Yaesu: Yaesu FT-817
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K7MEM
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The FT-817 is a great little radio, but whether it's the radio for you depends on what you want to use it for.
A friend of mine has a FT-817, so I have gotten to work with it. I kept it for a week or two so I could make him a PSK-31 interface. The interface worked fine and many were surprised at how well 1 watt could work. It's nice being all band (160M - 2M) and all mode. I also built a solar battery box for it, so my friend could take it hiking.
However, if all you are going to do with it is VHF/UHF FM work, it may be too much radio for you. It's just that it has so many other capabilities that it would be a shame to restrict it to FM work. I haven't worked 2 meters in a long time so someone else will have to make a recommendation in that area.
However, even if you intend to use it on the HF bands (CW, SSB), if you are not experienced in running QRP, it could be very discouraging. Not because of the rig, but because QRP work takes a lot of patience.
Martin - K7MEM
A friend of mine has a FT-817, so I have gotten to work with it. I kept it for a week or two so I could make him a PSK-31 interface. The interface worked fine and many were surprised at how well 1 watt could work. It's nice being all band (160M - 2M) and all mode. I also built a solar battery box for it, so my friend could take it hiking.
However, if all you are going to do with it is VHF/UHF FM work, it may be too much radio for you. It's just that it has so many other capabilities that it would be a shame to restrict it to FM work. I haven't worked 2 meters in a long time so someone else will have to make a recommendation in that area.
However, even if you intend to use it on the HF bands (CW, SSB), if you are not experienced in running QRP, it could be very discouraging. Not because of the rig, but because QRP work takes a lot of patience.
Martin - K7MEM
The 817ND has specific qualities, that being its size, weight and low power consumption for portable use. The internal battery only lasts so long, thus expect a few hours of use, I would say less than two per battery. This makes it ideal for short excursions or an outing to the park or somewhere. It is convenient to pack up and take on trips as well. Alternative battery sources like LiPO can be obtained that offer faster charging so switching out batteries can be an option.
Here's the thing, that radio is fun to operate and it is convenient for portable use, but without an antenna and propagation expect disappointment. I get a kick making voice contacts with that radio, but with its low power it really shines using CW or digital modes. Digital means bringing along another device or two. CW is great with only a key adding to the overall weight.
First and foremost, the antenna should not be an afterthought. I have used and still use a variety of antennas depending on how and where I am going to use that radio. From wires to verticals, to yagi antennas it just depends on the location. My usual favorites are a Buddipole and an Off Center Fed antenna. From time to time a vertical on my vehicle sees some use. I have even used that radio with a three element yagi and that was enjoyable. A compromised antenna is nobody's friend whether using five or 100 watts. Still, that is the tradeoff for portability.
If you aren't planning on venturing far from an AC or DC power source or a vehicle, I would recommend a different radio. While you can turn down the power on the other radio, they will require more power on receive and transmit. There are plenty of other bells and whistles you won't find with the 817ND, but again that's the tradeoff. Turn down a 100 watt radio to twenty watts and you'll may eliminate current on the feedline too. With the Buddipole and OCF antennas I use a 1:1 current balun at the antenna feed point. RF back into the radio ruins everything. Some snap on ferrite core beads on the coax may due the trick too. There are operators that have zero clue about that and curse the radio or antenna. The radio and antenna are part of a system.
I see the 817ND as a wonderful all mode HT. I have used it during the ARRL VHF contest in the Single Operator Portable category and rack up plenty of points. It makes it very easy to take along when camping, without taking up much space. I repurposed an old laptop bag to carry that radio, various accessories, and a Mini-Buddipole.
Finally, that is not my only HF radio. I am a right tool for the job type of person, but sometimes a multi band/mode radio fits whether it is a Yaesu 8x7 variant, or some other radio. If you're not planning on putting it into a back pack and riding a bicycle with it somewhere, or hiking up a hill then the 817 may not be the radio for you. There are so many conditions, it is difficult to say what will work to expectations for any operator.
For me, the 817 is not my primary radio. It is an alternative radio that allows me to enjoy some casual radio time and combine the hobby with other activities. It is not a serious radio, it is a fun radio. Thus, if you're trying to make contacts, it is the wrong radio. If you're happy that you made a contact, it is.
Here's the thing, that radio is fun to operate and it is convenient for portable use, but without an antenna and propagation expect disappointment. I get a kick making voice contacts with that radio, but with its low power it really shines using CW or digital modes. Digital means bringing along another device or two. CW is great with only a key adding to the overall weight.
First and foremost, the antenna should not be an afterthought. I have used and still use a variety of antennas depending on how and where I am going to use that radio. From wires to verticals, to yagi antennas it just depends on the location. My usual favorites are a Buddipole and an Off Center Fed antenna. From time to time a vertical on my vehicle sees some use. I have even used that radio with a three element yagi and that was enjoyable. A compromised antenna is nobody's friend whether using five or 100 watts. Still, that is the tradeoff for portability.
