Cases/packs for Ft-817nd

[K3BAK]

I am all about challenges in ham radio. I've been using a ft857d with an attic mounted g5rv jr at my townhouse for over a year now and have 60 confirmed countries out of about 90 worked, all under 50 watts. As if this isn't challenging enough I decided QRP operation should be a fun and challenging activity when I go up to camp or get a chance to go portable.

I am seeking any advice or experiences with travel cases/packs. I currently have a case similar to a pelican than I used for my 857. I'm sure that will work, but I won't be able to carry my coax, end-fedz etc in it. Anyone with any advice please help me out

73

Brian

[K7SON]

I use a Pelican 1400  for the 817,mic, tuner, the OEM antenna and an MFJ telescoping ant, the AC adapter and a quick reference guide. I have a battery canvas jumper cable case Duluth trading, on sale from time to time) for the end-fedz and coax. It has a divider to seperate coax and ants, or extra power cables and tools slots for tools or other tid-bits. Works well as a set and has gone to many remote locations by foot and quad...K

[VE3WMB]

The Pelican 1200 will fit the FT-817 well and is still small enough that the case itself will fit into a moderate sized day-pack. My philosophy is that things like power cables, coax etc don't tend to care if they get banged around in a pack ... it is the rig that is expensive so I just worry about
protecting that really well.

If you want something totally "bombproof" a Pelican is the way to go.
If you just need something to keep the rig from getting banged up then I have also found that neoprene sleeves for netbooks are not a bad fit and if you are worried about moisture you can put the rig in a sleeve and put the sleeve into a large or X-large resealable freezer bag and then stuff the whole thing into a backpack. I have found Netbook sleeves that were a reasonable thickness at the local Dollar Store for $2 each and they have no zippers,  just a fold-over flap at the end.

Michael VE3WMB

I am seeking any advice or experiences with travel cases/packs. I currently have a case similar to a pelican than I used for my 857. I'm sure that will work, but I won't be able to carry my coax, end-fedz etc in it. Anyone with any advice please help me out

73

Brian

[N2MVV]

Brian,

I recently bought a Yaesu FT-817ND and was looking for a case to protect it from scratches, etc. I suggest for you to take your rig to Walmart and see the various netbook sleeves, etc that they have. You can put your rig inside of the various bags to see how it looks and what other items may fit inside. Best Buy is another good alternative. I bought a Targus bag at Walmart for $25 that holds my rig, cables, mic, notebook, etc.

I will place that bag into a backpack when I go QRP soon.

I posted the pics on the Yahoo Groups for Yaesu FT-817 site with my rig, mic, cables, etc inside the bag.

73 and good luck!

Eric (N2MVV)

[KJ4DET]

I have an 817 on order (see the Rumor thread) and I can keep it in an Military Surplus aluminum Night Vision Case. I have two of them, I cleaned one out good and lined it with carpet and built some dividers from 1/8th press board that fit into the bottom half deviding it into four spaces. I then made a piece to fit over the dividers with a pull chord in it to make it easier to get out. A radio would sit on it fine and there is space below for a power supply and and various whatnots.

http://www.armytents.com/boxes.html

It's the second one down the list. They were used to hold the old PVS-5's and have a rubber seal. Like I said, I've got two of them and had them around for GP. I always considered the radio case use, but didn't have a radio I needed to put in it. They're rugged, and can double over for a Faraday Cage (in case there's an accidental EMP).

[AE5OV]

I use the Expedition Pack that came with my radio. I bought it used, and this pack came with it.
Holds the antenna, mic, paddles and all the cables.
Not cheap, but I like it because it leaves my hands free when I am hiking or geocaching.
http://www.hamsource.com/backpack.htm

Dave

[K2ZA]

After beating several "consumer grade" backpacks to the point of failure, I got a Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger. It's built military tough and is priced a bit further up market. I carry the an FT-817ND, mic, Palm mini paddles, 2x Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panels and 2x Goal Zero Guide 10 AA battery chargers. I chose the solar battery chargers since they will (between the two of them) charge 8 AA battles in 3-4 hours in full sun. I have two sets of NiMH low self discharge AA batteries and can keep going all day on the beach or on a hike. For an antenna I have a Miracle Whip and a rolled up counterpoise as I have a Buddipole in a separate carrier.
I like AA's since they are the cockroach of batteries, available pretty much everywhere on the planet.

