| G0APM |
Rating:      |
2012-09-01 | |
| It's a cutie! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Love it! It's been lugged around portable and used in the shack in anger. I have the batteries in and it's quite a chunk! Menu's take some getting used to but once you master that you'll find you'll only be changing a few options from time to time and dialing memories, easy. Get some memory management software then it's a piece of cake.
Performance wise no problem, I make contacts and get good reports using phone, PSK, JT65 etc, what more can you want? Swiss army knife? Prefer to use the real thing...
It makes contacts just as well as any other radio I own (for the modes I use) regardless of price. |
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| WB4SLI |
Rating:  |
2012-08-10 | |
| Junk |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Since the radio kept quitting on me every two to three months and I am now tired of looking at it, I will take it to the Huntsville Hamfest and give it to Yaesu for them to do whatever they wish with it. There is no review of a unit's history when service gets it and customer service is a big nothing. I will NEVER buy anything by Yaesu ever again. It does make a good book-end. Reliable - no, dependable - no, support - no, swiss army knife - no. This rig is really good at one thing - breaking down.
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Earlier 1-star review posted by WB4SLI on 2012-01-04
Follow-up on the dies every few months problem. There is no customer service from them either. Save yourself a bunch of time and trouble and buy some other manufacturer's equipment. Maybe they will wake up like Detroit did. They cannot run roughshod over their customers and expect people to still buy their unreliable low quality stuff. I refuse to consider buying anything that they make.
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Earlier 3-star review posted by WB4SLI on 2011-04-03
If I did not have to ship the rig in once a year for repair, I would give it a five. Every spring the rig fails differently each time. I am looking for something to replace this rig. It is a versatile configuration or a Swiss Army Knife of a rig - why I bought it. The LDG AT-897 tuner is a must. I just wish that it would not break each year. |
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| VK4NWX |
Rating:      |
2012-08-08 | |
| Yaesu The Radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
What other radio gives you the performance and flexibility like this one! It is practice and reliable from base station operation at home to remote field operation in the bush! No wonder there so popular, I like the many features of this rig and the TX and RX performance I think is good, It Looks and feels strong and well made to.
People have called the FT 897, a Swiss army knife, a 4WD radio, a shack in a box! And I rekon there right. Like a faithful cattle dog my FT 897D follows me where ever I go.
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| VE6BGM |
Rating:      |
2012-08-01 | |
| Agree |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| i wish people who degrade things would give reasons. But the 897 is the Swiss Army knife of ham radio. It may not be the best at any onething, but for a multi band radio and for one that likes to work multi band it works for me. |
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| KE4GBH |
Rating:  |
2012-08-01 | |
| junk |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| i have owned many different brands of ham radio and still to this day i like most all of them including yaesu but between the ft897 and the ft 100 which are well bragged about they were the worst ive used,i then went to a 746pro which was a good radio but didnt come anywhere near the performance of the kenwood ts480hx.from now on i stick with kenwood and buy an occasional yaesu or icom for testing out in the shack....ke4gbh |
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| ON3RT |
Rating:      |
2012-06-25 | |
| Swiss army knife ham-radio transceiver |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Hi all,
This info may interest those looking to get an idea of the price for a second-hand (used) Yaesu FT-897D transceiver system.
I purchased a mint condition boxed Yaesu FT-897D (built in November 2006) along with the Yaesu FC-30 antenna coupling/tuning unit for 500EUR.
Although the FT-897D was not on my purchase 'watch list', this opportunity was just too good to pass :-P
I was actually looking for a reasonably priced portable HF transceiver. My sights were set on the Yaesu FT-817ND and Yaesu FT-857D. The Icom IC-703+ would have been a good candidate but for the fact that Icom discontinued it and replacement parts don't come cheap !
My first impressions with the FT-897D:
* Whilst this transceiver has been designed for outdoor use, the FT-897D is not waterproof. This is not a marine radio ! Given that there are no open vents on the top cover through which accidental water or other liquid can rapidly enter the equipment, the unit is less prone to damage.
