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| Reviews Summary for Yaesu FT-817ND |
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Reviews: 31
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Average rating: 4.7/5
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MSRP: $589.00
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Description: The world’s first self-contained, battery-powered, Multi-mode Portable Transceiver covering the HF, VHF, and UHF bands! Despite its incredibly small size (5.3" x 1.5" x 6.5"), the FT-817 delivers big performance! Its next-generagion PA puts out five watts on all HF bands, plus the 50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 430 MHz bands, on all popular operating modes: USB/LSB/CW/AM/FM/Packet/PSK-31/RTTY. Now the 817 legacy is even better with the introduction of the FT-817ND, which includes coverage of the U.S. 60-meter (5 MHz) band, and it also includes a 1400 mAh NiMH Battery pack (FNB-85) and NC-72B Charger!
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.yaesu.com
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write your own review of the Yaesu FT-817ND.
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W7RUE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 21, 2011 11:04
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GREAT LITTLE RIG!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this little rig for about a year and a half now and I enjoy using it when band conditions are good. After receiving a great signal report, it is fun to tell my QSO that I am only running 2 1/2 watts.
When on business, I love to throw the FT-817ND in a Pelican Case along with a AT-817 Tuner, a small 12V 7.5Ah sealed battery, a W4RT OBP micophone, and two or three LNR End-fed antennas and operate "Hotel Portable"!
This Radio doesn't replace my other HF rigs; a FT-1000MP main station rig with AL-1200 Amp and my other portable/back-up HF rig, a FT-897D w/ an AT-897 Tuner.
The FT-817ND fills its own niche; a minimalist, go-anywhere, do it all, light weight, back pack station when conditions are right and casual operations are the name of the game. I don't use it very often but it is suprising how well it does work. I enjoy the challenge of setting up in unusual places to play radio and once in a while, capture that rare one!
72, W7Rue
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EA1HFI
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 21, 2011 00:35
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Excelente!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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No voy a repetir lo que ya se ha dicho de este equipo, solo quiero decir que es el mejor equipo QRP jamas fabricado!
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STAYVERTICAL
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 26, 2011 05:23
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Micro radio, maxi performance
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Since I mainly used my FT897D in base station operation, I bought the FT817ND as a VHF/UHF solution in place of the normal handheld options.
I did not intend to use it on HF, but after working quite a few DX stations using them both on PSK31 and CW, I decided to fire it up on HF.
What a hot receiver!
It sounds great on HF and seems very sensitive.
Using a classic single wire windom antenna with a remote atu, I was able to work dx from tokyo to moscow on PSK31 without much trouble, even when conditions were not that good.
Menu options are simple and comprehensive - its knob layout is very similar to the FT897D and looks like a shrunk down version of this venerable transceiver.
I am now using an antenna analyser to make some HF portable antennas to use with this rig for some HF pedestrian mobile.
Then the fun will really begin.
Really, if you want the worlds most fun radio, this has to be the number one contender.
DC to light, all modes, stick it in your coat pocket, and built like a tank.
Batteries don't last forever to be sure, but the unit will still run down to 8.9V or so, so if you use an external battery pack, you are good for a long time.
I use two 7.6Ah 5V usb battery packs in series to give 10V. They are small, light and keep the FT817ND going for many hours of solid operation.
Or, you could plug in a serial radio control cable such as the CT62, put the radio behind the laptop and forget it is there.
The radio is then like a RF modem or software controlled radio, since most functions can be accessed under program control, thus not needing access to the radio.
What other radio from 160m to 70cm all modes can you put in a laptop bag accessory pocket and still have room for the laptop power pack and other bits.
I would suggest buying the 500hz mechanical filter, as this greatly enhances digital and CW operations.
From my experience, the only compromise this radio has is its 5W output power, apart from that its performance seems about the same as any other radio, and better than many.
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LAGERHEAD
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 6, 2011 18:15
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Excellent QRP Rig
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After upgrading my license to General yesterday at our local hamfest I purchased the FT-817ND at the show. I also purchased an inexpensive L-match tuner from MFJ to use with an AT-984AG end-fed wire antenna I've had since my Army days. I strung the antenna in my back yard about 10 feet off the ground & after adjusting the tuner, I answered my first contact in Puerto Rico, about 1500 miles from my QTH--on 2.5W! My second contact was made 2800 miles away in Canada--also on 2.5W! The feeling of excitement was un-describable. In just a few short minutes I made contacts up & down a quarter of our hemisphere on QRP. I'm very pleased with my purchase. I like the layout of the buttons & knobs...it's not too cluttered. The manual is surprisingly easy to understand. I would highly recommend this rig to anyone interested in QRP.
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F8FEO
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 17, 2011 04:17
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EXCELLENT RADIO
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I buyed this radio for SOTA from 12/08/2011 and I am training with it.
my precedent radio HF was Kenwood 450 TS and it is now the FT 817 with collins filter 500 Khz my prefered radio.
the kenwood is now for "sell..."
