The FTX-1 is the radio I reach for more than any other, whether it’s docked to the SPA-1 on the desk or riding in a backpack to a POTA site. This page rounds up everything I’ve written about it, from the first review to the small setup details that make it work the way you want.
Start Here
If you haven’t read anything about the FTX-1 yet, start with the overview.
- The Yaesu FTX-1: Field Radio, Base Station, or Both?, my full review of the Field Head and Optima configurations.
- Getting on FT8 with the Yaesu FTX-1 Optima (and the Field Head Alone), the first setup guide, getting the radio talking to WSJT-X.
- My HF Radios: Four Radios, Four Very Different Jobs, where the FTX-1 fits alongside the rest of the shack.
Setup & Configuration
- Programming and Organizing Memory Channels on the FTX-1
- Docking the Field Head to the SPA-1: Building Your Optima Base Station
- FTX-1 CAT Control Setup with Ham Radio Deluxe
- FTX-1 Menu Deep Dive: Settings Worth Changing from Factory Default
- Backing Up and Cloning FTX-1 Settings Between Radios
- Updating FTX-1 Firmware: Why and How
Portable & Field Ops
- Setting Up the FTX-1 for POTA: A Portable Field Kit Walkthrough
- Battery Power and Runtime: Running the FTX-1 Field Head Off-Grid
- Pairing the FTX-1 with the Spooltenna Ultra for Portable HF
- The Yaesu FC-80 Tuner for the FTX-1 Field: Does What It Says
- Packing an FTX-1 Go-Bag: What I Actually Carry
- Running the FTX-1 QRP vs Full Power in the Field: When to Choose Which
Digital Modes
- GridTracker and the FTX-1: Logging FT8 Contacts Automatically
- Troubleshooting Common FTX-1 Digital Mode Audio Issues
- Setting Up WIRES-X on the FTX-1: Registration, Software, and Getting Connected
Operating Skills
- Working DX Pileups and Split Operation on the FTX-1
- Getting the Most from the FTX-1’s Internal Antenna Tuner
- FTX-1 Audio Settings for Cleaner SSB: Mic Gain, Compression, and EQ
- Contesting with the FTX-1: Menu and Setup Tips for Faster Runs
- Using the FTX-1’s Spectrum Scope to Find Openings Faster
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
- Common FTX-1 Problems and How I’ve Solved Them
- FTX-1 Care and Feeding: Cooling, Cleaning, and Long-Term Reliability
Related Reading
- The Heil PRO 7: Why It’s One of the Best Upgrades You Can Make, the mic and footswitch combo I run on the FTX-1.
- FT-891 vs FTX-1 Field vs G90: Which Portable HF Radio Wins for POTA, how the Field Head stacks up against my other two portable rigs.
- The Xiegu G90: The Complete Guide, my budget-friendly alternative for grab-and-go HF.
Where to Go Next
Looking for other radios or a broader buying plan? Head to New Ham? This Is Where You Should Spend Your Money, or for the full operating roadmap see Getting On The Air: Modes, Operations, and Making Contacts.