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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: 161MSRP: 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
151614.7
Tim Rating: 2001-12-16
Good basic radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned two of these rigs for several years, and they've both seen heavy use in mobile and fixed service. The only thing I've added to them is the 500hz CW filter. So far, the only flaw has been a blown back-light for the S-meter in one unit. Otherwise they've simply worked, day in and day out. About the only feature that I've missed is full break-in, and that primarily in contest situations. As an inexpensive, general-purpose rig, they've served me quite well.
KG6AMW Rating: 2001-12-15
Great Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I’ve owned the FT 840 for 2 years now. Here’s a basic list of the features, what I think about performance and some pros and cons.

Features and coverage
Rx coverage: 150khz through 30mhz
Tx coverage: 160 meters through 10 meters
SSB: Yes
CW: Yes. 500 Hz filter is optional
AM: Need to purchase filter (25 watt)
FM: Need to purchase board (100 watt)
Output: 5 watts through 100 watts
Vox: No
Speech Processor:Yes. (Adjustable on the back)
CTCSS: Yes

Performance (General Comments)
This rig performs quite well in the roles of ragchewing and working dx. It gets a little intimadated during contests given its 2.4 kHz wide filter. Add an external DSP unit and it mitigates the problem. The rig will run a little warm during extended use. At that point the internal fan cycles fairly frequently. I received quite a few unsolicited comments about excellent audio using the existing hand mike with mike gain set at 11 o’clock and the processor at 50%. Overall, receive performance is good and at times excellent given appropriate band conditions and a decent antenna.

Pros
1) Its little and will fit anywhere.
2) It extremely simple to run and is not confusing. Setting up a split operation occurs in seconds.
3) Its reliable. I put 1200 QSOs on it in 24 months and nothing went wrong.
4) Its priced right. About $600 new, $400-/+ used.
5) Yaesu offers a 500kz cw filter as an option
6) Has an analog meter (s-meter, power output, alc)

Cons
1) Get the TXCO upgrade. It will drift -/+ 10ppm when warm.
2) You will have to purchase the FM board ($62) and AM filter ($119) to work in these areas.
3) No DSP
4) No RF gain adjustment present.
5) No preamp

Overall this a good rig given its price and performance. The rig is well into its product cycle and any bugs that were present have been worked out. I would almost classify this rig as bullet proof for reliability. I confirmed this with several service technician. It can best be used by someone just entering the hobby, as a back up rig, or someone who just wants to make a
limited investment in the hobby until they decide later what they want.
N8IWK Rating: 2001-12-13
Very good radio, easy to operate, nice features. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased my FT-840 used for $425 which also included the optional FM board. The radio was in "like new" condition including the original manual, box and a warranty card.
A deal I could not pass up.
I'm was told the radio was 4 years old, and could tell it was not abused or ever mobile.
This radio is my first solid state HF rig, it replaced a Heathkit SB-101, therefore I have no way of comparing it with current rigs out on the market. I can say it has helped me log many DX contacts from a simple dipole. The radio is simple to operate, not very many controls and knobs but yet offers some nice features not found on some of the other low end no frills radio's.
I would higly recommend this radio to anyone.

LW8DGV Rating: 2001-11-18
A very good Transceiver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my FT-840 five years ago, it was my first rig, and I love it... I'm in Argentina and work in 10 meters, DX and QSO's with Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Pacific Ocean, with an home-made 2-elements Delta Loop (great antenna!) with signal reports of 9 plus (in RX and TX). I use an electret mike (also home-made) for better audio response. Really, I don't need the VOX or the Antenna Tuner (the Delta is very bandwide), but the CW filter and FM optional is required.
KK6NJ Rating: 2001-11-06
COOL RADIO! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased my yaesu ft-840 in 1995 and i still
have it! In the past i have had kenwood 440,s
940,s and yaesu ft-757,gx,and well i ended up
getting rid of all those radios for various
reasons.

At the time i purchased the ft-840,i could only
afford to spend around $700.00,to$800.00dollars
otherwise i probably would of bought a kenwood
570,but i could not afford it.So the point
here is the radio is affordable! and i like it
overall,although like everyone else there are
a few things i dont like,but what do you expect
for the price.

Generally i prefer kenwood hf radios,iam partial
to there products.the yaesu ft-840 is decent
looking and easy to use,with the bare essentials
but in retrospect i will testify to the fact
a lot of these fully loaded radios never get
some buttons ever turned on.

So this is not a problem for me.In my opinion
kenwood radios have better audio on ssb,fm,even
the kenwood ts-50,and this radio is about the
same price.I believe and remember reading the
specifications,that the fm deviation is 2.5khz
up and down compared to kenwoods 5khz,up and
down,so the audio naturally is better on wider
deviation,like fm broadcast 75khz,up and down.

I like the microphone on the ft-840,it is good
looking and big and seems durable,but as mentioned
earlier,in the reviews,i have been told about
the click it makes when you unkey.Another,
complaint the fan comes on as soon as you transmit
which really doesnt bother me,but it does seem
noisy,compared to other radios.Am reception
is awful,without a am filter,especially if
you try to monitor cb am signals and the typical
overmodulated transmitters they run.You know
they take the limiters out of the radios etc.

The yaesu ft-840 is easily modified for mars,
cap,compared to some radios.

I havent had any problems with my ft-840,but
it has very little hours of use.

Overall i like the rig and it is for keeps.
it will not bring much on the used market
so it is not worth trying to raise any money
from it just keep it and i may need it some day
or i might want to work some dx,again! The radio
is definitely worth considering,if you are looking
for an affordable radio.
KC2GOW Rating: 2001-08-31
Great Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
It is a great radio for what the $$ is. The only complaint is you have to install the FM board. Otherwise it's a great radio.
KC2DUA Rating: 2001-08-22
Great Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the Yaesu Ft-840 for about 2 and a half years now. I haven't had any problems with it at all. It comes with just enough features. Also the ability to upgrade it is great you can get the features you want w/o buying a new rig. I would recommend this rig to ANYONE.
73's
Keith
KC2DUA
KE4DYG Rating: 2001-08-20
yaesu ft 840 great rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the 840 for about 4years great radio for the money. no promblems with radio except had cold solder joint fix that. good radio for the price
KK5VN Rating: 2001-07-23
Cool Little Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the FT-840 in my shack for 7 years now. This rig is very easy to use, and has a great transmit audio to it. My Ft-980 can't come close to the ease of operation (specially on split),and the reciever is also much better on the 840. I also had a problem like K1WCC and K4TEN did with the tuning knob. One day it just got tighter and tighter until it locked up! 7 years is not bad for a rig that has dug out a bunch of DX, and been through it's share of contests. This rig would get a 5 of 5 without that problem. My FT-840 is now waiting in the wings until I get it fixed. I REALLY miss it!!!
KD7NKR Rating: 2001-07-08
a good rig Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
A good first radio. Good features for the money, with the options to upgrade without changing rigs. Also easy to modify for "extended" tx.