Very nice!  What you have written is very simple and fun to use.  Thanks for sharing. 
Richard - K4KRW

Lamar,

I don't have your interface.  So, I can't speak from experience.

But, I'll give it a try.

How are you keying the radio?  Are you using the CW keying cable (stereo shielded cable with 1/8" plugs) between the rigblaster and the key jack on the FT-897D.  Is the radio's built in electronic keyer disabled so the jack functions like a straight key jack?  Is the correct COM port configured in the software?  Is the software configured to use DTR?

Richard
K4KRW

You may want to re-read the 'Mobile Radio Wiring and Grounding' page on W8JI's web site.

http://www.w8ji.com/mobile_ground.htm

I had read that page in the past and what I saw in this thread didn't match what I remembered.

(Partial Summary: Don't fuse negative lead.  Don't run negative lead to battery. - But, don't take my word.  Please read his article carefully)

Richard - K4KRW

The Four State QRP club has this nice little kit for integrating receivers and low power transmitters.  Even provides side tone.

http://www.4sqrp.com/MagicBox.php

73, Richard

Just Learn Morse Code http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com makes nice CW audio files.  Unfortunately it only makes .wav files.  But, you can find utilities to convert them.  But, the quality is very good.  I have been making CW training audio for myself and also been converting book chapters to cw for additional practice using this and have been very happy with the  results.

I can't recommend an audio file conversion app.  I bought an expensive software package years ago that does it so I haven't had to look.  But, I'm sure there are plenty of free utilities out there.

Apparently Windows Media Player can do this.

Richard - K4KRW

I agree.  You probably have the wrong taper.  The gain control on your rig is indeed supposed to be linear taper according to the instructions.  Set the potentiometer at it's mid position and measure the resistance between the center lead (wiper) and both ends.  If you get approximately the same reading on both sides, it is linear.  If you get substantially different readings it is probably audio taper (logarithmic).  You can also often tell by markings on the part.  Parts marked for the U.S. market usually have an 'A' if they are audio taper and a 'B' if they are linear taper.  So, the pot I just bought for my OHR100A to replace a damaged volume control is marked B10K.  So, mine is a 10K Ohm linear taper pot.

The Elecraft KX3 does digital modes.

Being able to monitor both 70cm and 2m at the same time is nice.  Cross band repeat is nice.  With the 897D you can't even monitor one of those bands while you are working HF.  But, you are not comparing apples to apples when you talk about 70cm and 2m verses a separate mobile rig.  I don't know of a single dual band mobile/portable rig currently in production that is all mode. 

Actually, this is one of the bad points about the FT-897D.  You will end up like me.  I would like to buy a new rig.  But, every time I think I'm actually going to do it, I think about losing SSB on 2m and 70cm and I decide I'd rather keep what I have.  So, in the end, I will end up with 2 main rigs.  The FT-897D and whatever I decide to purchase. 

You just can't buy another rig that matches the FT-897D in its packaging and capabilities.

You can easily buy a separate dual band rig to get dual band monitoring and cross band repeat.  For example, my Alinco DR-635 is very reasonably price and does all of this well.  You can't easily buy SSB capabilities for 2m and 70cm. 

For me it made more sense to get the SSB capabilities and handle the rest with a separate rig.

73, Richard - K4KRW

The Signalink device has a built in sound card.  The USB interface in the Signalink is just an interface to this built in sound card.  So, the Ham Radio Deluxe will get it's sound data from the SignalLink sound card on receive and send it's sound data to the Signalink sound card on transmit via this USB port.  It can also be used to control the 'Push to Talk' line so the Signallink can key your transmitter.  But that is it.  With most sound card interfaces, you can leave the keying of the transmitter up to the VOX functionality of the rig as well.  Not sure about the Signalink.  I don't use VOX myself.  I like having control of the PTT line better.

You can work PSK and other digital modes with this setup just fine.  You just can't see and change settings on the rig using Ham Radio Deluxe (or other control software).  If you add a second adapter (CAT interface), the Signallink will take care of the audio side and the CAT interface will take care of the rig control.

Or you can find an interface that will just do both.  I have an interface that does both (Audio interface and CAT interface).  I think it is worth the extra money.  Mine is an old one.  This one would be the current version of it.

http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/DM_PRO_PLUS_complete.shtml
Note though, it does not have a built in sound card.  If you have a great sound card, you can get by with this just fine.  Many laptops don't though.

Here is a more expensive model that does it all.  Built in sound card, digital modes capabilities and CAT capabilities.
http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/DigiMaster%20ProTwo.shtml


I would look at the RigBlasters too. 
Simple model that depends on your PC's sound card.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=pnp

Deluxe model with built in sound card
http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rb_adv

If I bought a new one I would buy one with the built in sound card.  Many PCs have really sorry sound cards.  Plus, if you use the PC's sound card, you will have to constantly change your record and playback levels as you go from using digital modes to just using the PC.

