lost my power cable to the FT-847.  Besides Yaesu, anyone know of a source that won't break the bank?
TNX es 73 de W4CX

Great to find this thread.  I just purchased a new 08 RAV4 (LOVE this car), but I'm finding it 'ham challenged'.  I'm starting the process of installing my FT-857 and see some problems already.  

Thanks for the info on the 'nipple' entry point.  I was looking around all afternoon today and had no eureka moments.  Will take a look at this tomorrow.

I did have success mounting the control head.  Basically I have a small metal "gimble" mount gizmo that worked well.  I picked up two of them at a hamfest a long time ago.  Fellow told me they were used to position photodetectors on an industrial machine of some type. I think you could use one of those Lido mounts too, but I find they were too long, plastic, and wobbly.  I put a piece of double sided tape on the mount and stuck it to the underside "ceiling" of the little storage area below the radio so that the gimble stuck out.  The other part clamped to the gimble and mounted nicely on the Yaesu mobile bracket.  (BTW, DON'T pay the big bucks for the Yaesu kit, one of those aftermarket kits on Ebay works great).  

Question:  Where are you going to mount your radio itself?  On my previous Ford Escape, I just put it underneath the passenger seat and it was fine.

The biggest problem I see is getting a good mount for the ATAS-120 antenna.  There is not a place to clamp the Diamond mount because the door is not a hatchback (i.e: no lip at the top....the RAV opens like a standard horizontal door).

What are you guys going to use?

Darrell W4CX

Josh...gotta tell you, dude, I am impressed with you!  I hear it in your posts...you really love this radio stuff, and it's definately under your skin.  Good for you!  Just remember to keep it balanced, as many have said here.

When I was 16 I had a number of jobs and while doing them, I was always thinking about the hobby (well, there *was* this gal with......:-), but really it became my passion.  I was financially limited so couldn't do much, but I decided I'd spend a lot of that time and energy getting higher class licenses.  I went after and got the FCC Second and First class commercial licenses (now both General, dang it), and then on to Amateur Extra.  I would sneak radio books into my places of employment and read when I could, take them on picnics, etc.  Yeah, I got a lot of ribbing from the guys (and funny looks from the gals sometimes), but once I graduated from HS and then in college, the licenses and work that I did REALLY helped me.  Besides, the local AM/FM radio station was impressed and hired me as "Associate Chief Engineer" when I was 18!  When I did some announcing, I suddenly got ALOT of attention from the community which really helped my social life.  

So my friend, keep at it and don't get discouraged.  Necessity is the mother of invention and it sounds like you are learning alot about compromise, creativity, and perseverence.....ALL traits of a fine man!  Keep it up, and let me here from you sometime.  
Email is w4cx 'at' bellsouth 'dot' net.  Darrell W4CX

You're 16.  Do you have a car?  Have you considered mobile operation if so?  Lots of us hams have community restrictions that are unbearable, but have built nice mobile shacks.  Plus, you CAN take it with you!  Good luck....hang in there!

Does anyone know what the diff is between these two models?  Or if there IS a difference?  I have what I believe to be the earlier A50-6 which has a 7-piece boom, and the current S model looks to have a 3 piece boom.  That's the only manual I can find, and the element spacings seem to be much different.  There are no labels on my beam, just faded black and red lines for element mounts.

Desparately seeking assembly instructions for the older A50-6 model to prep for next weekend's CQ VHF contest.  Thanks!!!!!   W4CX

I don't understand why Eham couldn't do what Amazon does.  "Rate the Reviewer", or "was this review helpful to you".  Each reader votes and the tally is displayed at the top of each comment.  After awhile, it's pretty obvious which review is "full of wind" and who is not.  What say Eham??  Darrell W4CX

Also, have you tried getting a can of spray-cooler and test it on the pcb boards when it's failed?  If it IS thermal, this could help you locate the bad area

what happens when you turn off AGC?  I have an 890 and love it.  I also have the tech manual.
73, Darrell W4CX

What are high speed CW ops using to copy?  I'm trying to do >20WPM "by ear".  Is that possible??  Disregarding those who use automatic CW decoders on their PC, do you:
1) copy in your head and jot down call, name, etc....or
2) use a keyboard/typewriter to log the qso...or
3) other?

I've heard of master CW ops who can copy while carrying on a verbal conversation in the shack.  What methods do you use to do that?