Thanks for this video, I've thinking of adding an 818 to my collection because they are a latter day classic, like my first radio in the 1980s, the FT290. The other reason is that the FT818 is still the only affordable rig which covers so many bands. If it covered 4mtrs, it would be perfect! Competitor rigs have waterfalls but they are almost double the price. Today, I bought a very clean, used FT818ND for just over half the new price. My bank manager will be happy I went for an 818 and not an IC 705!
Norfolk England to Melbourne Australia on 20 meters..my best dx on battery power with the Ft817.. 3-5 watts..antenna was a wire multiband vertical. Yes the band was wide open and the op at the other end was using stacked mono band beams, but this was achieved long path..amazing little radio. Goes with me on every vacation.
I bought one this past April and have been having a great time with it! You’re right about learning alot with it and operating QRP. I’ve been a ham for over 40 yrs and operating QRP has been all new to me. 73 de Chris, K2CJB
as a beginning amateur, i bought the 818 new as a sort of present for getting my license. it is a super beginner radio, and i guess it will stay my main rig for some time, as you will learn all the in's and outs of hf, antenna's, propagation, etc having a good antenna, and good coax is much more important than the rig itself. feel free to ask 73, PD1BAS
when I returned to amateur radio about 7 years ago I bought an FT817nd 2nd hand and its still on the bench today next to the IC7300. I wouldn't be without it and low power isnt that much of a problem I can work my friend who was licenced the same time as me on 300mW on 70cms great fun and my aerials are a lot better these days ... Something I probably wouldn't have done with a higher powered radio.
The 817 is brilliant even after all these years. Every operator should have one. HF and VHF +UHF. Nothing in life is perfect but this radio is worth keeping! Go get one. Preppers friend!!
great Video ! Been a HAM 40 plus years now and primarily a HF, QRP , CW operator . Great little rig . Have mine since they first came out and it is still going strong . Saving up for another , then I will delegate the old one for back pack SOTA type operation and the new 818 will stay nice and warm in the shack .. best 73, de ka3fad
Thanks very much for sharing! I have had this radio for 10+ years and still love it. It’s really fun to talk to somebody who is very strong of course, on say 75 m, and tell them after 5 or 10 minutes into the QSO what I’m running. It’s always a surprise. If band conditions are right you will be surprised how well it works. About 9 years or so ago, I worked DXCC with this radio and a G5RV!!! Can’t do it any more with the bands as bad as they are now so it sits waiting for the next sun spot peak (if that ever happens again) .. 👍. I forgot to mention your video was so well done that I am now a subscriber and look forward to more like this.
I wouldn’t be without mine. Best dodge I can offer is to remove the internal battery, fit one of those Anderson connectors to the power socket then get a suitable LiPo battery with Anderson connectors. It means you have an external battery but it makes a huge difference on portable stuff, like SOTA.
Lucien: thanks. Quite a good précis of this radio. I've owned one since it was first introduced and have experienced both the pro/con features. The major limitation for me is the design of the DC power connector which is very fragile, especially when considering that the -817 is a portable designed for a back-packer. SOTA makes a power pole modifier for the DC input that literally bolts on and provides a rugged connector. I now use my 857D in place of the -817. With custom-designed L-ion battery pack weighing 3.0 lbs off-setting the extra weight, the 857 runs for ever.
Buy the FT-857. It's approximately the same size, internals are extremely similar but it goes up to 100W. With the right LiFePo4 you can take the FT-857 portable.
Lucien, Yes ! So many capabilities in such a small package. Sadly most hams will never use a radio right out of a knap sack or lunch box, on a bicycle, or motorcycle, on a mountain top, or in a small boat. they wont throw a wire in a tree, over a cactus, or draped out a motel window, or operate from a moving train. This radio will do all that on any band from 1.6 to 440 Mhz and do it in AM FM SSB or CW.. probably using digital modes too. It will run from it's own internal batteries for a few hours, or from a small external battery for days, or your cigarette lighter for months.. It will receive NOAA weather, Aircraft, Short Wave Broadcasts, and AM or FM Broadcast, Public Service police and fire. It will work DX on 6M, 10M, 15M and 20M. In a real emergency, the kind where you run for your life.. you will want this radio ! Even if you just use it to talk on your local repeater.. it will do that just fine..and still have all those capabilities ready and waiting. Buy one used and keep it forever.
