 3
OFF
above.

ADVANCED OPERATION
AUDIO MUTING
The Audio Mute feature is useful in situation where it would be helpful to reduce the audio
level of the “Receive Only” band whenever you receive a signal on the “Main” band or you
transmit on the “Main” band during Dual Receive operation.
To activate the Audio Mute feature:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #24 (MUTEMUTE
MUTE).
to choose the desired selection.
TX
TX: Reduces the audio level of the “Receive Only” band whenever you transmit on
the “Main” band
RX
RX: Reduces the audio level of the “Receive Only” band whenever you receive a
signal on the “Main” band.
TX/RX: Reduces the audio level of the “Receive Only” band whenever you receive a
TX/RX
signal on the “Main” band or you transmit on the “Main” band
OFF
OFF: Disables the Audio Mute feature
RF SQUELCH
A special “RF Squelch” feature is provided on this radio. This feature allows you to set the
squelch so that only signals exceeding a certain S-meter level will open the squelch.
When setting up the RF Squelch circuit for operation, note that you may set the RF Squelch
independently for the “left” and “right” sides, using the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #32 (RF RF SQL
SQL).
to select the desired signal strength level for the squelch threshold (OFF
OFF
OFF, S-2
S-2, S-5 S-9, or
S-5, S-9
S-FULL
S-FULL).
5. Finally, rotate the SQL knob fully clockwise.

REPEATER OPERATION
Repeater stations, usually located on mountaintops or other high locations, provide a dra-
matic extension of the communication range for low-powered hand-held or mobile trans-
ceivers. The FT-8900R includes a number of features which make repeater operation simple
and enjoyable.
REPEATER SHIFTS
Your FT-8900R has been configured, at the factory, for the repeater shifts customary in
your country. For the 50 MHz band, this usually will be 1 MHz, while the 144 MHz shift will
be 600 kHz; on 70 cm, the shift may be 1.6 MHz, 7.6 MHz, or 5 MHz (USA version).
Depending on the part of the band in which you are operating, the repeater shift may be
either downward (–) or upward (+), and one of these icons will appear at the bottom of the
LCD when repeater shifts have been enabled.
AUTOMATIC REPEATER SHIFT (ARS)

The FT-8900R provides a convenient Automatic Repeater Shift feature, which causes the
appropriate repeater shift to be automatically applied whenever you tune into the designated
repeater sub-bands in your country. These sub-bands are shown below.
If the ARS feature does not appear to be working, you may have accidentally disabled it.
To re-enable ARS:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #2 (ARSARS
ARS).
ON” (to enable Automatic Repeater Shift).
ON
ARS-Repeater Subbands
2-m
Version A
145.1 145.5 146.0 146.4 147.0 147.6 148.0
146.6 147.4
145.6 145.8
European Version
70-cm
440.0 445.0 450.0
Version A
438.20 439.45
Euro Version 1
433.00 433.40 434.60 435.00

Euro Version 2

REPEATER OPERATION
MANUAL REPEATER SHIFT ACTIVATION
If the ARS feature has been disabled, or if you need to set a repeater shift direction other than
that established by the ARS, you may set the direction of the repeater shift manually.
To do this:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #33 (RPT.MOD
RPT.MOD
RPT.MOD).
to select the desired shift among “–,” “+,” and “OFF
OFF
OFF.”
Changing the Default Repeater Shifts
If you travel to a different region, you may need to change the default repeater shift so as to
ensure compatibility with local operating requirements.
To do this, follow the procedure below:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #36 (SHIFT
SHIFT
SHIFT).
to select the new repeater shift magnitude.
If you just have one “odd” split that you need to program, don’t change the “de-
fault” repeated shifts using this Menu Item! Enter the transmit and receive fre-
quencies separately, as shown on page 33.

CTCSS/DCS OPERATION
CTCSS OPERATION
Many repeater systems require that a very-low-frequency audio tone be superimposed on
your FM carrier in order to activate the repeater. This helps prevent false activation of the
repeater by radar or spurious signals from other transmitters. This tone system, called
“CTCSS” (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System), is included in your FT-8900R, and is
very easy to activate.
CTCSS setup involves two actions: setting the Tone Mode and then setting of the
Tone Frequency. These actions are set up by using the Set mode #40 (TONE M)
and #39 (TONE F).
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #40 (TONE TONE MM).
so that “ENC
ENC” appears on the display; this activates the CTCSS Encoder, which allows
ENC
repeater access.
You may notice an additional “DCS DCS” icon appearing while you rotate the
DCS
“Main” band DIAL knob in this step. We’ll discuss the Digital Code Squelch
system shortly.
4. Rotating the “Main” band DIAL knob one more click clockwise in step “3” above will
cause “ENC.DEC
ENC.DEC” to appear. When “ENC.DEC
ENC.DEC ENC.DEC” appears, this means that the Tone Squelch
ENC.DEC
system is active, which mutes your FT-8900R’s receiver until it receives a call from
another radio sending out a matching CTCSS tone. This can help keep your radio quiet
until a specific call is received, which may be helpful while operating in congested areas.
5. When you have made your selection of the CTCSS TONE FREQUENCY (Hz)
CTCSS tone mode, press the “Main” band 67.0 69.3 71.9 74.4 77.0 79.7
DIAL knob momentarily, then rotate the 82.5 85.4 88.5 91.5 94.8 97.4
“Main” band DIAL knob one click counter- 100.0 103.5 107.2 110.9 114.8 118.8
clockwise to select Menu #39 (TONE TONE FF). 123.0 127.3 131.8 136.5 141.3 146.2
This Menu selection allows setting of the 151.4 156.7 159.8 162.2 165.5 167.9
171.3 173.8 177.3 179.9 183.5 186.2
CTCSS tone frequency to be used. 189.9 192.8 196.6 199.5 203.5 206.5
6. Press “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily 210.7 218.1 225.7 229.1 233.6 241.8
to enable adjustment of the CTCSS fre- 250.3 254.1 – – – –
quency.
7. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob until the display indicates the Tone Frequency you
need to be using.
8. When you have made your selection, press and hold in the “Main” band DIAL knob for
1/2 second to save the new setting and exit to normal operation.

CTCSS/DCS OPERATION
CTCSS OPERATION
1) Your repeater may or may not re-transmit a CTCSS tone - some systems just use
CTCSS to control access to the repeater, but don’t pass it along when transmitting.
If the S-Meter deflects, but the FT-8900R is not passing audio, repeat steps “1” through
“4” above, but rotate the “Main” DIAL knob so that “ENC” appears - this will allow you
to hear all traffic on the channel being received.
2) You may select the Tone Squelch mode (ENC, ENC.DEC, or DCS) on the “Main”
band by the microphone’s [P3] key.
DCS OPERATION
Another form of tone access control is Digital Code Squelch, or DCS. It is a newer, more
advanced tone system which generally provides more immunity from false paging than does
CTCSS. The DCS Encoder/Decoder is built into your FT-8900R, and operation is very
similar to that just described for CTCSS. Your repeater system may be configured for DCS;
if not, it is frequently quite useful in Simplex operation if your friend(s) use transceivers
equipped with this advanced feature.
Just as in CTCSS operation, DCS requires that you set the Tone Mode to DCS and
that you select a tone code.
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #40 (TONETONE MM).
until “DCS” appears on the display; this activates the DCS Encoder/Decoder.
4. Now, press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily, then rotate the “Main” band DIAL
knob to select Menu #10 (DCS.COD
DCS.COD
DCS.COD). DCS CODE
5. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momen- 023 025 026 031 032 036 043 047 051 053
tarily to enable the adjustment of the DCS 054 065 071 072 073 074 114 115 116 122
code. 125 131 132 134 143 145 152 155 156 162
6. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to se- 165 172 174 205 212 223 225 226 243 244
245 246 251 252 255 261 263 265 266 271
lect the desired DCS Code (a three-digit
274 306 311 315 325 331 332 343 346 351
number). 356 364 365 371 411 412 413 423 431 432
7. When you have made your selection, press 445 446 452 454 455 462 464 465 466 503
and hold in the “Main” band DIAL knob for 506 516 523 526 532 546 565 606 612 624
1/2 second to save the new setting and exit 627 631 632 654 662 664 703 712 723 731
732 734 743 754 – – – – – –
to normal operation.
1) Remember that the DCS is an Encode/Decode system, so your receiver will
remain muted until a matching DCS code is received on an incoming transmis-
sion. Switch the DCS off when you’re just tuning around the band!
2) You may select the DCS mode on the “Main” band by the microphone’s [P3] key.

