Using a Micro SD card to program the FT-5D

Modified on Fri, 10 Nov 2023 at 12:04 PM

Using a Micro SD card to program the FT-5D

The YPS-FT5D Radio Programmer for the Yaesu FT-5D


Programming the FT-5DR radio with an SD Card

All things with the FT-5D begin with entering your callsign from the face of the radio. You cannot access any function of the radio if you skip this step.

Remember: You do not have to enter your entire call sign to satisfy the radio. Enter one character. During programming, your callsign will be entered from the programmer automatically.


Programming the Yaesu FT-5D radio begins IN THE RADIO. Even if you think there is nothing in the radio, there is. Also, through the Backup process (NOT FORMATTING) the radio sets up the SD card so it is easily used by the programmer.


This gives the YPS-FT5D 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 via the Backup process found there.


Memory channel details are not important in this part of the process process...yet.


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


Step 1: With the radio OFF, insert the SD card into the slot on the side of the radio marked Micro SD.

  • There is only one way the SD Card will fit
  • Do NOT force it.
  • Presuming you are right handed and working such that you are looking at the front of the radio, the teeth of the card will be facing you. Yes, this is upside-down from traditional convention.
  • The gold "teeth" will be facing you and will go into the radio first.
  • Gently press the card into the slot until it clicks and stays firmly in place.
  • The card will work only once it is seated properly in the radio.
FT-5D_SD-Card

Step 2: Access the menu of the radio


  • Turn the radio on
  • Once on (and not locked), press the [Fmenu] key for 1 second to access the menu.
  • If the radio flashes Locked when you press the [Fmenu] button, press the Power button just until the radio reports Unlocked. Don't hold it long enough to power if off... just enough to unlock it.
  • Note: If you don't hold the [Fmenu] button long enough, you'll end up in a different menu. Simply press the PTT to return to normal mode and try again holding the [Fmenu] button a little longer.... lots of buttons going on here!
FT-5D-DISP

Step 3: Select the SD Card option from the menu


Touch the SD card option to select.

FT-5D-Setup-Menu

Step 4: Select Backup


Use the knob on the top of the radio to highlight Backup in the list of options


Press [Fmenu] to select the Backup option once it is highlighted

Write-To

Step 5: Select Write to SD


  • Use the knob on the top of the radio to highlight Write to SD in the list of options.
  • Press the [Fmenu] key to select this option.

This will transfer all the details of your radio to the SD card. Even in a new radio there are details that the Programmer uses to identify your radio.


This is when you will know that the radio does not like your SD card. If "nothing" happens when you press the [Fmenu] button in this step either 1) the card is not seated well in the radio, 2) the card is not recognized by the radio, 3) the card is too large for the radio... something is wrong and the radio will not respond to your selection.

FT-5D-Write-to-card

Step 6: Confirm the Write process for it to begin 


  • Press OK to select then OK again to begin the process
  • Yes, you must touch OK TWICE for the process to begin. Touch OK on the screen of the radio. The [Fmenu] button will cancel the function.
  • The details of the radio will be transferred to the SD card.
  • The process takes only a matter of seconds to complete
  • The radio displays [Waiting] during the process.
  • [COMPLETED] appears on the face of the radio when the process finishes.
FT-5D-Write-Waiting

Step 7: Remove the SD card from the radio for use in the computer.


  • Turn the radio OFF. (Remember: it is always best to have a piece of electronic equipment OFF when you attach or detach a cord or accessory. )
  • 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.
  • Load the SD card into a reader for your computer to use.

Step 8: Start the YPS-FT5D Programmer


  • The program opens in a default file (FT5D 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 continuing with this step. This will create a new FT-5D file that will protect the work you have done so far.
  • Do Communications | Get data from SD Card from the menu options at the top of the screen
FT-5D Read From SD

Step 9: Complete the Read from SD Card process


  • Click OK on the message that lets you know the program has found the SD card.
  • The program finds the SD card automatically if the SD card 1) is recognized in the computer and 2) you have completed the steps to prepare the SD card in the radio.
  • If a Windows File Open box appears, you either did not do the Backup in the radio or the card is not being seen by the computer.
FT-5D Read From SD

Step 10: What to expect from this process:


  • It may appear that nothing happens.
  • The main screen may not change if there are no memory channels programmed in the radio
  • The Programmer has retrieved the information it needs to identify your radio.
  • This process is done ONCE for a fresh installation of the Programmer. Repeat this process ONLY IF:
    • You reformat your hard drive and reinstall the Programmer. Or you move to a new computer and reinstall the Programmer.
    • You make changes on your radio that you want to save to the Programmer.
    • You modify your radio to transmit outside the ham band.
    • You do a firmware upgrade to the radio.

Notice... these are all things YOU do. You will know if you need to do a read from the radio again.

FT-5D Programming Process

Step 11: You are ready to set up Memory channels and settings for the radio.


  • Save your call sign permanently in the programmer.
    • Select Settings | Radio Menu Settings from the top of the screen.
    • On the settings screen, enter your call sign in the Call sign field at the lower left.
    • Click File | Save As (on the Settings screen)
    • Enter FT5D Settings as the Filename and click Save.
    • The Programmer will return to the Settings screen.
    • Click File | Exit to close the Settings screen.
FT-5D Settings

Step 12: Customize your file with details you want in your radio. 


Enter memory channels details including frequencies, names, tones, in the spread sheets.


Save the file as you work.... this is a computer and you would hate to lose everything.

  • Click File | Save As to save the file on the computer.
  • This is NOT the file used to program the radio.

Step 13: Make the file ready for the radio


  • Click Communications | Write Data to SD Card to convert the file from computer language to a language the radio can use.
  • The program finds the SD card automatically if the SD card 1) is recognized in the computer and 2) you have completed the steps to prepare the SD card in the radio.
  • This process will create the file automatically that you will use to program the radio.
FT-5D Write Data to SD Card

Step 14: The programmer lets you know the process is complete. Click OK.


FT-5D Process Complete

Step 15: Transfer the new file to the radio.


  • Remove the SD Card from the computer
    • Load it into the slot on the radio just as you did in Step 1.
    • Complete Steps 3 and 4 as detailed above.
      • Yes... you want to do a Backup. You are in control. You have another selection to make. You will not lose your file.
    • Turn the knob on the top of the radio to select Read from SD in the Backup Menu on the radio.
    • Press OK twice on the Confirm screen to begin the process
    • The radio will report Waiting then Complete then cycle off and back on.
Transferring new files to the radio

When this process is complete, the radio will be 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.


Names are displayed above the frequency and if you touch the display, the frequency display gets larger and the names disappear... no worries... just touch it again.


You're in control here. Get all you can from that radio. Use the Programmer to experiment... organize... or just get everything into the radio quickly.


We're here to help if you need us.


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