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You can
write your own review of the Yaesu FT-840.
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AA5JG
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 19, 2010 13:04
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Good, simple setup
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have owned quite a few radios in the past 10 years (actually more than quite a few) and had the chance to own a FT840 recently via a local trade. I used one about 15 years ago at field day and seem to remember it doing pretty well, and my recent ownership has confirmed this.
Overall, a simple radio to setup and use. No real menus on it, just a few set and forget things you can do at powerup, or on the fly by a couple of button combinations-which was common for early 90s rig. For example, you can set the CW offset by a couple of button pushes, and the sidetone matches the offset, which is nice. That was very unusual for an entry level rig at that time.
The transmit audio seems very punchy on this rig. I ran it in the NAQP and had no problems working other stations, including quite a few that were at my noise level. The audio seemed to get through very well with the compression on. Also, the receive audio sounds very nice on the FT840.
Overall, it lacks a few things that other rigs (later or of the same time period)include, like a built in keyer, SSB filtering options and narrow filtering for digital modes, but overall it is a lot of fun to operate. You probably won't be disappointed with this rig unless you are a hard core contester.
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WB8UHZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 13, 2009 15:27
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good little radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I keep thinking about selling this and then just return to it and use it. I really like it. I have a number of more costly radios, however if you want a good radio for not all that much money,this is it. I wonder how it compares to the Icom 718, don't know but am pleased with the 840.
73 Tim
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KF7DIL
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Rating: 4/5
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Oct 31, 2009 16:36
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Punches way higher than its weight class.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This was my first HF radio. The speech processor produces punchy, clear audio. The receiver is VERY good. The radio is the perfect HF starter platform, as it's easy to operate and has basic QRM fighting tools. The audio output is EXCELLENT; very easy on the ear and very clean (Uniden Bearcat external speaker).
I sold the 840 and bought an IC-746. The 746 does have a slightly better receiver and much better selectivity. However, I miss the 840 and should have kept it. The 840 has much better audio output and is easier to listen to. The NB is also much better than that found in the 746. I also miss the analog S meter from the 840. The 746 S meter too slow and pretty much useless.
Bottom line, between the 840 and 746: the 840 is a better ragchewing rig IMHO. The 746 is better for chasing weak DX, which I do frequently. If you spend most of your time chewing the rag, get an 840 and relax.
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KB3IRR
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 16, 2009 20:28
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Outstanding performer
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first rig, and it is still my only rig. Simple, straight forward, and no nonsense. (and great ears!)
My only problem was a diode that disintegrated after a rough transport.
This is truely a great radio.
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N6MUK
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 6, 2009 22:41
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A Very Nice Rig Indeed!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I stumbled across this FT-840 on a Craig's list page on the other side of the country from my QTH. A teenage boy was selling his grandfather's radio stuff after the old ham became a silent key. For $200 plus $25 shipping I decided to take a chance. I'm a Ten Tec owner and lover so I didn't expect too much from a rice-box rig like the FT-840. I was wrong about that.
-First of all, the 840 must have been the old man's stand by rig because it arrived new and still factory sealed in the Yaesu box!
-I gleefully unpacked it, read the manual, marveled at the great Yaesu DX map of the world and cool "Yaesu, The Choice Of Top DXers" sticker. Then I set up the transceiver and took it for a spin.
-I like the Yaesu receiver. Its makes a good account of itself. Considering its an up/down conversion IF design with roofing filters as broad as a barn door, I thought it held up pretty well when adjacent to strong signals, and the 12 dB attenuator button helps with this. That being said, don't take it into CW World Wide. Hi hi. The noise blanker works really well. I like the simplicity of the rig's controls. I don't appreciate complex menu driven appliance rigs and the FT-840 is not one of them. This rig is FUN to operate! I like the compactness of the rig also.
