[FARC] FT-897D QRP

[Jon and Suse Greenstone]

Roger on all that Kirk,
Do you have the DTMF Mic? Just curious.  My rig is the older version, 
without 60 Meter Channels. Nevertheless, I enjoy the versatility, only had 
it in the truck once.
73
Jon  kb3llx


      MH-36E8J  DTMF Mobile Microphone

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <kirktal7237 at msn.com>
To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 8:18 AM
Subject: Re: [FARC] FT-897D QRP


> 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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