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write your own review of the Yaesu FT-847.
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CT2FPE
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 18, 2008 13:04
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Very Pleased
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Well, more than 6 months passed and the 847 is still making me very pleased, I bought the SSB filter from collins and replaced the RX filter with it, I use independant auto-tuner that doesn´t need to conect to the rig so this way I can use the CAT features with the PC. This is the only thing to make reference, when you use ATU connected to the RIG, the CAT doesn´t work.
Until now the RIG is working really nice and no bad issues to point !
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PA5COR
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 17, 2008 06:31
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Stil doing the job
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Got the chance to get a unused FT 847, new in box from the latest batch.
My first one was one of the first batches ever sold, still goes strong after 10 years of use and (abuse) countless hours fun.
Collins filters will be added, the mods done on the first 847, like TXCO, temperature controled fans, headphone and audio mod, improve grounding of main and dsp boards (birdies) roofing filter will be done the next month(s).
After that it will replace the older one, wich then can be fully serviced and checked.
Yes, there are better radio's out there, this new one was just 900 Euro's never used new in box though.
And i'm used to the 847, wich if you know the transciever will do all i need, specially on 50 MHz and higher.
For HF after the mods it will be good enough to be a very decent radio.
73,
Cor
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K8YZK
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 30, 2008 05:56
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Nice Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is my second FT-847, first was fresh from the factory no options and it was ok. This one comes completely filtered with Inrad and Collins filters and is outstanding. Only reason I didn't give it a 5 is don' care for the control layout, which I am getting use to, and the af control. Otherwise a great radio. If I could give it a 4.5 then I would.
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VE2EZD
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 10, 2008 15:10
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Excellent when applying some mods
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought mine used more than a year ago. It became "excellent" after I adressed some of its well known problems.
First, I added two Inrad crystal filters (#703 CW 400Hz and #702 SSB 2.1kHz). They cost a little bit more than the mechanical ones but they are just excellent! Inrad did also a great job in designing a very clever way to install those big filters in this rather small radio.
Next I wanted to adress the jumping audio level problem where Yaesu did a very poor job. I did the KB2LJJ mod of disconnecting the volume potentiometer from the output of the final audio amplifier and rerouting it to its input. Believe me, my FT-847 just came to life with now amazingly clear and crisp audio at a level that can be as low as I wish. CW during an HF contest is now a pleasure to listen to. I also addressed the low headphone audio level problem with... another mod.
This radio is amazingly rugged and versatile (and easy to modify). I wish Yaesu had corrected its problems before putting it into production but that was not the case. My FT-847/Inrad/KB2LJJ version really deserves a 5!
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K5RCR
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 23, 2008 20:49
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Nice general purpose radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased this radio specifically for operating satellites and it performed extremely well on AO40, the Fuji birds, and many others. While AO40 was active, it was no problem working stations all over the hemispheric footprint. It was a thrill to hear the noticeably delayed echo coming back thru the crossband receiver when the bird was at apogee. I have moved on and now enjoy what this rig can do on 6 meters.
I have also used the radio quite a bit on 20-10, especially PSK31 and RTTY and it does very well. The performance on 40-160 is acceptable. It drives my ancient Hallicrafters amplifier with no problem.
The rig has performed perfectly with no failures of any kind.
It was a good investment.
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G1KFB
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 1, 2008 07:38
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Great VHF rig, OK HF rig
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I use this rig for upper HF and VHF/UHF. Sensitivity is very good indeed and selectivity is not really an issue on these bands.
For 80/40/20/17 I use two old Kenwoods, a TS530S and a TS830S which are far superior when it comes to handling large signals on crowded bands.
On the 847 I have a Collins SSB filter fitted which makes quite a difference when the bands are busy. You can't switch it out however so the comparison is from memory. I have a friend who has the INRAD filter fitted and in my opinion, the INRAD is the better option.
The AF DSP works well if you are patient and know what you are doing. It provides extra selectivity and some noise reduction, which is what you would want. The auto notch is flawless.
On VHF it can resolve moonbounce sigs without a preamp and a single yagi, no problem. It has a fair noise figure but is not quite as good as a mutek'd FT225RD or similar. With JT65 and other weak signal modes, it is more than enough and can dig those waterfalls from the noise. It has a very healthy 50W on 144 and 432 and 100W on 50 which is excellent. It can provide a 12V supply through the coax for your masthead preamp.