-I'm not crazy about the lack of QSK. With the semi break-in delay set all the way down, it's tolerable and actually kind of nice in a relaxing cw way. I like long relaxing 20 wpm cw rag chews and this rig is great for just that, with the semi break-in delay set as low as it will go. If you like to go Ten Tec style full break-in at 50 wpm, forget this rig, it will make you crazy.
Now for the fun stuff:
I like to look over the schematics for the gear I use. While having a squint at the FT-840's circuitry, I noticed that there are a lot of small signal switching diodes in the receiver's front end. They're used, to select the front end band pass filters, to inject local oscillator energy into the first IF mixer/ amplifier, and as the product detector. When diodes conduct they generate wide band noise and that noise energy in the front end is going to get amplified, along with the weak radio signals, by 100 dB or so before it gets to the ears. I decided to replace the cheapo diodes with hot carrier diodes to improve the wide band noise performance.
I decided to go for it and gut the rig, since I got it kind of cheap anyway. I took it all apart to get the receiver board out and get it on my workbench. I removed the dozen or so cheapo diodes in the front end and replaced them with some hot carrier (Schottky or pin) diodes that I ordered from Digi Key. Then I put that puzzle of wires and PC board back together and crossed my fingers. It really wasn't all that bad. It took an hour of concentration, careful marking of connectors, de-soldering and soldering to get it all done.
What a difference! Wow!! Its the hottest receiver I have ever used. The signals seem to stand out from the background noise like never before. Its especially apparent on SSB where all the voices seem a little stronger and much clearer because the S/N ratio is much improved. When I make 40M cw QSOs, I can often now hear very, very weak shortwave stations from Europe deep in the background. They used to be completely masked by the noise. The band really sounds open! The results of th diode modification have been very gratifying indeed.
If you feel like you want to try this modification for yourself, on your own FT-840, I have put a couple of links together to describe how I did it to mine. If you have a question, email me and I will help you, if I can. Just remember, its your rig and you are digging into it yourself. If you break it, you have only yourself to blame for that.
http://n6muk.sytes.net/images/Yaesu_FT-840_front_end.pdf
http://n6muk.sytes.net/images/Yaesu_FT-840_front_end.doc
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=568-1617-1-ND
paultheengineer@verizon.net
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N8PHL
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 25, 2008 20:16
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good all around radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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i just got this radio and i do like it for being simple.
however after having it up and running i have found issue with the colling fan.
sometimes it works with out any issue and then sometimes it will not work at all.
other then that it is a real nice radio.
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AC5PS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2008 06:19
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Great Rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had one for a few years, wish I still had it.
"What a gem! Went inside almost immediately, and threw the switch cutting maximum output power to 50 watts max."
What?
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KJ4HE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 6, 2008 19:47
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A Keeper
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought an FT-840 about a year before they went out of production. What a gem! Went inside almost immediately, and threw the switch cutting maximum output power to 50 watts max. I never looked back and have never missed the additional 50 that are gone. The receiver is great and I always get glowing reports on the transmit audio. Even on AM.
A respectable general coverage receiver, too, with the optional, wider filter. No menu maze and has a noise blanker and IF shift that do the trick.
This one is a keeper; the Icom and Kenwood rigs I have are good equipment but for the value and reliability, the 840 stays.
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N7JBH
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 28, 2008 13:47
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First HF rig.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Yaesu FT840 was my first HF rig when I upgraded to General in 2000, it's still my main rig at the QTH. No complaints, good audio reports on QSO's. Works good as SWL rig after installing the AM filter module. My only HF rig for many years, would never get rid of it. Has analog S-meter and variable power output, both a real plus.
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EI6GRB
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 17, 2008 08:43
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Solid rugged basic performer
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The 840 gets 5/5 from me - its rugged and easy to use. It's so intuitive and so straightforward. It does not have many bells and whistles but for a great reliable rig to get you on the air from top band to 10 it's great.
I got mine off ebay a year ago and I love it. I recently bought a ft-2000 but the 840 will not be sold! It's just too nice a rig.
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