In a Yaesu Frenzy!

[CalebATC]

I have gone back to one another not only a few times. I need some help here!

Once I lose 8 more pounds, my mom agreed she would buy me a HF transciver of my choice, has to be under 1,000 though (About 3 weeks left at most). I am a Yaesu man, so the first thing I looked at was a Yaesu. I passed along the IC-718 and the IC-7000. They didn't look good at all, I don't even want them! I looked at the Kenwood TS-480, but don't like the separate control head, I'd rather have it all in front of me. I don't want anything used, all new.

Now to the point: I am looking at the FT-450D, the FT-857D, and the FT-897.

I have always wanted to explore 2 meters and 70 centimeters on the SSB and AM side of DX'ing. I know they are mostly open during Summer, but open here and there out of Summer. I would really like to use SSB on VHF since I could go up to Brasstown Bald and doing some DX'ing from the top using a dipole, or a beam, beaming towards Atlanta and make some DX contacts there. Do you think it is foolish for me to take away a base HF transceiver (FT-450) for a 2/70cm rig? Is 2 meters pretty active? Can it be worked with a simple dipole on top of my tower or up in the trees with somewhat success?

I like the portability and look of the FT-857. It's not all crammed like the FT-897. The FT-897 looks way too crammed. Is this just me, or is it a lot easier to use than I think? I am going to take a play with one of my friends FT-897's soon, so hopefully that will help.

For 95% of usage, this rig will be a base rig. I will also be using this rig a lot for monitoring other HF frequencies outside the amateur bands. This rig will mostly be used on 10, 80, 160 meters and the higher HF bands for DX'ing.

So, would you say 2/70 is not worth it, and go with the FT-450D? I would really like the FT-450 for base, and since I can use it at field day, and other portable ops (No ARES or other emcomm). I just don't see 2/70 being very active, but hey, that's why I am asking you! Is there anything you really hate about any of the radios I have listed above? Or do you wish you would have gotten a 2/70 rig?

Thanks very much!
Caleb

PS- I am not a General yet. I am taking my test next month. I do have a lot of HF experience on 10 meters and listening using a loner KW TS-520SE.

 

[kb0nly]

I'm a Yaesu fanatic also... But in my opinion the 857 and 897 are just too complicated for most, and even i didn't care for them when using at Field Day.

I would go with the FT-450D myself for a well rounded HF rig. The nice thing is it has 6m also, your going to see more activity on 6m then 2m/70cm combined when it comes to SSB. Sure there is 2m SSB activity, don't get me wrong, but it depends wildly on where you live. Around here there is a handful of guys on 2m SSB on a regular basis, otherwise its waiting for a band opening to get some activity. A simple dipole works for local stations or a hot band opening, but for the best chance of contact your going to want a good yagi. I run a yagi here and also a omni loop for local stations or really good openings.

Your probably going to find yourself using HF and 6m much more, we have had some great 6m openings in the last week alone! I havent heard a peep on 2m. There is a lot of 6m ops down in your neck of the woods also, so chances are your going to have locals to chat with also.

Get the FT-450D, thats my opinion. You can always add a 2m/70cm radio for FM on the local repeaters later, or a HT if your close enough to the repeaters, or maybe even a dual band mobile in your vehicle. But, overall i think you will be very happy with the FT-450D.

PS: I agree on the Icom's, they don't interest me at all either and i have played with them. I have a Yaesu FT-847 here 160-70cm.. Love It!!!!

 

[CalebATC]

I have been thinking about the 2/70cm and really put some though into it. I have eliminated the FT-857 totally. I am going to a friends house tomorrow and look at his FT-897 to see how I like it, although I believe the choice is going to be the FT-450D.

Whenever the day comes to get it, I believe I am going to go down to HRO in Atlanta and pick it up, it is cheaper than Universal Radio, so it will be easier to get it there, and play with it just to be sure. Not to mention get some more stuff

I already have a 2 meter FT-1900, and then a FT-60 2/70cm. No vehicle yet, next summer I turn 16 (And get a job ) The idea of 2/70cm was for the SSB and AM, not really for a repeater machine.

Anyway, thanks for the help making the decision!

I agree on Icom's too, the only thing I don't have Vertex/Yaesu is a PRO-163 by Radio Shack, and believe me, if Yaesu made scanners, I would have one!

 

[N8IAA]

Caleb, you have mail
Larry

 

[kb0nly]

Yep, have Uniden scanners here, and if Yaesu made a P25 trunk tracking scanner, i would totally own a couple of them!!!

The other thing i like about the FT-450D is its more of a base radio. The 857/897 radios are too compact and have more of a mobile feel to them. Another reason i love my 847, large display, spread out controls. The 450D definitely wins my bid.

 

[K9WG]

Caleb, what is wrong with the Icom IC-718? Any specific thing?

Just curious. I have the IC-718 and have had zero problems with it.

 

[CalebATC]

Caleb, what is wrong with the Icom IC-718? Any specific thing?

Just curious. I have the IC-718 and have had zero problems with it.

I really just don't like it, just looks old. The screen is a little too small, I don't like the S-meter, and the way the keys are located.

I can get a little more expensive radio, with more features, and a bigger screen (FT-450), with a microphone included.

 

[CalebATC]

Yep, have Uniden scanners here, and if Yaesu made a P25 trunk tracking scanner, i would totally own a couple of them!!!

The other thing i like about the FT-450D is its more of a base radio. The 857/897 radios are too compact and have more of a mobile feel to them. Another reason i love my 847, large display, spread out controls. The 450D definitely wins my bid.

