tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post4551129579321452245..comments2023-09-22T04:01:24.314-07:00Comments on The Commo Bunker: My devotion to the Yaesu FT-817Rich Arland, K7SZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11548921505413893990noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-29479438337832011872015-09-21T22:26:40.352-07:002015-09-21T22:26:40.352-07:00John, thanks for taking the time to write. I total...John, thanks for taking the time to write. I totally agree about the KX3 and the 703. I had a 703 and was using it as a portable rig but didn't like it very much. The 706 and the 703 have hard to master ergonomics (for me anyway) so I'll stick with the 8178.<br />Vy 73<br />Rich K7SZRich Arland, K7SZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11548921505413893990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-74129259065004591752015-09-21T22:24:28.245-07:002015-09-21T22:24:28.245-07:00Thanks for writing, Darrell. I had thought about t...Thanks for writing, Darrell. I had thought about the Timewave unit and I may still try to procure one in the future. It seems that everyone on the planet has one of those Windcamp 2500mah LiPo batteries but me!! I upgraded the pathetic 1400 mA/hr pack that came with the 817 and got a 2400 mA/hr pack from a battery vendor at the local hamfest last year. It works OK, but the current requirements on receive for the 817 suck it down pretty fast. I do have a 5000 mA/hr LiPo pack that I picked up to go in the Amp 3 tactical bag. It works fine but DO NOT let them discharge too much or the pack is ruined. That little lesson cost me $48!!! <br /><br />Vy 73<br /><br />Rich K7SZRich Arland, K7SZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11548921505413893990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-20901263735736841132015-09-21T22:20:29.296-07:002015-09-21T22:20:29.296-07:00Hi Chuck.
Thanks for writing. I agree that the KX...Hi Chuck.<br /><br />Thanks for writing. I agree that the KX3 is too fragile to take the beating it would get on an EmComm deployment. Unfortunately, I don't do much camping anymore. Peppermint Patti (KB3MCT) and I will be selling our place next year and picking up a RV and do some serious Road Warrior trips. The 817s will come in mighty handy then. The K3 will probably get sold (sob!!) but we just won't have the room in the camper for a big (physically) station. <br /><br />vy 73 <br /><br />Rich K7SZRich Arland, K7SZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11548921505413893990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-15318405845950658362015-09-21T22:14:50.485-07:002015-09-21T22:14:50.485-07:00You are absolutely correct, Mike. The :ND version ...You are absolutely correct, Mike. The :ND version does NOT have DSP. My mistake. Thanks for writing. Hope to wk you on the bands.<br /><br />Vy 73<br />Rich K7SZRich Arland, K7SZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11548921505413893990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-85083508363730120462014-12-16T06:12:09.695-08:002014-12-16T06:12:09.695-08:00I had several 817s the past 10 plus years and made...I had several 817s the past 10 plus years and made tons of contacts. Its a great radio even if the built battery is a joke. I have the Windcamp lion battery and have used the W4rt in the past. This radio is a keeper. I have the kx3 as well and the Icom 703 but the one I grab the most is the yaesu. I was in Vancouver and with a balcony hotel room and my vest pocket vertical , an additional 9.6v battery pack was able to work the local repeaters and work stateside , vp2 and pj4 and a few ja',s on 10m. Sure the kx3 and 703 could do the same but the Icom is bigger and the elecraft doesn't do uhf. Grab the 817 and I am down at the nearby park sipping a coffee listening to the BBC with a 8 foot wire. Its the case, shoulder strap and form factor that makes it ideal. Only recommendation is the cw or SSB filter depending on your preferences. VE3IPShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14275206767081013938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-33983183952449441502014-12-03T15:10:11.478-08:002014-12-03T15:10:11.478-08:00"And I'm also pretty sure that a KX-3 is ..."And I'm also pretty sure that a KX-3 is much to fragile for the type of use which one of my FT-817s has endured."<br /><br />Fragile. That was what stopped me. I love the KX-3's DSP receiver but my 817 is meant to be outdoors and I can take it anywhere without worrying that I'm going to break it. Once I actually had my hands on an 817 I forgot about wanting a KX-3. I've used it in all the digital modes, used it for SO-50 Satcom with an arrow antenna and have found the radio to be all round fun to use. As for batteries, I just tote a couple of 5000MaH LiPo batteries for external power and that get's me through the time I'm out. Usually on of the externals ends up not being used. <br /><br />QRP CW out in the woods, camping with friends.. That makes for a great way to spend a summer night.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-51640978873357836182014-11-14T22:44:24.138-08:002014-11-14T22:44:24.138-08:00Hi Rich, I own two FT-817nd radios, have for many ...Hi Rich, I own two FT-817nd radios, have for many years. In 35+ years as a licensed amateur, I've had the best high end rigs and I've had some not-so-nice rigs.<br /><br />I sold everything except the two FT-817nd rigs. They really are all that I need. While at home, One stays on HF while the other is on VHF & UHF. This allows me to monitor & talk on two bands simultaneously. I'm even thinking of adding a third. On HF at home, I use a good quality external 100w bandswitched amplifier if I need more power. Most of the time I don't need it though. Both radios have the optional 2.3k SSB filters installed. I also use a Timewave DSP-9+ for DSP.<br /><br />One of these radios has been with me everywhere over the years. From long (20+ mi.) wilderness hikes & mountain climbs to camping to a 7000+ mile cross-country road trip in 2012. Never once have these little wonders let me down, and I have made many, many contacts & good QSOs on all bands & modes.<br /><br />With the FT-817, I can listen to many other services besides amateur radio - VHF air traffic, FM broadcast, Shortwave, and even public service if I plug in a small receive converter (MFJ-313). And all in a box about the size of a thick paperback book.<br /><br />The KX-3 doesn't even come close in this regard.<br /><br />Some have complained about internal battery life of the FT-817. In my case, I bought & installed the Windcamp 2500mah LiPo batteries & associated charging doors on my 817s and have no problem with battery life. For long-range hikes I also carry one or two small external AA packs which have eight NiMh batteries each.<br /><br />For digital modes, I use simple transformer-isolated audio cables along with USB CAT cables. They work flawlessly.<br /><br />So to sum, what I have with my FT-817s is:<br /><br />All mode, all band amateur capability including HF/6m/2m/70cm in a station which performs very well and which I can use anywhere - at home, backpacking, camping, in motels, park tables, even pedestrian mobile.<br /><br />I did consider selling my FT-817s awhile back and buying an Elecraft KX-3 but after awhile my sense came back and I realized what I'd be losing vs. what I would gain then I quickly banished the thought! :). And I'm also pretty sure that a KX-3 is much to fragile for the type of use which one of my FT-817s has endured.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for the nice post! <br />dbhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15370075953932527874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5322605315216870710.post-35533611821183017622014-10-29T15:07:41.998-07:002014-10-29T15:07:41.998-07:00Hi Rich... I always enjoy your writings. The ND v...Hi Rich... I always enjoy your writings. The ND version, unfortunately, does not have DSP like its bigger brother the FT-857. So, the BHI unit is still a nice add-on. The ND does include 60M and a much improved noise blanker over the original design.<br />73, Mike W5RST (ex-N5JKY)Mike W5RSThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723510660632108972noreply@blogger.com