Getting the Initial Details from the Radio

Programming the Yaesu FTM-300 radio begins with getting data from the radio. This gives the YPS-M300 Programmer the details it needs to identify the radio (worldwide version, modification status, and other "behind the scenes" details). This information can be retrieved only from the radio. Memory channel details are not important in this process: although, they too will be copied and displayed in the program if any have been entered into the radio. 

This may be your first experience working with the SD card and the data transfer process. These steps will help you through that process.

With the radio off, insert the SD card into the slot on the side of the head of the radio.

• There is only one way the card will fit.
• Do NOT force it.
• The slot is on the left side of the face of the radio.
• Shown here is a picture of the head only. You do NOT need to remove the head from the radio for this process.... this is just the only picture available.
• Working so you are looking at the front of the radio, the teeth of the card will be facing away from you (toward the back of the radio).
• The gold "teeth" go into the radio first.
• Gently press the card into the slot until it clicks and stays firmly in place.

With the radio on, press hold for 1 second the [F/SETUP] key on the face of the radio to access the Setup menu.

Note: In many of these instructions the [DIAL] at the upper right of the face of the radio is turned or pressed to control options that appear on the screen of the radio

Turn the [DIAL] to the the SD card option. Press the [DIAL] to select the SD Card option.

Note: If the text of the SD Card option is not a red color, the SD card is either not seated properly in the radio or is not being recognized. Try removing and replacing the SD card or try another card.

The SD Card options open with BACKUP highlighted. Press the [DIAL] to select the BACKUP option.

Note: Backup is the option you want for this process. It is not necessary to format the card either in the radio or on your computer. 

Write to SD will be highlighted. Press the [DIAL] to select this option.

This will copy all the details of your radio to the SD card. Even in a new radio there are details that the Programmer uses to "sync" to this particular radio.

All will be highlighted. Press the [DIAL] to select this option.

You need ALL the details of the radio for the programming process. Everything about your radio is programmed... not just the memory channels.

Rotate the [DIAL] to highlight OK. Press [DIAL] to begin the process.

The details of the radio will be copied to the SD card.

The process takes only a matter of seconds to complete.

The radio displays [Writing] while it is working.

[COMPLETED] appears on the face of the radio when the process finishes (if you miss the Completed message, the radio returns to the Write to SD card screen... if you're not sure, press the [DIAL] again, then OK and watch through the entire process to be sure)

Press the Back button on the face of the radio to exit the Setup Menu. Remove the SD card and mount it in your computer.

It may not seem normal; but you press the SD card to release it from the slot. The card will "eject" and be ready to remove.

At all times be sure you do NOT touch to gold contacts. This could damage the card to the point it cannot be used by the radio or the computer.

Start the YPS-M300 Programmer

The program opens in a default file (FTM-300 Untitled).

If you have been working in the Programmer, it will open the last file you saved with memory channel details. To prevent loss of the memory channel information in this file, do File | New before proceeding to the next step. This will create a new FTM-300 file that you can work in.

Select Communications | Get data from SD Card from the options in the menu.

Click OK on the message that lets you know the program has found the SD card.

The Programmer finds the SD card automatically as long as the SD card is recognized in the computer and you have completed the Backup process in the radio that copies the radio data to the card. 

If a Windows File | Open box appears, you either did not do the Backup in the radio or the SDcard is not being seen by the computer.

If your radio is not yet programmed with any memory channels, it will appear that nothing happens in the Read from SD Card process. The main screen of the Programmer does not change since there are no memory channels to display; but, the Programmer has retrieved the information it needs to identify your radio.

You have completed this part of the process and are ready to set up a file for your radio with memory channels, VFOs, Limit memories and customized menu settings.

You will need to repeat this part of the process if 

• if you make changes on your radio that you want to save to the computer, 
• if you modify your radio to transmit outside the ham band or 
• if you do a firmware upgrade to the radio.
• if you install the Programmer on a new computer.

Save your callsign permanently in the Programmer.

Select Settings | Radio Menu Settings from the top of the screen.

On the settings screen, enter your callsign in the Callsign field at the top of the third column of options.

Before you leave the setting screen, customize details of your radio. The Settings screens handle details for DTMF and Internet, APRS and Fusion settings as well as general performance settings for your radio.

Click File | Save As (on the Settings screen)

Enter Settings as the Filename and click Save.

The Programmer will return to the Settings screen.

Click File | Exit to close the Settings screen or use the X at the upper right.

Note: The Programmers have changed. The Settings screen may have an option at the upper left to Close. Under that you will find Apply Settings and Close. This selection saves your changes on the Settings screen and closes that window.

Customize the file for your use. Enter memory channels, Limit Memories, Home for A and B and VFOs as needed for your activities.

Use File | External data to access a data source from the Internet for repeaters in your area.

Save the file while you work. Use File | Save to make the file permanent on the computer. (This is not the file that programs the radio. This file is for you. You'll create a special file that the radio can understand.)

Communications | Write Data to SD Card 

When you are ready to try your changes on the radio, click Communications | Write Data to SD Card to make the file ready for use by the radio.

This process will create the file that you will use to program the radio.

The programmer lets you know the process is complete

Remove the SD Card from the computer and put it in the radio.

Load it into the slot on the radio just as you did in Step 1.

Complete the process in the radio for Backup. (Steps 2-7) However, in Step 5 select Read from SD  to copy details from the SD card to the radio.

When this process is complete, the radio is programmed like the file on the computer.

Remember: You may have to put the radio into memory mode with the V/M key to see the memory channels you loaded.