CTCSS/DCS OPERATION
TONE SEARCH SCANNING
In operating situations where you don’t know the CTCSS or DCS tone being used by
another station or stations, you can command the radio to listen to the incoming signal and
scan in search of the tone being used. Two things must be remembered in this regard:
You must be sure that your repeater uses the same tone type (CTCSS vs. DCS).
Some repeaters do not pass the CTCSS tone; you may have to listen to the station(s)
transmitting on the repeater uplink (input) frequency in order to allow Tone Search Scan-
ning to work.
To scan for the tone in use:
1. Set the radio up for either CTCSS or DCS Decoder operation (see the previous discus-
sion). In the case of CTCSS, “ENC DEC” will appear on the display; in the case of DCS,
ENC DEC
“DCS
DCS” will appear on the display.
DCS
3. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #39 (TONE TONE FF) when CTCSS is se-
lected, or Menu #10 (DCS.COD
DCS.COD) during DCS operation.
DCS.COD
4. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob to enable adjustment of the selected Menu Item.
5. Press the “Main” band [SCN] key momentarily to start scanning for the incoming CTCSS
or DCS tone/code.
6. When the radio detects the correct tone or code, it will halt on that tone/code, and audio
will be allowed to pass. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to lock in that
tone/code, then press and hold in the “Main” band DIAL knob for 1/2 second to save the
new setting and exit to normal operation.
If the Tone Scan feature does not detect a tone or code, it will continue to scan
indefinitely. When this happens, it may be that the other station is not sending any
tone. You can press the [SCN] key to halt the scan at any time.
Tone Scanning works either in the VFO or Memory modes.

MEMORY OPERATION
The FT-8900R provides a wide variety of memory system resources. These include:
Regular Memory Channels, which made up of:
799 “Standard” memory channels, numbered “001” through “799.”
Six Home channels, providing storage and quick recall of one prime frequency on
each operating band.
Five sets of band-edge memories also known as “Programmable Memory Scan” chan-
nels, labeled “L1/U1” through “L5/U5.”
Six “Hyper-Memory” Channels
Standard Memory Channels PMS Memory Channels

(799 channels) (5 Sets)
799
L4/U4
798
L4/U4
L3/U3
L2/U2
L1/U1
004
003
002
001
HOME Channels (6 channels) Hyper Memory Channels (6 channels)

850 MHz Band
430 MHz Band
350 MHz Band
144 MHz Band
6-HP
50 MHz Band
5-HP
29 MHz Band
4-HP
3-HP
2-HP
1-HP
REGULAR MEMORY CHANNEL OPERATION

Memory Storage
1. Select the desired frequency, while operating in the VFO mode on the “Main” band. Be
sure set up any desired CTCSS or DCS tones, as well as any desired repeater offset. The
power level may be also be set at this time, if you wish to store it.
2. Press and hold in the [SET] key for 1/2 second. A memory number will appear (blink-
ing) on the display.
3. Within ten seconds of pressing the [SET] key, use the “Main” band DIAL knob or the
microphone’s [UP]/[DWN] buttons to select the desired memory channel for storage (if
the channel is already occupied by data stored previously, the “channel frequency” nota-
tion will appear on the display.
4. To attach an alpha/numeric name “Tag” to the memory, press and hold in the [SET] key
for 1/2 second, then proceed to the next step; otherwise press the [SET] key momen-
tarily to save the entry and exit to normal operation.

MEMORY OPERATION
To Append an Alpha-numeric “Tag” to a Memory
1. After press and holding in the [SET] key in step 4 above, rotate the “Main” band DIAL
knob to select the first character in the name you wish to store, the press the “Main” band
DIAL knob momentarily to move on to the next character. Letters, numbers, and sym-
bols are available for storage.
2. Again rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select the desired letter, number, or symbol,
then press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to move on to the next character’s
slot.
If you make a mistake, press the microphone’s [DWN] button to move back to the previ-
ous character’s slot, then re-select the correct letter, number, or symbol.
3. Repeat the above step to program the remaining letters, numbers, or symbols of the
desired label. A total of six characters may be used in the creation of a label.
4. When you have completed the creation of the label, press the [SET] key momentarily to
save the label and exit to normal operation.
Storing Independent Transmit Frequencies (“Odd Splits”)
1. Store the receiving frequency using the method already described.
2. Turn to the desired transmit frequency on the “Main” band, then press and hold in the
[SET] key for 1/2 second.
3. Within ten seconds of pressing the [SET] key, use the “Main” band DIAL knob or
microphone’s [UP]/[DWN] buttons to select the same memory channel number as used
in step 1 above.
4. Press and hold in the PTT switch, then press the [SET] key momentarily while holding
the PTT switch to save the entry and exit to normal operation. This will not cause trans-
mission; instead, it signals the microprocessor that a separate transmit frequency is be-
ing programmed into that memory register.
Whenever you recall a memory which contains independently-stored transmit and
receive frequencies, the “[ ]” indication will appear in the display.

MEMORY OPERATION
Memory Recall
1. While operating in the VFO mode, press the [V/M] key momentarily to enter the Memory
mode.
2. Rotate the DIAL knob to select the desired channel.
3. To return to the VFO mode, press the [V/M] key momentarily again.
1) When the radio is already set to the Memory mode, an easy way to recall memo-
ries is to enter the microphone’s key in the memory channel number. For ex-
ample, to recall memory channel #4, press [0] [0] [4].
2) Memory channels on which you may have stored frequencies on the 29 MHz and 50
MHz amateur bands cannot be recalled on the “right” band.
Memory Offset Tuning
Once you have recalled a particular memory channel, you may easily tune off that channel,
as though you were in the “VFO” mode.
1. With the FT-8900R in the “MR” (Memory Recall) mode, select the desired memory
channel.
2. Now press and hold in the [V/M] key for 1/2 second; the “MT” icon will appear on the
display.
3. Rotate the DIAL knob, as desired, to tune to a new frequency. The synthesizer steps
selected for VFO operation on the current band will be the steps used during Memory
Tuning.
4. Press and hold in the [V/M] key for 1/2 second during Memory Tuning, the data will now
have been copied to VFO, although the original memory contents will remain intact on
the previously-stored channel.
5. If you wish to return to the original memory frequency, press and hold in the [V/M] key
for 1/2 second. The “MT” icon will disappear.
Deleting Memories
With 808 total memories available, there frequently are situations where you may desire to
delete certain memorized frequencies. The procedure for deleting a channel is quite simple:
1. Press the [V/M] key, if needed, to enter the Memory mode.
2. Press and hold in the [SET] key for 1/2 second, then rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob
to select the memory channel to be deleted. Note that memory channel #1 may not be
deleted.
3. Press the “Main” band [SCN] key momentarily. The display will revert to memory chan-
nel #1. If you rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to the location you just “Masked,” you
will observe that it is now invisible.
Note: One deleted, the channel data cannot be recovered.
MEMORY OPERATION
HOME Channel Memory
A special one-touch “HOME” channel is available (one for each of the 6 operating bands:
see page 21), to allow quick recall of a favorite operating frequency on each band. Memory
storage is simple to accomplish:
1. Select the desired frequency, while operating in the VFO mode on the “Main” band. Be
sure to set up any desired CTCSS or DCS tones, as well as any desired repeater offset.
The power level may also be set at this time, if you wish to store it.
2. Press and hold in the [SET] key for 1/2 second. A memory number will appear (blink-
ing) on the display.
3. While the memory channel number is blinking, just press the “Main” [H/M] key. The
frequency and other data (if any) will now be stored in the special HOME channel regis-
ter.
4. You may repeat this process on the other operating bands.
5. To recall the HOME channel, just press the [H/M] key while operating either in the VFO
or MR mode.
Memory Only Mode
Once memory channel programming has been completed, you may place the radio in a
“Memory Only” mode, whereby VFO operation is impossible. This may be particularly
useful during public-service events where a number of operators may be using the radio for
first time, and ultimate simplicity of channel selection is desired.
To place the radio into the Memory Only mode:
1. Turn the radio off.
2. Press and hold in the “left” [V/M] key while turning the radio on.
3. Rotate the “right” DIAL knob to select the (F-5 MODE), then press the [SET]
F-5 M-ONLY MODE
key momentarily.
To return to normal operation, repeat the above steps.

