A Beginner's Guide To The Yaesu FT-60R/E Handy-Talkie

A Beginner's Guide to the YaesuFT-60R/E Handy-Talkie, version 3.6By R. G. Sparber KG7MQLCopyleft protect this document1.This is a work in progress. Please send me your comments, corrections, andquestion. Rick KG7MQL@gMail.comBackgroundI am a proud owner of a Yaesu FT-60R VHF/UHF Dual BandTransceiver. To say this radio does a lot is an understatement. The unitcomes with an Operating Manual that is about ¼" thick. I thought I hadseen such manuals before. You get 5 pages in English and the rest inother languages. Well, in this case, it was all in English and allimportant. That is a lot to absorb.The best way I know of learning a subject is toexplain it to others. This guide will help me learn.And who knows, maybe some beginner out therewill find value in it too.You have my permission to take a black marker and blot outwords like "simple" and "easy" from the Operating Manual.Using these words is like going to a restaurant that has asign telling you the food tastes "good". I guess eating theirfood would not inform you of the fact. Nothing is simple oreasy if you don't know what to do!Appendix 2 contains an alternate Table of Contents forthe Yaesu FT-60R/E Operating Manual. This might bethe most useful part of the Beginner's Guide.1You are free to distribute this document but not to change it.R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 1 of 52

ContentsBackground.1You Will Need .5Overview .7Operation: Switching Power On and Off [12] .8Operation: Adjusting the Audio Volume Level and Squelch Settings [12].8Operation: Selecting the Operating Band [13] .9Operation: Frequency Navigation [13] .10Operation: Transmission [15].13Advanced Operation: Keyboard Locking [16] .14Advanced Operation: Keypad/LCD Illumination [17] .14Advanced Operation: Disabling the Keypad Beeper [17].14Advanced Operation: RF Squelch [18] .14Advanced Operation: Checking the Battery Voltage [18] .14Repeater Operation .15Manual Repeater Shift Activation: Checking the Repeater Uplink (Input)Frequency [21].17Repeater Operation: Repeater Shifts [19] .18Repeater Operation: Automatic Repeater Shifts (ARS) [19] .18Repeater Operation: Manual Repeater Shift Activation [20].19Manual Repeater Shift Activation: Checking the Repeater Uplink (Input)Frequency [21].19CTCSS/DCS Operation: CTCSS Operation [22] .19CTCSS/DCS Operation: DCS Operation [23] .20CTCSS/DCS Operation: Tone Search Scanning [24] .20CTCSS/DCS Operation: Split Tone Operation [25] .20CTCSS/DCS Operation: Tone Calling (1750 Hz) [26].20Memory Mode [27] .21Memory Mode: Memory Storage [28] .23Memory Mode: Storing Independent Transmit Frequencies ("Odd Splits") [28] 23Memory Mode: Memory Recall [29] .24R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 2 of 52

Memory Mode: HOME Channel Memory [29] .26Memory Mode: Labeling Memories [30].27Memory Mode: To Display the alpha-numeric "Tag" (label): [30] .30Memory Mode: Memory Offset Tuning [31] .31Memory Mode: Deleting Memories [32] .32Memory Mode: Moving Memory Data to the VFO [32] .32Memory Mode: Memory Bank Operation [33] .33Memory Mode: Assigning Memories to a Memory Bank [33] .34Memory Mode: Memory Bank Recall [33].35Memory Mode: Removing Memories from a Memory Bank [34] .36Memory Mode: Memory Only Mode [34] .36Weather Broadcast Channels [34] .37Scanning [35].38Scanning: VFO Scanning [35] .38Scanning: Memory Scanning [37].40Scanning: How to Skip (Omit) a Channel during Memory Scan Operation [37] .40Scanning: Preferential Memory Scan [38] .40Scanning: Memory Bank Scan [39] .41Scanning: Weather Alert Scan [39] .41Scanning: Programmable (Band Limit) Memory Scan (PMS) [40] .41Scanning: "Priority Channel" Scanning (Dual Watch) [41] .42Scanning: Priority Revert Mode [42] .43Scanning: Automatic Lamp Illumination on Scan Stop [43] .43Scanning: Band Edge Beeper [43] .43EPCS (Enhanced Paging and Code Squelch) [44] .43Emergency Features: Emergency Channel Operation [46] .43Smart Search Operation [48] .43Internet Connection Feature [49] .44ARTS (Automatic Range Transponder System) [51] .44Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) [54,55] (Echolink) .45R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 3 of 52

Reset Procedure [64] .45Acknowledgments .46Appendix 1: Operation Reminders .48Appendix 2: Alternate Table of Contents for the FT-60 R/E Operating Manual .48R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 4 of 52

You Will NeedThe guide is intended to supplement the FT-60 R/EOperating Manual. This booklet should be marked onthe back cover with a copyright of 20132. This isimportant because I am linking to specific pages.As you read, look for square brackets with one ormore page numbers. For example, [6,7] points you topages 6 and 7 of the Operating Manual.Along with a copy of the Operating Manual, you need tohave your FT-60R or FT-60E in hand. It is pointless toread about a function and not try it out at the same time.If you have an older version of the Operating Manual,the Beginner's Guide may still be of help but the pagenumber may not match. You can locate older versionsof the Operating Manual by searching the internet for"FT-60 Operating Manual" followed by the desiredcopyright date.All procedures in this book were tested on my FT-60R which I bought in theUSA. The FT-60E is for use within the European Union. They differ by thepermanent data related to frequencies and signaling for each jurisdiction.If you find that something does not work as specified, you may need to partiallyor fully reset the radio. See page 45 for details.2Barry Meyer WA9EQL tells me the 2015 version is identical.R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 5 of 52