Yep, I have eliminated the FT-857 and left the FT-897 and FT-450D. Going over to another hams house to play with the FT-897, so I will have an absolute answer by then.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[ropin4gold]

I had the FT-897 and really liked it. I ended up trading it for a Kenwood TS-570sg. 100% of my operation is from home so this fit my needs better. Give the 897 a fair shake. I wouldn't use it with the internal batteries, just run it off of some deep cycles on your hilltop. It is really well made. I have not had any experiance with the FT-450 but my neighbor has been looking at one so hopefully he buys it so I can play with it. I ran an LDG tuner with the 897 and got along good.

 

[CalebATC]

Alright, thanks. I am going over to a friends tomorrow to play with this FT-897, then I will report back here and let you know what I think!

 

[W2NJS]

Caleb, what you think about various radios is the most important part of the decision you're trying to make. However, the experience of others could be a big help to you as well. My personal experience with Yaesu/Vertex has been mixed, meaning that their stuff makes more factory trips for repairs than my Icom stuff. The Icom stuff rarely, if ever, has to be sent out for repairs. My experience with these two companies goes back about twenty years or more. Icom makes high quality equipment; Yaesu's seems to suffer from quality control problems but their service, when needed is fast. I've not owned or used any Kenwood gear for a long time, but based upon a set of TM201 and TM401 radios I once had in the car I would put them a close second to Icom. These are all personal opinions, of course, but the worst feeling is when your new radio dies on you right after you start using it.

 

[K9WG]

... snip ... The Icom stuff rarely, if ever, has to be sent out for repairs. My experience with these two companies goes back about twenty years or more. Icom makes high quality equipment; ... snip ....

I agree. I have (figuratively) beat the daylights out of my IC-718. I have used it on every frequency from 160M to 10M (many non-ham) with SWR that would make Marconi cry and it just keeps going like the Energizer bunny. Keep all the "bells and whistles", I want reliability.

I do also have a Yaesu FT-2600M (VHF) that has seen long service without any problems (again on frequencies it was not designed for).

 

[K2KOH]

Icom makes good stuff, so does Yaesu. My IC746 was in storage for five years and it fired up no problem recently. Same with my Alinco DX70TH. But I also love my Yaesu FT817ND. YMMV...gotta check it all out and make an informed decision. One of the reasons I like living relatively close to a ham store (Lentini in Connecticut).

 

[ranger821]

Caleb. Get the 480 and leave the front on it. I have had my 480HX for a year now and I love it. Like all the others, it's a little complicated. 6 meters thru 160. You already have 2 meters and 440 covered.

 

[prcguy]

I've had an FT-857 and FT-897 since they first came out and the 897 was first on the market. They are the identical radio inside with the same performance, which is good but not great.

I do a lot of portable ops on travel and hiking (good way to loose those lbs) and after purchasing the 857, my 897 has been on the shelf unused for several years. Its fine for fixed base use but too darn heavy for anything else.

I also had the batteries inside the 897 and that was cute for short time use but your limited to 20w and the batteries were very degraded after about a years use. I have a very small A123 battery pack for the 857 that lets me operate portable at 100w for several hours.

Sooo, if portable operation is something you might consider, the FT-857 is one of the more popular radios based on the low battery drain on RX, small size and fairly good performance.
prcguy

 

[CalebATC]

AEMTKieran, I would agree with the Yaesu's/Vertex radios. I have had to send my VXA-220 (5 watt portable transceiver for aviation band) and my FT-1900R back, a screen problem on the VXA-220, and the PLL on the FT-1900R. As for my FT-60R, no problems at all. I would agree that it does seem like they do have something wrong with them, or maybe I am just unlucky. I'd way rather have the ruggedness, and the performance of the radio than go for a Icom. Just my opinion.

ranger821, I would like to have the Kenwood, but hate the removable faceplate. Does it HAVE to be removed? Or can it not stay on the radio at all? That was my biggest pet peeve with that one. I don't want the faceplate falling off all the time!

prc, I see what you say about the FT-857/897. I would have to agree. If I was running portable, I would be doing it from generators at field day, or a car battery at any other place.

The SSB and AM just looks great on the FT-897. Probably not going over to the friends house today, have to work on the tower. Hopefully Monday I will take the FT-897 for the spin.

 

[w2txb]

Having radios from both ICOM (IC-7000) and Yaesu (VX-8DR, FT-8900R's, and FT-817ND), and never having any problems with them, I will say that the brand is less important to me than the features of the radio. Neither has any bad features; each just works in a somewhat different manner.

For under $1000, the IC-7000 is out of the game, while the Yaesu 857, 897, and 450 are within reach. All will perform well for their intended purpose. What will increase the cost are the added items, such as filters (which are included in the IC-7000/7200).

Go get the General license ASAP, as the study material and question pool will change in five months.

 

[ranger821]

ranger821, I would like to have the Kenwood, but hate the removable faceplate. Does it HAVE to be removed? Or can it not stay on the radio at all? That was my biggest pet peeve with that one. I don't want the faceplate falling off all the time!

I was confused!!!! I just looked at the 480HX. Had it confused with my V71A. sorry for the mis information. That happens when you are as old as I am.

 

[CalebATC]

ranger821, I would like to have the Kenwood, but hate the removable faceplate. Does it HAVE to be removed? Or can it not stay on the radio at all? That was my biggest pet peeve with that one. I don't want the faceplate falling off all the time!

I was confused!!!! I just looked at the 480HX. Had it confused with my V71A. sorry for the mis information. That happens when you are as old as I am.

Haha, not a problem.

I don't wanna get old

 

[ranger821]

Haha, not a problem.

I don't wanna get old

Your day will come in about 50 years young fella. It's just a matter of time. No way around it.