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Reviews For: Yaesu FT-897 & 897D

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu FT-897 & 897D
Reviews: 340MSRP: 1049.95
Description:
It is the world's first multi-mode high-power base/mobile transceiver designed to fitted with internal batteries (optional) for portable use. The coverage is HF 160 to 10 meters plus 50/144/430 MHz VHF/UHF. Receive is 0.1-56, 76-108, 118-164 and 420-470 MHz. 7.9x3.2x10.3 inches (200x80x263 mm).
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/ft897.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
353404.6
W8NIC Rating: 2009-10-11
NOT BAD AT ALL Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, there's pretty much nothing i can add to what has been said here.
All i can say is i like it. will I recommend it to my friends? Yes.
People say the screen is too small, well, i say if you think it's too small then don't buy it. Get a radio that has a screen as big as a movie theater............ :)
KC8TBY Rating: 2009-09-14
Good BUT... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased this rig very shortly after upgrading my license from tech to general. Obviously I was looking for a late model, reliable HF rig that also had the advantage of having a small "footprint" as well. The built in FM mode was a plus also!
Although I have had NO problems with either the mechanics/electronic reliabilities of this rig, (it works great!)as a relative "newbie" to the HF ranks I do have some qualms about it's ease of use.
For what it's worth, I found that the learning curve involved with this radio was, and still is, very steep. Again, keep in mind my reservations concerning this rig are centered mainly on how easy this rig is to understand and to use for the newer hams such as myself.
This radio is very menu driven. What I have found out is that many of the menu items that might be more easily understood by more experienced operators were difficult for a newer operator such as myself to either find or to fully understand. I also have to admit that I found the operation manual to be quite difficult to understand as well.
I have had to rely on a number of Elmers in my club in order to really appreciate how to get the fullest use out of this very compact rig.
Keep in mind once again folks that I am simply warning newer hams to beware of the somewhat steep learning curve involved in learning to use this rig.
Just one hams opinion!
G8UBJ Rating: 2009-09-14
Very versatile Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I now own two FT-897s for VHF and UHF work. I use one on 6 & 2M and the other on 70cm and 4M via a 70Mhz transverter with 28Mhz IF.
There is no IF output but the accessory socket provided enables me to interface the transverter. I especially like the transverter offset so I can display 70Mhz when on 4M.
I use both with INRAD filters which make a difference on VHF sensitivity (I don't think it would be as much benefit on HF). With the 2K SSB filter the 897D is easily as sensitive as my FT-225RD with Mutek front end but of course won't match it for intermod.
The only other modification I made was to fit an in-board AFSK oscillator (XR-2206) for RTTY work. This enables me to set up the audio drive once and use FSK keying.
I run an FT2K for HF but cueently if I could only have one radio the FT-897 + INRAD filter would be it.
Maybe Yaesu will bring out an IF DSP version, that would be something very special (Even more so if it had 70Mhz - well I can dream)
VA2UT Rating: 2009-09-13
Awesome Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I buy this baby 8 month ago and use at base station (like as backup station) also at portable station.

Easy to use - solid construction - user friendly menu what you want this baby can give it to you.

You want buy an excellent rig ??

BUY A Yaesu FT-897D WITH NO REGRETS

Two thumb's up for FT-897d
KG6VH Rating: 2009-09-10
Surprised at how easy it is to operate. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've stayed away from Yaesu equipment for years because I had so much trouble using the menu systems on their HT's. I decided to give this rig a try because of some of the features it had which I wanted and also because of the good reviews here. It has taken me almost no time at all to learn to use the menu system on the 897. So much easier than my old FT50r's. The point of my review is to let you know that the menu system shouldn't put anyone off. It's easy to master. All the other aspects of this rig have been nothing but positive for me.
N7BUI Rating: 2009-08-29
Fantastic Little Radio! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've run the gauntlet of radios over the years, with testing and then selling off the ones I didn't like. What has remained as my main radios in the shack are two FT-897's. The performance of these little rigs is just fantastic. They easily have out performed most of the low to mid-range rigs I've tried. The sensitivity and low noise floor on all bands has easily convinced me to get rid of everything else. No they don't have the latest IF DSP filtering. But if you don't like the stock filtering, it's very easy to change. I find the rigs are very easy on the ears compared to most of the harsh digital sounds of today's rigs.

The radio's work very well on my my solar powered station. They put out full power all the way down to 11 volts! This is fairly unusual today except for the 817, 857, 897 series from Yaesu. I've tried Kenwoods and Icoms on the same power setup and most begin to act flaky as the voltage drops below 12 volts.

So if your looking for versatility, portability, and excellent performance give these rigs a look. I haven't been disappointed.

2E0XOM Rating: 2009-08-22
top radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
what more do you want for your money ace shack in a box
N0FPE Rating: 2009-08-07
I like it Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like mine just fine. great for portable use at a campground. I will have it until it dies or I do!


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Earlier 5-star review posted by N0FPE on 2008-08-30

Had mine for 6 years..never a miss, love it when I am camping, The one radio I will keep til it dies.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N0FPE on 2007-03-26

Great grab and go radio!!! Perfect for ARES/RACES use. Use mine for camping all the time with a buddipole antenna.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N0FPE on 2002-12-18

I have had my 897 for 2 weeks now and love it! I carry it from the house to the truck and it plays well. I do not have the antenna tuner as I use tuned monoband whips. So far it have preformed flawless. The DSP works great killing the noise made by the truck engine. If you are looking for a great all around/pickup and go rig this is it. while the 817 is nice the 897 is light years ahead of it.

Dan
LU5DDX Rating: 2009-08-07
increible!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
exelente equipo !!!!! tiene todo lo que puedas imaginar y cada uno de los mandos responden al pedido de su funcion .. nada esta de mentira ..
lo mejor ,,, el dsp , tamaƱo , bandas , audio, modos, opcionales .. lo peor ,, nada de nada .. yaesu creo que en ese rango de precio y funciones va a tardar mucho en ser superado ..
yo le doy 10/10 .. doble para inclinarse ante el ..
felicitaciones yaesu .. saludos jorge
DK5EW Rating: 2009-07-23
!! WOW !! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been a Icom user for more than 20 years now.
Just for fun I bought at the HamRadio in Friedrichshafen a new FT-897D with mechanical Collins filter and some mods done by dealer.

As I'm doing mainly 2m EME/Meteorscatter and Tropo I use the Rig there. I also own(ed) a IC-746Pro using for same. So I made comparison on EME/JT65b and I was so what of surprised ! All signals are up to 5dB stronger than with the 746 on same antenna and same PreAmp switching between IC/FT-TRX.
Never thought this could happen by just changing the TRX only but it tells me that the FT-897D is more sensitive.

Also I like very much that the RIG gives a great modulation with my HeilSetPro.
I don't like the small LCD-display but a big display is impossible on that small rig. So I bought me a FT-laaaaarge Meter - fun !

At all I can say this was the best buy I did in the past and I'm going to love that little cheap rig more and more.

73's Erwin/DK5EW

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Earlier 5-star review posted by DK5EW on 2009-07-03

After 20 years of having ICOM transceivers I wanted to give that little RIG a chance. I mostly operate on 2m in Meteorscatter and EME mode. After setting up the 897D and making familar with the menue I made first attempts in MS/EME/TROPO. I was really surpriced how sensitive that little wounder is. The factory installed TCXO gives the 897 a very stable freq. what is needed in JT65 EME mode. Also my HeilSetPro is running great with perfect modulation.
Looking on the price and what the 897D offers I will sell my 7400 because that RIG is not better.