I like this small radio...
Qso from Frejus with Israel : 559
with Russia also ( all in cw)
I can hear japan very clearly...
No tuner, only a lw of 20 meters...
I just attempt a 100 watts tuner and go on..for dx ...
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PY2ONU
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 13, 2011 05:54
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Very very good
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Yaesu FT-817ND in my opinion is the best portable QRP radio that has already been done. He has momentum, is lightweight and sturdy than the quality of sound that is very good and the fact that all band all mode. I have made many contacts with him on several continents with only 2.5 watts (internal battery that lasts a little sadly) and with 5 watts (external battery) on HF especially in 10-15 and 20 meters. I've done some memorable contacts as Japan on 20 meters SSB (with 2.5 watts and magnetic loop antenna) and Puerto Rico on 6 meters SSB (with 2.5 watts and the small rubber antenna, hihi). Some contacts are on youtube and can be viewed on the links below. Best for all 73.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzo50HfM9Pg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvw6D0QIjzw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKhusAQnXFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMJJ9IIFxVw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfpdZpURmXQ
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KA7BTV
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 10, 2011 13:42
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Great all purpose radio!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Over the years I've bought and sold five FT-817 radios. Always missed them after they were gone and told myself that I would buy another and keep it for good this time. And it happened. I was actually given a brand-new FT-817nd as a gift from a very special friend.
The FT-817 is a very nice all purpose radio.....it works very well on all bands from 160m thru 70cm with all modes in a very small package. I find this to fit my operating needs well because I can use this rig either as a base, mobile, or portable. For base use, I have a 100w amplifier to go with it and that combo works just as well as any other 100w radio.
For mobile/portable use it can't be beat. I am a long-range hiker in the summer, often taking hikes of 15-20mi. into remote wilderness areas. The FT-817 always goes along in my backpack to provide emergency communication if needed, and to activate mountaintops for SOTA.
To summarize, the FT-817 is an incredible little package of versatile ham radio performance at a great price. Should be a staple item for most hams :).
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VE3EGA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 27, 2011 17:56
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Lives up to expectations!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I picked up this little gem at a local hamfest, having sold my pristine FT-857D at the same event - don't ask me why I sold the 857, there was no logical reason to even take it to the hamfest!
Anyway, I had promised myself one of these little QRP radios for the Summer, especially as I already had a THP HL-45B which I had previously used with my Flex-1500.
Admittedly, QRP is not for everyone and it takes a bit of experience to couple things together and make them work!
All I can say is WOW, from the moment I connected an antenna and played with it. I knew I had a winner!
When I got the radio it didn't have a CW filter (and I could probably have survived without one!) however, a local ham had one for sale, so I stuck it in the radio...
With my external 'Carolina Windom' I have worked into Europe (CW) on 5W on 30m (60k,NE of Toronto)and mostly S4 or S5. I can work pretty much everything I can hear at anything over S4.
On SSB, on 40M, East Coast (NY, PA, NC, SC) on 5W and the Windom is a breeze, and much, much further (S.America/Europe) with the 50W amp, it becomes a BIG RIG of course!
The added bonus with this radio is 6m, VHF, 440, Airband and VHF FM broadcast - ahhhh what more could you want in such a small package?
All in all, I've never had as much fun with such a small radio - so much so - that I'm probably going to eBay my Flex-1500 - I can live without a a flashy interface!
Anyone who doesn't like this radio must have some serious ham-operational issues - there's nothing not to like - it just plain works as it should!
Buy one before they stop making them!!
73
BTW: If you do not fully understand radio theory and band conditions (and MUF) and how to maximize contacts at certain critical times of the day you will be disappointed if you buy the FT-817 QRP radio and poke a telescopic whip into the rear connector... it doesn't work like that - seek an 'Elmer' to guide you and your journey will be rewarding!
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KT4EP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 21, 2011 07:09
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Happy with my 817nd
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I didn't buy this radio thinking of it as a QRP rig or buying it for that reason. My Yaesu FT-840 will transmit 5 watts if necessary. The 817 also takes the place of an HT for me since my old Icom HT didn't have a tone board for the local 2 m repeaters. I had no 6 meter radio and nothing that would do digital. I have no complaints about the 817, I also looked at the 857 but went for the 817. It has all the features I need. It has some minor physical issues such as the front antenna gets in the way while fiddling with the front knobs, it needs to be propped up somehow for comfortable viewing on the display, the battery runs down quickly, but other than that, I really like this little rig. I would not suggest it for a first time HF rig. Go for a radio with 100 watts, first, then come back to the 817 for some real fun. Just my opinion.
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N2MWE
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 25, 2011 11:44
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Anytime, Baby!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I now keep my 817 and the JOEY Outbacker antenna in the back of my Ford Escape at all times. Gel cell always at the ready, just in case. This radio is like a telescope...if it's small and portable enough, it will get a lot of use. My 817 hs gotten a lot of use. (Condo living sucks, no home HF). Might invest in a second radio...
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