Connect the key
Connect a straight key or paddle with a three-contact plug to the rear KEY jack.
Radio guides/Yaesu/FT-710
CW599 Radio Guide
Yaesu FT-710CW Setup Guide
A searchable reference for the FT-710 CW controls, menu paths, factory defaults, and practical operating notes scattered across the manual.
Start here
On air in five steps
A safe starting sequence for a straight key or paddle connected to the rear KEY jack. Begin with semi break-in.
Select CW-U
Press MODE and select CW-U, the normal CW operating mode described by the manual.
Choose the keying method
Use KEYER OFF for a straight key. For a paddle, turn KEYER ON and select the required KEYER TYPE.
Enable BK-IN
Press FUNC and turn BK-IN ON. The factory break-in mode is SEMI.
Set speed and sidetone
Adjust CW SPEED, CW PITCH, and MONI LEVEL for comfortable sending.
Practical starting points
Three useful profiles
These are CW599 starting suggestions, not Yaesu factory presets. Fine-tune them for your ears and station hardware.
Relaxed QSO
Beginner- BK-IN TYPE
- SEMI
- KEYER TYPE
- ELEKEY-B
- CW SPEED
- 16–20 WPM
- NAR WIDTH
- 400–500 Hz
Weak signal / DX
Weak signal- NAR WIDTH
- 250 Hz
- CW INDICATOR
- ON
- LCUT / HCUT
- 250 / 1200 Hz
- AGC
- FAST or MID
Full break-in / contest
QSK- BK-IN TYPE
- FULL
- QSK DELAY
- 15 ms
- CW WAVE SHAPE
- 4 ms
- Station check
- Confirm amplifier and relay switching first
Searchable reference
All CW settings
Menu names, values, and defaults follow the Yaesu FT-710 Operation Manual 2307N-GS. Orange notes are CW599 editorial guidance.
36 items shown
KEYER
ControlsTurns the built-in electronic keyer on or off. Use ON with a paddle; use OFF for a straight key or an external keyer.
Available valuesON / OFF
Factory defaultOperator setting
CW599 tip: Paddle users can begin with KEYER TYPE = ELEKEY-B, the factory keyer mode.
Based on official manual
BK-IN
ControlsEnables CW break-in so keying automatically switches the transceiver into transmit.
Available valuesON / OFF
Factory defaultOperator setting
CW599 tip: Turn it ON for normal on-air CW and OFF when checking a memory without transmitting.
Based on official manual
CW SPEED
ControlsSets the speed of the built-in electronic keyer.
Available values4–60 WPM
Factory defaultNot specified
CW599 tip: Start around 16–20 WPM for relaxed QSOs and increase gradually.
Based on official manual
CW PITCH
ControlsAdjusts the received CW tone reference and the sidetone pitch.
Available valuesAdjustable tone
Factory defaultNot specified
CW599 tip: Many operators prefer roughly 600–700 Hz, but use the pitch you copy most easily.
Based on official manual
BK-DELAY
ControlsSets how long transmit remains active after key-up during semi break-in.
Available valuesAdjustable hang time
Factory defaultOperator setting
CW599 tip: Send at your normal speed and shorten it until operation feels responsive without excessive switching.
Based on official manual
MONI LEVEL
ControlsAdjusts CW sidetone and spot-tone audio level.
Available valuesAdjustable level
Factory defaultOperator setting
CW599 tip: Set it only loud enough to monitor your sending comfortably.
Based on official manual
ZIN / SPOT
ControlsZIN automatically zero-beats a received signal. SPOT plays the transmit-pitch reference while held.
Available valuesTap: ZIN · Hold: SPOT
Factory defaultHardware function
CW599 tip: Use ZIN for fast alignment and SPOT when you prefer to tune manually.
Based on official manual
MESSAGE
ControlsOpens the CW message-memory screen for checking or transmitting stored messages.
Available valuesMemory channels 1–5
Factory defaultHardware function
CW599 tip: With BK-IN OFF, messages play only in the monitor. With BK-IN ON, they transmit on air.
Based on official manual
AF TREBLE GAIN
ReceiveAdjusts treble gain in received CW audio.
Available values−20 to +10
Factory default0
CW599 tip: Keep it near 0 initially; reduce it if high-frequency noise is tiring.