MEMORY OPERATION
HYPER MEMORY MODE
The FT-8900R usually stores, into memory, the operating frequency and some aspects of
operating status (such as CTCSS/DCS data, repeater shift, power level etc.). However, the
“Hyper Memory” Mode allows you to store the total current configuration of the radio into
a special “Hyper” memory bank.
For example, a Hyper Memory location may store the frequencies of both the “Left” and
“right” bands, plus Scanning features, etc.
Hyper Memory Storage
1. Set up the transceiver according to the desired configuration.
2. Press and hold in the Hyper Memory key ([1] through [6]), corresponding to the Hyper
Memory channel into which you wish to store this configuration, for 2 seconds.
Hyper Memory Recall
Press the appropriate Hyper Memory key ([1] through [6]) to recall the desired Hyper Memory
channel.
The current (original) configuration will lost when you recall the Hyper Memory
Channel. To prevent this from happening, press and hold in the Hyper Memory
key (generally the [1] key) to store the current configuration into that Hyper Memory
Channel before recalling the Hyper Memory Channel, or set Menu #16 to enable the
Automatic Writing feature for the Hyper Memory. See page 62 for details.

SCANNING
The FT-8900R allows you to scan just the memory channels, the entire operating band, or a
portion of that band. It will halt on signals encountered, so you can talk to the station(s) on
that frequency, if you like.
Scanning operation is basically the same in each of the above modes. Before you begin, take
a moment to select the way in which you would like the scanner to resume scanning after it
halts on a signal.
Setting the Scan-Resume Technique
Two options for the Scan-Resume mode are available:
TIME: In this mode, the scanner will halt on a signal it encounters, and will hold there for
TIME
five seconds. If you do not take action to disable the scanner within five seconds, the
scanner will resume even if the stations are still active.
BUSY: In this mode, the scanner will halt on a signal it encounters. Two seconds after the
BUSY
carrier has dropped because the other station(s) ceased transmission, the scanner
will resume.
To set the Scan-Resume mode:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #34 (SCAN
SCAN
SCAN).
to select the desired scan-resume mode.
Note: The default condition for this Menu Item is “TIME
TIME
TIME.”

SCANNING
VFO SCANNING
This mode allows you to scan the entire current operating band.
1. Select the VFO mode by pressing the [V/M] key, if necessary.
2. Press the [SCN] key momentarily to start scanning.
3. If and when the scanner encounters a signal strong enough to open the squelch, the
scanner will halt temporarily; the decimal point of the frequency display will blink dur-
ing this “Pause” condition.
4. The scanner will then resume according to the Scan-Resume mode selected in the previ-
ous section.
5. To cancel scanning, press the [SCN] key momentarily again (or press the microphone’s
PTT key).
When you start scanning, the FT-8900R will be changing frequency in the up-
ward direction. If you want to change direction of the scan while it is underway,
rotate the DIAL knob one click in the opposite direction (in this case, one click counter-
clockwise). You’ll see the scanner turn around and change frequency downward!
You may change the scanning function so that the VFO frequency will jump to the low band
edge of the next band when the VFO frequency reaches the high edge of the current band (or
vice versa). See page 60 regarding Menu #4 (BAND
BAND
BAND).

SCANNING
MEMORY SCANNING
Memory scanning is similarly easy to initiate:
1. Set the radio to the Memory mode by pressing the [V/M] key, if necessary.
2. Press the [SCN] key to initiate scanning.
3. As with VFO scanning, the scanner will halt on any signal encountered that is strong
enough to open the squelch; it will then resume scanning according to the Scan-Resume
mode set previously.
4. To cancel scanning, press the [SCN] key again (or press the microphone’s PTT key).
On the “right” band, Memory Channel scan will only search through the memory
channels which are stored inside the 144 MHz and 430 MHz amateur bands.
How to Skip (Omit) a Channel During Memory Scan Operation
Some continuous-carrier stations like a Weather Broadcast station will seriously impede
scanner operation if you are using the “Carrier Drop” Scan-Resume mode, as the incoming
signal will not pause long enough for the transceiver to resume scanning. Such channels may
be “Skipped” during scanning, if you like:
1. Set the radio to the Memory Mode by pressing the [V/M] key, if necessary.
2. Rotate the DIAL knob to select the Memory Channel to be skipped during scanning.
3. Press and hold the [SCN] key for 1/2 second so as to make the small “SKIP
SKIP” icon appear
SKIP
on the display. The current Memory Channel will now be ignored during scanning. The
small “SKIP
SKIP” icon will also appear when you recall the “skipped” memory channel manu-
SKIP
ally.
The “W” selection is used for “Preferential Memory Scan,” described in the
next column.
4. To re-institute a channel into the scanning loop, press and hold in the [SCN] key for
1/2 second twice to select “OFF” (the “Skipped” channel will, of course, still be acces-
sible via manual channel selection methods using the DIAL knob in the MR mode, whether
or not it is locked out of the scanning loop).

SCANNING
MEMORY SCANNING
Preferential Memory Scan
The FT-8900R also allows you to set up a “Preferential Scan List” of channels which you
can “flag” within the memory system. These channels are designated by a “W” icon when
you have selected them, one by one, for the Preferential Scan List.
When you initiate memory scanning, beginning on a channel with the “W” icon appended,
only those channels bearing the “W” icon will be scanned. If you initiate scanning on a
channel which does not have the “W” icon appended, you will scan all channels including
those with the “W” icon appended.
Here is the procedure for setting up and using the Preferential Scan List:
1. Press the [V/M] key momentarily to enter the Memory Recall mode, if you are not using
memories already.
2. Rotate the DIAL knob to select the channel which you wish to add to the Preferential
Scan List.
3. Press and hold the [SCN] key for 1/2 second, several times if necessary, so as to make
the “W” icon appear by the channel designator.
To initiate Preferential Memory Scan:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #35 (SCAN
SCAN M M).
to “MSM
MSM
MSM.”
5. Now, press the [SCN] key momentarily to initiate Preferential Memory Scanning. Only
the channels which have the “W” icon appended to the channel number will be scanned.
6. To cancel the Preferential Memory Scanning, select “MEM
MEM” in step 3 above.
MEM

SCANNING
PROGRAMMABLE (BAND LIMIT) MEMORY SCAN (PMS)
This feature allows you to set sub-band limits for either scanning or manual VFO operation.
For example, you might with to set up a limit (in North America) of 144.300 MHz to 148.000
MHz so as to prevent encroachment into the SSB/CW “Weak Signal” portion of the band
below 144.300 MHz. Here’s how to do this:
1. Set the radio to the VFO mode by pressing the [V/M] key, if necessary.
2. Using the techniques learned earlier, store 144.300 MHz into Memory Channel #L1 L1 (the
“L” designates the Lower sub-band limit).
3. Likewise, store 148.000 MHz into Memory Channel #U U1 (the “U” designates the Upper
sub-band limit).
4. Switch to the Memory mode by pressing the [V/M] key once, then rotate the DIAL knob
to select Memory Channel # L1 L1.
5. Press and hold in the [V/M] key for 1/2 second to start PMS operation; the “MT MT” label
MT
will be appears on the display. Tuning and canning will now be limited within the just-
programmed range.
6. Five pairs of Band Limit memories, labeled L1 U1 through L5
L1/U1 U5 are available. You
L5/U5
therefore can set upper and lower operation limits on a number of bands, if you like.