The CAT interface works OK but is basic. You can't use the auto ATU and the CAT at the same time.
If you are used to one of the better old tube rigs or have had your hands on an FT1000, then this rig will be a bit of a comedown on the lower HF bands. It isn't really meant to compete with that class of radio, although it does well enough to allow operation on all of the bands.
On the upper HF bands, it is a fine performer in my opinion, very sensitive and producing 105-110W barefoot with 13.8V supplied from a solid PSU. The inbuilt preamp introduces a little noise but gives a good boost to the signal increasing readability. The stock microphone is good enough but I use a broadcast mic and mixer which also allows use of digital modes.
All in all, I would say this is a good rig for 15m upwards. It is very good indeed at VHF/UHF.
If you are a frequent user of the lower HF bands, then this is no one-stop-shop for you. It would complement a no-compromise HF rig or even a classic tube rig such as one of my Kenwoods.
Well done Yaesu, this radio has got me back into VHF and upper HF and helped me dip my toe in the water with satellite operation.
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CT2FPE
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 5, 2008 15:47
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How is it?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought mine in Fev 2008,
A very big upgrade to my station, and I´m very happy about it.
It was 2nd hand transciever, but is almost as good as new, the small fans are ok (they don´t make so much noise), the AF button is working properly, the digital filters are ok, the Power button is fine.
Still I´m not sensing any king of bad issues from it.
Hope it stays this way for many years.
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G8IOK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 30, 2008 20:15
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Excellent VHF/UHF and satellite rig
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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If you want a great HF rig don't buy one of these get an FT1000 instead (they don't cost much more now).
This transceiver is an excellent VHF and UHF machine but on HF it's OK.
When working satellites both the input and output frequencies need to be changed in parallel to account for the Doppler effect. The other thing is the transceiever needs to be full duplex. As far as I am aware the FT-847 is unique in the Yaesu range being the only rig that has these facilities from VHF to HF.
If you are interested in satellite then you have the FT-847 or the TS-2000 that have these capabilities.
Personally I would have liked a physically larger machine with larger buttons however with satellite it is likely to be used in portable mode so, in this mode, its small size is an advantage.
The DSP system could be better. The on/off switch is a source of problems and the fan is noisy.
As a satellite rig I give it a 5.
As a VHF/UHF rig I give it a 4.5.
As an HF rig I give it a 3.
My biggest concern about this rig is that Yaesu have not created a replacement for it!
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N9MSH
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 15, 2007 08:44
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works good for it's designed purpose
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After 4 years and a few mods, it still is great for what it was designed for, the world above 50 Mhz. As far as hf thats why i have an ic-7000.
I have this rig couplud to a LDG at-200pro tuner and Super control software and i wouldn't trade it for anything too bad yaesu killed it off. There are several mods you can do to increase hf sensitvity and lowere the noise floor, but i think you would be better served buing a HF based rig. Either the collins filters or INRAD (better value) filters are a must over the factory supplied ones. I have not had any of the issues from the early got to have the latest and greatest buyers (beta testers) had and the only time it is turned off is extended time away or lightening storms.
Mike-N9MSH
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GW4PJQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 5, 2007 13:59
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A good compromise
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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If you take the time to set up the digital filter correctly; this little gem can dig a CW signal out of just noise!
Yes it does suffer the usual close in dynamic range issues that affects all radios with a VHF first IF, including the (to me) disappointing Ten Tec Omni 7.
Forget all this Collins filter nonsense as well, that won’t do anything, because they are after the second mixer and in any case the shape factor of the standard filters are nicer to listen to. Instead invest in a narrower first IF roofing filter (I have a 3khz first IF filter in mine) that I have arranged to be switched in on SSB and CW, this is not a difficult task for anyone with a knowledge of radio design. With the narrow roofing filter this radio is as good as the much hallowed Elecraft K2 and no doubt the K3 as well on HF.
On VHF this radio comes into its own: Because of its helical RF filters, its performance is as good as all the V/UHF only radios I have owned. These include the TS 790E and Icom 821H.
I would have liked to have given it a 5 rating but it can’t be perfect. Oh I know, the fan noise is a bit loud and the operation of the volume control at low levels is lousy. But it is not difficult to sort out that problem either!
A great little radio, go and buy one if you can find one.
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