Based on official manual
AF MIDDLE TONE GAIN
ReceiveAdjusts midrange gain in received CW audio.
Available values−20 to +10
Factory default0
CW599 tip: Small positive changes can make your preferred pitch stand out.
Based on official manual
AF BASS GAIN
ReceiveAdjusts bass gain in received CW audio.
Available values−20 to +10
Factory default0
CW599 tip: Reducing bass can clean up rumble and low-frequency band noise.
Based on official manual
AGC FAST DELAY
ReceiveSets AGC decay delay when AGC FAST is selected in CW mode.
Available values20–4000 ms · 20 ms steps
Factory default160 ms
CW599 tip: Fast recovery helps with quick signals but can make noise more noticeable.
Based on official manual
AGC MID DELAY
ReceiveSets AGC decay delay when AGC MID is selected in CW mode.
Available values20–4000 ms · 20 ms steps
Factory default500 ms
CW599 tip: A balanced starting point for general CW operation.
Based on official manual
AGC SLOW DELAY
ReceiveSets AGC decay delay when AGC SLOW is selected in CW mode.
Available values20–4000 ms · 20 ms steps
Factory default1500 ms
CW599 tip: Useful for smoother listening when signal levels are stable.
Based on official manual
LCUT FREQ
ReceiveSets the low-frequency cutoff of the CW receive audio filter.
Available valuesOFF / 100–1000 Hz · 50 Hz steps
Factory default250 Hz
CW599 tip: The 250 Hz default removes low rumble while preserving common CW pitches.
Based on official manual
LCUT SLOPE
ReceiveSets how sharply audio below LCUT FREQ is attenuated.
Available values6 / 18 dB per octave
Factory default18 dB/oct
CW599 tip: 18 dB/oct gives stronger rejection; 6 dB/oct sounds gentler.
Based on official manual
HCUT FREQ
ReceiveSets the high-frequency cutoff of the CW receive audio filter.
Available values700–4000 Hz / OFF · 50 Hz steps
Factory default1200 Hz
CW599 tip: Lower it in noisy conditions, while leaving room around your selected CW pitch.
Based on official manual
HCUT SLOPE
ReceiveSets how sharply audio above HCUT FREQ is attenuated.
Available values6 / 18 dB per octave
Factory default18 dB/oct
CW599 tip: 18 dB/oct is effective against hiss and adjacent audio energy.
Based on official manual
NAR WIDTH
ReceiveSets the DSP IF bandwidth used when NAR is active in CW mode.
Available values50–4000 Hz · listed steps
Factory default250 Hz
CW599 tip: 250 Hz is strong for weak signals; 400–500 Hz is often easier for casual tuning.
Based on official manual
CW FREQ DISPLAY
ReceiveControls whether the displayed CW frequency includes the selected pitch offset when changing between SSB and CW.
Available valuesDIRECT FREQ / PITCH OFFSET
Factory defaultPITCH OFFSET
CW599 tip: Leave PITCH OFFSET selected unless you require identical SSB and CW frequency displays.
Based on official manual
CW INDICATOR
ReceiveShows or hides the CW tuning-offset bar below the filter display.
Available valuesOFF / ON
Factory defaultON
CW599 tip: Leave it ON to make visual zero-beating easier.
Based on official manual
CW BK-IN TYPE
KeyingSelects semi break-in or full break-in (QSK). FULL returns to receive after every key-up.
Available valuesSEMI / FULL
Factory defaultSEMI
CW599 tip: Begin with SEMI. Use FULL only when your whole station can switch quickly enough.
Based on official manual
QSK DELAY TIME
KeyingSets the delay before the CW keying signal is transmitted in QSK operation.
Available values15 / 20 / 25 / 30 ms
Factory default15 ms
CW599 tip: At 45 WPM or faster, the radio uses 15 ms regardless of this setting.
Based on official manual
CW WAVE SHAPE
KeyingSets the CW transmit-envelope rise and fall time.
Available values2 / 3 / 4 ms
Factory default4 ms
CW599 tip: Keep 4 ms unless you have a specific reason to change it. The manual warns that 2 or 3 ms may cause key clicks.
