Like you, I have an 897d that I use for my base station. I just recently purchased an 857d for mobile use. I love it!  In my opinion, if you like your 897d, then you'll also be very happy with an 857d. They are, afterall, exactly the same electronically. All of the menus and other features are identical. Because I owned the 897d, it took me about 1 minute to figure out how to operate the 857d. Yes, the display is small. However, as long as you have 20/20 vision or wear appropriate glasses, you will be able to read the display without issue. Feel free to email me with any specific questions. Just look me up on qrz dot com to find my email address.

73
Scott
KI4EMD

Thanks, Steve and Alan, for your responses.  As it happens, there are already holes in my frame that are located in the perfect locations for what I seek to do.  With any luck, I should be able to begin the install process tomorrow.  Thanks again!

73
Scott
KI4EMD

Hello all,

I'm looking at installing an 857d in my 04 Chevy S-10.  The control head will be up front (obviously!) and the body of the rig will be mounted behind the seat, in the rear of the cab (my vehicle is a 4 door crew cab).  In examining the truck closely, it appears that the easiest, most direct route for the rig's power cables will be from the battery terminals, straight down into the vehicle frame, and then up and in through the bottom of the rear of the cab. In other words, the cables will actually rest inside the vehicle's frame for approximately 10 feet or so.  At this point in time, I've checked to ensure that the entire length of the frame is unobstructed so that the wires may freely pass through.  It is.  It looks like I'm good to go.

Questions:   Does anyone foresee a problem with this plan of attack?  Will running the power cables through (inside) the vehicle's frame make the rig more susceptible to electrical/rf/noise problems?  Would it be unsafe in any way?  Anyone have experience with this type of install?

Many thanks,
Scott
KI4EMD

Yaesu 857d.  160 meter - 70 cm, capable of 100 watts or QRP if you'd prefer, very small footprint, inboard SWR meter.  Only negative - it does not have a built in tuner, so you'd either need to take a small tuner along or use resonant antennas (I would guess that a dipole or two would suffice).

Just my humble opinion...
73
KI4EMD

My apologies now if this question has been asked a thousand times before...

I am using Ham Radio Deluxe and the PSK31 Deluxe program that downloaded with the software. I've interfaced it with my FT-897d using an audio cable plugged into the computer's sound card for receive, and the CAT data cable for transmit. I've been successfully decoding messages for a couple of weeks now. I have also done some test transmissions into a dummy load to verify that a signal is going out. I know that it is because when I transmit, my wattmeter reacts as it should. So I'm now ready to get on the air and transmit for real. Question: Does the software automatically adjust my transmit frequency? Example: Say that the display on my ft-897d reads 3.580.15. As I look at the waterfall, I notice that there is a signal on 3.582.20. I click my mouse on 3.582.20 and begin to read the other station's transmission. If I want to respond, do I need to reach over to the dial on the radio and dial in 3.582.20, or does the software automatically compensate? I hope that my question is written clearly. Any help would be appreciated.

Looking forward to my first PSK31 QSO!

73,
Scott
KI4EMD  
       

I would use a two-prong approach.  For general knowledge and theory, I'd buy the latest copy of "Now You're Talking".  For exam practice, I'd have her use internet testing resources.  A good one is http://www.qrz.com/testing.html.  After a while, she'll pretty much have the questions memorized, yet with the book study, she'll also know the theory behind the questions.

73
Scott
KI4EMD

I have my G5RV on the roof just as you describe.  It does well enough, but the noise from the electrical wiring in the attic is horrible.  I would suggest that you get it away from the house if possible.

73, Scott

Hello,

I hope that this isn't a repost, but I'm wondering if anyone has experience using a battery booster pack as a portable source of power.  I'm talking about those battery packs with jumper cables that folks use to recharge their car batteries.  I'm interested in running HF sideband portable, with a maximum output of 100 watts.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott
KI4EMD

I've owned both radios, and I have good news: You can't go wrong with either radio.  I have had great experiences with both.  The 718 is a basic HF workhorse with a great track record.  The 897 has the extra vhf/uhf bands and lots of bells and whistles (some folks like bells and whistles, some don't).  The controls on the 897 are a little more cramped, but it has not been a problem for me.  I've enjoyed both radios and have made lots of contacts, so it's really a matter of personal taste.  But as I said, you can't go wrong with either radio.

Good luck,
KI4EMD

For those of you who have experience in grayline propagation...Are there particular HF bands that tend to work best for this type of propagation?  Certain bands for sunrise grayline?  Certain bands for sunset grayline?  Certain bands that rarely or never work?

Any insight from your practical experience would be appreciated.

KI4EMD
Scott

I installed my Hustler 6btv by driving a 5 foot piece of metal pipe into the ground.  I left about one foot of the pipe exposed above ground.  I then attached the antenna to that pipe with NO radials.  My antenna performs very well.  It's SWR is less than 2:1 on all bands except 80m, so I have no problem using it with a tuner.  In my situation, I happen to know that the metal pipe went deep enough to hit the water table, thus providing a ground of sorts.  You can always install yours, check the performance, and then add radials for the bands that you're not happy with.  Good luck!

I would go ahead and guy the mast.  It's really not a big problem.  For your lightweight setup, you could easily get by with using 30 lb fishing line.  Just leave an itsy bit of slack in the fishing lines and tie them off to something sturdy.  Should be inexpensive and take less than 15 minutes.  Good luck!

Scott
KI4EMD

Hello All,

I posted this question in the "Computers and Software" forum, but received no responses.  Maybe some of the elmer crowd can help.  I have Ham Radio Deluxe installed and it runs my Yaesu 897d beautifully. The only problem is that the audio grabber does not seem to function correctly. I hit the record button, then the stop button when I'm finished. When I ask the program to play the mp3 file, I hear nothing. My computer's volume is not muted, the volume level is up.

Suggestions anyone?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Scott
KI4EMD

Yet another vote for the Icom 718.  I've owned the rig, and it was a great performer - yet also a very basic and inexpensive radio.  It would serve you well for many years to come.  The only reason I sold it was to get a Yaesu 897d, which covers HF, 2m, and 70cm.  Best of luck!  73 de Ki4emd

Hello All,

I have Ham Radio Deluxe installed and it runs my Yaesu 897d beautifully.  The only problem is that the audio grabber does not seem to function correctly.  I hit the record button, then the stop button when I'm finished.  When I ask the program to play the mp3 file, I hear nothing.  My computer's volume is not muted, the volume level is up.

Suggestions anyone?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Scott
KI4EMD