I have made several contacts with the power turned down to 2 watts. If propagation is right its not impossible. I have no problems with the included microphone. Putting a power microphone will probably overdrive the audio section and cause damage. Setting the ssb to 100% is also not a very good idea. It is what it is, if your not having any luck making contacts one day, put it away and try the next day. Keep a close eye on the flux index. When its up, no modifications are needed.
I have no regrets buying this great radio 14 years ago. The Heathkit HW-9 I constructed in 1986 was my stepping stone to this great radio. When the Yaesu FT-817 came on the market in 2001 I began saving money. My HW-9 had served me well for QRP CW, but on CW mode. In 2004 I had enough money saved to purchase the FT-817 but an upgrade was offered, the FT-817ND. The 817ND was easier to pack and use for portable use than the HW-9 plus I could operate other bands and modes from this single transceiver such as SSB and included 2 meters and 6 meters VHF, and 70 centimeters UHF. My HW-9 still gets used occasionally but my FT-817ND is my primary QRP transceiver. For QRO I purchased one of the 817's brothers, the FT-857D. I preferred its compactness over the FT-897.
This radio is still on my buy list, but I disagree with your opinion that this is a good radio for a beginner. As someone who still struggle with making contacts with QRP (because of home restrictions I have to be portable), I would suggest that someone would save some extra cash and buy the 857d (or 891). I did that and I'm glad that I can pump some extra power down the antenna cable. Of course, power is not everything, but for someone who starts with this great hobby, it can be frustrating to hear a station but not be heard back. But if money is tight and the radio would be mainly used with a local repeater, I would highly recommend this radio over all Baofeng radios. Especially used.
Good point, and I must admit that me too I struggled at the beginning because of the low power levels. On the other hand, the good thing about starting with QRP is that you don't get "spoiled" and cherish even the modest contacts. And you really need to think about effective antennas and so on. But hey, I think it's good advice for newbies to get on HF right away, no matter the power level! 73s
Just remember all that extra power only equates to only 2 S-Units and throws a lot of other things into play (power requirements, interference etc.). A good tuned antenna and 5 watts will do very well.
iFor Begniners : If VHF is NOT on your plate.. and money is limited, a used FT-450 offers the beginner a great deal more for the same money because it duplicates all of the functions of the 817 except 2m/440 and VHF rx.. with much higher performance and normal power levels for world wide communication. Only if you live on a bicycle , or out of a back pack, or this expenditure is ALL you could ever hope to spend, would this be an good choice as an ONLY radio... ` IF money is very limited.. then the fact that power supplies and tuners and other accessories are also very small and very cheap and easy to scrounge and very flexible Will makes this a viable first/only radio.
I learned HF on an FT-817nd. With a home brew vertical antenna mount and an adjustable stinger Buddiepole vertical, I worked Japan from Montana during portable outings. I learned how to be a better operator because I did have to work harder for a contact....if you are not a motivated person, it may not be the radio for you, but I absolutely do not regret having a qrp rig for my first Hf radio......what have I learned? If I fail at making a qrp contact, a lot of times even 75 watts won’t get out.....I usually make qrp contacts even on days with no sunspots.........can I tell everybody the secret weapon for qrp contacts?? My home brew 75 and 40 meter NVIS dipole is the answer......ideally 15 feet height and the sloping ends about 1.5 ft off the ground.....mine is 12ft off the ground and it kicks serious bootie...👍👍 KF7CLH
Hello from Atlanta Georgia if you have a new eight 818 there's a big difference in the circuitry it is now the new technology that's built in the circuit board compared to the 817 I have both there's such a big difference the 817 is still a great radio but I like the818 just a little better thank you for sharing this video your best friend from Atlanta Georgia
A great little rig and a well proven design. Why change it? I got my 817ND just before the 818 came out and got a £45 discount, I guess they were clearing out ready for the 818. A lot smaller than my homebrew QRP rig for portable use on a motorbike. I don't think anyone would buy a QRP radio to win a contest unless it's a QRP contest. A bit of C.W. goes a long way. 73, Bill, G4GHB.
