| YO4EK |
Rating:  |
2024-10-04 | |
| Awsome,racehorse! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| It has been serving me for 20 years and it works flawlessly in hf and uus /ssb ft 8 ! One of the best transceivers from YAESU .73 yo4ek |
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| KE4AMQ |
Rating: |
2024-08-08 | |
| A good one |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The ft897d is a good rig I have had mine awhile and never had any issues with it. The radio does everything I want it to do plus more. |
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| W3IHM |
Rating: |
2024-06-16 | |
| Filters ageing |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Howdy, From the bench of W3IHM (ex WB8ZDF)
I don't own this rig, but I am fixing it. The rig works well enough, except for FM. On this particular rig, the FM receive frequency is about 2 kHz lower than the transmit. Sure, you can hear strong stations, but they are off frequency, enough to make distortion sometimes. It's only evident down in the sub-microvolt realm, and some peoples voices, depending on Bessel. It's annoying the owner, so let's have at it.
I traced this to the final FM 455 kHz filters, being about 2 kc low. The following FM discriminator uses a ceramic 455 kc resonator for quadrature detection, so if your filter's off, you only get half an "S" curve out of it. The 455 kc IF filters used are Toko BLFYM455G and E, although I don't know why it has an "FMN" mode, but I digress. The filters are within spec if they are +/- 2 or 3 kc, so replacing them isn't guaranteed to be a fix. (check the datasheet...) Also, since the quadrature is a ceramic resonator that's "glued" to 455 kc, that's no good either.
One could try to tweak the master reference oscillator, but then everything else's off. (SSB/CW/AM/...and FM TX!) The second LO is DDS, so that's locked in Yaesu's nifty "seeeecret" firmware. (Hey Yaesu, how about putting these pesky LO mode selected things in the SERVICE menu?) So you have to "luck out" and find a Toko filter that just happens to make the FM mode happy.....
Unhappiness. Redesign? Let's hear it....
If this was my rig, I would replace the discriminator resonator with a big, old fashioned ugly tunable discriminator coil, so I could center the "S" on whatever drifty Toko filter I happen to have.
Warning: The free, on-line service manual schematic and board layout is more of a suggestion. Have fun with that.
More to it, the "meat" of the rig is all on one "main" board, so don't get too excited about stellar RF/IF performance. In this rig, somebody cap-coupled the ceramic IF filters, so someone at Yaesu was listening. No DC. It shouldn't matter, but I bet it biases the piezoelectric ceramic, making bad things happen.
Also, this thing is SMALL! The SMD's are fly-speck sized. Replacing the ceramic FM IF filters is a NIGHTMARE. It also uses the latest high-pot-metal solder that 's melting point is 10 degrees below where the circuit traces lift off. Party. You may just want to learn how to work the RIT on FM, instead. (can you?)
Now, how am I going to get paid for all this research and diagnosis work? I didn't even fix the thing....
GB es 73 W3IHM
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| N3NTJ |
Rating: |
2024-06-10 | |
| Great compact HF/VHF/UHF radio! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought this radio new back around 2002 or 2003 when my TS-440S/AT was damaged due to a nearby lightning strike. ARRL Insurance covered this new rig minus a small deductible. I've used this radio ever since and it's remarkable what a great job Yaesu did. I typically run 80~10m SSB and it does all that I ask. I've used the stock hand mic as well as the MD-100 desk mic. I've worked DX all over the world on 100W with this radio and a Cushcraft A3 3-element tribander up 45'. I recently also added the ALS-600 amp to help break through on some DX pile-ups.
The menus on this radio take a little time to learn but that's what the manual is for. Lots of customizations are possible to meet your needs. Personally, I don't like the default display color setup so I changed it using one of the settings.
Separate antenna connections for HF/6m and UHF/VHF. 2 VFOs, all mode, all bands including 60m (except 220 MHz). Very easy to operate and I always get good audio reports using either mic. This radio would also be great if going mobile, such as for a POTA activation. Batteries can be added as well as an auto-tuner.
Yaesu did a great job with this radio! Looking for a used compact HF/UHF/VHF radio? You won't be disappointed with the FT-897D.
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| N4MJG |
Rating: |
2023-07-02 | |
| still using it to this day ! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
UPDATED AS July 2023
i still using this rig since 2006 using 2 meter and 40 meter a lot took a break from my ft 857 for a while anyway good rig so far !
73
Jackie
N4MJG
I use it quite abituse it on hf more then ever since i have use my tuner of z 100 plus i been 40 meter quite abit
then took a break from it ! will be back on it later one soon i hope i hope !
73
Jackie
N4MJG
I use it on 2 meter as of now and may try do ft8 i have setup just right cut power down to 40 watts for dignal ft8 with tigertronic with setup get it right i can enjo ft8 withwsjtx software ! the 897D is still kick for 16 years great rig never lets me down alway still works after 16 years !
73
Jackie
N4MJG
SKCC 7305 SINCE 2005
NAQCC 5233
OMISS 11548
PRFER EQSL
Back in late 2000 i brought this radio with 500 hz cw filter atfer installed in my radio what a differce that cw makes ! i love this rig i test it on field day that years had lots of fun,it keeper for me for sure. going keep it for me just in case when ft 847 goes down 897D is main backup rig !
