[FARC] FT-897D QRP

[kirktal7237 at msn.com]

Jon,  I'm using the LDG AT-897 tuner which was designed for use with the 
FT-897.   It bolts right on to the side of the radio although I haven't done 
this yet.  I have the tuner sitting beside the radio on the desk and the 
tuner uses the CAT port on the radio to receive power.  The tuner runs about 
1 second to tune a particular frequency.   I've been using the FT-897 on one 
battery pack for 3 days now, however  I haven't done a lot of transmitting. 
I'm still reading the owners manual, trying different buttons and settings, 
and trying to figure out the menu system.

The NiMh batteries for the FT-897 are expensive, $129 each, so an 
alternative power system like you have is a good idea especially for field 
day use.  Under constant transmitting conditions like at a field day or 
special event I'm not sure the FT-897 could make it on those two internal 
batteries alone.

I like the concept though, especially since I can take it in a vehicle, hook 
it to a mag mount antenna, and run VHF/UHF without having it permanently 
mounted or using vehicle power.   I just have to convince the XYL now that I 
need an antenna hook-up in every room of the house HI HI.

73
KB3ONM
Kirk



--------------------------------------------------
From: "Jon and Suse Greenstone" <jsgreenstone at verizon.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:46 PM
To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [FARC] FT-897D QRP

> Hi Kirk,
> Just fyi, the FT897 is my main rig here at the house.  I don't have the 
> portable batteries, got rig used--no batteries, but I do have it hooked up 
> to gel cell external batteries--that are solar charged.  Since the gel 
> cells are charged at 24 volts, I have an Astron 24x12vdc converter.  While 
> this is not an ideal way to operate--it works ok.  The more important 
> thing is that I can run up to full power, batteries not withstanding, 
> since the radio thinks its on a power supply.  While this would not be 
> practicle for portable operation, at least it would work for field day or 
> campsite situation assuming  you had a large gel cell or otherwise battery 
> power available.  Enjoy the rig--what Tuner are you using?
> Jon  kb3llx
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <kirktal7237 at msn.com>
> To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:37 PM
> Subject: [FARC] FT-897D QRP
>
>
> Just got an Yaesu FT-897D for portable use with the Buddipole antenna. 
> I'm running it on two NiMh battery packs which contrary to Ham radio 
> dealer literature only provide 4 hours of continuous operation at 20 watts 
> on HF not 8 hours.  The FT-897D automatically switches to 20 watts maximum 
> RF power when using battery packs, I have no control over this.
>
> Now I haven't set up the Buddipole antenna yet, but I am using the FT-897D 
> with my 40 meter inverted V dipole.  This dipole has given fair to 
> marginal performance at 100 watts with other radios depending on band 
> conditions. Today using the FT-897D on 40 meters I made my first contact 
> using 20 watts. I reached Joliet, Illinois and got a confusing signal 
> report.  Very weak signal but good audio, with 0 to 1 S-units on the 
> meter.   The guy could barely copy me over the background noise.
>
> So this radio is evidently a QRP rig, not that there's anything wrong with 
> that, and I was just wondering will I need some type of gain antenna like 
> a beam to make this rig work?  I've been told that the right antenna with 
> gain can be a good substitute for brute RF power and put out a fine 
> signal.  Any thoughts on this?
>
> See you all at the luncheon tomorrow.
>
> 73
> KB3ONM
> Kirk
>
>
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