| KB1ML |
Rating:  |
2024-08-10 | |
| Good signal, good receiver, simple to operate |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I've owned this for just over 3 months, and bought it after a 12-year break from ham radio (I moved my Icom706MKII back into my car when I got back into the hobby, and wanted a simple base station rig). I bought this used and am the third owner, but it appears to have been lightly used - it was a backup rig for both owners.
The receiver is a good bit better than I expected to get in such a simple radio - no problems with noise, no problems with QRM/signals crowding me out. It actually seems a bit less noisy than other rigs I've owned, despite the simplicity. I'm pretty much an SSB-only operator on HF, so bear that in mind when you read my review.
Regarding simplicity, this is very easy to operate. I don't have a lot of time for ham radio, and operate mostly mobile, so when I operate from home, I want something simple. The Icom 706MKII that I have in my car is great, but all of those menus can be tedious, and menus, rainbows and waterfalls seem to have crept into the newer rigs. I just like to be able to turn the radio on, find an open band and operate. I find turning a few knobs to be more pleasant than navigation through menus or a computer (I spend enough time in front of a computer at work).
Signal report have been solid, and I've easily bounced from Vermont to Europe and Asia as well as around the US with a multiband dipole.
Although it doesn't have an RF Gain, I don't seem to miss it. That would be nice, and I'm surprised that Yaesu didn't include that in the package. It also doesn't have a Vox, but I don't use Vox. That could be a downside for some operators, however.
I did do the Chernobyl R2213 resistor modification, and recommend that to anyone. I saw no signs of it burning out the board, but the resistor itself did have a small brown blotch, so it had overheated in the past to some degree and might have caused a problem in the future. That resistor is either 2 or 3 watts, and when I posted a question about that on QRZ, a kind ham analyzed the circuit and determined that it really should be a 7-watt resistor to be safe. Using a 30-watt resistor might be overkill, but the mod is easy and that allows you to use the chassis as a heat sink if you follow the mod instructions (other reviewers provided the link - check them for it). It's a fairly simple mod. I've noticed not heat problems on the chassis since I did it, so it seems to be working.
Mine came without the FM board, but that is not a problem, as I wouldn't operate FM on HF.
The radio is small as base stations go (this may have been sold originally as a base station/mobile rig), and it weighs about 10 pounds, so it is certainly small enough and light enough for POTA operations. In the old days, I used much larger radios mobile (even a Heathkit SB104 in the 1980's), and although this could be used for mobile, the newer radios with detachable fronts would be better choices for mobile.
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| WA1YIH |
Rating: |
2024-06-21 | |
| Excellent HF transceiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I got my FT 840 15 years ago at a local hamfest. It was a one owner, in mint condition and was made in 2000. I was fortunate to be able to still get all the accessories, CW filter, AM filter, TCXO, FM board, new power cable, desk mike at that time because it had been out of production only 5 years. I did the resistor mod and noticed the original R2213 resistor was still ok but slightly discolored. The rig hadn't seen alot of air time. I've been completely satisfied with my rig and will keep it forever. I remember when they first came out in 1993 that I liked the looks of this rig and 15 years later finally purchased one. It's a great all around radio with excellent transmit audio with the MD-1B8/1C8 desk mike. The receiver is quiet and I can hear anything out there. I use it with an LDG AT-100Pro Autotuner and it makes for quick band or frequency changes. |
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| VK5DJM |
Rating: |
2023-05-28 | |
| Great little radio for it's era |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The Yaesu FT840 is a great little rig. I have had mine for many years and it has been trouble free. As with many of the other reviews have stated it is a must to remove R2213 resistor from the main board and put it on a heat sink on the rear panel. You can see the details of the mod here - https://www.computer7.com/yaesu-ft-840-modification-for-27mhz/ |
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| V47JA |
Rating: |
2023-02-13 | |
| Very capable |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I have this radio as a backup for my FTdx3000d at my vacation home on St Kitts. The sensitivity and selectivity are both very good, and with the TCXO-4 added the stability is greatly improved and solid on FT8. For the $250 I paid on eBay it is well worth the money and a very capable backup should the FTdx3000d ever fail. |
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| K3JLS |
Rating: |
2022-03-07 | |
| Somewhat Disappointing |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I bought one of these radios on a ham website and had to return it because it reeked of cigarette smoke after I turned it on and let it warm up for 10 minutes. But while I had it working I checked out the receive capabilities on several bands and noted that - while it appeared to be very sensitive - my TS-530SP sounded an order of magnitude better, clearer, crisper, etc. True, I didn't have the opportunity (or desire) to check the IF alignment and / or replace the electrolytics in the AF amplifier stage as these often go bad and may have been contributing to the somewhat muffled audio. I didn't have the heart to check it out on a dummy load as that would have raised the odor quotient. For what it's worth............ |
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| WA1UFO |
Rating: |
2021-01-12 | |
| Simple, reliable and good performance |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I received the 840 with a desk mike and the matching auto tuner from my XYL as a birthday gift when they were still in production. I have been a ham for 35 years and primarily work cw with bugs and str keys. It has the cw filter and 6 khz am unit and has never had a problem in all these years. The rcvr section is better than the one in my Icom rig and has a much lower noise floor. The noise blanker is quite effective also. I will never sell mine and, if you can find a good used one buy it! Reliability is one of the best things about it.