If you're carrying bulkier antennas and coax, the Kodiak Gearslinger may be a better fit.

73 de John K2ZA

[K5TED]

pjbox.uk sells a very nice leather case that is not like the floppy leather copy of the Yaesu pleather sack. It's more of a sturdy case, with a nice cover flap and flip down foot stand. Has a pouch on the side for antenna storage. That, in conjunction with a Pelican 1200 makes a nice field kit starter. The 1200 is just large enough to place 3 of the 2200mAh RC packs in the bottom, a foam slab, and the radio with case on, and room for the rear antenna connector, plus mic.

[K1MDA]

Check this deal out. $99 for a $250 bag and it has an internal support for a radio.

http://www.slickguns.com/product/kelty-raven-2500-tactical-backpack-110-free-shipping

[KJ4DET]

That's a good real good deal on that Kelty. But, it's made to fit a PRC-117, which according to Wikepedia is 3.2H x 10.5W x 9.6D in. (w/o battery case), a 817 is 5.3" x 1.5" x 6.5"...Leaves a little room to spare.

Also in that line check out Tactical Tailor, www.tacticaltailor.com, He makes radio cases, but nothing to fit an 817. I'm not sure if he could be convinced to...He's quite a bit higher than that Kelty though.

[KU3X]

The first bit of advise I would give you is, "Get rid of the G5RV and use a real antenna."

As for the carry bag for your gear, here are a few thoughts. I use all of these for different setups. Some are for my
IC-703 PLUS and a few carry along items, some are for my FT-897D and assorted items and some for my MFJ-9020
or 9040 rigs. It all comes down to how much you want to carry with you.
My biggest and best bag is from Lowe's. It's a Dewalt tool bag with plenty of pockets. I think I paid $34.95 for that
one. It's either 18 or 20 inches long. There's enough room for my FT-897D, 17 ah battery, CW Bencher paddles with
MFJ memory keyer attached to the top of the paddles, log book, pen, LL Beam flat camping clock, Hy Powerr Antenna
Company OCF40 (40 meter off center fed antenna that covers 6, 10, 20 and 40 meters) MFJ-929 tuner ( don't need
the tuner with the OCF40 but I carry it along anyway), RG8X coax ( one length 35' and the second length 65'), ropes,
ball for tosing the ropes in the trees, one of those fold up pliers with knife and screwdriver, hand mic, and other
assorted items.

Other bags I use are ones you can get at CVS or almost any grocery store. I use nylon insulated bags that carry a 6 pack
of what ever you drink, 12 pack or even a 16 can carrier. 
At my last flea market I went to I picked up a old time VHS cammera bag. I paid only $10 for it and it was brand new.
I always wrap my epuiptment is colths.
Barry, KU3X

[KU3X]

The Dewalt Tool Bag I mentioned above is from Lowe's. Lowe's item number is: 353042. Dewalt model number is: DG5544
The bag has 20 exterior pockets and numerous interior pockets. The bag is 12 inches deep. It has two handles and one
shoulder strap. It's a very rugged bag and has room to spare.
If you are going to carry most of your equipment, including coax and numerous antennas, this would be a good choice.
The price of the bag is only $34.98. You are going to pay a lot more for a Pelican box. The Pelican containers are very
rugged and a great way to protect you gear for harsh service. To carry the same amount of equipment you can put in
the above Dewalt Tool Bag you will need a very large Pelican container. I would not put the Dewalt Tool Bag with the rest
of my luggage if I were to travel on an air plane. But if the bag does not leave your control, the Dewalt Tool Bag will serve
you well for many years.

Barry, KU3X