Yaesu FC-90 Tuner Firmware Update – Full Test & Real-World Results
Executable Ham Radio
1,901 views
https://buymeacoffee.com/kj5exe
In this video I put the Yaesu FC-90 remote tuner through its paces to see if the latest firmware update actually fixes the long-standing tuning and memory issues many of us have seen in the field.
I start by testing the FC-90 on the old firmware, show where the tuner falls off across the band, then perform a full firmware update and factory reset before re-testing on multiple bands. I also walk through my portable truck-mounted antenna setup for those running similar mobile or field configurations.
What’s covered in this video:
FC-90 vs FC-80: 10:1 vs 3:1 matching and why I chose the FC-90
My field setup: F-150 truck, 2.5" pipe mount, and 33 ft DX Commander pole
Pre-update performance: tuning behavior and where it drops off across the band
Step-by-step firmware update using SD card and external power
Factory reset procedure
Post-update testing on 20m and 40m bands
Discussion on memory behavior and why it now works much better
Thoughts on the MAT FTX-1F tuner and how this update may have impacted it
Key takeaway:
After the update, the FC-90 tunes quickly and consistently, with resolved memory issues and much better behavior across the band. If you held onto your FC-80/FC-90 despite early negative reviews, this update may make it worth putting back into your regular kit, especially if you’re running non-resonant antennas in the field.
Gear Mentioned:
Tuner: Yaesu FC-90
Radio: Yaesu FTX-1F
Alternative tuner referenced: MAT FTX-1F
Antenna: DX Commander 33 ft pole
Vehicle mount: F-150 with 2.5" pipe mast section
If you’ve updated your FC-80 or FC-90, let me know in the comments how your tuner behaves across different bands and whether you’re seeing the same memory improvements.
📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & background on the FC-90
01:10 – Antenna & truck-mounted field setup
03:05 – Pre-update tuning test and results
06:30 – Firmware update via SD card
08:45 – Factory reset steps
10:15 – Post-update tuning tests (20m / 40m)
13:30 – FC-80 / FC-90 vs MAT FTX-1F discussion
15:30 – Final thoughts & viewer feedback request
3 Comments
Yaesu FC-90 Tuner Firmware Update – Full Test & Real-World Results
Executable Ham Radio
1,901 views
https://buymeacoffee.com/kj5exe
In this video I put the Yaesu FC-90 remote tuner through its paces to see if the latest firmware update actually fixes the long-standing tuning and memory issues many of us have seen in the field.
I start by testing the FC-90 on the old firmware, show where the tuner falls off across the band, then perform a full firmware update and factory reset before re-testing on multiple bands. I also walk through my portable truck-mounted antenna setup for those running similar mobile or field configurations.
What’s covered in this video:
FC-90 vs FC-80: 10:1 vs 3:1 matching and why I chose the FC-90
My field setup: F-150 truck, 2.5" pipe mount, and 33 ft DX Commander pole
Pre-update performance: tuning behavior and where it drops off across the band
Step-by-step firmware update using SD card and external power
Factory reset procedure
Post-update testing on 20m and 40m bands
Discussion on memory behavior and why it now works much better
Thoughts on the MAT FTX-1F tuner and how this update may have impacted it
Key takeaway:
After the update, the FC-90 tunes quickly and consistently, with resolved memory issues and much better behavior across the band. If you held onto your FC-80/FC-90 despite early negative reviews, this update may make it worth putting back into your regular kit, especially if you’re running non-resonant antennas in the field.
Gear Mentioned:
Tuner: Yaesu FC-90
Radio: Yaesu FTX-1F
Alternative tuner referenced: MAT FTX-1F
Antenna: DX Commander 33 ft pole
Vehicle mount: F-150 with 2.5" pipe mast section
If you’ve updated your FC-80 or FC-90, let me know in the comments how your tuner behaves across different bands and whether you’re seeing the same memory improvements.
📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & background on the FC-90
01:10 – Antenna & truck-mounted field setup
03:05 – Pre-update tuning test and results
06:30 – Firmware update via SD card
08:45 – Factory reset steps
10:15 – Post-update tuning tests (20m / 40m)
13:30 – FC-80 / FC-90 vs MAT FTX-1F discussion
15:30 – Final thoughts & viewer feedback request