SCANNING
“PRIORITY CHANNEL” SCANNING (DUAL WATCH)
The FT-8900R’s scanning features include a two-channel scanning capability which allows
you to operate on a VFO, Memory channel, or Home channel, while periodically checking a
user-defined “Priority” Memory Channel for activity. If a station is received on the “Prior-
ity” Channel which is strong enough to open the Squelch, the scanner will pause on that
station in accordance with the Scan-Resume mode set via Set mode [Menu #34 (SCAN SCAN
SCAN)].
See page 37.
Here is the procedure for activating Priority Channel Dual Watch operation:
VFO Priority
1. Recall the memory channel you wish to use as the “priority” frequency.
2. Now set the FT-8900R for operation on a VFO frequency.
3. Press and hold in the [HM] key for 1/2 second to activate the VFO Priority mode. The
display will remain on the VFO frequency, but every five seconds the FT-8900R will
check the Priority Channel (memory channel) for activity.
4. Press the [V/M] key to disable the VFO Priority mode and exit to regular VFO operation.
Memory Priority
1. Store the frequency you wish to be the “Priority” Channel into memory channel “1.”
2. Now set the FT-8900R for operation on another memory channel.
3. Press and hold in the [HM] key for 1/2 second to activate the Memory Priority mode.
The display will remain on the current memory channel frequency, but every five sec-
onds the FT-8900R will check the Priority Channel (memory channel “1”) for activity.
4. Press the [V/M] key to disable the Memory Priority mode and exit to regular memory
operation.
HOME Priority
1. Recall the memory channel you wish to use as the “priority” frequency.
2. Now set the FT-8900R for operation on a HOME channel.
3. Press and hold in the [HM] key for 1/2 second to activate the HOME Priority mode. The
display will remain on the HOME channel frequency, but every five seconds the FT-
8900R will check the Priority Channel (memory channel) for activity.
4. Press the [V/M] key to disable the HOME Priority mode and exit to regular VFO opera-
tion.
You may operate individual Priority Channel Dual Watch features on both bands
at the same time, such as having the VFO Priority mode engaged on the “right”
band and the Memory Priority mode engaged on the “left” band.

SMART SEARCH
The Smart Search feature may be used to load - automatically with no operator intervention
- a special bank of up to 25 memory channels (per band) on activity.
The Smart Search function will sweep the entire band, and will load the special memory
bank with the frequency and repeater shift data pertaining to those channels on which activ-
ity is found (if Automatic Repeater Shift is activated). The channels are loaded in order in
which they are encountered, not according to signal strength or by ascending frequency.
The Smart Search feature is especially useful when visiting a city for the first time, where
you may be unfamiliar with the repeater frequencies; Smart Search discovers where the
local activity is to be found, and automatically loads those frequencies for you.
Smart Search operation is simple to activate:
1. Set the radio to the VFO mode by pressing the [V/M] key, if necessary.
2. Press and hold in the [V/M] key; this will cause the radio to scan upward on the current
band, loading channels on which it encounters a signal strong enough to open the squelch.
3. When 25 channels are loaded, or when the scanner reaches the band edge, the scanner
will stop and the transceiver will revert to the starting frequency.
4. To recall the Smart Search memories just stored, rotate the DIAL knob or press the
microphone’s [UP]/[DWN] keys (for the “Main” band Smart Search memories only).
5. If you found particular channels which you wish to store into the “regular” memory
channel, follow the memory storage procedures described on page 32.
1) The Smart Search memories are so-called “soft” memories; they will lost if you
exit the Smart Search mode or initiate a new Smart Search sweep.
2) You may activate the Smart Search operation on the “Main” band by press and hold
the microphone’s [P2] key.
3) You may activate the Smart Search operation on the “left” and “right” bands at the
same time.

ARTSTM: AUTO RANGE TRANSPONDER SYSTEM
The ARTS feature uses DCS signaling to inform both parties when you and another ARTS-
equipped station are within communications range. This may be particularly useful during
Search-and Rescue situations, where is important to stay in contact with other members of
your group.
Both stations must set up their DCS codes to the same code number, then activate their
ARTS feature using the command appropriate for their radio. Alert ringers may be activated,
if desired.
Whenever you push the PTT switch, or every 25 seconds after ARTS is activated, your radio
will transmit a signal which includes a (subaudible) DCS signal for about one second. If the
other radio is in range, the beeper will sound (if enabled) and the display will show “IN.RNG
IN.RNG
IN.RNG”
as opposed to the out of range display “OUT.RNG
OUT.RNG” in which ARTS operation begins.
OUT.RNG
Whether you talk or not, the polling every 25 seconds will continue until you de-activate
ARTS. Every 10 minutes, moreover, you can have your radio transmit your callsign via CW,
so as to comply with identification requirements. When ARTS is de-activated, DCS will also
be deactivated (if you were not using it previously in non-ARTS operation).
If you move out of range for more than one minute (four pollings), your radio will sense that
no signal has been received, three beeps will sound, and the display will revert to “OUT.RNG
OUT.RNG
OUT.RNG.”
If you move back into range, your radio will again beep, and the display will change back to
the “IN.RNG
IN.RNG” indication.
IN.RNG
During ARTS operation, it is not possible to change the operating frequency or other set-
tings on the “Main” band; you must terminate ARTS in order to resume normal operation.
This is a safety feature designed to prevent accidental loss of contact due to channel change,
etc. Here is how to activate ARTS:
Basic ARTS Setup and Operation
1. Set your radio and the other radio(s) to the same DCS code number, per the discussion
on page 30.
3. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #3 (ARTS ARTS
ARTS).
to select the desired ARTS beep option. The available options are:
IN.RNG: The beeps are issued only when the radio first confirms that you are within
IN.RNG
range, but does not re-confirm with beeps thereafter.
OUT.RNG: Every time a polling transmission is received from the other station, the alert
OUT.RNG
beeps will be heard.
5. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily. You will observe the “OUT.RNG OUT.RNG” dis-
OUT.RNG
play on the LCD. ARTS operation has now commenced.
6. Every 25 seconds, your radio will transmit a “polling” call to the other station. When that

ARTSTM: AUTO RANGE TRANSPONDER SYSTEM
station responds with its own ARTS polling signal, the display will change to “IN.RNG
IN.RNG
IN.RNG”
to confirm that the other station’s polling code was received in response to yours.
7. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to exit ARTS operation and resume
normal functioning of the transceiver.
CW Identifier Setup
The ARTS feature includes a CW identifier, as discussed previously. Every ten minutes
during ARTS operation, the radio can be instructed to send “DE (your callsign) K” if this
feature is enabled. The callsign field may contain up to 6 characters.
Here’s how to program the CW Identifier:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #8 (CWID CWID W W).
3. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily.
4. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily again to enable entry of your callsign.
5. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob one click clockwise to begin entry of the letters and
numbers in your callsign.
6. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to set the first letter or number in your
callsign.
7. When the correct character has been selected, Press the “Main” band DIAL knob mo-
mentarily to move on to the next character.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 as many times as necessary to complete your callsign.
9. Press the “Main” [SCN] key to delete all data after the cursor that may have been previ-
ously stored (erroneously).
10. When you have entered your entire callsign, press the “Main” band DIAL knob momen-
tarily to confirm the callsign.
11. Press the [SET] key momentarily, then rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob one click
counter-clockwise to select the Menu #7 (CWID
CWID
CWID).
to select “TX ON” (to enable the CW identifier).
TX ON
13. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to save the setting and exit to normal
operation.

DTMF AUTODIALER OPERATION
16 DTMF Autodialer memories are available on the FT-8900R. These DTMF Autodialer
memories can store up to 16 digits of a telephone number for, repeater autopatch or other
uses.
To load DTMF Autodialer memories, use following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #15 (DTMF DTMF W W).
to select the DTMF Autodialer memory channel number (“d-1 d-1” through “d-16
d-1 d-16”) into
d-16
which you wish store a telephone number.
to select the first digit of the telephone number you wish to store.
5. When you have selected the correct digit, press the “Main” band DIAL knob momen-
tarily. Now, rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select the second of the 16 available
numbers in this current DTMF Audodialer memory register.
6. Repeat this procedure for each digit in the telephone number. Press the “Main” band
[SET] key momentarily to delete any previously-stored data after the cursor. If you
make a mistake, press the microphone’s [DWN] key to move back to the first digit, then
re-enter the correct number.
7. When entry of all digits is complete, press the [SET] key momentarily to save the new
setting.
8. If you wish to store another DTMF string, rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select
another DTMF memory register, then repeat steps 4 through 7 above.
9. When all required DTMF memories are filled to your satisfaction, press and hold in the
“Main” band DIAL knob for 1/2 second to exit to normal operation.
To transmit the memorized telephone number, use the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #15 (DTMFDTMF WW).
to select the DTMF Autodialer memory channel to be transmitted.
4. Press and hold in the “Main” band DIAL knob for 1/2 second to exit to normal operation.
5. Press the PTT switch.
6. While still holding the PTT switch in, press the “Main” band [HM] key momentarily to
transmit the tone string.
Once you have pressed the [HM] key in the above step, you can release the PTT switch, as
the Autodialer will transmit the whole DTMF string automatically.