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| W3KKO |
Rating: |
2020-11-05 | |
| Amazing and simple |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| As with other reviewers, I am a relatively new ham but have been around the hobby for 50 yrs. In 2017 I came across a barely used original owner 2005 vintage FT840, with the updated Yaesu mic and box stamped Yaesu 50th Anniversary confirming the manufacture date. I quickly read the reviews here, then jumped on the rig. All I can say is this could end up one of the best ham radio purchases I will ever make. The 840's receive audio is wonderful, signal to noise ratio is very good, my audio reports from others are excellent, and the rig is simply easy and enjoyable to use. Its a good looking rig, too. I'm lucky that mine came with the AM filter and I've since installed the FM board. Playing on AM with this rig is fun, even with only 25 watts out. The resister mod is done, and even without DSP and RF gain, its a very functional and solid rig. The 840 is also a great SWL radio. It played really well connected to a 80m horizontal loop. I highly recommend that if you find one in good shape, buy it. You will absolutely not regret it! |
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| K2MMO |
Rating: |
2020-04-28 | |
| Great Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have owned this rig since 1995.It is a no bells or whistles rig but definitely gets the job done.I use it for CW only and I have never had a problem with it.Highly recommend it.Perfect first rig for a new ham. |
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| M6WDV |
Rating: |
2019-10-06 | |
| Another FT-840 convert – a fantastic HF radio |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
As a relatively newly licensed UK amateur operator, choosing a first affordable HF rig is quite an exercise. Then I started reading about the FT840 and it's almost universally excellent reviews, on this site and elsewhere.
My local HAM store (ML&S) then had one second hand for ~£300 UK. I am absolutely delighted with this radio. It's easy to use, has sufficient coverage and multi-mode features to keep me happy as I move to my level 2 licence. I think they look damn smart too.
These radios are getting a bit long in the tooth now, but bargains are still out there. I am utterly impressed with the clarity of receive. As for transmission, even on my lower power limitations I have already made QSO’s to the African coast and deep into southern and eastern Europe. Radio reports are good - there seems to be a general consensus that these radios deliver a good punchy voice output.
I simply had to leave a shining review for this radio - I absolutely love it - perfect for my first forays into HAM radio. I operate it with a small mag loop which (considering its size), is similarly impressive and well suited for DX/skip on 20m & 40m. I highly recommend this too: http://www.g4tph.com/onlineshop/prod_2668463-ML40HP-MK11-Remote-Tune-Magloop.html
One thing I have done is the 'Chernobyl' resistor modification (as mentioned in other reviews). This is a 'must do' mod in my view - that resistor gets so damn hot on the board - it needs to be upgraded and mounted on the rear case - a pretty easy job.
See excellent link here: http://na8y.blogspot.com/2012/06/yaesu-ft-840-r2213-resistor-replacement.html
I love my FT840 - old is good! So easy & a joy to use, and an impressive performer. All HF bands, dual VFOs, lots of memories, clarify, shift, remote nudge and scan buttons on the microphone, and all essential controls present.
A hell of a lot of serious radio for the money. |
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| N7XXC |
Rating: |
2019-06-25 | |
| Better than my Icom 7300 |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The receiver on my 22 year old FT-840 is more quiet than my brand new Icom 7300 when listening to faint signals in the static and just in general. The FT-840 is superior to the 7300 for my use(SSB voice). I am glad I never sold my 840 to get the 7300. The 7300 gives me a headache and I have adjusted every bell and whistle multiple times. I believe analogue is better than digital for voice IMHO. If I had to part with one of my radios, I would keep the FT-840. |
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