The devices with the built in sound card allow you to just set the levels for that card separately.  Then you can just leave them alone.  You can also isolate the audio to the second sound card so your normal windows sounds don't play through that sound card.  You don't want to unintentionally broadcast audio from your PC (like one night when I broadcast the audio from a B-52 crash video unintentionally over the local repeater - (ssshhh - don't tell anyone.).

They weren't building sound cards into the digital modes interfaces at the time I bought mine.  I actually use a separate external sound card with my laptop.  I use a Griffin iMic.  They were great at the time I bought it.  Not sure now.  Today, I would buy one of the interfaces that does it all.

If you just wanted to add CAT capabilies and still go with the Signalink, you would need to buy something like this.

http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/unified/YaesuCAT.shtml  (First item on page - Plus buy the correct interface cable)

Yeasu also makes the CT-62 which sells for about $40.  People seem to like it fine.  Most ham radio vendors carry them.

Hope this helps.

Richard - K4KRW

I saw Micheal's post after I posted mine.

Great points about the power supply and antenna tuner.

One other difference between the 897 and the 857.  The 897 comes with the TCXO option 
(Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator - makes the 897 more frequency stable.  But, I don't think drift is a problem without the TCXO).

I agree with Michael on the CW filter (if you are going to be operating CW).

73 - Richard - K4KRW

I have an FT-897D (Since 2005).  It is a good radio and I have really enjoyed mine.  It is getting a little dated in its design, but still it is a great value and exists in a very small class of radios that give you HF/VHF and UHF.

As far as using it for satellite work.  Realize that it does not operate full duplex.  So, you can't hear the downlink side of the satellite while transmitting on the uplink side. Of course, there are not many radios that do this.  And you pay a premium for that capability.  You should do some research here before you make any purchasing decisions with satellites in mind.  If you can find a local satellite enthusiast to show you the ropes, that would be best.  It is very easy to offend folks on 'the birds' with poor operating practices.  Find a good mentor and things will go much smoother.  And you also probably get some help with purchasing decisions.

The Signalink USB interface will work fine for PSK and other sound card type modes.  But, I don't think it gives you CAT control.  So, for example, if you were using Ham Radio Deluxe, you could not see and change radio settings (even frequency) using the software.  You would be limited to just the digital modes and 'waterfall' functionality (DM780 basically).  You can add a second interface (a CAT interface) to do this.  So, it's not that the Signalink won't work.  It just isn't the entire solution if you want complete computer control of the rig.  Rigblaster and others do make interfaces that give you both pieces in one device.

The only comment about the AT-897 is that it is made to be used with the FT-897.  It will probably work just as well with other rigs.  But, if you want to use it with multiple rigs, you might want to do some investigating.  I have the Z-11 Pro II.  It's tuning range is a little more broad (but not much = 6 to 1000 vs 6 to 800).  But, you also get those additional buttons on the front of the tuner.  I do find that I use them from time to time and I would definitely miss them.  That is one reason I didn't get the AT-897.

FP-30.  The convenience of having the power supply in the radio would definitely be nice.  I have never used my battery compartments.  So, I could use one as well.  I use external gel cells when operating portable.  You do pay a premium (looks like about $90 more) for the convenience of the internal supply.  But, if convenience is the priority, the FP-30 is hard to argue with.

Microphone -  See later comment.

Advice.
Try not to buy any radio without first trying one out.  See if you can find a local ham who has one who could show you how it works.  Try to look at the competing products as well.  I do think you will like the 897.  But, it is getting to be an old design.  It does serve a niche that very few other radios really serve.  (The IC-7000 would be another to look at).  There are plenty of fans of both.  Also, the best radio for one person is often not the best for another.

You may want to hold off on some accessories.  You could definitely save some money and may find you don't need them.  The microphone would be a perfect example of where to hold off.  I program my frequencies and settings and store them in memories.   I find I just don't need the number buttons.  Would it be handy to directly enter a frequency?  Sure.  But what mode are you in?  If you are in the PSK area of the band and you enter a SSB frequency, you still have to go fiddle with mode (change from Data to SSB) ......  I just store my band edges and modes in memories.  I have all of the CW band edges in a series, followed by all of my Data mode frequencies followed by all of my SSB band edges.  So, if I want to go from the CW part of 40 meters, to the SSB part of 20 meters, I just spin the memory knob until I get to the memory setting for the bottom edge of the SSB section on 20 meters.  Once there, all of my settings are correct and I am ready to go.  I then only have to spin the VFO up into the band segment.  No other settings need to be touched.

I would probably be more concerned about the sound quality of the microphone than whether it offered a number pad.  Note: the stock mike is one thing that is often enhanced or replaced by owners of the 897.

The antenna tuner may be another area where you can wait.  If you are using antennas that present a proper impedance on the band you are using, you don't need a tuner.  So, you would not need a tuner for a fan dipole if it is tuned for the bands you use.  But, if you want to use something like a G5RV or a Carolina Windom (my antenna), you probably need a tuner.

