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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
AA1TC Rating: 2008-01-28
Over Over a year and going strong Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I was shopping for a radio i wanted a great receiver, dependability and a good price. I found it with the FT-897D. I have talked around the world using the G5RV antenna about 10 feet above ground, MFJ-993B tunner and a RS-35A Astron power supply. I would recommend this radio to anyone. I believe YAESU makes a great product. I own the FT-1802 and VX-7R and they have work flawlesly for over a year. You dont need to spend $4000.00 for a rig to have fun. The FT-897D will be in my shack for many years to come. For $800.00 I do not think there is a better radio.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by AA1TC on 2006-12-04

The 897D is a great all mode radio. The price is now less than 790.00. No other radio for the money will do as much. The menus are very easy to use. The display has numerous colors and easy to read. I would recommend in investing in a better mic than what comes with the system but the MH-31b8 mic is nice. Would recomend the MH-36E8J mic because it has a lot more features. Using the G5RV antenna, MFJ-993B Tuner and the Astron RS-35A pwr sply makes for a great system. For under 1300.00 you can have a awesome system. If there is a better system for the money I would love to know.
W0WSP Rating: 2008-01-22
OK, but not for me Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I owned this radio for a little over three months. I planned in using it for mobile/portable operation. While the radio is OK, I just didn't like it. I sold it and purchased an IC-7000 and never looked back.
KB9VLR Rating: 2008-01-13
Nice rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Once again, "technical support" is trashing a perfect "5" rating. Don't buy the "D" version of this radio if you plan on widebanding it for use with transverters.

Mine is less than a month old from Gigaparts, and the widely distributed "wideband" jumper mod did not work for this radio. After the master reset, the 60m "memory" channels were gone, and wideband did not work. Contacting Yaesu for help and insight into widebanding for transverter use, and on how to get the 60m channels back was VERY DISAPPOINTING. The emails were short, and didn't answer any of my questions. The last email suggested that I "Simply perform a Master Reset".

I love Yaesu equipment, and I own several of their radios, but this one has left a bad taste in my mouth. Other than the aweful tech support, it was a very good purchase.

The radio is compact, and capable of operating any mode you see fit. Audio reports have been excellent on SSB so far (including 2m SSB). FM audio reports have been great as well. I've had a lot of compliments on PSK-31 on a very clean signal.

W6PSA Rating: 2008-01-06
Great All-Mode Rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a really good all-mode rig. Buying this radio was money well spent. Compared to other radios in this category, this was a steal. I have good reports on the audio straight out of the box and Rx is good too. I did a side-by-side comparison with the Icom IC-7000, and this rig is the winner. The IC-7000 has Mic, Heat, and DSP issues that the FT-897D does not. The Kenwood TS-2000 is a nice all-mode radio, but why pay twice as much. I rather have two FT-897D's. Over all, I'm very happy with this radio and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good solid radio.
VE4VID Rating: 2008-01-05
Excellant unit & it's versatile also. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well after about 3 1/2 years in operation in mixed settings I remain very pleased with my FT-897D. My rig is mated with an LDG LG-897 tuner connected on it's side. I give this rig a 5 because of it's dependability, usability, versatility and it does everything I have expected of it.

1. My rig has performed flawlessly during these last years of poor band conditions. No it isn't a FT-9000 or IC-7800 and it doesn't compare to them. It was never designed to do so. I can't understand those who write it up as if they expect it to.

2. As was mentioned in someone elses writeup, once settings are made there isn't an awful lot of adjusting to do in the menu system. Yeh I also hate menu's but I can't imagine using a jewellers screwdriver to adjust a bumch of minatuer pots with the aid of a magnifying glass.

3. Versatility, that's the real advantage of this rig. I've used mine as a mobile in a pickup truck with the ATAS-120 as well as a 75 meter whip stick. I've used it sitting on a picnic table with a dipole hanging in the trees. I use it for PSK-31 and RTTY in the station and I use it as both my main station rig as well as secondary to my new IC-746 Pro. It's my ARES rig to lug to Emergency Operations Centers and it's my new motor home mobile/portable for camping.