I will never part my 817nd, I am thrilled every time I make a contact on the cute little rig. I spent more time on this qrp than my 7300. I have a perfectly resonating efhw4010 at 60 feet which works with out a tuner...73 de vu3mes
Da hast du zum Schluss nochmal gut die Kurve bekommen. Natürlich macht das Ding viel Spaß und kann für das Geld auch keine Großsignalfestigkeit erwarten, ich kaufe mir ja auch keinen Polo um.damit in der Formel 1 zu fahren...73 de DJ2DV
Buenas noches, tengo un FT-817ND, me gustaría poder subirle a 6 watios, puede por favor regalarme los parámetros ocultos de su FT-818, puede hacer un video y enseñarlos lentamente para copiarlos, muchas gracias. HK3TKI
I saw other videos saying the 818 was a total fail, so I'm surprised by your review. Yaesu should have brought new features to the 818. They didn't (10w, internal antenna tuner, better battery consumption, they should have included one filter...).
Tnx Lucien for your thoughts on FT-817. I would like to point out the voltage issue on the non ND models. I've successfully killed a PA on the device which costs me 50€. So I would highly recommend at least the ND model. You can see in my video that you also can have some fun with only 5 watts ruclips.net/video/CgJ5PtAZGcI/видео.html Best 37!
FT-817 прекрасный для походов и работы из полевых условий QRP аппарат. Я им пользуюсь при работе с "полей" лет с десять. А вот FT-818, это откровенное разочарование. Собственно, в чём отличие? Всего то производитель установил, изначально "опционный" TCXO-9, да переделан батарейный отсек под внутреннюю батарею. Я считаю, что FT-818 не стоит своих денег и производитель позорным образом схалтурил. Я ожидал от FT-818 хотя бы встроенной эффективной DSP, которая избавила б меня от расходов на приобретение опционных фильтров для работы CW. Хороший USB интерфейс, на прямую подключаемый к ноутбуку, что бы не надо было самому мастерить USB-интерфейс или пользоваться SCU-17. В общем, не понравился данный аппарат. P.S. Пишу по русски, так как мой английский просто чудовищен. А онлайн-переводчик делает целую кучу смысловых ошибок.
Why I wouldn't buy an 818? - it's simply too old a design! But if the receiver was RF direct sampling and batteries were LiFePo, now that's another story...
Great little all mode radio. Got mine for $50.00 on craigslist, listed as a CB radio with no microphone or power cord untested. (Works great)
Thanks for this video, I've thinking of adding an 818 to my collection because they are a latter day classic, like my first radio in the 1980s, the FT290. The other reason is that the FT818 is still the only affordable rig which covers so many bands. If it covered 4mtrs, it would be perfect! Competitor rigs have waterfalls but they are almost double the price. Today, I bought a very clean, used FT818ND for just over half the new price. My bank manager will be happy I went for an 818 and not an IC 705!
Norfolk England to Melbourne Australia on 20 meters..my best dx on battery power with the Ft817.. 3-5 watts..antenna was a wire multiband vertical. Yes the band was wide open and the op at the other end was using stacked mono band beams, but this was achieved long path..amazing little radio. Goes with me on every vacation.
