Yaesu: FT857D in 2022

[BMDaug]

Hello, I have an 857D that I bought about 10 years ago. I used it a lot in 2013, but it’s been in storage since then. I’m not in the middle of creating a manpack setup with a London bridge trading communicators bag and a Harris xg-100m and I’m thinking about throwing the 857D in as well to get HF coverage. I know it does V and U as well, but I really like the features of the Harris.

Question is, is the 857D still considered viable and capable in 2022? How is the long term reliability of these units? I’m about to fire it up and give it a check, but is there any maintenance that is recommended? Are there lots of new features that have been added? I’m mostly a VHF/UHF enthusiast and I’ve lost touch with the implementation of new modes and features available on HF. Any thoughts? I was using it with an LDG Z-11proii antenna tuner. What do you think about this setup in 2022??

Thanks,
-B

 

[tweiss3]

For an all mode full power rig, it's one of the few options in that form factor. The only issue I hear is the screen starts to bleed over time. It's current replacement in the same form factor is the FT891 (if you can find one). Everything else is lower power (FT818 & IC705). I'd use it and not look back unless you find it's missing something you need, but thats usually found only after you have used it for a while in the field.

 

[ko6jw_2]

I have an FT-897 of the same vintage and it is still a solid radio. The FT-857 was basically the same in a different package. I doubt if it needs any maintenance. The newer Yaesu radios have the added features of C4FM Fusion and Wires-X. However, if that doesn't interest you, then I see no Issues. They were good radios. A friend of mine used one mobile for many years. With the addition of something like a Signal Link modem you can operate on HF digital modes. I have used LDG antenna tuners and they work well. I also have an FT-817. The 857 lacks the internal battery capabilities of the 897 and 817, but that is the only limitation I had an issue with.

 

[vagrant]

To the best of my knowledge, the later model Yaesu 8x7 radios 2012 or 2013 and later do not suffer the zebra stripe screen. Additionally, these later radios do not use the faulty Toko filters that plagued various models of both Yaesu and Kenwood. I knew of these issues, so my 897D is a December 2013 model and has neither the stripes, nor the bad filters. I am also not saying all of the older 8x7 radios will have these problems. Just be aware.

If you open up your radio and see the name Toko on the black filters...not good. If you see tiny white spots on those same filters...doom is upon you. When those filters go, the audio may sound crackly/crunchy. It will still receive, but the audio sounds bad, or not at all. I know this because I had two or three Kenwood D710A radios that had these bad filters. Fortunately, Kenwood repaired and shiped them back at no cost to me. I am not aware of Yaesu offering that kind of support and those Kenwood radios were way out of warranty and I was not the original owner.

 

[tweiss3]

To the best of my knowledge, the later model Yaesu 8x7 radios 2012 or 2013 and later do not suffer the zebra stripe screen. Additionally, these later radios do not use the faulty Toko filters that plagued various models of both Yaesu and Kenwood. I knew of these issues, so my 897D is a December 2013 model and has neither the stripes, nor the bad filters. I am also not saying all of the older 8x7 radios will have these problems. Just be aware.

If you open up your radio and see the name Toko on the black filters...not good. If you see tiny white spots on those same filters...doom is upon you. When those filters go, the audio may sound crackly/crunchy. It will still receive, but the audio sounds bad, or not at all. I know this because I had two or three Kenwood D710A radios that had these bad filters. Fortunately, Kenwood repaired and shiped them back at no cost to me. I am not aware of Yaesu offering that kind of support and those Kenwood radios were way out of warranty and I was not the original owner.

I replaced the filters on my VX7DR on my own. Filters new from Yaesu was less than $15 shipped for both, and the actual replacement wasn't too difficult, but yes, the white dots were all over them.

 

[vagrant]

Oh dang! I did not know they had bad filters in some older handhelds as well.

 

[BMDaug]

Man, thanks for all the good info! I opened the radio and my filters are not toko. I even looked up a blog with pictures of the bad ones to confirm. Dodged a bullet there! Everything looks brand new in there. I do wonder about the display. I’m waiting on some connectors to arrive by mail so I don’t have to cut up an existing setup just so I can test a screen… is there a serial number range that anyone is aware of that could help identify display issues before I get the connectors?

Thanks everyone!
-B

 

[vagrant]

I would not worry about the display until / if the stripes appear.