You also may want to try some wire antennas before you spend the money on the buddy poles.  A dipole will be much more efficient.  When I go out on the field, I usually take a home brew end fed half wave antenna.  It is extremely easy to hang in a tree.  I have even used it on a kite string at the beach.

A recent Gotcha:
Do some research about 60 meters.  Since the recent rule changes, many radios really won't let you take advantage of this band.  This should not be a deal killer on a radio. But, you should understand your circumstances so you can make a good decision.  For example, with my FT-897D I cannot fully utilize the 60 meter channels without doing the MARS mod on my radio.  I personally don't want to modify my radio.  My radio, as is, will keep me from transmitting outside of a ham band  (it just won't transmit once you pass the band edge). 

Note though, your radio won't protect you from exceeding your privileges (won't stop a General from transmitting in the Extra portion of the band).  You can also end up transmitting out of band just due to the width of your signal.  Eg:  The rig will transmit on 7.300 MHz, but you shouldn't.  Part of your signal will be outside of the band. 

The thing I don't like about the MARS mod is I can easily and blatantly exceed the band edges.  Of course, others will argue they had rather be able to transmit anywhere if for no other reason emergency circumstances.  So, to each his or her own.

So, in summary, I would say don't get in a hurry to buy everything you think you will need.  After operating a while, you will learn what you really do need.  And if you haven't spent money on things you don't use, you will have money for the things you find you really do need.

Good luck and congratulations.  Sorry for the book.

73, Richard - K4KRW

I live in Charlotte.  So it is only about a 30 minute drive for me.  But, to me, Shelby would definitely be worth a 4 hour drive.  It is the largest hamfest in this area.  The Charlotte hamfest is a close second.

Shelby usually gets good participation from manufacturers and vendors.  There is usually a very large flea market.  I see a lot of interesting things every year.

About their move to Dallas, NC.  I think the Shelby club definitely turned lemons into lemonade.  The fairground in Shelby really messed up.  The location in Dallas really seems to want their business.  With a very tight time frame, the Shelby club made the transition between the two sites work. 

I know how much time and effort goes into putting together a hamfest and I feel this group really deserves strong attendance.  They really do a great job.  So, I don't miss Shelby unless I just have no choice.

Like all hamfests, I don't think it is as large as it used to be.  But, it is still very nice.  And I look forward to it every year.

73,

Richard - K4KRW

Some transceivers like my FT-897D have an LED indicator that flashes with the signal when you are zero beat.  I really wish all transceivers had this.  It works perfectly and is very user friendly.  You can add the feature yourself.  I have added it to my QRP rig.

This is the kit I used.
http://www.wb3aal.com/Pages/K6XX/K6XXCWIndicatorKit.htm

73 - Richard

The other problem is non standard placement of data files.  Applications should not write data to their location in the program files folder.  In the case of Vista and Windows 7 you end up with the altered files being in 'VirtualStore'.  I have found VirtualStore to be very inconsistent with its treatment of files. 

My initial exposure to VirtualStore was with Orbitron.  The Keplerian files are in the program folder.  So my Keplerian files were being written to VirtualStore when they were updated.  Windows should have then read from there as well.  But instead, when Oribitron ran, it read the copies in the actual program files folder.  To make things really confusing, when I went into explorer, I saw the updated keplerian files in my program folder. 

In summary:  The original configuration files were in the program folder.  Updates to those files happened in the VirtualStore folder.  But, sometimes when reading those updated files you would instead be reading the original files in the program folder.

Only later after some serious head scratching did I discover VirtualStore.  I actually ended up deleting the original files and Orbitron worked because the operating system had no choice but to hand it the files in VirtualStore.

With these non-standard programs, you can sometimes get them to work by configuring them to run in some backward compatibility mode.  But, you are compromising the security of your system.

This kind of problem is really pretty easy to fix.  Put files being updated under the user's profile or the public profile.  Or even better, let the user decide where to put them when they install your application (this is how Log4OM works).

I don't understand why people won't make this simple change.

73,  Richard

Thanks for all of the replies.  I enjoyed them all. 

Rob, Some words do already seem to just be automatically captured as a whole.  'The' is certainly one of them.  That is what pointed me towards trying to learn more words.  When I hear Morse code letter by letter, I just get bogged down processing it all.  I'm sure this is the norm.  So far, learning whole words has been productive.

Pat, I had never heard of Wabun Morse code (of course, I don't know Japanese either).  There is actually a Wikipedia article on it.  That does seem like it would be very efficient.  Very interesting. 

Gavin, thanks for the warning (hearing what you know, rather than what was sent).  I have been learning with that in mind.  So far, it hasn't been a problem.  But, I do see how it could easily become one.  Had never heard of the word ptarmigan. 

Thanks everyone!

73 all,

Richard