| KE7MU |
Rating:     |
2019-07-07 | |
| Good radio comparatively |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I compared my ft897, came out in 2002, with my ft450, came out in 2007, with my ft891, came out in 2016 and my ft991A came out 2017, here are the results.
Easy to use ft450, least menus
Best DSP, all have draw backs
Ft897 & ft450 good but some noise
Ft891 good but doesn't reduce noise when station isn't present, blanker distorts SSB
Ft991 best but requires external audio amp to hear
Lowest cost ft891 $599 Sale
Highest cost ft991a $1199 Sale
Largest footprint tie Ft897 and ft991a, also both uhf and vhf.
After almost 20 years, I would have expected more and better performance differences rather than repackaging mediocre performing designs. After listening to ft1200 and ft3000, the have more knobs but same mediocre performance.
I understand if you spend more money you would expect better performance and defend your choices, but it is what it is!
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Earlier 3-star review posted by KE7MU on 2004-02-13
The radio is just ok! First the complaints
The noise blanker is worthless, causes distortion from adjacent signals. DSP button is not bi-directional. The SWR foldback is so fast I can't use an autotuner without lowering power to 10 watts. The display is very poor, it's adjustable but none of the options look very good, not to mention the useless SWR meter that is not calibrated and the useless S meter the doesn't indicate over S9+. The accessories are way, way over priced. To operate on batteries requires another $500 in accessories, then it weighs a ton. The manual is poorly written. It absolutly requires a CW filter for CW, and there is no DSP function to remove hetrodynes. Good mic audio requires a mic modification.
Now for the good things.
General coverage receive, lots of memories and computer control is very nice ( all rigs have this ). It's sort of portible and battery powered. To modify the mic only requires a hot needle and a screwdriver.
Most likely my last Yaesu product |
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| KA7EKW |
Rating:    |
2019-06-29 | |
| Not bad, not great |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Essentially an FT-857 in a bigger box, with a handle and feet. I had it several years, then sold it.
If I were looking for another radio with those capabilities, I would buy an FT-857 and mount a gel cell to it. This would give a significantly greater battery life than the 897 offers. It would be easy to rig battery, handle and radio together. |
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| KB3NWU |
Rating:     |
2019-06-29 | |
| Great portable. OK as base. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The 897D was my first and primary HF rig for 14 yrs. I recently replaced it as my base with an FTDX-3000 and still use it portable. I've never needed it serviced - a very rugged rig as it has been used portable numerous times. The menu isn't hard to navigate and it does just about everything. That being said, it has a few problems when using it as a base with an amp and tuner. Trying to use it with my ALS-600 amp & 998 auto tuner, I had to make an "8 pin mini-din Y cable" as only one person in the world makes one and he wants almost $60 for it. The 897D has a bad TX overshoot problem constantly faulting solid state amps like the ALS-600. AD5X has directions on his website for making a 2dB RF attenuator which clips the overshoot and allows the amp to be used (on most bands anyway). However, it also maximizes the drive to the amp at 67 watts. TX audio reports were always mediocre with the stock mic no matter what I did with the gain, proc, or equalizer UNTIL I got bought a German Funkamateur $50 speech processor that attaches to the mic cord. I also modified the stock dynamic mic to electret. Great audio reports now. The AF DSP DNR does just OK at reducing that fatiguing noise. I bought and had installed a BHI DSP which now makes the 897D a pleasure to use. I can't recommend it highly enough. It quiets that noise like a multi thousand dollar radio. It is not exactly cheap but it is worth every penny. Complete the package with an AT-897 auto tuner and you have a top notch portable rig for field day or a decent 100 watt base. I really like this radio but didn't give it a 5 because it needs a number of after-market gadgets to make it shine. |
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| 5B4AJG |
Rating:      |
2018-05-26 | |
| Trusty workhorse |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I was quite disappointed with my 1st basic 897d along with the Yaesu bolt on atu and was happy once I'd sold it. Then about three years ago I had a opportunity to buy a second 897d by now I already owned the 817nd & the 857d and after playing with the settings I thoroughly enjoy playing with them so I completed my line up by adding the 897d. I now realise I was a fool to part (and loose money in the bargain) with my first one. Now I'm used to the menu layout and added the extra filters along with the LDG 897+ atu and then spent time adjusting the rig to get the best out of it I now have a great piece of kit, I also now have every available option which means there's no other radio manufacturer anywhere which can compete with my setup. My Icom Pro3 has a very good receiver and after admittingly spending quite some time setting the 897d up it easily stands its ground next to the Icom, BUT as good as the Pro3 is it looses out it many ways against the 897d. OK, it's not a contesters rig, the menus take time to master the cables on the back once the LDG is connected along with any computer connections used are a bit messy but if you can be bothered to take your time to tame the 897d it'll reward you many times over. So hf to uhf (minus 70MHz) as a base station or portable there is still nothing out there as versatile. Great value.....!
