Is it a problem having my rig always on?

[SV9AEU]

Hi there. I have a yaesu ft-857d only a few months new. I usually never turn it off day or night leaving it to scanning mode so i can monitor the local repeaters all the time 24/7. Will this reduce the rig's life and cause problems in the future?

[AE5KG]

Not an expert on radios.  However, I worked for the Air Force as a subcontractor for computer network install and service.  As long as the device is cool enough, there is no reason that leaving it on would cause any problems.  Heat is the biggest problem. As long as there is proper ventilation and air movement over/through the radio, it should be fine.  

There were some devices that had been running for 10+ years on a couple Air Force bases.  

Again, not too experienced with radios, this is just for electronics in general

Patrick

[W0FM]

Hi Jay!

Most every type of electronic equipment suffers a little after being turned on and off many times over periods of years.  There is usually an initial inrush that may stress components, particularly those made cheaply.  I have always felt that, in the absence of extreme heat build-up, the equipment might have a longer life if left on continuously.

That might not hold true for every piece of ham gear, but it's just my 2 cents.

73,

Terry, WØFM

[NO6L]

In the reverse, if equipment is in storage, be sure to power it up a time or two a year. Electrolytic capacitors need to have their "legs" stretched so they don't loose their forming. I almost never see equipment that's been used a lot on my bench with bad electrolytic caps, it's almost always stuff from storage.

[AF4O]

From my experience, basically four main things will kill modern electronics. First is a lightning or power surge. Second is liquid spilled into the unit. Third is dropping it. And fourth is poor design (often seen on consumer *&^% out there) which often will show up during or just after the warranty runs out. I imagine though the 857 has been out there long enough and refined to where the fourth is not a factor.

Electronic component failure happens but usually when it is really old and that is a very distant fifth. You do often see mechanical failure on units especially of the consumer grade stuff.

Oh, and dont ever never ever mess with a menu mod or the service menu that you found on the net.

I would probably turn the backlight on the display off if i left it on for long periods of time. Filament type bulbs can burn out. Not sure what the 857 has. But if the backlight is of the LED type or such, i would'nt even worry with that.

Disconnect if storms threaten. Dont put your grape soda next to it. Dont drop it. Dont mod it or mess with the service menu. Maybe stick an extra fan on it if you run full duty cycle modes. Otherwise run it and have fun.

Chuck
AF4O

[VA3PEN]

From a different perspective, you may not want to leave it on in your absence. Someone else may (illegally) operate your rig (that someone could be your curious kitten :-) and it becomes your responsibility.

Just my 2 cents.
73.  

[KB2FCV]

VA3PEN,
I agree there! The cats will once in a while kit the keyer paddles so I usually disable it when I'm not around. If you have curious people or pets.. it's best to leave your transmitter somehow disabled (put in another mode, take of vox, power down, etc)

[ONAIR]

I remember an old ham who often would leave his rig on in VOX mode.  When his cat and dog would start to battle in his shack, they could be heard thousands of miles away!

[K9FON]

I have left my Icom V 8000 on since the XYL and I moved into this house. That was back in 2005 and it has never been turned off!!

[K1DA]

The only problem I can see, aside from lightning, is the little bulbs that will eventually burn out and can
be the very devil to replace.  Not like the FB old days when you could just slap a new #47 into an S Line.
I have a Kenwood commercial vhf radio with LED backlighting which has been on for about 4 years, and an Icom 6 meter monobander which stays on from the beginning of the e skip season to the end.  Have not lost an s meter bulb yet but the bulb is easy to get too.  May put  a high output yellow led in there.  I have lost bulbs in my 2 meter monobander and an Icom hf radio but they wern't to difficult to change.  The Icom hf radio probably has less hours than any of them, too.  I don't think turning them on and off helps
bulb life unless the bulbs are operating from a regulated supply.