Need Help with Yaesu ft-897d that won't transmit when Keying!

[KD5YWA]

  Ok, I am in CW mode. I have a MFJ-553 Key, and a MFJ Keyer/Reader (MFJ-464) and when I try to transmit or Key, my little light stays green, not red for transmit.  I have tried changing the polarity of the key from positive to negative... nothing. I have tried other cords... 

Nothing.

But, I can hear the code pass thur them radio through the speaker of the radio. 

Any help would be appreciated.

[NN4RH]

If you are hearing the code audio sidetone being sent through the radio speakers, but it is not transmitting, check that you have "BK" turned ON.

[KD5YWA]

should I have BK turned on? Because I don't have it turned on....

[KI6LZ]

Is VOX on?

[NI8R]

bk is for break in cw, mox turns the transmit on fulltime.
please turn the bk on and try again. also set keying function if using a paddle. listen to nn4rh.

Greg kc8iir

[NN4RH]

should I have BK turned on? Because I don't have it turned on....

Well, just turn it on and see what happens!

[K7KBN]

What does the manual say?  How about taking all the extra stuff out of the way and try keying it with a straight key (or just wires connected to a plug of the appropriate type).  The 897 manual specifies a 3-conductor plug (like a 1/4" stereo plug; two conductors plus shield), but the illustration for using a straight key only shows a single conductor plus shield).

You DO have the manual, right?

[K7KBN]

should I have BK turned on? Because I don't have it turned on....

Well, just turn it on and see what happens!

Best response yet!

[NN4RH]

. . .   The 897 manual specifies a 3-conductor plug (like a 1/4" stereo plug; two conductors plus shield), but the illustration for using a straight key only shows a single conductor plus shield).

Actually that page in the manual is wrong and inexplicably has been wrong way for years, and is wrong in many of the other Yaesu radio manuals too.  You have to use a stereo plug even for a straight key. For a straight key, wire to the "tip" and the "common" but "ring" is not connected to anything. That would apply to an external keyer as well.  But I don't think that's the problem in this case. If I understand what he's describing, he's hearing the sidetone keying correctly, which means the plug wiring is OK. It's just not keying the transmitter. So I think he just needs to turn on <BK>.

[VE3WMB]

If BK is not enabled then all you have is an expensive Code Practice Oscillator.
You will hear sidetone but nothing us bring transmitted.

Michael VE3WMB

should I have BK turned on? Because I don't have it turned on....

[W8MW]

So .... did he ever get it on the air?

73 Mike W8MW
Enjoying benevolent contacts with fellow amateurs since 1963