73, Richard de 5B4AJG. |
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| N2ZD |
Rating:     |
2017-12-31 | |
| Very good radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've had the mobile version FT-857 and D models since their release. Beside the bigger display and larger case of the 897 plus the battery/power supply option, they are essentially the same. I recently acquired an 897 and right away I felt I was "back behind the wheel" of my 857.
I find for the price, you can't beat the receiver, transmitter and features. Nothing on it is stellar, nothing jumps out as far ahead of the competition, but the radio is a solid performer.
Good audio, good clean RX, very good dsp features. For the price it can't be beat. I know they stopped making them, but if you're a new ham, a budget minded ham, prepper, camper, portable op or confined to a small shack, this rig is a no brainer.
Having owned the variant, I find myself drawn back to this platform over and over. Like I said, nothing on it is breathtaking. But everything such as features, size, quality etc.. is good or better than good. The radio is as close to perfect as an "all in one" can get when considering the above mentioned clientele.
As far as issues with these, make sure no one messed with the sub menu, the radio is in good working order and was not abused. There are lots of options for it, and a large following of users who can point you in the right direction if you have any questions.
I will add this, there is a reviewer down the page who complained about the menu. If you can't grasp this radios menu, you have no business owning a modern radio. By far the menu system is one of the easiest to navigate and figure out. Icom otoh uses advanced calculus to program is what should be easy. I guess the icom people are laughing at me with that comment , but coming from the easy Yaesu menu to my 7000 and 7100, I found the Yaesu easier to set up.
Almost all of the buttons have the ability to bring you to the adjustments rather easily, i.e.. hit the function key, twirl the menu select knob to the desired function and to adjust it simply hold down the desired key and the 897 will take you right into the adjustment menu for that function. Easy!!
Anyway, a great radio. Lots of useful features, lots of add on accessories, lots of fun..
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| N0TES |
Rating:      |
2017-09-19 | |
| Excellent for just the right number of reasons |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I stumbled upon an 897 at the last ham fest I attended. My purpose was for this 897 was to use it as the digital rig, which would be attached to Tiger Tronics equipment. After setting this up for digital modes, I found it was extremely easy to use the 897, and the larger knobs or more friendly and welcoming.
It was really nice to have a familiar menu, meaning the 897 and the 857‘s menu are almost identical. After using the 897 for 5 months, I can say that I’m ready to sell my base rig.
The filter is available for it or very good. So whether using voice or CW, I can always bring the noise floor down enough.
I would recommend this to a friend, and I am going to buy another one for my office. |
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| SM6VYM |
Rating:      |
2017-09-16 | |
| Great little RIG |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had this 897 since a couple of years and I have tested it in my schack A-B to my TS-590SG. (i.e.HF)
Ok, there is some difference but not much. The 897 is pretty close to the 590 in sensitivity and selectivity...to my ears anyway...so perhaps I have DSP between them...hi.
Today to many is blinded by theoretical values in radios that has little or non relevance in practical use. Ergonomics is another issue thoe. 897 as all of it´s kind, they are an orgie in menus...
In plain english the T-897D is ALOT of radio for not so many dollars.
I have a INRAD 500Hz CW and the FP-30 internal PS mounted, work great. |
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| ON4KVK |
Rating:      |
2017-06-14 | |
| Will never sell it ! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Works excellent (FT897D) with the LDG AT897 and signalink USB external sound card for digital modes. Considered to sell it, but will never do it. It remains as my "back-up" transmitter, as I'm considering a more recent HF transmitter as "main" unit. Although no pressure, the 897D is still performing excellent. |
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| 2E0EUG |
Rating:      |
2017-05-19 | |
| Excellent Tranciever |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After acquiring one of these as "spares and repairs" I set about fixing the damage done.
Upon receiving the radio it was oblivious it had been fiddled with, a adventurous "expert" had been inside the radio and fiddled with the service menu changing settings which they obviously had no idea what they did and the poor radio would only do 50w max, also the signal meter was way out and the data port was blown, also the ssb carrier point was way out on both modes and needed realignment.
Well after 24hrs she is now running great with excellent radio reports and a max power of 120w.
This radio shines, after using Icoms for years I am now a Yaesu convert at least on this one, the receive is far superior to my Icom 7000 and has better audio quality without that horrible Dalek effect, the noise floor is low and the DSP is excellent, the screen is excellent for its size and the ability to change the display colour is a nice touch. Well done Yaesu, this ones a keeper |
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| WB6FQZ |
Rating:     |
2017-03-21 | |
| Not a bad choice |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I bought the 897D off of EBay and am pleased with it so far.This is the rig I should have bought when I acquired an FT-817. I like the 817 but 5 watts just doesn't cut it most of the time. The 897 has the ability to install 2 ea. 4500MAH batteries but they are expensive. Good generic ones are available on Amazon for half price.I only have 2 negatives. Number 1 is the AGC. If you turn it off the received signals are distorted.The other is the noisy receiver. the plus side is it is built VERY well. It's obvious it was designed for portable use and that is my intended use. It is a very versatile rig of high quality. |
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