DTMF AUTODIALER OPERATION
To speed at which the DTMF digits are sent can be changed. Three speed levels are avail-
able: 50 ms (High: 20 digits per second), 75 ms (Mid: 13 digits per second), and 100 ms
(Low: 10 digits per second).
To select the speed, use the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #14 (DTMF
DTMF S S).
to select the desired speed.
You can also set a longer delay between the time you press the [SCN] key (with PTT switch
pressed) and the first DTMF digit is sent.
To set a delay time, use the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #13 (DTMF
DTMF D D).
to select the desired time (50
50 250
50/250 450
250/450 750
450/750 1000 ms).
750/1000

INTERNET CONNECTION FEATURE
The FT-8900R can be used to access the repeater which is configured to provide access to
the Vertex Standard WIRESTM (Wide-Coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System).
1. Press the “left” VOL knob momentarily to activate the WIRES™ access capability. The
“INT ON” will appear for 2 seconds at the “Main” band frequency display. The “int
INT ON int
int”
icon will appear in the memory channel field on the “Sub” band while WIRES access TM
is enabled.
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob, while pressing and holding in the “left” VOL knob,
to select the access number (ICODE
ICODE “0 0” ~ “9
9,” “A
A,” “BB,” “C
C,” “D
D,” “E
E ( ),” or “F F (#)”)
corresponding to the WIRES repeater to which you wish to establish an Internet link
TM
(ask your repeater owner/operator if you don’t know the access numbers in the network).
3. With the WIRES™ capability activated (as in step 1 above), the FT-8900R will gener-
ate a brief (0.1 second) DTMF tone according to your selection in step 2. This DTMF
tone is sent at the beginning of every transmission to establish or maintain the link to the
remote WIRESTM repeater.
4. To disable the WIRESTM access capability, press the “left” VOL knob again.
You may access other Internet Link Systems that use a DTMF string for access.
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #15 (DTMF DTMF W W).
3. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily, then load the DTMF tones which you
wish to use to establish an Internet link (ask your repeater owner/operator if you don’t
know the access numbers in the network) into the desired DTMF Memory channel.
1) Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select the DTMF Autodialer memory channel
number (“d-1
d-1” through “d-16
d-1 d-16
d-16”).
2) Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily.
3) Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select the DTMF code, then press the “Main”
band DIAL knob momentarily to move the digit.
4) Repeat step 3) above.
5) Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to save the new setting.
4. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #17 (INET INET
INET).
to set this Item to “INT.MEM
INT.MEM” (to enable the alternative Internet Link, and disable the
INT.MEM
WIRES™ access option).
7. Press the “left” VOL knob momentarily to activate the Internet Link System. The “INTINT
ON” display will appear for 2 seconds in the “Main” band frequency field. The “int
ON int
int”
icon will then appear in the memory channel field on the “Sub” band while the Internet
Link System access feature is engaged.

INTERNET CONNECTION FEATURE
8. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob, while pressing and holding in the “left” VOL knob,
to select the DTMF access number (“IMEM
IMEM 1 1” ~ “IMEM16
IMEM16”) corresponding to the Internet
IMEM16
link repeater to which you wish to establish an Internet link.
9. With the Internet link feature activated (as in step 7 above), press the “left” VOL knob or
microphone’s [P2] key to send out the DTMF tones according to your selection in step
9 (to establish the link to the Internet link repeater).
10. To disable the Internet link feature, press the “left” VOL knob again.
To return to WIRESTM, recall Menu #17 (INET) then set it to “INT. COD.”

MISCELLANEOUS SETTINGS
TIME-OUT TIMER
The “Time-Out Timer” (TOT) feature is designed to force the transceiver into the “receive”
mode after a preset time period of continuous transmission (the default is 6 minutes). This
feature prevents your transceiver from transmitting a “dead carrier” for a long period of time
in the event that the microphone PTT switch is accidentally locked in the “TX” condition.
The Time-Out Timer’s “switch-to-receive” time may be adjusted, in one minute increments,
for any period between 1 and 30 minutes.
To change the default (6 minute) time setting, use the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #41 (TOT TOT
TOT).
to select the desired interval (between 1 and 30 minutes), or OFF.
AUTOMATIC POWER-OFF
The “Automatic Power-Off” (APO) feature will turn the radio completely off after a user-
defined period of PTT switch or key/button inactivity. If you do not press any front panel
keys or buttons, rotate the DIAL knobs or use the microphone’s keys and buttons, or trans-
mit, and so long as the transceiver is not scanning or engaged in priority monitoring, the
radio will shut itself off after the specified time period. This feature is useful in minimizing
battery drain in a mobile installation if you forget to turn the transceiver off when you leave
your vehicle.
To activate the APO feature, use the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #1 (APO APO
APO).
to set the desired “switch-off” time (between 1 and 12 hours in 0.5 hours increments), or
OFF.

PROGRAMMING THE KEY ASSIGNMENTS
Default FT-8900R key functions have been assigned to Microphone’s [P1]/[P2]/[P3]/[P4]
buttons (MH-48A6J, [ACC]/[P]/[P1]/[P2] buttons: MH-42B6JS) at the factory. These may
be changed by the user, if you wish to utilize another function on one of these keys.
To program the function assigned to a key:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select the Menu Item to be configured (“#28 PG
P1,” “#29 PG P2
P1 P2,” “#30 PG P3
P3,” or “#31 PG P4 P4”).
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 “Main” band DIAL knob to
select another programmable button to modify, if desired, and repeat the above steps.
Function Press the button Press and hold the button

SCAN Activate the Scanner on the “Main” band. When the “Main” band is set to the Memory
mode, press and hold in this button for 1/2 sec-
ond to set up the Scan Skip List or Preferential
Scan List.
SQL.OFF Opens the Squelch on the “Main” band to Opens the Squelch on the “Main” band to al-
allow un-muted reception. low un-muted reception.
TCALL Activates 1750 Hz Tone Burst. Activates 1750 Hz Tone Burst.
RPTR Selects Repeater Shift direction on the —
“Main” band.
PRI Activates the Priority feature on the “Main” —
band.
LOW Selects the transmit power output level on the When the “Main” band is set to the Memory
“Main” band. mode or Home Channel, press and hold in this
button for 1/2 second to switch the memory
channel display between the “Frequency” for-
mat and “Alpha-numeric Tag” format.
TONE Activates the CTCSS or DCS operation on —
the “Main” band.
MHz Allows tuning in 1-MHz step on the “Main” Allows tuning in 10-MHz step on the “Main”
band VFO. band VFO.
REV Reverses the transmit and receive frequencies Press this button momentarily to selects Re-
during split-frequency operation. peater Shift direction on the “Main” band.
HOME Switches operation to the “Home” channel Activate the Priority Scanning.
on the “Main” band.
BAND Toggles the “Main” band of operation Switches operating band on the “Main” band.
between the “Left” band and “right” band.
VFO MR
VFO/MR Switches frequency control between the VFO Activate the Smart Search Feature when the
and Memory modes on the “Main” band. “Main” band is set to the VFO mode.
Shift to the “Memory Tuning” feature when
the “Main” band is set to the Memory mode.

FM BANDWIDTH & MIC GAIN CONTROL
You can reduce the microphone input level and receiver bandwidth when operating on
tightly-clustered frequencies (channel spacing of 12.5 or 15 kHz). This will reduce the trans-
mitter and receiver deviation, thus minimizing interference to other users (and improving
reception, as well).
To configure for the narrower bandwidth, use the following procedure:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #43 (WID.NAR
WID.NAR
WID.NAR).
to change the display to “NARROW
NARROW
NARROW.”
to normal operation.
To restore the normal (higher) microphone input level and normal (15 kHz) receiver band-
width, select “WIDE
WIDE” in step 3 above.
WIDE
This feature is ignored on the “right” band and 29 MHz band on the “Left” band.