* Even without the internal batteries this transceiver is too heavy and bulky to take on any pedestrian excursions. I guess that I am still in the market for a Yaesu FT-817ND ;-)
* This transceiver can easily be reconfigured for EmComm use. Optional accessories can be carried internally within the transceiver depending upon situational requirements.
* All-mode multi-band 'all-in-one-box' (HF, VHF & UHF) transceiver is useful for EmComm 'first responders'.
* The optional CW & SSB filters come with a non-negligable price tag :)
Best 73s !
Ravi ON3RT
Member of Brussels-East Amateur Radio Club (UBA BXE)
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| VE3PTC |
Rating:      |
2012-06-06 | |
| great value |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
decided to acquire an ft 897d because i was so impressed with the performance of its little brother, the 857d, which is doing sterling service for me /m. i primarily use the 897d on 6m ssb and for 2m and 70 cms, but occasionally unplug the 1000mp, and use the 897d on hf. for a budget radio, it works vy fb. the noise blanker is superb. it reminds me of the excellent nb in the ts 830,ft101zd, or ft 102. i used an icom 706 mk2 g and the nb was either on or off, and when on, it did not do very much at all. receive sensitivity is very good, strong signal handling is what you would expect with single ceramic filter, however, for casual qso, its just fine. the dsp is at audio, so dont try and filter out the strong station 2 khz up the band. first use your if shift, and possibly the ipo button, then use the dsp to clean up any remaining noise. i find it works very well on cw, although i have not fitted the narrow cw filter, just use the dsp. the menu system! very easy to navigate, and once you have set up the parameters the way you like, you rarely have to go back. in contrast, i found the icom 706 menu system poor, and not as intuitive as the yaesu one. for the money, its a great value radio, and for me, its excellent on 6m, with lots of sensitivity.
vy 73 de bob
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| KB7QDI |
Rating:      |
2012-05-27 | |
| Almost perfect rig |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I was undecided between the Yaesu FT-857D and the FT-897D. A friend had an 897, and while on a camping weekend let me play around and make a few contacts. It was then I knew I wanted one, and very happy I did. Works well as a home, mobile or camping radio. Sturdy as a rock. |
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| WA0ZZG |
Rating:      |
2012-05-24 | |
| It just works! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This radio has been around way longer then most models, about ten years. The original design is way out of date, but what do you do with a box that just does the job it was intended for well. A DSP based design would consume way more power and make it hard on batteries.
I finally relented and got one about a week ago. It does everything but get me up in the morning and fix me breakfast. There are a TON of aftermarket goodies for this one, so I'll keep looking for a breakfast adapter. Not a great receiver, but a good one. The squelch actually works well and CW sounds good.
Dave... |
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| STAYVERTICAL |
Rating:      |
2012-05-17 | |
| Just keeps on going - old faithful |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This rig was originally intended as my starter radio when I returned to ham radio.
I assumed I would buy a big dollar rig later, but after using these rigs over many years and seeing many other stations - I am sticking with these great rigs.
With 160m to 70cm coverage, all-modes, rugged, compact, portable, it just does it all for my operation.
It has been run on digital modes (PSK31 mainly) all day long, never overheats, never failed, and is just a reliable workhorse radio.
Sure, it is not a multi-kilobuck rig in some parameters, but it has never had to apologise for performance in my experience.
But what impresses me most, is it's reliability.
Ruggedly built, with the looks of a military radio, it just keeps going day after day.
Like a reliable and loyal hound, this radio will be by side for some time yet.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by STAYVERTICAL on 2011-11-26
I have had two of these remarkable little radios for six years of almost daily service.
My criteria in ham radio is simple:
It must be working for its keep and keep working.
This radio certainly has fulfilled those needs.
Daily use in digimodes and CW are faultless - just turn it on and operate.
No tantrums, no intermittent failures, just keeps going.
I have added the FC-40 remote atu, and random bits of wire becomes a perfectly tuned antenna by pressing the tune function on the FT897D.
