Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Yaesu FT-847

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-847
Reviews: 167MSRP: 1599
Description:
HF+2M,6M and 70cm Transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/ft847.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
34.71674.4
LA0HV Rating: 2002-12-31
A Greate Rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a Greate Rig !!!!

Need VOX? Buy one at INRAD's for a few dollars. Or build one yourself for a few cents.
If you dont like full-breakin and need a long "hang" Semi breakin on CW? Use the PTT-plug and a footswitch.
Need a biip on CW-sat? Check the manual and get one!

I work my 847 from the car with 12.2 volts No noise and NO problems!
This IS a far better rig on HF than the smaller toy radios - even without filters. So don't fool yourself!
The new '02 version of the rig is even better!
The receiver is far more sensitive on VHF/UHF than ANY rig on the marked today.

It is SOLID as a rock - and can take several heavy punches travelling, working DX-pedition, that will breake f.ex. the ts-2000 into dust.

And for the money you sawe buying this rig: Buy a top kvality cabel and a Greate antenna.
W8KX Rating: 2002-12-10
Dissapointing Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The radio in it's primary mission as a VHF and satellite station is adequate. I liked the individual band jacks and amp control ports. It's VHF receiver performance is about par with most Japanese radios of this type. It's adequate but humbled by a good transverter.
HF dynamic receiver performance is poor and comparable to that from low end offerings. It's not well set up for CW (the TR hang time is insufficiently adjustable for my taste).
Unless your actually operating satellites, I think there are better, more economical alternatives.
For me the IC706MkIIG works much better on HF and is comparable or slighly better on VHF/UHF for less money.
MWOKIK Rating: 2002-11-19
Magic Box Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the 847 for around 2 years now. I first bought the radio having passed the uk novice exam. The radio does initially look intimidating (lots of buttons & menus - dont mention satellite operation), but by spending a little time reading the manual it all soon becomes clear.

The manual is exellent. The features and gizmos are all explained clearly and its very easy to read - not at all hard going.

The optional filters are a must - the cw filtr makes a massiv difference to the radio - these however are vey easy to fit - simply follow the instructions in the manual.

This radio is a true contender on vhf/uhf howeer its not a pro or 1000mp on hf, but for the money its a bargin and I'd have one in my shack anytime and still do.

Having passed the RAE and the morse I have gone on to the yaesu ft1000mp field - It was a toss up between this and the pro2 - but my good experience with the 847 led me to the field. What a good choice....

73

Leigh MW0KIK
RA3BX Rating: 2002-09-10
Good for all needs almost and more! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have this rig for two month. I got it for day to day HF and satellite activity. It is working fine. I had a chance to test this rig in IARU field day contest and got satisfied. I compared FT-847 and FT-900 and seems selectivity of FT-900 is slightly better. I would like to recomend you to consider opportunity to use filters.

If you changing you QTH some times you'll be pleased to have tuner to use "any" antennas you have.

Overall this is very nice rig and I'm glad to have it. Coming back to my experience with TS-140, FT-736, FT-900 and some others I would recomend to buy FT-847 as universal solution for almost all of you needs.
K1VIP Rating: 2002-08-30
A great raw chew rig! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love this radio. It is simple to operate, has all the modes I need, and performs just great for me. I have upgraded the filters to Inrad 2.8k 's on TX and RX for even better audio. I dont contest... Just rag-chew and this is the perfect radio for that!
I started out using this radio on 2m SSB and had a ball, then upgraded to General and got on HF. With a decent antenna system and knowledge of how to use the DSP, HF wont be a dissapointment.
I also ran this mobile for awhile with an ATAS100 while my FT100 was in the shop. It was awesome..excellant reports. IF i only had more room I'd dump the 100.
When HF conditions go south..just hit the SAT button and work a FM bird(satellite) crusing by.. You can never get bored with this radio. After Field Day 2002 and using this side by side with a TS2000.. I quickly appreciated the display shining bright in the direct sunlight light, while the TS2000 was washed out and almost unreadable.
Anyway.. I think its worth the $ and is a diverse radio.
KB2QQM Rating: 2002-08-21
RUN OUT AND BUY ONE Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I just bought the Yaesu FT-847 about 4 months ago.
What a great Rig. It works everything...HF, Vhf, and all mode. The installed filters work fine for all but the most discriminating operators. From most of the reviews in this section about the selectivity on HF....I have had NO problems. I was choosing between the FT920 and this rig. The 847 won, because of its ability to run all modes and bands...and do a great job at all of them. This is a great all around rig for the money $1249 at AES. I am not disappointed in the least. Remember...the rule....make your antenna better than your radio and 95%(that's a guesstimate for all you nit-pickers out there) of the time you'll have no problems with reception. A lot a people have commented on the terrible sound of the speaker...well having owned the FT-840, its speaker puts out 8watts and the 847 puts out half of that....That's like Expecting "Bose" Sound out of a $cheap walkman headset ......so I built a speaker case and mounted an 8" midrange speaker in it, and it sounds GREAT... if you still dont like what you hear then build the Audio Reception Enhancer in last month's QST to tailor your audio reception. Station Rigs always seem to need a little help in the Audio. I really do think this radio is a gem...It is well worth your attention. kb2qqm
N0GV Rating: 2002-08-13
Good on VHF/UHF Competent on HF Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This has been in my station for over a year now -- the stock filters for SSB are too wide, a call to INRAD fixed that problem.... Don't do much CW hence no need for that filter. Tuner (FC-20) is competent but, like any tuner, you are better off to actually get your antenna properly matched at the feed point ;-).

VHF and UHF performance is very, very, good. Cannot comment on the high HF band (6m) as I don't play in that area ;-).

Generally, given the price and design constraints there are few other units which will do as much as well as the FT-847. Sure the TS-2000 will but then again it is $1,800 as an entry price vs $1,200 or less for the FT-847. Yes there is a reason for the price difference but the initial price for the TS-2000 places it out of reach of many HAMS and if you don't have it you cannot use it, can you?
KC8RDJ Rating: 2002-07-26
best radio for the price Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Yaesu FT-847 is one great radio. It has all the needs anyone would want. Very easy to read manual, but even without the manual, it is easy to use. I have had nothing but good signal reports. If you are a serious contester or you have to hear a three watt signal from Mongolia then this radio is not for you. Otherwise, I would highly recommend this radio. As far as the fan noise, it's no louder than a computer, don't even notice it. I have not had the volume control problems that others have had. The only downfall is no built in auto tuner. Also its the best looking radio out there, a beautiful addition to the shack.

73s Mike
KA3WXV Rating: 2002-07-11
Very good radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used this radio for the last year and a half and found it exceeded my expectations in all areas except one. I added a 2.1 KHz crystal filter and that fixed that problem. This radio is very good for what it was designed to do. Many of the people I hear complain about it usually have unrealistic expectations for a radio in it's price range. A FT1000 it's not! I 've used this radio in contests, rag chews, on repeaters and with satellites and more and enjoyed this radio immensely. I would buy this radio again.
W0ZPE Rating: 2002-07-01
Best all around all band all mode mobile installation! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've operated my FT-847 mobile for over 4 years mostly on HF coupled to a Yaesu ATAS 100 auto tune antenna. The installation is located in front of the bench seat on my F-150 mounted in a vertical position (I look directly down on the control panel). Great radio for HF/VHF/UHF mobile. The radio has performed flawlessly since putting it into operation.