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Author Topic: Ft-817. 818 CW operation  (Read 493 times)

N8TI

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Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« on: March 26, 2021, 04:37:11 PM »

I was thinking about getting an FT-818, but the CW crystal is 25% the cost of the rig!  What do people do to run CW?  Some outboard audio filter?  I saw some inexpensive crystals for sale, from Europe?  I’m not sure.
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N6MST

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W0CKI

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2021, 06:00:14 PM »

Buy a real radio like a ICOM 7300 or a YAESU FT 991.
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K6SDW

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2021, 06:44:19 PM »

"What do people do to run CW?" Turn on the rig, plug in hand key or iambic/single paddle key and start operating. Like W0CKI suggested, buy a 100 watt modern transceiver and you'll have all the filtering and modes available immediately.

GL and hope to hear you on the HF bands soon.

73 ~ ed
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N6MST

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2021, 06:52:17 PM »

Don't pay any attention to the folks who are telling you to buy a different radio unless it fits your use case. I know I sure wouldn't be thinking about buying an IC-7300 if I were looking to stick in a pack and go hiking, for instance.

That said, if you're looking for a radio to use at home you definitely should take a good look at the 7300. It simply cannot be beat for the price.
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N5PG

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2021, 09:39:29 PM »

I don't know about the 818 but I put the optional 500Hz cw filter in my 817 and it made a huge improvement for cw work.
I had some amazing contacts on that little rig :)
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W4KYR

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2021, 03:10:57 AM »

I've seen used FT 817's often sell for $425 or less. Used CW filters sell for around $100.
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W0WCA

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2021, 03:57:09 AM »

This is a kit that you will have to solder and then find a small cabinet for. I have used two of them in older rigs and find them to be excellent CW filters. Assembly is quick and easy.
 http://www.4sqrp.com/hipermite.php
Have fun!
Bill, W0WCA
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W1VT

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2021, 05:29:38 AM »

The CW bands aren't that crowded unless you operate contests. 
You may be able to train your ears to pick out CW signals while using a standard SSB filter.
I was able to do that by operating CW contests with a standard SSB filter.
This is a very useful skill when operating during thunderstorm season.  The crashes are lengthened by a narrow filter and make copy impossible.
CW often gets through the QRN better with a wide filter.

Zak W1VT
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N8TI

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2021, 07:35:40 AM »

The audio filter from DX engineering for $60 is what I was looking for. My home base radio is my FT-1000D that I have had now going on 30 years along with several other radios. I love my MFJ-9040 and other QRP radios as well as my IC 706 that I have used for 25 years as a portable rig, but have the urge the buy something new. The FT-818 seemed fairly inexpensive for $650, and then like the simple hook up with the battery pack and that little antenna tuner DX Engineering pushes with it,  but I did not like the idea of spending another $200 for the crystal. I think I am getting used to having to spend the money on it, however. I like a 500hz filter for CW, although I don’t have filters in my FT-101 and my other tube radios.

I do not know if the FT-818 has a good receiver. The IC-706 is somewhat deaf. The MFJ-9040, for example, hears fairly well. So, I am hoping that the FT-818 hears well, even though it’s price is not super high.
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N6MST

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2021, 07:55:23 AM »

FT-818 + LDG Z817 + Laserbeam filter = $890 from DX Engineering after tax and free shipping.

KX2 + internal tuner = $1030, figure another $50 shipping to be safe.

Less than $200 difference. My first radio was an FT-817 and the Z817 tuner and I've also had a KX2. For $200 you would be making a mistake by getting the Yeasu. If you absolutely must have 2 meters and 70 cm in this radio then the 817 is your rig, but if you can do without that (as well as 160 and 6) you definitely need to consider the Elecraft. The KX2 receiver is great, especially on CW (I mean, we are talking Elecraft after all) and the long list of features make it a really superb radio. I definitely wish I had never sold mine.
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KU3X

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2021, 05:41:07 AM »

Don't pay any attention to the folks who are telling you to buy a different radio unless it fits your use case.

I could not agree more. The little FT 817 / 818's are great little radios.

As for the CW filter......if money is an issue, you may get by with an external audio filter? I say, "MAY GET BY" because it depends on band conditions and how you use the radio. If you are not operating in crowded band conditions, or maybe an afternoon setting up portable in the park with an antenna that is not great, you may not be bothered by other CW stations.
But, if there is a CW station that if very close to you and you can see your S meter bouncing around because his signal is so strong, an external audio filter is not going to clean that up. His signal is strong enough to keep on interfering with the signal you are trying to copy.
There's nothing like a good CW mechanical filter designed to be use with this radio.
My advise is, "save your lunch money and get the CW filter designed to work with your radio. "
You could get the external audio filter and get by. Down the road you may say to yourself that it's time to get the proper filter. Now you are out the bucks you paid for the audio filter. If you get the CW filter first, down the road you are not out any bucks.

Barry, KU3X
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N8AUC

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2021, 05:58:51 PM »

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/sbm-laserbeam817

Yeah, but that only an audio filter. The original Collins mechanical filters go in the 455 KHz IF stage.
Unless that audio filter is REAL good, I suspect the Collins filters will out perform it.
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KU3X

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2021, 07:22:34 AM »

.......... but I did not like the idea of spending another $200 for the crystal. I think I am getting used to having to spend the money on it, however. I like a 500hz filter for CW.......

I did not realize that the 500 hz filter for the FT817/818 was not made anymore. Here's a 300hz CW filter for you that's not $200.

http://www.inrad.net/product.php?productid=17&cat=16&page=1

When I had my IC706 I used the 350 hz RTTY filter for CW. It was the best filter for me.

If you look at the price of the 818 and the CW filter, it comes close to the price of the Elecraft KX2.
With the KX2 you can also get an internal ATU. Did you consider it for a QRP radio?
I had an FT 817 many years ago and I really liked it, but you can't beat the features and performance of the KX2.
Just a thought !
Barry, KU3X/QRP
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KB1GMX

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Re: Ft-817. 818 CW operation
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2021, 08:34:58 AM »

Best combo is the IF filter AND audio filter.
If filter insure the RX is lower noise to the detector and the IF
filter will also remove audio noise.

That said the IF filter alone is a good choice. 
After than the audio filter is of last resort.

However many just run with the stock SSB fitler and let
the wetware do the signal processing.   At a bare minimum
its a starting point.

Allison
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