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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu FT-897 |
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Reviews: 275
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $1049.95
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Description: It is the world's first multi-mode high-power base/mobile transceiver designed to fitted with internal batteries (optional) for portable use. The coverage is HF 160 to 10 meters plus 50/144/430 MHz VHF/UHF. Receive is 0.1-56, 76-108, 118-164 and 420-470 MHz. 7.9x3.2x10.3 inches (200x80x263 mm).
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More info: http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/ft897.html
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write your own review of the Yaesu FT-897.
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KD8GTP
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 24, 2009 09:00
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Great Radio for the money
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought one. It is a great radio for what you pay. First, you not only have HF but 6m,2m and 440 all in one radio. Receive is a little noisy but playing with the settings got it settled down. As for transmitting I received good signal reports with "out of the box" settings. As for the menu, it's not too bad. Read the manual and play with the settings and you'll figure it out. Many of the menu options you can leave at the factory default anyway. I am used to an analog meter, this unit has the bar graphs but for 50. you can buy a nice size meter that attaches to the radio from LDG. For under 800 dollars you can't go wrong.
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W8NIC
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 11, 2009 18:18
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NOT BAD AT ALL
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Well, there's pretty much nothing i can add to what has been said here.
All i can say is i like it. will I recommend it to my friends? Yes.
People say the screen is too small, well, i say if you think it's too small then don't buy it. Get a radio that has a screen as big as a movie theater............ :)
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KT8DX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 10, 2009 15:24
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Love at first dit
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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There have been lots of reviews, but from my perspective this rig represents one of the most versatile and easy to use radios I've operated in a long time. Sure - its more "difficult" to use than a Century 21, but given the myriad of features, capabilities, and fun things to play with, the rig is remarkably well thought out. CW is great, digital modes are a delight, and SSB is easy to use and set up. If I have one nit to pick with it, it is the rather high-frequency audio hiss that seems to be ever-present. There may be a setting that cures this, but I put a SCAF-1 filter in this between the rig and speaker, and now it sounds like one of my old Kenwoods with its great, mellow audio. Even contesting has been acceptable which is amazing considering the price of the rig. Spring for the collins filters in both SSB and CW - you'll be glad you did.
So - if you want a rig that can be portable, mobile, and serve as you fixed station rig, buy one. I think it says something for the rig that on ebay they go for close to what they are selling for new.
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KC8TBY
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Rating: 4/5
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Sep 14, 2009 06:30
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Good BUT...
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I purchased this rig very shortly after upgrading my license from tech to general. Obviously I was looking for a late model, reliable HF rig that also had the advantage of having a small "footprint" as well. The built in FM mode was a plus also!
Although I have had NO problems with either the mechanics/electronic reliabilities of this rig, (it works great!)as a relative "newbie" to the HF ranks I do have some qualms about it's ease of use.
For what it's worth, I found that the learning curve involved with this radio was, and still is, very steep. Again, keep in mind my reservations concerning this rig are centered mainly on how easy this rig is to understand and to use for the newer hams such as myself.
This radio is very menu driven. What I have found out is that many of the menu items that might be more easily understood by more experienced operators were difficult for a newer operator such as myself to either find or to fully understand. I also have to admit that I found the operation manual to be quite difficult to understand as well.
I have had to rely on a number of Elmers in my club in order to really appreciate how to get the fullest use out of this very compact rig.
Keep in mind once again folks that I am simply warning newer hams to beware of the somewhat steep learning curve involved in learning to use this rig.
Just one hams opinion!
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G8UBJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 14, 2009 04:09
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Very versatile
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I now own two FT-897s for VHF and UHF work. I use one on 6 & 2M and the other on 70cm and 4M via a 70Mhz transverter with 28Mhz IF.
There is no IF output but the accessory socket provided enables me to interface the transverter. I especially like the transverter offset so I can display 70Mhz when on 4M.
I use both with INRAD filters which make a difference on VHF sensitivity (I don't think it would be as much benefit on HF). With the 2K SSB filter the 897D is easily as sensitive as my FT-225RD with Mutek front end but of course won't match it for intermod.
The only other modification I made was to fit an in-board AFSK oscillator (XR-2206) for RTTY work. This enables me to set up the audio drive once and use FSK keying.
I run an FT2K for HF but cueently if I could only have one radio the FT-897 + INRAD filter would be it.
Maybe Yaesu will bring out an IF DSP version, that would be something very special (Even more so if it had 70Mhz - well I can dream)
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VA2UT
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 13, 2009 06:36
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Awesome
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I buy this baby 8 month ago and use at base station (like as backup station) also at portable station.
Easy to use - solid construction - user friendly menu what you want this baby can give it to you.
You want buy an excellent rig ??
BUY A Yaesu FT-897D WITH NO REGRETS
Two thumb's up for FT-897d
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KG6VH
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 10, 2009 13:59
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Surprised at how easy it is to operate.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've stayed away from Yaesu equipment for years because I had so much trouble using the menu systems on their HT's. I decided to give this rig a try because of some of the features it had which I wanted and also because of the good reviews here. It has taken me almost no time at all to learn to use the menu system on the 897. So much easier than my old FT50r's. The point of my review is to let you know that the menu system shouldn't put anyone off. It's easy to master. All the other aspects of this rig have been nothing but positive for me.
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N7BUI
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 29, 2009 10:19
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Fantastic Little Radio!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've run the gauntlet of radios over the years, with testing and then selling off the ones I didn't like. What has remained as my main radios in the shack are two FT-897's. The performance of these little rigs is just fantastic. They easily have out performed most of the low to mid-range rigs I've tried. The sensitivity and low noise floor on all bands has easily convinced me to get rid of everything else. No they don't have the latest IF DSP filtering. But if you don't like the stock filtering, it's very easy to change. I find the rigs are very easy on the ears compared to most of the harsh digital sounds of today's rigs.
The radio's work very well on my my solar powered station. They put out full power all the way down to 11 volts! This is fairly unusual today except for the 817, 857, 897 series from Yaesu. I've tried Kenwoods and Icoms on the same power setup and most begin to act flaky as the voltage drops below 12 volts.
So if your looking for versatility, portability, and excellent performance give these rigs a look. I haven't been disappointed.
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N0FPE
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 7, 2009 19:34
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I like it
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I like mine just fine. great for portable use at a campground. I will have it until it dies or I do!
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