Is it okay to power up and explore the menus on my transceiver without an antenna?

[petbytes]

I'm just getting started in amatuer radio so bear with me .

My Yaesu FT-857D should arrive any day now. My antenna and cable will follow but I’d like to turn the radio on and go through the menus to get acquainted with it.

Are there any issues by not having a cable and/or an antenna connected beforehand?

[KC2OBW]

No. Just make sure the mic isn't connected so you can't accidentally key the radio up.


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[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by KC2OBW

No. Just make sure the mic isn't connected so you can't accidentally key the radio up.


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Like kc2 said but here is some food for thought. you can put a 6 foot piece of wire in ant connector and listen all over. i used 12-2 house wire it's stiff and lean it against the wall it works well.


K3CFC

[WA0CBW]

You could hook up the "real" antenna just so long as you don't key the transmitter either with the microphone or a code key. You can check out your radio and play with the menu items as long as you don't key the transmitter you are ok. At this point you are an SWL (short wave listener).

BB

[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by WA0CBW

You could hook up the "real" antenna just so long as you don't key the transmitter either with the microphone or a code key. You can check out your radio and play with the menu items as long as you don't key the transmitter you are ok. At this point you are an SWL (short wave listener).

BB

I was just telling him how to listen till he gets his antenna as he said it will follow the radio !!!!!!!!!!

[petbytes]

Thanks for the replies and advice...you guys are great!

[W5JER]

Your radio wont blow up if you key up without an antenna. However, its not good but too many people act like it's such a big deal and it will ruin your radio. Some people read one article on the internet and believe it forever. It's not recommended but dont freak out if you accidentally key up. Even if you did you would have to key up for longer than a second for anything really bad to happen.

I'm sure we will hear some stories after my reply but you can ruin a radio with or without an antenna

[k3cfc]

Originally Posted by KD8CHM

Your radio wont blow up if you key up without an antenna. However, its not good but too many people act like it's such a big deal and it will ruin your radio. Some people read one article on the internet and believe it forever. It's not recommended but dont freak out if you accidentally key up. Even if you did you would have to key up for longer than a second for anything really bad to happen.

I'm sure we will hear some stories after my reply but you can ruin a radio with or without an antenna

Yes your right and to go a step farther most radios back the power way down so to protect the transmitter.

[KC2OBW]

Originally Posted by k3cfc

Yes your right and to go a step farther most radios back the power way down so to protect the transmitter.

And most radios will even power down while transmitting if the swr is too high.


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