| WD4ELG |
Rating:      |
2012-10-20 | |
| Updated review, Oct 2012 |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
What's not to love about this rig?
Let me tell you about versatility. I have two of these. Here's what I have accomplished:
1. Mobile DX in my car with 500 mW to 1500 miles out
2. Base station DX, busting through the Clipperton DXPedition.
3. On travel from hotels, working DX and stateside.
4. Digital modes: JT65, PSK31
5. LEO satellites, both FM and x-band CW/SSB.
6. Aircraft scanner
7. Police scanner
8. Field day
9. FM repeater work
I love this rig!
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PREVIOUS REVIEW:
I travel a lot, so my goal was to obtain a small, very portable rig loaded with features which I could use from the road.
I am a die-hard Kenwood fan - TS520S, TS570D, TS480SAT. So I was not sure what to expect with Yaesu. And this would be my first truly QRP portable rig. Some investigation and tinkering down at AES Radio Supply in Orlando (thanks to Eddie Vallejo, KD4RAZ) helped me to finalize my decision, and I have enjoyed EVERY MINUTE of this rig since I picked it up over the holidays in December of 2007.
I use it with an Elecraft QRP-ATU, just for insurance/protection of the rig's finals. I also have the SignaLink USB and Ham Radio Deluxe for PC control with digital modes.
My antennas at home are dipoles and verticals. On the road, I use Par EndFed half waves. In my car, I use HamSticks.
I have had great QRP DX success to Europe and South America. The rig is very easy to travel with. The menus are not hard to get used to, if you use the rig often. The digital modes are a snap to use also.
While it does not have an internal antenna tuner, the Elecraft ATU is easy to use and affordable.
While it does not cover the NOAA weather bands, there are many alternatives for receiving weather alerts in real time (SMS text messages to cell phone, etc.)
While others have noted the short battery life, I bypassed that and got the MFJ FT817 PS which works perfectly.
SUMMARY: The radio is PACKED with features, and the receiver is OUTSTANDING.
FEATURES: 5
PRICE: 5
RECEIVER: 5
ERGONOMICS: 5
EASE OF USE/MENUS: 5
For anyone interested in finding out more, feel free to contact me (wd4elg@arrl.net). I strongly encourage current and potential owners to participate in the YAHOO group discussion on this rig. That answered so many questions for me and helped me make my decision. |
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| N9APD |
Rating:      |
2012-10-20 | |
| Solid value |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought my '817 new about 4 years ago, my first HF radio purchase. I knew the next three years would require frequent moves into apartments and HOA restricted locations as my USAF wife moved us from assignment to assignment. My favorite mode quickly became PSK, and when paired with the Signalink USB this rig is a great performer. I had always planned to add a QRO rig when we finished our military whirlwind and I have done that. The '817 now lives in a tool case I picked up at Harbor Freight for $25. Fits my rig, Signalink, and an MFJ Antenna tuner. Now it comes with my on business trips, making QSOs with random wires fed out of hotel room windows. I can't imagine parting with this radio. I'd give up the Icom 746 first, if I needed the money and had to sell a radio. |
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| N6PAT |
Rating:      |
2012-10-03 | |
| It really does work |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
When I first got this radio I thought it was junk. I tried for a solid week and not a single contact! I was using a manually tuned MFJ mini stick on my Jeep with good reception but no contacts at all.
Then I added a Z817 tuner to the mix. A day later I got my first SSB contact to Prince Edward Island 1,000 miles away. Not bad with just 5 watts.
Last week I decided to change my location and parked my Jeep in a wide open spot. That's when the fun started. I started hearing a lot of DX stations. Much to my surprise a few of them heard me through the pileups. So far I've contacted Canada, Iceland, Brazil and, believe it or not, Australia all SSB while running just 5 watts with a mini stick on my Jeep!
You don't need a 100 foot tower with a $2,000 antenna to make this little radio work. I had a 10,000 mile QSO with 5 watts and an MFJ mini stick with a good report. All it takes is a little luck and a lot of patience.
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| OD1USA |
Rating:      |
2012-10-02 | |
| Excellent Value |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I wanted a compact and portable transceiver with vhf coverage for my first rig. I was really taken by the small size and low power consumption of the ft-817nd and took the plunge. I have been operating it for about four months now with great success. Of course you must be willing to accept the challenges of QRP operation but it has really forced me to refine my shack and antenna. Using an Alpha Delta DX-LB+ on a 100ft mast as an inverted 'V' I reliable make contacts out to 2-3000 miles on a daily basis. I have even gotten out so far as South Africa from Afghanistan over 6,000 miles and with only 5w.