I bought one this past April and have been having a great time with it! You’re right about learning alot with it and operating QRP. I’ve been a ham for over 40 yrs and operating QRP has been all new to me. 73 de Chris, K2CJB
as a beginning amateur, i bought the 818 new as a sort of present for getting my license. it is a super beginner radio, and i guess it will stay my main rig for some time, as you will learn all the in's and outs of hf, antenna's, propagation, etc
having a good antenna, and good coax is much more important than the rig itself.
feel free to ask
73, PD1BAS
just bought one tonight 4/13/2020 cant wait to use it.
when I returned to amateur radio about 7 years ago I bought an FT817nd 2nd hand and its still on the bench today next to the IC7300. I wouldn't be without it and low power isnt that much of a problem I can work my friend who was licenced the same time as me on 300mW on 70cms great fun and my aerials are a lot better these days ... Something I probably wouldn't have done with a higher powered radio.
The 817 is brilliant even after all these years.
Every operator should have one.
HF and VHF +UHF.
Nothing in life is perfect but this radio is worth keeping!
Go get one. Preppers friend!!
great Video ! Been a HAM 40 plus years now and primarily a HF, QRP , CW operator . Great little rig . Have mine since they first came out and it is still going strong . Saving up for another , then I will delegate the old one for back pack SOTA type operation and the new 818 will stay nice and warm in the shack ..
best 73,
de ka3fad
Thanks very much for sharing! I have had this radio for 10+ years and still love it. It’s really fun to talk to somebody who is very strong of course, on say 75 m, and tell them after 5 or 10 minutes into the QSO what I’m running. It’s always a surprise. If band conditions are right you will be surprised how well it works. About 9 years or so ago, I worked DXCC with this radio and a G5RV!!! Can’t do it any more with the bands as bad as they are now so it sits waiting for the next sun spot peak (if that ever happens again) .. 👍. I forgot to mention your video was so well done that I am now a subscriber and look forward to more like this.
I wouldn’t be without mine. Best dodge I can offer is to remove the internal battery, fit one of those Anderson connectors to the power socket then get a suitable LiPo battery with Anderson connectors. It means you have an external battery but it makes a huge difference on portable stuff, like SOTA.
Danke für das tolle Video.73,von Wien.Österreich.😊😊😊
Lucien: thanks. Quite a good précis of this radio. I've owned one since it was first introduced and have experienced both the pro/con features. The major limitation for me is the design of the DC power connector which is very fragile, especially when considering that the -817 is a portable designed for a back-packer. SOTA makes a power pole modifier for the DC input that literally bolts on and provides a rugged connector. I now use my 857D in place of the -817. With custom-designed L-ion battery pack weighing 3.0 lbs off-setting the extra weight, the 857 runs for ever.
Buy the FT-857. It's approximately the same size, internals are extremely similar but it goes up to 100W. With the right LiFePo4 you can take the FT-857 portable.
Lucien, Yes ! So many capabilities in such a small package. Sadly most hams will never use a radio right out of a knap sack or lunch box, on a bicycle, or motorcycle, on a mountain top, or in a small boat. they wont throw a wire in a tree, over a cactus, or draped out a motel window, or operate from a moving train. This radio will do all that on any band from 1.6 to 440 Mhz and do it in AM FM SSB or CW.. probably using digital modes too. It will run from it's own internal batteries for a few hours, or from a small external battery for days, or your cigarette lighter for months.. It will receive NOAA weather, Aircraft, Short Wave Broadcasts, and AM or FM Broadcast, Public Service police and fire. It will work DX on 6M, 10M, 15M and 20M. In a real emergency, the kind where you run for your life.. you will want this radio ! Even if you just use it to talk on your local repeater.. it will do that just fine..and still have all those capabilities ready and waiting. Buy one used and keep it forever.
I have made several contacts with the power turned down to 2 watts. If propagation is right its not impossible. I have no problems with the included microphone. Putting a power microphone will probably overdrive the audio section and cause damage. Setting the ssb to 100% is also not a very good idea. It is what it is, if your not having any luck making contacts one day, put it away and try the next day. Keep a close eye on the flux index. When its up, no modifications are needed.
