1. Yaesu Fusion and Wires-X
An Introduction
Bob DeVance, K5CRX

2. Discussion: What is Fusion? What is WIRES-X?
What equipment is available to support Fusion and WIRES-X?
What is the difference between WIRES-X access via a repeater and a PDN or Access Point?
What are the requirements to access a WIRES-X repeater (analog or digital)?
What is the future for digital radio?

3. Caution!!

4. What is Fusion? Fusion is NOT WIRES-X and WIRES-X is not Fusion!
System Fusion is a digital communications methodology for voice and data communications, including pictures. It is a customized – yet open – standard that uses C4FM FDMA – an advanced form of audio frequency shift keying (AFSK).
C4FM - Constant Envelope 4-Level Frequency Modulation – Yaesu uses modulation frequencies of +/- 900 and +/ Hz.
FDMA – Frequency Division Multiple Access – technique that manages send and receive data using two frequency pairs (i.e., it allows more data to flow in the allocated bandwidth than using a single frequency)

5. What is WIRES-X? WIRES-X is NOT Fusion and Fusion is NOT WIRES-X!
WIRES (Wide-coverage Internet Repeater Enhancement System) is an Internet communication system which expands the range of amateur radio communication.
WIRES-X is the expansion of Wires to allow easy connection between amateur stations (nodes) using easy-to-configure hardware (and software). WIRES-X allows amateurs to communicate all over the world with digital clarity.
We often hear “Turn off your WIRES” when someone using a Yaesu radio on the repeater is prefacing their conversation with a tone.

6. Communication!!

7. What equipment is available to support Fusion and WIRES-X?
Mobile Radios:
FTM-100DR
FTM-400DR
FTM-3200DR
FTM-3270DR
FTM-7250DR
Hand-Held Radios:
FT1-DR
FT2-DR
FT3-DR
FT-70DR
Repeaters:
DR-1X
DR-2X
Base Station:
FT-991A
Hot Spots:
Numerous

8. What is the difference between WIRES-X access via a repeater and a PDN or Access Point?
Access via repeater: WIRES-X capable radio communicates with other stations (nodes) and/or rooms through a WIRES-X capable repeater. The repeater and its accompanying equipment handle all the internet communication. Access via PDN (direct or access point): PDN (Personal Digital Node): WIRES-X capable radio connects to a computer to allow communications with other nodes and rooms. (Note: This requires that the radio be registered with Yaesu first.)
The repeater is connected to the internet through either an HRI-200 interface connected to the repeater and a PC or via RF to a Yaesu radio and PC acting as a remote access point.

9. Personal access modes:.
Personal access modes:
HRI Mode: Allows mixed analog and digital but requires a special interface cable to accommodate the analog data. PDN Mode: Allows digital only and uses the cable that comes with the radio. Sub-Modes: Direct – uses the radio’s mic & speaker as in usual communications use Access Point – makes the radio function like a hot-spot. Requires a second radio for send/receive.
Modes are accessed at radio turn-on. Sub-mode is selected after turn on.

10. Improvise!!

11. What are the requirements to access a WIRES-X repeater (analog or digital)?
Digital: a WIRES-X capable radio. In VFO mode, tune to the repeater frequency. Press the “X” key on the radio to connect. To disconnect, press the same key. Analog: Follow standard FM operations procedures to communicate with other local (to the repeater) FM users (assumes the repeater is in AMS (Auto Mode Select)). Connecting to the WIRES-X system requires an FM radio connected to an HRI-200 box. This is rather complicated and not generally done.
For digital, no offset or tone is needed. To disconnect, press the same key. Some radios require a long key press, others only a momentary press.

12. Just a sec!!
I’m on analog FM and I keep hearing all this noise on the repeater. How can I squelch that? I don’t want to hear all that digital noise. Our digital repeater automatically handles FM and Digital, switching mode as needed. It transmits a CTCSS tone when in FM mode. Set your radio to use the tone on BOTH send and receive. When the repeater is transmitting digital, your radio will ignore it as it won’t be receiving the tone it expects to open the squelch.

13. Who can I talk to in WIRES-X?
The ROOM concept
Rooms are like a phone conference call.
Everyone in the room can hear everyone else and vice versa.
Multiple rooms may be connected allowing a large audience.
Room selection is simple from the radio.
The MARC-W5MRC room
Room number: 61897
Messages may be stored here for anyone to hear.
News postings may be stored here for anyone to hear.

14. Some popular rooms: Texas-Nexus - 21636 America Link - 21080
Allja-CQ-Room – – Japan
MNWIS – – Minnesota-Wisconsin
CQ-UK –FUSION – – Great Britain
CQ-America – – CQ Room for America hosted by Yaesu (periodic nets here hosted by John Kruk, National Sales Manager for Yaesu)
Nets on CQ-America

15. WIRES-X Node Map

16. How is WIRES-X connected to the repeater?
The magic is in the WIRES-X software.

17. More information:
- Active room list
WIRES – Comprehensive listing of WIRES-X repeaters
- Yaesu WIRES-X information – Lots of details and answers
- Yaesu registration site
- WIRES-X Facebook Page

18. RTFM!!

19. What is the future for digital radio?
Fusion/WIRES-X is not going away. Neither are D-STAR, DMR, NXDN, P25, etc. Digital is clean and power efficient. It allows picture and data transfer. Radio Nirvana: We can talk to anyone anywhere with any radio or computer with ease without concern for the methodology making it possible. Much of this is in force already to day via hot spots and room/reflector linkage.

20. Be ready for any emergency!!
Headline:
Balloon strikes four houses!!
Questions?
Enjoy WIRES-X.
Learn something new!
Bob, K5CRX