[Yaesu] FT-817 users power sources

[Clark Savage Turner]

Happily playing with my 817, haven't had this much fun since 1972 when I 
bought the Ten Tec Argonaut and took it into the forest.

I have found some 10 cell AA battery holders that seem to work very well 
for the NiMH cells I have (I can get over 12 volts for quite a while 
with this pack).  It does not fit inside the rig, so the internal pack 
gives me some more time after this one is exhausted.  I suspect this 
would work well for the Alkaline cells, too, especially since they keep 
going well down the voltage curve and the 817 is happy below 9 volts.

These packs have the typical 9 volt battery power terminals on the top 
(ugh) but I may use a mating connector wired directly to the DC power 
connector for the back of the 817.  Does anyone know a source for the DC 
power connector for the 817 (and part number)?  I tried the Radio Shack 
connectors and they don't quite mate properly.

(I know I might find such information on the Yahoo group for the 817, 
but they require membership in Yahoo in order to access the FAQ.  I 
won't join a commercially run advertising based amateur radio group - 
with all due respect to the good folks trying to run the group).

I'd also be interested in discussing with others who might be using a 
spin casting set in order to cast into branches of trees to raise simple 
wire antennas for portable operation.  Just looking for tips on the 
simplest equipment and willing to share my experience.  I have had 
wonderful success with a 140 foot dipole and the Z-11 tuner, raised as 
an interted vee.  I feed the inverted vee with cheapie 300 ohm twin lead 
to 4 feet of coax soldered directly to the twin lead but with a ferrite 
choke on the coax.  At the center "insulator" (made from cutout plastic 
from a milk jug) I have short clip leads that clip to whatever wire I 
would like to attach for the day.

Finally, I'd also like to meet anyone local (San Luis Obispo or within 
50 miles?) who has the FT-897, I wonder how it works out with the 
heavier batteries and larger size.  20 watts might be very nice at times.

Clark
WA3JPG