Based on official manual
KEYER TYPE
KeyingSelects the operating behavior of the built-in electronic keyer.
Available valuesOFF / BUG / ELEKEY-A / ELEKEY-B / ELEKEY-Y / ACS
Factory defaultELEKEY-B
CW599 tip: ELEKEY-B is the factory default. ACS enforces precise inter-character spacing.
Based on official manual
KEYER DOT/DASH
KeyingReverses paddle dot and dash wiring without changing the plug.
Available valuesNOR / REV
Factory defaultNOR
CW599 tip: Useful for left-handed operation or a paddle wired opposite to your preference.
Based on official manual
CW WEIGHT
KeyingSets the built-in keyer dot-to-dash duration ratio.
Available values2.5–4.5
Factory default3.0
CW599 tip: 3.0 is standard timing. Change it only for a deliberate sending preference.
Based on official manual
CW AUTO MODE
KeyingAllows CW keying while the radio remains in SSB mode: disabled, 50 MHz only, or all transmit bands.
Available valuesOFF / 50M / ON
Factory defaultOFF
CW599 tip: Leave OFF unless your operating workflow specifically requires CW keying from SSB mode.
Based on official manual
USB OUT LEVEL
ComputerSets received CW audio level sent through the USB jack.
Available values0–100
Factory default50
CW599 tip: Adjust it to avoid clipping in decoder or recording software; do not simply maximize it.
Based on official manual
REAR OUT LEVEL
ComputerSets received CW audio level sent through the rear RTTY/DATA jack.
Available values0–100
Factory default50
CW599 tip: Match this level to the input range of the connected interface.
Based on official manual
RPTT SELECT
ComputerSelects which interface signal controls PTT for CW transmission.
Available valuesOFF / RTS / DTR / DAKY
Factory defaultOFF
CW599 tip: Use only the control line expected by your software and interface.
Based on official manual
PC KEYING
ComputerSelects computer-generated CW keying from USB virtual COM control lines or the rear DATA input.
Available valuesOFF / RTS / DTR / DAKY
Factory defaultOFF
CW599 tip: Keep OFF for manual keying. Confirm port assignments before enabling RTS or DTR.
Based on official manual
NUMBER STYLE
ContestSelects cut-number abbreviations for contest serial numbers.
Available values1290 / AUNO / AUNT / A2NO / A2NT / 12NO / 12NT
Factory default1290
CW599 tip: 1290 sends normal digits. Other formats replace selected digits with shorter Morse characters.
Based on official manual
CONTEST NUMBER
ContestSets the starting serial number that increments or decrements as contest messages are sent.
Available values1–9999
Factory default1
CW599 tip: Check the number before a contest and after any test that may have advanced it.
Based on official manual
CW MEMORY 1–5
ContestChooses how each of the five 50-character CW memory channels is programmed.
Available valuesTEXT / MESSAGE
Factory defaultTEXT
CW599 tip: TEXT uses touch-panel or FH-2 entry. MESSAGE records code sent with the paddle.
Based on official manual
REPEAT INTERVAL
ContestSets the interval when a stored CW memory is transmitted repeatedly as a beacon message.
Available values1–60 seconds
Factory default5 seconds
CW599 tip: Use responsibly and verify band-plan and identification requirements before repeated transmission.
Based on official manual
No matching setting. Try QSK, NAR, KEYER, or PC KEYING.
Understand the radio
Two concepts worth knowing
SEMI vs FULL break-in
SEMI holds transmit briefly after key-up before returning to receive. FULL returns to receive after every key-up, which is QSK. FULL lets you hear between elements, but it places greater switching demands on the radio, amplifier, and external relays.
ZIN and SPOT
ZIN automatically zero-beats a received signal to the selected CW pitch. Hold SPOT to hear the transmit-pitch reference for manual tuning. With CW INDICATOR enabled, the display also provides a visual offset guide.
Primary source: Yaesu FT-710 Operation Manual
English edition 2307N-GS. CW operation is on printed pages 49–54; MODE CW and KEYER settings are on printed pages 86–89. This page summarizes the material in original wording and does not reproduce or replace the complete manual. Notes labeled “CW599 tip” are not Yaesu factory settings.
Source checked: 2026-08-01