If you aren't planning on venturing far from an AC or DC power source or a vehicle, I would recommend a different radio. While you can turn down the power on the other radio, they will require more power on receive and transmit. There are plenty of other bells and whistles you won't find with the 817ND, but again that's the tradeoff. Turn down a 100 watt radio to twenty watts and you'll may eliminate current on the feedline too. With the Buddipole and OCF antennas I use a 1:1 current balun at the antenna feed point. RF back into the radio ruins everything. Some snap on ferrite core beads on the coax may due the trick too. There are operators that have zero clue about that and curse the radio or antenna. The radio and antenna are part of a system.
I see the 817ND as a wonderful all mode HT. I have used it during the ARRL VHF contest in the Single Operator Portable category and rack up plenty of points. It makes it very easy to take along when camping, without taking up much space. I repurposed an old laptop bag to carry that radio, various accessories, and a Mini-Buddipole.
Finally, that is not my only HF radio. I am a right tool for the job type of person, but sometimes a multi band/mode radio fits whether it is a Yaesu 8x7 variant, or some other radio. If you're not planning on putting it into a back pack and riding a bicycle with it somewhere, or hiking up a hill then the 817 may not be the radio for you. There are so many conditions, it is difficult to say what will work to expectations for any operator.
For me, the 817 is not my primary radio. It is an alternative radio that allows me to enjoy some casual radio time and combine the hobby with other activities. It is not a serious radio, it is a fun radio. Thus, if you're trying to make contacts, it is the wrong radio. If you're happy that you made a contact, it is.
Weaksignal
Member
Gunnar_Guy
Member
I had an FT-817ND for a few years. They are fun little radios but I ended up selling it and keeping my FT-857 and building super small & efficient QRP radios. Thing is 5 watts isn't enough to really work SSB so you're best using CW for contacts, which means it's a battery and weight hog compared to other options (it draws 300mA on receive, which is a lot worse than Elecraft K1 at 60mA or a Rockmite at 25mA, for example).
I built a little amp for it, an HF Packer, and that made a big difference on phone. But when I did that my Elecraft T1 tuner was no longer sufficient (good to 10W) and I had to get a bigger tuner (an LDG Z11 Pro) and start carrying a larger battery pack. All said and done the whole kit was bigger and heavier than an FT-857, which had the advantage of being 100W and having two filters instead of just one.
In the end I just never found a super compelling reason to hang on to it. Kind of depends on your situation, but I would definitely suggest it not be your first or primary radio. It's small, but not super tiny or super light. The internal battery is only good for a few hours of low duty cycle work so you need a battery pack or solar panel no matter. The receiver is not super selective being so wide banded. Honestly, the best use I ever found was fox hunting and tracing down interference. For that it was super being small and so band nimble. Otherwise just a lot of compromise compared to better options in most situations.
I built a little amp for it, an HF Packer, and that made a big difference on phone. But when I did that my Elecraft T1 tuner was no longer sufficient (good to 10W) and I had to get a bigger tuner (an LDG Z11 Pro) and start carrying a larger battery pack. All said and done the whole kit was bigger and heavier than an FT-857, which had the advantage of being 100W and having two filters instead of just one.
In the end I just never found a super compelling reason to hang on to it. Kind of depends on your situation, but I would definitely suggest it not be your first or primary radio. It's small, but not super tiny or super light. The internal battery is only good for a few hours of low duty cycle work so you need a battery pack or solar panel no matter. The receiver is not super selective being so wide banded. Honestly, the best use I ever found was fox hunting and tracing down interference. For that it was super being small and so band nimble. Otherwise just a lot of compromise compared to better options in most situations.
I had one for a dozen years...I LOVED IT! Yes, the internal battery is not much, but an outboard battery of whatever size is easy and relatively cheap. And yes the antenna needs to be a major consideration...don't cheap out there. Mine was a mobile rig, with a collection of HAMSTICKS ready to be screwed into the mount. I worked many DX-peditions, lots of 6 mtr when it was open, and yes, even a few 2 mtr contacts. I didn't really use it for that, but when I did, it worked well. The bigger spinner knob was a nice addition, as well as the improved ,modded microphone. When things changed and I no longer worked much mobile, it made a dandy 6 mtr receiver to know when the band opened, while using the HF/6 rig elsewhere. I did finally sell when I moved to a restricted antenna area, where a good antenna was just not possible.
Don't be discouraged by the 5w out....having a rig that small, with a decent receiver and the ability to go portable or mobile easily makes it worth the $$$$
Don't be discouraged by the 5w out....having a rig that small, with a decent receiver and the ability to go portable or mobile easily makes it worth the $$$$
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