DCS CODE INVERSION
The DCS system was first introduced in the commercial LMR (Land Mobile Radio) service,
where it is now in widespread use. DCS is sometime referred to by its different proprietary
names, such as DPL® (Digital Private Line®, a registered trademark of Motorola, Inc.).
DCS uses a codeword consisting of a 23-bit frame, transmitted (subaudible) at a data rate of
134.4 bps (bit/sec). Occasionally, signal inversion can result in the complement of a code to
be sent or received. This prevent receiver squelch from opening with DCS enabled, as the
decoded bit sequence would not match that selected for operation. Typical situations that
might cause inversion to occur are:
Connection of an external receiver preamplifier.
Operating through a repeater.
Connection of an external linear amplifier.
Note that code inversion does not mean that any of the above listed equipment is detective!
In certain amplifier configurations, the output signal (phase) is inverted from the input.
Small signal or power amplifiers having an odd number (1, 3, 5, etc.) of amplification stages
may result in inversion of a transmitted or received DCS code.
While under most circumstances this should not occur (amplifier designs and industry stan-
dards take this into account), if you find that your receiver squelch does not open when both
you and the other station are using a common DCS code, you or the other station (but not
both) can try the following:
2. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #11 (DCS.N
DCS.N
DCS.N/R R).
to select the following mode.
TRX N N: Encoder; Normal, Decoder; Normal
RX RR: Encoder; Normal, Decoder; Reverse (Inverted)
TX RR: Encoder; Reverse (Inverted), Decoder; Normal
TRX R R: Encoder; Reverse (Inverted), Decoder; Reverse (Inverted)
Remember to restore the default setting to “TRX N” (Encoder; Normal, Decoder; Normal)
TRX N
when done.

CROSS BAND REPEATER OPERATION
The FT-8900R can be set up to operate as a full-featured cross-band repeater via a simple
Menu procedure. This feature is useful for emergency portable work in a remote area, and
for cross-band linking.
However, remember these points before using the cross-band repeater function:
Check the amateur radio rules and regulations for your country to ensure that this type of
operation is permitted.
Pick your frequency pair carefully, so as not to cause harmful interference to other users.
The use of cross-band repeaters has the potential to cause serious disruption of commu-
nications circuits, and the creation of harmful interference to coordinated repeaters is
inconsiderate and may be illegal! If you are not sure of active repeater frequencies in
your area, a safe rule is to stay off of the repeater sub-bands and use the FM simplex
portion of each band. Contact your area’s frequency coordinator for guidance.
Remember that the transmit duty cycle will be much higher during repeater service, so
we recommend that the transmit power level be set to a Low setting, to ensure cooler
operation.
Transceiver CTCSS settings (Encode/Decode) may, of course, be selected for each band,
allowing selective calling for your repeater. However, keep in mind that if the channels you
use are so busy as to motivate you toward CTCSS Decoding, you may not have chosen a
good frequency pair on which to operate, as the potential for interference to other users is
high.
Here is the procedure for setting up cross-band repeat operation:
1. Before enabling cross-band repeater operation, configure both band settings as desired,
and set the squelch such that background noise is silenced.
3. Rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to select Menu #44 (X-RPTX-RPT
X-RPT).
4. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily, “XSTART
XSTART” will appear on the display.
XSTART
5. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob again to activate the cross-band repeater mode.
6. To exit the cross-band repeater mode, Press the [SET] key again.

RESET PROCEDURE
1. Turn the radio off.
2. Press and hold in the “left” [V/M] key while turning the radio on.
3. Rotate the “right” DIAL knob to select the resetting menu:
RESET: Resets the Set (Menu) mode settings to their factory defaults.
SETMOD RESET
RESET: Clears the Hyper Memory settings to factory defaults.
HYPER RESET
RESET: Clears the Regular Memory settings to factory defaults.
MEMORY RESET
ALL RESET
RESET: Clears all memories and other settings to factory defaults.
4. Press the [SET] key momentarily to complete the reset procedure, once you have made
your selection in step 3.

CLONING
You can transfer all data stored in one FT-8900R to another FT-8900R by utilizing the
handy “Cloning” feature. This requires a user-constructed Cloning cable which connects the
DATA jacks on the two transceivers, as shown below.
To clone from one transceiver to another, use the following procedure:
1. Insert the Cloning Cable into the DATA jack of each transceiver.
2. Turn both transceivers off, then press and hold in the “left” [V/M] key on each radio
while turning the power on again.
3. Rotate the “right” DIAL knob on each radio to select (CLONE START), then press the
CLONE START
[SET] key. The display will disappear for a moment, then the “CLONE
CLONE” notation will
CLONE
appear on the display.
4. On the “destination” radio, press the “left” [LOW] key. The “CLONE -RX-” indicator
CLONE -RX-
will appear on the display.
5. Now, on the “source” radio, press the “left” [V/M] key. The “CLONE -TX-” indicator will
CLONE -TX-
appear on the display, and the cloning data transfer will immediately begin.
6. If there is a problem during the cloning process, “CLONE ERROR” will be displayed.
CLONE ERROR
Check your cable connections, and try again.
7. If cloning was successful, the “CLONE -RX-” and “CLONE
CLONE -RX- -TX-” indicators will disap-
CLONE -TX-
pear.
8. Turn both transceivers off, then remove the Cloning Cable. Channel and operating data
for both radios are now identical. They both may be turned on now for normal operation.
ANT ANT
13.8VDC 13.8VDC
EXT SP EXT SP
DATA DATA
PKS
GND

NOTE

MENU (“SET”) MODE
The FT-8900R Set (Menu) mode, already described in parts of many previous chapters, is
easy to activate and set. It may be used for configuration of a wide variety of transceiver
parameters, some of which have not been detailed previously. Use the following procedure
to activate the Set (Menu) mode:
2. Turn the “Main” band DIAL knob to select the Menu Item to be adjusted.
3. Press the “Main” band DIAL knob momentarily to enable adjustment of the selected
Menu item, then rotate the “Main” band DIAL knob to perform the actual adjustment.
4. After completing your selection and adjustment, press and hold in the “Main” band
DIAL knob for 1/2 second to exit the Set mode and exit to normal operation.
1) The “h” character which is in front of the menu number denotes “Enable to
provide the individual values for each Hyper Memory Channel.”
2) The “b” character which is in front of the menu number denotes “Enable to provide
the individual values for each Operating Band and Mode (VFO, Memory Channel, and
Home Channel).”

Item # Menu Item Function Available Values Default
1 APO Selects the Automatic Power Off time (time before power OFF/ 0.5H - 12H OFF
goes off).
2 ARS Activates/deactivates the Automatic Repeater Shift feature. ON/OFF 1
3 ARTS Selects the ARTS beep mode. IN RNG/ OUTRNG —
4 BAND Enables/disables the VFO Band edge for the current band. BND ON/ BNDOFF BND OFF
5 BEEP Enables/disables the beeper BEP.ON/BEP.OFF BEP.ON
6 CLK.SFT Shifting of CPU clock frequency. SFT.ON/SFT.OFF SFT.OFF
7 CWID Enables/disables the CW identifier during ARTS operation. TX ON/TX OFF TX OFF
8 CWID W Stores your callsign into the CW identifier. Up to six char- — —
acters may be stored.
9 DIMMER Setting of the Display brightness level. DIM 1/DIM 2/ DIM 3/OFF DIM 1
10 DCS.COD Setting the DCS code. 104 standard DCS Code 023
11 DCS.N/R Selects “Normal” or “inverted” DCS coding. TRX N/RX R/TX R/ TRX R TRX N
12 DSP.SUB Selects the Sub Band display format. FREQ/ CWID/DC-IN/ OFF FREQ
13 DTMF D Setting of the DTMF Autodialer Delay Time. 50MS/ 250MS/ 450MS/ 450MS
750MS/ 1000MS
14 DTMF S Setting of the DTMF Autodialer Sending Speed. 50MS/75MS/ 100MS 50MS
15 DTMF W Loading of the DTMF Autodialer Memories. — —
16 HYPER Enables/disables the Automatic Writing feature for the MANUAL / AUTO MANUAL
Hyper Memory.
17 INET Selects the Internet Connection mode. INT.COD/ INT.MEM INT.COD
18 INET C Selects the Access Number (DTMF digit) for WIRES™ op- CODE 0 - 9/A/B/C/D/E/F CODE 1
eration.
19 INET M Selects the Access Number (DTMF code) for non-WIRES™ d-1 - d-16 d-1
Internet Link System access.
20 KEY.MOD Selects the key functions for the “right” band function KEY1 /KEY2 KEY1
switches.
21 LOCK Enables/disables the Key/Button Lock feature. ON/OFF OFF
22 LOCKT Enables/disables the PTT Lock feature. OFF/ BAND R/ OFF
BAND L / BOTH
23 MIC Selects the microphone type to be used. MH-48/MH-42 2
24 MUTE Selects the Audio Mute mode. OFF/ TX/RX/ (TX/RX) OFF
25 NAME Stores an Alpha-Numeric “Tag” for a memory channel. — —
26 PCKT S Sets the transceiver’s circuitry for the Packet baud rate to 1200BPS/ 9600BPS 1200BPS
be used.
27 PCKT B Sets the receiving band for Packet operation. MAIN/ R-FIX/L-FIX MAIN
28 PG P1 Programming the microphone’s [P1]/[ACC] button assign- BAND
ment. SCAN/SQL.OFF/
29 PG P2 Programming the microphone’s [P2]/[P] button assignment. TCALL / RPTR/ PRI/ VFO/MR
30 PG P3 Programming the microphone’s [P3]/[P1] button assign- LOW/ TONE / TONE
ment. MHz/REV/ HOME/
31 PG P4 [ ] [ ]
Programming the microphone’s P4 / P2 button assign- BAND/ (VFO/MR) LOW
ment.
32 RF SQL Adjustd the RF SQL threshold level. OFF/ S-2/ S-5 /S-9/ S-FULL OFF
33 RPT.MOD Sets the Repeater Shift Direction RPT.OFF / RPT.–/RPT.+ RPT.OFF
34 SCAN Selects the Scan-Resume mode. TIME /BUSY TIME
35 SCAN M Selects the Memory Scan mode MEM/MSM MEM
36 SHIFT Sets the magnitude of the Repeater Shift. 0.00 - 99.50 MHz 1
37 STEP Sets the Synthesizer steps. 5.0k/10.0k/12.5k/ 1
20.0k/25.0k/ 50.0k
38 SPCONT Defines the audio path to the external speaker (when used). EXT/OFF/ INT.EXT/INT EXT
39 TONE F Sets the CTCSS Tone Frequency. 50 Standard CTCSS Tones 100 Hz
40 TONE M Selects the Tone Encoder and/or Decoder mode. OFF / ENC/ ENC.DEC/ DCS OFF
41 TOT Sets the Time-Out Timer. 1 - 30 minutes/ OFF 6 minute
42 VFO.TR Enables/disables the VFO Tracking feature. ON/OFF OFF
43 WID.NAR Reducing the MIC Gain (and Deviation). WIDE / NARROW 1
44 X-RPT Switches the Cross-Band Repeater feature on and off. — —
45 AM Enables/disables the AM mode. ON/OFF OFF
46 AUT.AM Selects the receiving mode. AUTO/ OFF AUTO

