How to Connect a Yaesu FT-991A to Ham Radio Deluxe
The Yaesu FT-991A is one of the most versatile modern transceivers ever made. It covers HF, 6m, VHF, and UHF in a single box and works extremely well with Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) once it’s set up correctly.
This guide walks through the entire process step-by-step — no guesswork, no “try random baud rates,” and no vague advice.
What You’ll Need
- Yaesu FT-991A (firmware reasonably up to date)
- A Windows PC (Windows 10 or 11 recommended)
- USB Type-B cable (printer-style)
- Ham Radio Deluxe (current version)
Good news: The FT-991A does not need an external interface for CAT control or audio. Everything runs over a single USB cable.
Step 1: Install the Yaesu USB Driver
Before connecting the radio, download and install the official Yaesu USB driver:
Yaesu FT-991A Driver & Support Page
Once installed, connect the FT-991A to your PC using the USB cable and power it on. Windows should detect two virtual COM ports.
- Standard COM Port – Used for CAT control (this is the important one)
- Enhanced COM Port – Used for audio and advanced functions
Open Device Manager → Ports (COM & LPT) and note the COM port numbers.
Step 2: Configure the FT-991A Menu Settings
On the radio, press MENU and adjust the following settings:
- Menu 031 – CAT RATE: 38400
- Menu 032 – CAT TOT: 100ms
- Menu 033 – CAT RTS: Disable
- Menu 034 – CAT DTR: Disable
- Menu 062 – DATA MODE: Others
- Menu 063 – DATA SOURCE: USB
These settings provide stable CAT control without lockups or dropped connections.
Step 3: Set Up Ham Radio Deluxe CAT Control
Launch Ham Radio Deluxe and when the connection window appears, use the following settings:
- Manufacturer: Yaesu
- Radio: FT-991A
- COM Port: Standard COM Port (from Device Manager)
- Baud Rate: 38400
- Data Bits: 8
- Stop Bits: 2
- Parity: None
- Handshake: None
Click Connect. If everything is correct, HRD should immediately read the frequency and mode from the radio.
Step 4: Verify Frequency and Mode Control
Turn the VFO knob on the FT-991A and confirm the frequency changes in HRD. Then change bands or modes inside HRD and verify the radio follows.
If both directions work, CAT control is complete.
Common Problems and Fixes
HRD Won’t Connect
- Wrong COM port selected (very common)
- Baud rate mismatch
- Another program already using the CAT port
Lag or Random Disconnects
- CAT RATE set too low
- CAT RTS/DTR enabled
- Poor quality USB cable
Avoid USB hubs whenever possible — plug directly into the PC.
Using HRD with Digital Modes
For FT8, PSK31, or other digital modes, HRD integrates cleanly with DM-780 or external software like WSJT-X.
The FT-991A handles audio entirely over USB, eliminating the need for Signalink or external sound cards.
Final Thoughts
Once configured correctly, the FT-991A and Ham Radio Deluxe are rock-solid together. This setup works equally well for casual operating, logging, contesting, and digital modes.
The key is proper CAT settings — get those right, and everything else falls into place.
If you want fewer cables, fewer boxes, and less hassle, this is one of the cleanest modern ham radio setups available.