I have no regrets buying this great radio 14 years ago. The Heathkit HW-9 I constructed in 1986 was my stepping stone to this great radio. When the Yaesu FT-817 came on the market in 2001 I began saving money. My HW-9 had served me well for QRP CW, but on CW mode. In 2004 I had enough money saved to purchase the FT-817 but an upgrade was offered, the FT-817ND. The 817ND was easier to pack and use for portable use than the HW-9 plus I could operate other bands and modes from this single transceiver such as SSB and included 2 meters and 6 meters VHF, and 70 centimeters UHF. My HW-9 still gets used occasionally but my FT-817ND is my primary QRP transceiver. For QRO I purchased one of the 817's brothers, the FT-857D. I preferred its compactness over the FT-897.
like night and day from the old HW qrp days time marches on.
Good video Lucien, very insightful.
Nice video! I just purchased a 817nd with the Collins filter in like new condition for $225 a great deal and radio 73 KC1HYM
This radio is still on my buy list, but I disagree with your opinion that this is a good radio for a beginner. As someone who still struggle with making contacts with QRP (because of home restrictions I have to be portable), I would suggest that someone would save some extra cash and buy the 857d (or 891). I did that and I'm glad that I can pump some extra power down the antenna cable. Of course, power is not everything, but for someone who starts with this great hobby, it can be frustrating to hear a station but not be heard back.
But if money is tight and the radio would be mainly used with a local repeater, I would highly recommend this radio over all Baofeng radios. Especially used.
Good point, and I must admit that me too I struggled at the beginning because of the low power levels. On the other hand, the good thing about starting with QRP is that you don't get "spoiled" and cherish even the modest contacts. And you really need to think about effective antennas and so on. But hey, I think it's good advice for newbies to get on HF right away, no matter the power level! 73s
Just remember all that extra power only equates to only 2 S-Units and throws a lot of other things into play (power requirements, interference etc.). A good tuned antenna and 5 watts will do very well.
iFor Begniners : If VHF is NOT on your plate.. and money is limited, a used FT-450 offers the beginner a great deal more for the same money because it duplicates all of the functions of the 817 except 2m/440 and VHF rx.. with much higher performance and normal power levels for world wide communication. Only if you live on a bicycle , or out of a back pack, or this expenditure is ALL you could ever hope to spend, would this be an good choice as an ONLY radio... ` IF money is very limited.. then the fact that power supplies and tuners and other accessories are also very small and very cheap and easy to scrounge and very flexible Will makes this a viable first/only radio.
I learned HF on an FT-817nd. With a home brew vertical antenna mount and an adjustable stinger Buddiepole vertical, I worked Japan from Montana during portable outings. I learned how to be a better operator because I did have to work harder for a contact....if you are not a motivated person, it may not be the radio for you, but I absolutely do not regret having a qrp rig for my first Hf radio......what have I learned? If I fail at making a qrp contact, a lot of times even 75 watts won’t get out.....I usually make qrp contacts even on days with no sunspots.........can I tell everybody the secret weapon for qrp contacts?? My home brew 75 and 40 meter NVIS dipole is the answer......ideally 15 feet height and the sloping ends about 1.5 ft off the ground.....mine is 12ft off the ground and it kicks serious bootie...👍👍 KF7CLH
Hello from Atlanta Georgia if you have a new eight 818 there's a big difference in the circuitry it is now the new technology that's built in the circuit board compared to the 817 I have both there's such a big difference the 817 is still a great radio but I like the818 just a little better thank you for sharing this video your best friend from Atlanta Georgia
Understand that I took you advice and bought one last month I like it
A great little rig and a well proven design. Why change it? I got my 817ND just before the 818 came out and got a £45 discount, I guess they were clearing out ready for the 818. A lot smaller than my homebrew QRP rig for portable use on a motorbike. I don't think anyone would buy a QRP radio to win a contest unless it's a QRP contest. A bit of C.W. goes a long way.
73, Bill, G4GHB.