At the bottom of some sections is a reminder of the key and knob sequence. If thereminder starts with "VFO-" it means you must be in VFO mode. "MEM-" meansyou must be in Memory mode. If neither is present, then the sequence works inboth VFO and memory modes. All of these reminders have been collected andare presented in Appendix 1.Each action is followed by a "/" except the last one."Dial" means you turn the Dial knob to select some parameter or state.If only a key is shown, then you press it briefly. If the key is followed by " 1s" itmeans you press the key for about 1 second.Appendix 2 holds an alternative Table of Contents for the FT-60 R/E OperatingManual. The topics have been organized in a different sequence so the pagenumbers are not always in order.R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 6 of 52

OverviewThere are a huge number offunctions available on theFT-60 and a limitednumber of keys and knobs.The solution chosen by thedevelopers was to givealmost every key threemeanings [6,7]. Somemeanings are selected bycontext while others dependon how long you hold downthe key.This time aspect was very confusing to me. You think you are pushing the rightkey but linger a little too long. Suddenly you are accessing a function you neversaw before and have no idea how to escape. I will attempt to cover theseunintended side trips as we move through the manual.One critical thing to remember: no combination of key pushes candamage your radio with one exception.Never press thePush To Talk key with the antenna disconnected.This can cause the transmitter part of the FT-60to be damaged.R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 7 of 52

Operation: Switching Power On and Off [12]If you have big fingers, it can be hard to turnthe volume and power knobcounterclockwise in order to turn the radiooff. Listen for the click and don't be afraidto turn hard.Operation: Adjusting the Audio Volume Level andSquelch Settings [12]The left knob adjust audio volume.The right Dial knob has aring under it which controls squelch. This Dial knob isused for many functions and it is easy to let yourfingers slip and turn the ring. If you find the radio isblasting noise or not picking up any conversation,check that the squelch knob setting is right.R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 8 of 52

Operation: Selecting the Operating Band [13]If you see a number in the upper left hand corner,you are in Memory Mode so must change toVariable Frequency Oscillator mode.Press the V/M key (Variable frequencyoscillator mode/Memory mode) briefly andthe number should go away. If V/M is helddown too long, the radio will start scanning.No harm done, just let go of the V/M keyand press it again briefly. You may need topress it briefly a second time.With no number displayed in the upper leftcorner, you are in VFO (VariableFrequency Oscillator) Mode. The radio canmonitor any frequency from 108.000 MHzto 520.000 MHz and from 700.000 MHz to999.9875 MHz. These two ranges arebroken up into 5 bands. Note that the tableshown here is slightly different from thebook. All numbers are in MHz.Band144250350430850Frequency Range108.000 - 200.000200.050 - 299.9875300.000 - 399.9875400.000 - 520.000700.000 - 999.9875Knowing the correct top and bottom ofeach band is necessary if you plan to set upto scan an entire band [14]. For example,if you start your scan at 200.000 MHz, youwill be scanning the 144 MHz band. But ifyou start at 200.050 MHz, you will bescanning the 250 MHz band. An alternateway to scan an entire band is presented onpage 39.Selecting the Operating Band: VFO- BAND repetitivelyR. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 9 of 52

Operation: Frequency Navigation [13]It is essential that you are in the VFO mode beforefollowing these instructions. See page 9 for how toget to VFO mode.1) Tuning Dial knobAs you turn the Dial knob clockwise,each click of the Dial knob moves you upin frequency. How much you move up isdetermined by the STEP parameter [77].Counterclockwise moves you down infrequency by the same step size.When the FW (Function or memory Write)key is active,a small F appears in the lower left cornerof the display in reverse video.If you briefly press the FW key and thenturn the Dial knob within 3 seconds, eachclick of the dial moves you 1.0000 MHz.As long as you move the dial again within 3 seconds, you will continue to movein steps of 1.0000 MHz. If you press FW and within 3 seconds press it again, youwillhave turned off the effect of the FW key.Frequency Navigation: VFO- FW/DialR. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 10 of 52

If you hold down the FW key too long,a number will start flashing in the upperleft corner of the display and a series ofdashes will appear where the frequencywas displayed. Briefly press the Push ToTalk key to abort3. You will nottransmit.2) Direct Keypad Frequency Entry [14]You do not enter the decimal point as you enter thefrequency.If you start to enter a frequency and then change yourmind, press the Push To Talk key to abort4. You will not transmit.If you enter a frequency that is not a multiple of the step size [77], the radio willround it to the nearest valid value. For example, given a step size of 12.5 KHz, ifyou try to enter 145.5630 it will display as 145.5625 before you get a chance toenter the zero.If you were using the VFO scanning function (see page 12), and the displaystopped at an active frequency, youcannot enter a new frequency. You mustfirst briefly press theUp orDown key before you can directly enter afrequency.If you try to enter a frequency outside of the specified bands, the display willshow ERROR for about 1 second and then revert back to the last validfrequency.34This is an "Easter Egg" sent to me by Steve Balch. It is a function not found in the Operating Manual.This is another "Easter Egg" sent to me by Steve Balch.R. G. Sparber KG7MQLAugust 11, 2020Page 11 of 52