My unit retired from mobile as I had to replace my pickup, and of course a nice new FT-857D is nestled in our new leased Jeep. A person can't go to far wrong selecting an FT-897D, unless of course funds are unlimited and a person wishes a permanent base installation.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by VE4VID on 2005-11-21

The year 2005 is my year for changes, (eqpt. wise I mean) for my Amateur Radio hobby. I found myself using a IC-746 with a FT-840 for mobile or portable. Most of the year the FT-840 lived in its box, which made no sense to me. The 840 plus MFJ tuner took up a lot of room in the truck cab also.

Once research got started it didn't take long to narrow down my search for a station rig that I can use mobile or in our trailer. The FT-897D won in everyway over it's competition. The first day of our holidays, in May we headed for Watertown SD to visit Burghardts. Preordering made certain that everything was waiting. The service department installed my new FT-897D and ATAS-120 antenna. From there it was off for five weeks of travel and camping before returning home.

Mobile operation was excellant once I got used to a menu system. I received favourable reports on my signal and audio, and reception on the highway was impressive. I worked 20 & 40 meters SSB mobile with complete satisfaction. When removing from my station it takes a minute or two to disconnect and we're "on the road again".

Six months of operation has convinced me more than ever that this rig will go the trip for me. I even contest occassionaly with no trouble. Field day was great. I've used all bands from 70 cm to 80 m FM, SSB, PSK31 and have not one bit of trouble. I'm certain it won't outperform the $10,000 plus rigs but it was never designed to do so. There'll be a place in my eqpt. list for the FT-897D for a lot of years to come.
W0BKR Rating: 2007-12-26
Good Back Up Radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the 897 for a while and use it occassionally so my comments should be taken as such, from a casual user.

I find I have to refer to the manual frequently to find out how to get to a function. Again, with more use, I would probably have that down.

I find the noise blanker to be sub-par. Even the DSP seems very limited what it will actually do for you. Yaesu should pattern their noise blankers from Kenwood's.

All in all, for what you pay, not a bad little radio. I bit too embedded with software commands, etc., but otherwise, okay. Definitely not something you would want to use mobile due to the size I suppose but moreso, due to the very tiny display.

VR2AX Rating: 2007-12-07
Exceeds Expectations Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In its basic form this is a value added radio. It may not break many test bench records, but it is pretty intuitive to use for a limited multi-tasking person such as myself. I really can't fault it for what it is and what it does not pretend to be.
W6RQ Rating: 2007-12-06
great little rig Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the FT-897D as my main rig for about 2 years. It works quite well, especially on digital modes (using SignaLink USB). Receiver is a bit noisy, but turning off the pre-amp (i.e. turning on "IPO" in Yaesu-speak) helps reduce the noise level. The menus are a pain, but using a good software control program like Ham Radio Deluxe reduces the need for many of the menus, but not all due to the limited set of CAT commands in the FT-897. Am using a Heil HMM-Y hand mic which seems to be a big improvement over the stock mic, INRAD filters (500 Hz for CW, 2.0 kHz for SSB), and LDG Z-11 Pro AT. Overall, I'm very pleased with this rig.
KN4RA Rating: 2007-12-01
As Expected Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the little rig for about 14 months now. No problems at all. There is a steep learning curve, so I just keep the manual handy. I purchased the internal supply and it was a snap to install. I am still amazed at how this rig has so many bands/features in such a compact package. If you are into watching a s/rf meter, please consider the LDG FT-meter. I picked one up at Dayton and it is sweet! Plug and play... Anyone that purchases smaller rigs should be aware that the lack of knobs will mean intense menu operation. If you are "anti menu", stay away from this rig. You will not like it. With that said, the overall performance of this rig is slightly above average. The addition of a Heil Traveler mic and tweaking the carrier point (-50 for my twangy voice)) brought this little jewel to life. The receiver is better than expected. (Much better than the FT-840 and the IC- 735.) The DSP is, well, decent. Not is the same class as say, the 756 Pro series, but it was not built to compete with those caliber of rigs... I will keep this one. At least I have no plans to sell it.
AB2WK Rating: 2007-11-27
Still a Good Buy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the 897 over a year ago and have had no problems but some setting needed to be adjusted. I would suggest that you go to the DK Mods webpage or the yahoo group if you are having problems. I did the mod for the bias and it made a big difference. Some of these radio's left the factory without some settings being properly adjusted. When I first got mine I couldn't get more then 70 watts out of it. After researching what to do on the FT-897 Yahoo group it puts out 100 watts no problem with excellent signal reports. CAUTION: DO NOT ADJUST OR MODIFY ANYTHING IF YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!!!