I have been using an MFJ-971 transmatch to feed 450ohm ladder line which have complemented the rig well. On PSK-31 operation I really need to invest in a filter as QRM from over powered stations tends to wipe out the band. Receive quality is good and audio sounds fine with external speakers. The internal batter does not last long at full power output but that is a given. I have been using a 12v. battery charged by a SOLSUM 10.10f charge controller and 62w solar panel. This has worked out excellently and of course provides renewable power good for emergency use as well. I highly recommend this radio to any one who travels extensively and likes the challenge of QRP operation.
As a side note using the Rig Blaster plug and play with this radio is quite easy once the initial configuration is done and works very well. |
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| ZL1PO |
Rating:      |
2012-09-08 | |
| A Super Radio |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bit the bullet and bought 'on-line' a new FT817ND in late 2010 from GigaParts.I then arranged with Ralf from W4RT to collect it and have fitted their fantastic W4RT accessories.Ralf then shipped it out to ZL.
Should have got one long ago.Highly recommend the W4RT upgrades.Do not expect the original internal battery to keep you going long so I recommend investing in an external DC power source.Choose a good antenna and let it do most of the work.
73
John ZL1PO |
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| K7ZOV |
Rating:      |
2012-07-21 | |
| Keep coming back 5th time |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
OK Now my background Ham since 1963 (49 yrs). EE for 35+ yrs (Analog, digital RF, LASER systems, microprocessors etc). Have had, and traded many dozens of radios over the years Found the 817 a good trading toy to try other toys, but as I said, this is my 5th and will be my last...as in keeping. My comparisons are based on some great radios that have come and gone. This review is based on QRP. Not comparing to my PROII, or awesome new T-T Eagle, or a IC-706, or FT-857/897D etc. So here it goes..from a EE/old ham point of view.
The radio is not perfect none are, but for a QRP, take it anywhere market it is nothing short of being great. All the HF ham bands + VHF/UHF + AM + avaiation + FM + SWL. Yeasu did really, really stupid by not making the VHF capable of at least going to the Weather Freq. They had their chance with the nd and blew it, but hey look at what you get. A very small radio with a build in hand held. You get AM, FM, SSB, CW, DIGITAL, HRD support for people with bad eyes and fat fingers. (Did the same for the K2). The RX more the surpasses the TX in hearing power. Add a filter and much better, but again this is NOT a desk top radio. This is a field radio/take it everywhere radio. It does not have a IF DSP so yes it is not the worlds quietest. So what. It put out 2.5 watts internal battery and 5 watts with external. Think QRP. Want more power get something else or a after market amp. If you want a CW only radio, get a K2 or KX1 or KX3 and pay a whole lot more. If you want SSB, CW, PSK31, and other digital mod, 6 meter FM/CW/SSB, 2 meter and 440 FM/CW/SSB and hear your favorite music this is your radio...period! Nothing on the market even close.
Short coming yes. Needs after market for up grade toys. i.e. Speech compressor, AFDSP, ATU, more power. So what. For what you are getting you have a radio for hiking, camping, Emcomm, take to work, take on a trip, sit by the side of the bed and tons more.
5th time. Last time. I just made a interface for PSK31 for my netbook. I have a NUE-PSK modem for no computer PSK31, RTTY and CW help. I a T-1 ATU. I can put a complete SSB, CW, Digital station in a cheap metel CD case and take it with me. What short comings the radio has is blown away but what can do. My advice is get one and decide for yourself. Don't like it, put it up for trade. You will be amazed at what you can get. I did. Now it is time to stop and hold on to it. Thank you for your time. Hope it helps some of you make a proper decision.
73
Harry K7ZOV
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| KE4SKX |
Rating:     |
2012-07-15 | |
| Very Good Portable Rig |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I purchased my 817ND in 2008 as a portable “Swiss Army Knife” to accompany me on camping and backpacking trips. During that time it has modified it by adding the Collins narrow SSB filter, a W4TR speech compressor, a 2700 mAh battery and a bhi NEDSP-1061 KBD DSP unit.
At times when I’m not camping the rig sits on my desk along with LDG – Z-817 tuner and 12 volt power supply. The antenna at home is a 40 meter N4GG bob tailed dipole up 50 feet. This combination works well for all bands between 10 and 40 meters as well as providing good coverage of the AM broadcast bands.
I am blessed with a very low noise environment at my QTH, Stations worked QRP in June of this year include 9HISP and RZ3BW on 20 meters, IL6HYR and DL1BI on 17 meters as well as numerous State side contacts and the ability to check into almost any net I here.
Some Key Points
This radio is not FT DX 5000 – don’t expect it to perform like one.
The standard battery is woefully under capacity for a rig that draws the current the 817 does replace it.
If you want to hear or be heard use a good low noise antenna.
IPO ATT and CLAR are there for a reason – learn how to use them to you best advantage.
