[50mhz] FT-897D

[Bill W5WVO]

George,

I owned the original FT-897, and after a short time had it upgraded to
FT-897D level. (I no longer have it.)

I used it predominantly on VHF, mostly 6 meters, and there is a lot to like
about this radio as an entry-level VHF rig, whether in fixed-station,
portable, or mobile service. For example, its implementation of VFO offset
switching between SSB and CW modes on the VHF bands was obviously designed
by somebody who actually operates VHF weak-signal modes. It's become the
industry standard on how to do this. Its noise figure and sensitivity on 50
MHz are adequate for most metro-area locations where the noise floor is
established by the ambient environment, not the radio. The user interface is
fairly intuitive, albeit somewhat limited compared to high-end rigs. It's
easy to operate.

(BTW, consider the LDG AT-897 autotuner as an alternative to the Yaesu
autotuner (http://www.w4wb.com/index.htm). Like the original Yaesu
equipment, the AT-897 mounts to the side of the FT-897D and has a much
greater impedance tuning range than the Yaesu autotuner. I had one, and it
worked very well.)

Now the bad news. For contesting use on HF and on 6 meters when the bands
are open and crowded with powerful signals, the FT-897D's poor dynamic range
makes it a very frustrating radio to use. The same can be said for its
Kenwood sibling, the TS-2000, and a number of other low-end, all-band,
all-mode rigs. And the bigger an antenna you hook up to the radio, the more
these shortcomings are manifest.

So if your use of the FT-897D runs to casual operation with modest antennas,
it's arguably not a bad choice -- especially if you have any interest in
fixed-portable operation, for which it was explicitly designed. On the other
hand, if you are serious about DXing or contesting on 50 MHz, you should buy
a little more radio if you can afford to save up some additional bucks. My
recommendation? The Elecraft K3-100, stripped down to bare essentials and
selling in this configuration for around $2,000, is the best HF and 6-meter
rig you can buy for anywhere NEAR that amount of money. It's the best bang
for the buck you can get on the amateur market right now.

Bill W5WVO
DM65qh
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Chris Boone
  To: 50Mhz at mailman.qth.net
  Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 7:00 PM
  Subject: RE: [50mhz] FT-897D


  Same radio internally as FT857D mobile..just repackaged..I have the 857
and love it..NB is great on SSB..but doesn't work on FM...only issue I have
with the 857 is the audio is cut back when the SWR is high..(not just RF
cutback).so on SSB, you have even less signal with 2:1 or higher SWRs!!
Tuner would be helpful. The 897 is better for home use but I use my 857
mobile and fixed....(other con is no 220 J...that and the FM Bcst reception
sux compared to a normal FM car radio..the rcvr overloads on the FM
band...but then it wasn't really made for that; I hardly use it on the FM
band...aircraft reception is ok but on the ham bands, it sings quite
well..get excellent audio reports on 6 SSB mobile)



  From: 50mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:50mhz-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of George Clark
  Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 7:28 AM
  To: undisclosed recipients:
  Subject: [50mhz] FT-897D



          Have any of you purchased and used this radio? If so,Pro's and
con's.
                                                                 Thanks,
                                                                George






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