My entire ham station consists of this rig and a notebook computer.
For a space limited ham or one who wants a built like a military radio type of rig, the FT897D, in my experience, will suit you nicely.
Some hams compare this rig unfavourably with much more expensive rigs, which is a compliment to this rig.
But in the end, this rig will keep up with most rigs without having to apologise.
I would suggest buying the 500hz optional mechanical filter, since this is a great benefit for cw and digital modes, but apart from that, this is the perfect rig for my operation.
Well done Yaesu.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by STAYVERTICAL on 2010-10-09
Some radio's fade into obscurity rapidly while others become a classic of design and engineering.
The FT897D is one destined to become a classic radio.
It is one of those freaks which somehow, despite being built for economical purchase, has become a giant killer.
If I did not know better - looking at the way it is built and the seamless way it's batteries, AC PSU and FC-40 remote atu integrate - I would swear it was built with military use in mind.
Most people who own one, love that little tough radio, and would not part with it.
I own two, and for the last 4 years, every time I push the button, they turn on, give their best and have netted me around 6000 DX contacts.
I primarily use digital modes and in that melee of chirping carriers, the FT897D holds up very well.
If needed, it will give 100W without peeling the paint off the top, running cool all day.
The menus are simple and in today's world - unless you are a complete technophobe - are quite straightforward.
I receive unsolicited compliments on the quality of my transmission, both in PSK31 and SSB, but I do have a bassy voice and perhaps that is a factor.
If you wish to change the microphone response, there is a slider switch on the rear of the microphone to tailor the frequency response to a higher pitched voice.
I initially purchased the FT897D as a starter "shack in a box" but after 4 years, I see no need to purchase anything different.
If you want a contesting radio, buy another rig - if you want a reliable, good, versatile, tough radio - the FT897D stands alone.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by STAYVERTICAL on 2010-04-01
This is a repost to correct a mistake in the original post from FC30 to FP30.
The original record should be deleted to not skew
the ratings.
I have used my FT897D for two years.It does not have the quietest receiver, unless you turn off the preamplifier (IPO), nor does it have a big display or lots of buttons.
BUT, I love this tough little radio. Its the WW2 jeep of ham radio transceivers, but it has plenty of features as well. Running 160m to 70cm, all modes, 100w on HF/6m 50w on 2m, 20w on 70cm. I bought the FP30 bolt on psu and the FC40 remote atu and have a ham station in a bag. The FT897D (newest version) comes standard with DSP and a high stability TCXO oscillator. You dont need extra filters as the DSP is good enough in my experience. However, as I like to pamper mine, I fitted the 500hz and 2300hz collins mechanical filters. The 500hz filter works great on digital modes, the 2300hz "ssb" filter improves the signal to noise ratio but the standard ceramic ssb filter has good selectivity anyway.
The menu system is pretty easy once you get used to using it, and I normally keep it on swr or switching between filters.
If you use the fc40 atu you will get used to moving to that menu option for tuning as well.
Once the fc40 atu has "learned" the frequency settings, its pretty well set and forget.
If you dont use an fc40 atu, then I would consider getting a CAT radio control cable.
When used with a radio control program (I use Ham radio deluxe) you can control lots of the 897D functions from the program. One thing I have not found how to do is switch between the mechanical filters under program control however.
Digital modes sound in/out and PTT is via the 6 pin mini-din "data" socket on the rear.
On transmit the case hardly gets warm, even after high duty cycle digital modes operation, although the fan comes on every time you transmit. If you want to use the FC40 remote atu, you will not be able to use CAT radio control, as they use the same port on the rear of the FT897.
This is one drawback, especially if you like to use radio control programs such as Fldigi or HRD MixW Multipsk etc.
In summary, it wont beat contesting rigs, and many other radios may be better in one way or another, but like my FT817ND, there is just something about this little radio which makes it a keeper.
Just an addendum. I use this rig as my base station, and am entirely happy with it in this application. 73s. |
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