Menu #1 [APO]
Function: Selects the Automatic Power Off time (time before power goes off).
Available Values: OFF/0.5 H – 12.0 H in 0.5 hour multiples.
Default: OFF (Disables the APO feature)
Menu #2 [ARS]
Function: Activates/deactivates the Automatic Repeater Shift feature.
Available Values: ON/OFF
Default: Depends on the band of operation.
Menu #3 [ARTS]
Function: Selects the ARTS beep mode.
Available Values: IN RNG/OUTRNG
IN RNG: Activates the ARTS feature; a high tone beep will sound when the transceiver
first detects that you are within range, and a low beep will sound when the other
station goes out of range.
OUTRNG:Activates the ARTS feature; a high tone beep will sound every time a polling
transmission is received from the other station, and a low beep will sound once
when the other station goes out of range.
Menu #4 [BAND]
Function: Enables/disables the VFO Band edge for the current band.
Available Values: BND ON/BND.OFF
Default: BND ON
BND ON: When the VFO frequency reaches the high band edge of the current band, the
VFO frequency will jump to the low band edge of the current band (or vice
versa).
BND.OFF: When the VFO frequency reaches the high edge of the current band, the VFO
frequency will jump to the low band edge of the next band (or vice versa).
Menu #5 [BEEP]
Function: Enables/disables the beeper
Available Values: BEP. ON/BEP.OFF
Default: BEP. ON
Menu #6 [CLK.SFT]
Function: Shifting of CPU clock frequency.
Available Values: SFT. ON/SFT.OFF
Default: SFT.OFF
This function is only used to move a spurious response “birdie,” should it fall on a desired
frequency.

Menu #7 [CWID]
Function: Enables/disables the CW identifier during ARTS operation.
Available Values: TX ON/TX OFF
Default: TX OFF
Menu #8 [CWID W]
Function: Stores your callsign into the CW identifier. Up to six characters may be stored.
Menu #9 [DIMMER]
Function: Setting of the Display brightness level.
Available Values: DIM 1/DIM 2/DIM 3/OFF
Default: DIM 1
Menu #10 [DCS.COD] DCS CODE
Function: Setting the DCS code. 023 025 026 031 032 036 043 047 051 053
Available Values: 104 Standard DCS codes. 054 065 071 072 073 074 114 115 116 122
Default: 023 125 131 132 134 143 145 152 155 156 162
165 172 174 205 212 223 225 226 243 244
Menu #11 [DCS.N/R] 245 246 251 252 255 261 263 265 266 271
Function: Selects “Normal” or “inverted” DCS 274 306 311 315 325 331 332 343 346 351
coding. 356 364 365 371 411 412 413 423 431 432
445 446 452 454 455 462 464 465 466 503
Available Values: TRX N/RX R/TX R/TRX R
506 516 523 526 532 546 565 606 612 624
Default: TRX N 627 631 632 654 662 664 703 712 723 731
732 734 743 754 – – – – – –
Menu #12 [DSP.SUB]
Function: Selects the Sub Band display format.
Available Values: FREQ/CWID/DC-IN/OFF
Default: FREQ
FREQ: Displays the “Sub” band frequency (Dual band operation).
CWID: Displays the CW ID.
DC-IN: Displays the DC supply voltage.
OFF: No Display.
Note: When this Menu Item is set to any selection other than the “FREQ” the “Sub” band
receiver will be disabled.
Menu #13 [DTMF D]
Function: Setting of the DTMF Autodialer Delay Time.
Available Values: 50MS/250MS/450MS/750MS/1000MS
Default: 450MS

Menu #14 [DTMF S]
Function: Setting of the DTMF Autodialer Sending Speed.
Available Values: 50MS (high speed)/75MS (mid speed)/100MS (low speed) (ms)
Default: 50MS
Menu #15 [DTMF W]
Function: Loading of the DTMF Autodialer Memories. See page 46 for details.
Menu #16 [HYPER]
Function: Enables/disables the Automatic Writing feature for the Hyper Memory.
Available Values: MANUL/AUTO
Default: MANUAL
MANUL:Disables the Automatic Writing feature.
AUTO: Enables the Automatic Writing feature. The Hyper memory data changes auto-
matically when the radio’s configuration is changed (such as Mode change, Band
Change, etc.).
Menu #17 [INET]
Function: Selects the Internet Connection mode.
Available Values: INT.COD/INT.MEM
Default: INT.COD
INT.COD: Sets up the Internet Connection mode for WIRESTM access.
INT.MEM: Sets up the Internet Connection mode for other (DTMF string) Internet Link
System access.
Menu #18 [INET C]
Function: Selects the Access Number (DTMF digit) for WIRES™ operation.
Available Values:
CODE 0 ~ CODE 9, CODE A, CODE B, CODE C, CODE D, CODE E(#), CODE F(*)
Default: CODE 1
Menu #19 [INET M]
Function: Selects the Access Number (DTMF code) for non-WIRES™ Internet Link Sys-
tem access. See page 48 for more details.
Available Values: d-1 ~ d-16
Default: d-1
Menu #20 [KEY.MOD]
Function: Selects the key functions for the “right” band function switches.
Available Values: KEY1/KEY2
Default: KEY1

Menu #21 [LOCK]
Function: Enables/disables the Key/Button Lock feature.
Default: OFF
Menu #22 [LOCKT]
Function: Enables/disables the PTT Lock feature.
Available Values: OFF/BAND R/BAND L/BOTH
Default: OFF
OFF: Enables the PTT switch.
BAND R: Disables the PTT switch on the “right” band.
BAND L: Disables the PTT switch on the “left” band.
BOTH: Disables the PTT switch on the “both” band.
Menu #23 [MIC]
Function: Selects the microphone type to be used.
Available Values: MH-48/MH-42
Default: Depends on transceiver version.
Menu #24 [MUTE]
Function: Selects the Audio Mute mode.
Available Values: OFF/TX/RX and TX/RX
Default: OFF
OFF: Disables the Audio Mute feature.
TX: Reduces the audio level of the “Sub” band whenever you transmit on the “Main”
band.
RX: Reduces the audio level of the “Sub” band whenever you receive a signal on the
“Main” band.
TX/RX: Reduces the audio level of the “Sub” band whenever you receive a signal on the
“Main” band or you transmit on the “Main” band.
Menu #25 [NAME]
Function: Stores an Alpha-Numeric “Tag” for a memory channel. See page 33 for details.
Menu #26 [PCKT S]
Function: Sets the transceiver’s circuitry for the Packet baud rate to be used.
Available Values: 1200bps/9600bps
Default: 1200bps