As Tim the tool man Taylor says....MORE POWER😂 great video
I will never part my 817nd, I am thrilled every time I make a contact on the cute little rig. I spent more time on this qrp than my 7300. I have a perfectly resonating efhw4010 at 60 feet which works with out a tuner...73 de vu3mes
Da hast du zum Schluss nochmal gut die Kurve bekommen. Natürlich macht das Ding viel Spaß und kann für das Geld auch keine Großsignalfestigkeit erwarten, ich kaufe mir ja auch keinen Polo um.damit in der Formel 1 zu fahren...73 de DJ2DV
Buenas noches, tengo un FT-817ND, me gustaría poder subirle a 6 watios, puede por favor regalarme los parámetros ocultos de su FT-818, puede hacer un video y enseñarlos lentamente para copiarlos, muchas gracias. HK3TKI
I saw other videos saying the 818 was a total fail, so I'm surprised by your review. Yaesu should have brought new features to the 818. They didn't (10w, internal antenna tuner, better battery consumption, they should have included one filter...).
Love the little rig but to little screen always need the back light on watch drains the batteries Enron more.
Very interesting video ft-817/818 super little rig.
It's a great radio...just get one if you can as they've now been discontinued.
Why not show the radio back ? The rear jacks can be more versatily to connect and remote linear amp, tuner and CAT interface.
Hello Lucien what's the desk Mic you have back there? Thanks
A beauty, isn't it? It's an older CB microphone: "Astatic No. 1104C"
I want the FT-818ND.
My only critisism is the horrible mess of menu's needed to set it up but once set you can live with it.
Great video! I agree 100%. 73
I am still confused why did Yaesu bring out the 818 with so little in the way of a upgrade.???. de G0WXU
Components of the 817 were no longer in production. FCC required Yaesu change the name.
Tnx Lucien for your thoughts on FT-817. I would like to point out the voltage issue on the non ND models. I've successfully killed a PA on the device which costs me 50€. So I would highly recommend at least the ND model. You can see in my video that you also can have some fun with only 5 watts ruclips.net/video/CgJ5PtAZGcI/видео.html Best 37!
T RY THE VK3YE MIC CONDENSER MIC MOD WORKS ON MY 857 991 AND FT817 KG6MN
FT-817 прекрасный для походов и работы из полевых условий QRP аппарат. Я им пользуюсь при работе с "полей" лет с десять. А вот FT-818, это откровенное разочарование. Собственно, в чём отличие? Всего то производитель установил, изначально "опционный" TCXO-9, да переделан батарейный отсек под внутреннюю батарею. Я считаю, что FT-818 не стоит своих денег и производитель позорным образом схалтурил. Я ожидал от FT-818 хотя бы встроенной эффективной DSP, которая избавила б меня от расходов на приобретение опционных фильтров для работы CW. Хороший USB интерфейс, на прямую подключаемый к ноутбуку, что бы не надо было самому мастерить USB-интерфейс или пользоваться SCU-17. В общем, не понравился данный аппарат.
P.S. Пишу по русски, так как мой английский просто чудовищен. А онлайн-переводчик делает целую кучу смысловых ошибок.
If you get it for $50 as craigslist then it is good and bargain but not for $800 as they are available in ham shops...:(
Why I wouldn't buy an 818? - it's simply too old a design! But if the receiver was RF direct sampling and batteries were LiFePo, now that's another story...
Shame on you Yaesu. So many years for RnD and WHAT? Still NIMh battery which causes fall-back to 2W of power?
My ft817nd will be with me till one of us go qrt, either the radio or me HI.
😃nice!!
Hmm..the title though..is morse code worth it? Is HF worth it?...worth over...a mobile phone?... the Internet?..
Isn't a hobby supposed to be fun?
So I have to buy a better mic, and an amplifier on an almost $1,000 radio?
LOL, no thanks.
Unless someone can show me one for $60
T RY THE VK3YE MIC CONDENSER MIC MOD WORKS ON MY 857 991 AND FT817 KG6MN