73
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| KA2WDV |
Rating:  |
2012-07-13 | |
| SAVE YOUR MONEY |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Here is my unbiased HONEST review of the YAESU FT-817ND. First let me help you understand this review. I have held a ham radio license for 27 years. I have a degree in electrical technology and have been employed in a technical field all my life. I'm not a nine year old who just walked out of a VE session with a extra class license. SO HERE WE GO.
My review is as follows.
1)It is a cute little radio, very impressive
2)The audio quality is very good.
3)The sensitivity and selectivity of this radio is very poor
4)The battery life is very poor. This radio will only output 2.5 watts with the internal battery pack. An external battery pack such as a AGM 7.2 AH battery is highly advised. This is the only way to output 5 watts for any length of time.
5)The intermod rejection capabilities of this radio is highly lacking.
6)The AM broadcast band is a joke. I have a Sony ICF-SW7600G that blows the doors off this radio as far as the receiver goes.
7) The radio was not tested on 6 meters or 440.
8) I tested this radio on 2 meters and can tell you it is weak at best using a Diamond SG-7900 as the Antennae.
9)I called CQ on 40 meters for 45 minutes until I reached a guy in Indiana.
10) The Collins SSB filter was installed along with the TCXO-9. By the way, some factory bozo puts lock tite on the screws so be careful opening up this radio as you can very easily strip the screws and than you will be getting out the Dremel tool for serious surgery on the screws.
11)The Collins filter does make a small difference in the performance of the radio but like I said, very small.
12) This radio is not advised for anyone with vision problems as the display is very tiny.
13)Understand that this is a QRP rig and not a FT-950. However in my professional opinion, a linear amp is required to help this radio along.
14)I have watched the you tube videos of this radio with the Miracle Whip antennae working the world on a whip and 2.5 watts. This must be some kind of magic trick because I too used the Miracle Whip antennae on this radio and can tell you this. After calling CQ on 10,20,40 meters for 3 hours. I DID NOT MAKE ONE SINGLE CONTACT WITH THIS ARRANGEMENT.
15)A tuner is a serious consideration for this radio as a miracle whip will not load up on 75 or 40 meters. The LDG 817 was used with this radio and it is a great little tuner. Seriously!
16)All in all this radio falls way short of the mark. When you add the price of the filters,the tuner,the 2500mah battery pack, you could have invested in a FT-450D. Lets be real. When we call CQ we want to talk to someone. I fail to see how other hams can rate this little toy so highly. I could go on a lot further but I think I have made my point. THERE WAS ONLY ONE OTHER HAM THAT WROTE A REVIEW SIMILAR TO MINE> HE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS AS WELL. In closing please don't hand me this crap I must have a bad radio or I am doing something wrong because I am not. This radio is best suited for a 10 year old who wants to turn the lights down low and pretend he is a lost ship at sea. I encourage anyone to contact me further at rarcuri@nycap.rr.com if you think I gave an unfair assessment of this radio because my review is dead on. And please, I am not a Yaesu basher because I own another radio, a FT-2900r and that radio for 2 meters is a 10 + hands down. Good Day. |
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| PY2ONU |
Rating:      |
2012-07-09 | |
| wonderful! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Very good transceiver, i made more 100 contries to this tranceiver with 2,5 or 5 watts! The better QRP, many many contacts all the world. See one of my videos below (contact with ft-817nd qrp Brazil to USA in phone mode):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzo50HfM9Pg
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Earlier 5-star review posted by PY2ONU on 2011-08-13
The Yaesu FT-817ND in my opinion is the best portable QRP radio that has already been done. He has momentum, is lightweight and sturdy than the quality of sound that is very good and the fact that all band all mode. I have made many contacts with him on several continents with only 2.5 watts (internal battery that lasts a little sadly) and with 5 watts (external battery) on HF especially in 10-15 and 20 meters. I've done some memorable contacts as Japan on 20 meters SSB (with 2.5 watts and magnetic loop antenna) and Puerto Rico on 6 meters SSB (with 2.5 watts and the small rubber antenna, hihi). Some contacts are on youtube and can be viewed on the links below. Best for all 73.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzo50HfM9Pg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvw6D0QIjzw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKhusAQnXFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMJJ9IIFxVw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfpdZpURmXQ
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| KJ4NWZ |
Rating:      |
2012-07-08 | |
| Great Bang for My Buck! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Finally purchased my FT-817ND instead of the Elecraft KX3 to keep my FT-857D company. Got it new for about $100 less than market price from a private seller (a steal). Works great. No complaints. Worked a few local repeaters at .5 watts today. Haven't tested its metal yet on HF but I am sure I'll need greater skills at minus 5 watts than with my 100w 857D. Rig is a wee bit greedy on battery power but it's still the best pound-for-pound QRP rig on the market. |
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