Menu #27 [PCKT B]
Function: Sets the receivng band for Packet operation.
Available Values: MAIN/R-FIX/L-FIX
Default: MAIN
MAIN: Packet can be received on the “Main” band.
R-FIX: Packet can be received on the “right” band only.
L-FIX: Packet can be received on the “left” band only.
Note: The Packet transmitting band is fixed on the “Main” band.
Menu #28 [PG P1]
Function: Programming the microphone’s [P1]/[ACC] button assignment. See page 51 for
details.
Menu #29 [PG P2]
Function: Programming the microphone’s [P2]/[P] button assignment. See page 51 for
details.
Menu #30 [PG P3]
Function: Programming the microphone’s [P3]/[P1] button assignment. See page 51 for
details.
Menu #31 [PG P4]
Function: Programming the microphone’s [P4]/[P2] button assignment. See page 51 for
details.
Menu #32 [RF SQL]
Function: Adjustd the RF SQL threshold level.
Available Values: OFF/S-2/S-5/S-9/S-FULL
Default: OFF
Note: This Menu Item can be set independently on both the “left” and “right” bands.
Menu #33 [RPT.MOD]
Function: Sets the Repeater Shift Direction
Available Values: RPT.OFF/RPT. –/RPT. +
Default: RPT.OFF (SIMP)
Note: This Menu Item can be set independently on both the “left” and “right” bands.

Menu #34 [SCAN]
Function: Selects the Scan-Resume mode.
Available Values: TIME/BUSY
Default: BUSY
TIME: The scanner will halt on a signal it encounters, and will hold five seconds. If you do
not take action to disable the scanner within five seconds, the scanner will resume
even if the stations are still active.
BUSY: The scanner will halt on a signal it encounters. Two seconds after the carrier has
dropped because the other station(s) ceased transmission, the scanner will resume.
Note: This Menu Item can be set independently for each band.
Menu #35 [SCAN M]
Function: Selects the Memory Scan mode
Available Values: MEM/MSM
Default: MEM
MEM: Enables Memory Scanning on all memory channels (except the memory channel skip
memory).
MSM: Enables Memory Scanning on Preferential Memory Channels only.
Menu #36 [SHIFT]
Function: Sets the magnitude of the Repeater Shift.
Available Values: 0.00 - 99.95 MHz (50 kHz step)
Menu #37 [STEP]
Function: Sets the Synthesizer steps.
Available Values: 5.0 k/10.0 k/12.5 k/15.0 k/20.0 k/25.0 k/50.0 k
Menu #38 [SPCONT]
Function: Defines the audio path to the external speaker (when used).
Available Values: EXT/OFF/ INT.EXT/INT
Default: EXT
EXT: The audio is routed to external speaker (internal speaker is off).
OFF: The audio is not routed (internal and external speakers are both off).
INT.EXT: The audio is routed to both the internal and external speakers.
INT: The audio is routed to the internal speaker only (external speaker is off).

Menu #39 [TONE F] CTCSS TONE FREQUENCY (Hz)
Function: Sets the CTCSS Tone Frequency. 67.0 69.3 71.9 74.4 77.0 79.7
Available Values: 50 Standard CTCSS Tones 82.5 85.4 88.5 91.5 94.8 97.4
Default: 100 Hz 100.0 103.5 107.2 110.9 114.8 118.8

123.0 127.3 131.8 136.5 141.3 146.2
Note: This Menu Item can be set independently
151.4 156.7 159.8 162.2 165.5 167.9
for each band and, independently in each 171.3 173.8 177.3 179.9 183.5 186.2
memory. 189.9 192.8 196.6 199.5 203.5 206.5
210.7 218.1 225.7 229.1 233.6 241.8
Menu #40 [TONE M]
250.3 254.1 – – – –
Function: Selects the Tone Encoder and/or
Decoder mode.
Available Values: OFF/ENC/ENC.DEC/DCS
Default: OFF
ENC: CTCSS Encoder
ENC.DEC: CTCSS Encoder/Decoder
DCS: Digital Code Squelch Encoder/Decoder
Menu #41 [TOT]
Function: Sets the Time-Out Timer.
Available Values: 1 - 30 minutes or OFF
Default: 6 minutes
Menu #42 [VFO.TR]
Function: Enables/disables the VFO Tracking feature.
Default: OFF
Menu #43 [WID.NAR]
Function: Reducing the MIC Gain (and Deviation).
Available Values: WIDE/NARROW
The 29 MHz band is fixed (NARROW).
Menu #44 [X-RPT]
Function: Switches the Cross-Band Repeater feature on and off.
Perform this Menu function to switch the Cross-Band Repeater feature on and off. See page
54 for details.
Menu #45 [AM]
Function: Enables/disables the AM mode.
Default: OFF

Menu #46 [AUT. AM]
Function: Selects the receiving mode.
Available Values: AUTO/OFF
Default: AUTO (AM in Aeronautical Band, FM elsewhere)

NOTE

1. Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by VERTEX
STANDARD could void the user’s authorization to operate this device.
2. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions; (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
3. The scanning receiver in this equipment is incapable of tuning, or readily
being altered, by the User to operate within the frequency bands allocated
to the Domestic public Cellular Telecommunications Service in Part 22.
Part 15.21: Changes or modifications to this device not expressly approved by

Vertex Standard could void the user’s authorization to operate this device.
DECLARATION BY MANUFACTURER
The Scanner receiver is not a digital scanner and is incapable of being converted
or modified to a digital scanner receiver by any user.
WARNING: MODIFICATION OF THIS DEVICE TO RECEIVE CELLULAR

RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICE SIGNALS IS PROHIBITED UNDER FCC RULES
AND FEDERAL LAW.
Copyright 2009
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD.
All rights reserved
No portion of this manual
may be reproduced without
the permission of
VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD. E H 0 0 8 M 1 0 1
Printed in Japan.

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QUAD BAND FM TRANSCEIVER

VERTEX STANDARD CO., LTD.

LOW V/M HM V/M HM SCN

The FT-8900R is a ruggedly-built, high quality Quad Band FM transceiver providing 50

FT-8900R Operating Manual 1

2 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Operating Manual 3

4 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Operating Manual 5

6 FT-8900R Operating Manual

In outdoor installations, be certain to weatherproof all connectors thoroughly, as water en-

FT-8900R Operating Manual 7

8 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Cabin Engine Room

DATA Jack Pin Out

10 FT-8900R Operating Manual

9600bps Packet Setup

1200bps Packet Setup

FT-8900R Operating Manual 11

2 LOW V/M HM SCN LOW V/M HM SCN

1 “Left” DIAL knob

2 “Left” VOL SQL Knob

3 Hyper Memory Buttons ([1] ~ [6])

12 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Operating Manual 13

14 FT-8900R Operating Manual

7 VOL SQL Knob (Right)

8 DIAL knob (Right)

FT-8900R Operating Manual 15

“Left” Band S- & PO Meter “Right” Band S- & PO Meter

16 FT-8900R Operating Manual

4 13.8V DC Cable Pigtails w/Fuse

FT-8900R Operating Manual 17

FT-8900R Operating Manual 19

TURNING THE TRANSCEIVER ON AND OFF

When you turn on the FT-8900R, the current DC sup- 5

ply voltage is indicated on the LCD for 2 seconds. KEY2 6

indication of the operating frequency.

ADJUSTING THE AUDIO VOLUME LEVEL

ADJUSTING THE SQUELCH SETTING

SELECTING THE OPERATING BAND

20 FT-8900R Operating Manual

VHF-VHF (V-V) Operation UHF-UHF (U-U) Operation

FT-8900R Operating Manual 21

2) Direct Keypad Frequency Entry (MH-48A6J Microphone)

22 FT-8900R Operating Manual

CHANNEL STEP SELECTION

24 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Operating Manual 25

26 FT-8900R Operating Manual

AUTOMATIC REPEATER SHIFT (ARS)

433.00 433.40 434.60 435.00

FT-8900R Operating Manual 27

28 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Operating Manual 29

30 FT-8900R Operating Manual

FT-8900R Operating Manual 31