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N4MJG on 2012-08-10
I never ever had any problem with mine! It does what it supposed to do! Buit like tank! ;) for other got hold the rig with problem! I had mine since 2006 from Dayton ohio hamfest!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N4MJG on 2011-11-20
This radio never dies or anything it still going strong! I had this radio since 2006.
I never have any problems. At all!
73
Jackie
N4MJG
BEEN HAMMING 21 years!
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| KK4RUI |
Rating: |
2023-03-29 | |
| Reliable as my 1st HF/UHF/VHF Radio and retired to a To-Go Kit |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This radio was my first HF/UHF/VHF radio after I earned my General license in 2014. I used it extensively on 80, 40, 20 and the UHF/VHF bands using a G5RV dipole and Diamont vertical antenna, respectively. I had it set on several layers of scrape pieces of 2X4's to aim the display directly at my face. Before it went off the market, I purchased the mounting bracket and other optional pieces for a future day, including a independent Anderson power pole connection cord. It was such fun and easy to use, having other on-the-air 897D operators helping me to adjust the audio and receive settings. For these reasons I give this radio a 5 Star rating.
Around 2021 I purchased the IC-7300 and purchased dual band mobile radios for my UHF/VHF needs. I had one of those tall "cube" coolers and mounted the 897d and the antenna tuner on the inside roof of this cooler....my first HF/UHF/VHF To-Go Kit. With the already built in wheels, I rolled it into the yard and field tested it and it works great! Can be operated upright or as a desk, if it rains, just shut the lid. Two bulk barrel connectors protrude through the cooler wall to easily accommodate the VHF/UHF and HF external antennas respectively. Since the optional power supply was installed on the bottom of the radio it saved alot of room to accommodate the Duracell AGM marine battery, so I have two power sources and could also connect solar power to the battery if needed. It is so cool as a great To-Go kit. I hope I can keep this rig going as long as I can.
73's One and All to a 5 Star Great Radio!!!
KK4RUI
Neal Klimek |
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| K1VFR |
Rating: |
2023-02-26 | |
| Wish you could still get them new! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This radio is exactly what I need: a fantastic, contained, portable radio, that can also easily function as a complete base station.
Along being a ham for several decades, I've also been a pilot/aircraft owner. I use this rig with a buddipole to create my own mini dx-peditions to remote airstrips. I can charge the dual internal batteries before I leave, grab the buddipole and an antenna analyzer, and I have a complete, portable, medium power station that I can have up and running for a day wherever I want.
When I get home, I hook up the radio to an external power supply and now I'm able to make 100 watt contacts with ease.
I can't think of a weakness, at least a weakness of substance, that would make me not give it 5 stars. Rx works well with good audio, and I often hear surprise from those I speak with on those "mini dxpeditions" that I'm sounding so good with just 20 watts.
Tim -- K1VFR / 1970 Piper Arrow N1010Y |
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| DL9BDM |
Rating: |
2022-06-09 | |
| Universal work horse! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have some other and from the technical specifications certainly also better transceivers (e.g. Yaesu FT-902DM etc.) in my shack. Originally, I bought the FT-897 (with built-in mains power supply FP-30 and LDG AT-897 Plus tuner) only for holliday trips. However, I use the radio now mainly at home - it is simply a very universal allmode TRX - from the lower shortwave bands to UHF - and it makes fun! This transceiver is so good that it can replace all others for normal QSO operation. The FT-897 would be unbeatable if it had the option to allow battery operation in addition to the built-in mains power supply at once. That would be a top notch transceiver! Probably Yaesu does not produce it anymore (in contrast to the FT-817/818) because it is too good and offers too much competition to their own other products. What a shame! |
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| SP9HZX |
Rating: |
2022-05-15 | |
| Great small radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
One of my favourite radios.Really versatile,rigid and easy to operate.
It has all that I need.I find it usefull during my escapades and at home.
I've never had any problems with it. |
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| VK3ZGP |
Rating: |
2021-12-10 | |
| Great! Set (pity about the Yaesu options) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought my FT-897D when I retired in 2008 and still using it. This was optioned to be my base station and go in a mobile home plus run portable operation.
I've been disappointed with the performance of some of the Yaesu options. My preferred setup includes an LDG AT-897 bolt on tuner as it matches a greater range of impedance than the Yaesu's alternative FC-30 option. INRAD filters as there is a much greater range of IF filter options from 300Hz to 5kHz while Yaesu was limited to just 3 IF filter options between 300Hz and 2.3kHz. The FT-897D has sockets for two IF filters and being able to customize the IF filters for different modes is a great advantage of the INRAD filters. When using a remote tuner the LDG RT-100 matches a greater range of impedance than Yaesu's alternative FC-20 option. The FT-897D can be configured for a low current draw when portable. This is a versatile radio that does have compromises e.g. a base station transceiver with a well designed front panel is going to be easier to operate than the menu driven FT-897D.
Just be aware that Collins have ceased manufacture of mechanical filters and the range of INRAD IF filters is being restricted as items are sold out.
The FT-897D does everything that I need across a number of roles in one package and I have no hesitation in giving it a 5 star 'Great!' rating. In any single role there will be better transceivers (e.g. there are better base station transceivers). |
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