[K3PZN-List] Yaesu FT-891 Thoughts

Sun Sep 3 16:43:40 EDT 2017

Curt,
Haha funny thing. The G5RV was the antenna giving me problems. It finally gave out and wouldn't even receive. Couldn't even hear noise. I took it down and threw it out. I currently have the R5 up now but am starting to look for another wire antenna. Would like to add 80/75m to it any recommendations? I have a manual MFJ tuner and actually found one the cables I need to connect the 891 to the z100. That will suffice until I save up enough for the FC-50. I really can't do a vertical as most need ground plan radials and I just can't do that. Luckily the R5 only has radios right above the feed point and that's all it needs so I have that mounted up on a pole next to the VHF antenna tower. 
Kyle 

> On Sep 3, 2017, at 4:22 PM, Curt Milton via K3PZN-List <k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> Kyle
> I am thinking to concentrate on one antenna first, maybe the mini G5RV since I it will allow both 40 and 20 meter operation.  These are two very good bands in this part of the sunspot cycle.  
> I tend to think the g5rv mini needs help from a tuner. Honestly a manual tuner should be easier to get working than an autotuner.  I suggest staying simple for now.  I tend to not recommend MFJ for many things, but if you can find one of their manual tuners with built in swr meter it will serve you well.  It should not be expensive, and maybe a used one will emerge.
> Keep things as simple as possible until all is working.  
> Mark has a good idea for bringing in coax to keep it working, and you from being evicted.  
> Curt
> 
> t from Yahoo Mail on Android
> 
> 
>  On Sun, Sep 3, 2017 at 7:24 am, Mark J. Nalepa, NS3X<ns3x at comcast.net> wrote:   Kyle -
> 
> To follow-up with comments from our friend Curt.
> 
> (1) Last month marked my forty-continuous years of enjoying our fraternity of Amateur Operators.
> (2) Set-up (a.k.a tune) your R-5 for operation on all bands SWR should fall well within 2:1 (band edges)
> (3) Set-up your G5RV for operation on all bands SWR should fall well within 2:1 (band edges)
> (4) There is no need to keep an SWR meter in-line once line items 2 and 3 are met. You'll know if there
>       is a problem (e.g. no RX signals, Ft-891 high swr alert, lamp lights on desk when not turned on, etc.)
> (5) Do not "squeeze" window shut onto your co-axial transmission line, rather place a wooden
>       board between the bottom of the window and window sill wide enough to drill a hole for
>       the coax to enter the HF operating room. If you wish to limit the size of the wood remove the
>       PL-259 first and only drill a hole diameter to your outside of the coax and install the connector
>       after the coax enters your home. Remember to practice safe protocol and provide a ground at
>       the entrance so to ground your transmission  line(s) when you are NOT operating.
> (6) Use as little power as possible to make your 2-way QSO and have fun with your Yaesu FT-891.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Mark, NS3X  dit dit
> DXCC # 13,351  CW
> SKCC # 13,490 T
> Amateur Radio Worldwide Friendship
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: k3pzn-list-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:k3pzn-list-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kyle Thornton
> Sent: Saturday, September 2, 2017 8:15 PM
> To: Curt Milton; Carroll County Amateur Radio Club
> Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] Yaesu FT-891 Thoughts
> 
> Curt,
> Thank you for the suggestion. Im actually borrowing an SWR/Power meter. I wasn’t checking that using CW and never saw an problems until I changed the mode and then the SWR was really high and even a warning came up on the rig. I have an R5 Vertical and a junior G5RV. I have a manual antenna tuner somewhere but I also have an automatic antenna tuner that came with my 706, its the LDG Z100. Doesn’t look like it will work with the 891 as it requires a power connection to the radio its self which I’m guessing is how the tuner knows when to tune the antenna. If there is a way I can still utilize it let me know.
> 
> I was going to try and wait till Black Friday to get the Yaesu FC-50 which was designed to work with the 891. I actually left my job to focus on school which I’m glad I did because I don’t have to rush as much to get homework done. So if anyone needs help with anything PLEASE let me know!
> 
> Ill need to invest in a good Power/SWR meter at some point as thats something I don’t have. The one I’m borrowing is a Yaesu FY-60 I think, Very nice meter as well. The Junior G5RV I plan on replacing in the spring with a full size G5RV. It would be really cool if I could figure out how to make an adjustable rotatable dipole for 40-6 if thats even possible.
> 
> I also will need to replace most of my coax at some point to. The only good coax I’ve got is some RG-213 on my VHF antenna and RG-8 on the HF Vertical. Everything else is radio shack RG-58 including whats connecting the VHF Radio its self to the RG-213 because thats some serious stuff and all my coax it routed through a window.
> 
> Kyle
> On Sep 2, 2017, at 7:38 PM, Curt Milton via K3PZN-List <k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net<mailto:k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net>> wrote:
> 
> Kyle
> sorry about the rig issue.  let's insure you don't have a short circuit connection at your antenna input, and that you aren't running a high VSWR where you are operating.  so please be cautious in this regard.  (if momentary issues would kill a rig - mine would all be dead - but persistent operation into a bad antenna can cause problems).
> 
> you certainly acquired a nice rig.  the operator's (you) connection with the front panel is very important - you were wise to evaluate that you will enjoy using the rig.
> 
> if you use it on FM -- please reduce the output power on that mode - I suggest around 40-50%.  it won't make a huge difference in your range -- but it will help preserve the finals as FM runs 100% duty cycle when transmitting.  it is much harder on the rig than SSB.  same for digital modes -- run those at lower power.
> 
> do explore the digital modes -- all from RTTY to PSK31 to all the newer modes can be a blast.
> 
> enjoy the new rig.
> 
> Curt
> 
> 
>   On Saturday, September 2, 2017 4:39 PM, Kyle Thornton <kyle.3599 at outlook.com<mailto:kyle.3599 at outlook.com>> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi All,
> So my 706 seems to have bitten the dust (I think the finals went bad as it has very very little output power, Mike can hear me but nobody else seems to be able to but he’s also a stones throw away) After contemplating what to do as its a 20 year old radio even though its a very nice radio I decided to get the 891. I don’t plan on getting rid of it but to use it to learn what went wrong and how to fix it. I just got the 891 today and so far love it! Haven’t made any contacts yet but the receive is really nice and you can really pull a signal in out of the noise. I have not tried it yet with digital as I’m waiting on the cables from Tigertronics but I suspect it will do well. A lot of people seem to complain that it doesn’t have 2m/70cm like the 857D did but I do not find that a problem as its my base HF radio to go along with my Kenwood TM-281a. Its a VERY menu driven radio but all the common stuff (except power output) is in a quick access menu. Other than that I’ve had no issues what so ever with it. Im very impressed with Yaesu as I’ve never had one and the quality is amazing. I think I’m a pretty picky person with radios and how they look, I had looked at an 857D but I didn’t like how small the screen was and although I’m sure useful I really didn’t like the HUGE VFO knob it had and it was also a bit more expensive. I received a heil microphone with it for free as some offer HRO was doing. Haven’t tried that out but its a kind of mic that you’d put on a boom.
> Let me know what you guys think about it or any questions about it. Just thought id give my general view of it after receiving it.
> Kyle
> KC3FMP
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