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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-840

Category: Transceivers: HF Amateur HF+6M+VHF+UHF models - non QRP <5W

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-840
Reviews: 162MSRP: 699.95
Description:
Compact High-Performance HF Transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://yaesu.hamgear.eu/ft-840.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
151624.7
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/
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.
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............
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.

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!
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.
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.
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.
EI9HAB Rating: 2018-07-19
The FT-840 is Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got licenced in January 2018 and bought this rig secondhand for €300. I absolutely love this rig for its no-nonsense simplicity and ease of use. It has great audio and I've enjoyed making many QSO's with it.

As others have stated, this rig has been known to run hot and I replace the 3W R222 resistor for a 30W as recommended by many. I have zero electronics experience and managed it easily enough by following Mr Barr's tutorial:

http://na8y.blogspot.com/2012/06/yaesu-ft-840-r2213-resistor-replacement.html

This is worth doing as I noted scorching on the board around the old resistor pins - so I'm pretty sure it would have failed eventually & I run it at the max 100W most of the time.

The FT 840 is a great radio and an excellent first rig, if you are just getting into the game and spot one you are satisfied with (condition wise) grab it!
KC1FWV Rating: 2017-01-27
A Keeper Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Being a new ham, I bought this radio (my first) at a club auction for $350. Several club members said it was a great radio and I should buy it, so I did. I put up a MFJ OCF dipole in the trees and started transmitting. In the first 3 months of operation I have logged 175 QSOs to 17 countries. If I can hear them, I can work them 90% of the time.

I have had many unsolicited reports of great signal and great audio. Radio is easy to use and it's small size makes it perfect for field use. Needless to say I am extremely happy with this rig and highly recommend it.